Secular Song 361 மாறுதல் இன்றி வாழ்வில்லை
ஆறுதல் அன்றி தேறுதல் இல்லை
அன்பன்றி உலகில் வாழ்வு இல்லை
மாறுதல் இன்றி மனதுமே இல்லை
மன்னித்தல் அன்றி மாற்றுமே இல்லை
குற்றங்கள் குறைகள் அற்றவராக
வாழ்ந்த மனிதர் எவருமே இல்லை
குற்றங்கள் குறைகளை கண்டுகொள்ளாமல்
வாழ்ந்த மனிதர் எங்குமே இல்லை
மனித வாழ்வில் அங்கமய்ப் போன
இந்த உண்மையில் மாற்றமே இல்லை
ஆயினும் அதற்கு மாற்றம் ஒன்று
இல்லாமல் மனித வாழ்வும் இல்லை
குற்றங்கள் குறைகளை எண்ணிடும் போது
குணத்தையும் காண மறக்கலாகாது
நன்மைகள் சிலவற்றை காண்கின்ற வரையில்
குறைகளை மட்டுமே சொல்லக் கூடாது
அங்குதான் மாறுதல் தோன்றிட வேண்டும்
அதற்கு மனதிலே மாற்றமும் வேண்டும்
மன்னிக்கும் தன்மை ஒன்றே
மாற்றத்தைச் செய்யும் மந்திரமாகும்
மன்னிக்கத் தொடங்க முயலும் போது
அன்புமே தன்போல் முன் வந்து நிற்கும்
அன்புடன் மன்னிப்பு இணைந்திடும் போது
ஆறுதல் தன்போல் வந்து கூடும்.
மத்திகிரி, 26-8-2017, இரவு 11.10
Secular Song 361 No other alternative except change
There is no comfort without encouragement
There is no life without having love
There is no heart without undergoing some change
There is no alternative other than forgiveness
There is none who lived
Without any errors or mistakes
And there is none who
Ever ignored other’s errors and mistakes completely
There is no alternative to this truth
Which becomes part of our life?
Yet there is no human life
Without having an alternative to that
When we see the shortcomings in other’s life
We should not forget to see all the good in them
Unless we manage to see some good in them
We should not talk only about their shortcomings
There alone the change should come
For that some change is required in our heart
Forgiveness alone is the only mantra
Which can bring that change?
When we began to forgive others
Automatically love will come to forefront
And love and forgiveness joining together
Comfort will come automatically (for both side)
Mathigiri, 26-8-2017, 11.10
There is none who always ignores and forgets others’ mistakes and shortcomings. Even God cannot do that. And those who pretend that they overlook others’ mistakes and shortcomings are doing more damage to themselves as they will never find comfort in it. It is better to count the mistakes and shortcomings in others’ life, simultaneously seeing many good things in them. Then forgiving and forgetting can do miracles by giving comfort to both sides. But those who pretend that they ignore other’s shortcomings and mistakes alone will continue to live an uncomfortable life.
Secular Song 362 வேறு வழியில்லை
எத்தனை செய்தாலும்
குத்தமே காண்கிறார்
எதைச் சொன்னாலும்
கோபம் கொள்கிறார்
பொறுமையைக் காட்டினால்
மேலும் அடிக்கிறார்
பொங்கி எழுந்தால்
போக்கிரி என்கிறார்
அருகினில் இருந்து
செய்வதினாலே
அடிக்கடி உரசல்
தன்போல் வந்திடும்
அவசரப்பட்டு
பேசுவதினால்
ஆத்திரம் இன்னும்
பொங்கியே பெருகும்
வீணான கற்பனை
பலவும் செய்வதால்
வேண்டாத எண்ணம்
தன்போல் வந்திடும்
அதன் பின் அதுவும்
உண்மையே என்ற
எண்ணம் மனதில்
உறுதியாய் நிலைக்கும்
இதனைப் போக்க
எத்தனை முயன்றும்
எவ்விதப் பயனும்
இறுதியில் இல்லை
தன்போல் உணர்ந்து
திருந்தட்டும் என்று
விடுவதை தவிர
வழிநமக் கில்லை
மத்திகிரி, 30-8-20172.10
Secular Song 362 No other alternative
How much we do
They find fault
And whatever we might say
They become upset
When we keep patience
They further thrash us
And when we react
They say that I am a rough
As we serve
Staying very near
Friction will
Often comes automatically
As we respond
Quickly
Their anger
Further increases
As they imagine
Unnecessary things
So many unnecessary
Thoughts will come automatically
Then taking that
As true
That alone will
Remain strongly in their mind
How much we try
To remove this thought
At the end
There is no use in it
There is no
Alternative for us to
Leave it to them
To think and repent about it
Mathigiri,30-8-20172.10 pm.
As my mother has to go to stay with my brother for a few months, she becomes very upset about it and each day creates one scene or the other to blame me. She does not want to leave me or this place as she feels comfort here only. But my brother also insists on taking her with him as he too wants to serve her sometimes. Not understanding his longing, my mother insists that if he wants to serve, let him come here and do it. But as he has to take care of his wife also, he is caught between a rock and hard place. Above all he cannot cope with this climate here as he finds it too cold for him (at midnight when he goes to pass urine, he has to wash his both legs. As the water here at midnight is too cold, he finds it difficult. Even if I ask him to wear a chapel when going to the bathroom, still, as per the custom and ritual reason, he said that how one can come out from the bath room without washing the feet?)
So when my sister called my mother, as usual my mother began to lament about going to stay with my brother. My sister, on her part, told my mother not to go but instead come to stay with her—which my mother does not want. Then after talking more than 30 minutes with my sister, when I gave coffee to her, she turned her anger against me and said that I told my sister that how long I alone can take care of her? But I never said such things either to my mother or to my sister. But my mother insisted that only my sister told her that. But I kept quiet, knowing that she was complaining out of frustration. But then my mother began to say too much about my life. Then in response I told her to mind her words. Later when I called my sister to know when I told that I cannot take care of my mother. She said that I never told like that; neither had she ever told our mother that I told like that.
When my tenant returned back from his work, as I went for my evening walk, my mother again began to accuse me too much with him. Later he told me (with a smile) that he feels very sorry for me as my mother at the end turns all her anger only at me. He often says this in Tamil: எத்தன அடிச்சாலும் நீங்க தாங்கரீங்க தாத்தா. [however pounded you manage to bear it]. My mother also called my neighbour and told me so many things. But both of them kept quiet knowing that she is doing this as she does not want to go to stay with my brother. After this fight my mother stopped talking with me yesterday and only asks my tenant anything that she needs. Of course this is not the first time that she does this. Considering her age I too keep quiet as I too have no other option as my brother insists on bringing her to him.
This is the background of this song. Why do I need to share this much autobiographical information about me and my mother? As I try to show how good I am as her son and faithfully serving her? No. Even as I too, like her, often imagine so many things and become upset with others, I clearly understood her nature and in her found my own reflection. Above all, every old person (including me) never feels comfortable once they settle in a place and feel comfort in it. Considering her age (born in 1926) I understand her frustration. At the same time as I cannot deny my brother’s right to serve her, now I am caught between rock and hard place
Secular Song 363 சட்டியில் இருந்து தப்பித்தாலும்
ஆயிரம் சொன்னாலும் அப்படித்தான்
அதற்குமேல் சொல்வது எப்படித்தான்
மாறாத மனமும் தேறாத குணமும்
இருக்கின்ற வரையில் போராட்டம் தினம்தான்
ஒதுங்கி போய் அமைதியாய் இருந்தால்
உள்ளான சஞ்சலம் ஓய்வதே இல்லை
அனைத்திலும் தலையிட்டு அதிகம் பேசினால்
அதைவிட ஆபத்து வேறெங்கும் இல்லை
நாமாக தேடி போகாவிட்டாலும்
தானாகத் தேடி வந்திடும் போது
கேட்பதா-மறுப்பதா என்கிற கேள்வி
முன்னே வந்து தன் போல நிற்கும்
அடுத்தவர் குணம் அறிந்ததால் பலமுறை
தயங்கித் தயங்கி தலையிட சொல்லும்
ஆயினும் அவரின் தேவையை அறிந்தால்
வேறுவழியின்றி மனமும் இரங்கும்
உரலில் தலையிட்டு உலக்கைக்கு பய்ந்தால்
ஒன்றும் பயனில்லை என்பது புரியுது
இரு பக்கம் அடிவாங்கும் மத்தளம் போல
இறுதி வரையில் நம் நிலை ஆகுது
ஆயினும் இதையும் வாழ்கின்ற வரையில்
உதறித் தள்வது இயலாத ஒன்று
சட்டியிலிருந்து துள்ளிக் குதித்தாலும்
நெருப்பில் விழுவது நிச்சயம் உண்டு
மத்திகிரி, 30-8-2017, மதியம் 2.20
Secular Song 363 Though escaped from the pan
How much we say they are like that
And how many more time can we say this
Until the un-repented heart and unchanging character remains strong
Till the end struggle is inevitable
If we keep away remaining silently
The inner frustration never stops
And if we interfere and talk too much
There is no danger more than that
Even though we never voluntarily seek it
When it comes automatically seeking us
Whether we should ignore or listen
Is the question that comes to the forefront?
As we know other’s temperament
We will hesitate to interfere
But as we realize their need
We will have compassion on them, as there is no alternative to it
Once I put my head in the pounding stone
There is no way to escape from getting pounded
At the end our condition becomes like the drum
Which is beaten from both sides?
But as long as we live
It is impossible to escape from this
Even though we might escape from the pan
We are sure of falling on the fire
Mathigiri, 30-8-2017, 2.20 pm.
After writing the previous song, as I reflected on it, I said to myself, ‘even if I jump from the pan, I have to land only in the fire’. Then reflecting this reality I wrote this song. Ignoring close relatives, particularly one’s parents in their need in old age is impossible for us. How much they pester us, considering their age (which we too will do one day in future) without having compassion, there is no way to escape from any guilty conscience. Either we need to get fried in the pan or in the name of escaping (or running away from responsibility) will end up falling in the fire. The choice is left with us. At least when properly fried and remaining in the pan, it can be used. But falling in the fire won’t serve anybody’s needs.
Secular Song 364 ஓய வேண்டும்
வாயையும் மனதையும்
மூட வேண்டும்
வார்த்தைகள் தன்போல்
ஓய வேண்டும்
முதுமை இங்கு
வந்த பின்னே
பக்குவம் மனதில்
வந்திட வேண்டும்
பேசிப் பேசி
பேதை ஆனோம்
பேச்சை குறைக்க
மேதை ஆவோம்
இன்னும் தேவை
என்ன இருக்கு
என்று மட்டும்
எண்ண வேண்டும்
இனிமேல் எதுவும்
தேவை இல்லை
என்ற எண்ணம்
வரவும் வேண்டும்
இருக்கும் இடமும்
தெரிந்திடாமல்
ஒடுங்கி ஓய்ந்து
இருக்க வேண்டும்
பிறருக்கு பாரமாய்
ஆகி விடாது
பொறுமை காக்க
பழக வேண்டும்
துய்த்த வரையில்
போதும் என்று
துறக்கும் எண்ணம்
வரவும் வேண்டும்
இவர்போல் நாமும்
இருக்க வேண்டும்
என்று பிறர்
சொல்ல வேண்டும்
எப்போ போவார்
என்று மட்டும்
இங்கு எவரும்
எண்ணா வாறு
இறந்து நாம்
போன பின்னும்
எண்ணி நமக்காய்
ஏங்க வேண்டும்
மத்திகிரி, 30-8-2017, இரவு 11.40
Secular Song 364 Should become silent
One should close
Mouth and mind
And words should
Become less
Once one become
Old
Maturity should come
Automatically
By too much talk
We become fools
By reducing words
We will become wise
“What else is?
More required”
This thought
Should come
No more
Fresh requirements
This thought
Should come
We should
Resign to a corner
So that
Others won’t even notice us
We should learn
Patience,
So that we won’t become
Burden to others
The spirit of
Renunciation should come
Thinking that
Enough we have enjoyed
Others should
Say that
We too should
Become like them
Not thinking like this
Others should not
Think that
When we will go
Once we die
And passed away
They should think about us
And long to have us (again)
Mathigiri, 30-8-2017, 11.40 pm.
I don’t know about other countries, but the Indian worldview is that old age and retirement from active life is an opportunity to regain so many values which we have lost in the pre-old age life. One of such values is practicing the art of silence. In India silence is promoted as the best antidote for so many mental issues and also a best sadhana (spiritual discipline) to keep both body and mind healthy. At least during six activities one is encouraged to keep silence about which I have already shared in one of the songs. The word ‘muni’ derived from the word ‘moun’ = silence portrays the picture about so many sannyasis who spend their life in silence. But those who miss this golden opportunity to regain that virtue in old age are really missing a beautiful part in their life. For this some kind of inner detachment towards life is necessary, which we need to implement gradually giving up so many unnecessary activities and needs.
Secular Song 365 மேதை ஆவாய்
வாயை மூட
மேதை ஆவாய்
வாயைத் திறக்க
முடன் ஆவாய்
முடிவு இங்கே
உனது கையில்
முடிவு எடுக்க
துணிவு நீ கொள்
தேவை யற்ற
பேச்சை குறைக்க
தேகம் தன்னில்
தெம்பும் கூடும்
அதிகம் பேச
எலும்பும் தேயும்
அத்துடன் மனதும்
ஓய்ந்து போகும்
ஒரு சொல் கேட்க
ஏங்க வேண்டும்
உதட்டை திறக்க
மறுக்க வேண்டும்
கேட்ட பின்னும்
மவுனம் காத்து
ஏற்ற சமயம்
பேச வேண்டும்
இந்த தவத்தை
செய்ய வேண்டி
முதுமை தன்னில்
முயல வேண்டும்
மத்திகிரி, 30-8-2017, இரவு, 11.50
Secular Song 365 You will become wise
By shutting your mouth
You will become wise
By opening it (too much)
You will become a fool
Finally the decision
Is in your hand
And be courageous
To take that decision
By reducing
Unnecessary talks
Strength will
Increase in the body
Even bones will
Get damaged by too much talk
And mind also will
Become tired
Others should long
To hear one word from you
And you should refuse
To open your mouth
Even after requested
To talk
You should keep quiet
Then talk in proper time
In old age
One should strive
To do
This tapasya (penance)
Mathigiri, 30-8-2017, 11.50 pm.
After writing the previous song, as I continue to meditate upon this topic, I wrote this song in continuation with the same topic. Though a talkative person, I prefer to remain quiet and alone. I often spent time like this several times in my life.
Leave a Reply