Month: January 2012

In the Eyes of a Potter (Bhakta Kumbara)

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A bit philosophical this evening. Was watching the video of Commentaries on the Bhakti Sutras of Narada by my beloved Master, HH Sri Sri Ravishankar. No, I am not going to redo the commentary here (nothing beats the style in which it is delivered – suggest everyone should watch this set of 14 VCDs – it is a good pastime, the commentaries delivered in His Characteristic Humour at the same time Rich with knowledge). However this blog entry is related to something that I did a couple of weeks ago (I wrote down 2 blogs subsequent to this incident though). Excuse me if my diary looks haphazard with utter disregard to Chronology.

On another of my favourite blogsite, a fellow blogger wanted lyrics of an All-time Hit Song, sung by Sri PB Srinivas for a movie called Bhaktha Kumbara (The Devoted Potter). PBS has special place in my hearts, for one he is a regular furniture in the Drive-in Woodlands Restuarant, Chennai sipping his endless supply of favourite Filter Coffee with his trademark Hat and a black coat. With reams of old newspaper on the table, he is busy penning new verses (these days he is a good lyricist) apart from exhausting the cup of coffee. Coming back to the song, it goes with the Title, “manava dehavu mULe mAmsada taDike”

While I was contemplating on nothing in particular, suddenly hummed this song the lyrics of which I recently posted to the fellow blogger (it was quite fresh in my minds). This was a song which was thoughtlessly sung by me since when I was a kid, but today when I hummed it I was touched by the profound purport of each and every word in that song.

The stanza below means that the body is just a lump of flesh and bones and as long as you breathe, why be with the attitude of Me, Mine, and the moment the breathing stops, it is crematorial rites. Then why be so self seeking materialism (feverish desire) for the sake of this decaying body that would be consigned to the earth.

“usiraaDuva thanaka naanu nannadhemba mamakara
nintha maru galigeye masaNadhe samskaara,
maNNali berethu, mellage koLethu, mugiyuva dehake vyamohaveke?”

The gist of the song is – unlike any other so called lowly living beings, human body has some value only as long as Prana (breath) is present. The moment human body stops breathing , it becomes useless (while part of many other animals find lot of uses even after they die, ivory of the elephant, wood from the trees, hide of animals like buffaloes and cows that goes into making leather etc). Human body is disposed at the earliest (traditionally before sunset). It is only when the light of life glows in the body that it has any charm, after that even the closest of the relative (wife, children) refer to it only as a Body. What a depth these words carry, isnt it? Are we acting so petty or mean to maintain this piece of flesh? Degrading everything around us that made us in the first place.

The song goes on to say, we came into the world nude, we will go from the world nude and from the time or arrival to the time of departure (between life and death) it is darkness. So brighten you life by immersing yourself devoted to the Lord.

baruvaaga beththale hoguvaaga bethethale
bandu hOguva naduve bari kaththale
bhaktiya belaku baaLige beku
mukthige vittalana kondadad beku

The couple of stanzas excerpted here touched me to the core. The purport can’t come out in toto in my translation (the reason why I reproduced it in Kannada for those who know the language) Food for thought. The inimitable rendition of the song by Sri. PBS made it even more profound (just heard it online once again). Upon specific request from HH Sri Sri Ravishankar, Sri PBS rendered this song, in the whole world’s view (25 million converged in Bangalore during the 3 days and millions more watched it live on TV or Webcast), during the final day of the Silver Jubiless Celebrations of the Art of Living in Bangalore.

It now has changed my perspective and outlook to life in general  (atleast in this present moment). Put down this thought to reflect sometime later even if things settle down and it probabily becomes a memory tomorrow and out of my active thoughts! But the Truth expressed by the poet in this Verse is real and eternal too.

You can watch the video and hear it in Sri PBS Voice

Pongal – Tribute to our Culture & Nature

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Indian Festivals are a celebratory way of thanking the Divine for providing us with everything that we have and also to seek blessings for continued prosperity. As people, say it is us in India who worship anything and everything and it takes a hell of a lot of maturity to do it. We have been taught to respect even non-living things are divine, let alone living beings.

In India, mid-January isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a massive, multi-day gratitude party for the Sun, the soil, and the cattle. The air turns crisp, the fields turn gold, and the smell of freshly harvested grain fills the home.

On my last leg of my stay in Chennai, my karma Bhoomi, here is a tribute to the culture and people of Tamil Nadu. And what better way than to elucidate my expereince of spending the previous Pongal in the countryside. Thanks to a colleague and her parents who invited us over to their home in Kovilpatti and gave us an experience of a traditional Pongal festivities, its significance and lessons for us.

Pongal is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It marks the beginning of Sun’s journey towards the north (Uttarayana – which according to Hinduism is considered very auspicious phase as opposed to Southwards – Dakshinayana traversal of the sun). Pongal is celebrated with lot of pomp and gaiety over a period of 4 days. Since the Souramana calendar (Western Calendar based on the Solar phases) is followed, the dates usually remain the same i.e. Jan 13th to Jan 16th of every year.

Day -1:
The last day of Margazhi (Dec/Jan) is the first day of Pongal and called Bhogi Pongal and the celebration kicks off with Bhogi. . Before sunrise, homes are cleaned families light bonfires fueled by old clothes, broken furniture, and discarded items. This signifies transition from the old to the new. We were not expected to carry our old belongings to be burnt away there. Nevertheless as the host said, burn away your old and bad thoughts   Had to give it to him for his timely wit (and wisdom too). It is the day of transformation. The general vibe is Deep cleaning and spiritual renewal. And the rituals is not just about cleaning the house; it’s about burning away old habits and making room for a fresh start. In South India, houses are decorated with vibrant Kolams (rangoli) made of rice flour, often featuring pumpkin flowers.

Day-2
This is the day the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). It marks the end of winter and the beginning of longer, warmer days. Makara Sankaranti is the first day when Uttarayan begins. This day is called the Surya Pongal and begins with the worship of the sun. We the city folks woke up to find the whole home a buzz of activity, the courtyard beautifully decorated with colourful Rangoli. This festival is a thanksgiving to the Divine for the abundant harvest and in turn prosperity bestowed. Pongal literally means “Rising up” and by extension refers to “Boiling over”, signifying abundance of prosperity. In Tamil Nadu, the day is synonymous with the dish Pongal. Rice and milk are boiled in a new clay pot until they overflow. As it spills over, people shout “Pongalo Pongal!” (which means let it boil over). It signifies an overflow of wealth and joy. The freshly harvested crop is cooked and allowed to rise over the brim of the pot and boil over. Yummm….the aroma was so mouth watering and we could not wait for the rituals to get over (our hostess saw the obvious impatience on our faces and went through the rituals in express speed – she clarified she never skipped any processes). The platain leaf on which it was served was almost licked clean by all of us.

In Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, people share Ellu-Bella (a mix of sesame seeds, jaggery, and coconut). The saying goes: “Ellu-Bella tindu ollolle Maataadi – Eat ellu bella and speak only sweet words.”

Day-3
The third day is called Maatu Pongal, maadu meaning cattle. Cows and Bulls were decorated with paint and bells and people pray to them with kum kum placed on their head, and people pay respects to them by bending down, touching their feet and foreheads, offering the cattle pongal. The devotion with which this was done was inexplicable – each one gave it more than 100% and there was a genuine expression of gratitude on the faces of the family of our host. We people were so scared to go near the cow and the bull. All it took was a big moo….from one of them for my son to rush far away from the courtyard. It was left for the three brave ones left (me, my wife and daughter – not to mention that we stood behind our host and just about reached the forehead of the cow – prayers to the bull were of remote type)

Day-4
The fourth day called, Kaanum Pongal is devoted to meeting up other members of the family and paying their respects to the elders of the family offering them new clothes with a Dakshina. This is the day our host also left some food out on the terrace for the crows to eat. She said the belief is that the crow carries the food to the departed elders of the family. This was quite emotional because it was carried out with so much of feeling and intensity and we had to believe that the crow indeed carried the delicacy prepared right to the stomach of the departed souls.

Thanking the divine for all the good bestowed to us. Worshipping the sun which just goes about doing its duty without expecting anything in return. Worshipping the cattle signifies our appreciation of the part they play in our betterment of our lives.

Sharing, caring, appreciation, expression of gratitude, respect for elders and most importantly considering everything around as valuable.

This year, it was a special one for us in Chennai. Divya (Akhila) my daughter appeared on a local Television Channel performing for the Pongal Special program. She presented a folk dance (with a dash of Bharatnatyam) She made us proud with the rave reviews she elicited with her superb performance and our phones has never stopped ringing ever since the telecast……trrrrrinnng triiiinnnnggg…..let me rush, another phone call…..

Happy Pongal and Sankaranti

Idol Maker

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Reflection time amidst the crisis facing a movement that I am intimately associated with. A honest introspection and in my humble conclusion brings me to the root cause of the issue. De-spiritualization of the movement. There is a lesson for all of us from this and definitely for me in my future engagements with any social cause.

A people’s movement in Bharath that caught the imagination of the world, was gradually turned into a movement of India driven by a few egoistic leaders who apparently grew bigger than the cause that was being espoused. The very leaders fell victims to the malady that we were fighting. The sustenance of such a mass movement that started from the spiritual space slowly turned into a ego battle and hence almost sounded the death knell but for some timely realization. It was realized by leadership that the only way the movement can be recovered, strengthened and sustained by arresting the de-spiritualization. Nothing is bigger than the cause or institution that they stand for.

With due respects to everyone, I present a nice story for all of us, especially for those self anointed and aggrandized leaders. Here it goes… (I think it is an Aesop’s fable).

An idol-maker had to deliver an idol to a customer. He placed it on his donkey’s back and they started on their journey. Now the idol-maker was extremely skilled at his job and this particular idol was one of the best he had ever made. Whoever saw it, stopped to bow down and pray.

The donkey thought they were bowing to him. He was enormously pleased and flattered and not wishing to go away from a place where he was held in such high esteem, came to an abrupt stop. Nothing his master did would induce him to start walking again, and finally his master lifted the idol on to own head and resumed his journey.

The donkey stood where he was, head held high, and braying sonorously until he suddenly became aware that there was no one watching him. The people were now following his master and bowing to the idol.

The donkey realised that his pride had clouded his judgement and feeling ashamed of himself, ran to rejoin his master.

Let us all remember the lesson from this story. Without His grace we all are Zeroes ;-). However much we try to corner the glory, we will make an ass out of ourselves. If the Master are people who help start this movement, let them continue to be. There is no choice today!

Lots of love and laughter…