A Secret Carved in Stone

Circa 500 BC.
It was his secret.
She was his secret,
That, in his heart, he hid.

He’d spend the mornings
Gazing at the skies
All the time, imagining
Her in the clouds passing by.

At night, he’d look for her
In the twinkling stars.
They were like her eyes
That beckoned him from afar.

At times, he sat by the river
And, in the sand, drew her silhouette –
The curves that defined her,
Her rose-petal like lips,

Her slender neck,
And her voluptuous body.
Yes, he was addicted
To someone imaginary.

Then, one day, he wished.
Wished she was alive.
So, with a stone and chisel,
He started bringing her to life.

He toiled for days
In a secluded place.
Creating her delicate features,
He etched her beauty and grace.

And it was his secret for life.
She was his secret.
He hid her from all the prying eyes
And never let anyone in on it.

The year is 2025 AD.
The archeologist was excited.
His team had just unearthed
A stone statue at the digging site.

A beauty beyond compare,
Carved with exquisite detail
From the strands of her hair
To her feet adorned with anklets.

With all the dirt cleaned,
She looked radiant.
It was his greatest finding –
A feminine form in stone so brilliant.

Soon, she was in a glass display
In the “Civilization” section
In the Museum of Art and History
Labeled “Goddess in Stone – Ancient.”

A Saree Tale

What if a saree could speak?
What tales would it narrate?
Be it cotton, satin, or pure silk,
Is it more than just a drape?

Yesterday was just another day
When I pulled out a pink saree.
It was a beautiful, floral georgette,
And as I wore it, it spoke to me.

The first yard promised secrecy,
As it always remains hidden.
Like some aspects of me
Stay undisclosed and unseen.

The second yard promised beauty
With its colors and pretty motifs.
Like all of my unique qualities
Come together to make me me.

The third yard promised change
As I folded it into wavy pleats.
Like my moods, never the same,
Are united in my personality.

The fourth yard promised grace
As it slowly curved behind.
Like the manner in which I face
All that’s doled to me by life.

The fifth yard promised strength
As I drew it in front and higher.
Like my determination and grit
Through tough times, get me over.

The sixth yard promised freedom
As it draped over my shoulder.
Like my thoughts and expressions
Give me higher powers.

When I finally looked at myself,
I was overcome with happiness.
Yes, my saree was more than a dress.
My saree turned me into a Goddess!

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!