The Guru Poem by Vidya Pandarinath

He turned cruel and savage
Because of his prejudiced preceptor
Who drove him into the world of ravage
Ruthless impenitent, maiming - collector,
To wear the trophy of a finger wreath
And panic all on the highway or heath

A committed enthusiast mastered archery well,
Though the royal trainer denied to impart knowledge,
The former chose him for a mind -set model,
And lost his thumb for the fee-pledge;
Despite being an achiever, self-styled
Knelt before the latter, all lost, deprived and beguiled

An epic hero true to his word and dedication
Was vanquished and killed by the curse
Of a self-centered tutor and his predication
Withdrawing all power and learning, to turn adverse
And for all this the reverent yield,
Futile turned his prowess and the divine shield


Finders and inventors do venture hard
On the seas or deep down the dark mine,
Seeking the bright gems and stones to be starred
Or proclaimed as possession great and fine;
Yet what they find or gain is all abstract
Since, changing hands, things reach the eventual tract

Those who dive into the depths of the main
In quest of the riches and lustrous pearls
Cull with greed and amazement, but in vain;
Escaping the reach of aquatic beasts and whirls,
Bring in only baubles to exchange
With various other articles of motley range


A choosy task-master can only charge
The latent facet with labour or stoic deal
And the real search remains endless, at large;
True Guru's like the Buddha do heal
The soul-wounds of the crest -fallen and forlorn
With Elixir- like preachings of enlightenment: a paragon..!


May the sacred tradition of imparting Learning
Abound in such Great Masters timely returning......!