Maavaltyaa Dinkaraa

 

As I watched the sunset last week on the eve of my birthday this poem came to mind. For one reason or other this poem has always reminded me of my father. 

This is an ode to the sun. Specifically the setting sun!

The poignant words of my favorite poet Bha Ra Tambe in this short poem go straight to the heart.

Maavaltyaa Dinkaraa

Arghya tuja joduni donhi karaa

Oh setting sun, I offer you water(arghya) with my palms joined) (with love and gratitude)

After offering his respects to the sun the poet goes on to cite some bitter truths in life.

Jo to vandan kari ugavatyaa 

Jo to paath phiravi maavaltyaa 
Reet jagaachi hi re savityaa

Swaartha paraayan paraa 


Such is the selfish way of this world, O Sun, that everyone bows in respect for the rising sun and turns their back on the setting sun.

Here rising sun is used as a metaphor for those who are mighty and powerful. In contrast the setting sun represents those that are old, debilitated or no more in a position of authority.

People flock around the wealthy and those that are in power or famous. When these mighty people fall there is no one who cares for them. 

Upakaaraachi kunaa aathavan 

Shite tovari bhoote ashi mhan

Jagaat bharale tonda pujepan 

Dhare paathivar sharaa 

Who keeps tab of the favors they have received at some point in time? 

There’s an old saying that people will gather around the table where there is food.

Everywhere in this world you will find people singing praises in your presence. The moment you turn your back they have arrows aimed at you.

The world is mostly ungrateful! People turn where they see personal gain. As long as there is something you have that they need they will humor you. Praise is fake and calculated. The same people who talk sweetly to your face talk ill about you behind your back.  

Asakt pari tu kelis vanavana

Diles jeevan he Narayan

Mani na dharile saana-thorapan 

Sama darshi tu kharaa 

You toiled all day long without attachments to support life for all beings on this earth. While doing so you made no bias between people. In your mind you did not have a concept of low or high towards anyone. Such was your genuine equanimity. 

The sun bestows it’s light upon all living beings equally. If it were not for sunlight there would be no life on earth. While it shines, it does not discriminate between rich and poor, white or black, young or old, evil or pious. It’s entire existence is for others and founded on true equanimity.

The poet has highlighted two realities here. Firstly the nature of the world ….how ungrateful, selfish, fake, double faced it is. Indirectly the poet signals for the wise to not be fooled by this.

The second and more important lesson he offers is about how one can learn from the sun to remain steadfast in one’s duty, carrying it with diligence, detachment, a sense of service and equanimity. Together, the two sides of the coin teach us how to be and how not to be. 

An important lesson from the poet himself here is the gratitude he holds for the setting sun. Consider here the setting sun to represent our aging elders. This includes our parents, teachers, and all seniors who are past their age of active duty. It is so easy to ignore them and run after the young and mighty from whom we stand to gain in the present time. In doing so we are forgetting that we are here today because of the sacrifices of the elders. We owe them our lives and our success.  We owe them our shoulders and hands when they are frail. 

For me at a personal level it reminds me of my father. As a doctor he never tired of being there for the sick even in the middle of the night. As a human being he rooted for the less fortunate but honest people. As a father he was forever running around for us kids to get where are today.  Never did he consider daughters different from a son. Education and becoming independent was non negotiable whether for a son or daughter. How does one not remain grateful and not miss one’s father, the giver of life ? 

The poet’s vision is much broad and that’s really to be pondered upon. 

Submitting this with utmost respect to the Sun God and to the revered poet Bha Ra Tambe🙏🏼🙏🏼

Saree is a much worn tissue Maheshwari in a lovely shade of lavender. 

A friend sent this picture of Baba with Abhay and me taken in Chicago in 1990. Baba was just 50 at the time. The saree I’m wearing in the picture is one that I was wearing when I met Abhay for the very first time in their home in Pune.