Under the Linden Tree (A Nature Poem)

Under the Linden Tree

A pair of worn-out slippers

With rather uneven straps

Some may call ’em Hawaii slippers

I call them fondly the Bata slippers

With them I went for an evening stroll

In shorts and Bush shirt

In summer

It is often difficult to walk 

In bright sunlight, here

In the northeast

Either the profuse sweating

Or, scorched blackened skin

On the calves

Bothers me. Yet I need 

My daily regimen of exercise

So, I have to go for walks 

Early morning or late evenings

Or walk beneath the tall trees

In the cool shades

In those wandering

Times

Sometimes I am lost 

In thoughts, chanting, or just

A vacant state

Then, suddenly, I felt …

Was it a gentle waft?

Or just air saturated with aroma

I stopped in my tracks

Stared at the tree tops

The overhead canopies

But

Nothing made sense

Only the clump of

Hanging green maple seeds,

Miniature walnuts around

“Where is the source of this floral fragrance?”

I walked back and forth

Beneath the drooping branches

Looked above and around

I could not locate 

The source of the sweet scent

But

A return to the same spot

After couple of days

My eyes caught 

The dangling bunches of florets

Slightly yellowish

With a few green cherry-like seeds

There, standing majestically

Like the Indian bullet-wood tree

Or “Bogada” or “Bakula”

Do you remember, darling

After the formal ceremony

We went for an outing

Near the King’s Garden 

Next to the Agriculture university campus

I collected the redolent white star-like flowers

And made a garlands 

And perhaps, one as a bracelet

Little did we know, then

It would usher into a life-long journey

Those Bogada flowers emit

Perfume for weeks

And then we got

A B&W photo

Years may roll down

The memory lane

Yet

That intense romance

The lingering sweet aroma

And the sweltering Indian summer days

Will stay with us

Linden and Bogada may belong to

Two different families

But today this

Lovely Linden 

Aroused my youth again.

Copyright 2022 by the author

Gerbera Daisy Care

This is more than a three-year-old Gerbera (named after Gerber) Daisy potted plant. Here with cold winters we cannot leave it in the ground. So, I put it in a large plastic container with other flower plants (marigolds, petunia). Growing Gerbera is no problem but it has a few bad actors: Rabbits and chipmunks. Then it does not like too much rain. The leaves here show some signs of chlorosis but it is turning greener everyday. With liquid fertilizer and acid food, it will correct itself. The plant likes sun and normal watering. I like to let it dry in between watering; this is especially needed during heavy downpours. The flowers look nice in cool indoors in a flower vase. Propagation is through separation of the clumps (crowns) during spring or summer. At the end of fall season, we just bring the plant inside. We let it stay dormant in a corner in the garage. We try to keep the plant away from extreme cold and dryness. I stop watering during the winter (dormant) season. This way we can save the plant and use it year after year. Otherwise, here in the northern regions (zone 5) we have to keep buying these flower plants every year for the summer growing season. The flower size will increase a bit more. I just grabbed the photo before a hungry rabbit gets it. Daisy like petal arrangement is one of the common flower formations (geometrical pattern).

There are several nice write-ups on this showy flower plant on the Internet. Particularly the university extension or horticulture departments provide valuable care information. (For ex: see Clemson Factsheet Gerbera). We have not come across any serious pest issue so far. But I keep a home made neem oil spray bottle handy. The plant likes to be a bit on the dry side. So I try to keep the pot in shade to protect from heavy downpours in the summer. Or, one can put a plastic cover to shield from too much overhead rain. 

Telugu Song on Shirdi Sai with Translation

పదే పదే నీ పాదములపై వ్రాలి 

పరితపింతునో ఓ సాయి నాధా  | పదే | 

తెలియక కొన్ని(యు) తెలిసి కొన్నియు 

తెలివి లేక పలు దుష్కృతముల్ 

దురితము లెన్నో చేసితి (మున్ను) సాయి  

పశ్చాత్తాపమే గతియై నేడు         | పదే | 

బ్రహ్మము తెలియదు బ్రహ్మానంద మెఱుగ 

పరబ్రహ్మ మేరీతి కాంతునో 

మిణుగురు పురుగై పరిభ్రమింతు 

దారిలేని ఈ విషయారణ్యమునన్ | పదే | 

ధ్యానము కుదరదు, యోగము రాదు 

తన్మయత్వమె కృప సేయరాదా ?

నీ నామమె నా మదిలో నిల్పుము 

నీ చూపుయే నాకు శ్రీరామ రక్ష  Copyright 2022 by the author

padae padae nee paadamulapai vraali 

paritapiMtunO O saayi naadhaa  | padae | 

teliyaka konni(yu) telisi konniyu 

telivi laeka palu dushkRtamul^ 

duritamu lennO chaesiti (munnu) saayi  

paSchaattaapamae gatiyai naeDu         | padae | 

brahmamu teliyadu brahmaanaMda me~ruga 

parabrahma maereeti kaaMtunO 

miNuguru purugai paribhramiMtu 

daarilaeni ee vishayaaraNyamunan^ | padae | 

dhyaanamu kudaradu, yOgamu raadu 

tanmayatvame kRpa saeyaraadaa ?

nee naamame naa madilO nilpumu 

nee choopuyae naaku Sreeraama raksha 

Again and again

I prostrate at your feet

And meditate with anguish

O Sai, O Lord

Some (I did) without knowing

Some more I indulged knowingly

Lacking wisdom I committed

Many bad acts

Did many sins (earlier) – Sai

Today my only 

Refuge is contrition, repentance

I do not know

What is Brahman 

Never felt the (true) great ecstasy (Brahma-ananda)

How will I ever discover the Para-Brahman?

I

Keep on wandering like

A firefly

(Lost)

In this pathless forest

Filled with all distracting objects

Cannot keep focused 

On the Dhyana

Never able to

(I cannot)

Learn the (real) Yoga

Won’t you bestow the “essence of meditation”?

(Always keep your name in my mind)

Let your name stay ensconced in my mind

Your glance is my protective shield

Like Sri Rama’s blessed assurance Copyright 2022 by the author

(This is a faithful translation keeping the meaning and feeling intact. Obviously the melody and sound of the Telugu original could not be transcreated.)

Comments on the Sanskrit Song at UN

Comments on the Sanskrit Song at UN

The world is currently home to almost 8 billion (that is 8 followed by nine zeroes). So obviously there will be many hundreds, if not thousands of disparate (diverse) opinions on any given issue. Whether it is food preference, coffee/tea/(g)oat milk, language, or dress/skin color, we all have our own likes and dislikes. So we may never agree and totally concur on any issue. But despite such differences we must live and coexist harmoniously. If not for our own sakes at least we must live peacefully for our progeny, for the future lives (humans and other animals) yet to be born. If we can view the other person as a reflection of ourselves then we may not initiate grudges and discords; strong discords will eventually lead to hate and simmering hatred whether explicit or dormant can be a breeding ground to serious strife. Peace and tolerance are important facets of life. In most situations human life is finite; a generation spans at most thirty years. Many individuals’ (particularly children’s and the aged infirm community’s) precious lives are cut short due to famine, disease, and wars. Thus we earnestly need genuine well-wishers, good-natured individuals, and dedicated people who love and sacrifice their lives for an enduring peace under the sky. This is the reason why we admire and value personalities like Borlaug, Mahatma Gandhi, and Doctors without Borders (Medicine sans frontier). 

Here, in this short lyric our esteemed Paramacharya brings out the essential love (a somewhat misunderstood word) to establish peace on the earth. He was fully aware about all the isms and divisions of religions (faith). He also conversed sweetly even with the most hardcore atheists. The Swami urges us to totally avoid war, fighting, encroachment, and the bitter endless spans of strife. 

The mother earth is compared to the Kama-dhenu here. It can and does yield all the fruits for the benefit of humankind. Actually there is a vivid account in Srimad-Bhagavatam about Emperor Prudhu (that is why the earth is referred to as prithvi in Sanskrit) who entreats mother earth to provide sustenance to his people. The Father (above) is the most compassionate. The song concludes with a loving benediction from the great seer (a veritable wandering sanyasi). When the song was performed at the United Nations in 1966, India was experiencing terrible end to end wars in the northern border; concurrently it was going through a great shortage of foods (Cf. the present situation with wheat, baby food, and cooking oil shortages across the world). Therefore this original Sanskrit lyric has a unique place in the annals of India and the larger world. Then also the world was reeling the armed conflicts in Asia and middle east. Sadly, the current times are not any more peaceful. In the Upanishads and many of the Hindu scriptures we often close a poem, an essay, a narration, or an exhortation with the invocation of Peace. It ("the peace word") is uttered three times. Saying anything three times means it is true. So be it. ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः Let there be peace in the world on the eve of Buddha’s birth day.  Copyright 2022 by the author J Krishnamurti's Talk at UN

Knitted Caps, Boots, and Socks

Knitted Caps, Boots, and Socks 

For a change I want to post the accomplishments of a gifted person. These colorful woolen and acrylic knitted things are really godsend in cold places. Talk about the cold here in the Northeast, sometimes with wind chill it can descend into minus 15 or 20 degrees F. The house too gets pretty cold and dry even with indoor 24/7 heating. So, children and elders need all coverings – ranging from cozy socks, gloves, mittens, sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, and most important the head covering thing, colorful cap. 

When I first saw the picture of Swami Prabhupada (the ISKON founder) with a cap and layers of clothing with socks, I did not fully realize the harshness of cold here in the northern latitudes. Hailing from a tropical India, the Swami must have felt really the cold in West Virginia, NY, or UK. Through a friend I came to appreciate the importance of a nice close fitting warm cap over the head. Much body heat gets lost through the exposed head; a woolen cap keeps the body warm and healthy. Many bouts of cold, flu, or earaches can be prevented with a simple cap and scarf. To some covering the head and neck may signal loss of youth and pristine vigor. But who cares for others’ silly opinions? Our own health and comfort is more important than any silly fad or snarky look. 

The creator (LOH) of these priceless wintry accouterments probably spent weeks and months knitting and crocheting during the winter times. She had to first find the attractive pattern on the Internet and gather all assorted colored yarns. These days the raw materials have become exorbitant. There is no Woolworth store now. In India at least you can get some Coates yarn or other (Lal Imli) woolen thread. Here in US mostly it is from outside and it appears the crafts and knitting activities have become favorite hobbies through the pandemic, pushing up prices. 

I post this short article to express gratitude to all such artistic people (there are some wonderful men too in this company) who bring warmth and joy to young and old alike. These invaluable knitted coverings keep the body healthy and warm. All our family members have enjoyed wearing these attractive caps, mittens, little boots, and socks. Copyright 2022 by the author 

 

Lessons Learned From My Swimming

In an earlier post I’ve omitted several important things associated with this water sport. Foremost in every enduring physical activity, one must carefully assess one’s reserve energy, stamina, and physical fitness. This careful assessment comes with only experience. Suddenly one cannot stop swimming in the middle of a fast flowing stream and flip over to the edge; one has to control and properly steer the body away from physical danger. Even in tranquil pool waters one can get stuck with severe cramp in the thigh, calf, or hand. Then we have to gently learn to float for a while and some how cross towards the nearest edge, ladder, or bank. This maneuvering must occur while keeping normal breathing without letting the body drown due to sheer exhaustion. History is replete with terrible tragedies in swimming. The famous English Channel swimmer Captain Matthew Webb could not handle the dangerous whirlpool-whipping currents of Niagara River.

Here is a portrait of the famous Indian swimmer Mihir Sen with Prime Minister Nehru. It ought to inspire young students and athletes in any age. (Photo is from the Internet; Copyright probably belongs to his daughter.) 

Some of the hostel students used to do stretching exercises before the dip. I did not do any stretching, per se during my daily swimming. I took those trips to the pool as a fun outing. Perhaps I should have done a little stretching before the diving. At least twice or thrice in the season I got severe muscle cramping while doing the long laps, i.e., along the length. In hindsight now I consider the cramping due to excessive (over) exercise, lack of fluids, or electrolytic imbalance. During running or bicycle riding one can move to the shoulder and rest till the spasm of cramping pain eases a bit. But while swimming we’ve to be extremely careful. I did not know these complications initially; did not talk with my friends about such issues. Slowly I learned to handle the cramping on my own. One of my legs would become suddenly stiff refusing to move at all. Then I would gently move my hands and turn over to the backstroke style (floating) and drag my body to the nearest ledge. Oh, damn, that used to be a very long tiring strenuous swim for that twenty or thirty feet distance.  

With a bit of experience under my belt, such painful episodes stopped bothering me. I developed confidence and I could gauge my physical strength correctly. Then suddenly one weekend I got into a very dangerous situation. My troublesome teenager nephew (S.Y.) dragged me into an almost fatal situation. In the village I used to carry the same nephew (then a toddler) around the garden and coconut orchard to soothe him from stomach aches. So our bonding goes back many years – both in the ancestral village and in the mega city we used to play tricks and tease each other. That eventful summer he was idling at home and getting bored with nothing to do. One weekend he accompanied me to the hostel and pestered me about swimming. When I asked repeatedly, “Do you really know swimming?” he’d just bluff in the affirmative. I had my doubts and I yielded to the repeated beseeching. So we went to the pool for a few laps, no just for one lap across the width. To be on the safe side we should have started the swim from the shallow side. But we took to the plunge from the middle and just after few strokes my nephew started sinking; he was gasping for breath. 

Instinctively he grabbed on to my body for help. I was actually a little ahead, totally unaware of his precarious situation. In such conditions the best course would be like this: the drowning person should keep the nose above water and hold on the waist (lower part) and help the rescuer to gently reach the nearest bank. Ideally the drowning person should not put his entire weight on the rescuer. But here we both were on the verge of sinking together. Luckily I pulled all my reserve strength and slowly dragged him to the edge. He was at least ten or fifteen pounds heavier than me. Then and there I took an instant oath - never to get into such dangerous situations. This a warning to all average swimmers! 

My diving antics were more joyful. Jumping off from the lower diving boards (10 – 15’) was no big deal and I used try the straight vertical drop like a bamboo pole or the sitting posture to make a big splash. But on half a dozen times I did venture the jumps from the top most diving board. It was not that easy. I would climb all the way to the top and linger for many minutes – a bit apprehensive about the steep fall into the deep waters. Then suddenly out of nowhere a slender high school lad would appear right behind me. He would goad me gently, “Uncle, jump. No big deal.” Or, sometimes the teasing teenager would suddenly push me over the edge to clinch the issue – “to be or not to be”. 

Then rapidly I would free fall for a while before hitting the green waters. With stretched hands and streamlined body I would try to reach the bottom as rapidly as possible. Then touch the floor and quickly turn around and start towards the shining light from the surface above. Maybe it was exhilarating a minute or two; I had to hold my breath and reach the fresh air in the open. Oh, what a relief! To feel that fresh air normal breathing out in the open. Mostly I did one dive per day but even that did affect my hearing. I should have used thick cotton swab (from the lab) or earplugs (rubber stoppers) for my own protection. But I did not notice the long-term effect till the season’s end. Then suddenly I would feel water in the inner ear and some sort of blockage (muffled hearing). 

Who has time for going to the dispensary for the swimmer’s ear? I was too busy in the grad school with lab, some dabbling in poetry, and vacantly looking at the owls. Probably I tried a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or some ear-drops. Now I recall why some swimmers used to jump up and down with tilted head – to drain the water from ear canal. Finally after six months somehow I got rid of the ear blockage. Luckily my hearing stayed perfect through all these years. Now I do wear earplugs or tight woolen cap while working with noisy lawn mower or snow blower. 

Copyright 2022 by the author

The UN Song by M. S. Subbulakshmi

SlO|| maitreeM bhajataakhila hRd^jaitreeM

aatmavadaeva paraanapi paSyata

yuddhaM tyajata spardhaaM tyajata 

tyajata paraeshvakrama maakramaNam^||

 

SlO|| jananee pRthvee kaamadughoo೭stae 

janakOdaeva@h sakaladayaaLu@h

daamyata datta dayadhvaM janataa@h 

SraeyO bhooyaat^ sakalajanaanaam^||

శ్లో|| మైత్రీం భజతాఖిల హృద్‌జైత్రీం

ఆత్మవదేవ పరానపి పశ్యత

యుద్ధం త్యజత స్పర్ధాం త్యజత

త్యజత పరేష్వక్రమ మాక్రమణమ్‌||

శ్లో|| జననీ పృథ్వీ కామదుఘూ೭స్తే 

జనకోదేవః సకలదయాళుః 

దామ్యత దత్త దయధ్వం జనతాః

శ్రేయో భూయాత్‌ సకలజనానామ్‌||

मैत्रीम् भजताखिल हृद्जैत्रीम् 

आत्मा वदेव परानपि पस्यत 

युद्धं त्यजत स्पर्धां त्यजत 

त्यजत परेश्वक्रम माक्रमणम् 

 

जननी पृउध्वी कामदुघास्ते 

जनकोदेवः सकल दयाळुः 

दाम्यत दत्त दयध्वं जनताः 

श्रेयो भूयात् सकल जनानां 

M S Subbulakshmi Performing

(This unique Sanskrit song was composed by none other than Sri Paramacharya of Kanchi. It was performed at the United Nations in 1966. Those years were very trying for India, stuck between back to back wars and food shortages. I am giving the song lyrics in Telugu and Sanskrit scripts for the larger audience. English transliteration is also included. Will add meaning later. Copyright 2022 by the author)