Deity of Pure Light,
my enigmatic father,
relieve me of this head
of mine, unchain this obstacle
from my entangled neck
in single skilled swipe.
Liberate me from its lumber,
from eyes blindfolded to vision,
from ears full of old echos, new fears,
from a mouth tinged with iciness,
from a nose untouched by spirit.
Do not hasten to comfort my Mother,
let her grief echo in the emptiness,
that bleeds where my faults roiled
before your blade’s release.
Let her tears flood over me until
you are moved to gift me with
a fresh way to perceive.
Until this boon, I will wait for You
to keep the promise of transformation.
Author notes
[Warning: Long explanatory note for the Mythology contest]
I wrote a very rough draft of this on Ganesh Chaturthi 2007 (September 15). I was terribly homesick, ill, stuck in a country where I was beginning to regret moving to and was trying to untangle lots of things at the same time, all of which was getting on my nerves. Ganesh Chaturthi that year fell on a Saturday and I was spending time with some Indian friends. (That's how I came to know about the festival anyway. You can end up forgetting your own birthday in a completely alien land.) The conversation turned to the story behind Ganesh's elephant head. I vaguely remembered my grandma telling it to me years ago but I also remembered not paying any attention.
So, one of my friends discussed most of the legends behind it and he said that the most commonly accepted and the most recurrent story is this: Before Ganesh had an elephant's head, he was guarding his mother, Parvati's bath. He and his father, Shiva, did not recognize each other, and when Ganesh refused Shiva entrance to Parvati's bath, Shiva cut off Ganesh's head. Parvati's grief was so overwhelming that Shiva went out into the jungle and cut off the head of the first animal he saw, an elephant, and made it Ganesh's new head.
Somehow, listening to this legend struck a chord somewhere. I'm not much of a believer. I'm mainly indifferent towards most religious things, respecting others' beliefs but not getting too much into it myself and rather staying on the agnostic lines. I've no clue why I really liked it. Maybe because one of Ganesh's titles is "Remover of Obstacles" - Vināyak/Vighnavināyak/Vighnahartā - and I reckon I was relating to this aspect at that particular moment.
For more information on Ganesh:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha
and on Ganesh Chaturthi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Chaturthi
This is written in first person and it could either be from a person's perspective praying for the removal of all the obstacles and the strength needed for it or it could be from Ganesh's perspective talking to Shiva. It all depends on how anyone interprets it. I know what it means to me when I interpret it and I'd like to know how you see it.
Yes, it helped (I like to think that way). I'm back in India, at home, in perfect health, happy and looking forward to another new beginning.
(And I remember my birthday.)
[For the 'Rounds' contest: Jal Pari]
A contest entry
- Mythology, (With a Twist!) Contest and Creative Writing Workshop by kareneisenlord.
900 points, ended March 16, 2008, 39 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - PRE-WRITES! ROUNDS CONTEST!!! by Luminescence.
525 points, ended March 23, 2008, 176 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please give honest and constructive criticism
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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heartfelt congratulations on your gold-trophy in karen's contest ... I am very sensitive to mythology, especially to deities of the hindu pantheon ... you did a masterful job here and rendered a great tribute to lord ganapati ...
hari om,
maa
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I asked all of you for mythology with a twist, and you really socked it to me! I was very impressed by all of your entries, and many of you came up with some really unique and creative material with a different way of applying and perceiving mythology. It was enjoyable reading and I learned a lot from reading all of your fabulous writes.
Because there was such an abundance of excellent entries in this contest, it was difficult to decide which ones would be the final winners. I apologize for taking so long to judge. Ultimately, I went with the material that impressed me and stuck with me the most. What had the greatest influence, insight, oversight, ambience and applied the myth/story in a thought-provoking and interesting way. The entries that were still playing through my mind and echoing with fond recollection, long after first reading them, are the ones that I finally decided upon as the winners.
Objectivity in judging this contest was not my goal, but how each one of you subjectively influenced and moved me through your write. I re-read all of your writes again before my final judgment and relished it thoroughly. You are all gifted with incredible minds and talent. I wished that I could give more than one trophy in each category because certainly there was more than one that deserved it. All of you deserved an honorable mention, at the very least, and I wished I could do this and more. After the winners, the list is not in order of my favorites but most are in the chronological order as they were entered into the contest. I was glad to comment personally on each one of you.
“Heading Towards Hope” - won the gold for me, because it took an uncommon theme in western mythology, deriving the story from eastern mythology, namely Hinduism. The interpretation of this, my favorite Hindu Deity, Ganesh, blew me away, and provided a step forward in my consciousness. I was awed by the profoundness, beauty and humility of this write. While many of your stories moved me deeply, this one actually shifted my consciousness. It contained both meaningful, inspirational and unique applications, written in a purity and sweetness of the heart and soul that is reflected in the words of the poet who wrote it.
"Gifts of the Faery, Part II"
I awarded Gifts of the Faery, Part II because it reached deep into my sense of profound honor and respect for Nature and all of Creation. Not only did it express stunning wisdom, but it also reflected an eloquent poetic style of it’s own. It is filled with ancient knowledge and powers that are for the Light and bringing humanity to a higher level of hope for the ultimate transformation of humankind and our Earth Mother!
"Lemuria's Sacred Contract - Video Slam"
Not only is this a beautifully written poem but it struck a chord that resonates far within the innermost essence of my being for I have always felt a special connection to Lemuria and long to be reunited with her. This is my hope for all of humanity, for “Lemuria” or the lost continent of Mu, (the motherland), is analogous with Paradise of earth. She was the original motherland of Atlantis and Egypt. They were her colonies. Lemuria sank beneath the ocean in the world‘s last great worldwide cataclysm. Mu existed in the Pacific ocean, and the Pacific islands, Easter Island and the Hawaiian Islands, are all remnants of her. This was over 20,000 years ago. Many believe that she will rise again, at least in the collective heart and soul of all humanity. This poem described my feelings in a way that I could not do much better myself - a twin reflection of my sentiments and my hope for us all of us!
The Honorable mentions - I will talk about a few of them. Since I commented on all of your entries, you already know how I reacted to your work, but here are a few of the HM’s that I want to give further “honorable mention to“. I wish that I could do so for all of them, but these stood out the most in my mind.
“Kalpa ” won an honorable mention because it reflected an overview of the Cosmos on a grand and astronomical scale. Not only was it eloquently written, but it impressed me with the deeper wisdom and perspective that was reflected therein, by giving one of the most developed and accurate views of the creation of the universe(s) and the dissolution that occurs over and over. It is the Hindu creation myth, that more and more, fits into the most advanced theories of physics and astronomy, (and the Vedic people came to this conclusion thousands of years ago, through spiritual practices!)
"Orphee's Heartstrings" - expressed the pain and suffering of Orpheus so well.
"wow how in the world did i come up with this??? - Very clever imagery and it was refreshingly spontaneous.
"Sacrifice with Creation" - The ancient myth of a god sacrificing himself for the benefit of humanity carried forward to humanity helping humanity!
"Gasping" - Had beautiful imagery and it reflected the tragic fate of both Narcissus and Echo in such a haunting way
"Lost Messiah" - struck a chord with me, because it bravely stated how the most important messages of Jesus have been lost, to love ourselves and one another. I think Jesus is quoted to have said, “…love your neighbor as yourself,” among many other references to love. Another one is, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart…”
"Lucifer’s Sword" - was another really courageous write in that it gave the perspective of the necessity of evil and the role of opposites.
"Untitled' - was fresh and different. I was hoping that someone would write something based on Chinese legend and mythology. It is beautiful, rich, varied and ancient. This was a good job at tackling this creation myth.
"Poisoned Prophesies" - impressed me because it expressed the dilemma of a seer.
"..With a flying centaur..." - An exciting and enchanting poem about a mythological creature with wings taking one everywhere and anywhere in the Universe.
"The Reflection Looks Back" - Was a wonderful interpretation of the Narcissus Myth.
"Star Garden" - Thought-provoking with a lovely play on words.
Nyquil Dreams, (The Call of Avalon)" - Because who is to say what is the true reality?
"Plus DOCS changent..." - Another great play and twist on the age-old Cinderella story, told from the view point of the Fairy God Mother. Very clever and fun!
"Rick Rubens, Prometheus" - I liked this one because it was clever and portrays a modern day fire-giver.
I could go on and on - and I wish that I could recap all of the entries which I have read over and relished. You were all great and like I said, you all deserved a trophy; every one of you! Thank you for putting all of your creative minds here in the contest for me to savor. All of you is exquisitely and uniquely talented. Keep writing and thinking because not only are you people good poets, many of you are amazing philosophers as well. That means, that you are seekers of the truth. That is what a philosopher does. Blessings!
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Very touchy and educational description in the author's column... it's nice to know that now you're out of dungeon and life is back to normal... as for the poem, it's nicely written, it's rhythmic and flows smoothly without glitches... nice use of words...
This reminds me of my last visit to homeland, one of my friends came to see me off at the airport, and guess what was I handed as a gift, statue of Ganesh Jee, made out of pure cast iron, 2kg in weight... I did show my disconcert over it's bulk and the weight, but I was told if I refuse to accept it, it will bring bad luck to me... now it's sited right infront of me in my computer room...lol..
I wish you very good luck in the contest...
mina
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awesome wright!!! great job!!!
~Ali<3 -
I was moved to weeping upon recognition of this supreme Lord and Light of my life. The wisdom and understanding behind this write is beyond belief! When I first started reading this poem, out of old habits, I was trying to relate it to a Greek Myth - one of a God that sacrificed Himself for humanity. Then, as the enlightenment of recognition swept over me, I realized - this is my Ganesh, my Ganapati, my Pilliyar and how he originally lost His sweet head by the sword of His Father, Lord Siva. I know the story, and it is one of transformation. You give it so much depth and comprehension through your write. The wisdom that you relate in so few words moves me to tears. The recognition of this Lord and Savior of humanity, and His sacrifice for all that is pure, sacred and good, (represented in His mother, Parvati - the Mother Goddess and spouse of Lord Siva).
I adored all of it, but the second stanza is when the realization hit me;
"Liberate me from its lumber,
From eyes blindfolded to vision,
From ears filled with old echos, new fears,
From a mouth tinged with iciness,
From a nose untouched by spirit."
Wow, just WOW! I learned and grew from this. I needed it at a time of sadness and discouragement. Thank you for all of the background information also. I am honored that you entered this most enlightened poem in the contest!
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Either way we take it will not change the fact that this was very deep and emotive. You dug deep within yourself at a time you needed someone or something to get you through the obstacles blocking your path. This is an absolutely brilliant piece that you penned for yourself and for the contest. You always compliment me so highly and say that you aren't as good. You are DAMN GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact you are the BESTESTEST!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing your gift and wisdom with all of us. Best wishes in the contest. I'm glad you are home. Love you my friend, Joyce 
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