Lord! Give me your command!!

 So, here comes my first translation this year.

(Recap: The six songs I translated last year are here...

1. "Sadaa Siva Sanyasi Taapasi Kailaasa Vasi" song from the movie "Khaleja".
2. "Tharali raadha thane vasantham" song from the movie "Rudraveena".
3. "Needa padadhani mantananagalaraa" song from the movie "Jersey".
4. "Manasu palike" song from the movie "Andaala Rakshasi".
5. "Maanasa Veena" song from the movie "Hridayanjali".
6. "Hare rama, hare rama" song from the movie "Okkadu".)

"Aanathineeyara" song from the movie "Swathi Kiranam" (1992):

Lyrics by Sirivennela Seetha Ramashastry.

Composed by K.V. Mahadevan.

Rendered by Vani Jayaram.

Aanathi neeyaraa! Haraa!!

Oh Hara! Please give your command!!

Sannuthi seyaga sammathi neeyaraa, Dora!

To praise, please offer your permission, Lord!

Sannidhi jeragaa..

Aanathi neeyaraa! Haraa!!

To reach your abode..

Oh Hara! Please give your command!!

*****

Nee aana lenidhe, rachimpa jaalunaa,

Vedaala vaanitho, Virinchi Vishwa naatakam!

Without your command, would the Creator (Virinchi - Lord Brahma) be able to author the Drama of the Universe using Vedas?

Nee saiga kaanidhe, jagaana saaguna,

Aa yoga maayatho, Murari divya paalanam!

Without your gesture (of agreement), would Narayana's (Murari - Krishna) rule sustain in this world through yogic maaya?

Vasumathilo prathee kshanam, Pashupathi nee adheenamai,

Kadulunugaa, sadaa sadaa Shiva!

On this Earth, every moment Pashupathi moves under your control, oh eternal Shiva!

Aanathi neeyaraa! Haraa!!

Oh Hara! Please give your command!!

*****

Ni ni sa ni, pa ni pa ma, ga sa ga! Aanathi neeyaraa!!

Achala naatha, archinthunuraa! Aanathi neeyaraa!!

Please give your command!!

Oh Lord of the Hill, I will pray to you! Please give your command!!

Pa ma pa ni, pa ma pa ni, pa ma pa ni, ga ma pa ni!

Sa ni sa ga, sa ni sa ga, sa ni sa ga, pa ni sa ga!!

Ga ma ga saa ni pa ma, ga ma ga sa, sa ga sa ni!!! Aanathi neeyaraa!!!

Please give your command!!!

Jangama Devara sevalu gonara. Mangala daayaka deevenelidaraa!

Saashtaangamuga dandamu sethuraa! Aanathi neeyaraa!!

Oh Lord of Jangama! Please accept our acts to serve you. Shower your auspicious blessings!

I will bow to you in Saashtaanga! Please give your command!!

Sa ni pa, ga ma pa ni pa ma, ga ma ga pa pa pa pa, ma pa ni pa pa pa pa,

Ga ga ma ga sa sa sa, ni sa ga sa sa sa sa, sa ga ga sa,ga pa pa ma, pa sa ni sa,

Pa sa ni, sa ga sa ga, sa ni, sa ga sa ga, sa ga ga sa sa, sa sa ni sa ga ga,

Ga sa ga ga, pa ma ga sa, ga ma sa ni, pa ni pa ma ga! Aanathi neeyaraa!!

Please give your command!! Kindly!!!

Shankaraa! Shankinchankuraa!! Vanka jaabilini jadanumuduchukuni, vishapu naagulani chankanethukuni,

Nilakada nerugani Ganganeli, ye vanka leni naa vanka nokka kadaganti soopu padaneeyavemi, nee kinkaruniga sevinchukondhuraa!!! Aanathineeyraaa!

Oh Lord Shankara! Don't doubt me!! You have the crescent moon in your hair and venomous snakes in your bosom,

You even accepted (river) Ganga which is unstable, but you have not as much as even looked at me. But, I would worship and serve you like a kinkara (slave)!!! Please give me your command!

*****

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga ga,

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga ga,

Ga ma pa ni ga, ma pa ni sa ma, pa ni sa ga, ni sa pa ni, ma pa ga ma, sa ga ma,

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga ga.

Ga ma pa ni ga, ma pa ni sa ma, pa ni sa ga, ni sa pa ni ma pa ga ma, sa ga ma,

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga ga.

Ga ma pa ni ga, ma pa ni sa ma, pa ni sa ga ni,

Ga ma pa ni ga, ma pa ni sa ma, pa ni sa ga ni sa, pa ni ma pa ga ma, sa ga ma,

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga gaa.

Ga ma pa ni ga, ma pa ni sa ma, pa ni, sa ga ni sa pa ni ma pa ga ma sa ga ma,

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga ga ga.

Ga ga ma ma pa pa ni ga, thaka thakita thakadhimi,

Ma ma pa pa ni ni sa ma, thaka thakita thakadhimi,

Pa pa ni ni sa sa ga ni, thaka thakita thakadhimi,

Pa pa ni ma pa, ga ma sa ga ma,

Pa pa, pa ma pa, ni ni pa ma ga sa ga ga.

Rakshaat! Vara sikshaa deekshaa Dakshaa!! Viruupaaksha!!!

Nee krupaa veekshana aapekshita prateeksha nupeksha seyaka, pareeksha seyaka,

Raksha raksha yanu praarthana vinaraa! Aanathineeyaraa!! Haraa!!!

Sannuthi seyaga sammathi neeyaraa, Doraa!! Sannidhi jeragaa!!

Aanathineeyaraa Haraaa.....!

Save (our soul)! Oh Dakshaa, the gift, the practice and the perseverance!! Oh diversely-eyed!!!

The wait in expectation of your kind gaze - don't ignore that wait. Don't test anymore.

Listen to the humble prayer seeking protection from you! Please give your command, oh Lord Haraa!

To praise you, offer your permission, oh Lord. To reach you, please give your command, Hara.....!

- THE END (OF TRANSLATION).

Groove to the trance and say, jai jai jai...Sing along and sing, Shiva Shambho, all the way!

 So here comes the sixth song that's being translated on my blog (in the current year).

(Recap: My five earlier songs here:

1. "Tharali raadha thane vasantham" song from the movie "Rudraveena".
2. "Needa padadhani mantananagalaraa" song from the movie "Jersey".
3. "Manasu palike" song from the movie "Andaala Rakshasi".
4. "Maanasa Veena" song from the movie "Hridayanjali".
5. "Hare rama, hare rama" song from the movie "Okkadu".)

"Sadaa Siva Sanyasi Taapasi Kailaasa Vasi" song from the movie "Khaleja" (2010):

Lyrics by Ramajogayya Sastry

Composed by Mani Sharma

Rendered by Karunya & Ramesh Vinayagam

Om namoh Siva Rudraya, Om namoh sithi kanthaaya,

Salutations to Lord Shiva, who is in His Rudra form! 

Salutations to the one with black throat!

Om namoh Hara Naagabharanaya, Pranavaaya,

Dama dama, Damarukanaadhanandaaya!

Salutations to Hara, the one with snake as His ornament,

The one who is the source of sound,

The one who becomes happy from the sound of Damaruka! (a small hour-glass shaped drum used by Shiva)

Om namoh nitalaakshaya, Om namoh bhasmaangaaya,

Om namoh himasailaavaranaaya, Pramadhaaya,

Dhimi dhimi, thaandavakeli lolaaya!

Salutations to the one who has eye in His forehead,

Salutations to the one who applies ash to His body,

Salutations to the one whose abode is Himalayas (and the one who married Saila Kumari(Parvati) - Himavanta's daughter),

The One who is the Lord of Death,

The one who gets entranced in the play of tandava! (Tandava is a dance form that originated in Shiva. It is performed by Him when he is angry, mostly before destroying evil).

***

Sadaa Siva sanyaasi, Taapasi Kailasavaasi.

Oh eternal Shiva! The hermit, the one who does penance, and the one who resides in Kailasa.

Nee paadha mudralu mosi, pongi poyinaadhi palle Kasi.

Having borne the marks of your footsteps, the town of Kasi has overflown with joy.

Eyyyy, Soopula sukkani daarigaa, sukkala thivaasi meedhuga,

Sooda sakkaani saami diginaadu raa!

Eseyraa ooruu, vaadaa, dhandoraa!!

Eyyyy! With His vision as the anchor that steers His path, over the carpet of stars,

The beautiful Lord has descended!

Go spread this word all around (Broadcast it in every town and street)!!

Ye rangula hangula poda ledhuraa..

Eedu jangama Shankara Shivudenuraa..

There's no hype and hooplah..

He is ofcourse the Jangama Shankara Shiva..(Jangama means the moving one. The one who attained true knowledge and divine happiness and has given up all the worldly possessions for the sake of the world.)

Nippu gonthuna nilupu maccha saachiga,

Nee thaapam shaapam theerche vaaderaa!

As much as it is true that he held fire (and poison) in his throat,

He is going to quench your thirst and redeem your curses!

Pai paikalaa, bairaagilaa, untaadhi raa, aa leelaaa..

On the outset, His magic - it all feels like the deeds of a mere bairaagi (recluse/ascetic who keeps wandering)..

Lokaalaneletodu neeku saayam kaakapodu,

Ey neelone koluvunnodu, ninnu dhaati ponepodu!

 

The One who rules the worlds will of course help you (He cannot give up on helping you),

Ey! The One who resides in your heart, He can never sway away from you or abandon you!

Om namah Shiva jai jai jai,

Om namah Shiva jai jai jai,

Om namah Shiva, groove to the trance and say, jai jai jai,

Sing along and sing, Shiva Shambho all the way!

Om namah Shiva jai jai jai,

Heal the world is all we pray,

Save our lives and take our pain away, jai jai jai,

Sing along and sing, Shiva Shambho all the way!!

Sadaa Siva sanyaasi, Taapasi Kailasavaasi...

Oh eternal Shiva! The hermit, the one who does penance, and the one who resides in Kailasa...

Nee paadha mudralu mosi, pongi poyinaadhi palle Kasi.

Having borne the marks of your footsteps, the city of Kasi has overflown with joy.

***

Eyyyy! Ekkada veedunte nindugaa, akkada nelanthaa pandaga,

Chuttu pakkala cheekati pelaginchagaa, adugesaadanta kaache dora laaga..

Eyyyy! Wherever He is, it is wholesome...it is happiness and celebration all over that land,

To dispel the darkness all around, He stepped like the leader who guards and protects..

Manchuni mantani oka theerugaa, lekka seyyane seyyani sankarayyagaa,

Ukku kanchega oopiri nilipaaduraa,

Manakandaa dhandaa veede nikarangaa!

Fighting both the snow and fire in the same way, he is not bothered by either of them,

He kept His breath as the iron fence,

He is our protector from now on, for sure!

Saami ante haami thanai, untaaduraa chivarantaa...

If you seek Him, He will become your refuge till the end...

Lokaalaneletodu neeku saayam kaakapodu,

Ey neelone koluvunnodu, ninnu dhaati ponepodu!

 

The One who rules the worlds will of course help you (He cannot give up on helping you),

Ey! The One who resides in your heart, He can never sway away from you or abandon you!

Om namah Shiva jai jai jai,

Om namah Shiva jai jai jai,

Om namah Shiva, groove to the trance and say, jai jai jai,

Sing along and sing, Shiva Shambho all the way!!

Om namah Shiva jai jai jai,

Heal the world is all we pray,

Save our lives and take our pain away, jai jai jai,

Sing along and sing, Shiva Shambho all the way!!!

*** (The End...of translation)***

I don't know much of Sanskrit except a few words or phrases, so I took the help of the below two links for translating the Sanskrit verses/phrases/words in the song.

1. https://chaibisket.com/sada-siva-song-meaning/
2. https://recoveredintranslation.wordpress.com/tag/khaleja/

Btw, "Khaleja" means Courage. The guts and gumption to walk the talk.

So, what IS a gentler economy?

So...What is a gentler economy?

An economy that lets you BE. That lets you be 'you'!

An economy that does not corrupt you, that does not torture you, for it to sustain its exponential acceleration.

An economy that is self-sustaining more or less, given that the basic contribution from you is taken care of.

An economy that does not need you full-time.

An economy that may not always need you in the first place.

That is an economy you need!

So...What again is a gentler economy?

An economy that allows you to live your life. Contributing to that economy should not be the major part of your life!

An economy that can wait for you. That can wait for you to fall and come back, while it can sustain itself for a while.

An economy that does not lead to a zero-sum-game! It is not an economy that "always" has a debt trap no matter how much you produce, how much you consume, how much you save and retain, how much ever money is in excess in some other part of the chain!

An economy that grows for you! Not an economy that requires you to grow for itself!

An economy that serves you! An economy that is a servant to you, not your master!

An economy that you will dictate the terms of! Not an economy that will dictate the terms of your soul and life!

An economy that you will feed! Not an economy that feeds on you!

Well, at the end of the day, an economy is an economy! Not your life!

Aatane maatakardham ninu nuvve geluchu yuddham !

So I said I might get on a translation spree, didn't I? So yeah, I'm on it now, already...

So here comes the fifth song that's being translated on my blog (in the current year).

(Recap: My four earlier songs here:

1. "Tharali raadha thane vasantham" song from the movie "Rudraveena".
2. "Needa padadhani mantananagalaraa" song from the movie "Jersey".
3. "Manasu palike" song from the movie "Andaala Rakshasi".
4. "Maanasa Veena" song from movie "Hridayanjali".)

"Hare Rama, Hare Rama" song from "Okkadu" (2003):

Lyrics by: Sirivennela Seetharama Shastry (Who else but him can pen these marvellous lyrics?)

Composed by: Manisharma

Rendered by: Shankar Mahadevan

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Ramaa, Hare Hare

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Raamudnainaa krishnudnainaa.. keertisthoo koorchuntaamaa,

Vaallem saadhinchaaro.. konchem gurthiddaam mitramaa...

Should we just keep sitting, praising Rama & Krishna?

Let's just get on to recognizing (understanding) what they achieved...my friend!

Sandram koodaa sthambhinchelaa.. mana sattaa choopiddaamaa
Sangraamamlo geetaa paatham.. telupamaa!

Shall we show our prowess in a way even the sea is disrupted?

Shall we let you know the lesson(s) of Geeta in the battle field ?

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Ramaa, Hare Hare

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

---

Chaarminaar chaatu kathakee.. teliyadee nitya kalaham,

Bhaagmatee prema smrutikee.. bahumatee bhaagyanagaram

The story hidden behind Charminar doesn't know this eternal quarrel,

This Hyderabad (Bhagyanagaram) is a cherishing (gift) of Bhagmati's love memories.

Em maayatantram.. mathamai naati chelimini cheriperaa,

Om saanti mantram.. manamai jaathi viluvani niluparaa.. padha padha padha, padha padha...

Which rogue powers transformed into religion (and caste) and erased the past friendship?

Let's become the mantra of "Om Shanti" and uphold the value of the country(nation/land)...Let's go go go, go go...

Raamudnainaa krishnudnainaa.. keertisthoo koorchuntaamaa,

Vaallem saadhinchaaro.. konchem gurthiddaam mitramaa...

Sandram koodaa sthambhinchelaa.. mana sattaa choopiddaamaa
Sangraamamlo geetaa paatham.. telupamaa!

Should we just keep sitting, praising Rama & Krishna?

Let's just get on to recognizing (understanding) what they achieved...my friend!

Shall we show our prowess in a way even the sea is disrupted?

Shall we share the lesson(s) of Geeta in the battle field ?

---

ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Saha Naav[au]-Avatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Naav[au]-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning here!

---

Pasidi pathakaala haaram.. kaaduraa vijayateeram,

Aatane maatakartham.. ninu nuvve geluchu yuddham!

A garland of gold medals - that's not the what the shore of victory is,

What 'sport' means is - it's a war in which you win (over) yourself (by defeating yourself)!

Sreeraama navamee.. jaripe mundhu lankanu gelavaraa,

Ee vijayadasamee.. raavaalante chedunu jayincharaa.. padha padha padha, padha padha...

Before celebrating Srirama Navami, win the Lanka first,

If your Vijaya Dasami has to come, conquer the evil..Go go go, go go...

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Ramaa, Hare Hare

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Raamudnainaa krishnudnainaa.. keertisthoo koorchuntaamaa,

Vaallem saadhinchaaro.. konchem gurthiddaam mitramaa...

Sandram koodaa sthambhinchelaa.. mana sattaa choopiddaamaa
Sangraamamlo geetaa paatham.. telupamaa!

Should we just keep sitting, praising Rama & Krishna?

Let's just get on to recognizing (understanding) what they achieved...my friend!

Shall we show our prowess in a way even the sea is disrupted?

Shall we share the lesson(s) of Geeta in the battle field ?

Edit(Oct-04): Made trivial edits in the translation (missed translating some conversational phrases earlier, eg: 'mitrama' --> friend) and added the Sanskrit sholka sung in the chorus too.

Kotha swecchaki andinchaali naa hridayaanjali !!!

I mentioned a while ago that I might get into translation spree, but it took a backseat for whatever reasons. So, here I translate two of my favourite songs. They are songs with deep lyrics, so even a mediocre translation would probably mean a job well done. Wish me luck :)

"Manasu Palike" from the movie "Andaala Raakshasi" (2012):

Lyrics by: Rakendu Mouli

Composed by: Radhan

Rendered by: Rakendu Mouli

So, when we watch this song in the movie, it's actually set in a poignant and somber setting. The hero is waiting for the heroine to forget her ex-lover (who is assumed to be dead at that time) and accept his love. And the heroine is still in the grieving period...in the transition so to say, and is unresponsive to his feelings.

But, when you listen to the song devoid of the context in the movie, it seems to come from a place of peace, stability and balance. It talks about love per se. It's a very satisfying feeling listening to this song at any point in time for me. Whether I was deep in void, or in waiting, in anticipation, or in pain, or in apathy or in stability...irrespective of my situation, it's always a great feeling listening to this song.

****

Manasu palike bhasha prema

The language that's spoken by heart is love

Mounamadige badhulu prema

The response that the silence seeks is love

Maranamaina thodu prema

Even in death, love is our companion

Manaki jarige maaya prema

The magic that happens to us is love

---

Gundelo vyadhalane kaalchu mante prema

The fire that burns the suffering in heart is love

Ragilina segalane aarpunadhi ee prema

It is love that dozes off the burning fire (wounds)

Aadhiyu anthamu leni payanam prema

Love is that journey that has neither beginning nor end

Vekuvai cherune cheekatintlo prema

A morning that dawns in a house of darkness, that's love

Vishwamantha unna prema, iruku yedhalo daacha galamaa

Can we confine (hide) love that encompasses this whole universe, to (in) a constricted heart?

---

Kaatilo kaaladhu thudi leni ee prema

This love that has no end, doesn't burn in the grave

Janmane koradhu, ammerugadhee prema

This love doesn't seek birth, it doesn't know its mother (it has no mother)

Dorakadhaa vethikithe kadalaina kanneeta

Can't this love be found in the tears that welled up into an ocean?

Taramaga daahame neeralle o prema

When the thirst is chasing, love comes as the water

Needaniche velugu thodu, cheekataithe emi kaanu

Light gives shadow as a companion; What will happen if that light turns into darkness?

"Maanasa Veena" from the movie "Hridayaanjali" (1998):

Lyrics by: Sirivennela Seetharama Shastry (Even before checking out, I could say he was the lyricist)

Composed by: A.R. Rehman

Rendered by: Chithra (& Shoba Shankar - intermittent and the ending humming; Along with intermittent chorus of course)

Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam (Repeat)

The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga (bhupalam is also a ragam in carnatic music). (Repeat)

Pachhadanala paanupu paina, ammai nelaa jokodutunte (Repeat)

While earth becomes my mother lullabying me to sleep on the bed of greenery (Repeat)

Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam

The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga.

---

Punnami nadhilo viharinchaali, puvvula valloo pulakinchali

I should wander in the river under full moon; I should rejoice in the lap of flowers

Paavuramalle paikegarali, tolakari jallai digiraavali

I should fly up like a pigeon; And should come down like the first monsoon drizzle

Taarala podarinta ratiri majili, vekuva venuventa nelaku tarali

A night adventure under the envelope of stars; Will reach back to the land immediately after the dawn

Kotha svechhakandinchaali naa hridayaanjali

I should offer salutations from the bottom of my heart to this new-found freedom.

Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam

The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga.

---

(Chorus)

Vaagula nestam chelarege, vegame ishtam manalage

Ningike nityam edurege pantame yeppudu naa sontham (Repeat)

My river friend is surging; It likes speed just like us.

The stubbornness to go against sky, is mine, always. (Repeat)

---

Oohaku neeve oopiri posi, choopave daari o chirugaali

By giving life to an imagination (thought), show (me/us) the path, o wind

Kalalaku saitham sankelavesi, kalimi yedaari dhaatinchaali

By chaining (curbing) even dreams, it should enable (me/us) to cross the rich desert

Tuntari tooneeganai tiragaali, dosedu oosulu teesukuvelli

I should wander like the mischevious mayfly; By taking a handful of gossips (words/conversations)...

Peydha garika poolaku isthaa naa hridayaanjali

...I will give my heartfelt salutations to the poor grass flowers.

---

Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam (Repeat)

The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga (bhupalam is also a ragam in carnatic music). (Repeat)

Pachhadanala paanupu paina, ammai nelaa jokodutunte (Repeat)

While earth becomes my mother lullabying me to sleep on the bed of greenery (Repeat)

Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam

The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga.

---

(Chorus)

Vaagula nestam chelarege, vegame ishtam manalage

Ningike nityam edurege pantame yeppudu naa sontham (Repeat)

My river friend is surging; It likes speed just like us.

The stubbornness to go against sky, is mine, always. (Repeat)

Is "rape" a "woman"'s subject?

So, recently I came across this news - "Even boys are not safe in Delhi..."

I have not been following news much since early 2020 when I started my MBA. And it's been the same till date. I don't follow news on TV anymore. Not just news, I stopped watching TV altogether. It feels too much and suffocating to take in. I have stopped reading newspaper as well. So, basically I've been more or less isolated from the world for the past 2.5 years. The only news I ever checked were the ones on social media or the ones popping up on my phone.

It's strange to realize that I stopped reading newspaper for the whole 2.5 years given the fact that I rarely missed my daily dose of newspaper before that. What's more strange is, I'm now quite OK with it and I'm able to go on fine with life that way. That's probably the power of habits we develop - good or bad, we become capable of sticking to them.

Anyways, that's not the point of this post. Let's come to THE POINT. So, I don't know if the news I was talking about became sensational or not, the way Nirbhaya's case had. At least, nobody around me talked about it in person, on WhatsApp or on social media.

So, I'm just wondering - is rape a woman's subject? If a boy/man is raped, the same crime that was ghastly when done to a girl/woman, is no more a crime enough? Are our gender equality proponents sleeping? Is the D&I consciousness of the society sleeping? And to top it, the women's panel had to take the case forward for cognizance? Is rape a woman's problem alone? I'm truly baffled! Period.

Patriotism

I have a couple of friends who bitch about 'Patriotism' (literally, just a couple of them). They think it's cool. I mean they wouldn't do that if they thought otherwise, right. But, I do think otherwise. It's not cool to me. Patriotism is essential because "you" and "I" exist ! Let me explain. Let me try to knock some sense of patriotism into this couple of people.

You can't come and slap one the way you like. There are boundaries...at all levels! You can't come and love one the way you like. There are boundaries! At all levels.

Patriotism according to me, is nothing but the feeling of owning up oneself, enabling one to protect oneself...one's space. Just that the "self" here is an extended space now. It's one's country. It's just a bigger self. There is a "self" at every level.

Oh yeah, I know "Vasudhaika Kutumbam". The world is one, why not! But even within a family, even between parents and children, between siblings, between a couple, between lovers, there are boundaries. There's something called 'personal space' and we ought to respect that.

When the British colonized India and transferred resources from here with their self-interests at the heart of it all, with no concern whatsoever about the people here, of course they behaved like the "other". There's no oneness. Of course, I get it they left us with English and "some" Education and maybe some roots for democracy. But, at a time when the whole world was moving towards democracy, do you think India would have been left behind? When the time had come for enlightenment, for democracy, for being free from the clutches of the "other", would India have been left behind?

Of course the country was unified. Of course centuries of ignorance, caste system, aristocracy, feudalism...everything came under spotlight...Of course Scientific thinking started taking shape. Technology..Railways...many things started taking shape. But do we owe that all to British? English and Education - hum pe kuch ehsaan nahin tha! It's just a byproduct of centuries of colonizing a place. Some "good" happens as a result.

Let's look at the other side of the coin. Let's start from the "self" again. You are required to slog the whole day, but some other owner makes money out of your hard work and gives you pennies. Would that be ok to you? Somebody encroaches your land, digs gold, digs minerals, makes money out of it and you are asked to pay tax for it in return*...all because you didn't know how to dig gold and minerals from your own land. Would you like that? Your neighbour encroaches into your land, just so that their living space is bigger, would you be ok with that?

*That's what India had to do; Pay tariffs in return despite losing its raw material and resources.

How then patriotism seems funny to you? To me, it's so intrinsic. If you have a self...a self in the right place, then patriotism comes naturally IMO. You want yourself to win. You don't want the other to win. It's as simple as that.

I know, everybody is selfish. I had written about this in my blog earlier. And I don't mind repeating it. Even a martyr is selfish. Because they are looking at an accomplishment, a fame, a virtue...to own it up all. But that selfishness is different. That doesn't harm anybody. Rather helps. It's a responsibility very few would like to own up. But selfishness that cuts into others' lives, being apathetic to the feelings and needs of the other, is not mere selfishness. It's exploitation and abuse.

"Dogs* and Indians are not allowed inside" - If that sentence did not stir one up at that time, then either they did not have a self or it was numb, sleeping. Or they did not have self-respect. Period.

(Of course, no disrespect whatsoever to dogs.)