Author: B.S. Nataraju (Besina Maharshi)
Pages: 134
Publisher: Maharshi Innovatives & Publishers
Price: Rs. 99
A look at the serene environs outside his friend’s house one day where the eternal blue sky touched the vast land at the horizon gave birth to a profound philosophy in the heart of a poet. Thus was born the poem ‘Anantha’ (Eternal) with the lines “Ananthavihudu ninna manasige, Diganthavihudu ninna kannige...” which, as the poet says in his ‘Author’s Note’ was influenced by the scenery.
He sent it to his friend as an SMS. The appreciation he received resulted in a series of poems not just on time-tested and profound subjects like life, feelings, time, truth, soul, God... but also on day-to-day wisdom regarding marriage, hunger, money, lust, corruption, political India and even diabetes.
‘Maharshi Kabba,’ authored by Besina Maharshi, is a collection of four-line poems which seem to be a watered-down version of DVG’s ‘Mankuthimmana Kagga,’ yet easily comprehensible by the commoners. Each poem whispers to the reader the secret of leading a balanced and harmonious life, stressing on gentleness, humbleness, compassion and strength.
“Be blind in glaring light/ Be deaf among critics/ Be a leader if in fear/ Be a fool among others’ happiness,” says a stanza of a poem on ‘Life of Acting.’
The verses, which end with the characteristic ‘Maharshi’ just like ‘Mankuthimma’ in Kagga, have a calming effect on a distraught mind with its rhythmicity and soothing quality. Some of the verses are astoundingly beautiful in the sense that they hit the nail right on the head by speaking out the truth of the matter without wincing.
However, in a few poems, it seems the poet, in an effort to put words which rhyme, has come short of achieving poetic beauty. This creates a blandness in the stanza and makes it too frivolous to read and enjoy.
In the poem on ‘Madi (Untouchability),’ Maharshi rightly asks, “Do you know how many have climbed your throne before you/ How many have ruled your State/ How many have drunk your water/ You are the last one; there is no first one.” His take on praise, sloth, power of money and poverty, science and the world hold mirror to the present lifestyle and conditions of the world.
The 134-page book ends with a poem on diabetes where the poet advices and urges the readers to rise early and be healthy.
The book can be read in one go as it is simple and touching in its thoughts. B.S. Nataraju, who writes with the pen name ‘Besina Maharshi,’ is an Instrumentation Technology Engineer by profession and an alumnus of SJCE in city. He dedicates the book to sages, scientists, poets, scholars, hard-workers who have inculcated philosophy in their life and to his parents.
Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama President Swami Muktidanandaji has written the foreword while his friends and gurus have penned encouragement. The book, published by Maharshi Innovatives & Publishers, Ramakrishnanagar, Mysore and priced at Rs. 99, is worth a read for both youngsters and those with greying hairs.
