Art is....this is beautiful!

For the one who has eyes to see, all is goodness, all is sweetness, everything is beautiful, everything is graceful; whatever he perceives is homogeneous and harmonious. Children of Light! Behold the brilliance of the diamond in the darkest coal mine; look at the luster of the eyes in the ugliest face; smell the fragrance of the lotus in the stinking pond; feel the omnipresence of your life in the lowliest creature reveling in filth; discover the greatness of the genius in the humblest family grovelling in poverty. To one with insight, whatever is met with will be seen to be the master-touch of the Divine Painter, of the Master-Artist, who expresses himself in such infinite and ineffable beauty.

Art is not for the fleeting pleasures of the human creature nor a solace to the sorrow-stricken heart nor yet for mere aesthetic enjoyment; it is more than all these—it is a systematic and scientific living in Absolute Beauty, in Infinite Harmony, in Perfect Peace, in Eternal Joy. Art is a kingdom of intense feeling, a feeling in which one is aware of the one undivided Divine Essence of Existence. Art is majestic and mystic, idealistic and symbolic, supernatural and transcendental, an expression of the Unseen in and through the seen.

That art blossoms into perfection which is free from all sense desires and physical interests. In the name of art one should not fetter oneself in the prison of professionalism and sensual-ism. The artist should be moved by the beauty of Truth; and his art should be progressively creative and spiritually suggestive; it should be a revelation of his moments of inspired vision and of total self surrender. In his creative moods the artist should soar high—high into the skies of luminous imagination and of glorious existence, wholly oblivious of all mundane madness. Purified in heart, one should wave the magic wand of art at whose touch everything is converted into the beauty of the Beyond.

Let the drawing rooms be filled with the vibrations of the highest spiritual ideals which pour into us the power and beauty of a new life of joy and peace. Let the wielder of the brush be free from all stuff of pride and selfishness and from all that is related to the sense-world, so that the Divine may fill him with His Will to paint the pictures that breathe healing power and soothing balm into all onlookers through their eyes, so that they may be relieved of their illness of mind and sickness of heart. Let your art be a lamp of deathless beauty, shining with an effulgence dispelling the darkness of the soul that sings the sorrowful songs of the world.

The test of true art is implied in its profoundest suggestions. True art should embody the best of the genius of the artist, the finest in him, and awe one into a subtler plane of refinement and thrill; all art that falls short of this great purpose is profane and perishable.

- The divine society.

On a lighter note.

My grandmother used to tell many stories to me when I was little. It is very difficult to remember all the stories today. But what I recall vividly, is my grandmother's shivering, gentle voice. Old lamp's glimmer, overly filled stomach, grandma occasionally brushing her hand over my back and and words filled with affection. All these ingredients made these stories taste like sweet slumber candies. They made the best lullabies.

The rule was to say 'Hmm' to grandma after every sentence to assure you are awake. This assuring voice would merge with five to seven minutes. The blanket would slide up from the legs to the waist. And by the end of the story, the sleep would gently crawl in the eyes.

Today we may not be having our grandmother around but we can listen to her stories...on the story time...

Verse 5

I should ponder about my own life, existence, soul. There is no point in wasting my time in analyzing the world. Everyone is aware of what's good and what is not (for themselves). Whether I should listen to a story or I should take a nap, is my own decision. And everyone has a right to choose according their own will. Consequently each one of us shall bear the fruit according to our choice. I should introspect how have I lead my life, so when people watch me have I been the subject of inspiration? Saint Tukaram says, eventually, all of us face the consequences of our own actions, so one should pity oneself ( and try to find our own way)  instead of feeding our ego, looking at someone's else's misery.

Desire to preach the world has certain disadvantages, that are given in this verse,

01) It takes you away from 'Introspection'
02) One tends to forget about one's own misery
(as one is feeding ego looking at someone else's sorrow)
03) The urge that, 'I should attain the higher states of consciousness' disappears.
04) and so, the only way, of transforming the society i.e. self transformation is set aside.
05) The worldly infatuation gets stronger.
06) Everyone has a vivid idea about his or her well being, but that vanishes gradually as well.
07) This world has a rule, that every human being has come on this journey of life with his own set of
desires and interests and that decides their path ahead. But one tends to forget this rule and starts judging one another.
08) Individual freedom is disrespected.
09) Resolutions are not natural but are forced.(by society, religion etc.)
10) Neither does the society gets transformed, nor does this lead to self transformation, but surely increases the distress among individuals.

Composition - Saint Tukaram
Marathi Translation - Vinoba Bhave
English Translation - Nirzara

Verse 3 - Day 3

You are immortal and I am stating this fact anew. Please audit its validity. But in order to experience this fact, the assumption 'I am the flesh' has to be inhibited. What are you afraid of. The entire surrounding is your realm. 'Saint Tukaram' says, truly each one of us, is a fine carving revealing HIS qualities.

The logic behind the fact is like this,

1) I am immortal

2) Because I am the manifestation of the Almighty.

3) But I am unable to experience this because I am too engrossed 

in the awareness of my body.

4) If I detach I shall experience the divinity within.

5) And the universe shall be my abode.

6) Then why should I be scared?

If the fear remains, then there are only two reasons,

1) Fear of death

2) The misconception that the 

world is out to get me.(Destroy me).

Because of the body awareness, on one hand I lost the divinity and on the other hand,

I lost my vision ('Vishwarup'). Lack of divinity made me weak. Lack of vision made the world

my enemy.

Body awareness has two flaws - 1) It makes one Externalize 2) Constricted thoughts.

Extroversion set me and the Almighty apart and constriction in thoughts set the world apart.

Lack of compassion for the world, is the cause of fear.

Composition - Saint Tukaram,

Marathi translation - Vinoba bhave

English translation - Nirzara Verulkar

Verse 2 - Day 3

I am waiting for that time when I shall see all the living things are coherent.

That's the time when I shall say 'Vithoba' (A Hindu God) has blessed me.

I am aiming for that state of tranquility, where no one

should feel insecure or agitated of my intentions.

Saint Tukaram says, uplift yourself to that state,when whatever

you see, should remind you that 'Its your manifestation'.

Composition saint Tukaram.

Meaning written by Vinaba. (in Marathi)

Translated by Nirzara.

Verse 1 - Day 2

Lack of devotion manifests, the follower of dharma a in a conceit.
In one of the verse,
1) Study of Vedas
2) Sacrifice (Yadnay)
3) Donation
4) A strong resolve

are the means to reach the supreme power.

You sacrificed sesame and rice grains in the holy fire
likewise let all the vices turn to ashes.
You haven't yet started chanting his name, so you are
exhausted.
Until now, you have used words for pride, conceit
and to fulfill your daily needs.( and you haven't used words for chanting)
You have fulfilled all the rituals, while on a pilgrimage.
But your intent was to earn respect.
You have donated the wealth, but you have procreated your ego.

Tuka says, you might have been highly ceremonial but lack of devotion
could be the chink in your armor.

Above is the literal translation of the first verse by Saint Tukaram...

Translation - Nirzara

'Saint's Message' by Vinoba Bhave

Para 01

Translation - Nirzara

Day 001

Preface -

Saint Tukaram has been of a great assistance to me in 'psychological research'. I recall my mother singing the beautiful poems of Tukaram in her sweet voice. The memory wells up tears in my eyes even today. I had a conception of selecting roughly a hundred poems (Abhangas) by Tukaram, along with its brief meaning, significance and make it available for the reader. I have given one poem (with its meaning) for the weekly magazine 'Maharashtra Dharma' in the past, for several years. The book is a collection of the same verses. This cogitation is not complete yet. But I am publishing whatever  I have worked upon. Many people who have read this draft have liked it. I hope the 'Adherents' find it relevant and helpful in the journey of their life and get closer to the consciousness.

('Read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river'
...project for reading and translating things starts from today....
I chose Vinoba because I haven't read much what he has written
and of course its Tukaram :)
and the journey begins...lets keep our fingers
crossed and hope for 'Consistency')

Its a beautiful country

A story that I started reading from a book that was lying in the house today. A story about Uruguay. A small country south America. A beautiful country.

'Christian Brothers' have established a high school as locals reach Argentina, to ask them for improving the English and Stella Marris (A high school) has been established.

Stella Marris School's main attraction is Rugby (Football). Now they have established a league for rugby players. This team has recently travelled to chile for the matches in 1971 and one year has passed already. The team is eager to travel to Chile again in 1972. All the passengers have reached the airpot.