Runa

Certain concepts & traditions were developed by our old generation.Now,we in the guise of modernization discard them without understanding what they are. What is Runa? It is not at all easy to understand what Runa is. In fact, one has to realize what it is. Runa is a Sanskrit word and it means a debt in that language. In fact, it isn't mere a debt arising out of a monetary transaction but it's something more too. Its usage on several other occasions gives rise to different feelings. Indebtedness need not be always necessarily monetary. It can be otherwise too. One can be indebted to other on account of making available services and helpful in all possible ways too. When there is nobody to take care, if one serves other when they are seriously ill and hospitalized and takes care of their children at home too, it is a great service. In fact, some render such services and assistance so much that it is impossible to either quantify or evaluate them at all. In such, instances one can only remain indebted to service provider. Such a service or help could not be reciprocated at all and indebtedness remains unsettled. Runa prevails and creates a sense of gratitude in one who has been benefited. When one feels that it is impossible to settle indebtedness , they shed tears of gratitude having no other recourse to settle Runa. Sometimes one is not even aware how much they owe to whom, and why. Whenever one is unable to settle their indebtedness, they feel guilty and become restless also. Settlement of Runa is a very difficult task .

Once the feeling that we are indebted to somebody arises in us, it is hard to drive it out. We remain grateful to them. Some deliberately do not insist on repayment because they want others to be in their Runa. Further, they think that one who is in their Runa is generally obliged to them. One who is in Runa does not generally command much respect and is treated with scant respect too. Those who are in Runa generally suffer from inferiority complex . In fact, Runa haunts us until it is fully settled to our satisfaction. We can pun with the word “Runa”. Mother always used to tell us that we should not be in anybody’s “Runa”. Further, mother used to opine that if we do not settle that score during our lifetime, we have to take birth again as a servant in their household. She used to point out at animals, like oxen, horse, dog etc and it was her belief that it was all due to non-settling of indebtedness (Runa) during previous lifetime, they are working for us now. That which is done without any obligation is “Runa”. Whatever good that whosoever does it in whatever form to us we should be indebted to them. If somebody does something good knowingly or unknowingly which is helpful to us, it is “Runa” only. We should note and try to help in return; otherwise, we would be in their “Runa". There are two types of Runa. One type of Runa can be settled and other type of Runa cannot be settled at all.

This concept of Runa is there with people belonging to older generation. It along with concepts like heaven, hell, sin etc is gradually, declining. Those concepts are considered as old school of thoughts. But they belong to our rich ancient culture and heritage which prohibit us from doing something bad or evil. Such concepts have psychological impact on us. Such concepts morally bind us. I have seen women becoming restless until they return or give back a gift or a present that they received on one or another occasion. They consider gifts or presents as a loan without interest. They do not treat them as a custom. They do not think that a present or a gift is given as a token of love and affection. Some do not even have proper sleep unless they repay or return the same. They don’t want anything without doing anything. That is why many get printed in an invitation " No present please or presents in blessings only". They do not want to be indebted to anybody. In other words they do not want to be in anybody’s “Runa” It is all a mindset. .

One generally does not help other with an intention that the other must be in their "Runa''. Helping others is nature of some people. They consider helping others as an opportunity. They do not attach any strings to their help also. What one does not understand is that they can return back money or anything received along with interest or something more added to it but the moment or nick of time which they call timely never or seldom comes back and the "Runa" remains. In this context, I came across a quote which says “Money can buy a watch but not the time”. It is indebtedness of various types like Mathru Runa, Pitru Runa, Deva Runa, and Rishi Runa that cannot be settled at all. Runa arises due to an assistance or help from one person or persons to another or others in any form without expecting anything in return. Generally, such a help or assistance many a times cannot be rendered back even. Runa also means gratitude. Debt can be generally repaid but not the timely help, which saved their reputation, career, life, prestige and honor. It is invaluable. It may be sacrifice by one for the sake of another. That is why what elders say is really true his or her “Runa” cannot be settled in the coming generations or hundreds of generation for he sacrificed his child and saved life of our child. Similar instances are there where one sacrifices his life to save the life of another. It is impossible to evaluate or quantify “Runa” many a times. There are people who do everything for the society without accepting or expecting anything in return; moreover they do not do it either for name or fame. They do not want to be remembered by others even. They are great people. Depending upon circumstances, deed rendered by one to another, we can use superlatives. Some toil through out their life like an ox tied to a yoke to settle the debt or Runa incurred by them or anyone of their members of their family with some opulent persons. It seems even animals are also aware of this indebtedness. If we feed a dog from time to time how faithful it would be, it not only keeps a vigil of our house but also does whatever we order. If necessary it lays down its life for our sake even. That is how it settles our “Runa or debt”.

Now-a- days; we say “thanks” or give a smile and forget the individual. We do not even remember how much we were helped or benefited or saved from ignominy etc. Gradually, Runa concept is vanishing. It is confined to God fearing people only. Attitudes do not remain same. They change with time. They can change for better or worse. Now a days attitudes have changed so much that one who is indebted to other instead o remaining indebted to them not only refuses repayment but also demands payment on the contrary from them. Nobody thinks more about “Runa” these days. Help others whenever wherever possible receive help whenever wherever essential. Receiving help or helping others etc all seem to be a part and parcel of ones life. It is every day game. Thinking is getting more modernized. Some only take help and do not help others at all. Some want everything from society but rarely give anything to the society. In other words some are selfish. People of various types of nature could be found in this vast world.

The above thoughts were making rounds in my mind and I recollected dear Purshmam, a cousin of my mother. Mam means uncle, mother’s brother. We have not seen our mother’s brother. Why we our mother herself might not have even remembered to have seen her brother who had passed away when she was only six years old. In those days mass deaths used to take place due to epidemics like plague, cholera etc. As a result mother had lost her parents, brother, grandmother etc in a matter of a few days. Purshmam had filled that entire void to us. He was more than our direct uncle to us. Somewhere between, 1930 and 1938, he was with our family. He belonged to well-known Mabukal Kini family, which was at Malpe near Udupi. Ups and downs are very common in a business. Since, Kinis’ lost much in their business; he was with us for his studies. At that time, I was not even born and mother was not having male issues. During that period my four elder sisters were aged between 10 years to 1 year and were only born. He was very affectionate and caring. My mother did not feel that she was not having male child at all. He was helping her in all respects. Though young he was very responsible. He had become a part and parcel of our family. In 1938 or so he passed S.S.L.C. and he had to leave for Bombay in search of a job. His elder brother was there. Unfortunately for him his brother passed away and he had to care of his brother’s family. He had to quit his job and had to take possession of a petrol pump at Khar Bombay. He was extremely busy.

In 1952 only he could pay a visit us. I was studying 7th standard in Board High School Kundapur at that time. Incidentally he had also studied in the same school. He was past twenty-five years, well built youth at that time. He bought for me schoolbooks and the affection received from him during that short visit cannot be forgotten even to day. I remembered him to have inquired with dear mother about all the affairs of the family. He wept like a child on coming to know of various difficulties that our family had undergone since the day he left us for Bombay. He was very humane. In 1950s, our family had grown big consisting of four sons, seven daughters, father and mother. Only two sisters were married. All were school going. Father was finding it hard to make his both ends meet. Subsequently, my father’s health deteriorated and he passed away in 1958 due to heart ailment. At that time four of my sisters were to be married and we were four sons who were yet to complete our education. I was only 19 years old, studying B.Sc. Majority of the people whether friends or relatives who had taken much help from dear father in one or other way not even turned up to inquire our welfare. Of course, I cannot forget Dr S.R. Pai, who was instrumental in my getting half free ship in M.G.M. College, Udupi as well as my sister getting a job in Syndicate Bank. & Mr. K. S. Shenoy, helped for her stay in Udupi, and subsequently absorbed me in the services of Corporation Bank. But the way dear Purshmam helped us from that day onwards. We cannot forget, we are indebted to him. Is it possible to score off or settle our “Runa”to him? Definitely, we cannot pay back our Runa to him. He helped me in my completion of education. He tried to get me a suitable job at Bombay. He helped us financially during the weddings of my sisters. As long as mother was alive he was offering her money for her pocket expenses from time to time even though we used to tell him that there is no need of it since we are well placed in life. He used to ask us not to come in his way. The affection and love with which my parents looked after him when he was young he couldn't forget. Recently, Purshmam passed away and my mother too. We were really fortunate to have had an uncle like him. Tears roll out of my eyes whenever I remember him. I pray that his soul rest in peace in heavenly abode .

At the time of having our food we must always remember those good people who helped us in one or other way. It is one of the ways of settling "Runa"

Netkalappa Narayanaswamy was an excise contractor at Shimoga in 1940s. What a personality his was. He was tall. He was having a big mustache. He was always covering his head with a white turban. He used to be in white dhoti and shirt and have a long over –coat over them. Normally, he was wearing shoes. His was awe inspiring personality. He was contemporary of Moola Rangappa who too used to wear white turban but was short in stature. Both were very good friends of my father. He did not rise to the stature of Mr. K. N. Guruswamy of The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited. In 1948, we were in Bangalore, He was in Bangalore too. My father and his friendship continued. My brother-in-law Mr. Srinivas Shenoy had to resign his job at Bombay on account of my sister’s poor health. He was to able to secure distributorship of a pharmaceutical company called Bynovite India Limited and formed a private limited company by name M /S Laxmi Traders. It was functioning from the first floor of a building situated between K. R Market and Arcot Srinivasachar Street in Bangalore City. Mr. Narayanaswamy to help his friend’s son in law, invested in the shares of this private limited company. Later on the company started Medical Emporium, Chemists and Druggists, Picture Palace Building, at Hassan. Mr. Narayanaswamy hardly received any dividends for his investment in this company. My father was transferred to Mysore 1950. The friendship between my father and Mr. Narayanaswamy never discontinued. He used to visit us there too. My father had to maintain a very big family consisting of ten children. By that time, he had exhausted all his savings. He had celebrated the marriage of his one daughter only. Another five daughters were to be married. My second sister’s marriage was settled in 1950. He had no money. He was much worried. He did not know what to do. A friend who came to his rescue at that critical juncture was Mr. Narayanaswamy . He made available at the disposal of his friend some thousand of rupees to meet wedding expenses. There was no demand promissory note or any written agreement for that transaction. Subsequently, my father was transferred to Kundapur where his health deteriorated very badly. More than six years had elapsed before father could repay the amount to Mr. Narayanaswamy. In the meanwhile, Mr. Narayanaswamy financial position also deteriorated and he moved to some place near Gauribidanur.He was in need of money. He paid a few visits to Kundapur, not as a lender of money but as a friend only. He used to be our guest. He was never pressurizing for the return of amount to his ailing friend. He was always kind and courteous. Only after retirement from services of bank, dear father paid his dues. Definitely, father might not have been even able to pay interest on the dues at that time because of his poor health and financial condition. Are we not in his “Runa?”

Where it is not possible for one to repay interest and principal, one repays principal and pleads for waiver of interest. It was over 50 years ago . Mr. Samiulla, a contractor from Shikaripur was given a hand loan of Rs 2000/- by my father. No papers were executed with regard to that transaction. Dear father wrote a postcard to Mr. Samiulla, intimating him of his ill health and requested him to return Rs 2000/-. Mr. Samiulla, traveled over 200 miles and reached Kundapur where father was recuperating with Rs 2000/- and pleaded with him for waiver of interest. That reveals his honesty and sincerity. Dear father absolved him completely of Runa. Gone are the days when people used to think about either Runa or indebtedness. One is fortunate if they get back what they have lent these days. Good qualities have no either caste creed or anything at all . They solely depend upon man. Man is important.