Portraits Of Stockhausen No.2 Comments

I have no knowledge about Stockhausen.But this poem reminds me from history book about Mauryan Emperor Ashok's conquest over the kingdom Kalinga..The battle was fought near the river Daya.Though the army of Kalinga were no match against Emperor Ashok's vast army, they fought valiantly to defend their motherland.Thousands and thousands died and as many were maimed.The water of Daya turned red by the blood flowing through it.In the evening Emperor was aghast to see the gory scene, the destruction and futility of his action.Mothers, wives old parents and relatives were crying on the dead and injured.Their cries and howling of jackals were renting the air. Though he won the battle, he had not won a single heart. This brought a change of heart for Emperor Ashok and there he adopted to Buddhism from a Buddhist Monk. He turned to a Messenger of peace and non-violence.By his effort Buddhism spread far and wide. The River Daya flows near my city Bhubneswar.There is a Buddhist Stupa near the River Daya, called 'Shanti Stupa ', .The old name of my state Odisha was 'Kalinga'.The people of Kalinga have an endearing place in the history of Buddhism. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.