I wonder if you have experienced those moments when you are totally clueless about "what to do", even while there are a hundred pressing matters, all of which appear meaningless to pursue BTW, & thus making you do nothing? I am in one of those moments & so decided to write this blog to improve matters.
Similarly there are also moments when you are in some form of ecstasy, yet you are really not able to describe that moment.
Both the above moments - which I have experienced quite a few times- appear to me as "Beyond Experience" stage, a term often used by me to describe the "Brahmn".
When faced with such experiences, the phrase in Tamil namely "Aadhu Ennathuda" or "what is that my friend?" most aptly sums up the feelings. Pardon my penchant for hyperbole ; these moments appear to me as Providence's kind dispensations to let one have a glimpse of that "Absolute" which is "beyond words & mind" & which evoke a such a response namely I don't know what it is......
Let me justify my outrageous surmises by sharing some of my experiences (or are they beyond?) including the current one of ennui, which I term as "Adhu Ennathuda" moments. These are my personal moments and may not necessarily be in sync with yours, but I am sure you would probably have yours. Some of them could expose my biases, seem repetitive, but they are truly "Adhu Ennathuda" moments. Here I go:
1. It's about midnight, I am slowly getting into a sleep mode partially dozing off. Suddenly in that darkness of the night, comes a 2 year old "Anasuya" fondling my face in an attempt to wake me & coo "thatthaa" (grandpa) in my ears. When I open my eyes, and see this absolutely "full of innocence sweet little thing" , what do I feel?
Adhu ennathuda? is the most obvious expression that comes to mind.
2. Way back in my childhood days, Snake Charmers were common sights; they roamed around, & performed for a few cents of money. Some of them even played their "beens" extra-ordinarily well. It's afternoon time during a summer vacation in schools and am about to take a nap. Out of the blue floats some music from one of this tribes's "been" There is almost pin-drop silence (45 + degrees Temp , and not a soul outside) and this divine music flows for not more than a brief few minutes & as the SC goes further away the music slowly fades leaving you wanting more. Nothing but "Adhu Ennathuda" describes this experience.
3. There is this Harikatha Bhagavathar, He is introduced to Delhi audience, by a well-wisher. He renders a raag which appears as a known one till the moment he descends to that "Shuddha Madhyamam" exposing it as Kiravani. The gasp in ecstasy is audible. The accompanying great "Subbudu" in Harmonium just utters an "aaha"& just pauses for a moment...
A performance by MMI - is proceeding not too well-- & suddenly a rendering of Kambodi followed by "subrahmanyaaya namaste", transforms you to a different plane.
Mali in his raga maliga renderings in a pallavi, gets to aahiri - There is pin drop silence in the auditorium. For about 15 minutes, there is nothing but this transcending music.
How do I describe each one of these experiences?
"Adhu Ennathuda" is the only description possible.
4. Though not in the same league, the TV coverage of Modi visiting his mother taking her blessings, her pulling his jacket to attract his attention like -- a child of two or whereabouts-- when he is looking elsewhere, his recent Yoga speech, every one of these give me a similar "Adhu Ennathuda" moments.
While all of these are positive and sublime, since Brahmn represents both the sublime & the ridiculous, let me quote a few examples of negative Adhu Ennada moments.
The entire opposition, the Intelligentsia, the morons of the Media have still to get over their shock of Modis emphatic victory; Modi is just a "hypothesis" says one worthy, he is a destructively divisive /polarizing/politicizing figure say many. The largest minority is around 13%, and the secularists want to appease this lot to win elections perpetually. Modi tells the other 70 odd percent that all must first be Indian. The former is all inclusive secular, the latter is a demonic polarizer to all these worthies..... .
Adhu Ennathuda?
All of which brings me to come to the "what is the message BTW" part.
To passionately seek and get lost in MMI/Mali music for their Kiravanis, Khambhodi, & Aahiris etc, is as meaningless as reacting angrily to the intelligentsia's hatred for Modi. Recognizing both as pure "brahmn" moments is the message. Stretching further, ability to see the "Adhu Ennathuda" in every moment of our experiences is the only path to liberation.
I am reminded of an old Hindi song, borrowing & modifying it would sum up what I want to convey:
"samaj ne wale samaj gaye hain naa samjhe woh sirf prarabhdha grasth hain.......
Do I make sense? Well even this is a manifestation of "brahmn" is a very comforting thought.......
Love
Ekalvya alias Vichu
Similarly there are also moments when you are in some form of ecstasy, yet you are really not able to describe that moment.
Both the above moments - which I have experienced quite a few times- appear to me as "Beyond Experience" stage, a term often used by me to describe the "Brahmn".
When faced with such experiences, the phrase in Tamil namely "Aadhu Ennathuda" or "what is that my friend?" most aptly sums up the feelings. Pardon my penchant for hyperbole ; these moments appear to me as Providence's kind dispensations to let one have a glimpse of that "Absolute" which is "beyond words & mind" & which evoke a such a response namely I don't know what it is......
Let me justify my outrageous surmises by sharing some of my experiences (or are they beyond?) including the current one of ennui, which I term as "Adhu Ennathuda" moments. These are my personal moments and may not necessarily be in sync with yours, but I am sure you would probably have yours. Some of them could expose my biases, seem repetitive, but they are truly "Adhu Ennathuda" moments. Here I go:
1. It's about midnight, I am slowly getting into a sleep mode partially dozing off. Suddenly in that darkness of the night, comes a 2 year old "Anasuya" fondling my face in an attempt to wake me & coo "thatthaa" (grandpa) in my ears. When I open my eyes, and see this absolutely "full of innocence sweet little thing" , what do I feel?
Adhu ennathuda? is the most obvious expression that comes to mind.
2. Way back in my childhood days, Snake Charmers were common sights; they roamed around, & performed for a few cents of money. Some of them even played their "beens" extra-ordinarily well. It's afternoon time during a summer vacation in schools and am about to take a nap. Out of the blue floats some music from one of this tribes's "been" There is almost pin-drop silence (45 + degrees Temp , and not a soul outside) and this divine music flows for not more than a brief few minutes & as the SC goes further away the music slowly fades leaving you wanting more. Nothing but "Adhu Ennathuda" describes this experience.
3. There is this Harikatha Bhagavathar, He is introduced to Delhi audience, by a well-wisher. He renders a raag which appears as a known one till the moment he descends to that "Shuddha Madhyamam" exposing it as Kiravani. The gasp in ecstasy is audible. The accompanying great "Subbudu" in Harmonium just utters an "aaha"& just pauses for a moment...
A performance by MMI - is proceeding not too well-- & suddenly a rendering of Kambodi followed by "subrahmanyaaya namaste", transforms you to a different plane.
Mali in his raga maliga renderings in a pallavi, gets to aahiri - There is pin drop silence in the auditorium. For about 15 minutes, there is nothing but this transcending music.
How do I describe each one of these experiences?
"Adhu Ennathuda" is the only description possible.
4. Though not in the same league, the TV coverage of Modi visiting his mother taking her blessings, her pulling his jacket to attract his attention like -- a child of two or whereabouts-- when he is looking elsewhere, his recent Yoga speech, every one of these give me a similar "Adhu Ennathuda" moments.
While all of these are positive and sublime, since Brahmn represents both the sublime & the ridiculous, let me quote a few examples of negative Adhu Ennada moments.
The entire opposition, the Intelligentsia, the morons of the Media have still to get over their shock of Modis emphatic victory; Modi is just a "hypothesis" says one worthy, he is a destructively divisive /polarizing/politicizing figure say many. The largest minority is around 13%, and the secularists want to appease this lot to win elections perpetually. Modi tells the other 70 odd percent that all must first be Indian. The former is all inclusive secular, the latter is a demonic polarizer to all these worthies..... .
Adhu Ennathuda?
All of which brings me to come to the "what is the message BTW" part.
To passionately seek and get lost in MMI/Mali music for their Kiravanis, Khambhodi, & Aahiris etc, is as meaningless as reacting angrily to the intelligentsia's hatred for Modi. Recognizing both as pure "brahmn" moments is the message. Stretching further, ability to see the "Adhu Ennathuda" in every moment of our experiences is the only path to liberation.
I am reminded of an old Hindi song, borrowing & modifying it would sum up what I want to convey:
"samaj ne wale samaj gaye hain naa samjhe woh sirf prarabhdha grasth hain.......
Do I make sense? Well even this is a manifestation of "brahmn" is a very comforting thought.......
Love
Ekalvya alias Vichu
Vichu,
ReplyDeleteThis spontaneous " Hey, I want to say something" and ending with " Samajh rahe ho naa?" is yet another, to use your expression, "Adhu Ennathuda" moment. Each one of the examples you have cited to illustrate what you are trying to convey, drew a "oh yyeaah" deep sigh as I was reading. The Modi one, as you have rightly reflected, does not measure up to be in the same league but the manner of his victory did evoke, " What is that my friend! " reaction from every one, supporter or detractor.
To join you in and to expand furthermore on your reflection that "Ability to see the Adhu Ennadhuda" in every moment of our experiences is the only path to liberation", I might want to say, " The experience of " Adhu Ennadhuda " in every moment of our lives, ' 'joyous' or 'unhappy', IS the experience we call liberation." We will need to walk the path however ( Or keep pretending that the posturing of the secular brigade is as much Brahman's manifestation as Anasuya's captivating innocence! )"until Grace frees us from the frustrating effort.
Gulpa
Beautiful ...... I am loving this Adhu Ennathuda moment.
ReplyDeleteLove Vichu