Thursday, December 01, 2016

The Freedom to Dream: India at 70

ONE INDIA, ONE DREAM...


 (Photo Courtesy: Google)

I, Invincible India. A panoply of colors, a mystical enigma.
Born out of shackles, rooted in the past, embracing the future.
Longing for the spirit to envision, wings to fly, freedom to dream!

I, an innocent child. A beam of sunlight, sent from heaven.
Still, walking in darkness. Starving, deprived of learning, forced to labor.
Hope of tomorrow! Yearning to open the gate, get the freedom to grow!

I, a wondrous woman. The energy that creates, nurtures, transforms.
Tormented by the curse of dowry, bigotry. My place is home, whither to roam?
Waiting for equality, enablement, empowerment; and the freedom of choice!

I, the third gender. Creation of God, odd one in the crowd.
Disgraced and discriminated. Living in ignorance and isolation.
Aspiring for access to work and justice, for freedom to participate!

I, a persevering farmer. Sow seeds of labor, to grow a grain of faith.
Often, weather-beaten and debt-ridden. Live in strife and relinquish life.
Tiller of the soil! Dreaming to yield gold, to gain the freedom to flourish!

I, a sedulous worker. Serving the man, sold to the machine.
Crushed by the mighty. Pushed to live from hand to mouth.
Seeking dignity of work, skills to develop, freedom to thrive!

I, a brave soldier. Bite the bullet, face the battle of nerves.
Lose life and limb in mortal war. While, kith and kin bear the deepest scar.
Pride of the nation! Wishing for peace and care, for freedom from fear!

I, a healing physician. Preserver of life, inspirer of hope, to people…
Plagued by malady, disability. Pills that bring ills, bills that cause chills.
Aiming for a nation with accessible affordable care, and freedom from pain!

I, a focused athlete. Fire within me, sky above me.  
Lack resources and recognition. Play the game, for fifteen minutes of fame.
Craving for environment and encouragement, for synergy and freedom to soar!

I, a liberal secularist. United by Bhajans, Azan, Gurbani and Carols.
Divided by fanatics, ugly as sin. Spreading hatred outside, hell within.
Praying for a leap of faith, tunes of harmony, freedom of conscience!

I, a public servant. Centre of power, force of fire.
Or, a fearful master. Backing corruption, favoritism, wanton destruction.
Pleading to show integrity, serve with humility, let freedom to question!

I, a rustic village. Living in peaceful silence, hearing the murmuring of life.
On the edge of civilization. Facing appalling condition and blind superstition.
Soul of the nation! Searching for the road to prosperity, the freedom to rise!

I, the progressive school. Igniting life, instilling creativity, inspiring change.
Living in prisons of mind, in ivory tower. Where the poor are confined, drop-out, cower.
Cultivating mental and moral faculty, realizing the latent ability and freedom for all!

I, the creative media. Weave fact and fiction, shape the thought.
Twined between power and peril. Twist the angle, turn silent in the jangle.
Pillar of democracy! Demanding the truth to prevail, the freedom to voice!

I, the blooming businesses. Hallmark of opportunity, catalyst for transformation.
Restrained by red tape, looking for loopholes. Put the seal, in backroom deal.
Fueling economy and employment, social inclusion and freedom from want!

I, the zealous people. Force of a billion, feelings a zillion.
All caste and creed, language and ethnicity; standing on the edifice of humanity.
            Harbinger of change! Striving forward towards one dream, India of my dreams!

@ Tanima

Monday, March 07, 2016

Namami Ishan!


Intrigued by the spiritual vibes being broadcasted all over on the occasion of Shivratri, trying to delve into the Hindu mythology to discern the mystique surrounding the Lord Shiva!
 
Shiva is worshiped with ten thousand names 'Dasha-Sahasranamas', that are found in the 'Mahanyasa'.

According to Shaivites, the supreme being 'Parashivam', has five faces 'Panchabrahmas', who perform the holy five acts 'Panchakrityas', assigned to five manifestations 'Panchamurti', represented by five elements 'Panchabhoota', each associated with a direction, color and the meditating point.

  • Sadyojata - creation - Brahma - earth (prithvi) - west - white - genitals
  • Vamadeva - preservation - Vishnu - water (jal)  - north - red - feet
  • Aghora - destruction - Rudra - fire (agni) - south - blue - heart
  • Tatpurusha - concealing grace - Maheshwara - air (vayu) - east - yellow - mouth
  • Isana - revealing grace - Sadasiva - ether (akash) - upwards - crystal - head 
Īśāna, is also translated as the 'guardian of the north-east'. North is the abode of Kubera, where wealth resides; while East is the abode of Indra, where knowledge reside. Hence, considered auspicious under Vaastu Shastra.

The devotional hymn 'Rudrashtakam' appears in the Uttara Kand chapter of Ram Charit Manas, written by Bhakti poet Tulsidas in the 15th century. It is made up of 8 stanzas, each of 48 syllables; narrating the qualities and deeds of Shiva.



नमामी-शमीशान निर्वाण-रूपं, विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेद-स्वरूपम्
I Salute the Lord Ishana, whose Form represents the state of the highest Nirvana,
Who Manifests taking a Form, though in essence He is pervading everywhere; and His Form embodies the Highest Knowledge of Brahman present in the core of the Vedas.
निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं, चिदाकाश-माकाश-वासं भजेऽहम्
Who remain absorbed in His Own Self which is Beyond the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), which is Beyond any Vikalpas (Change and Manifoldness), and which is Free from any Movement (due to desire),
Who Abides in the Spiritual Sky, I Worship Him.

निराकार-मोंकार-मूलं तुरीयं, गिरा ज्ञान गोती-तमीशं गिरीशम्
Who is Formless and the very Root from where the Sacred Omkara arises; Who Abides in the state of Turiya (the fourth state in which Brahman is experienced in meditation),
He is the Lord Who is Beyond the Knowledge which Speech can express and Beyond the Perception which Sense Organs can perceive; He is Girisha (Lord of the Mountains).
करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं, गुणागार संसार-पारं नतोऽहम्
Taking the Terrible form of Mahakala He can tear apart Time himself; at the same time He is an embodiment of Compassion to His devotees,
I Bow down to Him Who helps in Crossing this delusion of worldly existence, which is like a Dwelling Place made of Gunas.

तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गभीरं, मनोभूत कोटि-प्रभा श्री शरीरम्
Who is Shining White Resembling a Mountain of Snow; and His Being is very Deep,
In the depth of Whose Mind exist Millions of Rays of Splendour, which express themselves on His Auspicious Body.
स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लो-लिनी चारु गङ्गा, लसद्भाल-बालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजङ्गा
Over Whose Head, the Beautiful Ganga Throbs and Surges forth towards the Worlds,
Over Whose Forehead the Newly Risen Moon Shines spreading its Rays, and around Whose Neck adorns the beautiful Serpents.

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालं, प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालम्
Whose Ear-Rings Sway near His beautiful face, which is adorned with a striking Eyebrow and Large Beautiful Eyes,
Whose Face is beaming with Joy and Grace, Whose Throat is Blue and Who is extremely Compassionate.
मृगाधीश-चर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं, प्रियं शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि
Whose Clothes are the Skin of the Lord of Animals and Whose neck is adorned with a Garland of Skulls,
I Worship Him Who is Beloved of His Devotees, Who is Shankara and Who is the Lord of All.

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं, अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटि-प्रकाशम्
Who is Terrible, Eminent and extremely Strong; Who is the Highest Lord,
Who is ever Unborn and Whole; and with the Effulgence of Million Suns.
त्रयः शूल निर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं, भजेऽहं भवानी-पतिं भाव-गम्यम्
Who has a Trident in Hand, the Three Spikes of which Uproots the bondages of the Three Gunas,
I Worship the Consort of Devi Bhavani Who can be Attained only by Devotion.


कलातीत कल्याण कल्पान्तकारी, सदा सज्जनानन्द-दाता पुरारी
Whose Auspicious Nature is Beyond the Elements of the gross material world and Who Brings an End to a Kalpa (a cycle of creation when all gross elements are dissolved),
Who Always Give Great Joy to the Wise Men, and Who is the Destroyer of the Tripurasuras (Adharma).
चिदानन्द संदोह मोहा-पहारी, प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी
By Taking Away the Great Delusion, He plunges the prepared Soul in the Fullness of Cidananda (the Bliss of Brahman or Pure Consciousness),
O, the Destroyer of Manmatha; Please be Gracious to me; Please be Gracious to me, O Lord.

यावत् उमानाथ पादार-विन्दं, भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम्
As Long as the Lotus Feet of the Lord of Uma,
Is not Worshipped in This World or Later by the Human Beings.
तावत् सुखं शान्ति सन्ताप-नाशं, प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधि-वासम्
So Long Joy, Peace and End of Sorrows will not be experienced in life,
Therefore O Lord, Please be Gracious, You Who Reside within All Beings.

जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां, नतोऽहं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यम्
I do Not Know how to perform Yoga, Japa or Puja,
I Always at All Times only Bow down to You, O Shambhu.
जरा जन्म दुःखौघ तातप्य-मानं, प्रभो पाहि आपन्नमामीश शम्भो
Please Protect me from the Sorrows of Birth and Old Age, as well as from the Sins which lead to Sufferings,
Please Protect me O Lord from Afflictions; Protect me O My Lord Shambhu.