I am deeply touched by a poem shared by my friend today which reveals her beautiful true self. The original is written in Kannada and upon my request, she translated the same in English in just 10 mins.
With her permission, I am reproducing the same here to make it a part of my whispering thoughts.
Motherhood by Vimala P Kumar
'Motherhood' is not confined only to women...
'Motherhood' does not differentiate male and female
'Motherhood' does not have the compulsion of 9 months...
'Motherhood' is a feeling of heart... not a position...
Those who have patience like earth...
Heart like milk...
Kindness as God...
Innocent feelings like a child...
All those beings are entitled to become a mother...
All can become a mother from the depth of their heart...
Original in Kannada
ತಾಯ್ತನವು ಹೆಣ್ಣು ಜೀವಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸೀಮಿತವಲ್ಲ
ತಾಯ್ತನಕೆ ಗಂಡು ಹೆಣ್ಣೆಂಬ ಭೇದವದಿಲ್ಲ
ತಾಯ್ತನಕೆ ನವಮಾಸ ಗರ್ಭ ಕಟ್ಟಳೆಯಿಲ್ಲ
ತಾಯ್ತನವು ಮನಸಿನನುಭವವು, ಪದವಿಯಲ್ಲ
ಭೂಮಿಯಂದದಿ ಸಹನೆ, ಹಾಲಿನಂತಹ ಹೃದಯ
ದೈವದಂದದಿ ಕರುಣೆ, ಮುಗ್ಧ ಮಗುವಿನ ಮನಸು
ಇರುವ ಪ್ರತಿ ಮನುಜನೂ ತಾಯಾಗಲರ್ಹನು
ತಾಯಾಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಮನದಾಳದಿಂದ
God bless you my dear friend!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sight of a might
You might visibly notice
The communication of muscles
Within my athletic feet and arms
Expressing my might openly
The rough rock that sits tall
Under my body of stone
Refuses to absorb any shocks
That rock my heart invisible
The naked truth that tickles me
Is this black posture of thinking
For eons as decided by the creator
As it troubles my naked display of thoughts
I’ve already realized inwardly
Thanks to a man of frail build -
Meek is not the symbol of weak
But the only need to reach the peak
Move away your eyes elsewhere
As I’m tired of your gazing thoughts
I’m neither a man of mighty inspiration
Nor the only marvel of sculpture in sight
My contribution for Contest No.21
http://binagupta.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/04/contest-no-21.htm
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I know...
I know I am no longer a kid
For there’s an inborn fear
Deep down the spine
Only of life’s positives
Happiness that may disappear
Togetherness that may scatter
Words of love that may deceive
Hands of friendship that may drag
I do not wish to breathe
The aroma of such a life
For they’re mere illusions
For I’m brave to shatter them all
I’ve seen scenes of red stains
For hours together with frozen eyes
Scattered on the walls of my home
As unruffled witnesses of destiny
Education is a mere mockery
As it fails to show me graceful life
There’s none to escape my sharp eyes
As I am trained to kill by sound
Ah! There’s someone crushing the leaves
Why my comrade is not alert like me?
Wow! I see a tiger skinned piglet walking
Alongside the protective mammal
Earlier my silence to respect the language
Was always compensated by the echoes of artillery
This time my speech is revived to enjoy
The rarest display of faith and love
Now I know I am only a kid
For there’s an inborn fear
Developing deep down the spine
Of losing life’s positives
This is my entry for Weekly Contest No.20
http://ajitnambiar.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/04/sulekha-contest-no-20-faith.htm
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The article that spoke about ‘wisdom’
It looks like my brain has emptied itself from ideas and vocabulary of late. Earlier I used to have a volley of thoughts that demanded me to write down but nowadays I give a simple, blank stare. Stare – yes, I mean it. Do not assume that it is out of wisdom, for I know very well that it cannot be earned or thrust overnight onto my little brain. The simple reason is, I’ve become more rusted, hopeless and mentally lazy.
To offset my mental indolence and rejuvenate my spirits, I turned the pages of Atul’s school text books. I was awed by an article written by Sudha Murthy, which is a part of English curriculum (CBSE syllabus) of 7th standard. It is about her visit to Orissa and in particular, a village named Kalahandi. The name Kalahandi brought me frames of ‘Gods must be crazy’ fame Kalahari. Anyway, this Kalahandi is habituated by tribal people who are equally ignorant about the happenings of the world, as per the article. Now, continue reading the article….
//
I next met an old man. I say old, but again it was impossible to guess his age by his looks. During our conversation, he recalled certain events and occasions from which we concluded that he was about 104 years old!
I got into a lively conversation with this gentleman. I asked him, ‘Who is ruling our country?’
For him ‘country’ clearly meant Kalahandi. He looked at me and smiled at my ignorance.
‘Don’t you know?’ he said. ‘It is a company sarcar that is ruling our country.’ He meant of course the East India Company. The old man was not aware that India had become independent.
I showed him some Indian currency and the Ashoka Chakra emblem. He was not impressed. He said, ‘That is just a piece of paper. How can you look at it and tell who is ruling us? It is “Goriwali Rani” who is ruling us.’
I knew that the barter system was very important to the tribal people. So I asked about it. ‘Do you know this small piece of paper can buy firewood, lots of sarees, bags of salt and plenty of matchsticks?’ I remarked.
He looked at me sympathetically and said: ‘For this paper, people fight, go away from our ancestral land, leave our forest and go to the cities? Without that piece of paper, have we not led a complete life? Our ancestors did. We are children of God settled here happily without this paper. This is God’s land. Nobody owns this land. No river has been created by us. The wind does not listen to us. The rain does not ask our permission. These are gifts of God. How we can ‘sell’ or ‘buy’ land, I do not understand. When nothing is yours then how can you make such transactions? This little paper of yours can turn life upside down.’
I had no words by way of reply. Until that moment, I was convinced that I knew more than he did.
We know about currency movements, political parties, about the difference between Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. Here was a man who knew none of these, yet knew that nobody owned the land, the mountains or the wind.
Who is more civilized – this wizened old man in the Kalahandi forest or those of us with our fingers on the pulse of the Internet?
//
The article is rightly titled ‘An Old Man’s Ageless Wisdom’.
My sincere thanks to the author and the education board authorities for taking this ageless wisdom to the young minds. Both parents and children need to learn that wisdom has nothing to do with one's education or literacy level or intellectual brilliance.
To offset my mental indolence and rejuvenate my spirits, I turned the pages of Atul’s school text books. I was awed by an article written by Sudha Murthy, which is a part of English curriculum (CBSE syllabus) of 7th standard. It is about her visit to Orissa and in particular, a village named Kalahandi. The name Kalahandi brought me frames of ‘Gods must be crazy’ fame Kalahari. Anyway, this Kalahandi is habituated by tribal people who are equally ignorant about the happenings of the world, as per the article. Now, continue reading the article….
//
I next met an old man. I say old, but again it was impossible to guess his age by his looks. During our conversation, he recalled certain events and occasions from which we concluded that he was about 104 years old!
I got into a lively conversation with this gentleman. I asked him, ‘Who is ruling our country?’
For him ‘country’ clearly meant Kalahandi. He looked at me and smiled at my ignorance.
‘Don’t you know?’ he said. ‘It is a company sarcar that is ruling our country.’ He meant of course the East India Company. The old man was not aware that India had become independent.
I showed him some Indian currency and the Ashoka Chakra emblem. He was not impressed. He said, ‘That is just a piece of paper. How can you look at it and tell who is ruling us? It is “Goriwali Rani” who is ruling us.’
I knew that the barter system was very important to the tribal people. So I asked about it. ‘Do you know this small piece of paper can buy firewood, lots of sarees, bags of salt and plenty of matchsticks?’ I remarked.
He looked at me sympathetically and said: ‘For this paper, people fight, go away from our ancestral land, leave our forest and go to the cities? Without that piece of paper, have we not led a complete life? Our ancestors did. We are children of God settled here happily without this paper. This is God’s land. Nobody owns this land. No river has been created by us. The wind does not listen to us. The rain does not ask our permission. These are gifts of God. How we can ‘sell’ or ‘buy’ land, I do not understand. When nothing is yours then how can you make such transactions? This little paper of yours can turn life upside down.’
I had no words by way of reply. Until that moment, I was convinced that I knew more than he did.
We know about currency movements, political parties, about the difference between Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. Here was a man who knew none of these, yet knew that nobody owned the land, the mountains or the wind.
Who is more civilized – this wizened old man in the Kalahandi forest or those of us with our fingers on the pulse of the Internet?
//
The article is rightly titled ‘An Old Man’s Ageless Wisdom’.
My sincere thanks to the author and the education board authorities for taking this ageless wisdom to the young minds. Both parents and children need to learn that wisdom has nothing to do with one's education or literacy level or intellectual brilliance.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
A week of wonderful moments
Thanks to my generous husband for sponsoring our trip to Cochin, Atul and I along with other members of our group, left Bahrain on March 21, 2008. Ah! I forgot to mention about the camp, is it not? It's a week-long spiritual camp organized by Chinmaya Society, Bahrain from 21-28 March, 2008 at Chinmaya International Foundation, Adi Shankara Nilayam, Veliyanad, a couple of hours drive from Cochin Airport.
With our limited bags and baggage, 14 children and 7 sevikas boarded Jet Airways flight in the morning hours of 21st March, displaying our blue jacket and ID cards attracting attention of passers-by and even immigration authorities, both at Bahrain and Cochin.
On 22nd March, 2008, we all played Holi in the ashram.
Having gone to Cochin, life is a waste if one hadn’t enjoyed Alleppey’s boat cruise… We went for a boat ride on 23rd March morning and were served hot appam and stew by in-house crew. The bedrooms were inviting to lie down but our team was more involved in dancing and singing. With my left knee pain, I enjoyed watching their performances with peals of laughter.
See the heaven on earth…… I was supposed to have reached heaven (or hell???) by now but still alive by His grace. We were walking on a low wall which separated the deep backwaters on one side and plush green trees on the other side, to drink tender coconut. In order to avoid straining my left knee, I kept a wrong foot and lo! instantly I fell on the right side (ground part). Had my fall been in the water, I would have viewed the sea world at least once ‘live’ before dissolving in the cosmos for ever! The simple reason is, I don’t know swimming. :D
Also visited Chottanikara devi temple (Did I cry seeing the Divine Mother? Yes, I did inwardly and uncontrollably) and one Vishnu temple and a Shiva temple. Temples in Kerala are so different from TN or North Indian temples. One needs to be fit and fine healthwise to pay a visit.
On 26th, we all made a visit to ashram gardens and did tree plantations as well. The pledge was taken by the sevikas to maintain the spirit.
In the evening of 27th March, we had valedictory function and cultural program. I was the M.C. (hehehe…). The kids performed a skit ‘Be Victorious’, ‘Dandiya dance’, Vedic Chanting, Bhajans, Presentation of Values etc.
Along with the above, we all learnt Vedic texts, bhajans, dasavatharam stothrams & stories etc. Children experienced a glimpse of ashram life and synchronized themselves perfectly with the atmosphere [Footwear to be arranged in order, chanting of slokas before and after food, washing of one’s plate, cups and glasses to be taken care of them, availability of food only at the ringing of bell, chanting of sloka to improve memory power, meditation on breathing etc etc].
Enjoyment is fine. But have I carried the values with me? Hope I am honest when I answer ‘yes’ to this question one day.
Finally, to spice up, Atul was flying high since 27th evening as soon as he got the message from his Dad that he stood first in his class. It was a pat on my back as well, for I too have studied equally with him. :D
With our limited bags and baggage, 14 children and 7 sevikas boarded Jet Airways flight in the morning hours of 21st March, displaying our blue jacket and ID cards attracting attention of passers-by and even immigration authorities, both at Bahrain and Cochin.
On 22nd March, 2008, we all played Holi in the ashram.
Having gone to Cochin, life is a waste if one hadn’t enjoyed Alleppey’s boat cruise… We went for a boat ride on 23rd March morning and were served hot appam and stew by in-house crew. The bedrooms were inviting to lie down but our team was more involved in dancing and singing. With my left knee pain, I enjoyed watching their performances with peals of laughter.
See the heaven on earth…… I was supposed to have reached heaven (or hell???) by now but still alive by His grace. We were walking on a low wall which separated the deep backwaters on one side and plush green trees on the other side, to drink tender coconut. In order to avoid straining my left knee, I kept a wrong foot and lo! instantly I fell on the right side (ground part). Had my fall been in the water, I would have viewed the sea world at least once ‘live’ before dissolving in the cosmos for ever! The simple reason is, I don’t know swimming. :D
Also visited Chottanikara devi temple (Did I cry seeing the Divine Mother? Yes, I did inwardly and uncontrollably) and one Vishnu temple and a Shiva temple. Temples in Kerala are so different from TN or North Indian temples. One needs to be fit and fine healthwise to pay a visit.
On 26th, we all made a visit to ashram gardens and did tree plantations as well. The pledge was taken by the sevikas to maintain the spirit.
In the evening of 27th March, we had valedictory function and cultural program. I was the M.C. (hehehe…). The kids performed a skit ‘Be Victorious’, ‘Dandiya dance’, Vedic Chanting, Bhajans, Presentation of Values etc.
Along with the above, we all learnt Vedic texts, bhajans, dasavatharam stothrams & stories etc. Children experienced a glimpse of ashram life and synchronized themselves perfectly with the atmosphere [Footwear to be arranged in order, chanting of slokas before and after food, washing of one’s plate, cups and glasses to be taken care of them, availability of food only at the ringing of bell, chanting of sloka to improve memory power, meditation on breathing etc etc].
Enjoyment is fine. But have I carried the values with me? Hope I am honest when I answer ‘yes’ to this question one day.
Finally, to spice up, Atul was flying high since 27th evening as soon as he got the message from his Dad that he stood first in his class. It was a pat on my back as well, for I too have studied equally with him. :D
Showcase
Amazing is your brilliance, O MAN
To see me in you for theories of your evolution
During my jungle wanderings I’ve met
Your clan of selfishness and articulate gimmicks
Defining the logic of reasoning and rationale
During my adventures to cities I’ve seen
Your race of brutal violence and intolerance
Exhibiting mal-nutritious positive emotions
During my surprise visits to houses I’ve witnessed
Your people indulging in heartless, weird gossips
Leaving behind ugly trails of restlessness and mistrust
You smile and eat and walk and breed
Just like me but more refined displaying your orderly brain
O MAN, I am the origin of your clan, isn’t it?
If evolution is for betterment, how can I be linked with you
To clear this one doubt that haunts me day & night
I am looking at my picture in your showcased book
Sshhhhhh….. stay away from me for a while
For my feelings may be showcased more loudly
Upon seeing theories of your evolution
This write is my response to Express Yourself Contest Week 19 - Feelings.
http://ehsaas.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/03/express-yourself-contest-week-19-feelings.htm
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