In Preparation..

In restless steps the night forsteps
A pilgrim is new age bound
A misfit even when the walk began

A full moon light, held him spellbound
Far away stars, brought a shine
Clouds were lit, with milky haze
A mix of blue, white and black

The misty grass washes his feet
The sea-beach sands wipe them dry
He sat down to meditate
The night vigil, had just begun

At a solemn moment when sea embraced
The rising sun, and crimson sky
He opened his eyes, the day begun
And picked his sword, gave out a cry...

The price you pay

You are cursed now
You have destructed

You will fall apart
You did not as instructed

Of what demons rise above
Of what devils possessed

Will crush the soul, set body aflame
Will torment the mind, your spirit ablaze

The Sun rises, to burn into ashes
The Waters, to drown in gasp

The Earth will scorch, on deserts dried
The air pungent, will suffocate

Nature you did, forget easy
Now the price you pay

And life on Earth, is a gift
This world, not inherited

A Child Reminds..

When he was born, I saw my reflection
When he cries out, I feel pain within

When he gets scared, in crowded malls
I remember that, existential angst
How insecure we feel, would we survive
A primitive fight, for what's so little

When he laughs out, I can see why
So funny it is, to innocent sight

When engrossed I realize, how he is right
Interesting indeed, I just did not notice

Oh a child, is a beautiful gift
A reminder of, the beauty around
A true medium, to relive our life

A Child at Play

I look at him, his eyes are busy
They lock one moment, then wander away
He is but, a child at play

He looks at one, and then at yonder
He smiles at him, and cries on other
The world for him, not studied yet
He is but, a child at play

If you follow, his gaze at green
Trees and grass, a bird abreeze
He looks at water, gurgles like it
You truly realize, what beauty is
But for him, just another thing
He is but, a child at play

A philosopher at times, but naughty too
A child is one, to learn from too
When he cherishes, and grab it too
But having possessed, throws away too

You can't but help, to think aloud
Isn't this what, I do in Life?

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

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

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

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.

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

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)

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...

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

Shiva

Shiva Shankara
Oh all-giving generous
Pour on us the Ganga, with your matted-hair Ishwara

Rudra Trinetra
Destroyer of ahamkara
Root out all evil, with your trident Arihanta

Natesa Nataraja
Mesmerising your Tandava
Express life and death, with your dumroo Kalahasta

Nagadeva Neelakanta
Extolling fear and control
Purify us of poisons, with your sacrifice Mritunjaya

Karna

The fate of Karna, most unique
Discarded at Birth, discarded by Love
Had you learnt, you have lived to lose

The character of Karna, most ideal
Embraced fire in friend, than warmth in mother
Were you guided, by father the Sun

The excellence of Karna, most peerless
Surpassed Arjuna in Karma, Yudishthira in Dharma
If only dear Karna, you were on political Right

The destiny of Karna, most unfulfilled
Stolen by Krishna, Indra, Parashurama
In Life the greatness missed, in Memory will be served!

Der Hone Ke Baad

Raat tho thami, par der hone ke baad

Lafz tho ruke, par sheesha tootne ke baad

Ek Umr lag gayi samajhne ko

Ki Jeena jaane, par der hone ke baad

Haath tho thaama tha, muskurahat bhi chehki thi

Ki Insaniyat ubhar aayi thi, par der hone ke baad

Roshni ka tha intezaar, par suraj dekhna na gawara

Ki Raat hone par, kismat pe rona tha sawara

Ek ungli jo badaa detha, duniya thi haazir mutti thaamne

Par main hi na dekh paaya, ke mera waqt tha khadaa saamne

Haasil tho hua sab kuch, par der hone ke baad

Mother and Child

Child of Mine,

How did you know, just by my touch,

That I am yours, mother of yours

How come it happened, you quieted in hush

When in comfort, of only my hug

Or was it my surprise, that you were telling

That you are mine, baby of mine

If looking for miracles, just look at a birth

A life created, when there was none

Why is it, that you chose me

Why is it, that you smile at me

Why is it, your first word is Amma

Why is it, you first love me

Why is it, that I have your food

Why is it, my kiss always consoles

Why is it, I can put you to sleep

Are these questions, that answer themselves

Mother of mine, I always was you

First as a longing, waiting in you

Now as a child, belonging to you

Mother of mine, I am part of you

As moonlight ever, belongs to moon

Mother of mine, you chose me

You are this Bhumi, life-giver in nature

That Goddess on which, creation subsists

Mother of mine, I smile at you

You created me, and still are in awe

As if you choose, not to know your power

Mother of mine, my first word is you

Your name in veneration, is sacred of all

Purer than even, holy chant Om

Mother of mine, my first love is you

You chose to love, before you knew me

And know you will love me, whatever be

Mother of mine, you have my food

It is the prasad, only a God gives

Though you are the one, devoted to me

Mother of mine, your kiss always consoles

In that you tell me, all pain will go

And if you are there, I can bear all else

Mother of mine, you put me to sleep

Your heartbeat and voice, as when I was inside

Had taught me rhythm, brought me to life

Deep Sweet Meditation

In deep sweet meditation, the energy of prana

Only felt, in short unconscious breaths

The body steady, mind in peace

The world dancing by, but aham steady ease

In meditation realize, you were always one

Body can change, you are young and then aged

But eyes closed in depths, you still are the same

In touch do not be, to senses in body and mind

They all are external, to true self in life

Act in prayer, and let action be a prayer

Lose attachment to both, the action and the prayer

In deep sweet meditation, you see nothing yet all

You can watch yourself, from inside and the out

You can travel the universe, in distance and in time

And still come back to, your place behind the eye

In deep sweet meditation, you can feel what you want

Dive in cold water, or burn in blazing fire

Smell a fragrant flower, or touch a bird's nest

But still in end you come back, to sweet scent of self

One which no fragrance, yet as prana precious

Why did it Happen (Part 3)

"Perhaps it is I, who is holding him back". This is the first thought, that had taken them apart. And from that seed, a firm tree had now grown. Lakshmi was wise beyond her years. She knew a relationship needs both reason and emotion to nurture and grow. A relationship is built on neither independence, nor dependance. It has to be both ways, interdependant.

She had strength, wisdom and poise. Only her will, could weather this storm. Venkat was her first love, and love deeply she did. It had taken years, to come to these terms. But she would be selfish, to keep holding him back. And her purity in love, shone in the selfless fire of anguish.

To be true to self, she only had to look back. Through school and college, Venkat just did what she did. He had never made life-choices of his own. A whole life lay ahead. But just one lifetime, lay ahead. When he took his first job also as hers, she had known. A butterfly will not be born, till the cocoon is broken.

She had lived up to her dreams, happy, loved and successful. But he would know none, till life is done. That is, if they continued this way. She was sure as always, this was the right step. For no decision would she made, without due reflection. Venkat had said I'll marry you, but never I love you. Both were unsure, if he really knew love. This relationship was attachment, him dependant on her. And marriage an extension to that comfort zone.

Of the two, the sacrifice had been Lakshmi's. She'd thought it through, he'll struggle to accept it.  But then he'll move on, for he still hadn't known love, at least not yet. Perhaps he will, and for her. And also mature to realize, she had not meant goodbye...It was a risk, she stood to lose her love. But as any hopeless romantic sees it, his good was worth any cost..

A cold rain brought them back to senses. They both had been holding hands tight: but one in love, the other in plea. The grip loosened, as they walked back. But for the rain, they did not want to hurry back. For in the hearts they realized, this night is different. Tonight they slept, on separate beds.

The Gift

Get me moon, the child pointed

As a birthday, gift no less

Imagine my surprise, as I had too

And received a round, idly instead

Get me star, when child had cried

His mother rushed, to kitchen instead

Got him barfi, a star-shaped pretty

With a shiny, twinkling foil

Get me sun, when child would  insist

Give him laddu, is what I suggest

Make him open, that big round mouth

Stuff in laddu, golden and round

In the smallest things, the child finds mirth

Be it water, the light or dirt

Come play with me, parent of mine

For this was Life, he seems to remind

Why did it Happen (Part 2)

"Is there someone else" he blurted. She didn't reply. Never one to give in to hasty reactions.  He scanned her eyes, they too had no answer. They continued to walk..

Swaying trees conveyed the changing season. A misty wind, foretold the arrival of monsoon. It was time, perhaps time, to wash out all. Start with a clean yard, home, body and mind. "But can even floods, wash clean the heart??" another maddening pang. "I must be going insane" sighed Venkat.

Thoughts flew back in time, to high-school days. As adolescence bloomed, and innocence waned. He was her first love, but he, unsure. There was the thrill, of meeting in secret. The goosebumps, from the first touch. And then most special, that kiss one night as this. And the rest of it, that happened to follow..

Through school, college and first jobs, they had been together. In what's called live-in, they (seemed-to-have) comfortably settled. Abrupt and on-the-go, he had twice proposed to marry. Both times Lakshmi would always respond with a big smile, cuddle and a kiss, as if reassured. But never say yes. Though not as wise, he would surmise it only made sense. First time was the day he turned 21. The next time, the day he got his first job's offer letter. Both times perhaps, more a result of exultation, he reflected. But looking back now, he saw through why she never agreed. The intent to move on was there, but what was the reason...

Time had flown, they had survived. Bickering and quarrels, always ended in sorry. Lakshmi  ever, the calming, pragmatic influence. And Venkat, the blend of strength and sensitivity. Perhaps it was he, who needed her more..