Deccan Herald. Sunday, March 22, 2009. Edited as : Turning over a neem leaf
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar222009/sundayherald20090320125295.asp
In a reversal of roles, the hunter becomes the hunted and clambers up a leafy tree to escape the tiger. Night falls and the tree remains his sole refuge. Fearful and hungry, his restive fingers incessantly pluck leaves off the branches, dropping them below. By day break, the tiger is clearly out of range, so the hunter lowers himself to the ground and spots a heap that the leaves he had been dropping through the night, had made. He also spots that the tree that gave him shelter was a Bilwa tree and the heap of leaves had made a mound on a Shivalinga. Instead of foolishly defying the animal or running aimlessly in sight of it, he trusted his instinct and gained succor of a tree that shaded him from danger. His adversary at bay, he walked into freedom. Little did he realize, then, that his hunting days were over, and not just instinct, but bounty, prosperity and a grand life awaited him. His night-long Shiva-pooja with the Bilwa-patra, even if unintentional, had reaped its rewards. Of the utmost importance, in a worship to Shiva the destroyer of evil, the Bilwa leaf is considered to be more significant than any amount of luxurious offerings put together.
Ganesha’s Gharike hullu (type of grass) holds a similar sanctity. If meadows of it make for happy grazing for one beast, a single blade of the grass is believed to hold the power of a divine missile against another.
Very few are unaware of how sacred the Tulsi is to traditional Hindu homes. The religious manifestation of alchemy, the Tulsi leaf transforms all impure (base) to pure. Essential to Krishna-pooja, its quality and, hence, power gains more relevance in our day today.
And with the advent of Spring, as the colours of Holi fade into the gentle riot of brilliant natural hues, another tree sprouts new leaves. The Neem, revered for its medicinal prowess, cleanses the air with its aroma and germicidal properties. An excellent example of paradox in nature, the Neem is as unpleasant in taste as it is curative in action. To modern naturopathy, the Neem’s invincibility over disease, is indispensable in every new formulation.
To the religious Indian, it is a firm reminder of life and the way of life – our Hindutva. While the bitterness of Neem is symbolic of unhappy turns in life, it also generates an immunity essential for survival. And just like in life, when its bitter sting is closely followed by saccharine repose, it becomes easily swallowed. The unpleasant turns to pleasant and the pleasantness lingers on, allowing the former to contour its sway, positively influenced.
Every year on Ugadi, when my mother gives us a closely supervised pinch of crushed Neem leaf to chew, and dad, myself and my little boy wolf down cubes of jaggery soon after, I am reminded of this symbiotic bitter-sweetness of the catalyst that’s life. As the New Year begins in the Deccan calendar, so does another saga of day-to-day.
Sorrow and disappointment keep us grounded and mindful of the preciousness of God’s gifts to us, making us realize their singular importance to our every day. Sadly, many times, this realization only comes at a loss. But because it comes, it paves the way forward, to new thought, new endeavour, new beginnings and a new day. And every new sun-ray brings with it, in good measure, all the sweetness that makes life worth living. The measure of how much we take of it, decides the extent of bitterness that will melt away and what our hope will bring back.
A faint memory of the pain, however, stays on. It is this part of the sorrow that strengthens the resolve to persevere on the path of improvement – be it of self or situation. That is the way forward, and that, I believe, is the true message of Ugadi. In praying that all bitterness turns to sweetness and all evil turns to good, we are in effect, nurturing a re-bonding of minds and people. At tumultuous times like ours today, this is the sort of out-look that needs to be nurtured and this is the kind of resolve that needs to be furthered.
Among those that follow the bevu-bella custom of Ugadi, these sentiments are ingrained quite early on in life. My earliest memory goes back to when I was a little girl, staying with mum in temperate Sagar of otherwise hot and humid Madhya Pradesh. Dad’s uniform took him to places far and perilous. Mum’s prayers to turn bad intent into good and wishing evil ineffective, was, therefore, a very personal and intense experience, both to indulge in and observe. Mostly away from the familiar comfort of home and amidst the enduring loyalty of friends, our extensive family, Mum’s practice of religion was always more instructive and based on humane conduct than one of blind conformity. I was taught similarly. So when there was a bunch of excitable kids to flaunt new clothes to and share goodies with, what could a little drop of bitter Neem juice spoil?
When I place this bitter-sweet phenomenon in the perspective of our current era, I realize how far I have come away from the innocent beliefs of my childhood. Then, a bad taste in my mouth could be washed down immediately with ample water (or jaggery on Ugadi). Simultaneously, I would be content that the drop of Neem ras would be fighting chocolate induced germs in my teeth and any virus threatening a cold. It didn’t take much coaxing to push it down my throat – besides, the jaggery was always in sight. This was the truth literally and figuratively. But I was barely six then.
Today, decades later, I see the truth through a filter. I understand now that the bitter drop will not just magically disappear – it is the sweet that will overpower the nastiness. I always wanted just the sweet then, and want the same even now. But now, I understand so much more. So even my prayers have changed.
On Ugadi this year, as I chew the Neem through squeezed shut eyes, I will be remembering that as a country, we have been chewing on bitterness for too long now and as individuals, we have allowed it to happen. While the Neem sets to work in my system and the taste will only serve to contort my expressions and tease my mind, I will be joining millions more in prayer for the one largest blessing: respite.
I pray now, that as Spring prepares for its veritable feast, evil sees the truth of futility in destruction. I pray that once again, the Bilwa of good faith opens Shiva’s third eye, destroying all thought that will destroy what mankind has worked so hard to achieve. I pray that the Tulsi of reason sets Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra spinning into all purposes that impede harmony. I pray that the Gharike of positive intent urges Ganesha to remove all obstacles in the way of progress. I pray that soon, we again start to joyously celebrate life rather than merely surviving it.
If one leaf has the power to invoke God, I believe that natural instinct is nothing short of God’s own direct intervention in our lives. I pray that the heavens bless us this Ugadi, with the will to listen to our inner voice, so we initiate the springtime of awakening that will take human potential forwards into a new world of careless laughter and promise. For our children, who are yet to deal with tomorrow, I pray, earnestly, for the sweet solace of peace, happiness and goodwill.
I wish you all good health and a Happy Ugadi.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar222009/sundayherald20090320125295.asp
In a reversal of roles, the hunter becomes the hunted and clambers up a leafy tree to escape the tiger. Night falls and the tree remains his sole refuge. Fearful and hungry, his restive fingers incessantly pluck leaves off the branches, dropping them below. By day break, the tiger is clearly out of range, so the hunter lowers himself to the ground and spots a heap that the leaves he had been dropping through the night, had made. He also spots that the tree that gave him shelter was a Bilwa tree and the heap of leaves had made a mound on a Shivalinga. Instead of foolishly defying the animal or running aimlessly in sight of it, he trusted his instinct and gained succor of a tree that shaded him from danger. His adversary at bay, he walked into freedom. Little did he realize, then, that his hunting days were over, and not just instinct, but bounty, prosperity and a grand life awaited him. His night-long Shiva-pooja with the Bilwa-patra, even if unintentional, had reaped its rewards. Of the utmost importance, in a worship to Shiva the destroyer of evil, the Bilwa leaf is considered to be more significant than any amount of luxurious offerings put together.
Ganesha’s Gharike hullu (type of grass) holds a similar sanctity. If meadows of it make for happy grazing for one beast, a single blade of the grass is believed to hold the power of a divine missile against another.
Very few are unaware of how sacred the Tulsi is to traditional Hindu homes. The religious manifestation of alchemy, the Tulsi leaf transforms all impure (base) to pure. Essential to Krishna-pooja, its quality and, hence, power gains more relevance in our day today.
And with the advent of Spring, as the colours of Holi fade into the gentle riot of brilliant natural hues, another tree sprouts new leaves. The Neem, revered for its medicinal prowess, cleanses the air with its aroma and germicidal properties. An excellent example of paradox in nature, the Neem is as unpleasant in taste as it is curative in action. To modern naturopathy, the Neem’s invincibility over disease, is indispensable in every new formulation.
To the religious Indian, it is a firm reminder of life and the way of life – our Hindutva. While the bitterness of Neem is symbolic of unhappy turns in life, it also generates an immunity essential for survival. And just like in life, when its bitter sting is closely followed by saccharine repose, it becomes easily swallowed. The unpleasant turns to pleasant and the pleasantness lingers on, allowing the former to contour its sway, positively influenced.
Every year on Ugadi, when my mother gives us a closely supervised pinch of crushed Neem leaf to chew, and dad, myself and my little boy wolf down cubes of jaggery soon after, I am reminded of this symbiotic bitter-sweetness of the catalyst that’s life. As the New Year begins in the Deccan calendar, so does another saga of day-to-day.
Sorrow and disappointment keep us grounded and mindful of the preciousness of God’s gifts to us, making us realize their singular importance to our every day. Sadly, many times, this realization only comes at a loss. But because it comes, it paves the way forward, to new thought, new endeavour, new beginnings and a new day. And every new sun-ray brings with it, in good measure, all the sweetness that makes life worth living. The measure of how much we take of it, decides the extent of bitterness that will melt away and what our hope will bring back.
A faint memory of the pain, however, stays on. It is this part of the sorrow that strengthens the resolve to persevere on the path of improvement – be it of self or situation. That is the way forward, and that, I believe, is the true message of Ugadi. In praying that all bitterness turns to sweetness and all evil turns to good, we are in effect, nurturing a re-bonding of minds and people. At tumultuous times like ours today, this is the sort of out-look that needs to be nurtured and this is the kind of resolve that needs to be furthered.
Among those that follow the bevu-bella custom of Ugadi, these sentiments are ingrained quite early on in life. My earliest memory goes back to when I was a little girl, staying with mum in temperate Sagar of otherwise hot and humid Madhya Pradesh. Dad’s uniform took him to places far and perilous. Mum’s prayers to turn bad intent into good and wishing evil ineffective, was, therefore, a very personal and intense experience, both to indulge in and observe. Mostly away from the familiar comfort of home and amidst the enduring loyalty of friends, our extensive family, Mum’s practice of religion was always more instructive and based on humane conduct than one of blind conformity. I was taught similarly. So when there was a bunch of excitable kids to flaunt new clothes to and share goodies with, what could a little drop of bitter Neem juice spoil?
When I place this bitter-sweet phenomenon in the perspective of our current era, I realize how far I have come away from the innocent beliefs of my childhood. Then, a bad taste in my mouth could be washed down immediately with ample water (or jaggery on Ugadi). Simultaneously, I would be content that the drop of Neem ras would be fighting chocolate induced germs in my teeth and any virus threatening a cold. It didn’t take much coaxing to push it down my throat – besides, the jaggery was always in sight. This was the truth literally and figuratively. But I was barely six then.
Today, decades later, I see the truth through a filter. I understand now that the bitter drop will not just magically disappear – it is the sweet that will overpower the nastiness. I always wanted just the sweet then, and want the same even now. But now, I understand so much more. So even my prayers have changed.
On Ugadi this year, as I chew the Neem through squeezed shut eyes, I will be remembering that as a country, we have been chewing on bitterness for too long now and as individuals, we have allowed it to happen. While the Neem sets to work in my system and the taste will only serve to contort my expressions and tease my mind, I will be joining millions more in prayer for the one largest blessing: respite.
I pray now, that as Spring prepares for its veritable feast, evil sees the truth of futility in destruction. I pray that once again, the Bilwa of good faith opens Shiva’s third eye, destroying all thought that will destroy what mankind has worked so hard to achieve. I pray that the Tulsi of reason sets Krishna’s Sudarshan Chakra spinning into all purposes that impede harmony. I pray that the Gharike of positive intent urges Ganesha to remove all obstacles in the way of progress. I pray that soon, we again start to joyously celebrate life rather than merely surviving it.
If one leaf has the power to invoke God, I believe that natural instinct is nothing short of God’s own direct intervention in our lives. I pray that the heavens bless us this Ugadi, with the will to listen to our inner voice, so we initiate the springtime of awakening that will take human potential forwards into a new world of careless laughter and promise. For our children, who are yet to deal with tomorrow, I pray, earnestly, for the sweet solace of peace, happiness and goodwill.
I wish you all good health and a Happy Ugadi.
~ http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar222009/sundayherald20090320125295.asp
Comments
Thankyou once again for a post full of insight, and hope.
Along with our children who are yet to experience tomorrow, i pray that we too, who are also to experience tomorrow, taste the sweet solace of peace, happiness and goodwill.
I fear that the sweetness shall be bittersweet, for, first the gladiator must win, and the battle is not likely to be without cost.
But on the morrow, we shall wake, the rays upon us all, children and otherwise, for our souls have not aged since the beginning of time, and shall live on after the end of everything there is!
I found this post interesting because I have little knowledge of Hinduism (being a Western Christian).
I did like the bit about the herbs etc and how difficulty often comes before happiness.
In my life this has been true.
I hope that you and your country will find peace.
Amber
nothing comes without a cost and the sooner we accept that, the sooner will the bitter become palatable and the sooner will we look out for the sweet. well worth it, mostly.
because our souls will seek it anyway. indefinitely :)
peace is one blessing we all wish for, irrespective of faith.
and i wish for you, happiness always. take care :)