ALL-IN-ONE (PART--II )

                                     

  

13.           Like a potter

   You mold our destiny with mysterious skill.

   With so many designs and patterns you fill

   Though frail and weak we live in conceited ways.

   Till we crumble to dust unaware of our numbered days.

   Ignorant of Thee, Master of our life-breath!

   Ignorant of Thy gifts and impending death!

  

   14.          Like a weaver      

        You show your creative powers

   Intermixing various shades and colors

   A mixed fabric of sufferings and pleasures

   Our lives with a purpose which we can’t measure;

   To make us know life’s valuable virtues

   To teach us problem-solving means and clues. 

 

15.           Like a tailor

     You measure our worth and give our due

     Of what we deserve in proportions true;

     To grab with greed, in vain we struggle hard

     You give our due, Our well-wisher and Lord!

     We waste our precious days in worldly pleasures.

     Ignoring true values and innate treasures.

 

16.           Like an artist

     Endless works of wonder you create.

     Inestimable miracles splendid and great

     Nature, a fathomless, endless mystery

     Beyond our limited fallible boundaries

     Yet thy precious skills a little, in artists we find.

     A speck of Thy supreme magnificent mind

 

17.           Like a scientist

     This universe with many secrets you designed.

     Our bragging wits too shallow to unwind

     The infinite intricacies profound

     Beyond our subtle supercomputing bounds

     Innumerable gifts gave Thy generous grace.

     Which we misuse in self-destructive race.

 

18.           Like a doctor  

     You cure our maladies and disease.

      Nature, your precious gift for health and ease.

      Our selfish polluting living style

      Create new germs deadly and vile.

      Addicted to drinks, lust, and perilous drinks.

      Into abysmal depths of doom people sink.    

 

19.            Like a poet

      You make this universe with magical skill.

       Splendid wonders in every vale and hill

       In every bird, beast, flower, and fruit

       In every being a rhythmic harmony cute.

       Your thought took shape in every atom in fact.

       A master craftsman superb thou art.

 

20.             Like a painter

       On the canvass of this universe, you made.

        Millions of worlds with various shapes and shades

        In multiple colors with soul-animating art you devise.

        A mystic supernatural creation, a wondrous surprise.

        Our efforts to imitate Thee we feel too hard.

        A tiny shell, a flower shows Thy skill, Oh, Lord!

 

21.             Like a maestro

       You created this world from sacred sound.

       Numberless melodies in your domain abound.

       Thy musical skills, far above our earthly sounds.

       Thy rhythm conceals so many meanings profound.    

       Masters of heavenly music touch our bosom’s core.

       With Immense devotion they praise and adore. 

 

22.              Like a C.E.O.

        The whole creation with ease you control.

         You decide and guide all towards their goal.

         Though we brag and dare to go out of our ways

         You lead us back to move on at our own pace.

         We miss you, Lord! the universal source of all.

         With rushing tide of time, we rise and fall.

 

23.               Like an actor

         So many parts you sportively play.

         Embodying your infinite Self, I say

         Beyond our worldly estimate and guess

         Thy ordained laws none can transgress.

         A trivial dot this entire creation

         Immeasurable Thy Form, Thou, All-in-one.      

 

24.              Master of all!

        Unknown to our souls confined in sense-bound cage.

        Thy precious blessings we misuse with bestial rage.

        Our petty parts we think as ours and miscomprehend

        Thy Divine plan and our days idly spend.

        Make us realize our roles and lead us to our goal.

        Make us realize and feel Thee, within our soul.

 

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

 

 

 Note: In all religions great seers and prophets expressed their inability combined with wonder at the incomprehensible creative powers of God and voiced their gratitude and devotion in many religious scriptures. They concluded that all this creation comes from one source and goes back to merge with that cosmic power. In Hinduism and other religions where polytheism is followed, the multitudinous number of gods and goddesses represent the mystic symbolic manifestation of God’s various qualities and powers. In “Bhakti Yoga” (A chapter from Gita on “Devotion”), Lord Krishna states that He exists behind everything in creation just like a thread binding many multi-colored beads in a necklace. The cosmic manifestation of God in various forms and objects in this universe and His magnanimous gifts to all creation is elaborately dealt with in "Vibhuti Yoga" and in “Rudra Suktam”.

The least we can do is to feel humble and acknowledge our earnest gratitude to God for his various gifts and make use of them for the well-being of all living and non-living creatures, and try to protect this universe, an indirect manifestation of God Himself, without feeling any false sense of pride. Without His Will nothing exists and survives. Let us keep this world safe, happy and peaceful. Destruction and pollution lead to our own ultimate annihilation and degradation.

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

29th April, 2023                        Somaseshu Gutala

    

    

 

    

    

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

ALL-IN-ONE ( Part--- I )

 

           

                                    

1.         Like a Mother

   You nourish and care one and all

   Forgiving and showering love divine

   Unseen, yet gleaming through stars and sunshine;

   You listen to every creature’s earnest call

   Your glance purifies our lives like Ganges great

   Inestimable Patience and Mercy incarnate!

 

2.        Like a father

  You sustain and guide this universe vast

  You curb our desires with your discipline stern

  Through your mysterious plans you make us learn;

  In life’s seeming struggles so many lessons you taught.

  Rigidly denying our crazy dreams with madness fraught.

  You punish us to curb our crooked ways and thoughts.  

 

3.        Like a child

    You make and unmake worlds with sportive delight

    Smiling like spring and roaring like lightning bright;

    You shake the worlds with winds and volcanic fire

    With flooding oceans touching cloudy spires;

    When we are down with disease and gasping breath

    We feel your gentle touch of restful death.

 

4.        Like a teacher

        You train our latent skills you gave

  You boldly refuse to grant of what we crave

  Though you appear to be callous and cold

  Our wandering passions you keep on hold.

  We never acknowledge Thy love sublime

  Beyond worldly barriers and changing times

 

5.        Like a friend

  You ever watch and stand by our side

  Timely warning you give to check our pride

  So patient, liberal and generous Thou art

  You never leave us though others depart.

  Your friendly advice in turbulent days

  Saves us from degradation and disgrace.

 

6.        Like a lover

  Ever enshrined within our hearts

  Enchanting us with sweet feelings and thoughts;

  Like playful cowherd of Brindavan

  You make us happy filled with mirth and fun

   Our fickle minds forget Thee and rush towards hell

   Yet You try to draw us with Thy divine spell.  

 

7.        Like a wise seer

  Your brilliant wisdom divine

  Beyond our sense-bound learning shines

  Our perverted brains misuse Thy gifts indeed

  We dig our graves with false egoistic greed.

  Open our eyes ere we slip into gloom

  Our crazy ways pollute and lead us to doom.

 

8.       Like a wise judge

 You ordain laws, beyond our thought

 Your judgement spanning eons with justice fraught;

 Though they appear strange beyond our brains

 An unseen force leads this world and sustains;

 Though you seem so rigid, detached, and cold

 Thy mercy, sages perceive million-fold.

 

9.        Like a farmer

    You work to show the worth of hard toil

    Protecting crops, cattle, and nourishing soil;

    You shed your sweat and blood millions to feed

    And quench their thirst with no sense of greed;

    Sow seeds of hope and faith in every life

    Make us face boldly challenges and strife.

 

10.          Like a warrior

    You show supreme courage and power

     Ever vigilant and watching every hour

     Punishing evil and monstrous devils;

     Assuming many forms with Thy almighty will;

     Protector of all worlds! We bow before Thy feet

     Shower Thy grace and precious blessings sweet!

 

11.           Like a washerman

     You purify our sinful sullied souls

   Leading us to our destined goals

   With buffeting blows and challenges to cure

   Our vicious impulses and passions impure.

   You straighten our crooked folds within

   A spotless fabric pressed sans stain or sin.

 

12.         Like a barber

    You cut the unruly growth of desires wild

    That grow like tangled weeds aggravating our pride

  Despite our growing age, we can’t restrain

  The endless web of passions, despair, and strain.

  Though we collapse with age, disease, and pain

  Still, we struggle with unfulfilled craze in vain.

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

 13th April, 2023                        Somaseshu Gutala

Rocking in the verdant world

                                    

                          

           

                                

1.      The wintry chill is gone; the rays of sun turned warm

   In fresh spring weather new leaves grow green;

   Like sparkling peridots with verdant sheen;

   The mango-tree in garden acquired her own charm

   On every branch fresh cluster of leaves, behold!

   Glistening like gems in rays of gold.

 

2.      Though daily seen today to me they seemed

   Nature’s new bounty in changing weather

   With various shades of green, smooth silky feathers

   A flock of red-beaked parrots fluttered and screamed

   As if they grew wild with exuberant delight

   The mango tree green with birds, a merry sight.

 

3.      The parrots rocked on swinging branches so free

   A shelter safe for them from prying eyes;

   Amidst bunches of mangoes, a luscious surprise;

   For them to feast swinging in verdant glee

   The leaves shone like merry-making birds at dawn

   The parrots like fresh fluttering mango-leaves shone.

 

4.       The mango fruits plump and juicy in bunches caught

    My eyes in various shades of emerald green

    Amidst shy parrots hid in leaves, a curious scene

    A blend of similar colours questioning my thoughts;

    In overwhelming green hues all around

    Too green in this cool paradise myself I found. 

 

5.           Our show of green peace with momentary zeal     

        Match not with what we do and what we say;

   Perhaps not fit to live like parrots gay;

   Polluted surroundings our minds reveal;  

   So many creatures wiped out by human greed

   We run our lives with self-destructive speed.

 

6.       Far from this noisy, dusty restless domain

   Let me find respite in this welcoming shade

   Not an artificial retreat man-made;

   A happy communion where none complains

   Of struggles for power and status seen

   A charming blend of leafy world with parrots green.         

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

   1st April, 2023                          Somaseshu Gutala

 

   

  

  

SMILES

 

                

1.     Smiles bloom like lilies in spring

 Smiles like merry bells ring;

 Smiles, a sense of healing touch bring

 Smiles make us happy like birds that sing.

 

2.     Some smiles seem pure like snow

 As pristine as streams that flow;

 Some shine like blooming lotus-glow;

 Some like white pearls unfold gentle and slow;

  

3.     Some calm and noiseless like silver ripples’ shine

 Some flash sudden like diamonds in a mine;

 Some so lovely, enchanting and fine

 Through smooth red lips -a chain of pearls in a line.

 

4.    So charming a baby’s toothless smile

A flash of heaven untouched by guiles;

No gilded deceit or cunning style

A godly gift indeed the baby’s smile. 

 

5.    Flushed with passion with dreamy desire

A damsel’s smile appears like rousing fire

Unfolding musings like heavenly spires

Like Venus born from foamy seas to inspire.

 

6.    Some smiles streaked with sarcastic strain

Pricks others with stinging pain

A sense of malicious pleasure they gain

Though they look benign and goodness feign.

 

7.    Smiles hiding sighs conceal

The hidden suppressed grief they feel;

A subtle, dry look lurks behind the veil

Of misty despair they can’t reveal.

 

8.    Even gods seem to smile in mysterious ways

At man’s fickle nature and struggling days;

Who falsely thinks his wealth forever stays;

Man’s life confined to limited time and space.

 

9.    Smiles brighten our lives like the moon

Smiles, indeed a God-given boon

Life’s worries seem like shadows at noon

They rise and fade away too soon.

 

 10.         Smile away troubles and try to be bright 

     Smiles shine like twinkling stars at night;

Smiles make our passing burdens light

A smiling happy soul, a welcome sight.

      ****************************

 

15th February, 2023                          Somaseshu Gutala 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

On My Visit to the Sun Temple at Trimulgherry, Hyderabad

 

Lord Surya in the main temple

    

Shiva's shrine in open space

Marakatha Ganapati 

 

Goddess Saraswati

             

Naga Devata

This temple is located on a rocky hillock in Aruna Enclave in Secunderabad. From Secunderabad cantonment road, it is nearly five kms. This temple was constructed by Surya Saran Das in 1959. The approach road to Surya temple looked worn out though the cross roads are provided with neat sign boards. Near the foot of the hillock, we can see a few shops selling pooja material and vendors selling devotional books spread on a sheet by the wayside. After climbing a few steps, one  can see a spacious place where the temple is seen. One has to park vehicles a little away from the temple as there is no parking space.  Many cars are seen randomly parked almost blocking the approach road to the temple. The temple authorities should see that vehicles are kept at a distance without causing inconvenience to devotees. The sun temple is a small one with a tiny idol of Lord Surya fully covered with silver kavacham. Only the face is seen decked with a golden crown. On the temple wall prayers like Aditya Hridayam, Suryashtakam and other Vedic hymns are inscribed.

Many devotees do pradakshinam for 108 times around the main temple for twelve Sundays to get their desires fulfilled. They go around, sometimes coming in the way of other visiting pilgrims. So, arrangement should be made to make the devotees go round in a line without causing inconvenience to other devotees. The Surya temple is built near a rocky boulder. Near the entrance to the temple one can see a big sculpture of Marakatha Ganapati carved on a rocky boulder. Just on the right side near the entrance, there is a shrine for Lord Satyanarayana Swamy. Beside the Surya temple there is a Shiva Lingam near the Peepal tree in the open square. Just beside it there is a temple for Goddess Saraswati. The marble statue of the Goddess looks beautiful with a big veena placed before her. There are idols of Mahalakshmi and Parvati also in the same shrine. There is a shrine for Nagadevata , the Goddess of serpents. She is seen under the hood of a serpent with a garland of lemons around her neck.

The temple is fully crowded during special occasions like Makara Sankranti and Ratha Sapatami. On Sundays many devotees come here. Prasadam is given in liberal quantities and water packets are kept for devotees. Cleanliness is maintained with provision of garbage bins.

Many devotees relax themselves here looking at the greenery and garden below the hillock. Many big trees are seen in the garden. Devotees worship the holy peepal tree where there is a platform is to light the oil lamps. At the foot of the hillock on the opposite side there is a goshala where cows looked after.

The opening hours of this temple are from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in the morning and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the evening during week days. On Sunday the temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. one can find peace in the serene surroundings of the temple. As it is very nearby, many people visit this temple. Any person having Surya dosha can contact the temple authorities and perform Maha Sowra Homam here.

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

     25th February, 2023                           Somaseshu Gutala

                    

After Many Years

             

         

   

                                     

 1.           The town looked same with same old squalid scenes

   The roads pitted with worn-out rough surface;  

   Like an aging lady devoid of vital sheen

   All greenery vanished like youthful grace;

   Roads more congested with wayside shops and stalls

   Noisy tumultuous place with crowded malls.

 

2.       The pristine silence polluted with raucous sounds.

   The black-topped roads turned rough and rude.

   The swelling population went out of bounds.

   The town expanded with corruption crude.

   With outer trappings feigned with tempting eyes

   No sanitation and no proper precautions wise.

 

3.      Swirling clouds of dust choked our breath

   Waters from narrow gutters gushed onto the streets;

   So many vehicles spouting fumes hazardous to health;

   Flouting rules raced as if engaged in intricate feats;

   For old, weak people, a risky challenge to walk

   Drivers, with tilted heads, through mobiles talk. 

 

4.      The bulky trees with dense leaves no more cheer

   A shelter for squirrels to leap and for birds to sing

   No chirping sounds and rustle of breezes we hear

   No leaping mirth of monkeys with merry swing;

   Small smoky stalls with wooden benches greet

   No place to rest with ease in fresh air sweet.

 

5.      The town seemed new, so suddenly grown

   No friendly faces seen; myself a stranger unknown;

   No old friend met, no response, I wandered all alone;

   I felt myself out of time; Nothing I felt my own.

   My quest for past turned out a wild goose chase

   We can’t get back the glories that time did erase.

 

6.       My fancy to re-capture the joyous past

    Like sunny domes of Xanadu dissolved at last;

    Time changes men and places too, I thought.

    Driven by greed Nature’s charms are forever lost.

    I glanced wistfully at places where I went.

    Recalling the days, and friends with whom I spent.

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

The sunny domes of Xanadu -- A mythical place in Mongolia where Kubla Khan built a beautiful palace with a pleasure-garden. Here it means an idyllic enchanting scenic spot. Samuel Coleridge wrote a poem "Kubla Khan" based on his dream experience in 1797 and published it in 1816.

     8th February 2023                         Somaseshu Gutala