TRUE LOVE

                                                  

                                                                    

                                      

1.       To taste the divine cup of love, a rare blessing indeed 

   Enchanted by false illusions we often blunder

   Mistaking everything as that feeling divine

   Our precious time they misuse and plunder

   Except waste of time nothing we gain

   We rush through our routine at breakneck speed

   So much patience and perseverance we need

   No emotional outburst, no hasty greed.

 

2.      Like fools we see everything as pleasure

  We estimate everything in terms of gain

  Mistaking every feeling without strain

  True selfless love, often we ignore and miss

  Mere outward charms misunderstood as bliss

  We run after false mirage of external things

  Temporary fleeting thrill only it brings.

 

3.          True love transcends the bounds of time and place

       It changes not with evanescent charms

       It maintains its status even in turbulent storms;

       It will not yield to passion’s unsteady ways;

       It will not surrender to outward gaudy show

       It shines ever bright with her natural glow

       In spite of hurdles, it never vanishes and fades

       It transcends egoistic barriers man-made. 

 

4.     Above the pull of brutal rage

 Love does not yield to vindictive state

 Love is forgiving; no fury and hate

 No deceptive ways or fall into the maze

 Love ennobles itself in sacrifice

 Love does not yield to selfish lies

 Love survives in mutual understanding and trust

 Love does not degrade to cheating brutal lust.

 

5.     In spite of failures Love will not die

 Love dwells within unchanging and bright

 With her sweet memories she shines like a star at night

 Love is not tethered to worldly bonds lifeless and dry

 Like immortal legends imprinted on hearts

 Love humanizes every mind with noble thoughts

 Love lives inspiring sympathy in every mind

 Lifting our souls to be liberal and kind.

               ******************

23rd June 2025                  Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

           

  

A Sinner’s Hope

 

                             

                           

                       

1.       Unrestrained myself, innumerable sins, I commit

Unlimited mercy still You reveal
The pangs of remorse though not I feel

With flower-fresh bosom I dare not kneel

Yet still You feel, my Lord! am I fit

To receive Thy blessings if I do not lead

A virtuous life, without self-destructive speed?

The warning voice of conscience if I do not heed.

 

2.       What is the use of my knowledge deep?

Whatever we learn to imbibe becomes mute,

If it does not restrain our desires and refute;

Like tempting mermaids, they seem so pretty and cute

What use if it allows our discrimination sleep?

If it does not restrain desires unchecked and dire

Sweeping swiftly like raging forest-fire;

As if hurling me down from a rugged hill steep.

 

3.     So impervious our misleading minds

       Even adverse conditions and troubles won’t change

 My attitudes, actions and mental range

 Whatever they do it seems right, so strange

 Who will save us from restless routine grind?

 Even dread of punishment will not reform;

             Bewitched by pleasures we yield to the false charm

             Will worldly things give true joy and unruffled calm?

       

4.     Still your boundless mercy and your promise

 Magnanimous gives us assuring trust

 Whoever chants Thy names will tide over this gust

 Of this maze of whirling passions and thrust

 No matter, of whatever state of degrading sins

 He will never perish and is bound to win

 From this distracting turmoil and dreadful din;

 And rise like a star through this gloomy debris.

 *****************************

Note:   "Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear." --Bhagavad Gita

    16th June 2025                           Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

            

            

  

 

 

 

 

THE RAIN AT NIGHT

 

          

                             

                               

              

                     

 1.     The rain played havoc in the city streets

 The speeding vehicles caught unawares

 Amidst swelling gutters and drains; who dares

 To wade through deep waters- a risky feat;

 All traffic came to sudden standstill sheer

 Horns blared; tempers perturbed; none can clear

 This mess through the tight packed lanes to move on;

 The heavy downpour continued till dusky morn.

 

2.     The rain seems to teach a bitter lesson

 To struggling city proud of her status and state;

 Unplanned reckless expansion with no vision

 Still the public realizes not their impending fate

 The rain exposed the potholes of corruption

 Cracked ways and muddy stagnant condition

 Of city ways and the ever rampant greed

 Of overflowing drains and thick, overgrown weeds.

 

3.     The rain brought up dormant lurking lust

 Stirred up innate flames of smoldering love

 The rain washed away the heaps of garbage and dust

 The rain life-giving blessings poured from above

 Childish innocence jumped with airy delight

 With fresh green leaves the trees tossed bright

 The clouds resounded with flashing thunders this night

 The earth with fresh look seemed a joyous sight.

 

4.     The rain pushed estranged lovers to meet in gloom

 Wiping out their differences, unseen

 Firing their sleeping desires at once to bloom

 The rain refreshed the trees with radiant sheen;

 The rain like a magic wand brought hope and cheer

 The rain bid farewell through starry night clear

 The rain left everything fresh, shining bright

 The rain enhanced the lovely blissful night.

 

5.     The rain transcending man-made status and state

 Bestowed her blessings in bounteous measure

 On every herb, creature and oceans vast

 The rain at night filled us with immense pleasure

 And made us brood upon our life routine

 Burdened with loads of guilt and musings mean;

 Nature’s power and purging effect of rain

 We feel serene and solace in dark star-studded domain.

                           ************ 

  8th June 2025                     Somaseshu Gutala

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      

This Too Will Pass

                   

                  

            

    

                                                                

 1.   Thick pall of darkness seen around

        Ruthless gunshots heard and bloodshed

        Of innocent couples with helpless cries spread;

        Begging tears for mercy moved not those bloodhounds

        They reveled in shooting with savage delight

        A most dreadful shocking dark night

        Resulting in most grievous loss

        Transgressing bounds and Nature’s laws.

 

2.    Blood-sodden bodies scattered here and there

       What sins have those victims done?

       What spoils have these wicked creatures won?

        A very cruel act of slaughter unfair

        Humanity shudders at their foul deed

        Is there any noble cause seen in this indeed?

        Vicious acts gladden not gods and justice;

        Sheer dastardly acts of reckless cowardice.

 

3.    What glory from gods will they get?

       Is gross misuse of power their creed?

       Sheer violence and hate they breed

       Too late for their deeds they will regret

       This abominable heinous crime

       A dark smudge on pages of Time;

       So many wars and assaults in the past

       Though not forgotten will not last.

       Though they perpetuated so much loss

       Change will happen; this too will pass.

 

4.   What happened to destructive powers

      No trace of their existence remains;

      No trace of their struggles and strain;

      No trace of their monumental towers

      Both the slayer and the slain will fall

      To Time’s grim unexpected call;

      Sly, crooked means will lead to crooked goals

      Once done, their impact one cannot control.

5.  Brute power coupled with hatred

     Perverts knowledge in risky ways;

     Causes loss of life and leads to disgrace;

     Once ignited evil like wildfire spreads

     Destroying self and human worth

     Disturbing peace and goal of human birth

     Destruction easy it seems, a transient gain

     The loss of life and past glory, can we get back again?

                       *******************

    25th May 2025                            Somaseshu Gutala

     

     

 

 

 

 

 

      

       

 

 

       

       

        

 

       

Soon or Late

 

             

                                     

                             

  

1.        Diseases, dire reminders of our past

  Of our present acts, habits and thoughts;

 We felt proud of our status, wealth and power

 We deem ourselves wise, strong and clever;

  As if supreme or invincible in healthy days

 Diseases come in unexpected and sudden ways

 To curb our pride and heedless, egoistic self

 To make us realize that our strength, pride and pelf

 Won’t help us of our once sturdy stamina and state

 We can’t stop our impending, ruthless fate, soon or late. 

 

2.    Once our senses seemed capable and strong

Once we thought that there is nothing wrong

Diseases pounce upon us like wolves all of a sudden

Like wild creatures out of den, beyond our ken

Our sufferings are silent teachers in one way

To set right our fallacies and carefree days;

Our raging instincts without limit and restraint

Our reckless acts result at last in many a complaint

Too late we tend to feel guilty and repent

What use? Our precious years went waste and spent. 

 

3.     Youth never cares about future impact

 In heat of momentary excitement caught

 They barter their precious time and health

 For harmful habits and acts in stealth

 None can stop the impending results indeed

 Into darker realms they themselves lead

 Sooner or later their rash actions breed

 The voice of conscience they do not heed

 In later times they have to face the inevitable woes

The rebounding impact which they themselves chose. 

 

4.    Addicted to evil ways they find too hard to change

Rising above vices they think beyond their range

To subdue their aggressive ways and will

They have to accept their innate desires and flaws

And realize virtuous and moral laws

If not, it takes ages to come out of net

The hounds of hell pursue till they regret

Till they change their ways and their mindset;

They have to check their ego and their pride;

From destiny’s keen sight their sins they cannot hide. 

 

5.    People chart their destiny and yet blame their fate

Sowing thorny shrubs what can they expect;

Blame thy wayward ways and don’t complain

Self-made blunders; don’t blame fate in vain;

Look deep into thy heart and patiently bear

The rebounding results of thy acts and spare

Sometime to feel sorry and find relief;

No use of abusing others with grief;

Accept your mistakes and thyself control

Free thyself and move forward to find your goal.

                   *****************

 

     18th May 2025                  Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

My Quill stops for a While

1.                My quill stops for a while

                   I don’t know the reason why

                 “Stop for a moment and let thoughts come; try

                   Not to come in the way; wait for a while

                   She said". " Let me pause and let thoughts come out

                   As naturally as flowers sprout

                   In the still hours of cool dewy night.

                   Let them unfold like blooming rays, russet and bright."


2.              It is not swift like a flight of birds
  
                 Like a seasoned jeweler, apt words you have to choose
 
                 Matching with rhythm, no superfluous phrases loose

                 Thoughts come up like churned butter out of curds;

                 In harmony with meaning and structural plan

                If not proper sense and feeling one cannot scan;

                A mere scribbling of lines will not precisely bring;

               With effluent flow your inspiration should sing.


3.           Let thoughts gradually grow

               No hurried pace of your thoughts

              Like ripening berries with golden glow

              Apt words should jet through your heart.

             Let not your mind run wild; be calm.

             Let your thoughts gain strength like windy storm
 
             The words will patter like pure snowy flakes

             Calm contemplation is what poetry makes.


4.         Don’t obstruct the poetic flow

            As your fancy conjures images with impressive charm

            To show your thoughts in solid concrete form;

           A sense of joy fills you like sunny glow

           In misty autumn with lingering chill

           Poetic creation, an adventurous thrill

           If you rise above narrow mesh of ego and pride

          Putting your thoughts on paper, a joyous ride.


5.     Rest your quill and be calm

        Observe nature in a leisurely way

        Just as in life, your patience pays;

       No hasty ways to choose the perfect form

       For the right fruitful moment gently wait

       Till you find the right expression to write.

       You find yourself purged and serene

       As cool and fine like Elysian Garden green.

6.   Like a gardener with due care

      Trim your work till they get a proper form

      In simplicity lies a greater charm

     A poem should dazzle in proper wear

    Restrain your reckless flow with critical eyes

    Do not think yourself too perfect and wise

    A poem should be a well-cut diamond bright

   Impressing readers with facts and insights.

             **********************

     11th May 2025                              Somaseshu Gutala

On my Visit to Vishalakshi temple, Varanasi .

 

                      

                                                    Temple Gopuram

                                          

Gajalakshmi idol above entrance

                            

Lion statues on sides

                                                

                                       

Main idols in the sanctum

                                      

Nine planetary idols

                                  

Row of Shiva Lingams

        

        

Vishalakshi temple is just 250 meters kms from Kashi Vishwanath temple. This temple was built in South Indian style 1893 and maintained by Nattukottai Nagarathar, a mercantile community from Tamilnadu. Mother Sati’s earrings fell on this holy spot and is regarded as the one of the 52 Shaktipeethams. In the sanctum one can see two idols side by side. The smaller idol is called Adi Visalakshi and is believed to be Swayam Bhu or self-manifested. The other taller stone idol was installed at a later time.

 

Vishalakshi and Annapurna are regarded as the patron goddesses of this holy city. Visalakshi means “wide-eyed goddess”. Like Annapurna, Vishalakshi gave food to sage Vyasa and his disciples when they starved for three days. At one time both Vishalakshi and Annapurna are identified as one goddess. But in later times they are considered as two distinct forms of Mother Parvati. She along with Kamakshi of Kanchipuram and Minakshi (fish-eyed Goddess) of Madurai are considered as the most important forms of Goddess by Tamil devotees.

 

Unmarried girls worship   Vishalakshi for getting a suitable bridegroom and by married ladies for getting progeny. Sri Adi Sankaracharya visited this temple in the eight century and installed Sri Yantra. This temple was built in South Indian style and the architecture is decorative with intricate carvings. The opening hours of the temple are from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00  a.m and from 5.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. During festive days like Navaratri in October and In Chaitra Navaratri (March) special poojas are conducted in this temple. On the third lunar day of Bhadrapada Kalai Tij, a   special ceremony is performed.  

 

In the inner shrine the stone idol of Vishalakshi seen. In her upper hands she holds a lotus and a sacred vessel in her lower left hand. She blesses devotees with her lower right hand with Varada Mudra. In 1971 the Tamil patrons installed this new idol beside the smaller old idol.

 

On the top of the entrance a lovely marble relief of Gaja Lakshmi is seen. Inside the temple there is a verandah with four painted concrete pillars decorated with floral designs and guardian deities. On the ceiling twelve images of zodiac symbols painted. Above the main shrine, a relief painting of Shiva and Meenakshi wedding scene is seen.

 

 Around the temple, the floor is covered with white and marble tiles in a chess board like pattern for the devotees to circumambulate. Around the inner periphery of the temple, a row of Shiva Lingas is seen, some with Nandi idols and serpent stones and a beautiful Ganesha idol. Behind the inner sanctum, a marble shrine of Adi Sankaracharya is seen. On the right side of the temple outside, in the two gated areas, one can see the sculpture of a horse and an image of Vishalakshi. These idols are brought out during special festive seasons. Within this room one can see a small shrine housing a large Shiva Lingam. Within this room there is an altar on which idols of nine planetary gods are seen.

 

One has to pass through gate No.2 to reach this Mandir. one has to move through narrow winding lanes, and so it would be better if sign boards and directions are set up on the way for the convenience of devotees. The nearby temples are: Kashi Vishwanath mandir, Annapurna Mandir, Kalabhairava Mandir, Nepali temple and Sankat Mochan mandir.  Devotees who visit Varanasi should visit Ganga River, Sri Vishwanath mandir, Kashi Annapurna temple, Vishalakshi temple, Kalabhairava mandir, Dandapani temple and Dunti Vinayaka also. Their temple tour is incomplete without visiting these holy shrines.

                                        *******************

       5th May 2025                                                    Somaseshu Gutala