The Tale of Happy Sam

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                                             ( I )

              He was never addressed by his actual name

              As a scientist he gained much name and fame

              Exploring secrets with keen scientific ease

              And yet he spared some time his friends to please

              Nicknamed as happy Sam he ever beamed

              With friendly smile and sad he never seemed

               Himself as a great scientist he never thought

               In helping others immense pleasure he sought

               While on duty he worked with sincere mind

               Showing attention, nothing he left behind;

                He used his time aptly though lazy he seems

                He wrote so many books on scientific themes

                All gaped in wonder at his writing skills

                What angel his brain with such matter fills!

                To gladden his mates he did quickly include

                Their names acknowledging gratitude;

                 About marriage matter he never thought

                 He spent all time in his dear lab a lot;

                 In twilight hour a different man indeed

                To play with friends to club did he proceed

                With jovial words a merry time he spent

                To please his dear friends he lavishly spent;

                Sometimes he made too many promises tall

                And vanished like swift wind beyond their call

                He never seemed to stay at one place at all

                Like air he moved swift like a rolling ball;

                Making use of his easy temper mild

                An easy target -- they took him for a ride;

               They praised his charities up to the sky

               They cheated him often, but he did not sigh;

                Borrowing much, they drained his earnings all

                Poor Sam pledged his belongings all;

               In drinking bouts he entertained them still

                His greedy mates made him pay all their bill;

                                            ( I I )

                                   

               While once engaged in his research profound

                He saw a lady talking with a feeble sound

                A scientist too she was with a limping gait

                Burdened with debts, in a pitiable state;

                Our liberal scientist came to her rescue

                He cleared all debts, long -pending dues;

                As a research assistant helped that lass

                On scientific themes, much time did they pass;

                His easy-going nature impressed her a lot

                Her humble helping hands impressed his heart;

                Happy Sam called his chums with wide-stretched hands

                No secret hid; with swelling zeal did he expand

                About his love and gave a party grand

                Pouring all his savings exceeding the limits

                Surprised the bride with gifts beyond her wits.

                                              ( I I I )

                 Happy Sam never gave up his friendly team

                 Once a week he went there with a friendly gleam

                 He penned science books along with his mate

                 And did research till his retirement date;

                 Age did not dim his love for technical skills

                  In his private lab research did he still

                 Along with his spouse he gave lectures fine

                 Inspiring youth to expand their mental domain;

                 Like a pair of swans floating on milky seas

                 Both found delight in science with harmonious ease;

                 He prided not in wealth or in his name and fame

                 No high recognition or honor did he claim

                 To live like a man with a sympathetic heart

                 To make others happy he always sought

                  Happy Sam still visits his haven to meet

                  His oldest chums and enjoy their company sweet.


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


              26th February, 2019                             Somaseshu Gutala

      

                   

                             

                                 

                                   

                                  

                                       

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.