Our Samskrit teacher, Jaydeva Maastru was quite a scholar. Some of his classes were very inspiring. Even after 30 long years I cannot erase few of his lectures, especially about Samskrit Poets, Baana, Harsha, Dandi etc . A passage from a short novel, possibly written by a 7th century poet Baana, Shukavritantaha, one of few such lessons from our textbook, which he read in a class, is still so vivid in my memory. That passage cast such a thunder in my heart, it was such fluent stream of phrases, rhymes of words, not to miss the aura it created of a huge tree amidst a thick dark forest of Vindhya hills - they still ring fear in my ear.
In one of his classes he told a story about the genius of poet Harsha when he was a young student. Harsha’s Guru thought, Harsha was too sharp for his age. To dull his mind, so as to make him more mature poet, he made him eat urdaal (maasha in Samskrit) everyday.
One day Harsha was eating a dish made out of Urdaal. His Guru saw him eating, and asked.
One day Harsha was eating a dish made out of Urdaal. His Guru saw him eating, and asked.
Harsha kim Karoshi ?
Harsha what are you up to?
Harsha what are you up to?
As Guru ended sha with shi, with a meaningful smile on his lips; there seemed a subtle, hesitant, invite to a poetical duel. Guru hoped the question passed, Harsha’s wit without a challenge as he thought eating urdaal would have dulled his wit a little.
Harsha quipped back politely thus.
Visheshasheshamusheemusha maashabhaksham Bhakshaami !
How more poetic you can get!
Sir, I am eating a special dish made especially out of urdaal left out…
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