Month: October 2017
Unrequited
arms
outstretched
I wonder –
would you
ever
take even one
step forward?
Linked to Becca’s Sunday Trees
CB&W: Stone Idols
Hello all! Anybody miss me? Ah well, I did. But life happens and we cannot always have everything can we? Anyway I snatched a few moments and thought of marking my attendance with Cee’s Black and White Challenge which is Bricks or Stones. As I mentioned in my earlier Ivory post, I had a selection of statues and idols.
And here they are – hope you like π
Devi Durga the vanquisher of Evil (Mahishasur) – her strength, her shakti (power) comes across despite the desecration does it not? Just like it does from the millions of women oppressed and abused all over the world.
A stone idol of perhaps a warrior princess? These images are from the collection at Salar Jung Museum at Hyderabad, India.
I had initially thought this idol to be of a king – Chandrasekhara. But four arms and the lack of any jewelry and simple attire made me rethink. He is Lord Shiva the one who wears the Moon on his matted locks. Apologies for the blurred picture.
Nandi the sacred steed, constant companion and ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. It is said that even if the Lord does not hear your prayer anything that is whispered in Nandi’s ear is sure to reach the ears of the Lord Himself. The white color apparently symbolizes purity, righteousness and devotion. Although I am not so convinced for most of Nandi’s idols are in black stone.
The more famous form of lord Shiva as Nataraja (the Lord of dance). Did you know that at CERN the European Council for Nuclear Research there is a statue of the Nataraja? As a plaque alongside the statue explains, the belief is that Lord Shiva danced the Universe into existence, motivates it, and will eventually extinguish it.
The Nataraja idol typically shows Shiva dancing in one of the dance poses, holding fire (as he is the God of destruction) in his left back hand, the front hand is raised in blessing, the front right hand with a wrapped snake that is in abhaya (fear not) mudra while pointing to a Sutra text, and the back hand holding a damru (a small drum like musical instrument) the sound of which created the universe. He is surrounded by a ring of flames, standing on a lotus pedestal, lifting his left leg (or in rare cases, the right leg) and balancing over a demon dwarf Apasmara (not a child!) who symbolizes ignorance.
A second century stone idol of Lord Buddha.
The much loved and popular Lord Krishna. Again apologies (a blanket apology!) for the poor quality photos π¦
A 13th/14th Century AD sandstone idol of Lord Vishnu in Dhyanmudra (meditative pose)
Another statue of Lord Vishnu the Preserver in the shayanmudra (reclining pose) with his ten avatars carved on top. At least that is what it looks like. The one on the horse (on the extreme right) is the Kalki avatar (destroyer of filth) foretold to appear to at the end of the kali yug the present epoch.
That’s it from me – at least in this post π Do share your thoughts in the comment section – thank you for visiting.
City-bred
Elegant and graceful
she reaches for the sky
all the while attempting to
conceal her scars and wounds
behind the drapery
Doesn’t she look as if she is trying to cover her naked ‘ugliness’ with the money plant? Clearly she’s been around humans for far too long π
Linked to Becca’s Sunday Trees
CFFC: Ivory
Cee’s alphabetical fun foto challenge this week is about the letter I. Early on this year, I had the opportunity to visit one of largest museums of the world – the Salar Jung Museum. It is also theΒ largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. It is well known throughout India for its prized collections belonging to different civilizations dating back to the 1st century. For this challenge I was spoilt for choice – idols or ivory. I settled for the latter and about the former, I shall wait for another suitable time or even go for a double post. That is if you are interested. Do let me know. But first a glimpse of the ivory collection at the museum, which houses pieces from all over the world
Western world
Marvelous detailing. And apologies for the shadow work π¦ Must learn how to avoid that – any tips/resources?
From Japan
Look at the petals, the hairdo, the design on the robes…
Ivory art work from China
Gods and Goddess from India
Even a whole chair
From what are just teeth.
Despite the art and the fine workmanship I could not but shudder – how many elephants lost their lives just to be a showpiece?
Isn’t that the most beautiful picture of all – wild free majestic how they were made.
Thank you for visiting.
Surrender
Surrender
Words 99
Β At first she grew in another garden.
Lush green and sprightly, she swayed with the winds, laughing at the elements as they cared for her like their own.
Only she wasnβt.
She was meant for another garden.
It was her prarabhda* to nurture and provide for strangers, to steer them through strife, storm and drought.
Her roots held them together.
Bound and unable to leave she withstood the onslaught of the changing seasons -waiting and hoping for eternal spring.
Years and they passed her by: demanding using cutting slicing.
Until she stopped waiting.
There was beauty in fall too.
***
A/N: Prarabdha is a Sanskrit word meaning commenced or begun. Prarabdha is one of three types of karma (originating from the root kri, meaning to act).
The others are sanchita karma – sum of all karma that has been collected; kriyamana karma, or agami – karma that is currently being created and will yield results in the future.
In Vedantic literature, there is a beautiful analogy. The bowman has already sent an arrow and it has left his hands. He cannot recall it. He is about to shoot another arrow. The bundle of arrows in the quiver on his back is the sanchita; the arrow he has shot is prarabhda; and the arrow, which he is about to shoot from his bow, is agami. Of these, he has perfect control over the sanchita and the agami, but he must surely work out his prarabdha.
Prarabdha karma is only exhausted after its consequences have been experienced or its debts paid. There are three types of this karma:
- Ichha, that which is personally desired
- Anichha, or karma without desire
- Pareccha, or karma that is the result of another’s desire
The yogi who has achieved union with the Higher Self does not experience ichha prarabdha karma but is still subject to anichha and pareccha.
This is my second offering to this week’s Friday Fictioneer’s – sorry I couldn’t resist π The first one is here but they aren’t interlinked.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Sandra Crook for the beautiful photo. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Thanks for reading π
The Gullible Groom
The Gullible Groom
Words 99
βIt is customary to bring prospective grooms here to pay obeisance.β She said.
He folded his hands and bowed.
βThe tree has supernatural powers.β Her voice dropped to a whisper. βShe turns evil grooms turn into stones.β
βReally?β He snorted.
βThat stone on the far right? Thatβs my last suitor.β
βNonsense.β
βAsk Granny about that stone in the middle. He had his eyes on her property.β
βYouβre pulling my leg.β
βWhen Radhaβs husband demanded dowry, she brought him here.β She pointed.
He shivered.
βWhy are you worried?β she snuggled up to him.
He vanished.
Another fool after her millions she snickered.
***
I have two submissions this to weekβs Friday Fictioneerβs β sorry I couldnβt resist π The other one is here but they arenβt interlinked.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Sandra Crook for the beautiful photo. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Thanks for reading π
WPS: Before, When There was Nothing
Image from Google Maps
Before, When There was Nothing
Words 152
Β Β βMother!β Shvetaketu was aghast. βWhat are you doing with him?β
βIsnβt it obvious?β Her face was still flushed with passion.
βMother, whose son am I?β
βMine.β She straightened and smiled at him affectionately.
βI demand you tell me.β He roared.
βHush! Itβs a free world. I can do what I like, with whom I like.β
βI shall rewrite the marriage laws.β Shvetaketu declared. βFrom now on you can go to other men only with your husbandβs permission.β
βYou will still not know whose son you are.β She twinkled.
βBut of course your husbandβs. He owns you like his fields and any crop that comes out of you is his.β
βI am not a field!β
βSo be it. From now on you will be allowed only four husbands, the Moon, Gandharva Vishvavasu, Agnideva and finally your husband.β
Is that why when husbands no longer want their wives she is passed on to fire?
***
A/N: In Hindu mythology, Gandharva Vishvavasu is a celestial being skilled in the art of music and Agnideva is the god of Fire. This piece is inspired by Devdutt Patnaik’s book 7 Secrets of the Goddess, which describes the origin of this Vedic wedding ritual. Until now I wasn’t aware that I have four husbands. Did any of you (wedded according to Vedic customs) know it?
Written for What Pegman Saw β a story in 150 words or less.Β Thanks to J Hardy Carroll for hosting the challenge and Google Maps for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Thank you for reading. I dithered quite a bit over the title – could you help me? Do you think it would have been better if I had titled it The Evolution of Civilization?
The Evolution of Civilization
To Catch a Kite
Stern
&
unmoving
as
unyielding
&
standoffish
as a mountain.
Overall a loner
and a
snooty
Β curmudgeonly
grump.
So who could guess
that underneath
all that
bark
lay
someone
who
loved
a
bit of
fun
&
games
π π And another one too!
So which kite is your favorite?
Thanks for visiting π
Linked to Becca’s Sunday Trees
CFFC: Happy
The topic for Cee’s fun foto challenge this week is Happy. This one is easy for Cee’s photos and challenges make me happy π Of course there are lots of other things that make me happy – just as this forwarded message says it:
Some things that make me happy are
Dinner with family with everyone agreeing it was a great meal π
Waiting at the airport! For it usually means that I am off to a new place or going back home – both are welcome π
Meeting and chatting with friends and families π
Goofing off in the office
Snapping a quick pic from the television to share with friends (look at those ear pieces!!!)
Or just catch a glimpse of my favorite blue tractor π
I like my own little space to ruminate, and count all my blessings and gifts that are
Gift wrapped
or virtual.
Since I like trees so much Penny emailed me this photograph – I was/am terribly touched and thrilled π “Itβs a plane tree in Syntagma Square in Nauplio in Greece. The cafΓ© extends right under the tree. There are seats for about sixty people under the canopy. The tree has been there for at least 100 years , a photograph from 1920 shows it to be a big tree even then.” Thank you Penny for your thoughtful gesture. π
Cherish and treasure the lovely certificate issued voluntarily and unprompted by my (then) 9 year-old niece π
or the thoughtful chatty little notes left by someone somewhere on this earth :). Isn’t it amazing the bonds we form with people whom we have never met and will never meet? Yet, two of my most cherished friends are gifts of the cyber world π
Perhaps not the traditional Diwali sweets but they are yummy and sweet nonetheless. Thank you for your wishes Ferdi and happy Diwali to your too. Hope you like the sweets! π Feast as much as you like, leave aside your calorie counter π
Here’s wishing you all a wonderful, safe happy prosperous Diwali. π
Stories and more 