Upon return to Narasapuram, I took a fresh water bath in a choultry on the wayside. During the final ablution, I remembered Bhishma. As per custom, a few days earlier I used to offer tarpanam to Bhishma with jilledu (Calotropis gigantean) leaves and flowers. It used to be easy in the village because I could collect the leaves from our backyard. Now, in US it is impossible to collect these leaves unless I seek help from a tropical garden store. Perhaps, I can substitute the milkweed leaves, which are ubiquitous in the Northeast. In this festival, we remember all our ancestors from Bhishma onwards and even the people before Bhishma. We seek blessings from our ancestors (pitrudevas పితృ దేవతలు). Why? Because, they gave us all what we have today – through their sacrifices, the remarkable human DNA, culture, language, science, art, and technology. In one of her edifying books, Sister Nivedita talks glowingly about the Indian tradition. Egypt lost most of its earlier ethos in the course of unforgiving history. India is the exception; it has valiantly tried to hold on to its ancient tradition and practices. Every foreign culture tried to submerge India’s original culture (it happened on other continents too) but the great country accepted only very few of the foreign influences. It assimilated only that which could stand the test of time, only that which could be a healthy integral part of its ‘eternal dharma’. All else must be ruthlessly washed away in the course of time, as the ocean does with its periodic tireless tidal waves.
Bhishma was a remarkable hero in Mahabharata. He was never defeated in any war. Even in the confrontation with his teacher, Parasurama, (the ebullient hot tempered Rama with axe) the war was only a draw. Bhishma spent his entire life in the service of his father, in the protection of his brothers and the kingdom. When Krishna came running towards him with whirling discus on the battlefield, he invited Him with all his heart. Which would be better? A long futile fight till the end or a joyful death witnessing His effulgent form and meditating on the Para-Brahman? The thousand (in Sanskrit, sahasra does not mean a mere one thousand only. Sahasra implies innumerable or countless) names encompassing the long prayer of Vishnu (known to many as Vishnu sahasra-nama) owes its existence to Bhishma. Even on his deathbed, he could visualize Krishna with sweat drops on His forehead. Bhishma even today teaches an important lesson. And that is, above all the humdrum of everyday life, there is ‘some sacredness’ in the ancient land, a sacredness on the earth – to that everything else must subordinate, if life means any living at all.
So, in that lofty spirit, one celebrates the Indian festivals, particularly Bhishma-ekadasi, away from the glitter, extravagant shopping, and inane indulgence. Much of the current media and people in power – they are totally oblivious to the reality on pavement. How hard it is for many to afford medicine, urgent surgery, or one nutritious meal with a sweet dish? But, even without material wealth, everyone can participate in the celebratory spirit of life. In the solitary temple of ones inner mind, one can observe a simple fast, sing a lilting melody, or immerse in meditation on any day, festival or no festival. But fasting on the Ekadasi day has its merits.
On this day, Bhishma left his mortal body for the final spiritual voyage. He remained motionless on the arrows-bed for the auspicious arrival of “Uttarayana” (January 14 - July 16). Soon, we (both in India and here) will witness brighter sun and longer days. Very soon, the birds will start their chorus urging the trees to bloom. Spring is not that far now. Bhishma-ekadasi falls on the eleventh (waxing) moon in Magha.
No comments:
Post a Comment