Saturday, October 13, 2012

Once again we will meet

In the midst of bitter wars, as a soldier lying fatigued
My love your thought, gives the calmness I seek...

I think of our village, in the midst of mountain and wide sea
The fragrance of jasmine, ripe mangoes and fresh rain
And you my love, appear smiling and shying

I dream of our families, friends and those we know
The taste of mother's food, well-water and the jackfruit
And the memory of your kiss, parches my lips

Those days my dear, will come back again
They beckon to me, each time I wait for death

In moonlit lights once more, will we sneak from our homes
Meet at the river bank, kiss the full moon in water

Once again O beauty, we will hide in the fields
Roll over each other, kicking the grass beneath

On evenings in the beach, again we sit
Watching the sand, between fingers slip
While you see smitten, the evening sun set
I will admire you, your beautiful face turn golden

Friday, October 12, 2012

Mankind

There lived a fish, swam in faraway seas
He would come home, each year after year
He knew his way each time, in delightful ease

And for generations this fish lived
Passed on soul to soul
And for centuries sustained life
Purifying water to land

Then came man, the intelligent one
Giving whom a mind, even God regretted
His intelligence knew bounds, his greed did not
Quick pleasure than reason, felt more satisfying

Burnt down the forest, so he could stay warm
Forgot now naked, he was to scorched land
Ate every animal, his body was not meant to
When he could have lived, on one bunch of green

Such was human selfish, he had to fight his own
Killed his brother to save his son, should now he smile or moan
If only he had learnt early, his brain was for betterment
To live simple and rule the land, than to live for for self

Sunday, October 07, 2012

A Child's Dance (At Six months)

Thai Thai Tha Tha Thai
So my child was dancing
Little feet and bubbly face
Figuring steps in rhythmic haste

He had be held, a baby yet
A baby in such a hurry
What brings you close, we love you most
Your father and your mother

What makes you happy, you see us yes
We really feel so blessed
Isn't life, a bundle of joy
Who says it's a struggle

Thai Thai Tha Tha Thai
Your footsteps make you happy
You gurgle, babble, you talk to us
In your own sweet tongue Shravan

In memory most, we cherish those
Moments that bring us close
You touch our heart, and well our eyes
In innocence, pure and soulful

Is there a way, God we can say
We can't thank you enough
With boundless joy, in blessing us
You created your image for us

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Hinduism..the way of life..

Hinduism, the Hindu way of living, is nothing but the Indian way of living. Hinduism was the way of life of those who reside in Bharatam, in Hindu-sthan, now India.

The scope of this article is restricted to worship. The Hindu worshipped nature, similar to the Greek pagans, but deeper, more mystical, more powerful, and effective.
The five elements of life and earth were identified, worshipped, and even powerful chants of invocation were identified. But such chants can only be communicated by nature, or by a higher force, not learnt. Thus the belief that they were delivered as inspiration or intuition to the saints. These became the Vedas. The chants still have effect, but the trust with which they need to be chanted, the disciplines to be followed before and after the chant, have withered. And hence so the visible results of the chants.
The way of life itself had 4 pragmatic goals: Kama (pleasure), Artha (wealth), Dharma (duty), Moksha (salvation).
And life itself was grouped into 4 stages, called ashrams in veneration: Brahmacharya (where you learn), Gruhasta (where you are a householder), Vaanaprastha (where you impart wisdom and teach), Sanyaasa (where you renunciate).
These were just meant to be broad outlines. Hinduism was strict on only one aspect: Tolerance. Ironic, but yes. Each person was free to live up to his karma. Of course there was society and order to govern property and life. But not the restrictions, hypocritic narrow-mindedness, casteism, in Hinduism. But going into detail will be to divert from the scope of this article.

Hinduism went from being a way of life to a religion when polytheism and idol worship came into picture. But  it started with the intent, of channelizing the focus of the masses to the way of life that would broadly prescribe to the above goals and stages. So none of the Hindu gods were perfect. It was OK to have emotions, and make mistakes. And yet, to stay on one's broad goals, focused on the bigger picture as one might say. Sorry to say, but Hinduism never would prescribe showing the other cheek. Almost all the Hindu gods bore weapons. Satyagraha was the need of a different era, one that hasn't survived in general, because it is not natural. Harsh but true, the laws of nature are free to be observed in the animal kingdom. What separates us, are rules of engagement.

I suspect casteism was introduced by either the Kshatriyas to keep their heirs in power, or due to polytheism for the priests to stay most respected in society. It truly suppressed talent, and free expression, both tenets of Hinduism. I suspect the Kshatriya theory above more, mainly if you refer to the significant event in Hindu history, the Mahabharata. Mainly a power struggle between a king's children, for the throne. Yet, we don't hear of them praying to temples. Instead, they pray to the elements. You hear of heroes being sons of the God of Wind, Indra (god of heavens/sky), God of Fire, God of Sun, etc.

The mythologies of Shiva, Vishnu, Ganapati, even Rama, were created later..

Hindus still make up 14% of the world. But for Hinduism to attain it's lost glory and grow, it must be stressed to be a way of life. The true intent of polytheism be marketed viz. to beautify through bhajans and bring to focus the qualities to lead a good, complete life. Indeed, a person may not believe in idol worship and be a Hindu; he'd actually be a better Hindu if he instead invokes and prays to the elements in nature. And of course, casteism be abolished, as it has been today in India. Let merit, not reservations, determine achievement. The democratic meritocracy is indeed, the Hindu way...

And those who embrace this way of life, can choose to be deemed as Hindus. That is, "conversion" to Hinduism be allowed. It's just a term a title. If the person has embraced the Hindu way of life, he already is, has become, a Hindu.









Friday, October 05, 2012

The Wait

I waited across the street, alone and weary
The rain came pouring, but the mind was thirsty
Just one look, is all that I needed
Like just one shot, of a drug to last the night...

Gone are the days, O long gone are those days
How I have survived, without another look
Is it the rejection, the failure, the taunt
Or the memory, sweet pang, that lasted

I saw you walk away, many times not once, yet waited
Had to keep watching, till you walked out of sight
There was no hope, and I killed the semblance left off
As if to burn in hell-fire, ignited by myself...

Of what use is pain, why suffer a loss again
Can will power withhold, a pure heart's want
And innocence and happiness, get crushed in the rut
When the mind and destiny, conspire against us

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Significance of the Gayathri Mantra

The Gayathri Mantra is considered the holiest and most potent of mantras. Because it venerates the life-giver and sustainer on Earth; the often taken for-granted Sun.

Below are translations of the Gayathri mantra at three levels
   - First one: When taken literally
   - Second one: When better understood, invocation of the Sun's energy
   - Third one:  Upon truly realizing, invocation of the Sun's powers to influence Life itself.

Dear Sun-God, your Light
It falls on the Sky, the Air, the Earth and the Water
Enlightening all the elements, the living and the non-living.

Dear Sun-God, your Energy (Shakti)
It comes into Us, our Minds, and Bodies
Gives Us a good Personality:
Self-Confidence, Self-Assurance, Will-Power and Guts
It comes into our Mind:
Gives us Concentration, Focus, Mental Stamina
Supreme Thinking, Memory, Learning, Grasp and Application
It comes into our Body:
Gives us Fitness, Energy, Stamina and Vigour

Dear Sun-God, your Power (Shiva)
It graces Us, our Minds, our Bodies and Reproductive systems
It leads us to Spiritual Progress and Good Karmas:
Gives Us a pure Character, peace and contentment
Lights up our Path
It graces our Mind: gives us the Right Attitude,
Empathy, Creativity and Innovation,
Lights up our Memory and Intelligence
It graces our Body:
Gives us good health, freedom from diseases
Graces our Reproductivity:
Gives us Reproductive capability and quality


"Us" above always refers to the true Self, our Self, what is typically referred to our Soul (which is rather confusing: calling our true identity by a different name)


Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Fantasy flight, with Ganesha! (Part 1)

I had gone to sleep, well almost. When Ganesha you woke me up. The curved trunk and reddish black eyes jolted me off my sleep. I screamed "Who", though I knew it's You.

You held me by hand, and took me on Mooshik. Never had I thought, I'd ride the animal I dread.
Oh I know you chose him as vahana to protect him. From us humans. So we realize the mice too serve a purpose in our food chain. To warn not to wipe them off civilization (that is, if we ever could!)

When in flight, the first thing I yet wanted to confirm is that many-opinioned fable, of the cause for broken tusk. Ganaraja just gave me another look, as if "what audacity!" and kept flight.

Where were we headed...

Monday, October 01, 2012

The Hero

I want to be no hero, I want to be just you
I want not to be known, just be one of all like you

There is no heroism, in putting life at risk
No really, said my hero, it's rather really foolish


It's society that props me, people like me and you
They want to see in me, that what they rather no be

So Hero is not what I want be, I rather just be me
A human just like any, with good and bad in me

Can you help me dear man, can you help this Hero
There is no pleasure greater, than living simple life

Hark, I said, no no, this cannot really be you
I worship you like God, you got to be a Hero

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