Who Am I

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Bhishma Pitamah, warrior fierce and monk exalted An ascended ascetic, whose life could not be faulted Granted by Gods, boon of immortality, of death by wish Yet so deep became his anguish, life he chose to relinquish How all this came to pass is depicted in the epic, Mahabharata Suffice to say, he could not bear to see his soul defiled by stigma Thereby voluntarily choosing to suffer upon a bed of arrows to atone Karmic consequences of injustice by ego identity sown, he alone did own Quest for immortality, in effect a seeking of our ego identity to unify with soul Encased in this mind-body, feeling limited and bound, we wish to be whole Thus we yearn for life eternal, bliss ineffable and wisdom unimaginable We already are that who we so seek, ego veiling cognition spherical Deluded that we are this organic fleeting form, fear spirals arise Imaginary identity hypnotises soul, resisting joy and surprise Oh weary pilgrim, know we are immortal but this body not Divine aligned, bliss suffused, exit narrow thought slots Shrouded by fears and desires, ego flounders hither and thither Whilst soul luminous has no questions, itself being the answer 18-July-2021 IMMORTALITY YES OR NO Poetry Contest Sponsor: Chantelle Anne Cooke

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Valsa George

Date: 1/10/2022 4:40:00 AM

"Oh weary pilgrim, know we are immortal but this body not Divine aligned, bliss suffused, exit narrow thought slots".... Such sublime thoughts ! This mortal body we have to leave behind and facilitate our soul to merge with the Supreme soul ! Great diction in keeping with the lofty theme ! Enjoyed the story of Bhishma who chose to lie on a bed of arrows to ensure immortality in the other kingdom.

Unseeking Seeker
Date: 1/10/2022 6:20:00 AM

Thank you, Valsa! So happy it resonates in your heart

Aniruddha Pathak

Date: 7/30/2021 5:14:00 AM

Immortality, an interesting topic so well treated here, a well-deserved win. I am surprised to know of your interest in Mahabharata. In case you would like to read some of my translations from this epic, you may Google 'Aniruddha Pathak/Poems/Mahabharata'

Unseeking Seeker
Date: 7/30/2021 5:28:00 AM

I’ll certainly have a look, Pathakji. All Indians, particularly from the Hindu faith have a fair idea about the Bhagwad Gita and Mahabharata. I recall the streets were empty with everyone glued to the tv when the Mahabharata episodes were being aired.