It was class IX, X or XI.
XI academically unlikely, but then anything is possible.
Evidently, with great difficulty three names were mustered. Three only, in a school full of students studying Sanskrit!
Evidence that there was GREAT difficulty is getting participants was; that I was the third name. 🤓
For decades it has remained a mystery 'how me'! Why me? I surely displayed no special acumen!! 😏
Only now I recollet that my elder brother was proficient and much liked by the Sanskrit teacher. So maybe she took a chance. I still kick myself for not protesting enough. But such are divine interventions. 😌
Mathuranath and Laxminarayan were the other two participants. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
To me, in those days, Suprabhatam and Shri VishnuSahasranam were 'something' 'South Indians' listened-to in the early morning without fail. Growing up in the 'colony', it was sometimes 'irritating' and but useful during exam times!🤭
Laxminarayan recited his 'thing' with great authority. But, what stuck with me was the devotion in delivery of Mathuranath. I think mellifluous is the word. 😌
I do not recollect who recited what, but I recited only 10 assorted shloks out of The Gita. And for my effort I was awarded the Third prize. Remember, there were only 3 participants!! 🥹
I thank my father, who was very sound with The Gita, for choosing the 10 assorted shlokas. They are the only 10 which remained with me till 2016. Only thereafter, I've attempted to read up The Gita with some purpose. I've not been able to go beyond chapter 2. It is so very enriching that I cannot go forward without assimilating it first.
I've held, Mathuranath recited Shri VishnuSahasranaam. And ever since I've had this urge to figure out what Shri VishnuSahasranaam was all about.
Sometimes in the 1990's I obtained a copy with translations to pursue understanding it. But military training and Naval 'regimen' took over. The next excuse was 'grihast aashram'.
Finally, after swallowing the anchor, I've restarted my effort to 'figure out' ShriVishnuSahasranaam. *And what a delight it is* *!!*
I expect to skim the top of it by the time I'm 80. The depths, I think, may take many 'kalps' and 'janms'.
Thank you Mathuranath. 🙏🏽
