THE RACE FOR BIRTH
LIFE
of
LOVE
Dr T P Sasikumar
Published by : INDOLOGICAL TRUST, CALICUT
Preface
I am not a poet. These poems constitute my profound thoughts on life during a year of solitude in Delhi. Few good friends, special are they, recognized these thoughts and encouraged me to instill life into them. So here they are in verse form.
One or two of these poems are published in Malayalam (translated from/to Malayalam). Acceptance of those Malayalam poems was the first encouragement for my continued writing.
The backing of my family and other well wishers is an integral part of this realization. My journey into the spiritual and literary path was motivated by my wife Dr P V Radhadevi. My sons S. Harikrishnan and S. Yadukrishnan are passionate readers of my work.
The realization and shaping of the poems were with the poetical support of Mrs. Sheeba Thattil. Especially valuable were the effort of Dr. Radhika Nagrath. My thanks are due to Prof. Akavoor Narayanan and Prof. KG Sankara Pillai for their comments and encouragement. Support and companionship of Panicker family at Delhi was a blessing. As usual, Mr. Sudhakaran of Indological Trust is with me.
As you peruse through these poems may you gain new perspectives on Life……
Dr T P Sasikumar
New Delhi,
26th January 2009.
Index
Preface by Dr T P Sasikumar
The little big ‘I’
- THE RACE FOR BIRTH
- FROM PHILOS TO AGAPE
- I NEED SOMEONE
- THE SECRET OF THE SELF
- SELF LOVE –TRUE LOVE
I wonder…I wish…
- THE UNDIVIDED EARTH
- WRITING THE SCRIPT FOR OTHERS
- DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT
- MARRIAGE AND MIS-MARRIAGE
- OPEN HEART SURGERY
- ARROW FROM THE SHADOW
- MISSION TO MOON AND MARS
From the deeper reserves
- THE MIRROR TO LIFE
- THE ELIXER OF LIFE
- HALF LIVED LIFE
- HEART FAILURE OF THE SPIRITUAL GURU
Oneness in love
- WE BECAME 'ONE'
- BETTER BE BLIND
- SABOTAGED RELATIONSHIPS
- WINTER’S RAIN
- THE RIVER OF LIFE
- GRACEFUL SURRENDER
Moving with the times
- GUARANTEED BLESSINGS
My heart aflame, just for you
- MY HEART THROBS FOR YOU
- IN SEARCH OF YOU, KRISHNA
- I MAY NEED YOU EVER MORE
- SOCIALIZING WITH GOD
Comments by
Prof. Akavoor Narayanan
Prof. K G Sankara Pillai
Dr. Radhika Nagrath
THE
LITTLE
BIG
‘I’
1. THE RACE FOR BIRTH
This is the story of my birth...
I fought with millions
Millions of my unborn brothers and sisters
I fought for life before my birth
My birth was a battle
Anyone could have received life
Instead of me
The sperms from my father
Fought to reach my mother’s egg
I was conceived
When I raced with many of my
Unborn brothers and sisters
I am the winner
In life I don’t have to struggle
As much as I have struggled for life
I am great and I believe in me
I can run and win the race
With anyone in this life
as I have won the race for birth.
---------------071120----------------
2. FROM PHILOS TO AGAPE
You have lived for twenty years
In this world of struggle and strife
Has it been a blow or a bloom?
You have tasted the joy of teenage
The wonders of philos and its thrills
In this world of rapture and delight
Have you welcomed its sorrows too?
You have learned the basic lesson
That life will never be the same
Will the future take its toll on you?
You have seen the world in harmony
Shared the dreams of an adult world
The wonders of eros and its ecstasy
Has your mission in life ever changed?
Step by step till you reach the stars
Life awaits you, accomplish and explore
As you discover the pleasure of life
In the wonders of absolute bliss
Add life to your years and years to life
You have journeyed from philos to agape
To arrive this moment of supreme love.
---------------081120----------------
3. I NEED SOMEONE
To learn, earn and attain fame
I deserted all
My home and all its affection
Every one so prized to me;
Earned, learned and achieved distinction
The mornings were bright
The days sunny and bright
The evenings gloomy
And the nights too chilly
I sat all alone
Wishing that some one
Would keep me company
And share my happiness in success!
My success was short lived
The happiness too,
Glittering memories faded
And retreated into nothingness;
Distinction adorned me no more
The mornings were bright
The days sunny and bright
The evenings gloomy
And the nights too chilly
Once again
I wished that someone
Would keep me company
And share my grief in failure!
I need someone
To keep me company
And be with me forever
In happiness and in sadness too!
---------- 080720 -----------
4. THE SECRET OF THE SELF
LIFE
Flowing river
Glowing spark
Sprouting seed
Ripening fruit
Merry going
Journey long
MIND
Maker of destiny
Breaker of agony
Source of Sorrow
Place of Joy
Freedom of love
Jail of bondage
GOD
Sweet friend
Creative Being
Ego-less human
Shapeless Being
Radiant Light
Purity of truth
SELF
Hiding within
Solitary and retiring
Rider and riding
Source and resource
Creator and destroyer
Life, Mind and God
---------- 080915 -----------
5. SELF LOVE – TRUE LOVE
A heart truly in love never loses hope
But believes in the promise of love
Love just grows, stops every tear
A word from the lips calms every fear
Love is a hunt for one
Who makes you smile
Listen to the silent heart
Let the love in you bloom full
Long the time and distance
Every form of intense love
Goes through a flow of tears,
Heartache and heavy pain
In love, plans fail and joy fades
Excitements vanish into air
In the end it's not how much you love
It's how much you hold back
Despite all the wrong
Learn to forgive and love again
Listen to the heart
Hear it say that love is silent
Life is a series of steps
Each step leading to joyful surprises
Some with happy conclusions
Let the love within guide you
Once you love yourself
It is a different thrill
All worries depart
Your love is fresh and fair
Build a creative life from self-love
With self-love one becomes lonely
A loneliness that brings
Happiness and bliss from within.
---------- 081012 -----------
I WISH…
I WONDER...
6. THE UNDIVIDED EARTH
If the whole human race disappears
From the worldly earth
Without the slightest trace
In a moment machines will run and burn
The trucks will hit and stop
Flying crafts will dash down
Within days, these places
Where I sat and slept
Will go to the ants and rats
In months my house and land
Will be free for cats and dogs
Let the animals enjoy!
The muddy heaps all around
With the earthy smell
Will cheer the plants
In years the trees will uproot
Buildings will collapse
Multi flats will become hillocks
Bridges will break down
Roads will become valleys
And metros will sink in water
Fish will swim free
In the streams on the street
In bliss of the new found land
The nice earth with no boundaries
Only rivers and mountains
Plants unshaved and untrimmed
Animals free with no belts and ties
Where pets and wild don't differ
And permitted to roam around free
With no humans around
The world has no name
Only the earthly life
GOD, grant me another birth
With less of brain
And more of heart
To live free and fair
To see the earth
As the undivided one!!!
------------071222-------------
7. WRITING THE SCRIPT FOR OTHERS
One evening in the temple
I heard the murmur of ladies
Who had gathered there
Their voices rising
Above the steady chant of prayers
‘Rajan should have stayed in the hostel
It is the best choice for him,
Nair could have left for Kerala
He is not comfortable here
Why should he continue to stay around?’
Nature too was not spared
‘If it would only rain’ they wished
‘The chilling cold would have decreased,
The storm is fierce,
Or else the cold would not be so bitter.’
Thus they relentlessly wrote
The script for other's lives.
‘Will someone write my script too?’
I wondered. But who would tell me
What will be drafted and written for me?
All of them busy prescribing
How the other should live
But none seemed interested
In writing a simple script
For ones own splendid life.
--------080126-------
8. DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT
'Feeding the poor,' a day of festivity
For the more fortunate me
I watch in amusement
As rice served in plates
Vanish into hungry mouths
Even before the curry arrives
'The hungry need no curry.'
Thus reads the loaded proverb.
The entreaty of the beggar for alms
From pavements and train stations
Blend with the heavy air,
My clever mind haunted by doubt
Searches for excuses;
The call of my heart too soft for my ear
The out-stretched arm, too dark to be seen.
Stretching his arms for alms
To the rich or poor he knows not
He surrenders his ego to ugly fate;
I strictly remind him
Of the meanness of his profession,
I order him not to beg in future;
My impoverished heart and mind
Do not wish to see his outstretched arms
Or listen to his insistent entreaty;
I watch him retreat in silence
To the order of despair.
I stand victoriously at the other end
Basking in the glory of my existence
Until the sad truth hits me;
I am the designer, and architect
Of the man I label 'the beggar.'
Who is real beggar here?
See me on the other side!
I am at this end
Not my choice
I am in this life
My name, fame, status, religion
Nothing is my choice
All the gift of someone!
---------080218-------
9. MARRIAGE AND MIS-MARRIAGE
'Carrying before marriage is a problem.'
A secret lay safe within her heart
Scenes from teenage flashed before her
Like flashes of lightening in a darkened sky
Abused by the man she knew from childhood
She lived with dread, haunted by horror
And powerless to express the revulsion, disgust
And trauma of that horror filled day.
Credit and debit are for the women.
'Not carrying after marriage is a problem.'
When 'colleague' was upgraded to 'spouse'
The initial fascination disappeared
Life took another harsh turn
Love became irksome and lethargic
Conversation got heated and annoyed,
Undesirable arguments became part of life
'Worry Invited For Ever’ became the WIFE.
Blessed are the gents with no balance sheet.
----------080306------------
10. OPEN HEART SURGERY
I would hide…
The Piggy Bank key,
Let none see it I hoped
I would hide…
Little precious gifts,
Let none see them I hoped
In a place where none will find
The hidden treasures of my life
I would hide…
Little trifles which I valued most,
My secrets rested safe
Within the innermost chamber
Of my precious heart,
As I grew in years
All that was hidden had a place
The key had a place
The lock had a place;
None could find the key
To the chamber of my heart
The safest hiding place,
Now the doctor says
He will open my heart
To remove a small block !
There are secrets
In my heart
That he must never find,
I would rather die
My secrets safe within me
Before I submit to
An open-heart surgery!
------ 080704 -------
11. ARROW FROM THE SHADOW
In one Janma you learn
And in the other you teach
Yogavasishta is the lecture
On dharma and mind management;
Rama was awarded eighteen days
In Thretha Yuga by Sage Vasishta
Krishna in Dwapara gave lessons
To Arjuna in the war field
Rama had a single wife in Sita
Who stood with him for all time
Krishna had many wives
His particular favourite, Radha
Who found herself abandoned too
Lakshmana the younger one
Also stood steadfast with Rama
Supporting him in dangerous times
Balarama, the elder one
Was always tormenting Krishna
Rama sent an arrow in the shadow
Which backfired to kill Krishna;
Each day you take birth
And in the next a rebirth
The karma you do in one Janma
An arrow from the shadow
Comes back in full force
To haunt you in the next Janma.
------080604------
12. MISSION TO MOON AND MARS
Plan the meeting
In Moon and Mars
Tags on other planets too
Have a package
Market this world
Get into closer ties
Find agents to talk
We must get business
Global to Solaral,
Schedule the lecture
East and west culture
Our immunization scheme
The trade and trends
Democracy and Kings
Mandela and Mahathma
Krishna and Rama
Tell them about Rishis
Introduce Communism
Teach them Harthal and Bandh
You could buy land
And stay there long
Plan an earth mission
Send your people here
Let me see your future
Will make an astro-chart
I find no chances for you
Your birth is in this Earth
These Ms can only influence
They can never bear you
Earth can’t spare you too!
--------081115-------
FROM
THE
DEEPER
RESERVES
13. THE MIRROR TO LIFE
Birth life and death
Are all within the mind
An intricate pattern
In the web of life,
When the mind is full
The world is full
When the mind empties
The world is empty too.
Desire is the craving of the mind
An empty vessel waiting to be filled,
Fantasies, dreams, imaginations and ideas
Immeasurable illusions, the product of the mind
Brim over the receptacle;
I wear my leather footwear
If I wish for a leather carpet
The serene agent, my dynamic mind
Transforms the thought, to suit my desire.
The mind is a mirror to life
Made by god never to be broken
Reflecting the wonders of life;
Achievements too are nearer
If you could only look within,
What is thought to be a mirage
Is well within our grasp;
Some struggle to clean the mirror
Flecked with dust and scratches
With cloth or polish both dirty and sandy
Making it more flawed than before;
But who will give me the magic formula
Powder, paper, polish or paint
To sparkle the mirror of my mind
With which I shall reflect the truth of the world
In its original immensity and magnitude.
---------- 080303---------
14. THE ELIXER OF LIFE
Unaware of the envious looks
Lovers smile at each other
The smile of praise, pleasure and pride
The beloved only too conscious
That the SMILE only means
Some Man In Life Enjoyment;
Change your life with a simple smile!
Rare are friends who make you smile
Pick your friends and the feel
Lend an ear, share a thought
Choose your way of happy life
Be with someone who makes you smile;
A means of turning the bitter to better
Your cheerful face, the best of cures
To cure the sorrow of sickness
And wipe away the poison of pain,
To soften the distressed heart
And make a dull day dazzling bright;
The way to be attractive is to adorn
The most gorgeous attire - the smile!
An inexpensive way to smarten looks
No coverage or network plight
No additional costs to be incurred
Smile-- the elixir nourishes life.
------------- 080317---------------
15. HALF LIVED LIFE
Many a time I have suffered loneliness
And feared the onslaught of isolation
Afraid of ridicule my face lost its charm
Fear of failure impelled me
To abandon brighter options at hand
Half my life is ended before I learn
That what I have lived until now
Is not a meaningful life!
On this bright and sunny day
I resolve to start afresh and live it anew
Yet again I am in search for new meaning in life
No longer will I distress myself
No more of gloom do I see
But the stars in the heavens glaze for me
I believe that I will gain wisdom today
The search comes to a standstill
With the discovery of the self
I have learned to feel affection for myself
To trust myself to be fearless in life
I have learned to be grave to achieve distinction
I have rejected habits to be faultless
To live longer than my habits sought
Growing old while still in youth
Climbing the ladder to an ideal life
The future gazes at me, dazzling and attractive
But this is short-lived happiness too!
On second thoughts I wonder
If living long is thrilling and pleasurable;
My greatest effort to attain wisdom
Crashes to a sudden halt even before it begins
'No pain no gain' goes the proverb.
Make it short and joyful too
Take of life what it gives to you
Burn yourself in the joy of life
From the embers into a glowing flame
The notion 'truth shall prevail' strikes me hard
Truth follows falsehood as sunlight the dark;
But love is untruthful dictates the brain,
A late realisation for my reluctant heart
Causes me grave pain within
I deem change to be the outcome of destiny
Change makes me beautiful too
From pupa to larva, a beautiful butterfly
Through the stages of metamorphosis
To the glory of dappled dyed flight
'Change is the only thing with no change'
Is a thought that brings no more cheer
Life is too brief, reminds the brain
The heart thus fears to acknowledge beauty
In the short changing span of life
The ray of hope I saw is no more
When this bright day comes to a close
I return to the sordid gloom of where I began,
Half my life is lived only to learn
I have not lived a meaningful life!
----------- 080322-------------
16. HEART FAILURE OF THE SPIRITUAL GURU
In the centre of the heart only Brahman exists
No shape, no pace, no sound and space
All empty with fullness in emptiness
God wrote the laws of the spirit in the heart
Look, listen and trust your heart
Meditate for a strong heart
It is not the body's posture
But the attitude of the heart
That counts for the health of the heart
There is only feeling within the heart
Relations or conflicts are at the mind level
Break your relation-ship to flow free
Don't break your heart for relations
Be with one that makes your heart smile
A simple smile gladdens everyone's heart
Open your heart for experiences
Don't create wounds in your hearts
Or in the hearts of others too
Move through life with lightness
Touching the hearts of others
All are happy when the Guru is around
With all their troubles they go to him
Life is smooth for all and Guru is free
In faithful love he loses the self
Gives his heart to be left heartless
In the dreary hospital room
Someone held the Guru's hand
To check his pulse beat
Every disaster gives heartache
Rapid uneven and pounding
Disasters are natural in life
Opens his eyes to discern a nurse
'Your heart beat is normal
Nothing to fear,
I was your student too.
I remember your words'
"Take time to find the beauty
In the things that you see
Take life's simple pleasures
Let them set your heart free"
Only the ceiling and the light above
Murmur of the nurses around
Groaning of death- in beds nearby
The ICU smells of death and looks scary
The Guru now longs to be with some one
His heart starts to pound and race in panic
Eyes close to slide into unconsciousness
If not in life, at least at the time of death
He wishes for the hand of a loved one.
His heart is broken in panic and fear.
---------- 080915 -----------
ONENESS
IN
LOVE
17. WE BECAME 'ONE'
We talked and talked
About everything,
About searching, hoping,
Waiting and knowing
There could be a different life
Days and nights passed;
After a while our lives converged
And we became part
Of each other's story
We thought we could
Go together all the way,
Being with each other;
The path we found together
Was not wide enough for two
So we parted different ways
Our hearts felt panic,
Throbbing swollen pain
We promised never to look back;
As we grew we learned the truth
We could never stay apart for long
We abandoned the old wounds
Time would heal them, we said
There must be different roads
We can meet along from time to time;
Rather than be 'two'
On one single road
We decided to be 'one'
On two separate roads
And we became part
Of each other's story.
---------- 080708 -----------
18. BETTER BE BLIND
It was a rich experience
Of total blindness,
We held each other's hand
So tight when in love,
Afraid of losing the other
Isolated in a world of our own
We had eyes only for each other…
In a world of dreams
We lived blissfully…
Marriage gifted me
A different experience,
Real life came in its turn
The family grew in size,
I needed to be out alone
To have my life in place
Now I learnt the supreme truth…
Love was blind
Marriage an eye opener…
Get married…
Close your eyes…
Love the spouse…
Better be blind !
---------- 080820 -----------
19. SABOTAGED RELATIONSHIPS
There are moments
When relationships
Are sabotaged,
Learn to perceive LIFE
With amazement,
Not in shock;
Observe the delight in
Diversity,
Drudgery,
Entertain the wonders
Of Contrasts
Don't kill it with
Cynicism,
Criticism;
Enjoy its awesome appeal
Tackle it with the heart
Relate it to love,
Open your eyes
To appreciate the beauty
In a different reality
--------- 081124 -----------
20. WINTER’S RAIN
To dampen the joy of festive life
Comes the chill of winter
Drowsy winter waits longingly
For the rays of the sun
On almost vacant roads
Gloomy men walk
Heads covered with scarves and caps
With hands in their pockets
Feet tightened within
The warm comfort of their shoes
Frost bitten faces and cracked fingers
Exposed to the cold
Suffer the ravages of the cold wave
And some submit to the agony of death.
The winter rain is only a dream
For the growing girl
She dreamt of the brighter days
The sunlight streaming down
But there was no respite
For the chilling cold
She hid behind her scarf
Shutting the whole world
Out of her life
She waited the endless wait
Dreaming of sunshine
Dreaming of rain.
It came to an end this endless wait
With the coming of the sun
The rays of the glittering sun
Fought to pierce the heavy clouds
Then they fell those tiny drops
Until they drenched the dry earth
She held her hands
To catch the falling drops of rain
The first touch of her lover
Until drenched with love
In the falling winter rain
Her first love.
-----080208------
21. THE RIVER OF LIFE
Born to wild mountains
They flow through valleys
Waiting patiently in ditches
Gradually filling up
To flow down the slope,
They flow into the ocean
Forgoing their identity
To the surging waves
They know no life, but 'surrender'
A blind surrender, to change,
Life-Giver and Harmonizer
Every moment is prized
In its dynamic or static state
From the River of life
To the Ocean of love.
---------- 081110 -----------
22. GRACEFUL SURRENDER
Life is surrounded by graceful surrender
Nature too is not spared
Geese surrender to the first autumn chills
And consider flying south
Flowers surrender to the night
The setting sun surrenders
To the horizon of another day
A mother surrenders
To the needs of her baby
The child surrenders
To the wisdom of the father
Friends’ surrender to each other
Lovers surrender to moments of desire
Love surrenders to society and pride
Partners surrender to a stable family
Surrender to job for the sake of earning
Surrendering views fearing others around
Life surrenders to death with no choice
Surrender so sweet beautiful and natural
As the flow of the river;
Graceful movements in a dance
The subtle symphony of life
As one surrenders the mind
To god in all empty moments
Attaining the best in harmony with the self.
---------- 081111 -----------
MOVING
WITH
THE
TIMES
23. GUARANTEED BLESSINGS
I left this lovely land
Twenty years ago-a land
Filled with Gods' blessings
Gods who belonged to us
Or did we belong to them?
Lighted lamps in the dusk
Accompanied by evening chants
Portals of houses adorned with
"Om Namo Narayanaya" or
"Jesus blesses this home"
Picture of Mecca in some others,
But buses were secular
Carrying all the gods in an array
And some buses carried boards
Attributing its glory to GOD.
In the early nineties
On my short visits
I learned that life and lifestyle
Had changed over the years
In Gods own Country,
The lighted lamps were now off
Pooja places moved aside
No 'keerthans' and 'bhajans'
No one had time to 'waste'
Each one totally occupied
The TV awarded the prime place,
Buses ran with film songs
Music system in full-blare
Picking up the passengers
Enjoying the drive and the ride.
As the new century rolls in
I am back on a visit, expectations anew
To see the 'splendid' speedy change
God (wo)men on the campaign
"You may identify with any God"
Each swami(ni) has his/her own
Full-time Telecast Channels
Ladies are full-timers
Gents have some leisure
Spirituality can be purchased
Both as wholesale and retail
Buses have boards-- 'blessed by…'
Safety of the trip-- 'sponsored by…'
People feel happy and safer still
Everything is taken care of.
Where did the traditional god go
Giving way to the human gods?
Gods who give blessings
Are as per your payment
Money back scheme too
Guaranteed blessings!!
--------080602----------
MY
HEART
AFLAME
JUST
FOR
YOU
24. MY HEART THROBS FOR YOU
I love you
I miss you
I respect you
Count on me
I understand you
I will be there for you.
They prayed for courage
Imagined it to be a weapon
With which all evil can be defeated
But that was only a mental state
They searched for love
Imagined it could be bought
With which they could gain happiness
But that was only a mental state
They craved to manipulate God somehow
Imagined a superb existence in this world
With which their desires could be attained
But he is the being within:
Many come to you for favours from you
I love you god not for those
But you gave me a heart
That throbs for you
The most powerful force in me
Seen only with the inner eye
Is it your great love and concern
That you have gifted me?
Though you do not appear in person
You always get to me
Through messengers in disguise
And you affectionately assure me
I love you
I miss you
I respect you
Count on me
I understand you
I will be there for you.
-------- 080308-----------
25. IN SEARCH OF YOU, KRISHNA
My search begins through you
To find YOU and to end in YOU.
In search of you Krishna, once more
I depend on you to help me find you
You came into this world in diverse forms
Fish, tortoise and pig to save our Devi Earth
From the pillar, as Narasimham you came
To fight against Hiranya for Prahalada,
Granted salvation to the devil King Mahabali
Incarnating as the dwarf Vamana
You came as Ram the apprentice of Siva
Kshathriya-Brahmana with an axe in hand
You came as Sri Rama, the man of dharma
Always believing that truth should triumph
Your childhood was well spent, Oh Krishna
Balarama your playmate, the plough your toy
And while you wait for your tenth avatar
I am reminded of the stories of your birth
Did you come as Siddhartha, the Buddha?
Parting with Yasodhara to love this world?
Chances are sparse for you to have done that
As you were Seetharaman and Radhakrishnan
Did you come to this earth as Christ?
Sankara, Baapu, Baba, Guru or Amma?
Neither seeing the fullness in them, to believe
Nor a creative style as in the other nine.
Is it only a joke that you are 'Kali'
That created Valmiki and Vyasa?
Your story enacted in a single location
Was recorded by them in separate books
When you reincarnate for the tenth time
Whom have you chosen to write about you?
Where do I begin from the huge heap of books?
What shall I read and in which language?
In which continent do I search for you, Krishna?
In what form are you with us today?
Who is the teller of your story?
You are the only one who can help me
My search begins through you
To find YOU and to end in YOU.
---------------080510-------
26. I MAY NEED YOU EVER MORE
I was with you
In your childhood
To see all the wonders
That you've never seen,
I was with you
On that moonlit night
You were in my arms
Crossing the river in the heavy rain,
I danced with you
You held me tight
Swaying to the rhythm
Of your special song.
You did not see me
As I shared my days with you
For you were too busy
Playing with loved ones,
I laughed with you
And your brother
At the tricks you played
On your uncle too,
I heard the secrets
You shared with your friend
I was happy that you ate
The food I carried for you.
I want to dream with you
Of things yet to come
Awaiting the days of joy
And the beauty of life,
I want to cry with you
When life gets too tough
To find comfort in you
When times get too rough,
I want to share with you
Every moment of my life
All the joy and sorrow
Until the end of life.
I have found a love
That has just begun
And as I live my life ahead
I may need you ever more.
--------080520---------------
27. SOCIALIZING WITH GOD
The best place to socialize is the temple;
I have established contacts, larger in number
During the short span of my stay here
But I am aware of the perceptive looks
Of some who look at me, amazed
Wondering at the speed of increase
Of friends and acquaintances
From all walks of life.
I was absent from the temple one day,
The next day I was greeted with a query
'Why were you not here yesterday?'
I looked at the idol in the temple
And pointing to him in all earnestness
In answer I told him, that no one sees
Or cares to seek what is there to seek
The presence of the all-pervading God;
He exalts in your presence
Expects the same from you too!
Begin to converse with him
He will spot you among the crowd
Will love you in a very special way;
I socialize, with God these days
Through whom I hope to reach out
To the people I meet at the temple
Have you never searched for him?
Have you not experienced his love for you?
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Dr. Radhika Nagrath
Dr Radhika Nagarath was introduced to me by Mrs. Ajitha and Mrs. Josmi from Trichur around 2007 mid, in connection to the editing work of my book “LIFE made SIMPLE”.
I know Dr. Radhika as a devotee of Vivekananda and have a poetical mind. Her study on Vivekananda as a poet resulted in an acclaimed book “……”.
Dr Radhika is educated in English Literature ……….. and now working with Swamy Ram Dev at his Ashram at Haridwar.
I requested for commentary on the poems, Dr.Radhaka helped me in formatting them and gave these comments. Later I met her on 17th January 2009 at Haridwar for the first time.
Comments by Dr. Radhika Nagrath
1. THE RACE FOR BIRTH
The positive attitude towards life depicted in the lines above strongly motivates us to move ahead in life in spite of all odds. The biggest struggle of winning over the competent brothers and sisters in the mother’s womb, who could have taken birth, is already over. The poet inspires that if we have won in the race of birth successfully, why can’t we win in life too? He exhorts a common man to believe in oneself and come out triumphant in life.
2. FROM PHILOS TO AGAPE
Each age has its own charms and lessons to give. Growing from teen to twenty the writer has also realized the blows and blooms.
3. I NEED SOMEONE
Life is all about sharing the joys and sorrows. There should be someone in life with whom one can share. The poet longs for a true companion.
4. THE SECRET OF THE SELF
The Self encompasses all, viz. life, mind and God. In very few simple words, the poet explicates the trio through the Self.
5. SELF LOVE – TRUE LOVE
Love of the Self is the true love because it rightly guides the life of a person. This loving of the Self is not fanning the lower ego or self that binds but with the higher self that liberates us.
6. THE UNDIVIDED EARTH
The poet’s imagination is a place somewhat like Utopia, where there will be no bindings. Animals move free, so does the man; the creatures are not captured for any commercial use.
The more the modern man has grown in knowledge, more boundaries he has created around himself. Emotions are left far behind and intellect rules the way. In this poem, the poet’s sensibility can be likened to a great philosopher thinker of the 19th c. Swami Vivekananda. He says at one point in his life that he wishes to unlearn what all he had learnt in a lifetime. The modernization and material growth seems weighty to most of the men of heart.
7. WRITING THE SCRIPT FOR OTHERS
A common observation at community places especially at places of worship and contemplation like temples and churches is that people visit the holy premises but get engaged in mundane talks. They are whole-heartedly involved in discussing about weather and events of the lives of others. Sarcastically Sasi Kumar says, “Will someone write my script of life too?”
The poem is a satire on our common wasteful talks prescribing the key to happiness in each other’s lives whereas each one of us has to write the script of our lives ourselves. Whatever we think, that we act, and so we become. No one else has right to perform our karmas.
8. DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT
Somewhere down the line if we analyse the existing social and economic disparity in life, it is we alone who are responsible for that. If each one of us shares the burden then this disparity in the world can be lessened. Everyone on this earth must be given a chance to prove himself. The poet owes himself responsible for the suffering in the world. The world could be a better place if each of us undertook the responsibility. The poet owns the responsibility that he is the maker of the beggar next door portraying his heights of modesty through this poem.
9. MARRIAGE AND MIS-MARRIAGE
To fulfill her role of motherhood, it’s the woman who is to be blamed ever for carrying or not carrying. In this male dominated society, man has kept himself safe on all fronts. His balance sheet of credits and debits, assets and liabilities boils down to the perfect figure - Nil. Man has always been a crafty accountant in his married life.
10. OPEN HEART SURGERY
The life’s secrets die with a person sealed in the heart of a man. The inner chamber of one’s heart is the safest place where no one else can have access until we allow ourselves. The love for our God must be kept safe in that chamber. The poet wishes to leave this earth with his secrets hidden without anyone having access to the inner realms of his heart.
11. ARROW FROM THE SHADOW
As you sow, so shall you reap; the poet asserts through this poem. The force with which an arrow is shot or the ball is thrown comes back to us with an equal and opposite force. It is the nature’s law. No one can escape the law of karma. What we do today is bound to come back to us in this life or another.
12. MISSION TO MOON AND MARS
Being a space scientist, the poet’s infatuation with moon and mars can never be withdrawn. He foresees the time when people will plan their holidays and get together on other planets but ties with heavenly earth can never be broken.
13. THE MIRROR OF LIFE
The guy in the mirror hints to me to keep my mind’s mirror sparkling clean. The whole world is reflected in the mind’s mirror. But is it an easy task? Nay, the poet says that who will give me the magic formula to tame this mind and keep it ever sparkling for the reflecting the truth of life.
14. THE ELIXIR OF LIFE
A smile can go a long way in brightening someone’s life. That face is incomplete which doesn’t wear a smile. Without an extra cost, it enriches the both receiver and the giver. So whenever one dresses up to start his day, the first thing to check is, “Are you wearing a smile?” And the friends who make you smile are to be cherished for long, feels the poet.
15. HALF LIVED LIFE
The realization that major portion of life has been spent in stupendous affairs, comes to a very few. Most of us feel contented having had a good career and living. But is that the real purpose of life?
16. HEART FAILURE OF THE SPIRITUAL GURU
The seat of all emotions, heart is an important part of the body where the Absolute (Brahman) exists. ‘Hriday kamal’ (the lotus heart) of the devotee is the place where the deity resides. So never hurt the soft organ, cautions the poet. With the stopping of the heart, the life stops too. Even if the beats of the heart of spiritual guru stop, his words echo in the ears long after.
17. WE BECAME ‘ONE’
With maturity of age comes wisdom. All strives and struggles of life come to an end with egos dissolved and the two lovers become one.
18. BETTER BE BLIND
It is sometimes better to shut our eyes and accept gladly the follies of each other in a married life. Loving unconditionally is the key to a successful married life, feels the poet.
19. SABOTAGED RELATIONSHIPS
Blessed are the adversities of life for they teach us how to live in life. Criticism and blames inflicted are in fact a boon that cut and polish us. One must learn to be happy and enjoy every moment of life, says the poet.
20. WINTER’S RAIN
In this poem, the poet has caught the beautiful somber feelings which one experiences in life. After a long wait, our cherished dreams come true and the joy derived from those wishful moments which come after a long struggle are like the light shower and glittering sun after the chilly winter. Every cloud has a silver lining and so is the every dark event of life.
21. THE RIVER OF LIFE
Reading the poem I am reminded of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the chief mentor of Swami Vivekananda who gives a beautiful explication of Absolute and its manifestation (Purusha and Prakriti). He says that the Absolute, when in static form, is Purusha, the causal agent of this whole universe and when in dynamic form manifesting the changes, is Prakriti. In this river of life, Prakriti plays in different forms and ultimately unites with the Absolute. Just as the river, merges with the ocean and thus becomes complete, same way we all are flowing in this river of life and keep on evolving in every birth till we become complete and are liberated.
22. GRACEFUL SURRENDER
To gain in life, one needs to surrender. To move on in life, surrender is mandatory; to harmonies in life, surrender is the only key. Let go your mind and your thoughts and be empty for a while. That is the only mantra of success and joy. So surrender at will otherwise nature herself forces you to surrender on day, says the poet.
23. GUARANTEED BLESSINGS
Visiting his homeland after a gap of few years, the poet is caught in between two cultures; one that he has left behind and the other that has become dominant. He receives a culture shock when he sees spirituality being marketed. The “traditionalist” poet finds himself as an alien amongst his own country people. He sees everything from the past lens and is grieved. In a satire he says that are the blessings also guaranteed in this age of warranty?
24. MY HEART THROBS FOR YOU
My Lord! My heart throbs only for you and not for your benedictions and gifts. And this pining for you is also a gift from you, says the poet. He says to the lord that if he can feel for Him, it’s because He has bestowed on Him the real heart that craves not for earthly love but love ethereal only.
25. IN SEARCH OF YOU, KRISHNA
The poem is soaked deep in Indian mythology. Only Lord can tell His means, as mysterious are the ways of God. In what form and where will the Lord incarnate, He only can predict. Where can we mortal beings search for Him? He only can know whom Lord himself lets know, says the poet.
26. I MAY NEED YOU EVER MORE
Devotees look upon their deity, Lord Krishna, in many ways. One of the ways of expression is Sakhya Bhav in which the devotee talks to the beloved Lord as a friend, sharing with Him every moment of his life. This friendship with the Lord is the only true friendship and eternal.
27. SOCIALISING WITH GOD
Every act done with realization of God becomes fulfilling, even the act of socializing. When we are socializing with the Creator, His Creation automatically comes in our purview or social circle. We need not make any special effort for that. Through Him, one can reach out everyone.
"THE RACE FOR BIRTH" is mind blowing uncle.No one can think like u.Uncle u r unique from oters.
ReplyDeletenice poems, "intellectual" i wud say!!
ReplyDelete