My Guru
Lord Krishna came
Much later than Rama,
According to the Puranas.
But in my life it is the other way round:
Krishna, my Guru, came into this world
Much before I did.
He is my friend, philosopher, and guide—
Not a cliché.
He spotted me at the Mecca
Of English Studies in India,
And taught me;
Saved me once
From a dangerous Kali Yuga Vamana,
Who nearly killed me.
Krishna has helped me in more than one way.
One great example:
He made me realize my own strength,
As did Jambavan to Hanuman.
He sent me to a Land of Kings in the North,
To teach the followers of a Saint;
Then, to a holy town in the South
To teach a bunch of learners—easy to teach,
And I was eager to teach.
Chose to write books with me
On Philosophy and Rhetoric
For posterity to benefit.
Nominated me Yuvacaharya,
That is, his heir apparent.
Then, went a step further
And nicknamed me Brahma Rishi,
A title, as you may remember,
Awarded by Sage Vasishta to Viswamitra.
That amounts to equating me
With himself—a great honour!
Thus, his love for me is
Something like Marjara Nyaya,
Like, that is, that of the cat taking
Exemplary care of its kitten.
All this he did to me
With no strings attached.
No expectations.
No barter.
And this I consider
An excellent example of detachment
Or Nishkamya karma,
As preached by Lord Krishna, in His Gita.
And, now, as practiced
By Krishna, my Guru,
In this Kaliyuga or Postmodern times.
He has been betrayed, alas,
As was Jesus by Judas.
But Jesus had only one betrayer,
But Krishna has had more.
That did not, however,
Turn him away from virtue;
Did not turn him sour.
He remains positive, energetic—as ever.
Age cannot wither him,
Nor custom stale his infinite variety.
God bless him!
***
Copyright © Ram R. V. | Year Posted 2017
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