Poetry

[Guest guest]

Dear Everyone,

With the discussion in the media about war it seemed as if it might

be appropriate to post a poem which I wrote for a Sri Krisna Puja

after our collective had suffered more than it's fair share of

adharmic behaviour.

It would be understood better if you have some familiarity with the

Mahabharata, ( a video or a book about it) and the news media views

on the current world situation will have a different perspective.

It is interesting to note that these events took place in

Hastinapura which was in the area of present day Afghanisthan, where

until recently all women were forced to wear complete covering.

with love from Lyndal.

 

Draupadi

 

" You cannot have dharma without chastity. It will be a house of

cards. " -Sri Mataji, Krisna puja, 1985.

 

The battle of Kurushetra

Was not about wealth or position

Nor to restore some rights of kings

Nor any material gain to resolve.

On this ground

Thousands laid down their lives.

But not in vain.

 

This battle was fought

For us all to see

How highly God placed chastity

For humanity to evolve.

 

When Draupadi was insulted

And dragged with force by her hair

Into the court of the Kauravas

Evil was paramount there.

Duryodhana was a prince grown fat

on greed and pride and flattery.

 

Good men were there in that hall

Knowing dharma one and all

But none of them could act.

All wishing to be somewhere else in fact.

But could not move constraines they were

While yet embaressed

To consent bound by politeness

To their fellow men.

 

Draupadi

We may imagine

Was more than

Merely angry.

She was at first

Incredulous

Then outraged.

She refused to come when sent for

Sending a sharp reply

Twice by messenger. Then

Ruthless Dushasana came

And forced her to attend.

Pulled by the hair

She was brought to the hall

 

Then this devilish bully's mind

Sought more harm that he could do.

Before them all

He reached a hand

To make her sari fall.

 

Oh! Draupadi! Dear Draupadi

With what restraint

You veiled your eyes

Which could have turned those men to ash.

As Vishnumaya you're the one who weilds

The lightening's flash.

How much more power you weild now

To hold that lightening back

And let

The drama run.

 

Calling the Lord

With indrawn breath

Uttering " Kri- "

You grip your sari with your teeth.

Leaving all actions to Him

The one who is also your brother.

And yet with that syllable it is done

Igniting the spark of the doom to come.

 

In that atom splitting moment from a thousand miles away

Sri Krishna

Instantly at your side

Causes an endless stream of sari

To hide your purity.

How it unfurled and whirled in fury 'till

The fools were all confounded.

 

Your restraint and apparent submission then

Fuelled a slow burning rage for revenge.

Mighty Bhima smouldering for eighteen years

Until combust

His anger

Ripped the limbs from your assailants

And the heart

Of he who so insulted motherhood

And offered you their blood

As homage

For your tears.