A Hermit’s Prayer

                    

1)   Though multiple times I turn my rosary  round

      Thy presence divine I have not found

      What use my extensive learning profound

      Without a focused conscience clear and sound?

      Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

      Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

2)   What use this ochre-colored robes and dress!

       What use vain thoughts and philosophic guess!

       I can’t worldly grievances solve and redress

       The weight of temptations vex me and press;

       Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

       Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

3)   What use to grow matted locks and beard grey

       If I do not discover Thy mysterious way?

       Like melting cubes of ice dissolve our days

       Our worldly possessions won’t ever stay.

       Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

       Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

4)   And yet we cling to our tempting desires

       Like foolish moths that rush towards the blazing fire

       When can we get out of this fathomless mire?

       Subdue our passions and egos entire.

       Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

       Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

5)    What use to fast and pray for hours and hours?

        In silence under the darkest forest bowers

        If we can’t realize Thee and Thy godly powers

        And feel the bliss of ambrosial showers?

        Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

        Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

6)     In worldly affairs our bodies wear and tear

        Entrapped in crushing troublesome cares

        This Maya’s all-pervading veil when can we tear?

        Without Thy divine Grace and help none can dare.

        Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

        Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

7)    Great sages yielded to delusions’ hold

       Who did penance intense in fire and cold;

       My weaker instincts how can I mold

       Without Thy boundless grace and support bold?

       Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

       Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

8)    Even the lowest creatures broke off the worldly ties

       Though not well-versed, intelligent and wise

       Thy holy touch for us, a brilliant sunrise

       Thy mercy when we receive, we can’t surmise.

        Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

        Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

9)     Not due to our merits we claim Thy mercy sweet

        Like humble beggars, Thy grace we entreat

        Thy blessed touch of sin-emancipating feet

        Without Thy help our inner foes who can defeat?

        Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

        Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

10)   All our depth of knowledge, mere show—no gain

        All our rites and rituals reduce not our pain

        All these outer trappings will not restrain

        The powerful grip of six enemies main.

        Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

        Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

11)   Without devotion and patience, nothing

        Can we achieve; what use to chant and sing

        Thy thousand names and ostentatiously ring

         Bells and flaunt oneself with no sincere feelings.

         Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

         Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

12)    Let me lose my ego and sense of pride

         Let me in Thy presence ever abide

         Let me be free from these turbulent tides

         Of worldly woes,Oh God! Be Thou my Lord and Guide.

         Help me, Oh Lord! Shower Thy mercy I pray

         Lift me from ignorance and show true salvation’s way.

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

         15th July, 2020                              Somaseshu Gutala

Note : Maya’s hold --- According to Indian philosophy the whole world is an illusion created out of Maya ( God’s power of creation). All living creatures under the spell of Maya think this world as real and think themselves as doers. But actually the three qualities of Prakriti----Dynamic aspect of God’s creative Power--(Sattwa—positive and balanced attitude, Rajas-passion and activity and Tamas—destruction and laziness)) drive them to act according to their tendencies or karmas. Only pious people who serve God with humility and devotion will overcome this power of delusion and realize that they are not doers but silent witnesses to the apparent phenomena of this world. They will control their six inner enemies(Desire, anger, lust, pride, greed and jealousy) and with balanced mind will approach God without any desires as everything in this world is transient and subject to change. Our rituals and religious karmas only serve to some extent to cultivate a proper mindset and induce a sense of discipline to approach God with a pious mind. Mere learning of religious texts will not transform our lives unless we practise what we study. Sometimes acquisition of knowledge will produce a sense of pride and lead us astray. So one has to overcome one’s egoistic nature (Ahamkara) caused by power, wealth, beauty, knowledge and other worldly possessions and think that everything happens only due to will and power of God. Our existence is nothing without his presence and motivation. But the freedom given to us by Him should not be misused and wasted. Yet to reach such noble level is not so easy and requires repeated attempts and practice and one should not feel depressed but pursue one's path without expecting quick results.

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

 

TECHNOCRATS

                                                      

1)    Like restless running machines they execute

          Their time-bound projects within dead line;

          A collective teamwork with no sense of mine

          Their persistent thinking sharpens them cute;

          Like soulless tools, they have been fashioned that way

          Their sense of time differs entirely from our day.

     2)     Caught in the vortex of busy office schedule

           Their feelings shrink to mechanical routine;

           Like birds with clipt wings in steel cages seen

           In slavish work they search for joy like mules;

           Only pubs and restaurants their oft frequented spots

           In malls and resorts only did they splurge a lot.

  

     3)   Their only goal to work; to work with devilish speed

           Lest they forfeit their high five-figure gain;

           The risk of pink slip spurs them to stress and strain;

           No time to pause and think, before they proceed;

           The hollow dreams they chase at once break down

           Their nerves shattered—their ambitions let down.

     4)   Inured to deadly routine they search for surprise

           To jolt them out of their tedious grind;

           In trivial acts, surprises they try to find;

           The gifts of God they miss and fail to realize

           The joy of cool composure they hardly trace

           In their fast goal-oriented frantic pace.

     5)    No time to chat with others with open mind

           No time to meet others and their feelings share

           No time to read and write, no thought to spare

           No time to live in Nature’s bosom kind

           Enslaved to tools, they wish to converse in signs

           No time to improve their style with heart-throbbing lines.

     6)    In virtual world they ever like to stay

           From their prime roots cut off in alien lands;

           They stay away from home like vagrant bands

           Estranged from tradition and righteous ways;

           About their heritage past they lost their hold

           Long lost, who cares for outdated maxims old ?

     7)      In changing world they quickly interact

           With common sentiments and feelings they view

           To mix with different races and manners new

           To grasp new techniques, tidbits and facts

           Makes them less rigid and play their role with grace;

           Though they rush like robots with hurried pace.

    8)    A global outlook with new flexible norms

           A tech-savvy outlook with practical tools

           Far from bounds of caste, sect and religious rules;

           Far from myths and ritualistic forms

           Far from fairy world of tales and festive cheer

           Suffused with morals they no longer hear.

    9)        Our homely truths still within ring like bells

           Far from home in search of work they went

           In modern ways a lot of time they spent;

           Inured to modern changes, a heavenly hell--

           With humane touch let us fill this world with peace

           Without technical help we can’t live with ease.

   10)   This world needs your fast-paced smart skills indeed.

       To unravel Nature’s mysteries within

       Knowledge with helpful goals is not a sin;

       But be not too much mechanized; we need

       New ways to peace and progress you can blaze

       Blending human values free from greedy craze.

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

     7th June, 2020                                   Somaseshu Gutala

Note: A technocrat by definition is a person well-equipped with technological skills and swiftness of execution with goal-oriented tasks. Generally they have a lot of influence in Government or in corporate field. In this poem the above term is used in a wider sense covering all persons who work in industries, and big companies. The purpose is to reveal the work pressure and tensions of their lives who have to rush with no time to think and ponder over other deeper dimensions of life. This is not to criticize or comment on their abilities and talents. Especially in this modern age we cannot live without technology and all of us are using it for our daily needs. In one sense we are all technocrats getting used to machines and gadgets. The influence of machines on our lives is immense. So many people are getting addicted to indiscriminate use of machines and electronic devices. But let us not become machines enslaving our inner personality to futile goals.

Technocrats can play a vital and useful role if they blend their skills with noble goals and do not get detached from their native roots which taught them so much and shaped their lives. Knowledge combined with wisdom and noble thoughts will make them free from their mad pursuit materialistic prosperity. So let us express our due gratitude to technocrats for their valuable contribution and sincere hard work and ask them to enlarge their visions and aspirations. As Einstein said; “Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations.”

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

THE TALE OF MANI, THE MASON

              

1)  A strange pleasure he found in building homes

     Cementing bricks in patterns grand

     An architectural wonder by builders planned

     With symmetrical arches and domes.

2)  All dimensions he remembered well

     His trustworthy words accepted by all

     He took care not to waste his earnings at all

    Till achieving his goals he worked under spell.

3) He joined as a migrant worker in fact

    Twenty solid years he toiled hard 

    Just for bare wages under the landlord

    Living in dusty sheds suffering a lot.

4) His father too lived as a worker once

    Bearing hefty loads of bricks and stones;

    To sustain his family he took heavy loans

    He drank a lot to drown his tensions.

5)  In drunken stupor he fell from roof

     He lost his leg and his future became

     A sad burden,helpless and lame

     He lost his leg and he had lived aloof.

6)  Mani compelled to work from the age of ten

     Bearing the burden of family entire

     Sacrificing his future dreams and desires

     His mother and sister consoled him often

7)   Putting his heart and soul he did learn

      The art of building with measured plan

      Different models and patterns did he scan

      A sense of trust from builders he won.

8)   He never tried to rise in crafty ways

      Relied on honest work, whatever be the place

      He never cribbed about his troublesome days

     Time changes all—he always says.

9)   With a team of workers did he work and compete

       In construction of many homes and flats

       He lived still in tiled cottage he bought

       He never tried to earn with lies and deceit.

10) Within his means he tried to educate

       His siblings in school, though he learnt nought;

       Whatever he learnt, experience taught

       With friendly attitude he treated his mates.

11)  While other masons swelled with sense of pride

        He never boasted of his skills and ever felt

        A sense of contentment with no regrets

        He felt happy to see others in big mansions reside.

12)  Though others praised his superb building skills

        He never felt bloated with egotistic pride

        He ever regarded elders’ advice as his guide

        He thought himself a novice to learn much more still.

13)  While others grabbed in haste too many tasks

        In selfish hurry with promises false

        Mani true to his words bothered not about loss;

        No extra time and money did he ask.

14)   In raw cotton dhoti he was clad

        With a striped towel wrapped around his head

        Simple meals from home he always had

        No drinking bouts; went home to eat his bread.

15)  His speech was gentle with a rustic slang

       With courtesy he won customers’ hearts

       He turned his work into a work of art

       To seek his advice many builders throng.

16)  His co-workers treated him as architect great

       Though he never higher degrees did not pursue

       His observant eye ever searched for something new

       In spite of growing rich he never forgot his state.

17) He never felt proud of his name and fame

      He always felt happy to help his mates

      He honored his commitments and was never late

      As a trustworthy mason well-known he became.

18) Not hankering after ill-begotten gains

      He toiled hard with due attention to work

      Due credit he got, not mere stroke of luck;

      Love, trust and faith enhance true peace divine.

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

     6th June, 2020                                Somaseshu Gutala

  

    

      

         

  

   

     

     

BREAK DOWN

       

                                    

    1)   All of a sudden, silence profound

           Not even a hum or beeping sound

           No lifts, no whir of kitchen gadgets I heard

           No shout of excitement, not even a word.

  2)      No T.V. no mobile, no megaphone loud

           Dumb stillness spread around like a shroud;

           No mad craze as all systems crashed

           All work force-stopped, none madly rushed.

3)        Hands busied themselves in household chores

           Cooking, washing and sweeping the floor

           Kids used their brains to count and write;

           No mechanical help with solutions straight.

4)        Men passed their time in strolling through green

           Watching the colorful sunset scene;

           The roar of speeding vehicles disturbed no more

           No more deafening music from all sides pours.

5)       No smoky pollution all around

          No vehicles – all have to walk on ground;

          No costly restaurants there to dine

         Only home-cooked victuals tasting fine.

6)     Nature seemed free from man’s greedy grip

        Rivers flowed with fresh waters to sip;

        Nature’s boundaries none can skip

        Our false pretensions we have to strip.

7)     Men stayed at home cool, unruffled minds

        Close intimacy in their families find;

        Young kids no more tied down to books and mobiles

        Go out to play in lawns with spirits agile. 

8)    If all systems fail, what will remain?

       What use these devices and instruments vain?

       Nature’s gifts don’t underestimate

       On nature depends our survival and fate.

9)    Our so-called safe systems smashed in a flash

       And all our gadgets seemed to be trash;

       All our knowledge advanced has failed futile

       We have to change our views and living style.

10)  No more speeding flights, no electric lights

       No luxury cars and caravans in sight;

       Each limited to his home and country farm

       Should work to earn, no rushing traffic jam.

11)   All is not gone; be not submerged in gloom

        Still we have to live- no danger or doom;

        Had not our ancestors lived in conditions worse?

        They found joy in hard work and not in easy purse. 

12)   With changing times adjust thy pace

         Creativity blossoms in many ways;

         Realize your potential and use your mind

         Harmonize with Nature generous and kind.

13)    Like devouring dinosaurs with monstrous size

         You destroyed Nature for gains unwise;

         Leading to this catastrophic surprise

         Polluting Nature under technological guise.

14)    Our ancestors combined beauty with use

          A sense of devotion in everything did fuse;

          No mindless destruction or misuse

          Nature’s gifts they enriched, never did they lose.

15)     This swift astounding change may possibly bring

          A new era with a fresh new beginning;

          A new vision with a new attitude

          A new Atlantis with wisdom imbued.

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

           23rd May, 2020                            Somaseshu Gutala

Note:  Once in our locality there was a sudden break down of power supply. Dead  silence I felt in our building which used to have a variety of sounds emanating from various gadgets besides the sounds of bikes and cars. I visualized an imaginary situation of the city if all systems fail including internet and automobiles. What will be the reaction of an ordinary person in such a situation?   Of course man has to rely on his own abilities and mutual co-ordination. The sudden cessation of activities will surely make man observe his surroundings and persons to get an intimate understanding. Cut off from electronic devices he has to rely on books and other written material. He will come to intimate terms with Nature and derive pleasure to behold her charms and her valuable lessons.The precious value of manual labor and involvement will be understood. He has to give up his dependence on machines and hone his own skills to face life's challenges. He has to activate his creative skills and talents. This "catastrophic surprise" may happen due to man's destructive instincts and his overambitious, exploitative attitude towards Nature. Man has to adjust to his new circumstances for his ultimate survival and recognize the truth that his survival is closely linked with survival of other living creatures and protection of Nature.

Ref :  Atlantis -- An imaginary place mentioned in Plato's dialogues "Timaeus" and "Critias" where once a highly advanced civilization existed. But the inhabitants of that place became greedy and morally corrupt. The  gods became  angry and destroyed the kingdom for the people had lost their way and turned to immoral pursuits. This island kingdom sank into the ocean around 9600 B.C.

        New Atlantis -- A Utopian novel published by Sir Francis Bacon in 1627 after bacon's death in 1626. This book describes a Utopian world  where people lived ideal,peaceful, enlightened lives.

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

 

                

Trekkers

 

       

                                             

  1)   A long line of trekkers in scorching heat

        Not for pastime, their sweating faces reveal

        Deprived of jobs, life’s ends they could not meet;

        Their sorrows and troubles none  did feel;

        Their battered lives thrown like orange peels

        By their so-called masters with selfish deals.

2)     All ways blocked, no vehicles to return

        Hounded by ruthless rules, no way to turn;

        With starving families their bosoms burn;

        They took to streets as no one showed concern;

        They trudged on roads like frightened beasts

        Carrying loads with none to care at least.

3)     Cut off from homes and from their kith and kin 

         They struggled for minimum wages to earn

         In city’s slums they dwell with dust and din;

         Not for royal luxuries they did yearn;

        This pandemic threw their lives out of gear

        No help and support for them from anywhere.

4)    Trekking hundreds of miles with loads on heads

       A long line of migrant  workers from different states;

       Resting on wayside farms and in broken sheds

       Just like beggars left alone cursing their fate;

       Is this the due reward for their incessant strain?

       For their hard industry what did they gain?

5)    The city drained their strength in selfish ways

        Rejecting them in times of troublesome days;

        Drove them out from their slums, nowhere to stay

        Depriving their due benefits and pay;

        None cared to see their deplorable state

        The city locked down shutting their gates.

6)    The city prospered feeding on their blood

       The city squeezed their fruits of toil to gain;

       The city let them suffer and struggle in a flood

       Of miseries, disease and starving pain;

       Left them like refugees in alien deserts lost

       Made them return to home with tragic thoughts.

7)   Some died of starvation on their way

      Some fell down sick exhausted and weak

      Some could not bear the heat of blazing day

      Mired in poverty their future seemed too bleak;

      Some were whisked away back to shelters dim

      Cooped up to spend their days in situation grim.

8)   Returning to their homes, their cherished dream

      To live or die there, their final goal;

      None cared to hear their woes, their agonized screams

      None recognized their toil, their vital role;

     Their families pestered with ailments and pain

     Their strenuous stay brought them nothing to gain.

9)  Their travelling ordeal moved many hearts

      Their tears and cries, a shameful curse

      On those who treat people with heartless thoughts

      On those who cared only for their power and purse;

      What these poor people need only quick relief

      And liberal help to lessen their grief.

10) In these times of sudden adversity

       Let us extend our help to suffering men

       Our support in testing times of necessity;

       Inhuman to leave them in lurch and shun;

       Save these trekkers from their stress and strain

       Let powers act, not speak mere platitudes in vain.

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

  10th May, 2020                                    Somaseshu Gutala