Kaivartakah Keshavah (Keshava is the Boatman)

कैवर्तकः केशव:
(Keshava is the Boatman)

These are the only two words from the scriptures that Vaaman Baappaa talked to me about. He had read out to me, actually sang out to me, poet-laureate Govind Pai's long poems on Jesus and Buddha. Other than this, he kept a low profile on religion and scriptures. He performed poojaa at home when Ajja could not. He would fall flat for namaskaar in front of devaa kooda before going for meals. And he never prayed for anything, he told me. Incidentaly he told me of RamaNa in 1950 when papers published articles on MaharShi who had expired that year.

Our scriptures and literature give long winding similes to describe events or characteristics. Kaivartaka is a boatman. Saamsaara is compared to sea/river hard to cross without help of a boat and the Guru/God is called the boatman. The shloka which ends in two words - kaivartakah Keshavah decribes the great war which KruShNa helped PaaNDavas to negotiate and reach victory on the other shore. BheeShma and DroNa are two steep banks. Jayadhratha, brother-in-law of the Kauravas is the turbulent water. Shakuni is the rocks preventing smooth sailing. Shalya is crocodile waiting to rock the boat and get at you. KRupaachaarya is skyhigh waves. KarNa is the rising tide. Ashwatthaama and VikarNa are reptiles. Duryodhana is the vortex to toss and sink the boat. The PaaNDavas crossed the river safely, Keshava was their dependable boatman. (The shloka is from the Geethaastuti prayer. I recite it after bath evey morning.)

Kaivartaka has become KhevaTa in Hindi. Recollect Tulaseeedaasa describing Guha not taking fare for taking Raama across the river? Guha had said - When I come to the river you ferry me across (to heaven).

Shankaraachaarya has used this methodology to din into our ears some point. Like comparing the seed of a thought to final loss of peace of mind to a tree from roots to fruits. And Kaalidaasa has made great use of upamaas (similes ) in his works. They say - Upamaa Kaalidaasasya. None can excel Kaalidaasa in similes. (A joke - what is Kaalidaasa's favourite food - upamaa!)