THE TAVERN-- TREE

         

           

    1)     Before my birth long ago in this tiny town

             When our great grandfathers settled here

             Beside this peepal tree, a popular retreat

              A tavern Called “White Swan” was seen.

     2)     Wayfarers called this place not by its name

              But by its location as “The Tavern-Tree”:

              And now beneath that titan-tree we find

              A coffee-house with a few remnants of past :

      3)      A broken chair, an old table and a long teak bench

               A dull drab marble statue in a nook

               Perhaps of a pretty lady serving wine

               From a flask decked with wreathes of silver foil.

       4)     On the old withered wall a picture hung

               Of a Persian lass pouring sherbet

                To weary travelers dressed in white long robes

                While their camels knelt down with dreaming eyes.

       5)      A broken goblet huge with blue designs

                 Which others named as that of sea-god

                 Decked with sea-shells and dressed in mossy blue

                 Boozing with sea-nymphs under his blue caves.

       6)       A tablet half-broken with mystic symbols

                  A brown tortoise shell served as a paper weight

                  A cupboard filled with sundry tokens strange

                  Which once flourished as worthy prized possessions. 

       7)        Beneath the chain-hung lantern light did meet

                   Our predecessors used to chat and chat

                   Sipping foreign wine and eating tasty dishes

                   Talking about their rich estates and gains they made.

       8)        They merrily talked of their crops and cattle

                   About the myths of magic and heroes old:

                   Of their podgy wives and country damsels

                   Interspersed with jocund shouts of laughter and cries.

       9)          Some spoke about their ancestral homes with pride

                     About their prestige in the royal courts

                     Some showed their heirlooms as the sovereign proof

                     Of their noble line and their charitable deeds. 

               

      10)         Upon their table a marble elfin stood

                     With her slender arm outstretched in graceful pose

                     From whence arose sweet fragrance in curly clouds

                     Distilled from herbs of Java and fertile France ;

      11)           The attar of sweetest Samarkand and Ceylon

                       In costly crystal vials awaited their call

                       While foaming wine in sparking goblets

                       Welcomed them with tempting ruddy looks.

      12)            To cheer their hearts damsels with lotus-eyes

                        Attuned their lyres and sang voluptuous songs

                        As rich landlords threw gifts in liberal measure

                         Praising their skills by clapping hands.

      13)             Those glories fled and those rich merry lords

                         No dancer danced, no song and no drumming sound

                         No frothing wine in crystal goblets and no perfumes

                         No merry round of talk, no pretty lasses seen;

       14)            Only a drab coffee-shed with faded paintings found

                         Where poor folk come to sip coffee from broken cups

                         Smoking cheap cigars and making ribald jokes

                         Ogling at passing rustic girls with gestures lewd.

       15)             The tavern-tree stands like a witness mute

                          Half-worn by denting time with broken boughs 

                        

                          Only a few old men remember still

                          Those bygone happy days with tear-filled eyes.

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

           22nd February, 2019                          Somaseshu Gutala

Shirdi Sai Museum, Shirdi

Baba's padukas

kafni used by Baba

Grinding stone used by Baba

idols of Rama with Lakshman and Sita

idols of deities seen in the Musuem

Two vessels and the grinding stone

Photos seen in the museum

Sai Baba with his beloved devotees

Coins given to Mahalsapati by Baba

                           

Chimtas used by Baba

Sai Baba near the entrance of Dwarakamai

Cot on which the last bathing of Baba took Place

   

Chair in the museum that was never used by Baba

Next to Tirupati the most visited pilgrimage spot in India is Shirdi in Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra state. Most of the people might have seen Shirdi Sai Samadhi Mandir, Dwarakamai, Chavadi, Gurusthan and Lendi garden apart from Khandoba Mandir near Shirdi Bus stand. But your trip is incomplete without visiting Shirdi Sai Museum located just opposite Gurusthan within the temple complex. Here you will get a rare opportunity of seeing the articles and personal belongings of Saibaba. Many black and white photos of previous times makes your heart fill with a sense of devotion. The Shirdi Sai Sansthan deserves much appreciation in making these artefacts accessible to public without any entry fee.

The articles are arranged on the first floor with clear labels giving information about each item. One can see the actual padukas used by the great saint. Two utensils used by Baba for cooking are seen. A small vessel was used for preparing meals for fifty people and the big vessel for one hundred people. The grinding mill used by Baba shows the spiritual significance. The upper stone is Bhakti and the lower stone represents Dharma. When both of them are used with faith we get spiritual grace of Baba. A mud pot used by the saint is seen in a corner filled with water. Different kinds of clothes used by Baba are displayed here. The original chimta (Tongs like musical instrument) used by Baba is another rare find. The cot on which the last bathing took place after Baba’s demise is also preserved here.

Many clay pipes and earthen vessels used by Baba are also seen here. The coins given by Baba to Mahalsapati, Khandoba’s temple priest, are seen. The idols of Muralidhar along with the idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are seen here which were actually meant to be installed in Booty Wada. But as per Baba’s wish this wada became Baba’s Samadhi Mandir. The palanquin used during processions is also seen here. Many photos in black and white are seen in which one can see Baba’s devotees and followers. The model of Baba’s beloved horse,Shyam Sunder, is seen along with the harness. The opening hours of Sai Museum are from 5.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

 Apart from this museum, if you have time, you can visit Sai heritage village located three kms from the temple. It is a devotional theme park where the important events in Sai baba’s life are seen in form of beautiful statues. Pure vegetarian food is also available. Children will enjoy the monorail ride, ropeway and other amusement sports. The folk culture of Maharashtra is also felt here when you see the surroundings and the listen to folk music. The opening hours are from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

There is Sai Wax Museum (4kms from the temple) also on Nagar Manmad Road, a part of the 250-acre Mega Project. Here the statues of Maharashtrian saints and a few events from Sai Baba’s life are seen in form of statues. It is going to have many tourist attractions like a theme park, an amusement park, a meditation center, cottages, resorts and gardens. The opening hours are from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

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

     19th  February, 2019                                         Somaseshu Gutala

MARY MAGDALENE

                     

                 

                           My proud riches gave me no respite, Lord!    

   

                           My growing sins chased me like demons

                           Like a helpless victim in the wilderness

                           While these elders judge me with inhuman laws

                           Unaware of the lurking devils within their hearts

                           You saved me with boundless mercy unsought

                            Putting the judges to shame with blazing words

                            Of truth disarming them to flee at once

                            What made thee show pity to a selfish soul?

  

                            A whore that never did a bit of service

                            My streaming penitent tears wash thy tender feet

                            As My disheveled hair wipes them with pious touch

                            Let me anoint thee with richest perfume

                            Let me be a temple to shrine Thee, Rabboni.

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

            

                      13th February, 2019                    Somaseshu Gutala

Reference :

           1) My growing sins chased me --- a reference to Jesus’ act of driving out seven demons from Mary Magdalene.

         2)  While these elders – in the Gospel of John (7:53—8:11) a group of Pharisees and scribes bring a woman accusing of her adultery and ask Jesus how she should be punished. Jesus said that the one who is without sin should cast the first stone. The accusers left the place as all of them are sinners. Jesus said to the woman “, neither will I condemn you: go and sin no more.”

         3)     According to John’s Gospel (12:1—8) Mary poured an expensive oil on Jesus’ feet, wiped his feet with her hair when Jesus was in Bethany.

         4)     Rabboni -- An Aramaic word which means “my great master’. Mary Magdalene addressed Jesus in this way when she saw Jesus saw him in divine form near the place of burial. When she tried to touch him, Jesus said ,” Touch me not; for for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my father and your father, and to my God, and your God."(John 20:15-17) .

  

     Note :  Mary Magdalene was a Jewish woman from Magadala, a fishing village on the shore of the sea of Galilee. She was a disciple of Jesus and moved with him to various places. As a wealthy woman she helped Jesus during his preaching tours. She was present at the time of his crucifixion, his burial and at the time of his resurrection. She was the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection. When Jesus was dining with a Pharisee, she brought an alabaster jar containing precious ointment. She washed his feet with her tears and wiped with her hair and anointed his feet. When other disciples questioned why she was wasting such a precious ointment Jesus replied “, Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it prepare me for my burial. Truly, I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout this world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Some say that this woman was another woman, Mary of Bethany. (Mark 14:3—9). Pope Gregory (Medieval western Christianity) projected Mary Magdalene as a composite personality combining Mary of Bethany and the sinful woman mentioned by Luke (7:36—50) with Mary Magdalene. But the eastern Christianity and some Protestant traditions considered Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene as separate people. Whatever be the case Mary Magdalene is considered as an ideal of sincere repentance and selfless devotion to Lord Jesus and she was the first witness to Lord’s resurrection after crucifixion. The feast of Mary Magdalene is held on 22^nd July, every year.

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