Sunday, September 17, 2000

Garden: There where millions...


There, where millions of Krishnas stand with hands folded, where millions of Vishnus bow their heads, where millions of Brahmas are reading the VEDAS, where millions of Shivas are lost in contemplation, where millions of Indras dwell in the sky, where the demigods and the munis are unnumbered, where millions of Saraswatis play on the veena — there is my Lord self-revealed: and the scent of sandal and FLOWERS dwells in those deeps.

Where to next: VEDAS or FLOWERS?


[Source: RT 15 (partial); 2.57. jânh khelat vasant riturâj]

This poem refers to the gods of Hinduism: Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, ShivaBrahma, along with Indra, and the goddess Saraswati.

Vedas. These are the oldest Hindu scriptures; you can learn more at Wikipedia.

demigods. There are the Hindu deities known as devas.

munis. These are Hindu sages, seekers.

veena. The veena is a stringed instrument, as favored by the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati.

sandal. A paste made of sandalwood is widely used in Hinduism.

Here is the full poem:

XV

II. 57. jânh khelat vasant riturâj

  Where Spring, the lord of the seasons, reigneth, there the
    Unstruck Music sounds of itself,
  There the streams of light flow in all directions;
  Few are the men who can cross to that shore!
  There, where millions of Krishnas stand with hands folded,
  Where millions of Vishnus bow their heads,
  Where millions of Brahmâs are reading the Vedas,
  Where millions of Shivas are lost in contemplation,
  Where millions of Indras dwell in the sky,
  Where the demi-gods and the munis are unnumbered,
  Where millions of Saraswatis, Goddess of Music, play on the vina—
  There is my Lord self-revealed: and the scent of sandal and
    flowers dwells in those deeps.

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