Feature Article
[Source – Pixabay]
‘Kaun Buddha Si?’ (Who was Buddha?) by the wonderful Punjabi Poet Amar Jyoti.
*
Who was Buddha?
Whose tale is it?
It’s left for you to decide;
Whether of Yashodhara or Siddhartha
Who repaired to the peace of jungle
Leaving Yashodhara behind
To bring up Rahul
Congruent with the royal
Customs and traditions,
Who made the glittering glass-house of her life a ruin
Behind the portals of a palace,
Where the seasons didn’t change,
Where life resided in silence,
Where her sight turned into an unending path
Waiting for Siddhartha.
*
And when he returned from the quiet of the peaceful abode
As Buddha the wise,
Who was the wise one,
Siddhartha or Yashodhara?
*
English translation of the Punjabi poem by Jagriti Rumi.
Yashodhara, a princess, was Prince Siddhartha’s wife, who was born on the same date and year as that of her husband. According to a Chinese legend, Yashodhara had met Siddhartha in their past life where she took a promise from him that they will be husband and wife in all their next births.
This beautiful poem asks a simple question and gives a concealed answer. Quietly it is telling a forgotten story, forgotten but real, real and empowering.
The journey inwards was taken by both, Siddhartha as well as Yashodhara. While one left the world of attachment behind, the other stayed in the midst of it all and grew like a lotus. In waiting for her dearest, in bringing up her only son, Yashodhara knew trance, living every moment and trusting herself, comprehending spontaneously.
After she met the enlightened Buddha, after her Rahul became a monk, Yashodhara did what she had prepared for, she become a Bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun); then the lotus shone brightly.
Yashodhara didn’t search for peace, she gently nurtured it within, she didn’t live in seclusion, she found herself in the celebrations. Not in a ruin, she lived in every effort of hers to learn.
Yashodhara, which means ‘bearer of glory’, got enlightened not once, but many times.
*
[Source – speakingtree.in]
To read the original poem (in Gurumukhi), please click here.
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This is one perspective that has made me believe in "life" again – in the fact that everything is found within in the midst of the world. A truckload of gratitude your way for this enlightenment. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much. 🙂
You're the bearer of glory as well. 😀
Am honored. 🙂
"WoW"… It's lame but this is the first thought /sentence /feeling.
Amazed. Thank you for writing this and sharing. Your writing deserves way more credit than you even think. My happy thoughts and prayers for your journey of becoming!!!!!
Ya-hoy! 😇
Grace, wow! Thank you for reading and thank you so much for your good wishes. It means the world to me.
I am delighted that you enjoyed the write-up. Wow is wonderful. 😀
I never thought of this angle, it is simply superb. Thanks for writing such a piece.
The idea is truly beautiful and empowering. 🙂
Thanks Pooja, I am so happy that you read and liked it. Cheers! 😊
Superb writing! 👌👍
Thank you.
Now I feel like editing that Ajanta painting and making them both look 👀 to 👀 as equals. And who made me think that? Both! You and your words 😋
Wow! What a brilliant thought! Then the Ajanta painting will become richer…
Thanks, thanks my friend, I am delighted you liked this piece.
Cheers! Ya-hoy!
on the re-read – “Who repaired to the peace of jungle” just hit back a little harder.
this is my second visit to this work,
it resonates more
i’m able to appreciate its nuances
a little more
Simply beautiful and full of love, this act of re-reading, and the poem by Amar Jyoti ji deserves it and more… a true gem.
Thanks my friend!