Death—premature or likely, accidental or natural—always leaves an impervious void in souls of those near ones where gentle tunes of life resonate in strings of togetherness. Even memories of sweeter moments fail to replenish such vacuity. It remains secreted somewhere deeper forever in only a few weeping souls. Yet, such death does not offer ripples beyond a limited pool of human relationship. At times, it may infuse a greater collection in society with inspiration, or courage; but it does not leave deeper impact of sense of losing within. The martyr remains honoured as a social hero—a dedicated soul sacrificed at social cause—but not as a soul whose absence is felt deeply only for being no more.
But, when a death transcends beyond a thin horizon of kinsfolk to create an indiscernible hollow in broader ocean of people that gets instantaneously filled in with a dread of losing confidence, a fear of subjunctive sense of calamity, a fright of apprehension and a panicky state of insecurity; then it a terror. It cripples the society as a whole with a collective sense of vulnerability. With such psychosis prevailing, the society often rebuilds itself on more compatriotic sense, reconnects itself with more reasons and human values; but it may also fall prey to imprudent comprehension of reality that eventually leads to impregnate social mindset with a sense of retribution, hatred and ruses of crafty enemy of humanism. It often leads to war. It only travels from one form of war to another form. And, in every war, the victims are innocent people and the values of human civilisation that again take years to revitalise and bloom.
If there descends an eerie darkness, only flicker of hope still shines in peace. Camaraderie of conscious people can only prevent the peace from being at ransom. Let us not leave another page of history of bargaining peace at the cost of vengeance. Let us rekindle deep spiritual consciousness embedded in our culture, heritage, art, philosophy and all other creative forms of human civilisation through solidarity of respecting souls.
In concluding I would only wish to share those beautiful lines of great Bengali poet, Jibananda Das, written some forty years back, but are still relevant (Never mind my poor transliteration) to this present world.
The earth is now sheathed in an eerie darkness;
Those who are blind now see the most,
Whose hearts bear no love or affection,
Where ripples of compassion do never surface,
The world now sways not without their counsel.
Those who still have deep reliance in humanity,
Who still find intrinsic values in great truth,
Or in culture, or art or its fondly pursuit,
Their souls now lay offered at vultures’ feast!
But, when a death transcends beyond a thin horizon of kinsfolk to create an indiscernible hollow in broader ocean of people that gets instantaneously filled in with a dread of losing confidence, a fear of subjunctive sense of calamity, a fright of apprehension and a panicky state of insecurity; then it a terror. It cripples the society as a whole with a collective sense of vulnerability. With such psychosis prevailing, the society often rebuilds itself on more compatriotic sense, reconnects itself with more reasons and human values; but it may also fall prey to imprudent comprehension of reality that eventually leads to impregnate social mindset with a sense of retribution, hatred and ruses of crafty enemy of humanism. It often leads to war. It only travels from one form of war to another form. And, in every war, the victims are innocent people and the values of human civilisation that again take years to revitalise and bloom.
If there descends an eerie darkness, only flicker of hope still shines in peace. Camaraderie of conscious people can only prevent the peace from being at ransom. Let us not leave another page of history of bargaining peace at the cost of vengeance. Let us rekindle deep spiritual consciousness embedded in our culture, heritage, art, philosophy and all other creative forms of human civilisation through solidarity of respecting souls.
In concluding I would only wish to share those beautiful lines of great Bengali poet, Jibananda Das, written some forty years back, but are still relevant (Never mind my poor transliteration) to this present world.
The earth is now sheathed in an eerie darkness;
Those who are blind now see the most,
Whose hearts bear no love or affection,
Where ripples of compassion do never surface,
The world now sways not without their counsel.
Those who still have deep reliance in humanity,
Who still find intrinsic values in great truth,
Or in culture, or art or its fondly pursuit,
Their souls now lay offered at vultures’ feast!
(A repost)
"Those who still have deep reliance in humanity,
ReplyDeleteWho still find intrinsic values in great truth,
Or in culture, or art or its fondly pursuit,
Their souls now lay offered at vultures’ feast!"
- Beautifully put. Let us hope that the phase passes and we rediscover our intrinsic values...
@Shiva~~Thanks for your kind words...Yes, truth flies on wings of values--showering wishes that dark patches of memory will never smudge bright spectra of dreams !
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Not bargain peace at the cost of vengeance..well said!
ReplyDeleteYes, let us not lose confidence or hope and strive for peace.
That photograph is fabulous. From the filthy water blooms forth a lotus of such exquisite beauty breathing in air and enjoying sunshine!
Thanks, Celine, for your ever-encouraging attitude...
ReplyDeleteI've conveyed Lopa that you liked her photographic content..
A classic image and wonderful caption.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated
DeleteThose who are blind now see the most. . . entire post is very good but I like this line most, So simply put but so true in today's situation . . . You Have a Nice and Safe Day.
ReplyDeleteYes, friend....the poet wrote 50 years back, yet every expression relates to the current word....thanks for your appreciation.
DeleteBeautiful piece of transliteration along with a matching introduction....the flavour of original Bengali is almost retained...love
ReplyDeleteIt is your favourite poem....and you inspired me to translate it....love
DeleteBeautiful post..and thank you for sharing the lovely poem :-)
ReplyDeleteMist obliged
DeleteI think vengeance breeds when innocent people who experience death of other innocent loved ones lose their reliance on humanity. But if vengeance starts to breed vengeance further then that will kill humanity altogether. Maybe that's where forgiveness and hope play a role and that's why humanity still exists.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are few reasons left....and fading rays of peace within soul....vengence breeds, on many occasions, out of sheer doctrination even when one is neither affected nor concerned to an issue...the disease, what I percieve, is spreading...humanity have struggled to survive through odd so far, am not sure if it would do so for a longer time unless we stand for it...thanks for your reflections...my regards
Delete