JAI MAA DURGA

 This short poem conveys only a millionth of my feelings for this divine and gracious form who has been blessing me and countless others in endless ways…please continue to shower your love and grace on me and all others whom I know and care about…The pictures of Maa Durga posted here are from my temple at home…

  

Jai Maa Durga, welcome to my household this Navratri festival,

And make it pious and pure with your divine, pristine presence.

 My heart fills with sheer joy as I light the lamp for your arrival,

And my home fills with the aroma of flowers, fruits and incense.  

I feel so light on my feet, my heart and soul in a mode of revival,

And I readily enter a time zone of prayers, pledge and penance.

There is a special feel and freshness in the air these nine days,

Faith reinstates itself and devotion for the Goddess rebounds. 

Love to decorate the temple and the idols in a variety of ways,

And hear soulful hymns,soaking in the divine sights and sounds.

The ethereal lamp that lights up the house with its divine rays,
Needs a special mention here, as its beauty knows no bounds.

Temples all over are adorned with idols of this lovely Goddess,

Devotees queue up to get a glimpse of Maa in a fanatic frenzy.

In her traditional finery, the Goddess shines like a true empress,

Her doe eyes and endearing smile casts a spell on every devotee.

Her mercy and blessings for her devotees is seemingly endless,

She is surely the modern day’s most popular and sought after deity.

LORD GANESHA

  Navratris begin today with Gudi padwa, the Marathi New Year, and with that my most precious nine days...before I write a poem on Goddess Durga, I write for Lord Ganesha, the lord of auspicious beginnings...this one is for all Ganesha Devotees...

Lord Ganesha is definitely one of the most endearing  divine forms,
Worshipped the world over as Gajanana or the Elephant Faced God.

Having a magical, mystical and magnetic effect that truly transforms

All His devotees, pulling them towards Him through an invisible cord.

He is commonly known as Ganapati or Lord of all Lords, the Almighty,
And as Omkara, one with the form of Om, the very first ancient syllable,

He has a universal appeal and worldwide acceptance as a popular deity,

Known as Avighna or Vignaharta, remover of each and every obstacle.

He is every artist’s inspiration, rekindling his creativity and imagination,

So naturally He has been depicted in endless figures, forms and frames.

In Mumbai city He is worshipped with utmost loyalty and deep devotion 

Idolized in innumerable shapes and known by more than thousand names.

Muktidaya, Bestower of eternal bliss; Mangalmurti, all auspicious lord,

Nideeshwaram, the Giver of wealth and treasures, blessing one and all.

Siddhivinayaka, Bestower of success and Kripalu, the ever merciful Lord

Are just few of the names of this lovable God  that I can randomly recall.

I bow to you, the all omnipresent and omnipotent Lord of the Universe,

Shower your divine blessings on me, my family and all my friends please.

Oh  Buddhinath, the God of Wisdom, to you I dedicate this little verse,
After all, you are known as Kshipra, the one who is so easy to appease!

AN ODE TO WOMAN POWER

She is blessed with divine power, this being called woman,

She is a real blessing for all those whose lives she touches.

She is capable of showing much more resilience than a man,

She possesses the art of saving her folks from evil clutches.

She is ready to go to any length to take care of her kith and kin,

She smiles bravely and boldly through her suffering and pain.

 She strives hard to be with her family through thick and thin,

She makes sure your faith in her would never ever go in vain.

Nature has adorned her with qualities varied and unlimited,

 An epitome of patience, perseverance and purposefulness.

To her near and dear ones she is wholeheartedly committed,

And performs all her duties with happiness and willingness.

She can be docile and dormant when the situation commands,

 When provoked and challenged can take an aggressive form.

She is ever willing to extend herself to her family’s demands ,

Ever rising to the occasion, rising above the mundane and norm.

As easily as she slips into the role of a  perfect homemaker,

So does she  graciously grip and grasp her professional  front.

She definitely deserves the title ‘family’s mover and shaker’,

 Deftly balancing the dual role, bearing the burden and brunt.

When it comes to making a choice between self and others,

She thoughtfully and selflessly prefers  to take a back seat.

When it comes to making the right choice and leading others,

She exhibits the elegance and poise that no one else can beat.

Her profile and preferences may have changed with the times,

But her inner strength and passionate demeanour is timeless.

Her beauty and brains have evolved with the changing times,

Ever increasing her divine power and prowess, befitting a godess

HAPPY HOLI TO ONE AND ALL

Here comes the festival of Holi in all it’s splendor,

Bringing along with it, immense joy and pleasure.

It reminds us that it’s time to embrace each other, 

Filling our lives and that of others with love and colour.

Whosoever very first  initiated this colourful  festival,

Must have been inspired by the mother earth’s revival.

When winter fades and spring announces it’s arrival,

Bursting forth in a vibrant ‘blossom and bloom’ carnival.

Flowers of all colours and hues  bloom on branches upright,

Making every nook and corner of the earth so very bright.

To add to this spectrum, the birds and butterflies take flight,

Flitting from flower to flower, adding to the visual delight.

Set in this radiant background this festival brings glee,

Bringing people together in a colorful celebration spree.

Instilling  the desire to let go and with friends happily be,

Drowning worries, lifting moods, and setting spirits free.

The traditional Holi with it’s magic and masti is a lot of fun,

It’s enjoyable to spray colours and greet each and every one.

If only the new generation would stick to the true tradition,

There would be more fun and frolic and much less pollution.

Let us rejoice and revel in this festival and retain it’s essence,

And hand over to the next generation it’s true significance.

Let us revive and recreate the magic of colour and consonance,

 And to the spirit of the festival pay our tribute and obeisance