Friday, November 04, 2011

The Charioteer’s Son

Note: For those who do not know/understand the story of the Mahabharath, please refer to my narration.

You often said, “He’s merely a charioteer’s son, so what right has he?”
Despite all his merits and capacity, is this all you could see?
Oh Son of Pandu, if only you knew who this soul was deep within...
A friend so loyal, a man more generous than you could have ever been.

A charioteer’s son: now you tell me what’s wrong with that?
Didn’t Lord Krishna drive yours, as a matter of fact?
It is indeed a pity that a good soul like his was taken to their side.
You hurt his ego, while Duryodan welcomed him with arms open wide.

“My dear Duryodan,” Karna said, “I care not where dharma lies.
I shall be with you and fight for you, for me that alone shall suffice.
For you are my true friend, family and everything to me,
And for all this, grateful to you and Hastinapur, I shall forever be.”

If his chariot’s wheel had not broken off, you may not have won.
Even Death did come to collect the virtues of all the deeds he had done.
“Karna,” Death begged, “Now only your charity prevents you from dying.”
“Here... take my virtues... even as I receive.” He said as he lay there lying.

Oh Son of Pandu, why couldn’t you see that he was as skilled as you?
Beyond his foul company and your prejudice, ask Kunti that which is true.
It is such a pity when in the battle for dharma, one brother must slay another.
What all five of you failed to see is that he was the first son of your mother.


 Note:
1) Images used on this post do not belong to me.
2) This poem is based on the story of Karna, a character of the Mahabharath.
3) In Sanskrit/Hinduism:

Dharma = justice/duty

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Part 4 - The Negotiation

This is a continuation of Part 3 - The Serpent

Earth would have been paradise...Alas! To keep God’s only word Man failed.
Thus for thousands of years and thousands more, evil on earth prevailed.
While the righteous hid from persecution, the sinful earth did rot.
But though Man had forgotten his Creator’s love, the Creator never forgot.

“Oh Lucifer, why did you of all choose a path so unwise?
Your desire for praise and wicked ways expelled you from Paradise.”

“I shall return this earth to you,” the sly Devil said. “if you give me your Son.”
“Amen!” The Lord said and with that the deal was done.
The Devil expected this not, but with this he was content.
To avenge the day the first Man was born was his malicious intent.

Thus God sent His own Son, who was born to the Virgin Mary.
Only he and the Lord knew the burden he would someday carry.

Images used in this post do not belong to me.

Continue reading with Beelzebub Part 5 - The Tempter

Monday, October 03, 2011

Part 1 - The Archangel

Note:  
  1. This is the story of Lucifer, the condemned one. The images used in these posts do not belong to me. This poem was written by me. But the essence of the story has been taken from Christian Mythology. I have merely narrated it in what I hope to be a simpler form to read for those of us who have partial or absolutely no knowledge of Christian Mythology, and yet are enthusiastic about it. 
  2. To get a more accurate version of the story,  please read the Holy Bible, John Milton's works of 'Paradise Lost', perhaps even the Holy Qur'an, (or simply watch the 'Supernatural' TV series) etc.
  3. In chapter 1 the Angels are referred to as God's children. This is a poetic expression. The Bible considers Angels to be merely God's servants. And the part where God asks the Angels to bow down to man is a concept found only in the Qur'an. In chapter 4, a negotiation between the Devil and God is mentioned. This is not explicit, but merely symbolic, in the Bible. If my interpretations or concepts are flawed, please feel free to correct me. However, do not expect this to be the accurate story.

Before life walked this earth, first created Lord’s Angels were.
Of them the highest, were the Archangels – Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Lucifer.
They were like His own children – perfect and obedient in all ways.
And that was back when Paradise saw its golden days.

The Angels sang hymns and songs about the Creator’s grace.
Lucifer, the youngest, led the choir to sing in his Father’s praise.
Amongst all the angels, of Heaven’s host, most charming was he.
And he was the most loved amongst them as an Angel could ever be.

~

However the Lord was not satisfied with all of this.
What is life’s meaning if it is all perfect and bliss?
Thus He created, in His own image, the very first Man;
And breathed into him life, to sustain him a certain span.

He brought home his new child, before all of them.
He said, “This is Man, dear children. Bow down to him!”
They all obeyed, save for one, and that was dear Lucifer.
He shot the Man a jealous glance and muttered coldly: Never!

Man may have the image of the Lord, but imperfect was he;
While the Angels were perfect, how could He not clearly see?


~
One day he stormed into Heaven’s court and gathered all around.
“Our Father is mad! And we His creations, to His word are bound.

Come with me, those of you who believe that I am right!
Are we not perfect? What exalts Man? Injustice has reached its height!
Come with me, dear brothers, I promise you invincibility!”
Thus one third of all Heaven’s host joined Lucifer’s mutiny.

 Images used in this post do not belong to me.

Continue reading with Beelzebub Part 2 - The Fallen Angel

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Second Thoughts on the Battlefield

Note: For those who do not know/understand the story of the Mahabharath, please refer to my narration.

How could I ever do this, Kanha? It's such a miserable deed!
I would rather run away, and live with only what I need.
I would rather surrender wealth, power, joy and fame
than ever slay my dear ones and live all my life in shame.

If this is my duty and true joy, I see why you equate sorrow and glee.
If defeat and victory don't differ, Krishna, I would now rather flee.
You say that I have a mission from which I cannot stray.
Then may I put this war aside and fight it another day?

How could I carry this burden and yet keep a smile upon my face?
How could I accept this misery, taking it to be your grace?
You have provided better to the lesser; is this all MY life comes to?
I give up, oh Keshava! Tell me what could I do?





Note: 

1. Some of these questions have been adopted from Arjuna's role in the Bagavad Gita. They have been twisted to suit mine.


2.Images used in this post do not belong to me.