This phantasmagorical world we live in
Full of wonderment
Sparking the imagination
Captivating the senses
A mirage of moha* and maya^
An experiential delight
The things we do
In pursuit of challenge and achievement
Elusive dreams and obsessive desires
Yearning and fulfilment
A treasure trove of temptation
A chakravyuh** of covetousness
The people we assemble around us
Marionettes, like us, with attachments and entanglements
Societal siblings similar in thought and milieu
Indulgent acolytes, eager to please
Or preening, pretentious and paranoid
Insufferable but inseparable
The lives we lead
A Gordian knot
Chasingย insatiable happiness
Arc lights and accolades
Vacuous pursuits, inane, ephemeral
Oblivious to the beauty around or within
When beyond it all
Beyond the illusion & the chimera
Beyond this infinitesimal drop
Of which we are inhabitants
There lies an expansive ocean
With water of a sweeter composition
Depths deeper and more profound
Currents stronger, drawing you in
Waves higher, awash with purpose
Horizons further, beckoning discovery
An Aparanta^^ only sighted by our third eye.
* Sanskrit for infatuation
^ Sanskrit for illusion
** A legendary military formation mentioned in the Mahabharata, from which, once encircled, there is no escape
^^ Sanskrit for extremity or โbeyond the endโ
You write well and though I’m not Indian, still, India is my second home, because of my very special and rare guru. ๐
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind words! I was in Rishikesh two weeks ago, I wonder where your guruji is from and whether you’ve been to R’kesh or Haridwar?
LikeLike
You’re welcome. My guru was from Bihar, but he departed this world at age 92 in 2010. I’ve always wanted to visit Hrisikesh, but got as far as Sikkim. I believe I’ve only passed through Haridwara.
LikeLike
๐ All these small towns have a charm & aura so removed from the big, bad city that is Bombay, as you can imagine!!!
LikeLike
Yes, I know, I used to live in India and traveled there back and fourth for more than ten years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, wow! That’s more than I can say for myself – always been the Bombay boy! Travelled around the country a bit but haven’t lived anywhere else!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You may also like Spontaneous Combustion – something I penned while there.
LikeLike
Can’t find the post
LikeLike
Sorry! I’m at work and was distracted…
It’s called Spontaneous Combustion, here’s the link https://randomrantsruminationsramblings.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/spontaneous-combustion/
LikeLike
A mirage indeed. Well put.
This does seem to be the world in which we live…in which we move and act.
But as you said we are but marionettes.
And this is not the world in which we all live.
We live in our own worlds… Mental realms where all we can change is our attitudes. There lies our responsibility.
A little sri nisargardatta for you(paraphrased)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very nice comment indeed re our attitudes and responsibilities. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are always most welcome
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your message, new post duly posted, and likewise your new post duly read. This is beautiful and sensitive and I love the wonderful imagery that you have drawn upon! It goes far to try to begin to capture a wee minute hint of the mystical realms you are so beautifully trying to convey.
Illusion, obsession, pretentiousness, covetousness, temptation, paranoia…etc, it is all there in the melting pot bubbling away! Your use of symbolism to denote the abstract is superb, such as the Gordian Knot, which ultimately was not undone by conventional methods but cut, and the chakravyuh, the concept of military manoeuvre linking with assembling of marionettes, a strategy feel about the whole thing…and of course dipping into the Mahabharata, an element of sacred scripture. ‘Marionettes’ is a profound analogy…when we stop struggling with the Master puppeteer and become limp and cease trying to act ‘our’ way, then we might truly be able to play the roles for which we were purposed, here on this planet!
I like the descriptions of the two states…maya and awakening, ending with words such as sweeter, deeper, profounder, stronger, higher…drawing you in, and finishing most profoundly with the third eye. I am enraptured by your sprinkling of Sanskrit words. To me they are magical, mystical chants…and having never been to India, l can only read about, and view it in documentary. Thank you Kunal, this is a treasure of a poem.
LikeLike
Thank YOU, you are indeed generous with your praise. I enjoy composing such poems as much as you might enjoy reading them. As far as our diving and delving into those mythical, mystical, magical realms, we can only try! Thanks, again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed there is all to be learnt in the trying…it is a pleasure, as always. Namaste.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! If can be so bold as to direct you to https://randomrantsruminationsramblings.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/pathos-radhas-lament/
It’s about love and longing, bringing in what Radha might have felt waiting for Lord Krishna to be back by her side. And what all of us have experienced atleast once in our lifetimes!
LikeLike
worthwhile read ๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
I like the trail of thoughts here! Well done! -OM
Note: Comments disabled here, please visit their blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Jason. Don’t know what came over me to compose such a fiery one, it almost scares me now!! ๐
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this with me. I agree that there is a similarity in our experience of Beyond the Beyond. I especially like how you play with words. hugs, pat
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pat, for your comments. I struggle every day to cut myself off and look beyond – but then that’s what life is! Blessings…
LikeLike
Reblogged this on random rants ruminations ramblings.
LikeLike
Thank you for the translations. Very meaningful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marissa! I think this was one of my more powerful pieces…..I don’t know where it came from!
LikeLike
Inspiration can be like that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The “Moha and Maya” – lovely sounding words which seem to capture so well what they mean. A really great reflection on what we’re all about as poets in the divide between illusion and reality. Beautiful writing! Chevvy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very. Much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very inspiring Kunal. Superbly thought and appropriately carved with words. Co-incidentally am reading this having coffee in a restaurant by the same name. Aparanta.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that is a big coincidence!!! Ever since I first came across the word, ive been fascinated by it & it’s meaning. Thanks, Aseem!
LikeLike
[…] APARANTA (Beyond the Beyond) […]
LikeLike
Excellent! ๐๐๐๐๐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most exquisitely beautiful! Thank you, my friend, for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] SPACE Bridge Across Time A Love Mutual On Meeting Her Again SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION APARANTA (Beyond the Beyond) Hushhh…! Sangam (The River and a Rivulet) Catch the Drift Nataraja 3 Steps […]
LikeLike