A Subtle Message from Mumbai

Beyond the seven seas, the copious city stands

Mixed feelings running through its veins, bloodshed across its lands

The roots of its being, the core of its existence

Built up combating nature, filled up with aspirations

Inhabited by fishermen, it stroked its golden bristles

Upon the vassals of the sea poured down affluent existence

As years passed by, it laid its lineage; the Mecca of merchants

Swiftly took the world by its grandeur, drew populace from all directions

Laying down the foremost railway tracks of its homeland, it rejoiced

Yet failed to prophesy backfiring, as insufferable crowds out’ trains poised

Indeed it was ill-fate that caused this generous place to crease

The blasts, attacks, the dreaded floods; disruption of its peace

The malice in dark-hearted souls, the callousness of sinful minds

The molestation of its women; the terror in children’s eyes

Time and again it stood up; with valiant demeanor, lugged on the cart

Hoped to be revered once again, prayed they’d see a change of heart

Wasted upon spiteful populace, now its battle scars are weary

Reminisces the time when deference encompassed its rising glory

Lived though several ups and downs, it is set to mend the creed

To start afresh is what it wishes, perhaps it conspires to retreat...

The Light That Shone

Gushing by the city, swiftly he flew; cutting across trees and concrete galore

Fluid was his motion, swooshing was his gait; diminished all objects like in a park, a stroll

Above and below every obstruction, he believed in his freedom, his power, his might

Until he encountered the sparkling beauty; enclosed in a jar, grinning at his plight

He stopped for a moment, combating his nature; gazed at the splendor of her penetrating glow

Wondered how a spark with such humble origins could possibly confront his vehement blow

He swooshed, he twirled, encompassed the sheath; watched violent strokes failing to subdue her smile

Agonized, aggravated, he put forth the question, “What makes thee shine, ebbing the hostile?”

She chuckled and spun, a dramatic foreplay; slightly proceeding to the glass that he tapped

Warm eyes burning with passion deep, she spoke her heart out, her mannerisms apt

“I shine for the ones discouraged by fate; I shine for the souls of my martyrs

For the ones crestfallen by rejection, for my cities shredded down to tatters

“I shine for my strivers, my opportunists, my volunteers in changing the world

For guides to the path of Light, for the Holy teachers spreading the word

“I shine for all that is moral, hoping humility grows into a common virtue

I shine simply for ‘knowledge’; for that is all this universe must pursue”

Touched by her words, the wind flashed a smile and gently bid her adieu

His reach was far more than could ever be the flame’s, pondered on his path as he blew

From then on, he swore to use his scope better, to transform the world as he had known

He’d always remember the enlightening thoughts of the diminutive light that shone...

What we infer from Mahabharat...

    When one thinks of ‘Mahabharat’ they imagine war, violence and the battle for power, surrounded by a story of varied characters. The Mahabharat, written by Sage Vyasa is an epic poem, comprising one hundred thousand stanzas.  It is the largest single literary work in existence.

     But what is Mahabharat, really? We might know the basic story, having heard about its many instances since childhood. But like every other fable we heard growing up, does this one have a moral too?

Yes. And not just one, but countless morals. This gripping story about the fate of the Kuru dynasty displays instances and situations that one may face in all walks of life and puts forward characters with unique qualities, each being relatable to the readers. The way events unfold, and the way each person reacts to them is different. Through its mild and unopinionated verses, the Mahabharat hints at the difference in mentalities of people.

   Consider, for example, the incidents that took place when the Pandavas and Kauravas were children. Out of juvenile jealousy resulting from the lack of their grandfather’s attention, Duryodhana tried, on multiple occasions, to poison Bheema. At a point when their knowledgeable grandfather, Bheeshma should have intervened and taught them right from wrong, he decided to stay mum and thus an enmity was initiated between the cousins. This insinuates that indifference can lead to great catastrophes.

      

     There is a mention of the story of Eklavya, whom Drona refused to teach archery because of his lower caste in society. A determined Eklavya, however built a statue of Drona and mastered the art till he was better than the greatest archer Arjun. As gurudakshina, which is a gift to your teacher on mastering of a skill, he was asked to cut off the thumb of his right hand, which he did without hesitation. This incident describes the immense respect given to teachers or learned people in the society.

        When the game of dice was played, Yudhishthir lost all his senses and betted away his belongings, wealth and even his brothers and wife Draupadi. One tends to forget reasoning when bad habits like gambling are implemented. This was followed by the disrespect and stripping of Draupadi before the assembly. At that time, she raised questions about the fairness of the game and the treatment given to her, to the elders. That was a moment when everyone expected Bheeshma to stand up for her and punish his grandsons, which, as we all know, did not happen. This sets a perfect example of how diplomacy is not always the answer.

      Even thirteen years later, when the Great War commenced, the wise uncle Vidura warned the blind king Dhritarashtra about the known outcome of the battle and asked him to talk some sense into his son. But as always, out of the love for his son, the king did not intervene and paved way for the termination of his own clan.

     In the Kurukshetra, Arjuna was dejected about the idea of killing his own cousins and relatives on the opposite side, which is when Krishna explained to him the importance of ‘dharma’ or duty. And from his beautiful and valid teachings arises the Bhagwad Gita, the holy book of Hinduism. Its teachings are said to be useful to all generations at all times.

    Additionally, the characters themselves show us the various qualities and drawbacks in men. Yudhishthir, the eldest Pandav, was a man who never strayed away from righteousness. And the one time he slipped, his holy chariot touched the ground. Bheema, who was physically stronger than everyone, sometimes tended to use his strength in the wrong way. Arjuna, the greatest archer in the world, lost all his will power at a crucial time due to his emotions. Karna, on the Kaurava side, was said to be matched up to Arjuna in his skills. In spite of the emotional turmoil of fighting with his own brothers, he stuck to his duty towards his friend Duryodhan. Duryodhan, who himself has been shown in a dark light throughout Mahabharat, was actually very knowledgeable about politics and was a very good leader. But his jealousy and hatred towards the Pandavas led to his demise.

        We get to learn a lot about the principles of life and the supremacy of good over evil through this classical work of literature. The encyclopedic character and cultural importance of the Mahabharata are characterized by this statement: "That which is found in these pages may be found elsewhere, but what is not in these pages exists nowhere."

-(Non-extempore Speech,  First Year, Engineering)

Gearing Up

I feel ready now, to start anew

To commemorate a new life, to fix in all the screws

To explore the possibilities, under and above

To experience every blow of hail drops and drought

To push my own boundaries, to weed out my faults

To invert the existent, to see how it comes across

I feel prepared to pursue my missions;

Quote their legitimacy with fervent conviction

To go down the road I’ve chosen

Pave a pathway through the wet or frozen

Marry the miles with irrevocable commitment,

Not look back at mundane fulminations

I’ve cleared the table for successive courses

Buckled up to face the consequences

Prepared to grind myself to little pieces

And frankly excited about the odyssey

I feel ready now, to start anew

To commemorate a new life, to fix in all the screws

Princess

It all began with a thought; could it ever be true? Would her world turn upside down following the alluring morning dew?

Would the wait be wait worthy, or a route to downfall? Could the path she chose lead to avarice, would the epilogue just appall?

She brushed away her concerns, just for a while imagined

She’d be the princess of the world, the statue of righteousness

The power and fame derailed her, thoughts scattering astray

She held on to her senses, praying for all forgiveness

She knew not what the future held, nor what the present meant

Just one thought traversing her soul; the day would not be far

When little doves seized her pure white train, longer than the aisle itself

When her heels would tap against the floor, would the butterfly leave its jar?

That Smile

That smile is like a thousand drops,

Drops of exuberance, drops of charm

It speaks out like an abstruse fable

Concealed from all, conspicuous to some

That smile is like a perturbed sky,

Where the merriment of fauna is scattered omnidirectionally

It is like an addictive dose of desirability,

That can extricate the darkest of souls

That smile is irrepressible,

Like an enchanting spell of the night

It echoes with its periodic rhythm

Makes the unbearably dull times alright

That smile is like an ocean filled up to its brim,

Filled with the memories of its past,

Filled with promises of the future 

Filled with the solace of its own integrity

So keep that smile on, for who knows the consequences of its charisma...

The Third

Crystal-like refracting tame blues; shining bright- just the perfect warm sun

Conversations of early times running through, the minute indications randomly perused

A word sent out, an affiance formulated

As a turn of events, a delayed arrival, an unexpected show of anticipation

A lengthy wait, an interesting past-time, the build-up to a further memorable dusk

The exit, the settlement, the absolute beginning

Perfect circumstances, absence of deviations; except for the absolutely infectious grin

Further chuckles, old links presented as pleasant surprises

Amazing references, observations; every minute spent of worth

Daze-worthy termination, a perpetual memento

Satisfactory departure, a dreamy course back home...

To Friendship...

        To see that look of excitement on your friend's face is an amazing feeling! We met back in school when we barely knew each other. While travelling back and forth to the playground for drill practices, we kept all our belongings in the same bag and became acquaintances in the process. Throughout the year we shared tiffins, exchanged gossip and stories and within a matter of time, were part of a common friend circle.
But that was just the beginning. We learnt to share much more than just our experiences in the amazing turning point that was the trip. We learnt how to live with each other, bear the dirty habits and sheer carelessness. (That may not necessarily be two sided!) There were some amazing adventures, crazy moments and uncontrollable laughing sessions.

     As years passed we had little tiffs, sometimes huge fights, but all terminating into awkward patch ups. The long phone conversations and sleepovers kept adding to our heaps of memories together.

      But according to me we reached a milestone when we moved out of school, got separated from other friends and entered the same college. I can say one thing for sure, that this brought us much close to each other. I got to know her so much better. The insane arguments and senseless fights still continued but the long travelling time gave us a chance to share much more. I understood her better. She was always there when I needed someone to talk to. And I tried my best to be there everytime she needed me. Her larger than life dreams and eccentric outlook on life somehow became endearing. And as her special day approached I simply couldn't resist the idea of making her happy. Happiness she truly deserved.

I have emotionally reached a place where inspite of being mad at her on occasions and expressing my annoyance by swearing at her, I know that my heart always hopes for her well being. Even though we might drift apart in the years to come, I will always wish for her to be happy...

Love you Ujali :) (you crazy bitch)

Let me be free...

For once in my life, let me be free

Let me scream in joy, like a horde of celebrating spectators

Let me rise up so high, look down upon the self-engrossed world

Let me experience the joy of dancing underneath the azure sky, dancing like no one's watching

Let me watch the enchanting colours of a rainbow, let me see His works of art

Let me go places, see the unseen, feel the untouched, perpetual peace

Let me throw my hands up, swirl with the gushing wind, flee and take off like the ascending plane

Let me sabotage malicious thoughts, break a leg, spread a round of cheer

Let me love, be loved unconditionally

Let me fly up high, have a bird-eye view, observe ‘Creator-style’

Let me squirm down low, have a worm-eye view, get a new perspective

Let me swing on the branches of trees, hooting incessantly like a primitive

Let the adventure terminate into a dive in a waterfall, like I have always wished

Let me learn from nature the joy of giving, the art of living, cherishing

Let my wishes be fulfilled, let my heart beat loud, let a stupor of joy take over

Let this world be ludicrously in love with itself, let the sun never set upon it.....

A Hot Cup of Coffee...

      It has been a hectic week. You’ve been so busy, worked so hard and feel that you deserve a break. Upon reaching home on a Saturday night, overwhelmed with fatigue and insomnia, you start to think that you've practically turned into a diabolical zombie. Except that it’s others feeding on your brain.

     All you want is to take some time off; remove those ill-fitting formal boots and put on a pair of socks; tie up your hair, disconnect from the rest of the world, sit at the parapet of your balcony and muse at the view of the city lights. It’s all just missing one thing: that refreshing cup of coffee.

     So you make yourself some hot coffee, assuring yourself that that’s the last bit of ‘work’ you’ll be doing that day. Clutching your favourite forest-brown mug, you make place for yourself at the window pane you haven’t approached in ages. The dreamy city view encapsulates you as you relish each sip, of both. The sky is pitch-dark, in complete contrast with the breathtaking lights, in and out of focus, constantly switching sides, merging into one another. The overall effect is that of the rays of sun incident upon a golden palace, at the twelve strikes of noon. You also can’t help but marvel at the beautiful illuminated bridge at a distance, the view of the sky-line, from which, you remember from the last time you crossed it, is like honey drops strewn across a hive.

      And then it gets you thinking, that if you hadn’t decided to take the night off, you’d be at a social event at that precise moment, and would have missed the magical experience of the patterns that light rays form, when looked at through the steam emerging out of your coffee mug.

Fresh Desires...

   

        There he stood, on a dim road, yet incandescent in the darkness. Though the night was obscure and the street lamps were out, she could still ogle at the tall and sturdy silhouette, standing under the moonlight. As the silver light enhanced his every feature, he stared into the darkness, in a direction opposite to her gaping face. She gazed and gazed intently; lust filling her every thought. A keen sense of longing haunted her; her blood ablaze. That precise moment he shifted his weight and tapped his feet, apparently restless. Following a moment of contemplation, he turned his head towards her. Her limbs suddenly went numb; the burning desire within raged through her veins. His perusing gaze intrigued her, her batting eyelashes, a consequence. His sudden hesitant approach set unexplained feelings gushing through her. A smile spread across his face, his lustrous hair shining; that moment, as she returned the smile, she knew slumber would forever fail her...

As the Monsoon Arrived...

Between the twisted creepers, amongst the vines and stems

She observed the little creatures, multi-coloured, in mayhem

At the bottom of the tree trunk, close to the spiralling roots

The ants and insects crawled in sync, one after the other, following suit

A squirrel, with her tiny arms, caressed the apricot glistening

With dew-drops it was covered, as though the cloud was listening

To prayers offered, since it unearthed the purpose of its being

It had showered upon the little girl, the first few drops in stream

As roads embarked with dirt, and slightly moistened cheeks

Rejoiced at the arrival of the fulfilling diamond-like glittering streaks

She took in all the laughter, the drops coalescing on their way down

Purifying each soul, the earth failing to rebound

She saw the overjoyed folks, kids jumping, delighted shrieks

Into the puddles sailed their boats, as stable as could be

The birds took shelter in their nests, flying back in a majestic way

Their shadow fell upon the grass, before last rays of sun escaped

She heard the glad chirping; she sniffed in the new air

She felt the changing spirits, as wind blew through her hair

Leaving behind her sorrows; from within, finally uncurled

Taking in a new change, she had summoned courage to face the world...

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