Bharati’s vision was a vision of Maha Shakti, one of the two-fold powers of Creation –
Shakti in Nature, in the body of the world. He praised the various forms of Shakti in Tamil mantras, the most powerful poetry of a unique style and unparalleled diction.
The following continues from “Vision” (1):
A canopy is raised over the porch of a house, with a (thatch) roof made of coconut palm fronds.
Seven or eight bamboo sticks are placed across and attached to each other with strings, on which a thatch is constructed by laying the fronds of the coconut tree.
At the edge of a bamboo stick, hangs a little string.
The cord is about the length of a chann (the length between the thumb
and the middle finger of the hand when spread).
One particular day, the string is swinging gaily with apparent enjoyment. It doesn’t seem to have any worries, not even the slightest.
At times, it would hang very quietly with no movement. It wouldn’t respond even if you called.
Today, it is not like that; it is in a joyful mood.
We were friends; we often make conversation with each other.
“If you talk to a string, will it answer?”
Just try talking to it; you will see whether or not you get an answer.
But you would have to talk to it when it is in a happy mood. Otherwise, it would simply not be responsive – with a long face, like women.
Be that as it may, this string will talk; there is no doubt about it.
…Did I say it was a single string? There were two strings.
One was of the measurement of a chann; the other was of a three-quarter chann.
One was a male, the other was a female; they were husband and wife.
They were in a joyful mood – exchanging passionate glances, smiling and amusing themselves with fun-talk.
I arrived there at that time.
‘Kandan,’ was the name of the male.
‘Valli Ammai’, was the name of the female.
(We can name pieces of string, like we do humans).
Kandan approached Valli to put his hand on her; she moved back a little. At that very moment, I reached them.
I asked, “How are you Kanda? Are you doing well? Perhaps I have come at the wrong time? Should I go away and come back again?”
“Oh, you old-fashioned man! Would I be embarrassed even in front of you? Why, Valli, are you angry that Iyer saw us both flirting with each other?”
“ Ok, ok. Don’t ask me anything,” said Valliyammai.
Kandan laughed, clapping his hands, jumped and embraced Valliyammai – even when I was beside them.
Valliyammai started shrieking, but she was happy in her heart. Don’t we feel happy when other people see our enjoyment?
It was satisfactory for me, too, to watch this “fun.” What is wrong with telling the truth? Isn’t it a great joy to look at the enjoyment of youth?
As Valliyammai screeched more, Kandan left her alone.
After a few moments, he went back and embraced her again,
Again screeching, again leaving; again embracing, again screeching; it went on like this for a while.
I said, “Why, Kanda, you are not even saying a word to me? I will come back some other time; shall I go?”
“Oh, you old-fashioned man! You are just watching “fun.” Just stand here a little while longer. I just have to settle certain matters with her. After that, I am thinking of talking a few things over with you. Don’t go away, stay.”
I stood and watched them some more.
After a little while, the woman, forgetting that I was standing there, in her state of enchantment, left her embarrassment.
Immediately, there was singing; beautiful thukkadas; one mettu for one line.
A couple of sangathis. Then another song.
When Kandan finished singing, Valli would start. One after the other – Kolahalam! (a great happy occasion!)
They would be singing for a while, without touching each other; then, Valliyammai would go and touch Kandan. Kandan would approach to embrace Valli; she would run away from him. Kolahalam!
After a long time, Valliammai was intoxicated.
I left the place to drink a sip of water in the next house.
Both of them didn’t notice it.
When I came back, Valliyammai was sleeping.
Kandan was expecting for me.
As soon as he saw me, he asked, “Where have you gone, old man? You didn’t even tell me.”
“It looks like Amma is in good sleep?”
Aha! At that time, the string exploded and there emerged a Divine figure; how could I ever describe the magnificence of the Deva?
There! the Divine Wind appeared!
I thought his body would be huge and broad (vimmi visalamaga);
it was like a diamond needle, in the form of light!
“Namaste Vayo, thwameva Pratyaksham Brahmasi.”
Oh, Wind! I Salute thee! Thou art the Brahma which appears before the human eye!
When he appeared, the entire sky was filled with the heat of a burning life-force (praana-shakti), and its combustion was blowing everywhere.
I prostrated, falling under his feet a thousand times.
The Deva said:
“Oh, Son! What did you ask me? Are you asking whether the small string was sleeping? No.
It is dead.
I am the praana-shakti.
The body that is associated with me is active; without my touch, it is a mere corpse.
I am the Life (praana). The small string has lived and enjoyed because of me.
When it became tired a little, I let it sleep – die.
Sleep is Death. Death is also sleep.
When I am present, neither one exists.
I will come back and blow in the evening, and it will come back to life.
I am the one who awakens and moves the string.
I am the Son of Shakti. Worship me and remain alive!
“Namaste Vayo, Thvameva Pratyaksham Brahmasi.
Thvameva Pratyaksham Brahma Vadhishyami.”
It is impossible to praise the Wind.
His glory is unending.
The sages glorify him in words: “Pratyaksham brahma.”
We worship praana-shakti; let him save us.
We worship apaanan; may he save us.
We worship vyaanan; may he save us.
We worship udhaanan; may he save us.
We worship samaanan; may he save us.
We praise all the doings of the Wind.
We pray to him.
Glory to him!
(A Translation from Bharati’s “Vision” – Katchi: Wind)
Mahakavi Subramania Bharati 