Tuesday 18 June 2019

The pen that writes from the other end

Not always are survivors the heroes  as we comprehend
And it may take a pen that writes from the other end
To complete the oft heard popular tales with facts so shy
Though they may go unread, or worse, construed as a lie

Most of the wars fought in ancient India are attributed to the female protagonist of the stories. From Sita , whose desire for the magical deer to Paanchali's laughter in the palace, the reason for the wars has always been  ascribed to a woman. But scrape the surface and many an unexplained bone make their appearance.

As the bride of Arjuna – The mighty warrior
I assumed that life would have not a barrier
But my joys lasted only until we reached
The gates of the palace where Kunti unknowingly preached

Yudhistra, in the name of upholding his mother's words, chose to shatter the kshatriya dharma of winning the bride in a swayamvara. This perhaps was the breach of dharma that has never been spoken of! What was more blood curdling was the dictatorial manner in which he drew up a schedule for the five brothers to follow in sharing her.

Alas, no one can predict the ever changing future
And happiness is but a bubble waiting to rupture
Kunti's fervent pleas to spare the girl went unheard
The rest could only direct their prayers heavenward

Any non-compliance in the regard was punished with a 12 year exile! Yes, you read it right. Yudhistra started the culture of sending his brothers on exile, not Duryodhana, as we popularly believe. Aruna, as fate would have it(?)  was the first one to be exiled. It was during his exile that Arjuna learnt the Brahmastra, married Krishna's half-sister, Shubadra and earned the wrath of Urvashi.

Some facts lay burried within a protected cage
To protect a lone man's ego and his endeared image
Does the generation next dare to set them free
If you care to, then just place your ears on any old tree
Unravel the stories that the world is waiting to know
Humanity would liberate itself from morals so low
Do not sell the woman that you vowed to defend
A plea from the pen that writes from the other end!

Monday 10 June 2019

A Pushed Pawn Becomes Queen!

An erring king sans a mentor,
Has not the power to prevent his downfall
Every being has an unending need
For a course-corrector...


"இடிப்பாரை இல்லாத ஏமரா மன்னன்
கெடுப்பா ரிலானுங் கெடும்."

                                                                   - Thirukkural 448 
Image result for fallen king chess

Sunday 2 June 2019

The Branded Grave


There came them calling themselves
A new species – ‘The Human Beings’
They did seem to be more intelligent
Than any others that the world was seeing!

They created the huge machines
And made them do wonderful things
They built and destroyed at will
And gifted themselves with incredible wings!

Fighting bitterly with each other at times,
They grouped and re-grouped again and again
None outside knew what went on
And within their walls there was loss and gain!

Gradually, the groups created identities
That defined everything that they used
The group of people were called a class
"How should we call the inanimate?”they mused!

But they never had to think for long
Ideas flooded their bottomless world!
As identities grew, so did their pride
“Brands”, they declared, and flags were unfurled!

They named everything that they owned
Rating these names against countable numbers
Some were rated more, some suffered ill-fate
Hatred grew, men and material were burnt in embers!

Groups were called castes and class
While materials was classified into brands
“Pedigree”, they said was dearer than life
Measuring their ego based on dollars and rands!

Their craving for brands grew and grew
Each man wanted the best even in his grave
Wanting nothing less than a branded adieu
He yearned to be called the classy and the brave!

The rituals during life varied with class
And in death the rule altered  not in the least
Some called it ego, others called it pride
But followed it as much in their fast as in their feast!

Nothing that they used was left unbranded
Except when it came to their final end
Until one day some of them decided
To brand the graveyard, calling it a classy trend!

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