Dear Brethren,

The dictionary defines evolution as a gradual development from a simple to a more complex form.

Everything has to evolve; everything has to go through the process of evolution. Very rarely can there be an instant result. The evolution of an action starts from a desire. Desire leads to a thought. The thought process perceives the desire and determines the modus operandi. Thereafter the physical elements are given instructions and results in the action. Evolution may take centuries or years or even a few seconds-depending on the nature and object of evolution. The underlying factor however is that there is a process of evolution for everything.

The ‘Square & Compasses’ that you are now reading is not an exception to this rule. This publication too must move in a mode of constant evolution. In fact, it is evolution that has brought the ‘Square & Compasses’ to its present form. No doubt the publication has been changing the last four decades and thus has ‘evolved’ to its present form.

But this is not the end of the line. The process of evolution must go on. And such a process in the case of a publication as the Square & Compasses, is a progress in the pursuit of excellence. The publication must evolve towards more and more excellence. Mere existence should not be the objective.

With the introduction of GLINDA as newsletter having a 100% reach, the Square & Compasses must now shed its present character to a great extent and evolve itself into a serious masonic journal.

We are told of the importance of Masonic education and are exhorted to make a daily advancement in this direction. The “Square & Compasses” must facilitate this. Not by reproducing articles and views from age old journals, but to go contemporary. To publish writings by our own brethren from our own Lodges and in our own times.

This will encourage our brethren, who undoubtedly have great talent, to start writing on Masonic subjects themselves. This will not only sharpen their own skills but will embolden many more to come forward and write. And, in this process we will have fresh and independent Masonic literature. A beautiful flowering of buds. This would be real advancement in Masonic Education.

May I therefore call upon all you brethren to sharpen your pencils and your wits to get writing for the “Square & Compasses”?
There is no doubt that, with the combined endeavour of all of us, the “Square & Compasses”, in its process of continuous evolution, will soon become a Masonic journal par excellence and will even become a source of inspiration for others.

But remember, the effort must come from within us. No outside agency can help an evolution.

Let each of us become painters instead of remaining as paintings. Has not Lord Krishna said in the Gita :-

m)ZjsnkReukRekua ukRekueolkn;sr~A
vkReSo ákReuks cU/kqjkReSo fjiqjkReu%AA5AA

You raise yourself to great heights by your own efforts. Do not degrade yourself or look down upon yourself. You are your best friend and you are your worst enemy.” (6:5)

So mote it be.

Arun Chintopanth
Grand Master

Dear Brethren,

The freemasonry like a ceaseless automaton is always on its toes. The climatic conditions-fierce winters or scorching hot summers, by and large, do not affect our continuous and non stop activities, which do continuously take place in one part or the other of this sub-continent. How hectic the last four months were! can be understood if we just cast a glance, only over the programmes attended and conducted by our M.W. Grand Master. He consecrated Lodges Mahamaham No. 341 at Kumbakonam and also laid its Foundation Stone. In addition he also laid Foundation Stones of Masonic Temples of Lodge Light of Aligarh No. 219 and of Masonic Temple of Lodge Mangalore No. 156. Besides, he graced the Centenary celebrations of Lodge Siwalik Dr. Durga Prasad No. 62 Dehradun, Lodge Peace and Concord No. 63 Kolkata and also 150 years celebration of Chapter St. John No. 1 Secunderabad. He also dedicated Masonic Temple of Lodge Universal Brotherhood No. 100 at Amristar and attended Area Meeting of Regional Grand Lodge of N.I. at Chandigarh. All these activities were held with due Masonic decorum and dignity.

In addition to this, this period also witnessed Annual meetings-of all the four Regions. A brief account is given below :

(a) Regional Grand Lodge of Western India

The Regional Grand Lodge of Western India held its Annual Investiture Meeting at Mumbai on 24th and 25th January 2004. R.W. Bro. Govind Lal Shahu, R.W. The Regional Grand Master appointed, obligated and invested the officers of the Region for the year 2004-2005 in an impressive ceremony conducted in true Masonic spirit bearing the sublime stamp of Masonic decorum, solemnity and grandeur on 24th January.

M.W. Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM lent grace to the occasion with his benign presence. However he was good enough to avail this opportunity to interact with the ruling Masters and Secretaries of the various Lodges of the Region prior to the above meeting. In his own inimitable, persuasive and winning style he invited them to express their ideas, doubts and perceptions on several issues or aspects of masonry concerning administration, procedure and rituals etc. Naturally, it resulted in a healthy and free exchange of ideas. Doubts were raised and cleared, questions were asked and answered. The academic exchanges were in their full flow. The enthusiasm and zeal of brethren was a definite indication of their desire to learn still more. No doubt such academic exercises are bound to take the freemasonry to greater heights.

In addition to this, the M.W. Grand Master also launched his much laudable and noble Dhanya Dhan project in the Western Region.

The Chapter and Mark Meetings were held on the following day in an impressive and impeccable style.

(b) Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India

The Annual Investiture Ceremony of the Region held at Thiruvananthpuram on 31st January was preceded by an academic exercise in the form of a Seminar in the morning. The theme was “Master-the Prime Mover in Freemasonry”. It was organized by the Kerala Masters Lodge No. 309 on behalf of all the Masters of Lodges of the Region. The scholarly and intellectual observations, talks and submissions by the participants were of immense use, and such academic exercises, it can be safely stated, would go a long way to raise the standard of freemasonry.

The afternoon witnessed the Investiture Meeting held in a splendid and glorious ambience. It was attended by about 700 Masons from 117 Lodges.

To add yet greater charm and colour to the ceremony, it was also graced by several Senior Grand Lodge Officers as well as by the Regional Grand Masters of Eastern India, Western India, Northern India and the District Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge of Madras. To cap it all, our M.W. Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM, for whom it was more of a home-coming, also lent extra elegance to it by his solemn and inspiring presence. R.W. Bro. Dr. B. Biswakumar, R.W. The Regional Grand Master, appointed, obligated and invested his officers for the year 2004-2005 in an immaculately conducted breath-taking ceremony, in the august presence of all the dignitaries. Announcement of the names of the Lodges and brethren who had excelled in the Ritual Working Competition 2003, was also made. The freemasons, who had won golf and tennis tournaments for freemasons held during the year, were also awarded prizes.

M.W. The Grand Master M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM handed over a ceremonial sword to R.W. Bro. Dr. B. Biswakumar. This sword was presented to the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India by R.W. Bro. H.H. Marthanda Varma, the former Maharaja of Travancore.

R.W. The Regional Grand Master also addressed the brethren. He regretted the emergence of some negative trends in the growth of masonry in his region. He counselled the senior brethren to take up the challenge and use their good offices to advise and inspire their Juniors not to frequently absent themselves from the meetings and other functions of the masonry and to cultivate active interest in the affairs of Freemasonry.

M.W. The Grand Master, in his scholarly address said that the Southern Region had always been very vibrant and it was incumbent upon it to help the weaker ones so as to strengthen the entire Masonic family. He said that he was confident that the Southern Region would keep the torch burning and be a model for others. He said that the renovation of the Freemasons’ Hall, at Chennai speaks in Volumes about the dedication and sincerity of the brethren of the Region. He also stated that the fortitude displayed by the brethren was exemplary. They could withstand and overcome all the difficulties that came in their way and could attain their goals because this virtue of ‘fortitude’, inter alia, always stood them in good stead. He wished the R.G.M. and the brethren of the Region Godspeed and every success.

The Chapter and Mark meetings were held on the next day in appropriate Masonic style with great exuberance tinged with due solemnity.

M.E. Comp. Indrajit Chaliha, M.E. The Second Grand Principal headed the Grand Lodge deputation at the Annual Convocation of Regional Grand Chapter and R.W. Bro. M.H. Contractor, R.W. The Deputy Grand Master at the Annual Convocation of Regional Grand Mark Lodge of S.I.

(c) Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India

The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India held its Annual Investiture Meetings on 14th and 15th February 2004 at Kolkata.
The morning of 14th February witnessed a unique spectacle. The Worshipful Masters, Secretaries and Wardens of various Lodges from the Eastern Region assembled to exchange views with M.W. The Grand Master, doubts were raised queries were made and questions were put forth and in a very agreeable and academic way, they were taken care of in a participative way. It was an excellent interactive session which to a very great extent removed the grey areas. This participative exercise would no doubt go a long way to help the masonry.

The Investiture Meeting was held on the evening of 14th February. R.W. Bro. Somesh Sengupta R.W. the Regional Grand Master in a breath-taking Solemn ceremony appointed obligated and invested the officers of the Region for the year 2004-2005. The ceremony was attended by several officers of the Grand Lodge of India. M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM, on this occasion shared his scholarly thoughts on ‘Charity’. His address was studded with pearls of wisdom and they easily made a deep impact on brethren. He wished the Regional Grand Master all the success and said that the region would attain greater heights under his stewardship. He also launched his DHANYA DHAN Project on this occasion.

The Regional Grand Chapter and Regional Grand Mark Lodge investiture meetings were held on the morning of 15th February 2004 with great fervour and enthusiasm.

(d) Regional Grand Lodge of Northern India

The Annual festivities, marking the installation of new Regional Grand Master were held on 28th and 29th February 2004 at New Delhi.

The festivities of the 28th February witnessed on “Open House” in the morning at Freemasons’ Hall, New Delhi. As the very term ‘open’ denotes, it was thrown open for the members of public. The purpose was to enlighten the community around us about our aims and objectives and to dispel their misgivings about our organization. The function was presided over by M.W. The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM, and the Chief Guest was Dr. Karan Singh, a renowned philosopher, diplomat, philanathropist, scholar and statesman. For the public consumption a specially devised ceremony of ‘opening of the Lodge’ was demonstrated in an impressive and effective way. The performance of the brethren was readily appreciated by the members of audience, who were by and large non-masons.

M.W. The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM then brought home to people the fact that we are not a secret society. We are guided by the lofty and sublime ideals of truth, charity and brotherly-love etc.

He underscored the fact that we are a secular organisation in the sense that we pay equal reverence to all the religions, and we do not, as an organization, subscribe to any particular religion. He also called upon the brethren to carry this message of secularism, or reverence to all religions, charity and brotherly-love etc. to all the citizens of the country and act as a messenger of peace and good-will.

Dr. Karan Singh in his address eulogized the lofty ideals for which Masonry stood. He said that Masonry subscribes to the eternal and universal Values of love, peace, truth and brotherhood but it is a tragedy that man has drifted away from them. He said that the erosion of these values can be catastrophic. In place of following these lofty values, man has taken to deceit, fraud, corruption and nepotism etc. He said that the entire world is one family and we should work for its welfare casting aside the petty considerations of caste, creed, race and nationality etc. He advised freemasons to follow the lofty principles of peace and love and spread the message through out the length and breadth of this planet. He hoped that brethren would play a significant role in building a new social order.

The afternoon witnessed the installation of R.W. Bro. Vinod Kumar Bhutani as the new Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Northern India by M.W. The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM. The ceremony was graced by the benign presence of M.W. Bro. D.D. Udeshi, OSM, M.W. Bro. H.P. Mathur, OSM and M.W. Bro. Gautam R. Divan, OSM all past Grand Masters, and also by the Regional Grand Masters of Eastern India, Western India and Southern India. In addition, a large number of Senior brethren also attended the function. The ceremony was conducted in full Masonic style with complete decorum.

The newly installed Regional Grand Master, R.W. Bro. V.K. Bhutani took the opportunity to exhort the brethren to infuse more life and vigour in the Masonic organization. He advised them to make it more vibrant and visible to the outside world with their noble conduct and specially with their acts of charity. He asked the Senior brethren to make sincere efforts to induct young men into it so that they may take the responsibility on their young shoulders and carry the Masonic message far and wide. He hoped that the Region would take firmer and surer steps to move still forward.

M.W. Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM paid rich tributes to R.W. Bro. R.S. Dewan, the outgoing Regional Grand Master and appreciated his contribution to freemasonry during his tenure and expressed his conviction that they would continue to get his mature advice. He also congratulated the newly installed Regional Grand Master R.W. Bro. V.K. Bhutani and said that with his enthusiasm, sincerity and capability he would win many laurels for the masonry and bring still greater glory to the Region.

The M.W. G.M., M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM in a philosophical vein, very scholarly and effectively underlined two very important attributes viz., Inspiration and Motivation. For true and successful leadership one must possess them. He further said, that ‘Harmony’ as a base, if mixed up with Vitality, Energy and Spirit, was bound to lead one to success.

He went on to say ‘Harmony’ was very essential and we should not unnecessarily give precedence to our ‘ego’, Harmony and love towards others is a gateway to success. He also underscored the virtue of interdependence-meaning thereby not bloating one’s ‘ego’ unnecessarily. The M.W.G.M. then formally launched the DHANYA DHAN Project for the benefit of the poor and the needy.

On 29th February Chapter and Mark Meetings were held and E.Comp. V.K. Bhutani was installed as M.E. The Grand Superintendent of the Regional Grand Chapter of Northern India, and later on the Regional Grand Mark Master of the Regional Grand Mark Lodge of Northern India. We take this opportunity to congratulate the newly Installed Regional Grand Master R.W. Bro. Vinod Kumar Bhutani and hope and believe that the Northern Region would grow from strength to strength under his able guidance and stewardship.

It will now be advisable to give a brief resume of the long Term Service Jewel ceremonies held during this period, along with a brief thumb-nail sketch of the luminaries who were presented with these jewels by our M.W. Grand Master.

On 16th January 2004 M.W.G.M. M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM, presented 60 years Long Term Service Jewel to R.W. Bro. S.P. Khanna, Asstt. Grand Master at Lodge Raisina No. 97, New Delhi in a glittering ceremony, attended by several luminaries of masonry. R.W. Bro. S.P. Khanna, has been a source of great inspiration to us all. His pleasing manners, winning style and ever-preparedness to help everyone is well known and his such long dedicated and self-less service to masonry, calls for emulation by us all. We congratulate him at his achievement.

On 6th March 2004 R.W. Bro. P. Vinayaksundaram was presented with 50 years L.T.S. Jewel at Lodge Star of the South 101, Bangalore in a dazzling ceremony. Brethren, the contribution of R.W. Bro. P. Vinayasundaram to the freemasonry is well known. He has been a live wire and his dedication to the masonry is an object lesson for us all. We know that his ripe wisdom has been source of great help to us.

V.W. Bro. M.I. Seshan was presented with 50 years LTS Jewel at Lodge Deccan No. 20, Hyderabad on 20th March 2004. V.W. Bro. Seshan has been actively contributing to the freemasonry all these 50 years. His dedication & services to freemasonry are a legion, and it can safely be said that he has earned the decoration very deservedly. We are sure that he would continue to be in the vanguard for many and many years to come.

On 27th March 2004, R.W. Bro. V. Rajendran, OSM was presented with 50 years LTS Jewel at Madurai. The ceremony was attended by a record number of about 200 brethren including two Past Grand Masters, two ruling Regional Grand Masters, Four Past Regional Grand Masters and 40 R.W. Brethren. R.W. Bro. Rajendran, OSM is a house-hold name in freemasonry. His encyclopedic knowledge of masonry has hardly any equal. Virtually he is a pundit and expert in Masonic matters. Our M.W.G.M. M.W. Bro. Arun Chintopanth, OSM in one of his write-ups rightly defines him as an “Institution”. He has been a source of great guidance and inspiration to us all and R.W. Bro. Rajasekharan Nayar, OSM therefore very aptly calls him “beacon”. We are sure that he will, as ever, continue to guide, help and inspire us all. We wish all the recipients of LTS Jewels a very happy, healthy and prosperous life and look forward to receiving their guidance and expert advise.

In the end, I would once again invite your attention to the most laudable scheme DHANYA DHAN launched by our M.W. Grand Master. It is said that first leap forward, however small it may be, is the first step to reach the heights or destination, however high or distant they might be. So in our context one fistful of grain set apart every day by us, will amount to hundred thousand tons of grain to provide food to millions who sleep on empty stomach. And this charity, an extremely ennobling thing, taught to us by Masonry is a surer and definite step in the direction of self realization-the real purpose of our existence.

So let me request you to come forward and give as much as you can. In this context I would like to share this couplet with you :

DEHA DHARANA KO DHARMA HAI
DEHA DEHA KACHU DEHA
ANT KAL PACHTAIGA
JAB DEHA HOEGI KHEH

(The Dharma of having this body is to give, give and give something. If you don’t then at the last moment you will repent when this body perishes).

With fraternal greetings,
Dr. Harish Gupta

Brethren, coming to the Southern Region is really a home coming for me. Naturally is it not? For it has been the Southern Region that has nurtured me from the time I was initiated and at an opportune time, deservedly or otherwise, catapulted me into the position of the Grand Master.

And home coming is such a sweet thing. As the post says :-

“Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam.

Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home”

The last few months whenever I have had occasion to discuss matters of Freemasonry in other Regions. I have always spoken of the Southern Region with fondness and pride. This prompted one brother to reprimand me and say “Sir, you are the Grand Master now. To you all Regions are the same. So forget your link with the Southern Region”.

This got me thinking, brethren. Is it true? What this brother says?

Is it not nature’s glorious law that one is but attached to his home?

To each one of us home is a niche. It cannot be substituted. Upto sometime our parents’ home is our home. But once the feathers grow and we fly we build our own homes. And this new home is now our home. We take pride at this. Yet we do not lose a sense of reverence for our parents home. Extending this, it will apply to our towns, cities, states and finally to our Country. A sense of belonging is a natural state of emotion.

That is why the poet sings :-

“Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,

Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land!”

Is this not why our charge after initiation speaks so eloquently about a sacred and indissoluble attachment?

Extending this natural law to Freemasonry we should be proud and fond of our own Lodges, the Regional Grand Lodge and of course our own Grand Lodge.

To Freemasons in India, the Grand Lodge of India is paramount. As in the case of an individual, so in the case of Institutions we need to have a reverence for our parents for their homes, but when in due and natural course we have our own home, in this case, the Grand Lodge of India for the Masonic community of India, this Grand Lodge assumes paramount importance. To us the Indians the Grand Lodge of India is now home. Everything else is alien. And just as we make our own homes well furnished, cozy and comfortable so with the Grand Lodge.

Is is upto each one of us to well furnish our Grand Lodge; to keep it ship shape and ensure that as Indians, the Grand Lodge of India is paramount to us and that we are proud of it.

And as every home has an elder brother, better equipped, a little stronger looking after, nourishing the younger, the weaker in the family. So too in our home called the Grand Lodge; the Southern Region being the stronger, better equipped, more in number should necessarily work to the benefit of the others. There is no denying, my brethren, that in terms of Lodges, memberships, activity etc. the Southern Region is ahead of other and hence qualified to be the elder brother. And this creates a more onerous responsibility for the Southern Region to nurture and nourish the others. And this is where all of you as members of the Southern Region must step in and actively assist the Grand Lodge.

The infrastructure, the capabilities, the methodologies adopted by the Southern Region for its own growth so far must now be made available to the other Regions. Take the other Regions into your wings. They are all part of our home. Nurture them, give them the impetus, the confidence that soon they too may fly together with strong wings.

The four Regions should not fly one behind the other. They must fly together with equal force.

The Grand Lodge itself is mooting ideas of an inter Region Lodge exchange programmes, an inter Region Ritual Working Competition and other such initiatives to make all Regions equally strong and powerful. But the initiative, the thrust from the grass root, the Lodge levels itself will have tremendous results.

When one comes home nostalgic memories naturally come up. Similarly coming to the Southern Region stirs up fond memories of my association with the Region particularly during my tenure as the Regional Grand Master.

In the midst of various nostalgic memories, the picture of the renovated Freemasons Hall at Chennai forms a very prominent part. The mind recollects the saga behind the renovation of this beautiful structure. The stimulation that this massive operation provided to us. The manner in which Masonic learnt in our Lodges was put to practice in this operation.

Infact as I stand before you, a sense of awe and reverence emerges. A sense of admiration at the determination exhibited by you my brethren in accomplishing a great task. Many masonic qualities came to fore during this saga;

And of these, the one that really stood out during this trying time was the one which goes by the name of Fortitude.

The manner in which the brethren of the Southern Region went about in the matter of the renovation of the building at Chennai was indeed a practical essay in Fortitutde.

Brethren, so long as we live we cannot avoid action. Action can be classified into three types :

Unproductive

Productive

And

Inspired

Our daily normal chores, our daily normal labour in work place or at home is without inspiration. That is why it is called ‘labour’. ‘Labour’ is in a way selfish work. We do it for some personal gain.

However, love transforms work or labour into inspired action.

Selfishness downgrades work making it sheer labour. Selflessness uplifts and transforms work into inspired action. When actions are dedicated with love to a higher altar or goal, the ego with all its selfishness dissolve. Unproductive and productive action can be described as mere labour. But an inspired action becomes divine. The first two kinds of action are run of the mill. They need no special qualities. But an inspired action normally is not an easy action and hence requires extraordinary qualities. One such quality and an important one at that is fortitude.

Fortitude means moral and physical courage. To be unflinching and to persevere till the end. Fortitude is an active virtue and not a passive one. Fortitude is not only putting up with adversity but in transforming adversity into triumph.

A successful businessman, with a flourishing business in furniture, returned from a holiday only to find that, during his absence, his shop and house had caught fire. All that he possessed was reduced to ashes. His properly of several hundred thousands was lost.

What did he do? Complain? No! Blame God whom he remembered in prayers everyday? No! Shed tears? No!

His face wore a smile, and, with uplifted eyes, he asked, “Lord! What wouldst Thou have me do next?”

Over the shambles, which once was the scene of his roaring business, he put up a signboard :

Shop burnt!

House burnt!

Goods burnt!

But faith not burnt!

Starting business tomorrow!

This is fortitude

And is this not how the brethren of the Region reacted to the challenge thrown upon them by a collapsing building?

Fortitude means not just courage, not even just courage of conviction, but courage of conviction supported by faith and devoid of an egocentric desire.

More often our courage becomes acts of mere bravado because they are not combined with conviction and faith.
Mulla Nasaruddin and his wife went to a dentist.

Mulla told the dentist “I want a tooth pulled; I don’t want any pain killers because I am in a great hurry. Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible and we will be on our way”. The Dentist was very impressed with Mulla’s courage. “You’re certainly a courageous man Mulla”, he said “Now tell me which tooth is it?” Mulla turned to his wife and said “Show him your tooth dear”.
We may have strong opinions; we may take certain actions; but to sustain them to stand by them is fortitude. It is very easy to change our views and opinions; to cover up our own actions merely to suit our convenience; merely to satisfy our ego at every stage.

Fortitude is in developing this ekagratha-the single pointed commitment to the thought or action supported by faith in God and devoid of ego.

There is a moving incident in the life of St. Anthony who, for the love of God, went and stayed in a desert. Far from the madding crowds of men, he lived a life of communication with God. Yet was he not free from trials.

One day, he had to undergo intense suffering. When he emerged from his trials, he said to God,” Ah, Beloved God, where were Thou when I was in great distress?”

He heard the Voice of God say, “My child, I was with you all the time, even as I am with you now! I wanted to see how brave you were!”

Fortitude means I plus Him. To realise that God does not work for us but He works with us.

The Upanishads go a step further and say that fortitude is God himself. “Abhayam Vy Brahma” say the Upanishads.

Fortitude is to learn to be strong from within.

When we learn to live on inner strength, we emanate that inner strength, and that will help others too.

This is the determination that one must develop in an inspired action. Of course the brethren of the Southern Region had more than mere determination. They had fortitude. They believed in the task they had taken up. It was not a selfish task. It was a selfless task for the benefit of the entire fraternity for generations down the line. And they needed to have fortitude because of the kind of obstacles they came across. The barriers that were placed between their determination and the renovation work.

I am reminded of Sant Eknath. Eknathji was a man of fortitude.

There were some in the town who were jealous of his reputation and were eager to prove to the people that Sant Eknath, too, had feet of clay. They hired a man and promised to reward him richly, if only he could make the Saint lose his temper.
Everyday, early in the morning, Eknath went to the river for a dip in the waters before spending some time in worship. One day, as he returned to the cottage, after taking a bath in the sacred waters, the man spat on him. Quietly, the Saint went back to the river and had another dip. Once again, as he was on his way home, the man spat on him. The same thing happened for the third time, the fourth time, the fifth time, but it made not a dent in the Saint’s composure. Unperturbed, he went to the river to have another dip.

The man was not tired, nor was Eknath. The thought of the rich reward lured the man and he spat on the Saint every time that he passed by him, determined to make him lose his temper.

This went on for as many as 107 times! After having the 107th dip, as the saint wended his way home, the man’s heart was touched. Falling at the feet of the Saint, he pleaded, “Forgive me! I implore you to forgive me! I have greatly sinned. I was told by some of the wealthy men of the town that if I could make you lose your temper, they would reward me richly. The temptation of a rich reward made me behave like a beast. Please forgive me!”

The Saint smiled and he said, “Forgive you for what? Today is a unique day in my life, when I have had 108 dips in the sacred waters!”

Such my brethren is the power of fortitude. And is this not what the brethren of the Southern Region has shown to the World?

The brethren outside Chennai could just have said “After all the building is not in our town or city; we do not use it; so why should we contribute for its renovation”.

It would also have been very easy and convenient for the brethren of Chennai to have said “Why stick my neck out? That too at such a cost? Let things be as they are. We will hold meetings till the building holds. And once its collapses, we may meet at some other place”. Not so, you my brethren not only in Chennai, but also outside throughout the Region displayed the fortitude, the spirit, to rise above the ordinary.

Brethren, this is the first time I am addressing the Southern Region as a whole after relinquishing my office as Regional Grand Master and I must be permitted to express my deep sense of appreciation of the spirit of the Southern Region.

And I would like to express this appreciation in the form of the episode of a particular rosebush in the neighborhood of bunch of wildflower, that I had read. The presence of gorgeous roses made the wildflowers feel inferior and ashamed of their own existence. So one fine morning the wildflowers prayed to God, “So long we have lived as faceless flowers; now please turn us into roses.”

God said in answer, “Why get into unnecessary troubles? The life of a rose is very hard. When there is a storm, it shakes it to its roots. And when it blooms, there is already someone around to pluck it. You live a well-protected life; don’t forsake it.”

But the wildflowers insisted, “We have long lived a sheltered life; we now want to live dangerously. Please make us roses”.

Other wildflowers warned this bunch. They said. “Don’t be crazy. We have heard that a few of our ancestors had to suffer terribly because of this very craze to become a rose. Our experience says we are okay as we are, we should not try to be roses”.

But the little plant again said, “I want to gossip with the stars; I want to fight with the storms; I want to bathe in the rains. I am determined to become a rose.”

At long last God yielded and one fine morning the little bunch of wildflowers became a rose. And immediately its saga of trials and tribulations began. Storms came and shook its roots. Rains came and it was drowned in water. The midday sun burned its petals and made it suffer immeasurably. At all times it was exposed to dangers from all sides. Once again other elderly wildflowers gathered round the newborn rose and said, “We had told you so; you did not listen. Don’t you see how secure you were in your old life? Granted it had its problems, but they were old and familiar problems, and we were used to them. It was okay. Do you see what a mess you have made of your life?”

To this the new rose said, “You are a fool. I say that it is far better to be a rose and live dangerously than to live in lifelong security as little wildflowers protected by a high wall. It was great to breathe with the storms and fight with the winds. I was in contact with the sun and I had a dialogue with the stars. I have achieved my soul and I am so fulfilled. I lived fully and I am going to die fully. As far as you are concerned you live a life of living death.”

Have you not my brethren of the Southern Region achieved just this-a masonic life fully lived through dangers and difficulties and then savour the joy of a job accomplished. You have left an indelible mark for posterity and I salute you for it.