HYMN TO LORD JAGANNATH

        

                                                     HYMN TO LORD JAGANNATH

     
                   

Lord Jagannath with Balabhadra and Subhadra

                     

     

Puri Temple

                            1)      The surging crowds moved with a hasty stride
                                      Pushing and nudging in irregular ways
                                      Eager to go to the forefront, a curious craze
                                      Crushed in between, we moved with the tide
                                      With grinning faces the deities stood
                                      Symbols of perennial bliss in logs of wood. 

                             2)      In colorful garbs with broad innocent grin
                                      With broad faces and brilliant bulging eyes
                                      With painted lips--a strange surprise
                                      These wooden forms--all hearts of devotees win;
                                      Hail Lord Jagannath! Holiest Lord!
                                      Thy grace we seek, all-seeing God!

                            3)      Drest in golden attire amidst the shining lights
                                     With dangling nose-rings and crowns the idols gleam
                                     As people push forward to see the gods supreme
                                     Shouting your names aloud with frenzied delight
                                     Though not full-shaped or beautifully wrought
                                     Your devotees feel elated with ecstasy fraught. 

                          4)       Thy white round bulging eyes with mercy shone
                                     Wide-open as if with overwhelming grace
                                     To liberate us from ignorant worldly maze
                                     No stretching of palms, no show of protection;
                                     Your lustrous big round eyes enough to save us all
                                     To lift us from these depths of mighty fall. 
                        
                         5)        Oh Lord! Once you appeared in sparkling sapphire stone
                                     Granting every wish to your devotees great
                                     As moral values sank to a degraded state
                                     Vanished from there thy shining form anon
                                     As kings yearned and begged thee before Thy door
                                     You came back as a tree-trunk washed ashore.

                        6)         The godly sculptor summoned to shape Thy form
                                     Hidden in a secret cave he worked unseen
                                     The queen impatient went inside the den
                                     No sculptor seen, perplexed she raised an alarm
                                     Half-finished figures of idols she found
                                     HandlessTrio, in rough-hewn shapes upon the ground.
                                              
                            
                       7)          Oh Lord! Manifested in this half-finished form
                                    Yourself chose to appear in a log of wood;
                                    Encaged in earthly mold, in egoistic mood
                                    Can we behold your bright effulgent charms?
                                    Our vision too earth-bound to see Thee entire
                                    A glimpse of Thee, enough Your grace to inspire.



                          

Holy Offerings to Lord

       

Chappan Bhogh ( 56 dishes)

                     8)          As befits Thee, Poojas done in splendid ways
                                  Rich garments and jewels changed from time to time
                                  Six times a day with choicest dishes sublime
                                  Cooked in mud-pots in cells untouched by rays
                                  Large vessels with sweets, rice and cakes full-fraught
                                  Thy holy prasad makes us feel blessed in our hearts.



                       

Famous Rath Yatra

     

Nil Chakra

Decorated Lord Jagannath

Gundachi Mandir

 
                       













                    9)          The grand procession of Lord--a marvelous sight
                                  Even for gods to see: our sins of ages past
                                  Dissolve by viewing this congregation vast;
                                  Enshrined in towering chariots bright
                                  Painted in colors of red, yellow, black and blue
                                  The Holy Siblings glisten before our view.

                  10)          Lakhs of devotees flock to draw Thy chariots great
                                  Vying with one another to touch the ropes and greet
                                  As if they touched Thy holiest lotus-feet;
                                  Earth and Heaven resound Thy name in rapturous state;
                                  Oh Merciful Lord! Thou givest free darshan to one and all  
                                  God of gods!  Hail Jagannath ! Listen to our humble call !

                  11)           Since centuries hallowed this place again and again
                                  So many saints, poets and kings adored Thee Lord !
                                  And felt the inmost charms of the blue-skinned God
                                  And sang soul-stirring songs in sweetest strain
                                  Saint Jayadev and Gaurang immersed in devotion
                                  Inspired all with their intense emotion.

                 12)            Pranams to Lord Jagannath of the eastern seas!
                                  Thy glowing blue discus upon Thy temple peak
                                  Gladdens our hearts, Thy blessings we seek;
                                  Thy darshan enough to feel celestial peace;
                                  Drive out polluting thoughts and selfish greed
                                  Clean surroundings and selfless love we need.
                                  
                                          ***********************************************
                                  
                      1)    Puri is one of the sacred four pilgrimage centres revered by Hindus.
                             the others being, Madhura, Dwaraka, and Rameshwaram. They are
                             collectively called Char Dham (four places).  Puri is called as
                           "Sri Kshetra" or "Purushottama Kshetra". This temple was very
                             ancient. According to sacred texts, even in Tretha Yuga, Krishna's
                             idol made of sapphire stone manifested itself under a banyan tree.
                             It was very powerful and granted boons to anyone. In course of
                             time it vanished. The Malwa King Indradhyumna  erected the temple
                             for the wooden idols which were left half- finished when his queen
                            Gundachi tried to interrupt the divine Sculptor's (Vishwakarma)
                            work in the secret chamber. In1078  the eastern Ganga king Anantha
                            Varma re-built the temple. The present structure was done in 1174.

                     2)   St.Jayadeva: A poet-saint born in the beginning of 12 th century and
                           and a contemporary of the king Anantha Varma, born in Kendull. 
                           His famous collection of lyrics"Gita Govindam" glorifies the love of 
                           Radha and Krishna and inspired Madhura Bhakti Movement.

                    3)   Sri Chaitanya : A monk and social reformer born in Nava Dweep, 
                          in Bengal, popularised Krishna Bhakti Movement, called Gowdiya   
                          Vaishnav Siddanta. He spent many years in Puri and felt intense
                          emotion in presence of Lord Jagannath. Many other monks and 
                          eminent philosophers like Srimad Sankaracharya, Srimad Ramanuja
                          charya, Sri Vallabhacharya, St. Ramanada, Sri Gurunanak etc visited
                          this sacred place and found mental peace.

                 4)     The Holy Siblings: Lord Sri Krishna with his sister Subhadra and his 
                         elder brother, Balabhadra are the presiding deities of this holy shrine.

                 5)    The Blue Discus: Also called Nilchakra is a very big discus made of 
                         eight metals with a circumference of about eleven meters seen on the 
                          peak ofthe temple. It is different from the Sudarshan Chakra enshrined
                          in the  temple along with other holy idols. 

                6)  Chariot festival : In the month of Aashada (June or July) the the three
                     sacred idols of Lord Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken
                     in a grand procession in gigantic chariots .The chariot of Lord 
                    Jagannatha is draped in red and yellow cloth while that of Sri 
                    Balabhadra is draped in red and blue. The  chariot of sister Subhadra is
                    draped in red and black.The idols are worshipped and kept  in Gundachi's
                    Mandir  for nine days and later brought back with great  pomp and
                    devotion. these are changed and new idols are   carved once in twelve
                    years from the logs that are washed ashore.

Sea Beach , Puri

Sand Sculpture

                    

                                  Ref:   1)     Pooja ---  Worship  
                                         
                                            2)     Prasad --- things offered to God

                                            3)     Darshan --- viewing God 

                                            4)     Blue-skinned God -- Lord Krishna

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

        5-03-2015                                                                              SOMASESHU  G
                      



                              
                                


                               

                               
                  

                                         

UNDER THE PIPAL TREE

                                                     
                                              UNDER THE PIPAL TREE


     
               


















   

       











                               1)        The temple yard with massive trees
                                     Strong pillared structures with leafy domes
                                     A spacious shelter for birds and monkeys
                                     Around which pilgrims bow and roam.
                                     Praying to thousands of black curved forms
                                     Engraved on stones, eye-catching charms.

                          2)       Devotees pray with humble hearts and stay
                                    With eyes closed, mumbling divine names;
                                    The pleasant cool breezes throw away
                                    Their worries and light Bhakti's flames;
                                    They offer rows of lights deckt with dark red
                                    And yellow powder, to snakes without dread.

                          3)       Pouring milk in streams over serpent-stones
                                    Chanting mantras in pious tones;
                                    As scents of myrrh and camphor spread
                                    Reciting prayers couples tread
                                    A festive glow surrounds the place entire
                                    With colorful blooms and lamp-lit fire.

                         4)       The priests busied themselves with rites
                                   Chanting slokas and waving lights
                                   Aspiring for booty from devotees there
                                   Tied to one place to earn their labor's share;
                                   The graceful hooded gods beseem to say
                                   Lessons of truth to those who truly pray.

                         5)       Like saints installed under the peepal trees
                                   Unmindful of weather and intense heat
                                   No venomous shapes, but divinities indeed
                                   Wish-fulfilling gods without greed
                                   Giving progeny and domestic bliss
                                          Removing time-old curse with mental peace.



                                  

     










                         6)       Round and round the devotees turned--
                                   Around the stony serpents adorned
                                   With jasmine and rose-plaited chains
                                   Tinged with saffron-mixed-yellow grains--
                                   Seeking blessings from serpent-deities
                                   For their family's health and longevity.

                        7)        The serpents shone with mysterious glow
                                   As if responding to their feelings' flow
                                   Their eyes opened wide gazed so bright
                                   Hissing blessings with hoods upright;
                                   Denizens of three worlds in various forms
                                   True ornaments of gods and nature's charms.

                       8)         Paired serpents intertwined in graceful pose
                                   Some like hydras with multiple hoods rose;
                                   Milk-tinted glistened with sleek silver shine
                                   With full-spread hoods and moon-lit eyne
                                   Upright standing on folded coils
                                   Benefactors of the sons of the soil.

                       9)         The primates viewing the devotees meek
                                   Skipped and played  hide-and-seek
                                   Leaping over the harmless serpents carved
                                   Giving no chance to mongrels starved
                                   Seizing offerings with lightning speed
                                   Shocked devotees wonder at their greed.

                       10)       Bless us, Holy symbols of creative force!
                                   Driving the diverse folds of the universe;
                                   Harbingers of bliss and mystic force divine
                                   That lies concealed in human spine;
                                   Unwind the potent forces of our mind
                                   Unfold the lotus sealed in conscience behind.


              Ref:            

              a)    Bhakti= Deep devotion
              b)    Mantras = devotional hymns with mystic power"
              c)    Slokas  =  devotional metrical verse
              d)    dark red and yellow powder= vermilion and turmeric used in worship
              e)    saffron-mixed yellow grains= rice grains mixed with vermilion and
                     turmeric powder, used in worship.
               f)    time-old curse= the burden of curse caused due to indiscriminate
                      killing of cobras by people, called naga dosha.
              g)    The lotus = In yogic terminology the lotus symbolizes 
                     spiritual enlightenment

               Note:  1)  In Indian tradition the peepal tree is considered as very sacred--
               a veritable symbol of Holy Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 
              Generally under its branches small stone idols of gods, especially those
              of serpents, are seen in many temples. Lord Krishna also told Arjuna
              that among mighty trees, his power has assumed the form of the peepal
              tree. So people walk with devotion around this tree (Pradakshina) with
              the hope of getting blessings of this wish-fulfilling tree.

             The idols of serpents occupy a very prominent place in Hindu mythology. 
             They are considered as symbols of pro-creation and domestic bliss.
             Lord Subrahmanya (Son of Shiva and Parvathi) is worshipped in the form
             of a serpent symbolising creative force and the mystic force called 
             kundalini which lies concealed inside the spine. Many gods are shown
             wearing serpents as ornaments to indicate their mastery over this mystic
             power. This serpentine power spreads through all worlds of creation
             which is shown as multiple folds of creative force like that of the coils of
             Anantha, the lord of all serpents.   

                                      =========================                    
                                   
          25th February, 2015                                             Somaseshu G                        
                            

                                     

             

UNDER THE GRAPEVINE

                                                UNDER THE GRAPEVINE








 











     













                                    1)       Under this green canopy sweet
                                               A welcome treat in blazing heat
                                               A wholesome crop of grapes, a lovely sight
                                               Clusters pendent like orbs of delight.

                                    2)       How meekly do they bend so much
                                               To crush their juice on tender touch
                                               A heavenly nectar indeed
                                               No strenuous effort I need.

                                    3)      No time to lose in brewing spree
                                               Fresh juice just prest enough for me
                                               A lavish feast by Nature laid
                                               God's magnanimity I said.

                                    4)      These smooth white sacs with silky sheen
                                               Like Persian maids in paintings seen
                                               Those black smooth clusters with swarthy mien
                                                Like Ethiopes in Roman chambers shine.

                                     5)      The dusky reddish band did seem
                                                Raw tribal folk with ruddy gleam
                                                The greenish bunch like dryads peep
                                                Covered in leafy colors deep.

                                     6)      I lie in deepest contented mood
                                                Under this rustling verdant hood
                                                No casual words of thanks convey
                                                My gratitude to their company gay.

                                     7)      Lovely globes do lightly swell
                                               Melting sweetly in every cell
                                               Refreshing with soft jelly cream
                                               A rich lush realm of delicious dream.

                                    8)      Far from grimy dust-laden spot
                                              A concrete jungle burning hot
                                              Beneath this dark green trellised vine
                                              A cool bower care-free and fine.

                                   9)      I dreamt of Persian plates with dates
                                             Adding pleasure to the royal taste
                                             Of frothing juice with silky shine
                                             A splendid pleasure-dome divine.

                                 10)     I can't escape from dusty din
                                            This blazing heat, pollution's sin
                                            This bushy shelter with sweetened shade
                                            Gives me relief from griefs man-made.

                                                         ++++++++++++++++++++


                                       
                              Ref:  1) Ethiopes  = Dark-colored women from Ethiopia

                                        2)  Dryads    = nymphs inhabiting in trees
                                                                                  

                 Note: Dear Readers,

                 This is a nature poem composed by me after reading 
                 Andrew Marvell's poem "The Garden" which transports us from
                 the dreary world of pollution in to the pure world of Nature, who
                 bestows on us all her bounties and gives us relief from all our
                 worldly worries. In Contemplation of her pristine beauty our 
                  minds are transformed to "a green thought in a green shade."
                                         
                                 As Andrew Marvell Said :

                                         "Society is all but rude
                                           To this delicious solitude."

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

                         17th February, 2014                                            Somaseshu G

                                                                 
                                                 

ODE TO A MILKMAID

   

 











               1)   There she moves like a dryad of the trees
                      Dressed in rustic clothes with curious design
                      With a long stick in her hand to drive her kine
                      Treading with casual air through morning breeze
                      Her braided hair dallied with wild bowers
                      The creepers shed on her dew-decked flowers.

                2)    She runs freely through village green
                        Leading her cattle with a lusty shout
                       Through winding ways she moves about
                        A buxom lass in her lovely teens
                        Munching peanuts or home-made bread
                        A care-free happy spirit she spread.

                3)     Resting awhile in dark green shade
                        Keeping vigil on straying beasts
                        Letting out a sharp cry in mid-day's heat
                        She treads with nimble gait to the sheltering shade
                        To quench her thirst from grass-laden brook
                        Splashed water and dangling locks she shook.

                4)     Humming now and then a rustic song
                        Driving her cattle with casual ease
                        Care-free, unperturbed with joy and peace
                        Like an uncrowned queen she flits along
                        Till sunset, as the sky turns dusty brown
                        She returns to her hamlet far from town.



           

  














  

           














                5)     At eve she brings pails of milk warm with foam
                        With pots upon her head well-poised she walks
                        Along with friends she merrily talks
                        With beaming eyes she doth merrily roam
                        Her unblemished smiles like stars in milky way
                        Add grace to her face as fresh as lotus gay.

                6)     Her jingling anklets ring rhythm to her gait
                        Her bangles tinkle as she moves apace;
                        Bearing her burden on her head she glides with grace
                        Hard labor adds joy to her state
                        In her bright folded attire doth she appear
                       The gopi of Brindavan filled with cheer.

               7)     Sporting with blue-skinned Lord in human form
                       Sharing the nectar of ecstatic bliss
                       The fair milk-maids of Mathura kiss
                       The foot-prints of Krishna with youthful charm
                       Beside the dark blue waters of Jamuna calm
                       Listening to Krishna's flute with affection warm.

              8)      As gopis played, frolicked and screamed
                       Treating the Lord as their dearest mate
                       Forgetting all, in ecstatic state;
                       A veritable, visual feast it seemed
                       As pea-cocks danced and birds full-gazed perched still
                       While cattle stood entranced on vale and hill.

             9)       No more can I behold her in these times
                       Where are those jingling bangles and pretty smiles?
                       Where are those fresh milk-foaming pails?
                       No lovely lass with ringing chimes;
                       With a raucous sound a milk sachet thrown
                       Skimmed and frozen, as the milk-man rushes down.

                                     =====================   


           1)  Dryad-- a nymph inhabiting the trees according to Greek legends.
           2)  gopi  -- a milk maid or cowherdess
           3) Brindavan  -- the place where Lord Krishna played with gopis.
           4)  kine           --- an archaic word for "cattle or cows"  

         Note: In this poem I tried to re-create the typical rustic climate where the
                   milkmaids graze their cattle and move freely through green pastures
                   and engage themselves in country pastimes and sports. They seem
                   to be carefree and spend their time happily in the company of their
                   friends and cattle. In this context one is reminded of the legendary
                   gopis who had the fortune of spending their time with Krishna and
                   sang and danced with him near the banks of Jamuna. In sharp contrast
                   we in modern times wake up on hearing the raucous cry of the
                   milk-man who throws a sachet of milk in haste and rushes off without
                   any greeting smile in a quite unemotional and mechanical routine way.

                                      *************************************************
          11th February, 2015                                         Somaseshu Gutala 
            

                

THE DESERTED VILLAGE

                                                  THE DESERTED VILLAGE


      

 



                                                   Blank Village like a page,
                                                   Two or three streets, a cage;
                                                   Blank dust on burning lanes
                                                   Barren hills without a crane
                                                   Or a tuft of coiling green
                                                   Or a stretch of water seen;
                                                   Rocks appear like ruined cells
                                                   Heaped around like broken shells;
                                                   Like a massive poem sans sense
                                                   Vital meaning, depth immense;
                                                   Black hills without a rill;
                                                   Barren soil remained sad and still;
                                                   Climate dry to clip our wings
                                                   Without lilt of inner springs;
                                                   Fraught with boredom, we lie to rest
                                                   Sluggishness spreads like a pest;
                                                   Time limps too slow on her crutch;
                                                   A heart-chilling foggy touch;
                                                   Life drags hard  through dreary slush
                                                   Static like Oxus in wintry hush;
                                                   Living like ants in dull rutted ways
                                                   Like icy shapes, like monotonous lays.








          

  
                                                   Dwell there now few cronies old
                                                   In a few, old rotten houses cold
                                                   Ringed with thorny shrubs and grass
                                                   By that way no stranger pass;
                                                   Heard no more thrilling rustic lays
                                                   Heard no more hymns of gentle  grace;
                                                   Heard no more damsels anklet bells
                                                   Heard no more bleating sounds from dells                                                                                           Heard no more sounds of chirping birds
                                                   Heard no more sounds of lowing herds
                                                   Gone with changing times all creeds
                                                   Lost all values and heroic deeds
                                                   Soon to be engrossed by selfish sharks
                                                   Smoky stacks and factory stocks                                                                                                            Seen there only ruined walls or wood  
                                                   Shattered statues in a melancholy mood .
                                  
                                                                    /////////////////////////////////////

        Ref:     The Oxus River : Nowadays called as Amou-Darya flows through central Asian 
                    countries like Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Northern border of
                    Afghanistan before joining the Aral Lake. In winter the upper reaches of the 
                   river  remain completely frozen for more than two months.
                                           
      Note: 
                    Dear Readers,  Just as a sequel to my previous poem "The Village Barber" I
                    have penned this poem after reading Oliver Goldsmith's famous poem with the                             same title published by him 1770.  The poem opens with these thrilling lines:

                     "Sweet Auburn! loveliest village of the plain
                       Where health and plenty cheered the laboring swain."

     and where the poet deplores the depopulation of the English countryside due to fast
     urbanization and rapid spread of industrialization. 
                     
                       "Far far away thy children leave the land
                         Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey
                         Where wealth accumulates and men decay."

  I thought of  giving another title to my poem, but could not find another one to suit my  
 theme; so let me borrow his title as a kind of paying a glowing tribute to this great 
 Augustan poet who followed the Neo-classic tradition scrupulously and claimed applause
 in spite of  his slender poetic output.The village was deserted not only by people and other  creatures, but also by far more precious core values like culture and tradition. 
                         
                                                ****************************
                                                    
            4th February, 2015                                                           SOMASESHU GUTALA