English Literature – Poetry ☆ Sharadiyata ☆ Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

(We are extremely thankful to Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi Ji for sharing his literary and artworks with e-abhivyakti.  An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Capt. Pravin has served the country at national as well international level in various fronts. Presently, working as Senior Advisor, C-DAC in Artificial Intelligence and HPC Group; and involved in various national-level projects.

We present an English Version of Shri Sanjay Bhardwj’s Hindi Poetry “शारदीयता” published previously as ☆ संजय उवाच –शारदीयता  We extend our heartiest thanks to Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi Ji for this beautiful translation.)

☆ Sharadiyata ☆

Some thinkers call Indian philosophy a philosophy of ‘Naman’, the venerative obeisance, while European philosophy is defined as ‘Manan’, a philosophy of meditative contemplation.

In fact, the inherent educative prowess in  the human beings motivates them to meditate on the incredibly intriguing structure of the universe and the unique role of every variable creation in the universe.  As this meditation progresses, a feeling of gratitude and singularity arises towards the Creator and His creation. The culmination of this feeling is total surrender of mind, body and intellect which results in the salutations of the exiguity to the sovereignty of the supremacy.

Naman is the step ahead of contemplation.  Manan encompasses the Naman.

Manan and Naman are Advaita* in the philosophical parlance.  The root word in both is the ‘Man’, the mind.  If ‘N’ comes as a suffix to make it as Manan, then the mind starts ‘contemplating’.  If ‘N’ joins as a prefix to become Naman, then the feeling of salvation is awakened through devotional obeisances.

The merging of Manan and Naman, confluence of contemplation and obeisances has the potential of transforming the autumn into spring.  Man becomes a wayfarer of Anandpath, the  path of the eternal bliss, by turning his sight into the vision.

Let me share an old reference.  At the time of Partition of India, a Sikh family  reached Delhi from Lahore with great difficulty.  An elderly woman, a married son, daughter-in-law, little granddaughter and a son of marriagable age. Somehow they managed to find a shelter to hide themselves near a mosque in a Muslim colony in Delhi.  While the elderly woman was in Lahore, she used to  visit a nearby Gurdwara Sahib daily to pay her obeisances, and then only partake her food.  The sons knew this routine of the mother but found themselves helpless in this situation to find a Gurudwara.  The next morning the two sons set out in search of work.  After returning in the evening,  the elder son said, “Biji, I have found out a gurudwara but it is far away. We will try to find a house near that gurudwara, till then you offer your distant prayers from here only.”

Mother said, “I have already done my prayers.” ..

“Where?”, asked the shocked son.

“Here, nearby”, said the mother as she pointed in a particular direction. “But, Biji, that is a mosque”, said the son.

“It may be a mosque for them. For me it is my Master’s house”, the mother replied in forceful manner.

Shardiyata**, which changes the sight into vision, always remains awakened in us.

≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡  ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡  ≡ ≡

Advaita*  

Principle of the spiritual realization in Hindu tradition, that refers to the true self, Atman, is the same as the highest metaphysical Reality (Brahman).

Sharadiyata **

Goddess Saraswati’s another name is Sharada who is the goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning. ‘Sharadiyata’  refers to the knowledge which liberates every human being from bondages and fetters.  Teaches to be free, develops a sense of equality.  To invoke  underlying virtues of Ma Sharada is the ‘Sharadiyata.’

© Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM
Pune