Gathered Blooms

Grace humbles one utterly. This poem is a simple and a humble narration  of the immensity of  the Grace of Lord Siva as Panchavarneshwara abiding in an ancient temple in Uraiyur, near Trichy on Mahashivratri.  In Shiva’s sacred night, Thousands thronged at His Feet, Into the massive temple that night, The timeless in time stood; to the eyes, an utter treat! I walked my way in the precincts, Of sculpted splendour of magnificence! In the ancient abode of Uraiyur distinct, Where Siva abides as Panchavarneswara, the significant! A form so small, yet with immeasurable might- I stood almost mute to address, With eyes fixed on Him in sheer delight, “Appa”, “Appa” were all that I could express! The priest waved the lamp to the light of all lights, For the earthly eyes to behold, Lost in the fanciful world of ethereal heights, To merge with Him within in bliss untold. I took a few steps turning around,                                    

We were on a holiday. The surmounting silence of the place tuned within, while I sat in the surrounding wilderness. Rocky peaks peeped behind the clustered treetops; a little river with emerald waters flowed with soft gurgles; monkeys and Malabar squirrels scrambled up and down the branches; a variety of birds chirped continuously as they nestled in the trees. As I partook of nature’s glory silently, my two little nieces joined me on the little stone bench and started a candid conversation. B: What are you doing Priya? Me: Just sitting silently S: You do not come to Bangalore these days…. Me: Hmm… yes…. Will visit you sometime soon. B: Do you like the place where we stay now or the one that we stayed in Tadoba? Me: Both are fine, but the location of the one that we are staying now is good. Look! There are three big Malabar squirrels on that tree…. B: But, tell me which place you like the better of the two? Me: Ok let me tell you something intere