Tags
Bhagavad Gita, Hinduism, Literature, MAHABHARATA, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Poems, Poetry, Spirituality, Thoughts, Writing
In keeping with popular story-telling tradition, we embark on the epic journey which is the Mahabharata with the story of a key player, Devavrata – in time, hailed the world over as Bhishma, the Grand Sire.
This is the story of his parents – Santanu and Ganga
Image @ Bishma Ekadashi
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King Santanu by heavenly Ganga besotted
All his possessions including his life, he offered
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Shower no wrath, not ask about me and not displease me
Promise me these, O Righteous King and as your wife take me
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The king assented and they lived in harmony
Out of their blissful union, sons were born many
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Each new born, she cast into the river pregnant
Her king aghast at his wife, sweet indifferent
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The King watched horrified, as the eighth she held to the sky
“You fiend!” he cried, seeing her make ready for sacrifice
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Your promise, O King, I hold
You have not heard my tale told
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Mother to these eight Vasus, I am Goddess Ganga
Born as mortals, for they bear the curse of Vasishtha
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As father of these sons, higher realms are your reward
Once nurtured, into your arms I shall hand and depart
–
Taking the child, so disappeared Goddess Ganga
The Eighth Vasu he will return as Devavrata
–
************ Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2014 ************
For the earlier episode check out
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I wonder was there some deeper meaning in this tale or just imagination of a great story teller. Very well written.
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Good observation, Indira – perhaps readers better versed in the Mahabharata can provide some input.
Speaking for myself, I am but a mirror reflecting the grandeur of this epic – and a poor reflection at that.
Thank you and peace and blessings,
Eric
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You write very well. I have read many version of it. As writers in those times exaggerate too much to show grandeur of kings that’s why i wondered.
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Each writing (and reading) of the Mahabharat brings out fresh angles and nuances. Must thank you for laying it out in a captivating manner.
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Thank you, Ankur
I realise that you’re very versed in the Mahaharata and this comment from you is very welcomed indeed.
All good wishes,
Eric
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This is a great effort Eric! Quite a feat to convey Ganga’s compulsions and the King’s horror in such a short verse. I remember the synopsis being as impressive. You must have been a genius at precise writing in school 🙂
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Hello Madhu dear,
Comes from years of business development in the corporate world I suppose – if one can’t make the pitch within minutes – out the door!
Thank you for your kind words – condensing these episodes do take some doing.
Peace,
Eric
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Beautifully poetic clip notes version! Would have preferred to read this when I had to do the full read in college. You brought the essence straight to us. Wonderfully written!
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Amazing that so many in the west had actually studied the Mahabharata.
Thank you and all good wishes, my dear,
Eric
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I’m not familiar with the story, but I enjoyed your poetic interpretation of it!
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Thank you, Janna – I appreciate your visit and comment.
Peace,
Eric
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Oh Great one! Here my salute 🙂
Awesome work Eric!
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Thank you, Aparna – appreciate the salute 🙂
All good wishes,
Eric
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I just loved how you managed to capture the full essence of the story and reduce them to a short poem so beautifully expressed. Makes me recall those old indian films in black and white usually about story of gods.
You have always been good at breaking down complex processes and simplify it to a layman level, just like all the business books you wrote. Wish you are an IT interpreter, so we do not have headache over IT jargons…LOL..
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Dear Jasey,
My apologies for having missed this comment 😦
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when you read different cultures moralistic stories, Eric, it creates a sort of disbelief that such things were accepted. but how can we judge? Some of our values would be as outrageous when viewed from their angle. Your poem says it all, laying out the facts so well. have a great week Eric. xPenx
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Another comment that I failed to acknowledge. My apologies 😦
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Many years ago, in my late 20’s, I read much of the Mahabharata. It was a hard read back then but worth it. I think it took me nearly two years to get through.
You have done well to introduce it here.
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How did I ever miss this comment. Sorry… 😦
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That’s amazing, Cik Eric. Well done! I always admire and love Epic poetry, apparently yours has taken our understanding to a higher plane. It reminds me of my childhood when watching the weekly serial Mahabbharata was a rare indulgence for our eyes.
One more thing. You suggested me to read Omar Khayyam two years ago. I read it a year ago. It is very good, but I honestly do not feel much connection with his poetry that much, this of course in comparison to Hafez’s poetry. I wonder if it is because of the English translation. I enjoyed Omar Khayyam’s poems better when I read them in Indonesian rather than English.
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Well, Mas,
I watched the series from India – excellent production.
You humble me by actually following through and reading Omar Khayyam – my all time favourite Persian poet. Translations generally don’t do justice to original works – but sometimes a poor cousin is better than nothing.
I can get by with Bahasa but do not have the in-depth grasp of the language to appreciate the nuances of poetry.
Nice to see you here and may all good things shadow your steps,
Eric
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I love the Mahabharata, you’ve done a great job of sythesis here!
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Hello Georgia dear,
I recall that you’ve read the Mahabharata – and am glad this post did not disappoint.
Cheers,
Eric
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Hello Eric!
🙂 I’d forgotten that I’d mentioned it. I really like the way you summarized the story so elegantly I went back to look at the former post, I thought I must have missed it, it’s been awhile since you touched this subject! Great job then and now! Ciao, Georgia.
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Very well written! Short but encapsulating the entire story. Just like Karna, Devavrata or Bheeshma was another painful character in the great epic called Mahabharatha.
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Hello Rekha,
Yes, Bhishma is a tragic figure, as was Karn. The theme is – there is no evil or good per se but only degrees of evil and good. Even that, it depends on what level one wishes to engage the story and its characters. At its zenith, it is a cosmic game.
But I’m no expert.
Thank you for your kind words,
Eric
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“there is no evil or good per se but only degrees of evil and good.”
That is so true. Nobody is good or bad, it’s just the actions.
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Not being familiar with the culture or the tale, I can only comment on the rhyme and rhythm. I like the exotic nature of it. I’m sure there’s a reason within the tale for the death of so many children. Who knows the mind of the Gods?
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Hello Connie,
The Mahabharata is quite a read – but once immersed in it, it brings one along as a willing captive – that’s how magnetic it is.
Yes, there are reasons for the deaths – hopefully when I have the time, I’ll post the next episode. But busy as I am now – it would take some time.
Thank you for your visit and all good wishes upon you,
Eric
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Mahabharata! Great Bharat (Hindustan) Loved reading that epic revealing the source of many of the names and places that are still in vogue today, as well as the beautiful tale of Rama and Sita though I didn’t like the conclusion where the obviously still pure Sita was offloaded for no other reason than she had been captured by the evil Ravana and held in Lanka until Hanuman got into the act and saved her with the help of Garuda (not the Indonesian airline of course lol).
I also love the poems of Kalidasa (The Loom of Time, story of Shakuntala).
Unfortunately I didn’t learn Bhasa Indonesia but I was told the term for the direction west is Bharat. If that’s true, ancient Bharat being west of course, it would be very interesting to note that Bharat was significant enough to find its way into the language.
Perhaps you can enlighten me on the latter point?
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Hello Ian,
Yes, Sita put to the test would rankle most people – all the more, for those of us brought up in modern mores. The value placed on chastity is quite unimaginable, I reckon. The Kalidasan stories form a valuable part of Indian culture and lore.
Barat does mean west and probably found its genesis (although I’m no authority here) during the Indian overlordship of the spice islands. The last vestiges of those glory days of India are found in the Hinduism practised in Bali.
Much of the Indonesian and Malay languages drew from Sanskrit and other major regional languages – including Chinese, Arabic and later, the European tongues.
Thank you for your visit and comment, Ian. Truly, I’m impressed with your vast knowledge of all things Indian – I mean this broadly to include Sri Lankan. Not all Europeans who lived and worked in Asia immersed themselves in the language and culture as you, obviously, have done.
All good wishes,
Eric
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One of my first tasks when being appointed to a job in a different culture is to read as much of their religious and historical literature as I can absorb along with just ordinary stories in local magazines. That gives you insights into how people think and why they do what they do. But you need years of living in a place to really absorb this and a foreigner will never be fully integrated into that society unless born there. It feels so good to be accepted after years of “probation!” lol
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Wow….wonderfully written. Captivating.
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Thank you, Anja – lovely to have you here 🙂
Peace,
Eric
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That was a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing with us Eric. Aquileana 😉
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Not my story, Aquileana – but merely reciting it in my words 🙂
All good wishes,
Eric
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Awesome expression and creative visualization.. left a powerful picture in my mind.. Thank you for sharing your story. 🙂 Joe
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Thank you, Joe – finally have your name 🙂
Have a great week ahead,
Eric
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