Shri Molahalli Shiva Rao, 1990 - Special Cover

Vidyavardhaka Sangha (VVS) formerly known as Puttur Education Society (PES) which, has almost a century’s history having been established in 1915. Also called Kalladka School, for being the only known school in the area, attempts to educate children of poor agricultural laborers. Late Molahalli Shiva Rao was the founder of the Society and on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee, a special cover was released on 13.01.1990 with a cachet.

The design of the cancellation provided on the special cover was that of the logo of the Puttūr Vidyā Vardhaka Saṅgha. It depicted the Sanskrit "AUM" and beneath a quotation from the Bhagavad Gītā, 6.5 which says -- "उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं" (uddharedātmanātmānaṃ)  meaning -- One should save oneself by oneself.

Though not relevant to our subject, the idea conveyed in the full śloka is worth mentioning. Śrī Śaṅkara's commentary thereon enlightens us:-

Uddharet, one should save; ātmānaṃ, oneself sunk in the sea of the world; ātmanā, by oneself; one should save, ut-haret, should uplift (oneself) from that, i.e., make it attain the state of being established in yoga.  Na avasādayet, one should not lower, debase; ātmānaṃ, oneself.  hi, for; ātma eva, oneself is verily; ātmanaḥ one's own; bandhuḥ, friend. Certainly there is no other friend who can bring about liberation from this world.  In fact, even a friend is an obstacle to liberation, he being the source of such bondages as love, etc. Therefore, the emphatic statement, 'for one is one's own friend', is justifiable. Atmā eva, oneself verily; is ātmanaḥ, one's own: ripuḥ, enemy. Anyone else who is an external harmful enemy, even he is of one's own making!  Therefore the firm conclusion, 'oneself verily is one's own enemy' is reasonable. (Tr. Courtesy: Swami Gambhirananda)