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in the fields for the rest of my life, so I committed myself to studying hard and completed
my high school education successfully. I was determined to continue my studies at a
college in Mysore, far from my village.

I completed my pre-university education in Mysore and then went on to Bangalore
to study engineering at the BMS College of Engineering. The first few years after I left
home were a transformational period for me. I met a senior law student studying in
Mysore. The law student was highly disciplined and spiritually grounded. I was attracted
by the law student’s positive character and wisdom and we became good friends. My
association with the law student enabled me to grow emotionally and intellectually.
Our association has continued to be an important influence throughout my life. I was

introduced to the sacred Hindu text, Bhagavad-Gita and to saints in a nearby Ashram
which provided me important exposure to spirituality. These experiences informed my
personal development and sense of responsibility for my studies, my parents, as well as
to be a good human being.
While in my second year of Engineering, due to my exposure to spiritual aspects of life,

I wanted to stay in Sri Ramakrishna Vidhyarthi Mandiram (SRVM), which is a boarding
facility in Bangalore. Securing a seat in this facility was extremely difficult if one did not
have any connections or recommendations. During my interview for a room, I expressed
my intense desire to stay at SRVM. The Swamiji who interviewed me honestly told me
not to count on a seat as there were over 500 applicants for a limited 35 open seats,
for which several donors and VIP’s had recommendations. I was very disappointed but
continued attending prayers occasionally at the Mandiram.

One day I wrote a long heartfelt letter to the Swamiji at the SRVM facility in Bangalore
expressing my strong desire to stay at the facility. The SRVM Swamiji was so moved by
my letter, he offered me the opportunity to stay at the facility. This was possible only
because there was a seat becoming vacant due to the departure of another student from
the facility. Shortly after I joined the facility, I was able to serve as a prayer group leader

for three years. I enjoyed my stay in the facility as it provided me an excellent learning
environment and the opportunity to continue to grow intellectually and spiritually.

While I was studying in the second year of Engineering, over summer holidays, I noticed
a beautiful Shiva Linga hidden in the bushes next to my village. Feeling very sad to see
the Lord exposed to the hot sun and rain, with the help of my village friends, we erected
a small shelter to house the Shiva Linga. Later, with the inspiration of my good friends
and Swamiji, I convinced my father to build a small Garbagudi for Lord Shiva, despite the
financial hardship he faced. In 1963 my father inaugurated this small temple naming it
as ‘Gauri Shankara Temple.’

After graduating from engineering college in 1964, I worked as a junior engineer at
NGEF (New Government Electric Factory) for four years and at MICO in Bangalore for
two years. I married my beautiful wife Shantha in1968 and shortly thereafter we had
our first daughter, Geeta. In September 1970, I decided to come to America in search
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