Who Am I


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

musespiritualrhyme

♡Like0

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Valsa George

January 10, 2022 at 4:40 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

January 10, 2022 at 6:20 AM

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

Aniruddha Pathak

July 30, 2021 at 5:14 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

July 30, 2021 at 5:28 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.