Category: The Divine Connection

In praise of the Almighty.

The Night of Kanha

The endless expanse of the sky,
Dark blue, like Kanha,
Glitters with stars on a clear night,
Each one, a bedecked Gopika.

While alone, I sit in my room
Staring outside the window.
Darkness casts a pall of gloom.
What do I seek? I don’t know!

Suddenly, I hear something!
Muted sounds of laughter,
Notes of a flute, enchanting,
And tinkles of anklets fall on my ears.

I glance around, but the street’s quiet.
The house is still and dark, too.
Yet, the night, with music, is alive,
And wraps me in midnight blue.

I see then within myself a light
That chases away the darkness.
My soul rejoices like the starry night.
My hope renews in Kanha’s embrace.

A Plea from Lord Ganesha

O Sculptor!
You shape Me from a lump of clay
Giving Me the smoothest texture.
Can you also polish away
Differences that mar this world?

O Artist!
You paint Me with vibrant colors
Making Me glow instantly.
Can you also concur,
Red is the blood of all humanity?

O Tailor!
You stitch royal robes for Me
With brocade and embellishments.
Can you also mend
Relationships torn by materialism?

O Florist!
You put flowers at My feet,
Freshly picked from the bowers.
Can you also see
Fragrance isn’t limited by borders?

O Chef!
You offer Me naivedya
Like laddoos and modaks.
Can you also add,
In the hearts of people, some kindness?

O Believer!
You revere Me on Ganesh Chaturthi
With puja, mantras, and hymns.
Can you also notice
Education is the path to enlightenment?

O Devotee!
Year after year, you celebrate
My advent, stay, and departure,
And yet…

The world is marred by petty differences!
Unity eludes humanity!
Materialism destroys relationships!
Everywhere, borders exist!
There’s a shortage of kindness!
And illiteracy still persists!

When will you look
Beyond My shape, color, clothes, flowers, naivedya, puja, mantras, and hymns?
When will you truly understand Me?
When will I get to celebrate on Ganesh Chaturthi?

A Prayer

Somewhere in between slavery and freedom
Flows the river of knowledge.

Somewhere in between knowledge and awakening
Is the shunning of irresponsibility.

Somewhere in between irresponsibility and duty
Spreads the maze of karma.

Somewhere in between karma and results
Lies the journey of perseverance.

Somewhere in between perseverance and conviction
Is the destruction of temptation.

Somewhere in between temptation and heaven
Stretches the path of righteousness.

O Almighty, bless me with the vision to see Your way.
Lead me to You, so I never go astray.

Ganesh Chaturthi-A Story

‘Twas the most awaited time of the year
As the fourth day of Bhadrapada neared.
And everywhere, the believers prepared
For the advent of the God they so revered.

For Ramu, it was a special occasion, too.
He needed blessings to give an interview.
Lord Ganesha’s idol sat in his puja room
With flowers, dhruva, modaks, and laddoos.

At the prescribed auspicious moment,
He performed the Aarti and sang bhajans.
Then, at night, as he fell into a deep sleep
Lord Ganesha appeared in his dream.

Ecstatic he was, and he fervently prayed
For the Lord to remove obstacles from his way.
Lord Ganesha smiled and said that would be,
And for all success, He would give him the key.

“In the morning, when you get up from your bed,
With closed eyes, eastward, take five steps.
Then, open your eyes, and you will clearly see
Your biggest obstacle, and, to overcome it, the key.”

With that, Lord Ganesha vanished away.
As the Sun rose on the morning of the new day.
Excited, Ramu did exactly as he had heard.
And, he soon found himself in front of the mirror.

As he kept staring at his own reflection,
He pondered over Lord Ganesha’s instructions.
“My biggest obstacle – Me!
My key to overcome it – Me!”

That day saw the birth of a wiser Ramu
As he went on to prepare for the interview.
Yes, he succeeded and grew in life
With Lord Ganesha’s blessing by his side.

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah!

A Navratri Tale

Tucked away in the hinterland,
There once was a little village.
As the month of Ashwina neared,
The villagers prepared to welcome the Goddess.

The houses were cleaned till they shone.
New dresses were stitched to be worn.
The markets were busy as people flocked
To buy the Puja items from the shops.

Soon, the excitement reached fever pitch.
On the Shukla Paksha at Pratipada Tithi.
The Puja started at the designated time.
But what’s this?! The diya refused to light!

They tried replacing the ghee and wick.
They tried another diya and every trick.
Yet, the tiny flame refused to ignite.
O! They were all in a state of plight!

But that was not the end of their woes!
The Puja flowers wilted and fell on the floor.
The sacred Bhog offered turned stale.
And this happened everywhere in the village.

That was when they all realized
That the Goddess did not arrive.
Together, they rushed to the main temple
To consult the head priest about the events.

Meanwhile, the head priest was equally confused
As the Goddess had not arrived in the temple, too.
When all the villagers gathered in the square,
In all her glory, the divine Goddess appeared.

In a booming voice, She spoke to them
Saying She wouldn’t grace them with Her Presence.
“But why?,” they asked with tears in their eyes,
And this was what the Goddess replied.

“In this village, little girls were indecently assaulted.
And, in some homes, the husbands beat their wives.
In some others, mothers were disrespected.
And yet, in others, women were ill-treated.

Your houses may be spick and span
But, about your hearts, can you say the same?
In the idols you worship, you search for me.
Why can you not see me in the living and breathing?

Why, then, for nine days, should I accept your invitation,
When all year round, I am subject to this degradation?!”
And, these were the words that the Goddess spoke.
And these words pierced the hearts of the village folk.

Then, the people realized their mistake,
And to appease the Goddess a pledge they did take.
And only when She saw that they had changed
Did She visit their houses and temples with Her Blessings.

As the story of the little village ends,
Let us all learn from their experience,
And let this Navratri be an awakening
Of hearts and minds to righteousness.

Om Jai NavDurge Namah!

My Greatest Might

As my cries fall on seemingly deaf ears,
And dawn doesn’t dispel the dark night,
In You, I seek refuge from all my fears.

Sadness engulfs and hope disappears,
And words cease to express the plight
As my cries fall on seemingly deaf ears.

With the pain come the rivers of tears.
My heart silently screams to see the light.
In You, I seek refuge from all my fears.

I take Your Name till the storm clears.
People don’t see beyond the messy sight.
As my cries fall on seemingly deaf ears.

As I keep praying, a beacon appears.
You steer my life onto a path that’s right.
In You, I seek refuge from all my fears.

In gratitude, my heart rejoices and cheers.
Your words give me my greatest might.
As my cries fall on seemingly deaf ears,
In You, I seek refuge from all my fears.

PS: This poem is a Villanelle.

The Samudra Manthan

This is a story from times ancient
When there existed Gods and demons.
Cursed by Durvasa, the great sage,
For the disrespect shown by Indradev,
The Gods lost their power and strength
And were defeated against the demons.
The wheel of Fortune moved in reverse.
The demon king Bali ruled the Universe.
The Gods then approached Lord Vishnu,
Praised Him and pleaded for a rescue.
Lord Vishnu in a gentle voice suggested
That as the demons had an advantage,
The Gods should adopt a friendly manner
To strategize and regain their powers.
He told them about the magical Amrita
That lay hidden in the ocean Kshira Sagar.
He asked them to churn the ocean.
And, so started the Samudra Manthan.
Without strength, the Gods were helpless.
So, they asked the Demons to assist.
The demon king Bali compromised
As the demons desired an eternal life.
Mandaranchal was the churning rod,
And Vasuki became the churning rope.
Lord Vishnu put Vasuki in a deep sleep
So he would not feel any suffering.
With demons at the head of the serpent,
And Gods at the tail, the churning began.
But as the mountain was put in the ocean,
Due to its weight, it started sinking.
Lord Vishnu then saved the day again.
As a Kurma, He balanced the mountain.
With this, the churning then commenced.
Many things came up from the ocean.
The Poison of Water, the Kamdhenu cow,
The Uchchaihshravas horse, Airavat,
The Kaustubhamani, the Kalpavriksha,
The Apsara Rambha, Goddess Lakshmi,
And in the form of a girl came Varuni,
The Parijat Tree, the powerful Shell
And Dhanvantari Vaidya, with the Amrita.
The powerful demons snatched the jar,
And then, they started a violent war.
Weakened, the Gods couldn’t fight.
They couldn’t get it even if they tried.
Then Lord Vishnu became Vishwamohini –
He became a woman of great beauty.
Mesmerized by Her, all the demons
Asked Her to come and join them.
She said that the Gods and the Demons
Were from one father descended,
And so, they were akin to brothers.
It was wrong to fight with each other.
On hearing these proverbial words,
The demons gave Her the Amrita jar
And agreed to let Her serve the nectar,
To distribute as She saw fit to all.
In different rows, She asked them to sit
And started to give the Gods a sip.
The demons, in a trance of sarcasm
Forgot about the Amrita from the ocean.
But there was one demon named Rahu
Who understood the plan of Lord Vishnu.
In disguise, he sat among the Gods
And received the Amrita in his mouth.
The Gods, Moon and Sun observed this
And to Lord Vishnu, called out his trick.
The Sudarshan Chakra was then used
To cut his neck by the great Lord Vishnu.
Due to the Amrita, the head and torso
Became the planets of Rahu and Ketu.
They are the ones that cause eclipses
Of the Sun and Moon due to hatred.
Well, Lord Vishnu then disappeared
Having given the Gods all the Amrita.
The enraged demons then fought,
But lost and had to concede Indralok.
Thus goes the story from the Puranas
A tale that imparts valuable lessons.
No matter how grave the situation,
With God’s Presence, good always wins.

The Navratri Palette

The world is full of colors, that cannot be denied,
Different tints and hues from the earth to the skies.
But, it becomes even more so during certain times
Like on the days of Navratri, when Maa Durga arrives.

The first day is celebrated by wearing bright red.
It shows energy and fervor, and the soul is invigorated.
The second day is celebrated by wearing Royal blue.
It enables introspection, and is a very calming hue.

The third day is celebrated by wearing bright yellow.
It shows wisdom, optimism and an interest intellectual.
The fourth day is celebrated by wearing emerald green.
It promotes communication, both seen and unseen.

The fifth day is celebrated by wearing light grey.
It is neutral and peaceful, and encourages us to reflect.
The sixth day is celebrated by wearing bright orange.
A color that exudes bravery, vigor and enthusiasm.

The seventh day is celebrated by wearing pure white.
It has a calming effect and an influence that purifies.
The eighth day is celebrated by wearing baby pink.
It is a symbol of kindness and represents innocence.

The ninth day is celebrated by wearing sky blue.
This shade stands for hope and limitless potential, too.
These colors represent the palette of Maa Durga’s blessings.
O Maa! Bless me with each of these for a life enriching.

Om Jai NavDurge Namah!

The Birth of Jesus

‘Twas a holy starlit night
As the winged angels took flight
To proclaim the good tidings –
The arrival of the one true King.

To the shepherds in the fields,
They appeared in all their glory,
And told them not to be terrified
For they had brought news of joy.

They spoke of the Savior’s birth.
He who is the Messiah, the Lord.
And then, they revealed a sign –
In a manger, lay a little child.

A child, wrapped in bands of cloth
In the city of David, this day, was born.
He who was, Himself, the Light
He, whose words, would be the guide.

Then all the heavenly hosts sang,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
And on Earth, peace among
Those Whom He favors.”

With that, the angels went into the yonder.
Leaving the shepherds talking in wonder.
They, in turn, left for Bethlehem
To see what had been told to them.

So, it was that they all went in haste.
And found the Child that in a manger lay.
They saw the Parents – Mary and Joseph
And told them what the angels had said.

Everyone who heard them was amazed,
And the shepherds returned full of praise,
Singing of God’s glory as they had seen
All and as it had been told to them.

Mary, too, heard the shepherds,
And she treasured all their words,
And in Her heart, She pondered them.
They said that the Savior was Her Son.

And after eight days had passed,
The Little Boy was named Jesus –
A name that was given by the angel
Before He was conceived in the womb.

This is the story of the Messiah’s birth.
Not in a palace, but in a humble manger.
This is a testament of God’s love
Through Jesus, He brought hope for all.

The Goddess

Blow the conches, beat the drums!
Maa Durga arrives in her nine forms!
Behold the first – Maa Shailaputri – riding a bull.
A trident and lotus in Her hands She holds.
She is the root and foundation of all existence.
Maa! Grant me stability, prosperity and strength!
Behold the second – Maa Brahmacharini – in white
With a rosary and water pot in Her hands divine.
She follows the path of austerity and celibacy.
Maa! Grant me spiritual knowledge and self-discipline!
Behold the third – Maa Chandraghanta – riding a tiger
With weapons in ten hands that, on evil, wreak disaster.
She is the symbol of courage and bravery.
Maa! Remove obstacles and protect me from enemies!
Behold the fourth – Maa Kushmanda – riding a lioness
With weapons and a rosary in Her ten hands.
The creator of the universe, the cosmic egg is She.
Maa! Grant me creativity, energy and well-being!
Behold the fifth – Maa Skandamata – riding a lion
With Skanda in her lap, and lotuses in two of four hands.
She is the epitome of motherly love and affection.
Maa! Grant the welfare and protection of my children!
Behold the sixth – Maa Katyayani – riding a lion
With radiant beauty and holding a sword in her hand.
She is like a warrior and can destroy all evil.
Maa! Grant me courage and victory over adversaries!
Behold the seventh – Maa Kaalaratri – riding a donkey.
Dark and terrifying, a sword and noose She weilds.
Of ignorance and darkness, She is the destroyer.
Maa! Grant me protection from negativity and fear!
Behold the eighth – Maa Mahagauri – riding a white bull
Radiant and pure, holding a trident and damaru.
She represents purity and spiritual growth.
Maa! Grant me peace and serenity, and purify my soul!
Behold the ninth – Maa Siddhidatri – riding a lion
Holding a discus, mace, lotus and conch in Her four hands.
She enables the attainment of supernatural powers.
Maa! Grant me wisdom and spiritual knowledge!
Maa Durga, my Goddess! My Supreme Mother!
Before You I bow, and offer my sincere prayers!
O Mother! Bless me and accept my devotion!
O Mother! May I never lose this spiritual connection!

Om Jai NavDurge Namah!!!

He Lives

I see Him in the flowers.
I see Him in the trees.
I see Him in the caterpillars
And in the buzzing bees.

I see Him in the meadows.
I see Him in the seas.
I see Him in the rainbows
And in the mountain peaks.

He lives in everything that moves
And in everything that breathes.
He lives in all things everywhere.
He lives in you and me.