Sunday 13 February 2022

Monday, February 7, 2022

Yorkville, Toronto

Bheesma

 

Today was to remember Advaita, a fifteenth century saint. As for tomorrow, the eighth, we recall the heroism of Bheesma. Here is my poem:

 

Bheesma

 

He was the dear son of Mother Ganga, the river

In childhood ksatriya play he took from his quiver

And aiming at the water he released his arrow

Causing her current to reverse in her narrow

 

For his father’s sake he made a great vow

“For you to have a queen I will take a bow”

It was a sacrifice for a determined happiness

Scarce do we hear of such noble warrior-ness

 

His character was built on the power to abstain

An act of endurance to conquer pleasure and pain

Earning him blessings to pass at will from the world

And making him a jewel of a man, if not a pearl

 

He was a protector, counsellor, very much a guide

There’s no limit to the compassion he could provide

Imparting much wisdom for leaders to thus thrive

He offered the tools to keep a warrior alive

 

An ascetic, Amba, attempted to make his heart rattle

And it was on the tenth day of that devastating battle

When fate had him fight on the side where his heart was not

That he received multiple wounds, leaving many distraught

 

Piteously he lay on an arrow-bed suspended in the air

For a General, combat could be heaven or a nightmare

His waiting for Krishna and loved ones to come, see, and hear

Is his way of giving and dying that holds him so dear.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km



 

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