My Upanishadic Birdie Pie 9 Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

'Oh really? My eyes opened wide with surprise.
How come, I am not able to meet such Masters?
No, no, not in the sky, of course,
But in our region- the earth! '

'My dear friend, have you not read the Upanishads?
Questioned my friend and continued:
The Ishopanishad says:
The truth is covered by a golden veil.
Men get dazzled by this golden covering.
The veil is rich, gaudy and deceptive.'

The birdie-pie looked serious now.
She said:
'The veil has to be lifted,
The curtain removed,
To recognise and know the Truth! .
If not, the Truth will remain hidden behind the golden lid.
Only a person who knows the Truth
Can recognise a Master!
Great Masters are born on this earth,
To teach and lead the people through a right path! '

The' Upanishads' speak of Ego
As the ‘Bhoktra' or the enjoyer.
The ego rides on the chariot driven by five horses.
The human body is compared to the chariot.
Buddhi or the intellect is the Charioteer-
The Master planner!
Directing the whole course of action! .
'Manas' or the mind are the reins.
The reins are tied to the horses.
When the horses gallop,
The mind too races along with the horses.

The horses are nothing but the five ‘Indriyas'
Or the senses that gallop at high speed.
The path taken by the horses are the roads
Or the objects of attraction encountered during the journey.
The ‘Ätman' or the Soul
Is the ostentatious Rider!
The Soul is royally seated in the chariot
Enjoying a thrilling ride
The Soul has become a pompous Ego
Drowned in the roller coaster ride of a sensual life!