Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Obstacles are stepping stones

Courtesy : Subramanian perinkulam
=============================
Upama Kalidasasya
Bharavyortha gaouravam
Dandina:padalalithyam, maghey sandhi thryo
guna:


Kalidasa's Upama (similies), arthgouravam, weight of
meaning in Bharavi's composition, Play of words in Dandi's works are
acclaimed here and the sloka concludes asserting that all these
qualities can be seen in Magha's works!

Recently,Sri.KVA. has
cited a sloka of Bharavi explaining how it paved
way for one of the greatest epics in Sanskrit literature, his famous Kiratarjunia. So, let me start with that Mahakavyam.


As the name implies, this epics elaborates in enchanting eighteen canto
or chapters, Arjuna acquiring the great Pasupathastra after penance and
proving his worth to handle the great weapon, from Parameswara. Bharavi, auspiciously begins the epic with
the word "Sri" (Maha Lakshmi or fortune) and the last verse of every
canto ends with the synonym Lakshmi. Characterized by its lofty
ex-pression and intricate style, the author displays his dexterity in
playing with words. Didactic statements, dialogues of praise worthy
phrases, decorative description of characters and events, elegant usage
of dazzling double-meaning words (Slesha alankaram) are the hall marks
of the author.


The story in short:


While in exile, a spy of Yudisthira informs him and his brothers
about the Kaurava's kingdom and Draupadi attempts to incite him to
declare war against his cousins which he declines, though Bheema
supports her.The sage Vysya arrives and instructs Arjuna to practice
tapas to propitiate his father Indra and squire divine weapons for the
eventual war. Disguised as a sage, Indra arrives and advises his son to
seek liberation instead of war but Arjuna stands his ground.Indra
advises him to do tapas and satisfy Lord Shiva and seek the
Pasupathastra.

The Lord satisfied by the severe austerities of Arjuna
and heeding to the requests from other ascetics appears on the scene
along with his Divine consort, disguised as a kirata or hill tribe and
his woman to test the fitness of the Pandava to receive the destructive
divine weapon.

The great fight between Shiva in disguise and Arjuna
starts when they both shoot at a wild boar simultaneously and both claim
the credit for that.

As a child, I used to sit awe-struck, for
hours together, in the front row along with my father, watching the
fearful form of Kirata and his ferocious fight with Arjuna, in 'Kiratam' Kathakali . The forceful
foot work accompanied by loud strikes from the acoustic instruments,
chendai and maddalam and the music activated by the Chengalam's metallic
sounds still reverberates in my ears.

Unable to
see sharp arrows penetrating the body of her husband in
disguise, Parvathy tells Arjuna that the hunter whom he is fighting is
none other than the Lord himself for whose appearance and award the
Pandava was undergoing unprecedented austerities, but he will not
believe her.

'Veda nari nee podi, Mahamoode!" he dismisses her 'Get
lost you idiotic hunter-woman". The affectionate wife, ultimately curses
that let the arrows of Arjuna turn to flowers.

" Nee,noonam eyyunna
bhanangal okkayum
Soonamai poka, Pandava'

Then follows the
most enchanting part of the play, Arjuna's sharp arrows turning as soft
flowers falling on the head of the Kirata, where appears the crescent
and the Ganges and serpents. Parvathy also appears
in her divine beauty and the Pandava acquires the unique weapon and
blessings from the divine couple.

The padam ' Noona meyyunna
bhanagalokkayum --" used to rush into my memory when all my
efforts, meticulously organized like the sharp arrows of Arjuna turns
pathetically to flower petals. I am sure that you too would have
come across such situations in life ; next time when it happens, be consoled
that there is a divine hand behind the drama and ultimately you will be awarded by the divine Grace, a powerful Pasupatham bow .

Aim
thousands of arrows at your woes but not against the Lord--the arrows will then turn into 'soonams' or flowers!
And , devoid of divine grace, even the deadly weapons turn into flower petals!
 
knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God

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