VENICE

GOVINDARAJASWAMI TEMPLE

GOVINDARAJASWAMY TEMPLE

 Gopuram of Govindarajaswamy temple

In Tirupati from far off   distances   vislble

Built Sri Ramanuja   this   temple

Inner   and outer gopurams ,   nice spectacle.

Inside temple complex, blessed are the devotees

Darshan of many heart seeking deities

Govindaraja , Lord Vishnu on Anantha

Lord is brother of Tirumala Lord Srinivasa.

Find temple of Sri Partha sarathy

With   His   consorts  Sathya bhama and Rukmini.

Goddess Andal archamurthy  in  north  west

Placed   Govindaraja’s right.

Andal enjoys company of Venkatavan lot

Partakes in temple festivities as principal consort

Find goddess Lakshmi seated on lotus

With four arms, upper ones with lotus

One arm in varada hasta or benediction

Other   arm   in   abhaya hasta, fearlessness significance.

Find a shrine for sri  Ramanuja

And Lord Vishnu in kurma avatara

Thousands of devotees flock round the year

Seek   blessings   of   Lord, to them so dear

Dwjarohanam signaling Brahmotsavam

Nine day annual utsavam

With Garuda   imprint   on   cloth   yellow

Garuda,  Maha Vishnu carrier, you know.

Hoisted on top of dwajasthambha

Amidst vedic chanting, in month of Vishaka.

Hear story of Govindaraja

An affectionate brother of Srinivasa

From Lord Kubera borrows money

For Srinivasa to marry Padmavathi 

Srinivasa to pay back gradually

First   interest, principal    finally.

Govindaraja with a measure beneath head

Measure Kubera’s loan offered

And   measure   money   to   pay   back

Whole of Kaliyuga for interest pay back

Tired Govindadaraja, under the head measure

Pay back   principal   beyond   Kaliyuga and   thereafter.

K.S.V.SESHADRI

BRIDES

BRIDES

An Indian bride glittering in sari,   with rich embroidery                 

Pretty, radiant, with colorful   bangles, adorning  gold   jewelry

A gleaming face with an attractive    bindi

Hands and feet with colorful mehendi

Boy rides in Girls room

In her heart for none else room

His   gentle manners, charming face

Steal   sight    of    her   beauty and grace..

Brides   dream of their lives

A   fantasy   world   in mind strikes

Life filled with excitement, joy and happiness

Dream days   of   exciting   togetherness.

Groom charming and understanding

Always loving and caring

Lending ears and   listens

Happy married life signs.

Irks in their mind, hopes and fear of new home

Away from parents   in a new environment alone

Settling down to a new relationships

Wishing and praying, without   hardships.

F in   law, father intelligent, learned and wise

M in law, mother inspiring, loving and wonderful

S in law, sister impressive, loving and witty

B in law, brother interesting Laxman and wise

Oh God every day, happiness I seek

May every week be a   happy     week

Every month, a merry month

Every   year,  a   happy   year of strength to strength.

K.S.V.SESHADRI

AUTUMN SCENES

AUTUMN

     AUTUMN

Autumn a seasonal transition

Summer to winter on horizon

Sky turning grey, see moods sway

Physically, mentally mind driven inward way

.

Autumn, for earthly beings a season of life

Symbolizing ageing in life

Inevitable old age and death

Brood   never,   think   of gladness of harvest much.

The   rich   harvest   season

Fruits, vegetables grains ripen

Celebrate annual festivals merrily

Bountiful,   season    of   fecundity.

Autumn marks Halloween   season

Promotion of confectionaries, decorations begin

Themes of abundance and losing strength

Christmas follows, enliven and rejuvenate    strength.   

Autumn foliage in deciduous trees

Scenic attraction seducing to eyes

Colors changing to yellow, red and brown

Signal   arrival   of   days   of  autumn.

In Britain and America scenes spectacular

Trees give off vibrant red to golden colors

Range of golden shades, good weather to begin

Animals  prepare  for winter, squirrels into hibernation.

Autumn a season of migration

Wild life posed with threatening situation

Days of wild storms and cold snaps

For wild  life  a challenge on mother earth’s lap.

Rivers forcing through narrow rocky gorges

Hurrying down as series of water falls

Leaves turn their ochre and russet tones

Enjoy walking loops, biking, hiking, view panoramic   scenes

Ever green charming Nature, sees in her visitors

Multihued   dresses captivating to eyes of hers

Jealous, exhibits herself in colorful   exuberance

And later in Winter naked to feel her  parts  and  propagation.

K..S.V.SESHADRI

VENICE

VENICE

VENICE

                                                             VENICE

Venice the queen of Adriatic

Floating city, city of canals, most romantic

City known for artistic movements and music

Place of Vivaldi, known for symphony and opera music

People blanch at waters approaching door steps

Flee at first sign of high tide news

So different are Venetians

Live in a city over river with posts driven.

 Walk in Venice from one end to other

It only takes about an hour

Arrows marking pathways to landmarks

Discover marvelous art and super architectures

Walk through the alleys

Or water trips to places

Or sit and watch the locals pass by

For visitors, a beautiful   delight

Little stores at every corner

Carnival masks, glass and marble paper

Murano glass, ornate, colorful, elaborate and skillful

In every shop you find them wonderful.

 Saint   Mark’s   Basilica on Piazza San Marco

A memorable visit in minds remains so

Bell tower, replica of tower collapsed in nineteen hundred and two

 The bell tower of Saint Mark, from top Venice view

Doge’s palace, political and judicial hub

Torre dell’Orologio, clock tower

Art work of Tintoretto, Canaletto, Tiepolo, in mind stays

Punt down in iconic gondola in picturesque water ways

Rialto  bridge   eight hundred years old

Replacing wooden one that collapsed

Museums of Italy, for art and glass works

For visitors spectacular attracts.

Venice a city of fairy tale

Cars banned, foot or water to take

Visit palaces, art and do shopping

Wander   merrily,   drink   Bellini

K.S.V.SESHADRI

LORD SHIVA

LORD SHIVA

Shiva wears a deer in upper hand

Trident in lower arm, crescent moon on head

Fair like an ice clad mountain

With fire, damru, malu as a weapon

He wears five serpents as ornament and garland of skulls

His feet presses demon Muyaka

A dwarf holding a cobra

He faces south, His body panchaksha

With tryambakam burned desires to ashes

With crescent moon controlled mind and desires

With matted hair in gold

With poison, down His throat.

Sacred Ganges flowing through matted locks

Seated on deer skin, lust He controls

Garland of snakes signifying wisdom of eternity

Holding deer, tossing of mind controlled nicely

Trident representing conquer over trigunas

Sathva, rajas, tamas gunas

Damru representing OM origin of sound

Lord holds Nandi, the dharma profound.

In Kailash, gana, attendants of Shiva

Shiva named Ganesha, lord of all ganas

Mount Kailash in Himalayas as His abode

Resembling layas , representing center of universe.

Shiva a figure of honour, delight and brilliance

Found in Him invincibility, might and terror presence

Ascetic yogin and as a house holder shines

Parvati as wife, Ganesha and Skanda as His sons.

Parvathi addressed as Uma, Tripura Sundari

Shakti, Durga, Kamaksahi, Meenakshi

Consort of Shiva in creative energy

Ganesha and Karthikeya, their sons of Hindu worship.

Shiva as Nataraja as promoter of dance

Lasya and Tandava, feminine and masculine forms

Lasya graceful gentle delicate emotions

Tandava masculine associated with destruction.

Shiva teacher of yogsa, music, shastras

As Dakshinamurthy teacher of sages

Shiva represented as Ardhanareeshwara, half male and half female

Signifying ultimate power of universe is feminine and masculine.

Shiva linga means an auspicious symbol

Creation and dissolution, god’s symbol

Shiva’s five faces, Sadyojate, vamadeva

Aghora, Tatpurusha, Isana

Shiva’s five faces represent

Five elements in pancha bhutas present

Five senses, organs of perception

And five organs of actions.

Maha Shivaratri in month of Maaga

Thirteenth night, fourteenth morning in Krishna paksha

Day lord Shiva performed tandava and married Parvathi

Observed as fasting day, pray all night, Shiva’s devotees..

K.S.V.SESHADRI

SUMMER

SUMMER

Summer days, long hot days

Uncomfortable in night always

Days bursting with all activity

Talk, walk and time for Nature connectivity.

Couples find time together cool

Carefree in outdoor swimming pool

Summer days, families get together

Memories of time spent in them last forever.

Flowers aflutter in fields bright

Poppies, lilies, daisies, roses a delight

Brings colors of life to me and you

Hours you feel, stand and beauty to view.

Summer days in forests, Nature you admire

Time for conservation studies of Nature

Wood paths, towering trees, water falls

Birds, beasts, insects study them all

Insects, frogs and fish in water

Family of duck paddling with mother

Appreciate, aware, concern for Nature

For our environment, creatures matter.

Birds nest and raise their young in summer

Cricket and frogs fill their sound in air

Golden rods and milk weed plants

Amazing to see, draw towards them insects.

Hike to places of water falls

Sight delightful and thrilling to all

Colors and sounds of Nature, a freshener

Stress from minds of young and old gone forever.

K.S.V.SESHADRI

RADHA RANI

RADHA RANI

Radha or Radha Rani or Radhika

Childhood lover of Krishna

In Bhagavat puranana, Gita Govinda too

Alongside Krishna, great shakthi of love.

Radha’s relation to Krishna

Svakhya rasa and parakyarasa

Meaning married relationship and mental relationship

Radha Krishna, a highly esoteric relationship.

Radha’s eyes beautiful as lotus

Blooming ones you see in forests

Her beautiful body with luster

Brings shame to gold that glitters.

Her beauty both in day and night

Superior to moon shining only in night

Or lotus blooming in the morn

In the night closed and gone.

In her smiles, waves of joy override

Her eyebrows like Cupid’s arrow strike

Her glance like a bumble bee

Leads to intoxication slowly.

Radha rani known as Sarva kanti

Beauty and luster in her body

Desires of Lord Krishna rests

Radha’s beauty, her charm attracts.

Krishna’s internal energy much

Rests on Radha rani as such

Coupled and inseparable Radha Krishna

Like Sita Rama or Laxmi Narayana.

Radha to Krishna always appealing

Radha rani very sweet and charming

Adolescent and always fresh and youthful

A smile on Her face and always blissful

With doe like eyes restless

Her hands and feet with lines auspicious

Fragrant body with nice aroma

Exceptional singer and plays veena

Words charming and pleasing to ears

Jokes delighting to Krishna’s ears

Exceptionally humble in actions

Embodiment of mercy and compassion

In intelligence and wit surpasses all

In love acts she is exceptional

Shyness, a gem in Her character

A beacon light of modesty, swerves from honesty never.

Unperturbed by worldly sorrow and misery

With unbounded gravity and sublimity

Fascinated with uniting with Krishna

High sentiments of ecstatic love for Krishna.

Reservoir of loving affairs in Gokula

Her transcendental glory in all lokas

Affectionate to Her superiors

Submissive to love of girlfriends senior.

Chief among Krishna’s gopi lovers

Keeps Krishna’s actions under control

Krishna submissively obeys Her command indeed

Pray to Radha, to Krishna she will plead

K.S.V.SESHADRI

LOVE

LOVE

Oh Love One Virtue Ever

In Life one Values Ever

The Love one values ever

One Lives on values ever.

Love of vivid Entertainment

Life of valued Excitement

Love of virtuous emotions

Life offering valued Expressions.

Love of vivid excitement

Love of victorious Embracement

Love of varied enjoyment

Life of one valued engagement.

K.S.V.SESHADRI

KNOW ORANGES

KNOW ORANGES

Oranges Of Chinese, North Indian origin

Carried by navigators Portuguese and Italian

For medicinal purposes to Mediterranean

Later to Spain, Mexico, and places American.

California and Arizona oranges

Available throughout year fruit citrus

Two major varieties Valencia and Navels

And Moro, Cara Cara the seasonals

Valencia oranges with few seeds

Thin skinned with full of juice

Fruit of nutritional power

At times with chlorophyll absorption green in color

Navel oranges finest for eating

Fruits interior red or orange

Snacks for lunches and travel

Orange sections of pancakes and waffles.

Moro oranges with thin skins

Bright red interior seen

Tasting hints of Raspberry and in Moro present

Anthocyanin powerful and oxidant

Anthocyanin, neutralizes effects of free radicals

Agents responsible for cancer, aging, health ailment

Jewel like color in recipes

Slices of segments into salads, salsas

Used in salads, salsas and chutneys

In microwave oven make an exotic sauce

With two table spoons of orange marmalade

Tumble in one piece of Moro diced.

Cara cara oranges of California

With interior pinkish red

Flavored like tangy Cranberry like zing

Source of vitamins A, C and fiber Lycopene.

K.S.V.SESHADRI

BEAUTY

BEAUTY

Beauty of woman captivating to eyes

Her Inner beauty in her personality lies

With charm, grace, intelligence

And politeness, integrity ,elegance.

Young look pretty, walk with beauty

With proportionate features built into their body

Dwells in their mind, ideal shape of woman

With waist to hip ratio of zero point seven.

Woman with emotional beauty

Radiate happiness, contentment and joy

She is simply adorable

For her quiet and mild spirit lovable

Beautiful girls at times arrogant

Mess up their love, though not intent

Realize never inner beauty is what counts

In everlasting love accounts

Beauty of woman they say

Lies in improving man in every way

Being strong when things go wrong

Tomorrow sing together a happiness song.

K.S.V.Seshadri

SAMUDRA MANTHAN

SAMUDRA  MANTHAN

Indra, king of Gods riding on elephant

Durvasa muni offered him a garland

Indra put it on elephant’s trunk

Irritated by smell elephant threw it at once.

Durvasa muni much offended

On Indra, muni angrily cursed

Lose strength, influence and auspiciousness

Devas defeated by asuras at once.

Devas distressed appealed to Lord Vishnu

Vishnu suggested them, with asuras a truce

Draw them to Ksheera sagara mathan

Or    churning   of the ocean.

Devas and asuras churn the ocean

Bali Maharaja, led asuras to begin 

Vishnu with Mandara   mountain  on Garudas back

And snake Vasuki as churning rope

Asuras insisting on front of Vasuki

Vishnu advising devas to hold tail simply

Chuning hard for release of nectar

Blazing fire from mouth of Vasuki appear

Devas and asuras continue churning

Mandara   without   support sinking.

Vishnu took form of tortoise or kurma

Continued supporting Mandara

Many great objects began to surface

Deavas and asuras good understanding to share

During churning out came halahala

Deadly poison frightening asuras and devas

On advice of Vishnu, devas appeal to Shiva

Shiva drank poison, Parvati pressing neck of Shiva.

Prevented poison going down to stomach

Shiva’s neck appearing blue with poison much

Lord Shiva hence called Neelakanta

Came to   rescue  of  deavas.

Fourteen different things surface

Devas and asuras decide on equal share

Lakshmi goddess of wealth and fortune

Kaustaba, costliest jewel of world known

Parijata, the divine white flower

Varuni, goddess of intoxicant beverages ever

Dhanvantri, the doctor

Chandra, the moon appears

Kamadhenu, wish granting cow

Kalpatharu, wish granting tree or tharu

Airavati, white elephant of Indra

Apsara, nymphs like Rambha, Menaka

Uccharavas,  the  seven  headed  horse

Sharanya, bow of lord Vishnu

Shanka, Vishnu’s conch

Amrita, nectar  of  immortality.

Ocean produced balacendra

The cool crescent moon

Offered to Lord Shiva,to wear on His head

Dhanvantri with nectar filled pot appeared.

Demons lost patience and snatched

From Dhanvantri the kumbha, fight ensued

Among demons who should drink first

Garuda snatched the pot and fled fast

Garuda in his   flight   round earth

Spilled out   from pot   four   drops on to   earth.

Drops fell at Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik

Today four sacred places of Hindu worship

Places of power and spirituality

Kumbha  mela celebrated once in twelve years merrily.

Asuras fought and snatched back from Garuda

Overwhelmed with happiness the asuras

Their happiness was short lived

Appeared before them  as apsara damsel.

Vishnu as Mohini, a damsel appeared

Mohini begins to distribute

Her ways none should dispute

She would be just in distribute

Asuras and devas agree to her just attribute.

Mohini made demons and asuras to sit

In separate lines in order she insist

Delivered   devas   amrith   first

Spoke to demons   praiseworthy words best.

Demons waiting for their turn next

Rahu, an intelligent one among demons

Suspected foul play in Mohini’s actions

Transformed into a deva like figure

Between Surya and Chandra appears

Chandra dev signaled to Mohini

Skip Rahu sitting next to me

But it was too late for Mohini to act

Rahu had his share and gulped into throat

Vishnu appeared, served remaining to Chandra

Threw the pot on to earth after serving last of devas

Started chasing Rahu, the demon

Severed Rahu’s   head   with  Vishnu chakra at once.

Rahu’s head tasting amrith became immortal

Vishnu decides to break into pieces multiple

Chandra pleads not to do so

Every piece would incarnate as daitya more

Vishnu directs Rahu to change his life style

Begin absorbing devas life style

Your head and body split be with Surya and Chandra

Worshipped as Rahu and Ketu in Navagraha

Suryaya Chandraya Mangalaya Budhaya

Guru Sukra Sanibyascha Rahave Ketave namaha

K.S.V.SESHADRI

LORD HANUMAN

LORD HANUMAN

 Anjana , a female apsara and Kesari  born

With   blessings from Vayu or Pavan

Hanuman, in strength, powers and intelligence

Eleventh    avatar   of   Lord   Shiva,   supreme.

Hanuman as child chases Sun, a fruit to eat

Rahu , a vedic planet of solar eclipse on  way meet

A clash between sathvic   Hanuman,  Rahu  tamas

Hanuman victorious,  Rahu  appeals to Indra, King of devas

Indra’s thunderbolt struck Hanuman’s jaw

Fell on earth with the mighty blow

 Vayu, in retaliation moves into seclusion

Taking atmosphere,  life   nerve   with   him.

On earth living beings asphyxiate

Indra withdrew effect of thunder bolt immediate

Perturbed    Devas   arrived on scene

Revived Hanuman, shower of blessings seen

Lord Brahma gave Hanuman boons

None can kill him with any of weapons

Fear, in friends you annihilate, in enemies you create

Change your form small or great.

As you wish travel anywhere

Your body now stronger than vajra, fear never

No vajra , thunder storm can harm

Blessed are you from now on.

Lord Shiva appeared, showered on him

Boon of longevity, scriptural wisdom

He gave Hanuman a  kavacha or a band

Protect him for life attacks he can withstand.

Indra  too appeared ,blessed Pavan putra

Your body shall be stronger than vajra

Indara’s   vajra  can do no harm

Varuna too blessed, from waters no harm

Agni present, blessed no harm from fire

Surya gave two siddhis, choose as you desire

You can take Laghima, shrink to any size you desire

Or Garima, expand to the largest form you aspire.

Vayu blessed with super speed,his son

Yama blessed long life, free from his weapon

Yama danda will not come to him

Kubera blessed Hanuman ever happy you remain

Hanuman learnt Sun as a teacher

Become His student aspire

Sun ever in motion on a chariot

Difficult for Hanuman, he regrets.

Enlarging with one leg on eastern and   other on western

Facing Sun,   appealed  with  devotion and concern

Sun pleased with Hanuman’s persistence

Aceepts  him  as student , begins his lessons

Hanuman learnt from Sun, all knowledge

Offers Sun, gurudakshina , as gratitude to acknowledge

Sun pleased with his extreme devotion, on insistence

Offer my son Sugriva, as required assistance.

Hanuman as youth mischievous

Teased a lot sages in forests

Sages gave a mild curse on him

Your ability needs reminder from another person.

Curse highlighted in Kishkinda kanda

And also in Sundarakanda

Jambhavan reminding Hanuman

To   find  Sita, His abilities immense

Oh Hanuman , You are as powerful as wind

You are intelligent, illustrious, and inventive kind

There is nothing in the world that is difficult for you

Whenever struck, you are the one who can rescue.

K.S.V SESHADRI