On the occasion of “Teachers’ Day!” in India, My tribute to My Incredible teacher:

“Beeshma Pitha”, The Late Dr. Pulin Garg, formerly Head, of Organizational Behaviour, IIM-Ahmedabad

Strangely, I feel every day is, in some way, a Teacher’s Day for me. Either I’m in the role of a coach, mentor, trainer, consultant, or motivational speaker but constantly teaching something or the other. A huge part of this intense and pure gift of life- I owe it to Pulin!

The centre photo, a central figure in my life!

The photograph you see in this article is the bookshelf right behind my working chair and desk. It showcases the most important, most influential teachers of my life.

On the left side are the teachers whom I never met but who made a deep impact through their teachings and sharing. That includes Osho, Nisarga Dutta Maharaj and Ramana Maharishi. They are humanity’s teachers.

On the right side, in the photo are the human beings who came into my life like angels and added immense value. They are Late Prof.KK Mehta, my teacher cum first boss, My Lakshmi teacher and Swami Sudhanandha

And in the centre is, the master of all teachers in my life, Pulin!

A master incomparable, A mind incredible!

Affectionately called “Pulin”, Dr. Pulin Garg was the former head of organizational behaviour at IIM Ahmedabad. Students from that period — probably from the mid-60s to the late 70s or early 80s — remember him well.

In the later years, he established Indian Society for Individual & Social development- probably that one remarkable school that produced some of the most amazing sensitivity trainers and Process work specialists in this country.

The shivering lesson for me at Shimla!

My first meeting with Pulin happened in 1978 at an ISABS program in Shimla, where I began my exposure to and training as a sensitivity trainer and group process facilitator.

In the first few days in Simla, our interactions between us were formal exchanges of pleasantries. However, the most significant event was the magic shop exercise within the program — a large group learning situation facilitated by three faculty members.

The magic shop had a “yes man”, a “no man”, and a judge who approved transactions based on a negotiating exercise — on “emotional and subjective realities” of an individual, via a “Trading off” drama of barter exchange.

I still get goosebumps thinking about how Pulin, almost 40 feet away, instinctively and as if in cue, invited me to trade away whatever I was struggling with inside.

I knew the call from him was for me, however general and open sounding it was, and in the cold weather of Shimla, a hill station, my feet were sweating under when I realized it was my turn to enter the shop, negotiate and trade.

The “Magic” that happened at the MAGIC shop!

I went in to shop, and offered to trade my “restlessness”- the continuous drive to chase victories and achievements- in exchange for “Clarity and Contentment”.

The “yes man” was Syed Ganji and the “no man” Rajan Brijnath and Pulin, sitting in the centre, was the judge. After some back-and-forth negotiation with the yes man and no man, the judge Pulin asked me a stunning question:

“Hey Raja, you’re talking about your restlessness and constant running, but what is this running all about?

Are you running in pursuit of success or running scared, running away from the fear of failure?”

That moment, for me, was one of discovering a profound truth — the greatest clarity in my life at the age of 25.

It revealed the “Dharma” that our battles must be won “within” before thinking about our “external achievements & victories”.

Not just clarity, but a new pathway!

This clarity became etched like carvings on stone — the understanding that one’s inner space matters, and is that space is as vast, as valuable, and as Vibrant as the universal space itself.

Post that, life has never been the same for Raja Krishnamoorthy, …after that session in Simla, 1978, June!

Over the next almost two decades, my relationship with Pulin evolved into one akin to that of a “father and son”.

His love, His insights… His public appreciation for my conceptual strengths and process facilitation style…his sharing of perspectives of life to this ever-seeking disciple…

life for me became a pilgrimage of sorts with this master…

Fast forward 20 years to 1997: I spent few days with him at Ahmedabad, after some tumultuous experiences that Pulin went through — the biggest pain that he talked about was of “feeling deserted and done” by close associates whom he had treated almost like his own family & children.

Even a Bhishma, has to sleep on a bed of arrows!

But those three days with Pulin in Ahmedabad alongside my friend Paddu (Padmanabhan) are unforgettable reminders that life’s journey involves the duality principle —

“Opposites will always prevail in the drama of Existence”.

..that You could be like Bhishma, the greatest teacher, producing warriors and wise men but still find your final journey deserted and lonely, a pain that cannot be explained.

But as the truth goes, Dharma has its narratives. Pulin passed away a few years later.

But he stays with me…for sure, forever.

On this auspicious teachers’ day, I touch your feet, once again… in reverence, respect, and deep gratitude.

Thank you, Pulin. Your teachings have made my life incredibly meaningful. So vibrant. So Human…

In Awareness & Love
Raja Krishnamoorthy
5th Sept. 2024: 9.30 am, Chennai