Simon, the Cyrenian

   

          Though I know not thee and feel Thy close acquaintance

           Like thy dear disciples who moved with thee, Lord!

           And saw thy miracles with tear-filled devotion

           As thou brought dead to life and turned water to wine;

           I am compelled by Roman guards to bear thy cross

           Sweating and staggering to hills of Calvary;

           My life is blest in sharing thy burden

           While others stood dazed at thy blood-soaked clothes;

           A Cyrenian had that chance for which a legion angels

           Would have aspired to touch the feet that walked on Galilee;

           The holy feet that wandered in Judean hills

           And never yielded to tempting Devil;

           The face that sweated blood in Gethsemane

           Whispered and kissed Simon’s palm though sullied with sod.

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

NOTE : Simon, a man from Cyrene, a town in eastern Libya, helped Jesus in carrying the cross from the fifth or seventh station up to Calvary where crucifixion of Jesus took place. No specific or definite details are known about this person who bore cross when Jesus felt exhausted and could not move forward with the heavy cross on his shoulders. After the judgment given by Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, Pilate, Jesus was subjected to torture and humiliation by the Roman soldiers and Pharisees.

 According to St. Mark the Roman soldiers “pressed into service a passerby, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.” (Mark 15.21). Some say that he was a Jew as many Judean Jews settled in Cyrene during the reign of Ptolemy Soter (323 B.C.—283 B.C.). The Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue at Jerusalem. The sons of Simon, Alexander and Rufus, later became missionaries according to St.Mark. St. Paul also in Romans 15.21 referred Rufus as the son of Simon. Simon might have come to Jerusalem on that fateful day as a Jew to participate in the festival of Passover. The Roman soldiers might have forced him to bear the cross when Jesus could not move bearing the heavy cross.

 Some say that Simon was a pagan. Judging by his clothes the Roman soldiers might have selected this alien to help Jesus Christ in bearing the cross. Whatever be his race and sect, Simon got the privilege or the blessed chance of bearing the cross and assisting the son of God. As Christ said, “Whoever wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Simon, the Cyrenian, might have felt deep sympathy for the Lord’s suffering and might have been blessed by Jesus for his help.

References : 1) brought dead to life --- According to Gospel of John Jesus brought to life Lazarus of Bethany four days after his burial.

                    2) Turned water to wine --- Jesus turned water to wine at the feast of Cana.

                    3) the feet that walked on Galilee -- Jesus walked on the sea of Galilee to save his disciples when their ship was caught in a storm.

                     4) Judean hills -- Jesus fasted for forty days wandering in Judean desert and withstood the temptation of Satan .

                    5)  sweated blood in Gethsemane -- According to Luke's Gospel, the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane and sweated with agony drops of blood which fell down to the ground.

        

                    6) sullied with sod --- dirty with mud as he bore the cross and lifted Jesus who fell on the floor.

An Evening Retreat

                     

                                                

           1)       Hard rocky realms, a rocky wild with barren mounds

                    With thorny shrubs here and there, dry and sere

                    With tufts of yellow grass and twisted ferns

                    A silent awe-creating desolate spot.

         2)       What strange hand shaped these jagged rocks and crags?

                    What trenchant chisel carved these rocky steps ?

                    What wood nymph planted these thick-leaved dry trees?

                    With creepers clasping them like pythons stout ?

         3)       Perhaps a seraph or fairy in antique times

                    Graced here to rest her glittering silken wings

                    And sip cool water from mountain crystal springs;

                    With folded palms in nightly hours unseen.

         4)        A sage or hermit with brown matted locks

                    Hung behind like the roots of a banyan tree

                    Might have found here a proper serene place

                    To meditate here upon this rocky ledge;

         5)       Far from the noisy rush of the town below

                    Absorbed in trance in tranquil refreshing breeze

                    And slaked his thirst from the rocky basin near the cliff

                    Where trickling drops of water form a crystal bowl.

         6)       Not a living creature greeted my sight

                    These ageless rocks with a barren deserted view

                    Not even a jungle cat peeping through caverns seen

                    Not even a bird to break this monotony strange.

         7)       Perhaps unknown to our earthly bounds

                    Saints may visit these deserted dark deep caves

                    Where they commune with mystic sprites

                    Caring naught for earth-bound turmoil below;

          8)       I closed my eyes for a while to taste

                     Those obscure feelings of soul’s delight

                     Amidst the dark folds of hills with narrow nooks

                     As if I landed on a planet girt with rocky realms.

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

           5th February, 2019                       Somaseshu Gutala

                      

                       

       

DATURAS (Rhythmic Verse)

                        Daturas densely grown

                     Gaily dressed in their velvet gowns

                     Each fairy dancing above the tip

                     Of her long-stalked round stem

                     Gleamed like a cup of full flowing joy.

                      A tangled multitude

                      So closely clustered beside the stream

                      That no prying eye can intrude

                      To see the dark flowing rill beneath

                       Flowing with calm, cool laving tread

                       Like a black serpent of Cicily

                       Stretched behind a dark mossy boulder hidden;

                       Nourishing each stem with fertile-fingered touch

                       With silent motherly touch.

                                            

                                             

                       A dome of impenetrable delight

                       With curved branches and dense green leaves

                       Daturas dangling with dimpled glossy cheeks

                       Daturas swinging with their bright dreaming eyes

                       Daturas dancing with their light floating bodies

                       Like sylvan virgins of the woods with sleek lithe limbs.                                             

                                                                                 

                       Their rich luxuriant growth near mossy banks

                        In countless clusters spreading like umbrellas fine

                        Flecked with silver dew like angels they shine;

                        Not because of their sweet fragrance I love.                                        

                        Their swelling merry violet colors catch my eyes

                         Like children’s spotless spontaneous smiles;

                         No bird or bee goes to touch their silky cheeks

                         Yet they smile and smile like stars till twilight fades;

                         Protruding like trumpets unfolding their bosoms full

                         A fount of perpetual thick-clustered bouquet of bliss ;

                         Beside the rugged path beckons me every day;

                         Whenever I feel a pall of lonely gloom

                         The lovely faces of smiling daturas bloom

                         Transporting me to their world of purple delight

                         Free from noisy rush under their moon-lit leaves

                Daturas, everlaughing humble souls with no flashing glow.

                                 

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

        28th January, 2019                                  Somaseshu Gutala

       Note :

Daturas (Datura Stramonium) belong to species of wild flowers that grow in damp places. They are generally white, violet and yellow in color. The tubular trumpet –shaped flowers grow in dense clusters with dark green leaves around them. They are used in medicines and in rituals. In India they are used in worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. They are called by various names like Jimson weed, thorn apple, devil’s weed, and moon-flower.

                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                              

               

                           

A Thorny Bush (Blank Verse)

     
                         

             

                    Bristling with grizzly thorns, a weird shape I saw

                    A monstrous pale dry figure with rugged looks

                    A crooked creature bred in solitude;

                    With prickly, parched skin without a touch of green

                     Ev’n goats shudder to smell and fear to go near

                     A sordid work of art in dry burning sands

                     A   distorted work of some crazy soul

                     Catching attention by its cranky view

                      Like a lonely mansion with broken spires

                      In Tartarian deserts where none resides

                      Where howling winds wail with a ghostly strain

                      Where hissing reptiles crawl through narrow fissures;

                       Whence this ghastly dry stinging specimen?

                       From driest Libyan soil or Egyptian clime?

                       Or sandy seas of Arabian deserts

                       Where scanty rain drops turn to instant air ?

                       This freakish work of art in the living room

                        Mirrored the owner’s train of thoughts

                        Self-exiled, with sordid struggling thoughts

                        A modern mind mechanized to the deepest core

                         Confined in his own palatial mansion

                         Like a desert plant far away from flowing crowd.

                                   ___________________________

                              Grizzly =Covered with grey scales

                              Cranky = strange

                              Tartary =A vast desert area in central Asia

                              Libyan desert=part of Sahara desert

                              Egyptian clime = western part of Sahara desert

                              Freakish work = peculiar

                              Sordid = ignoble or of low quality

                              Mechanized = alienated without feelings

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

                  23rd January, 2019                               Somaseshu Gutala

            

INDIAN MUSEUM, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Park Street, Kolkata

Interior view of the Indian Museum

Our trip to Kolkata is not complete without visiting this most famous museum (In British Era called "Imperial Museum")which is the largest and oldest museum in India and is ranked as the ninth oldest museum in the world. One has to spend a whole day to see all the rare collections and specimens such as antiques, ornaments, artifacts, paintings, fossils, skeletons and sculptures belonging to various periods right from the Indus valley civilization. This museum was first founded by Asiatic Society in 1814 by Dr. Nathaniel Wallich, a famous Danish Botanist. In 1875 this museum was shifted to the present building and from 1878 was open to public. This building was designed in Italian style by Walter B.Granville with three floors with massive columns and arches. 

There are sixty galleries divided into six categories—Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Botany. As we have not much time we could not see all the sections. A visit to this museum will give you a clear picture about the rich cultural and religious diversity of India and other neighboring countries like Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Let me give you a brief account of some of the galleries we have seen.

In Paintings gallery there are two main sections namely Indian miniatures and the Bengal School of art displayed in chronological order. In Indian Miniatures paintings from Persian, Mughal, Deccan, Rajasthan are seen. In Bengali section masterpieces from 19^th and 20^th centuries of Neo-Bengal school of art along with Patachitras, lithographs and oil paintings of 20^th century are displayed.

                                                                                      Paintings of Bengal Art

In decorative section many artifacts made of mud, wood, bone, brass, bronze, copper, ivory, jade and Bidriware are displayed. The metal images ranging from 8^th to fourteenth centuries belonging to various schools of art are seen.  The artistic beauty of these figures is quite impressive. Most of these artifacts were used for decorative or for ritualistic purpose. In Bird Gallery specimens of various birds and their relationship with the surroundings (eco-system ) are displayed. In zoology section the specimens of various animals including the skeletons of dinosaurs are displayed. In Egyptian section the wooden figures, mummies and wooden engravings are found. 

4000-year old Egypatian Mummy with death mask

Egyptian sphinx

In textile Gallery fabrics produced in the Indian sub-continent made of cotton, wood,and silk are displayed. The shawls of Kashmir, Baluchari and Kantha Saris of Bengal,printed fabrics of Lucknow and Chennai, Phulkari chadars of Punjab, Jamdani saris Decca, mirror works of Kuchh and Soznis of Pakistan are displayed neatly in showcases.

textile Gallery

In Gandhara Gallery the sculptures relating to story of Buddha (Bodhisattva and Maitrya of the Gandharva School of Art which flourished in 2^nd century A.D.) are seen. The influence of Greco-Roman culture is seen in these sculptures excavated from places like Mardan,  and Loriyan in Pakistan and Tangal in Iran region. In Bharhut Gallery the sculptures dealing with Jataka tales of Buddha along with sculptures of Yakshas and Naginis  along with plant, animal and geometrical design motifs are displayed. Most of them look quite strong and massive carved in red stone. In sculpture section the evolution of sculpture in India between 200 A.D. and 1500 A.D. is seen. Most of these sculptures belonged to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu faiths. These artefacts belonged to Kushana, Pallava, Hoysala, Vijayanagara and Chola periods. Some of the sculptures of the Buddhist and Brahminical origins were recovered from south-east regions like Java and Indonesia.

Dream of Maya Queen, 2nd century medallion

Bharhut Gallery

Sculptures of Gupta Period

Various types of stones and jewels

Ancient Coins Gallery

Stamps Gallery

 In Geology section a huge collection of various rocks and stones are seen. In Coins gallery nearly 52,000 coins of the Indian sub-continent ranging from 500 B.C. to the present date are displayed in twenty showcases.

Apart from these there are so many other exhibits and one should have enough time and patience to see and understand the glorious achievements of our rich culture and tradition. Because of its astounding variety and rarest collections this Museum is popularly known as “Jadughar”(The House of magic). In this museum there is a big library with a huge collection of more than 50,000 books and journals. There is also a bookshop with many art albums, children’s books, picture post cards and books to cater to people of all ages.

This museum is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. The entry fee is Rs.20/- per Indians and rs.200/- per foreigners. If you happen to go to Kolkata, make it sure to visit this famous museum which gives you a lot of information and makes you enjoy the rare collections which you cannot see elsewhere. This Museum is included as an institution of national importance in the seventh schedule of the Constitution of India.

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

        19th January, 2019                                     Somaseshu Gutala

About Dakshineswar Kali temple , Kolkata (West Bengal)

 

Idol of Kali (Bhavatarini) in the sanctum

               

Nahabat (Music Hall) where Sarada Devi lived

                 

Shrine of Rashmoni

Ferry Ride from Belur to Dakshineswar

               

View of Dakshineswar Temple

                   

View of Vivekananda Sethu  (Bally Bridge)

     

The Dakshineswar Kali temple is one of the most visited places in Kolkata. At this holy place Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa worshipped Kali Ma as a priest for nearly thirty years and meditated on Kali to get Her Darshan. The beautiful three-storeyed south-facing temple constructed in Navaratna style with nine spires distributed in the upper two storeys is a majestic sight to see. The sand-colored construction with many arches all along the corridor with twelve Shiva shrines further adds splendor to this magnificent temple. We arrived at this place by ferry from Belur jetty managed by West Bengal Surface transport. It takes only twenty minutes to reach Dakshineshwar Bhabatarini Ghat. The panoramic view of the Bally Bridge (Vivekananda Setu) and monumental buildings on the banks gives an awesome view of this city’s glory. Every half an hour there is ferry service from both sides from 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

This famous temple was constructed by Rani Rashmoni. In 1847 she wished to go to Kashi along with her relatives and servants in twenty-four boats. The day preceding her travel, Kali Mata appeared to her in a dream and asked her to install Her idol in a temple and get her Blessings. So Rashmoni purchased twenty acres of land in Dakshineswaram village from an Englishman named John Hestie and completed the temple construction in 1855. On the holy day of Jagannath Deva Snana Yatra on May 31^st, 1855 the idol of Jagadeeswari Kalimata Thakurani was installed. Sri Ramkumar Chattopadhyaya served as the temple priest till his demise in 1856. His brother Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa later served as the priest till 1866. Rani Rahmoni Lived for five years and nine months after starting the temple. She died on 18^th February, 1861. Her shrine has been later added near the entrance to the temple yard.

Perched on an elevated platform the main Kali temple reveals the gracious form of Bhavatarini made of shining black basalt stone decked with gold brocade standing on white marble statue of Shiva in lying position. Both these idols are installed on a thousand-petalled lotus-seat made of silver. A narrow covered verandah serves as the audience chamber attached to the sanctum. A spacious Natamandir(dancing hall) is seen in front of the temple. Twelve east-facing Shiva Mandirs (shrines) with holy Shiva Lingas made of black stone with idols of Nandis facing them are seen on both sides of corridor near the bank of the Hoogly River. At the head of the Hoogly ghat there is a roofed terrace to view the river front. Just beyond the last Shiva Mandir Sri Ramakrishna used to live with Sarada Devi in a music room called Nahabath. He stayed here nearly for thirty years till his death in 1866.

On the northeastern side of this temple complex one can see the Radhakanta shrine where 21 ½ inch Krishna’s idol with 16 inch Radha’s idol are seen on a silver throne. The Panchavati (five sacred trees) garden is located very close to the temple. The old fig tree, the last remaining tree of Panchavati trees, is still seen. Here Sri Ramakrishna used to meditate. The visiting hours are from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.00 to 8.30 p.m. every day. In summer (April to September) the temple closes at 9.00 p.m. On Tuesdays and Fridays the temple is very much crowded. The whole temple beams with festive atmosphere with illumination, with ringing bells, blowing conchs and ululating piercing cries of Bengali women with shouts of excitement and devotion. On every Amavasya day the temple is beautifully decorated and evening aarti is performed. This temple graced by Sri Ramakrishna’s holy presence makes one feel his deep devotion to Kali Ma. Many newly married couples and family members come here to receive the benedictions of the Universal Mother.

                                  ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

               4th January, 2018                                       Somaseshu Gutala