Righteous waste

Irawati Karve's Yuganta is about a lot of things, suffice to call it an eye-opener, as a study of history foremost ought to be.
But the biggest lesson for me in it was how it argued that "saints" have brought more damage to this world than "sinners"!

It showed how a righteous Bhishma could have avoided the Mahabharata not once but multiple times in his life. It is so true. Even Yudhishtira behaves as his word is more important than his wife, and allows a most despicable behavior on her in front of his own eyes.
Indeed, it was eventuality up to a street-smart Krishna to ensure the Pandavas got what they desired, win the bloodiest war and lay claim on a kingdom they really did not deserve to rule. For Krishna understood the true nature of life. And even though he couldn't have spoken in clearer terms of the gray nature of life, the Bhakti movement in later centuries made him a God, replete with an ideal childhood and romantic youth. When a cold study of the complex character, teachings and true life-story of Krishna could have opened up our minds, we obviously find it easier to numb our minds endlessly repeating "Hare Krishna".

Karve further posits how Gandhiji could really have avoided the bloodshed of partition and it's aftermath that we suffer even today. He even failed his family to stand by what is "right". Arguable, controversial, but food for thought.
Few can deny that there couldn't have been a greater mass-murderer in the past century than Hitler. And yet, he was puritanical, almost saintly in personal-life.

Even today: The honor killings, the caste and class prejudices, even when we judge people based on their personal tastes and choices.

Life in true nature is harmony, is rhythm. Both the waxing and waning are important. There has to be beautiful birth and ghastly death. One who realizes this no more has questions. The why does this happen, the why me and the how could he.

We need to start seeing life as a cycle, as the weeks, the seasons, even birth-death-rebirth. Give up the austerity that gives grief to others. Hold true to your priorities for better or worse.

Yuganta is a must-read.
You need to accept both the good and bad in you, to be complete.

Gods do make mistakes

All that happens, happens for the best? Maybe. But God does everything right? I no longer think so. Gods do make mistakes, bad choices as humans do. I think now that they are in this with us, living and learning. So you are better off letting things happen on their own, than ask the Gods for something. Could turn out, your wish gets granted, and it's the worst thing that could have happened to you. Neither surrender to God and ask him to make your choices. Could turn out that you could have made a better choice than God himself. Life seems to have shown me that you are better off trying to achieve what you want, and let the law of karma that governs the universe decide if it's good for you, or whether you deserve it.

Pleasing a God and getting something might be the only plausible way out, if you want it that badly in this birth, but I'd say you are better off not asking for such interventions. Even the Gods have no influence over Karmic law. There will be a price to pay, ranging from not feeling what you thought it would feel like after achieving it, to outright losing something you need more in return.

Wish for something, having an aim is not wrong. Moreover wishing it also helps  contribute to karmic effort.
Work towards it, but don't ask a God for it!
If you deserve it, you will get it.

What Krishna said about one having influence over only the action and not the fruits of the effort, there is great meaning to it.
He never suggested making Him a God or asking any God for wishes. He did so for our good.
But as is often said, without constant reminding, Good is easily forgotten!

The Best came through Rest

Why the hurry, the rush, the haste
Why the rat race, it's all a waste
Lay back, look up, take a breath deep
No matter what, the best came through rest

There's life, there's death, but do we really live
Walk fast, look busy, but is anything done
Go slow, be thorough, gain a little focus
No matter who says, the best came through rest

In rest came nirvana, in rest came creation
In rest came inventions, discoveries, the greatest innovations
In rest came us, our best, and the best of us
No matter whether, the best came through rest

I'd Die for a little Thirst

To drink what is wet, to kiss what is soft
To embrace nights and days alike
For that one sight, that arch, that ouch
What I'd not do, I'd die for a little thirst

In a desert of dryness, bodies ugly and placcid
Where there is no interest, no charm nor thrust
Emotionless, abnormal and lacking spark
Such place am I, I'd die for a little thirst

Where pleasure is natural, peaceful and joyous
And homes are happy, fulfilled and beautiful
Where you take care, of self and others
Such soul I look for, I'd die for a little thirst

The Rain is Here

The coming of rains, has shaken

Birds and beasts , from slumber

The earth is refreshed, the grass drenched

And so are insects, now easy prey

My child is watching, with eyes awonder

At the fury of rain-spears on Earth

In innocence, he realizes not

This is the Sky, making love to her

And in this mirth, will be born new life

As nature, nourished by sunlight

As life stands still, in cozy abodes

The dance of creation, is ever-abound

A Gloomy Day

Perhaps they stayed in office today
I see no one at five thirty pm

Perhaps the sun set early on us
I see only dark clouds above us

Perhaps the winds went back to sleep
I see no hush just gentle breeze

Perhaps the water feels tied and tired
I see no ripples just a placid tier

Perhaps the birds and beasts will rest
I feel no jest, just doze at best!