Rao’s Ragas 1   dt.07/12/2011

 

“My neighbour’s little flower”

Woke up today to the chirping sounds of the little birds. After the advent of cell phones the birds like sparrows and seven sisters is becoming a rare sight in cities that are populated and polluted to the brim.

I open the door of my balcony and find the fore-ground of my building filled with fog and mist on this December morning. A little greenery across the balcony is fast disappearing too as builders are converting the cool greeneries into ‘hot’ concrete Apartments. Little patches of shrubs and grass and some trees still dot the rectangular maidaan  and attract fog and mist to stay for a while after sunrise. My eyes longing to see some plants and flowers and probably some little birds turn around and Lo! What a beautiful sight!

There stood a plant in my neighbor’s little compound across the balcony, standing some five feet tall and straight like a brahmachaari offering ablutions to Sun-God as part of morning sandhya ; offering indeed a beautiful red flower – eyes wide open! The flower is neither small nor too big but enough to captivate attention.

A lovely plant and a single flower – like meditating on the crown; like  sahastraara, the crown chakra of a  saadhaka, a spiritual aspirant.

I could not take my eyes away from that flower for once; the neighbor’s envy. To me it is conveying several meanings touching deep into my heart. What is its name? Hibiscus? Dahlia? Or a Rose? Well, what is in a name? Is it a mere flower? No. ‘She’ stood there blushing red! With eyes half – closed and misty. Both hands closely held in offering mode – anjali mudra.

Yes; she is waiting; waiting and longing for the Lord; yearning for His sweet smile; offering to fall at His lovely Feet. Yes – not satisfied till then; may the petals wither – nay, their life fulfilled caressing the nectar on the lovely feet of Lord Krishna. How long will she wait there? Will the Lord come? Or will she be taken to His lotus feet by a devotee with his recommendation; rather with the commendation chanting Hare Krishna, divine name of the Lord?  Can she look at His face? Adore Him on His lovely locks, or touch His cheeks or lips? Will she be lucky enough? Oh, what a waiting? What a longing and that too in such a delicate state undulating even for a little breeze? Will she meet Him or won’t she?

I could not bear any more of these thoughts nor willing to entertain any negative feelings for this lovely little buddy. I shut the balcony, shut my eyes and held the vision of her meeting her lovely Lord, rendering her heart and surrendering to Him absolutely, deep down in my heart.     

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