goldenlangur Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Into that lichen-coated cave She rides astride a tiger, Its eyes and nostrils aflame Singeing the moss on the rocks – A talisman to this day. Mara slithers in a haze of perfumed seduction, Swinging his hips, singing a deep-throated song Of vaults of treasure, carnal knowledge and eternal pleasure. He flings aside his robe of deepest red and sings: "If you walk this path of love, You’ll be the One for all times to come!" Will her meditations on icy peaks douse such flames of passion? She utters not a word. Images and thoughts rise in fevered succession: Mara sighs, Mara cries, He dimples, he dances, He laughs he lunges at her. She closes her eyes from her depths swells the cosmic syllable – OM! It fills the ancient cavern, shakes the forest floor. Mara raises his hands to his ears, Writhing in anger and agony: "This noise you make, Churns me inside out. But its spell will soon end, Then I’ll return – This battle is yet to be won! She replies "Together we will ride My tiger of compassion, Soar the heights of the Garuda, Pierce the mirage of power, Enter the rainbow of Bliss." Mara spits, Mara swears He swings his body to and fro, He swivels his head And screams – A cry so raw, It tears birds off their flight, startles the snakes in their sleep. The sage opens her Third Eye - In a whorl of ululation Mara dissolves. goldenlangur Quote goldenlangur Even a single enemy is too many and a thousand friends too few - Bhutanese saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 An absorbing tale, Golden. I like the trope here: Mara slithers in a haze of perfumed seduction, Swinging his hips, singing a deep-throated song Of vaults of treasure, carnal knowledge and eternal pleasure, and the musicality here: Images and thoughts rise in fevered succession: Mara sighs, Mara cries, He dimples, he dances, He laughs he lunges at her. As always, I enjoy your use of local references, in this case Garuda. Intriguing title, too. The last line is uncanny, and it bridges the gap to the supernatural. Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelJosol Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 GL, this piece is like a fragment from an epic. Quote "Words are not things, and yet they are not non-things either." - Ann Lauterbach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenlangur Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 H Tony and JoelJosol, Many thanks for reading this. The classic Buddhist account right from the historical Buddha to the various religious-historical figures, is one of a personal quest for enlightenment. Mara, represents temptation and distraction and is usually depicted as a female. Drawing on these strands I tried to imagine a scenario where a female sage is plagued by a male Mara to abandon her spiritual quest. Thereby hangs this tale! Tony - I'm so pleased that you picked the sounds in this poem. Both the Tiger and the Garuda have mythical roles as vehicles of the these beings who achieve enlightenment. These creatures represent wisdom, knowledge, freedom from ignorance and worldly longings which it is believed cloud our minds. I wrote this is in whoosh to get all the images out there and feel I have much to work on it. JoelJosol - You're right about the epic character of such accounts. With appreciation, goldenlangur Quote goldenlangur Even a single enemy is too many and a thousand friends too few - Bhutanese saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleksandra Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow this is wonderful poem. You know how much I love your mythical poems and pieces of prose. The connection between reality and old traditional rituals gives some special sense of your writing goldenlangur. Because I know the meaning of Mara - the demon in the Buddhism, I compared the idea of this poem with the golgotha, temptations in the world. With this: carnal knowledge and eternal pleasure- it is so clear what Mara try to do with all existence. I loved the ending part and expression there it is powerful The sage opens her Third Eye - In a whorl of ululation Mara dissolves. With " In a whorl of ululation " it is given in this poem what exactly should mean Mara and that Mara dissolves on the end of the poem, I got that as yes there is some saving from all temptations. Just confused me why the sage opens her Third Eye, but maybe exactly that helped she to dissolves. I am sorry goldenlagur if I am far away from the real sense of this poem. Just I read it like that. Anyway I loved this one. Keep writing my friend, your work gives such a treasure. Thank you so much for the sharing Aleksandra Quote The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenlangur Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hi Aleksandra, Thank you for your considered reading of this piece. You have been incredibly supportive of my writing and I'm very pleased that the theme of this poem appeals to you. Yes, I do like the way you've linked Mara to "golgotha". I suppose ultimately in the Buddhist sense, Mara is one of the many illusions the mind goes through on its path to enlightenment. But yes, in iconography Mara is represented as a "demonic" presence, albeit it is one's own inner demons, one encounters in Mara. The Third Eye in both Buddhism and Hinduism represents enlightenment or the culmination of higher consciousness. When the sage overcomes Mara or her own inner conflict, she attains enlightenment and Mara or illusions dissolve - this was my intention. Thank you for making this point. It helps me to clarify these fundamental aspects of my religion and culture and I learn much in the process. I appreciate the thought and consideration you've given this poem. goldenlangur Quote goldenlangur Even a single enemy is too many and a thousand friends too few - Bhutanese saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleksandra Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 goldenlangur wrote: The Third Eye in both Buddhism and Hinduism represents enlightenment or the culmination of higher consciousness. When the sage overcomes Mara or her own inner conflict, she attains enlightenment and Mara or illusions dissolve - this was my intention. Definitely that goldenlangur. That is what I thought but I didn't knew how to express. And that have the right point of all of this poem and the meaning of the same. And because it is like it is, I think stays something good, I mean the poem gives some hope? AH goldenlangur the poem is wonderful and I think you should give another part of this one Much enjoyed Aleksandra Quote The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenlangur Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hi again Aleksandra, Thank you for returning with your thoughts on the Third Eye. I'm so glad that you understood its significance. Can I just say that I have no problem with your expressing yourself - you do it beautifully in a language which is not your mother tongue. it's more my struggle to explain images which are understood by people here but might not be so clear to others, outside: "Definitely that goldenlangur That is what I thought but I didn't knew how to express. And that have the right point of all of this poem and the meaning of the same. And because it is like it is, I think stays something good, I mean the poem gives some hope? " So I appreciate your trouble and enjoy our exchanges. Yes, definitely, a note of hope in this piece ! goldenlangur Quote goldenlangur Even a single enemy is too many and a thousand friends too few - Bhutanese saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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