My Vishu:The first things I saw
[This was originally intended for the facebook but have posted it on this blog on a dear friend's request]
I did not realize yesterday was Vishu. Now I know it was. For those who do not know, Vishu is a Keralite festival where you begin the new year by seeing various auspicious things like fruits and grains and gold and silver and of course yourself. But I did not realize yesterday was Vishu.
So what was the first thing I saw? Hmmm...my mother's plants (yep, I did not brush my teeth, I went straight
to water because my mother who is traveling had promised to kill me if
any of her plants died. Now, I don't mind being killed but was not sure
about the politics of haunting facebook and blogs). So I watered her
periwinkles and morning glory and betel leaf plants along side her henna
plants and jasmines of many varieties and those little red flowers and
the bringhi and money plants and the Tulsi and the pumpkins and hoped and prayed that no
pots were hidden behind that thick vegetation that might escape the
watering spout.
I think I smelt the karpuravalli first--it is intense,
drowning the delicate smell of jasmine. And then I saw a pigeon cocking her
head side-to-side, as if asking "Hey lady, I hope you know you have to
give me some grains." So I looked at the grains too. And then a
squirrel--getting something I think..but he did not look very serious
about his work. He seemed more like a boy who lives every moment:)
I
felt the now-wet terrace and realized how wonderful this morning had been. I
guess that is a nice Vishu!!!
Happy Auspicious Beginnings All!
Bhavana I can feel you in the room. Thank you for taking the time to post it for me :)
ReplyDelete"So I looked at the grains too"
It is all there for us but we are so wedded to empty ritual that we miss the underlying meanings. I think the way Vishu "happened" to you yesterday was a divine gift to you. This experience is so close to what we are trying to convey at Chakratirtha Travels. You have said it all for me!
Lots of love
Maya
Dear Maya, this was an innocent post more because I was sad I forgot Vishu and then I reflected..I did have a sweet one! I am so happy this makes sense to you and to the work you do. My best wishes to Chakratirtha Travels--a very different way to experience India!
DeleteHappy Vishu, Bhavana:) A sweet post:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rahulji!!! Happy Baisakh to you and yours:)
DeleteHappy Vishu and a great beginning indeed!!
ReplyDeleteThank you magiceye!!!! Wishes to you too!
DeleteWonderful .if you can lend your hand in growth of another living being on a new year then what better new year than that :)
ReplyDeleteTrue, Karan, what can be more meaningful that our everyday acts nurture each other, not destroy and tear the other apart!
Deletewhat a beautiful garden it is! no wonder your mom threatened you - i would too :))
ReplyDeleteSujatha..thanks for validating my mother's threat (:- Poor me. In btw, I agree, she has done a great job with her space... she is so connected!
DeleteThe best of things happen by happenstance..as it did for you on the day of Vishu. Well written
ReplyDeleteTrue, Suresh...we just need to awake and aware!
DeleteVishu Kani is nature's bounty and is there for all to see. But we prefer seeing the arrangement we make with what we consider the bounty. Even if it is only retrospect, you saw the way it was meant to be seen. Agree with Maya there about us sadly following empty rituals.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Zephyr. As I reflect more, I realize that I am so glad it was not a fake arrangement and I thank the Universe for allowing me the awareness to see her as she was yesterday morning!
DeleteBeautiful garden and a nice post, Happy Vishu I am a little late I guess but happy Vishu none the less :)
ReplyDeleteHappy happy new beginnings, Harsha!!!
DeleteHappy belated vishu , nice picture .
ReplyDeleteHappy new beginnings, Team G Square!!!
DeleteHappy Belated Vishu, great to know about this experience you had
ReplyDeleteThanks and good wishes to you for everything that begins now! Yep, was lucky to have things happen the way they happened!
DeleteHappy belated Vishu, but I am more curious to know about the garden. Is ti on a Terrace, and in India?
ReplyDeleteif it is , I wish your mother will write about her garden.From what little I could see, it looks great.
Pattu
www.gardenerat60.wordpress.com
Pattu--visited your website and am so glad that I found the same. Have asked my mom to write. She is a better writer in her native Malayalam but she did her best in English. I will edit and send to you. In btw, can we use your articles for our website socialpedia.in? If you visit the site, you will see the relevance!
Deleteoverall, you had a good time! good to read as well! and good theme as well to the entire page.
ReplyDeleteThanks, JKHoNa!!! Thanks for taking the time to read:)
DeleteYour post gave a very positive feeling, I must say..a lovely, descriptive blog post.
ReplyDeleteAah, now that is a compliment. What makes an author happy is when the reader leaves the post with something--either happiness or resolution or awareness or an inspiration!
Delete