Sitting under the Banyan tree I watch the water hitting its raised roots
Restless and agitated as a disturbed mind.
It's effervescence matching my own state of mind.
On the sun baked land the Banyan tree stands alone in silent meditation.
Calm and magnificent, towering against my littleness.
The Banyan tree, the most ancient, the most beautiful
Metaphor, for our wondrous Universe.
The question is still one and same- Who is the Creator?
But answers vary.
‘There is but one God', does't satisfy all.
For many it is neither a truth, nor a reality.
If there is One entity
Clearly it is Unknown;
He, She or It - nothing can be assigned to it.
Far from logic these titles seem to be the creation of an authoritarian mind.
A Male figure for a strong Patriarch
A Female title of a Matriarch origin
Or an It for an Atheist inquirer.
By some mysterious process
The unknown Power or Powers
Descend into Universe,
And the play of life starts!
All beings fight for its survival
By confrontation or by cooperation.
To calm our agitated and restless mind,
For our yearning to seek an answer for unanswered questions,
Our scriptures advise us to have ‘Faith, Devotion and Meditative Knowledge'.
When all answers fail to satisfy you, seek it within yourself with help of these tools.
'In an undisturbed place, in a comfortable posture, clean and pure, neck, head and body in balance and restive position, all the senses in control, meditate and revere your own teacher, residing in your own heart, the Untainted, the Pure, the Clear, and the Grief-less.'
Note: Kathopanishad, Bhagavan Geeta and many other scriptures use 'Ashwatha' or Banyan Tree as Metaphor for the Universe. Those verses are my inspiration for this poem.
The quote is from Kaivalya Upanishad.
Savita Tyagi
8.28.2022
Thank you PoemHunter for choosing this poem as one of the best poem by member poems at # 69.
Oct.13.2022
Thank you for this beautiful poem dear Savita ji. Heartiest Congratulations for the poem of the day. Top score and to my favourite.
the erudite and the discerning comprehends its deep mystical meaning. The Upanishads are the essence of Vedic teachings.
You are so right! I have taken an intense liking for Upanishad's regular readings. though I will probably never understand their complete imports. Thank you again for your appreciation.
The Banyan tree stands tall, majestic, peaceful and magnificent. Through its silent meditation it speaks volumes with various messages to the world and its people.
Thank you so much Geeta Radhakrishna Mennon for reading and leaving so many wonderful comments. Your opinion and thoughts I value and cherish so much.
Congratulations Madam for this poem being selected as the Poem of the Day!
Thank you so much Nabakishore Dash for reading and commenting.Appreciate it very much.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Congratulations, Savita! This poem is still on the best member poems list at #74 today.