"Who is that who groans?
That haunts very much
Those long painful moans!
Who could that be, oh, Sage?"
"That, is Shesh the serpent
The one who carries the Earth's load
On his thousand heads
It gets too much for him at times.
He groans ,
thanks to all the misery,
Loss, suffering, sadness, pain,
Pathos, sorrow, grief, melancholy,
Those many rivers of tears,
Loneliness , gloom, swallowed whimpers,
The bitterness that comes
As people refuse to let go,...
Oh, the whole list!
Come on, here's a demo".
"Me? I have two kids
No, three actually
One got away before he was born
Can't leave him out, can I?"
The co worker says and smiles,
No bitterness his eyes carry
The questioner now too stunned to
Say the customary "I am sorry"
They then get buried in
Reams of A- 1 size papers,
the questioner thankful to
the papers that hide filled up eyes.
"Get married! Isn't it time?
Give the Miss title a miss!"
They tease her, she smiles
Her eyes don't, what could be amiss?
Another one whispers
"She was married once
Her husband passed away soon after
Some illness their people
Found out about much later
She lives alone here
to get away from the
prying eyes and piercing words
of her own people.
Alone here, her eyes may not smile
But she need not shed tears."
The party ‘s sounds seem strange
The ice cream becomes sandpaper
The thought persists
Who knows what smiles could hide?
"And wise one, if this is what he gets
Day after day, year after year
What keeps Shesh still going?
What about all the collected wear and tear?"
"And that, beloved student
Is a question many should ask
Shesh exists, Shesh supports
Thanks to what cannot be measured.
Every time a small consciousness
Stumbles, but gets up on his feet
Every time the big consciousness says
"Shabaash!" and smiles
Every time one dries another's tears
Every time a human beats all odds
Every time a smile beats sadness
Every time human spirit turns the tide
Shesh feels much better,
He exhales and his groans subside.
That ‘s the secret of his strength
That's his secret tonic
That ‘s his reinforcement
That's what makes him tick
And, thus it has always been
This has been going on and on
This cycle of happenings
Since many many eons."
ns
Also posted in Sulekha.com
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written by deshika_, 2010-02-01 18:33:42
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written by narensomu, 2008-06-13 23:50:17
Thank you.
The case studies , both I should say, taught me something.
The Father whose heart wants to include the one who got away and the lady who lives alone like a karma yogi...
Yes, we all can pitch in and help the serpent a lot.
Regards
ns
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written by Soumi Basu, 2008-06-12 07:30:52
What a lovely poem! You have shown great sensitivity in the use of words in your case studies.
I would like to think that the hope for humanity lies in that famous quote be the change you want to see in the world. If each of us carry on with our small acts of goodness I am sure Sesha will breathe much easier!
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written by narensomu, 2008-06-11 08:15:58
Dear Pradip
I am afraid that poor Sesh may one day feel after seeing human behavior that enough is enough and refuse to carry the load!
I think so too, when I see/ hear about some people-they make 98% of us.
But as disproportionate it sounds the remaining 2% show human spirit in adversity and help Sesha along.
It 's these practical Vedanthis and Karma yogis who keep us going.
Regards
ns
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written by Dr. Pradip Gangopadh, 2008-06-10 10:57:52
I am afraid that poor Sesh may one day feel after seeing human behavior that enough is enough and refuse to carry the load!
Nice poetry.
Regards
Pradip
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written by narensomu, 2008-06-10 06:55:05
Yes, surely the two of them ,Earth and Sesha symbolise patience, tolerance and above all spirit.
The load that Sesha carries is not just of the gross kind but also all that is immeasureable.
He , I am sure feels light everytime one of us humans, the top brass among species, shows the same patience and endurance that he displays.
Regards
ns
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written by narensomu, 2008-06-10 06:50:31
Thanks for moving the poem to the relevant section.
Reg the poem, the "case studies" are based on real people who inspired me to ponder about what keeps Adi Sesha going.
Their smiles, through all odds, Iam sure makes the almighty say "Shabaash!".
Thank you for the kind words.
Regards
ns
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written by P. Desikan, 2008-06-09 20:19:05
Sesha displays the same symbolism of patient and silent witnessing, which our ancient texts also attribute to Mother Earth herself. Sesha is perhaps able to lighten her burden in tolerance byhis sharing and availability.
Your picture is very vivid. Thank you.
Regards. Partha.
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written by dwai, 2008-06-09 17:21:47
What a beautiful and uplifting poem, moving from pathos to earnest optimism.
Adi Sesha will be pleased with your portrayal of his "burden".
Best,
Dwai
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written by dwai, 2008-06-09 17:18:15
If you want a particular article to be moved to a specific category (as opposed to your blog home), please indicate so in your article (or send an email to editor@medhajournal.com) and we'll immediately move it.
We are working on streamlining/improving the process so one can post a blog to appropriate section (coming soon).
Best,
Dwai
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Thankyou. Its always surprising and inspiring to see people who had seen more than their share of pain smile .
In contrast , some complain about everything they have/dont have.
Dont know if its coincidence -may be I have just woken up, I see a lot of Practical Vedanthins around lately.
Warm regards
ns