A REQUIEM

 

A Requiem

"Rau mein hai rakhsh-e-umr kahaan dekhiye thame

Nai haath baag par hai, na paa hai rakaab mein"

Mirza Ghalib (Urdu Poet, India, 1797-1869)

Meaning in English.

“The horse of the times is on the gallop,

Let us see where it stops,

The rider has neither the reins in his hands,

nor his feet in the stirrup.”

Perhaps this beautiful poem written by Ghalib may have had its own connotation during his time, but I find this simple couplet resonates the uncertainties of life itself.

We know not when we are born, likewise we know not when we die, and we know not what would happen in the space between life and death. But one thing is certain, that if we are born, then we are surely going to die.

Death seems to be the only certain in life.

Today I received a deeply saddening news, that my cousin's husband had passed on. He was driving back from work as usual and suffered a head on collision from an oncoming vehicle and his life expired on the spot of the accident.

He was an absolute gentleman, always with a smiling predisposition, a loving husband, doting father, and a young grandfather too. He had no known illness, a teetotaler and always young at heart, but the fate of human mortality took its toll.

Like Ghalib’s poem, it dawned to me that no matter what we do, it appears we are not in control of our existence. The cosmic logic seems to chart its own direction exponentially, according to its whims.

Perhaps our role is to merely play out the charted course laid in front of us, or can we make a difference by making our lives more meaningful.

As a rider, we can most definitely ride safe, by trying not to fall off the horse. Or whilst riding, enjoy the scenery as it comes by. And perhaps we can even ride along with fellow travelers on the same path, making our lives as well as other, interesting.

Ghalib’s poem resonates profound meaning for reflection. Beyond the uncertainties of life, it is only human to live life to the fullest and meaningfully.

To my dear Maniam, You have lived your life to the fullest, though your loved ones will never have enough of you, but the horse has stopped its gallop, and you have reached the end of your journey……

🙏AUM TAT SAT🙏

A Ride For Everyone, the Gaze of the Boy towards the Journey Ahead

(Bukit Gundaling, Brastagi, North Sumatra, Indonesia)

Ravi Varmman

1618

Subang Jaya

28102020

What Is In The Language

Language is fraught with many battles, loss of life and property. It has divided families and friends and has reunited foes. It got me thinking today, when there was a sudden burst of anger from a friend in one of my whatssapp groups. He was commenting on the use of Sanskrit in Hindu rituals, where his contention sits on the premise that any hyms, gospels or mantras should be recited in a language that is understood by its congregation. Well he has a valid point, because blind prescription is definitely meaningless.

But my question to him was, is he angry with the language or is he angry that he don't understand the language. And that brought me to case study that my students presented this morning about the failed alliance between Swedish Volvo and French Renault way back in 1990. One of the highlights of the said failure was the language barrier between the Swedes and the French. Neither spoke each other's language so they opted for English as a medium of communication. But the French are known for their historical aversion to English. So it seems that the marriage was already doomed even before it got started.

Which then brings to the question of which is the oldest language in the world. That has been the subject of much debate and historical misrepresentation since the Renaissance. The Aryan invasion theory mooted by Western scholars like Max Mueller and Mortimer Wheeler and the likes who called themselves the Indologist have given legitimacy to Sanskrit as being the oldest language in the world by peddling the idea that it was a European import. Whereas scholars like K Loganathan with latter research have linguistic evolutionary evidence indicating that Sanskrit was actually Sumeru (Sumerian) Tamil, originating from the Middle East.

Regardless of the nature and origin of languages, I believe that every language has evolved with its own contextual relevance. 

In the case of the Bible, it was originally recorded in Aramaic, and much later in Latin, and today it is translated almost in all languages. As far as the Quran is concerned, it was originally written in Classical Arabic, and today the complete text has been translated in 47 languages. What about the Vedas then, the ancient Vedic text? It was originally written in Sanskrit, and today it has been translated in many languages, mostly by scholars. However as far as the use of Sanskrit is concerned, it is still actively used in Hindu rituals. The obvious reason is that the temple priests have somewhat became the guardian of the language owing to its relevance in their profession. Of course owing to language liberation and awakening in India, many temples in India have started using translated versions in their respective regional languages. 

So this is where the distinction between Shabdha Pramana and Artha Pramana comes in. Shabdha Pramana is the evocation of sounds where the vibration of the sound is supposed to create certain physio-psychological reaction to the beholder. Whereas Artha Pramana is the evocation of words or sentences that are supposed to create socio-psychological reaction on the beholder. 

The utterance of the sound "Aum" in Hindu practices, vocalised as "aa-uu-eemm", is an example of Shabdha Pramana. This word itself does not have any meaning but making the said sound in the manner described is suppose to create vibration in three different parts of one's body. The "aa' invokes vibration on the navel and abdominal area, the "uu" would focus on the chest, and the "eemm" then brings the vibration to the throat. Basically by vocalizing AUM one is actually bringing the energy from the abodomen right up to the brain. Hence the sound AUM cannot be translated in any other language, because it is not a word at all, but merely an invocation of a particular vibration. There are many such sounds in Sanskrit, Tamil and other languages which are known as vocables, uttered to produce specific vibration. Another example would be the native American chants, which basically does not have any specific words but each sound denotes specific vibratory elements of the nature. 

In the case of Artha Pramana, it focusses on the meaning of the word, sentence or even a particular mantra or hymn. For exampe the famous Triyambagam Manthra, 

Om Try-Ambakam Yajaamahe
Sugandhim Pusstti-Vardhanam
Urvaarukam-Iva Bandhanaan
Mrtyor-Mukssiiya Maa-mrtaat

Meaning In English,

 We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.

So in the case of Artha Pramanam, the meaning of the mantra is supposed to establish certain conditioning in the mind of the beholder. Therefore such mantras can be translated and used in respective languages, so that it will be uttered with absolute understanding and eventually leading to a purposeful action.  

I suppose critics and revisionists should look at the contextual use and application of a particular language before they overtly criticize it. 

To my friend I would say, if you are intereseted in The Republic, by Plato, it's best read it in Greek, to fully understand the mindset of the philosopher, otherwise look up for the many translations, which are not bad at all. So the onus is on the beholder to quench his/her thirst rather than blaming the poor tree that has been there for time immemorial providing shade for those seeking its shelter.

Inscriptions written on Rajendra Cholan's Tomb, both in Tamil and Sanskrit

Rajendra Cholan I (947AD-1014AD), Burial Tomb

By the way Rajendra Chozhan I, is one of the greatest maritime King of the Choza Kingdom, a Tamil Kingdom that ruled supreme, extending his empire to South East Asia up to the present day Vietnam. Inscriptions left by Choza's were all written in both Tamil and Sanskrit. Even the Khmer Kingdom, in present day Cambodia, which was credited to the building of the Angkor Wat, has incriptions written both in Tamil and Sanskrit. The use of dual language or multi language was very common in ancient times. In the case of the Chozha Kingdom, Tamil was used as an administrative language and Sanskrit for religious purpose. 

Angkor Wat

Thus is the fate of languages, over time either it expands further, branches out into different languages or eventually meets it's death.     

So why fret, lets embrace whichever makes one comfortable, after all language is merely a tool for us to understand each other.

Only if more people understand this, the world will be better place to live. 

Ravi Varmman 
0804
Subang Jaya
271020

To be Or Not To Be

 To Be, Or Not To Be, That Is The Question:

"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep,

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub:

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause—there's the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

The pangs of dispriz'd love, the law's delay,

The insolence of office, and the spurns

That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,

When he himself might his quietus make

With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The undiscovere'd country, from whose bourn

No traveller returns, puzzles the will,

And makes us rather bear those ills we have

Than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises of great pitch and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry

And lose the name of action."

Shakespeare from Hamlet by Hamlet

Reading the soliloquy from the tormented soul of Hamlet, the struggle seem so surreal that no one can escape from that dilemma at some point in their life. He is reflecting on his own life representing humanity as a whole, as to the purpose of life. Hamlet is questioning the value of life and asking himself whether it's worthwhile to live. He is extremely depressed at this point and fed up with everything in the world around him, and he is contemplating putting and end to himself. Ironically this lament by Hamlet appears to have been written so aptly, none other than to reflect the anguish faced by millions of people around the world owing to the Covid19 pandemic. Beyond the death due to the virus many more are succumbing to the consequence of the sudden economic depression owing to the pandemic. 

But today I read a self - written obituary by an individual who appears to have lived a full life despite the adversaries thrown at him in his 72 year journey. Below is his obituary that was published in his face book account upon his death.

"I regret to inform you that my vintage vehicle that was being restored, in spite of the best mechanics in India with mastery over their craft, modern tools and expertise at their command, did all they could to revive it, but unfortunately did not succeed. 

The engine gasket blew, the engine housing cracked, the pistons seized, and the old jalopy is now ready to be scrapped. 

Luckily a few parts that have survived destruction will be donated to other similar vintage vehicle owners who can put them to good use in their own machine. 

Must say that for the most inhospitable terrains around the world that I drove it for 72 years, guzzling 'fuel' of all sorts, adding additives that defy description and logic, surviving desert temperature highs, to colds that can freeze the balls of a brass monkey, it has served truly well. 

It surely will be remembered. 

Thank you

 (An official announcement about the scrapping of the vintage machine will be released in the press soon.),"

A Self written Obituary by the late Ejji K Umamahesh

who passed away recently.

17.10.1948 - 16.10.2020

This gentleman's take on life and himself is so refreshing and motivational that I felt re-invigorated and blessed to be alive. Not many have been gifted to write their own obituary, but his reflection on himself using an automobile as a metaphor was simply brilliant. 

One question I often ask my students is, do you see the mirror everyday? The most common answer I get is, yes of course sir. The next question is, what do you see? And the most common answer is, ME. The third question I ask is, do you like what you see? And this time I normally don't get a straight answer. Upon probing most of them would start talking about their physical appearance on the mirror. But when I press on further to ask, how much do they know the person that they see in the mirror, there is always an absolute silence.

The problem is most of us are so caught up with our mundane daily routine, including lazying around that we fail to look at ourselves for our sake. It's not about what we have,  it's about what we can do. If we realise that, life gets a little simpler. Unfortunately the obsession is towards pursuing what we don't have, to acquire that 'one' we do not possess. If only people start living by pusuing what they can do, definitely life would become meaningful not only for themselves but also for other people and the ecosystem they live in.

Life needs to be meaningful rather than being purposeful. Purposeful pursuit tends to be driven by external motivation, whereas meaningful pursuits are innner driven. Which in itself is a journey of self discovery.

Hamlet was 30, and Shakespeare was 35 when he wrote Hamlet, perhaps Shakespeare was fighting his own demons at that stage in life, and Hamlet was his outlet to vent out his torment Nobody really knows what happened to Shakespeare during the 7 lost years during his early adulthood. Theatre perhaps gave him an opportunity to discover himself. His death at the age of 52, was not so tragic, as it was recorded that he contracted fever after a day of drinking and merry making with his fellow poet buddies Michael Drayton and Benjamin Johnson. Strangely, it was recorded that Shakespeare died exactly one month after he wrote his will. 

So by reading the late Umamahesh's obituary I see a sense of liberation that he has achieved, detachment, non judgemental, forgiving and and most importantly having a great sense of humuor. Ability to laugh at oneself is the greatest virtue towards humility, and that rids one from the entrapment of ego, which is the evil that brings man down. 

Perhaps Shakespeare at his later stage in his life, saw that and switched from tragedy to tragicomedy......just a thought.

Regardless the pragmatism in Shakespeare is best described by his famous work, "Alls Well, that Ends Well."

Beyond the burden of the pandemic that all of us carry, this will be a good time to reflect the meaningfulness in our lifes. Who matters, what matters, why it matters, when it matters? Maybe it is a kind of cosmic intervention that has given us the time and space to self-reflect, to re-imagine and reconstruct our mortal existence. 

CHEERS MATES

Ravi Varmman

2317

Subang Jaya

10182020