The Gymnast Of The Mind Poem by kp. shashidharan

The fifty seven feet tall
Munificent, magnificent
Monolithic statue
Of Bhagwan Gomateshwara Bahubali
Of the tenth century statue
Stood naked in deep meditation
As a symbol of non-violence
And renunciation for centuries!
Nestled atop in the verdant
Chandragiri and Vindhyagiri Hills
In Karnataka at Shravanabelagola!

There Emperor Chandragupta
Meditated and Emperor Ashoka
Erected memorial in his memory
In the third century BC!

Babe, do you remember
We were there
At the Mahamasthakabhisheka
Witnessing the spectacular ceremony
Immersing the statue
In milk, curd, ghee, saffron
And offering gold coins aplenty!
The legendary seeker of truth
One of the twenty first saints of the Jains
Proving purity for soul, compassion and love!