4.अन्त्याक्षरी

4. Spiritual Wealth

4. Spiritual Wealth

      

  In the past, when the Mizo people were living by forming groups, at that time, the chief of one those of group was by the name लेरसिया. That chief of the group who was very kind used to behave equally with all. Disregarding the richness or poverty, he used to decide the greatness of the people by their kindness or goodness.

         Once, he went to a certain distant village with his colleagues.Before that he had never gone there. Before entering the village, लेरसिया wounded himself with the strokes of whip. He also smeared the pulp of some medicinal herb over his body due to which his body became swollen, ugly and pitiable like (that of) a (diseased) sick person. He also smeared mud over it, so he looked more pitiable. After that, having entered the village, with his colleagues, he went to the middle square. There they all sat on the road. The villagers living there knew only this much that the people who had arrived there were from the village of the famous लेरसिया. But nobody knew who among them was लेरसिया.

           The other people who were with लेरसिया were invited by the villagers to their home for meals. They were honoured with great hospitality and dance, songs and music. But लेरसिया was not invited by anybody because his appearance was very disgusting and inauspicious (ugly). Therefore, nobody thought of taking him home.

           In that village, there lived two brothers who were very poor but were kind-hearted and compassionate. They came to know that there was a certain man of ugly appearance in the village who was wearing torn clothes, was afflicted by hunger. No one was even conversing with him. Having approached him, one of them said,”Oh gentleman, we are indeed poor. We do not have even this much money, that we will offer you something for a meal. Then also, we wish that your respectable one should come to our old hut and experience the warmth of the fire that is lit. You may relish whatever (little) we have.”

           Saying alright and going to the hut with those two brothers, लेरसिया spent the night with both of them being happy. He happily ate even the dry food with them. Early in the morning, revealing his own identity, he introduced himself to both of them. Very soon, this news spread in the village. All the villagers were surprised and felt ashamed. They were dejected with the thought that even after this great man came to (our) village, we didn't recognize him or treat him in the manner approved by learned people or in the manner favourable to human beings. Some rich people ran towards the hut to take the chief of the people (लेरसिया) to their home. But he didn't go anywhere else leaving those two. He said, “They both are indeed my friends. They didn't even know me but even after seeing my pitiable condition, they offered me respectful treatment. They both are poor but their minds are generous. This itself is their spiritual wealth.”

    After some days, as per the invitation sent by लेरसिया, those two brothers went to his village. There, that chief offered them grand welcome. He presented them various types of gifts and many bull-like मिठुन animals also, due to which they both became wealthy. Thus, लेरसिया honoured their kindness with rewards. Thereafter, even the villagers behaved respectfully with both of them. Now, the value and strength of spiritual wealth was recognised even by them.

3. I salute to the national flag.

3. I salute to the national flag.

I salute many times to the tri-coloured national flag which continuously reminds me of the stories of the glories of the great people.

1. The sacrifice (done) by those who always served the motherland and painted the earth with their own blood and happily offered their lives in the sacrifice of कार्गिल; (that sacrifice) had attained the saffron colour on the top of the flag. The saffron on the flag always inspires me. Indeed, I salute the soldiers saying ‘जय जवान’ (may the soldiers be victorious).

2. The earth bearing crops in its womb has yielded fruits by the hard work of those who sprinkled it with the drops of their sweat. This green earth smiles. The greenness of the green revolution has blossomed (extended) on the flag also. This green lustre (situated) on the flag always inspires me. Indeed I salute the farmer saying ‘जय किसान’ (victory to farmers).

3. The skill that is acquired by the modern magicians (scientists and technologists) in nuclear science or in computer science or in पोखरण (the nuclear test at पोखरण); that success is included in the middle of the flag assuming white colour and this whiteness in the middle of the flag encourages me and the emotional upsurge makes me say ‘जय विज्ञान’ (may the science be victorious).

4. ‘May the soldier be victorious’, ‘May the farmer be victorious’, ‘May the science be victorious’ by whom three colours have been given to the (national) flag of ours- saffron colour by sacrifice (of soldiers) , green colour by agriculture and white by the success of scientists. I salute many times to the tri-coloured national flag which continuously reminds me of the stories of the glories of the great people.

1. Garland of good sayings-1

1. Garland of good sayings-1

1. I bow down to the lotus-like feet of (lord) गणेश,(the god having face like that of elephant)who is served by all the living beings, troops of lord शिव , etc ,who eats the pulp of wood apple, jamun fruits, who is son of (goddess) पार्वती ,who is the destructor of sorrows, who rules over calamities.

2.Those who always listen to and think about good books or pass their time being delighted by the amusement created by poets and  remove the delusion of the people with dull intellect by good advice, being themselves free from confusions are engrossed in the feet of lord, are good people.

3. All the tasks of human beings (the four ends of human life that are धर्म, अर्थ, काम, मोक्ष) are accomplished by knowledge. No purpose is served without knowledge. Knowing these virtues (importance) of knowledge, great people never give up knowledge (the efforts of acquiring knowledge).

4. Only the external appearance of kings and (common) man is similar. However, (in the case of kings) there is an excess of forgiveness, courage, power to give order and valour.

5. A man though born in a noble family and possessing virtues, is respected due to good company. Indeed the neck of lute though made of good bamboo and having strings doesn’t attain greatness without a gourd (pumpkin).

(Explanation: The figures of speech pun i.e. श्र्लेष अलङ्कार is used in this verse. The pun is on two words- वन्शभवः and गुणवान्, these two adjectives are applicable to पुरूष and वीण्दण्ड.)

6. Indeed, it is impossible to wipe out the virtue of courage of a courageous person though he is insulted. Even if the torch (fire) is held upside down its flame never goes downwards.

7. 1) Oh! Lamp, preserve the oil in your vessel that enhances your beauty because without it your wicks will be reduced to ashes.

2) Oh! Virtuous man, save your love towards a worthy person that increases your prosperity because without it your virtues will be perished.

(Explanation: This verse is an example of the figures of speech Pun i.e. श्र्लेष अलङ्कार , it has dual meaning, one is applicable to the lamp and another one to the virtuous man. It is an example of प्रदीपान्योक्ति too.)

8. “One should not make friendship with a person whose strength, family, behaviour is not known”, thus said बृहस्पति.

2.A Sand Bridge

2.A Sand Bridge

1. In a   town   (in the city of पॆठण), there was   a   certain Brahmin    named   तपोदत्त.  Even though   being    insisted (tormented)    by   his father,   he did   not   study   in his childhood.

2.  Thereafter, being criticized by all, he who was repentant (sorrowful),    went   to   the   bank of the   river   to गङ्गा to practice penance for acquiring knowledge.

3. There, having seen him, resorted to the severe penance

Lord इन्द्र   who  was  surprised,  came  near  him  in  the disguise of  a  Brahmin  who was going  to  prevent  him (from doing penance).                                           .

4. And coming there, picking up the sand again and again, he (इन्द्र) threw it from the bank of (the river) गङ्गा into the water full of waves while he (तपोदत्त)   was watching.

5. Having seen it, that (तपोदत्त) who had given up his silence asked him with curiosity, ‘‘O Brahmin, what are you doing this tirelessly (continuously)?"

6. And being persistently asked, that इन्द्र in the disguise of a

Brahmin said to him,”Iam building a bridge over the river गङ्गा for the living beings to cross (the river)."

7. Then तपोदत्त said, “O fool is a bridge ever built over the (river) गङ्गा      with the sand that gets carried away by the stream?"

(8 and 9).

Then, having heard it, इन्द्र  who was in the of disguise of a Brahmin thus said to him, “If you know this, why have you become ready to acquire   knowledge without reading or listening (to teachers) with vows, fasting, etc.? This (attempt of yours) is like desiring to get  horns of a  rabbit or imagining

of drawing a  picture in the sky."

 10. Acquiring knowledge without studying is (like) writing a script without letters.  If it happens so, no one will indeed ever  study."

11. That तपोदत्त who was thus addressed by इन्द्र disguised as a Brahmin, having thought (about it), giving up penance went home to acquire knowledge.

3.The sculptor-Respected Karmarkar

3. The sculptor - Respected   करमरकर

          There is a certain village named सासवणे in रायगड   district   in कोंकण region.    It is indeed the place of natural beauty situated just near the sea. (Here)   there is करमरकर Sculpture   Gallery   that   is eye-pleasing     and   attractive    to   mind (attracts mind).  It is not only the ornament of the village but also is a place of pilgrimage (holy place) like पंढरपूर for the artists and art lovers.

            In this village, there was a house of a   farmer named पाण्डुरंग करमरकर which was full of music,   painting, arts; etc .and was like an abode of peace and   happiness.     The  celebration   of the  birth  of the  son took  place there  on the  second day  of  the  month   of  October   in  the  year  eighteen    ninety  one (1891)  A.D.   In the childhood   itself, this boy   named विनायक started making clay idols   with his father.   His interest   was   (he was interested in) in making the idols of various animals and deities.  He was also engrossed in re-drawing the various   pictures that   were in the books.   Good values    (संस्कार) were inculcated in him by his father also who was always observing him.

Once a picture of छत्रपती शिवाजी was drawn by him in the temple of Lord Ram in the village.   At that   time   respected   Otto Rothfield,   the district collector of अलिबाग,      had come for the inspection of the administration    of the village.  His mind   was delighted as soon as he saw the picture.  So विनायक got admitted to J.J.   School of Arts (J.J.college)   located in Mumbai   by him. Even there विनायक secured first rank by his genius and skill.

When the education was completed,    respected Rothfield   introduced   him to respected गुरुदेव रवीन्द्रनाथ टागोर. According to the saying, 'the virtuous person   knows (another)   the virtuous one', he was invited   to Kolkata city by रवीन्द्रनाथ .There the full size statue of श्रीरामकृष्ण परमहंस was made by विनायक for Belur Math. Having recognized his skill when he was engrossed in making the statues of respected   रवीन्द्रनाथ, गान्धी etc., the chief of Tata Company sent him to Royal Academy in London for advanced   studies.   Having acquired   the skill there also, having  met  the  sculptors  of the  countries such as Italy, France, Switzerland   etc. and having  studied  their  works  of arts , he returned   to his own country.

And again a special statue called '' शङ्खध्वनि “that was worthy of reward was created by him for exhibition in Kolkata. He was appointed for the work of making   a horse ridden statue of छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज for the military school in Pune by the respected   राजर्षि शाहूमहराज.  Even today this thirteen and a half feet tall statue weighing eight tons shines as the object of pleasure for the eyes of all.  Many statues for the rulers of princely states like Baroda, Sangli, and Miraj etc. were made by him who was shining with success and fame. Among them the marble statue of संत ज्ञानेश्वर   created by him and located  in फलटण, is special.

In the year nineteen forty seven (l947) A.D.,   he was specially invited by the Wisconsin    University in America.  Even there, creating the statue   of the Chancellor    respected     Mr.   Dalim   in front of the spectators only, he was honored       even    in   a   foreign   country   .The    statues   which   are    the manifestations   of the  genius  of respected  करमरकर  shine    in   front  of  the Mumbai   high court,  in  Ravindra Natya  Mandir  and  in the Institute  Jahangir Art Society.

He was  not  only  a  sculptor  but  also  the  ocean  of  compassion   and  a patriot.  He always   helped   for the upliftment   of his village.  He was a resort for   poor students.   He was indeed    a great support   for the underground freedom   fighters   (those   who participated    in   underground    movement)    . Having   led     a  fruitful  life,  this  great  sculptor   expired   (immersed    in  five elements   )  in   the year  nineteen  eighty  seven  (1987) A.D. but has  become immortal   with   the statues   created  by his own genius.