(I dwell and meditate on)
On Your lotus-like feet's dust (sand)
On Your compassionate mascara filled
Moonlight dripping eyes
(Perhaps You are to be found)
In the comforting words of poets like Potana
In the imaginations and thoughts of Kalidasa
(You are dispersed)
In sweet melodies, feelings filled with love,
In the lilting waves of caring thoughts
In the sweet harmonies of vina
In the lotus-like hearts of rishis like Narada
(Perhaps You're)
The exuding smile with the light of moonlight
In the autumn (Sarad-ritu)
Seated on a spotless white swan
You are the love of BrahmaYou are the all encompassing
Knowledge shining like a Milky Way
(Our mothers and teachers taught us a few “gems” of poems to help us in learning. Learning, that is the ‘operative’ word here. Not just mugging up some facts, stories, or even theorems and vomiting up dry bits of knowledge in the final (Board) examinations. Learning involves understanding, getting to the essence of a poem, and applying the information in real life situations. For example, you learn the Newton’s laws of motion and apply to the making of a ‘toy rocket’. Or, learn the phenomenon of buoyancy and use it to measure the density of milk (Lactometer). To facilitate learning and impart us with necessary discipline and confidence, we invoke Ganesa, Sarada, and Lord Siva. And, how do we do it? We recite one or two Telugu poems (or Sanskrit Slokas) at the beginning. During our high school final year preparations, my friend and I would recite poems on Sarada before sitting for a late night study session. Luckily our distractions in those were few and far away: The film songs blaring from local movie theaters’ loudspeakers or marriage events. Or we would be awakened at 4:00 a.m. with a cabaret song from a neighboring café. There was a time in the distant past when the modern TV and social media were non-existent, leaving pupils with ample opportunity to concentrate on studies. To get a glimpse of Saraswati Devi, we rely on Vedas and Puranas. Here I paraphrase the words of Sri Paramacharya: As Dakshinamurti, Siva holds (rather He is the embodiment of) the qualities of pure wisdom (symbolized by white crystal-like color), peace, meditation, and jnana (the higher intellect). He is also covered with white ash (similar to the glistening soft fresh snow flakes), long tresses, and wears the crescent moon. Sarada is considered as the sister of Lord Siva similar to Parvati being the sister of Narayana. She has the same qualities of pure knowledge, soft smiling demeanor, and white dress (sari). She always exudes the happiness (joy) of the sparse clouded moonlit nights of “autumn” (sarad-ritu శరదృతువు). Hence we refer the goddess of learning as Sarada.) Audio and Telugu lyric links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62L32NiJsIEhttp://pattri-pulu.blogspot.com/2020/12/original-song-on-sarada-ni-pada-pankaja.html
Copyright 2020 by the author
Copyright 2020 by the author
