Prayer

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

Do the beasts pray? Birds, insects and the immobile trees, mountains, rivers and all that nature has displayed between earth and sky? And who do they prey for what? Does the mountain pray for more height to reach the stars? Does the river pray for more crystal waters to show off the green-blue –red and dead sea, how beautiful she is and how musical her flow! What will Brahmaputra, the he- river pray for? A mate, a beautiful dancing stream to romance with? But do they-rivers and all know what romance is, what love is and what what the others desires are! The rivers are gods and goddesses accepting prayers, filth and excreta. The Ganga washes sins: Well what’s a sin? A disease of the body or mind? How is it washed away by the rivers? Niyamgiri too is a god, stones, trees, sun, moon stars are all gods. Who prays to them- the vast spread of nature beyond the range of eyes and the most powerful telescopes?

It’s only we humans who pray. We alone have invented languages, scripts and songs, hymns, epics and haiku and what not- gazals and all.  We have built temples, churches mosques and prayer halls- domes, cones, steeples of all sizes and shapes as if the stones and tree holes cannot receive the full import of our prayers. Some people close their eyes and pray without opening their lips. Others sing and dance in groups with instruments; those who do not have cymbals, drums or other song accompaniments just clap and nod their heads keeping time with  the mantras or songs , the rhythm perhaps compels the attention of the listener, the acceptor of prayers or the sanctioner or granter of our wishes. We have also invented a god and his variants, gender neutral abstractions. But to do gender justice we have goddesses-calm, beautiful, wild, violent and bloodthirsty. Why? Why do we pray? May be we are the most dissatisfied creatures in nature’s vast manifestations. We want more of everything. More food, more buildings, more fashionable clothes to cover ourselves, more power to torture and torment the weak, more prosperity and more success to enjoy prayers of the unaccommodated creatures.

Does anyone pray, o’ my Maker, my all seeing god, the prime mover  of everything , remove all disparity, make everyone content if not happy and make Me a good human being so that I’ll protect the weak from the tyrant, give to the needy whatever I earn and gather by my honest hard work? Well here too come other anomalies. In the modern world we have created civilizations of inequity. Those who have become powerful in military hard and software they browbeat and subjugate the less fortunate men and women in other countries. Jobs are not available, the machine – automation- has crippled human hands and brains. Natural resources have been thrown around all over the world unequally to create strife and war. Even if I pray to be a good man, my undefined ‘good’ may boomerang on me. No, I will not pray to be good as that too is an elusive abstraction.

But I must pray, as I do, my way.

O’ My Heart Mind Soul, o’ that which  makes me breathe think and speak, I know there is some power running my body machine, listen; you may be my Love guiding my nerves, sinews and blood flow to make me walk past temples without turning my head, you may be the energy I get from what I eat, you may be just anything which I cannot dissect and see for myself, the doctors too have failed to see: but you are something that makes up my I, my being. I pray to that I to live with the freedom of choice in all mundane things, not too involved to dissipate nor too superficial to be pompous. Just make me love my work, my concentration to see nothing goes wrong. If despite my concentration and sincere effort things go wrong not to blame someone else but to own up my failure and to start afresh with redoubled vigour and concentration. Never to do anything that will hurt another I or despoil another’s interests. Make me a lover of beauty, formal and natural. Art and creativity that enhances the zest for living not with lustful self-realization but with love for all manifestation. Let me not hate things that are meaningless or ugly, let me not covet things which cannot be legitimately mine. I must fulfil  all my needs of the senses and also the needs of my imagination by honest efforts and hard work. If I fail to achieve anything let me not fall into a brown study or invent crooked designs to achieve things. Let me like Byron catch my word at the first leap and if I miss it let me not turn back anymore. Let me not know sin or merit, good and evil; let me do my assigned role to perfection or the role self chosen to flawless completion. Excellence should not inflate my ego, mediocrity should not make me a moral coward. And the woman I love I should give her everything I can without expecting returns; may my love grow to make her my universe complete and beautiful. O’ My Heart Mind Soul make me live without shaming my self –esteem by demeaning my love in word thought or action. Victory be  to my soul !

Nightfall

When a  blind bird pathless

and lost, settles on my roof

I go up the terrace to build

a nest for him with my ribs,

invite the night to live in me,

I can’t give stars and moon

nor the endless freedom of the sky

yet I’ll breathe you into me

to roam free in the empire of my heart.

You are not meant to be caged

but  I am a beautiful cage, barless

save the bones and flesh fragile

if you want to explore

the outer space and more

where love brightens all immortals

come let's  break the cage fly

together, scan the empty space .

Lovers love the night

poets regale in dark delight

my nights are of

beautiful nothingness.

My rib cage swells in sobs

my beauty is lost in itself.

He could not see my light

I could not see his flight

descend  my bird with me

and see how we  spread

out with starry moon.

Sabita Sahu

The Idea Of India

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

The idea of India is not a defined or definable entity. A five thousand or more years old civilization which has passed through vicissitudes of history, aggressions, repressions, wars and political movements is not amenable to a straightforward categorization or a normative identity. No nation or people can ever have a straightjacketed indelibility of identity. The Idea of a country may not be the same to all people of a country or to all nations. India has always been defined by others. But orientalism(s) notwithstanding the soul of India shines with its own colours and attributes. The recognizable constructs of the Indian mind, in terms of historical change, are three: The Vedic –post- vedic Idea of India; The aggressor dominated (the Muslim-British) discursive mindscape; and the modern Constitution mediated India. But it must be admitted that regression and progression, the dur’ee and multi - directional memory make overlapping distortions over which no regimentation of ideas can ever hold sway. Since Indians do not have a sense of time these three constructs exist simultaneously leading to our discomfiture in the society.

What India was to herself and the world before the transition between BCE and CE is termed Hindu (India)- a term not yet defined or conceived of clearly  in the medley of interpretations by desi and videsi scholars. But  polytheism, pluralism, tolerance for intolerance , belief in diversity, the world as one family, the theory of karma and the trivarga –dharma,artha, kama( a fourth was added later- moksa- which was abstract if not vague). The universal Soul or Brahman absorbing the individual soul after death, was a kind of fulfilment of the individual life. It was also an attractive optimistic belief guiding the human spirit.  The Lokayatikas or Charvakas too existed with their scepticism and materialism. Groups pursuing their own faith systems lived under the overarching faith of pluralism and secularism - with a non political connotation. The aims of life were modulated by the four margas guided by the vedic texts (for dharma),Brihaspati’s Arthasashtra reformulated with need based variations by kautilya (forArtha) and Vatsayan’s Kamasutra ( for pleasure).

But when the country came under Muslim rule another narrative was built around their achievements. The classical civilization of India was redefined as the new age historians thought that any civilization practising values akin to the classical values is a classical civilization. The past heritage was remodelled on the new culture. Dynasty, monuments and texts of the past lost their vertical space. The new lateral, horizontal view searched for the hidden and less conspicuous elements of culture to create a new narrative. The Idea of India appear to be chaotic, a jumbled up concatenation of a new India. The British colonial idea of India was a slicing apart of so called Indian culture. Religion and caste devides dominated the new idea of India. The British with their sense of skewed justice created an idea of India that has caused a series of problems beyond any profitable debate. They tried to make India a composite culture of simultaneous existence of irreconciliable opposites. The old texts were junked, the old monuments and the history of destruction of the past citadels considered virtuous, were scorned until Gandhi came. Gandhi stood as a new Idea with old classical values of Truth, Non-violence and coexistence of all values without caste or religious dichotomy. Neheru mostly thought  of an urban suave India.

But after free India gave herself a Constitution, the Idea of India gained new dimensions of Unity in Diversity, pluralism and freedom with rights protected by justice. India in the first phase was secular but to give it a constitutional authority, the word Secular which was not in the Ambedkar framework was added by Indira Gandhi during the Emergency. Indian democracy survived the Emergency not because of the new word- Secular- in the constitution but because of the tolerance of intolerance which the Indians have in their DNA.

But today if anyone asks about the idea of India, no answer could be accepted as definitive. The Gandhian idea of truth, Non-violence and unity of thought, speech and action are of no more any operational validity. The caste groups, minorities and ideologically self-segregated groups have their own Ideas of India, each claiming superior authenticity over others’. Mandal report implementation was a turning point in independent India and the Babri Maszid demolition was another: both have destroyed all ideas of India. Some Muslim groups think in terms of another partition. RSS and Fringe groups start lynching people for cow slaughter. Beef eating is now the anti –idea of India.  The cities have their own ideas of India. The fashion designers and the Bollywood industry have their Ideas of India. Politicians are mostly responsible for the Idea of India to be corroded by self- contradictory proclamations. Each political party has its own idea. The intellectual elite have their own India. There are millions who do not bother about India: they try to loot and cheat the India we have, by their own logic. Plurality now means a cacophony of Ideas of India. What the country needs today is an intellectual revolution. But who has the incontrovertible idea of India in his mind to lead such a revolution?

Gems - Jewells - Ornaments...

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

Almost all the economies of the world have given up Gold Standard ,but women and men all over the world, especially in Asia and particularly in India continue to be in gold standard: the driving thought is ornaments make the human body more beautiful. A naked woman is not beautiful; nudity ornamented creates more beauty and stimulates desire to a boiling point. Vatsayana in his Kamasutra observes that a woman’s beauty attains aesthetic heights when she’s well ornamented from top to toe. The names of ornaments which are listed in Indian sahstras amazes the world. Our deities both female and male are decorated with gold, pearls, diamonds, emeralds - red and black rubies from crown to feet. Lord Jagannath of Puri is the most ornamented deity in the world. Five times a year He is decorated with ornaments of all sizes hues and verities. The Suna besha (ornamented form) of Jagannath attracts an eager crowd of more than Ten lakhs every year, particularly when the deities on their return from their annual yatra enter the temple all dolled up. The Indians all over the country love ornaments. Gold is also considered to be a saving against the rainy day. The yellow metal adds to the prestige of a family and enhances the personality of the men and women. Gold is the most important item in dowry. Often brides are rejected if sufficient gold is not given in dowry. Demand for dowry is now not virulent in marriages but parents of girls always keep gold as the most prized priority in their voluntary dowry list. Although in the rich and educated families the yellow metal has lost its sheen decorating the body with jewels occasionally for bridal nights and ceremonial occassions still continues. The tattoo has replaced carnal ornamentation but gold and gems are proud possessions of all families. Artificial jewellery too has come up in big way for fear of thieves but women wear the arty works keeping their ornaments in bank vaults.

India has been  the home of gems and ornaments right from pre- vedic days.  Books in Gemmology have been mostly written in India. These books date back to 5th century BCE. In Sanskrit poetry and drama a great deal of description of jewellery is noticed. A princess is seldom described without ornaments. Gems, stones, pearls and diamonds were natural crystals found in river beds. Even today gems are found on sand and gravel in some areas of western Odisha.  Ancient India was a land of gems- gold and diamonds were plentifully available in India. Dryden in one of his plays describes India as a land of gems. Before the Christian Era India was a prosperous nation. Poor neighbours attacked India only to loot this country for their survival. Persia, Afghanistan and some European countries had regular commerce with India wherein gems played a large part. As early as 2000 BCE Indian diamonds were used in Egypt and other countries for making tools. Gold was always considered as auspicious in India. Men and women wore rings in their fingers (in the least) to ward off evil influences or to attract magically men and women. Diamond was (and is) not only the most precious gem, it was considered to be fate changing and fortune enhancing. But diamond is also considered evil if it does not suit a person. The history of Indian empires is full of records how kings, princes, courtesans and common men suffered due to the hostile rays of diamonds. The Afghans, Khorasans and Moguls who came to India to loot her treasures were all victims of their greed for diamonds.

The Vijayanagar Empire in the past always prided for its gems. Almost 60% of the large diamonds came from south India.  The world famous Kohinoor looking almost the size of a hen’s egg weighed 109.3 karats: its present weight, however, is less than 100 karats as it has been cut for more beauty and glaze by the British. This diamond has changed hands and places with the Mogul emperors and aggressors is now the Jewel in the Crown of the British who refused to return it to India. But all those who possessed this diamond had fateful events and fatalities as recorded in history. ShahJahan, Nadir Shah up to the present day England – impoverished and powerless as she is now- had prosperity and calamity in mingled measures. Diamond merchants too enjoy and suffer both prosperity and ignominy, like Nirav Modi. The story of diamonds is full of romance and tragedy.

But India continues to value gold and gems even today as evidenced by her huge imports. The Bullion market is still the barometer of a country’s prosperity. The jewellery market has given employment to a large body of artisans. Diamond cutters of India are everywhere in the world, including China.

In the 21^st century digital economy, Ecommerce, data religion have replaced most of our old practices of living. But gold, gems and the artistry of ornamentation have not reduced our admiration for the stones as a bejewelled body is still considered to be aesthetic and beautiful. Even poor women from undeveloped areas deck themselves with plastic beads and artificial pearls.  Nothing wrong if the body beautiful gets more enthralling with metals yellow, red or black: who cares for inner beauty and by god what is that.

Wait Not

Wait not for the golden moments
they have no wings, no colours,
no merit on their own.

Give them  your hopes of all hues
seize their kingdom and expand
your fancied empire avoid lurking
enemies of love, beauty and power.

Look within your vast intricate web
starless gleam of divinity floods the womb
which lighted your path into the world
wake rise and conquer your share
make it a google teaser with pomp
your vitals enriching the dull canker.

Never look back nor pine over
lost moments, create your own globe
adding the brightness of your soul,
stars will burst like roses in your sky.

If you fall rise again, if you pause
move again, outdo the undone
hold the brush, paint your blank
canvas with new earth and heaven
carry your story, love and glory
plant your flag high and higher...

Sabita Sahu

Dream

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty

                                                    We are of such stuff

                                                    as dreams are made on...

What is the dream stuff that man is made on? Shakespeare knew better. Did he mean the unreality, the maya which wields its magic to enthral us? Perhaps the very reality of life is unreal, evanescent like the pearl illusion of morning dew on faded lily petals at day break, but when you wade through the mud to collect the pearls only your fingers get wet, the sheen is gone. It’s like love: you worship your Princess, call her your soul force, spend a life time loving her but the gates of her palace never open, your songs return rhythmless, the tune is torn apart by the hissing wind. Or is it like climbing a slippery mountain, you strive, strain and go tantalizingly forward braving wind and rain but you never plant your flag at the top. Whatever it is , it is so passionately absorbing , goading you to move ahead forgetting the blood letting thorns, the failure writ large all around notwithstanding, you succeed in traversing  the road to nothing. You wipe the sweat from your forehead, gloat over the glories which none notice but you go on till it lasts- the journey, the dream, the desire, the hope, the aspiration to conquer one day and wear the crown.

Is dream an interlude or a full length play? If life itself is a dream what other dreams we are talking about. ‘Tell me not in mournful numbers life’s but an empty dream’- if this be so life is not dream stuff. Dreams are not always empty nightmares. Dreams of light, hope, symbolic solutions to problems and the fanciful exaggeration of absurdity also appear without verisimilitude in the theatre of sleep. Psychologists speak of multimodal simulation of perceptions. The problems bogging us down in our waking life, at times, are resolved through unconscious night visions.  Dreams lend themselves to multiple interpretations. But why should we trust what a person describes of his/ her dreams. Is it possible to remember dreams? Dreams do not have fixed dimensions of time and space.

Dreams are not predetermined screenplays, nor there is a director; unless we accept the theory the dreams are the messages sent by god or devil from beyond our galaxy. Freud said dreams are expressions of our repressed desires. Jung believed that dreams are expressions of mankind’s collective unconscious. Jaques Lacan says dreams are like “a charade where the participants must guess an utterance known to them, or its variant, with sole help of a mimed scene.”  Others say that dreams are the mind’s own device of junk clearance. But theories apart dreams are a part of sleep. An average sleeper has about three hundred dreams whether he remembers or not. During sleep Rapid Eye Movement takes place as the censor of the mind never sleeps. But dream theories can never explain the what, why and when of dreams. Like life, dreams too are beyond what and why.  Dreams have their own causation, their own logic.

Dreams occur. We laugh and cry in sleep. Those who remember dreams they search for the fairies, goblins, gardens, swimming fish, mountain peaks and even mating with beauties of other planets, when they open their eyes. The ‘real ‘ of dreams becomes unreal when the dreamer returns to his familiar world. At times a poet chases his dream in lyrical verse, a painter paints his octagonal paradise on a dream canvas. Often dreams are considered to be premonitions like Calpurnia’s dream. A man dreamt of climbing a peak for a week – and Freud interpreted it as a likely achievement. Yes, he was awarded the Nobel  Prize. Dreams are predictions of things to happen – good or bad. Most Indians say that a predawn dream always comes true. True or false dreams make life saucier.

But what about the day-dreamer! Some call it autistic, others call it idle dreams. Yet there are people who dream with open eyes. They create imaginaries of love; their beloved’s supernal beauty taking them to Cloud Nine, her deep -breasted embrace and tongue clicking kisses in the warmth of a love- bed ; their winning the laurel crowns- and they devote their days and nights to achieve  love, glory, fame and power. It doesn’t matter whether they succeed or fail but they strive, struggle, do tapas and live and die for their dreams of open eyes. Poets, philosophers and even politicians dream with eyes open. No why or what touches them.

Dreams are real as long as they last. And after they make you run, work hard, meditate and make all sacrifices the dreams outlast them. A man who does not dream is a block of wood- a woman too.

Sunrise

What force moves me

to rise up with the calls?

Mom, Hey: Tea, Lunch,

time for school, office.

I skate from corner to

corner mumbling prayers

asking happiness for all.

Body and mind rebound

In unresponsive pain.The
kitchen smiles: hungry,

unfulfilled, empty, quick.

In lonely hours when

sleep evades me, I rush

to the study table to find-

where is me? I see, responsibility

god , life work and worship.

I turn to the brightening East

and kneel down in prayer.