Deity of the Runied Temple .

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

 

This has a reference to Rabindranath Tagore's poem in Gitanjali

titled 'Deity of the Ruined Temple' .

 

In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the destruction of several temples are still happening

and the following is a true incident which I have personally observed.

 

There was a small mandir in a village. The Bhagavathy(Mother Goddess)-Deity of

this temple was worshipped, though not daily . But everyday, the oil lamp filled

with ghee was lit, the incense was lit, and a token offering of

'theertham'(water offered to Deity ) left in a clean vessel. (That is Scene

One.)

 

Next comes an atheist non-villager. He sees the beauty of the sculpted stone,

the brightly-flaming ghee-stained Anna-pakshi kutthu-vilakku ( a special type of

oil lit lamps) on either side of the Bhagavathy (Mother Goddess). Notices the

absence of humans near the mandir.

 

He goes back to his place , and gossips among his co-villagers. The

news reaches a collector of antiques, who has spies among the

native " Asiatics " . He sends a messenger offering a huge reward to his

fieldmen .

 

The non-villager comes back with his colleagues to survey the

situation. The coast is clear. He keeps watch while his companions

depart, and return with tools.

 

The sculpted stone is cantilevered up using the tips of iron spikes,

wrapped in gunny-sacks or cloth, placed on a wooden or metal ladder,

loaded on to a cart,and hauled away. The brass temple lamps are also

spirited away.

 

Years later, on a visit to the United States of America, I see IT (The stolen

Deity of Bhagavathy)displayed with derision during a wild drinking-and-swimming

party in the palatial home of a white man who boasts how cheaply he obtained

" that idol of the barbarians,some niggers down East " .

 

An auction house in England had made a pile selling the statue.

 

 

DEITY OF THE RUINED TEMPLE

(from GITANJALI - Rabindranath Tagore)

 

Deity of the ruined temple! The broken strings of _Vina_

sing no more your praise. The bells in the evening proclaim not

your time of worship. The air is still and silent about you.

 

In your desolate dwelling comes the vagrant spring breeze. It

brings the tidings of flowers--the flowers that for your worship

are offered no more.

 

Your worshipper of old wanders ever longing for favour still

refused. In the eventide, when fires and shadows mingle with the

gloom of dust, he wearily comes back to the ruined temple with

hunger in his heart.

 

Many a festival day comes to you in silence, Deity of the ruined

temple. Many a night of worship goes away with lamp unlit.

 

Many new images are built by masters of cunning art and carried

to the holy stream of oblivion when their time is come.

 

Only the Deity of the ruined temple remains unworshipped in

deathless neglect.

 

Hare Krishna ,

 

S Narayanaswamy Iyer