Chapter 2

The dawn marks the reign of Sun on earth; The dust marks the reign of sons of earth.

Only blind love can make us see God who gave us two eyes to see.

Man is willing to do anything For the sake of couple of Farthing!

Lady of the house is Lakshmy*, And man of the house is dummy. (* Lakshmy is the Hindu Goddess of prosperity. In India, chaste housewife who is at the realm of household stands sentinel of the moral codes of conduct and, by it, causes the heavens to shower prosperity on the entire family. She is equated to Lakshmy.)

You can buy and own all that is on earth, But will you enjoy it after your death?

Live, and, while living, earn only for living; For, you can't carry the surplus while leaving!

From earth, plants produce things useful numerous; Man only consumes quantity enormous!

The most uncommon is common sense; And most inhuman is the human.

Man is said to be a social animal Since, in him, beastly qualities still prevail

Man invented money for trading, But, on man, money is now treading!

Coming out of the womb Man walks unto his tomb.

Man who will rest at last in a coffin Wrests until his last to fill his coffer.

Lord hath rightly named woman Since she is made to woo man

"Do not expect the fruit of action"* But be on guard for its reaction! (Expounds Lord Krishna in Bhagvat Gita)

Day man is born, creator's job's over- Hell with Brahma*, who cares for him thereafter? (* Hindus believe, Brahma the first of the Trinity is the creator. Strangely, He is not worshipped widely as only two temples are dedicated to Him.)

Animals mate for procreation; Men mate for simple recreation.

Women are no weaker sex any longer: The wonder pill makes them virtually stronger!

Ministers gladly offer service, Free at church and for fee at office!

Mother's labour in bringing forth a child Can't be paid for, even by tons of gold.

Sun lights the world, emitting rays perceptual; Since world spins and is unsteady, nights do fall.

The lotus, that blooms under sunlight, Won't bloom at night, if thousand lamps lit.

Attachment to kith, kin and wealth Brings all the misery on earth.

Against thy wishes, thou grow and get old; Life flows on its own, to live it, be bold.

Evil sees only viciousness In the goodness of the virtuous.

You can, well, cork the mouths of a thousand bottles, But not that of one that always tittle-tattles.

The one, for long, had gone through adverse times, Be afraid to face even good that comes!

So far, none is born in this world Whose mind did not, at times, run wild.

None is perfect, each having a blemish; Even the sun has black spot to tarnish.

Singer wishes to perpetuate his name Shall stop singing at the peak of his fame.

If tomorrow wouldn't be dawn, What's the worth of all that you own?

Through mythology we try to know the myth; Though many of us try to ignore the truth.

I can't say: "miles to go before I sleep", Because the last sleep is not in my grip.

Behold, if somebody is nobody, nobody respects; Anybody is anybody, anybody respects.

In this universe of eternal darkness, Sunshine, at times, brings momentary brightness.

Elation and dejection Are the mind's self-deception.

We are searching for peace of mind Keeping it locked up within mind.

What you know now is only a millionth Fraction of what you ought to learn henceforth!

Better be fragrant flower ephemeral Than living millennia as granite idol.

Beautiful dame willing for any game Gains, in record time, all the wealth and fame.

You cannot speak out all that you think; For, most of them are rubbish that stink!

While mundane life is a myth; Money is eternal truth!

Follow wise counsel, to the letter, Even though it always tastes bitter!

Poor know the comforts enjoyed by the rich Rich are ignorant of poverty's pinch.

Who dives deep down comes up with a pearl; Who flies high lands with nothing at all!

Boy, titled "Master" grows up to a "Mister" Can then gray-haired old man be a "Mooster"?

Even wildest fire will itself extinguish If it has nothing more to devour afresh!

Law of the land is handled by the lawless; Justice is denied even to Justices!

Towering things are in this world still That may lean but not at all fall.

Wind blows out tiny lamp timid, Aiding wild fire, fanning to spread!

Known devil is not better than unknown angel; For, devil is devil and angel is angel.

Water flowing out, a case for conservation; Water flowing in may cause great consternation!

Don't say, "a friend in need is a friend indeed" A friend always in need is a pain indeed!

Failures are stepping-stones to success – If they do not mar your confidence!

The flower and fruit and lamb and chicken, life longing Fellow creatures men sacrifice for better living!

More and more you own More you wish to earn!

Classicism is nobility; Classics live unto eternity!

Gift away what you like to possess And gifted finds it's useful uses.

Sages say, life is a myth;* Still, they live in search of truth! (* Hindu philosophy)

You win, you will be society's pride; You lose, all society will deride!

My own mind is my enemy; It plays all the havoc in me.

All your kith are kin, Till you're wealthy man!

My failure is my virtuousness In this world full of viciousness!

All of you work for me And make my life creamy!

Within temple, granite idol is worshipped; Without, it is mere commodity far shipped!

Nature dame had borne millions of life thro' eons; Still, she looks Miss universe as every day dawns!

"In the beginning was the word........ word was truth" Now the word of truth has become old-fashioned myth!

Judas, not Jesus, was the cause of Christianity, For, his betrayal led Jesus to eternity

"Searching the Lord is beginning of knowledge" And does not end until you break sensual bondage.

Light cannot comprehend darkness ever; If put out, darkness again takes over! Money is most powerful in this world; Did it not kill even the Son of God?

Tinkling talk of money Drips in ears as honey!

If the dead suddenly returns, Many living will kill themselves!

Sky is a myth and earth is truth, Yet they seem, meet at crust of earth!

This body is not for sensual titillation; It is to fulfil duties assigned by the Great One!

People with money and muscle power, For their selfish ends, tramp the frail and poor!

Evil souls reign this earth, for generations, Despite our Lord's repeated incarnations! (* Hindu God Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth ten times)

"He saved others, let him save himself", Jesus could, had he not selfless self.

Horrid grief is hunger; The blessed is the feeder.

Haughty fire scales up, burning all that's on its way, Humble water steps down, to wash earth's sins away!

"Food is medicine and medicine is food", Gentle food, little medicine, keeps health good!

"Knock! It shall be opened unto you" – preaching: We are searching for doors that open sans knocking!

Our lives are directed or deviated By certain other, concerned or unconcerned.

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord"; But don't overburden His head!

An important person is respected; Importance ceased, he will be neglected!

Pest cricket is grasshopper's name; Test cricket is cash hoper's game

If you are enthralled by somebody's feat, Know, strong-willed, you also can do it.

If you say, nothing in this world is impossible, Know, not one, many hands need to make it possible.

Granite decked daily with bed of rose Shall gain and own fragrance in due course!

Cycling rhythm is pace of life Beats in peace, offbeats facing strife.

Strand that developed in New York and London is 'Nylon' Strife developed between Pakistan and India is 'Pain'.

You are warned, "look before you leap", 'Cause this leap should not be last lap.

In India, President can't preside, Speaker may not speak, And Governor should not govern; mere rubber stamps at work!

"Time and tide do not wait for anyone"; After all, who else waits here for someone?

"Marriages are made in heaven": Spouse to spouse should not make it a hell!

One who cannot use his brain Will live only under strain!

Don't deride anybody as weakling, Today's mendicant may be tomorrow's king!

Only that could be yours, which you earn; What you gained, did you earn?

Man gave God multiple hands* in His picture To depict the Lord as the Superpower. (* Hindu gods are depicted with multiple hands)

Accustomed to, even pitch darkness Could be of perceivable brightness!

Say one thing and do something else, Is the first step towards success!

Man is prisoner of his own mind; None else can bail him out of the bond.

May be "Money is what money does", But it can't buy love, a single dose.

Wealth of learning is intangible Wealth of cunningness is tangible!

"Thy kingdom come": it is my prayer, Kindly name me Thy Prime Minister!

"Give us this day our daily bread" – A good lot to last a decade!

Hawks may fly even supine, Over heap of gold coin!

Criminals are not punished; Idolised, they are worshipped!

Greatness is quality innate, Which people try to cultivate!

There should be a river that flows For anyone to swim across!

Lifeless granite idols Are gods that save our souls!

All we see and hear Are all lies, my dear!

Heaven and hell are created by man's talent; And he can make it anywhere, any moment!

Insulting is the habit of the insolent; Ignoring insult is the trait of modest!

"Work is worship" rule of the past; But, now it is "Work for profit"!

Dressed up, spraying fragrant perfumes and made up faces, Men know not, they are factories of stinking feces.

All the beauty of women is only skin deep, To enjoy it, men should penetrate further deep!

Nature lavished its resources on man: Man lavishes his resources in vain!

Human beauty is solely external, Once skinned, it is only stinking kernel.

Whether offered to Lord or not, flower Withers away, in hours twenty-four!

Youngsters have "short-sight"; Elders have "long-sight"!

A blind can guide you, In total darkness!

THINK IT OVER

Often myth sounds truth And truth likens myth!

What happens if truth and lie vie? The lie will stand up and truth lie!

Wailed aloud as you came, availed eventful life, Prevailed, you will leave leaving others in wailing grief!

You correct yourself, The rest will mend itself!

You can assert your right if you are right; Only can falter when you are at fault!

Choose who loves you Than whom you love!

We can reap only what we sow; Fortunate few reap from mere show!

If you work with your hands, looking up, You will rise unto heavens, and up!

Camphor burns to smoke leaving not even ash and odd, Emitting fragrance of selfless oblation to the Lord!

Note down, nothing will go into nothing; If you have nothing you will have nothing!

Let you be punished for default, But never be it for deceit.

I have rich learning, culture and manners; But beset with poor food, health and finance!

Be prepared all the while for bitter curses; Boons may come, once in a while, as bonuses!

Better to soothe the victim of your ill deed Than to confess before Minister ordained!

I'm a lighted but unburnt wick of yesterday; Don't throw me out when am willing to burn today.

I had pleasant dreams about life; It all turned a nightmarish strife!

Muezzins have to call from Minaret To arouse our prayer instinct?

Which gauge can measure acuteness of pain, Depth of love and degree of emotion?

Present life is a present of bygone past, Only purest present presents future best.

Statistics establishes a lie numerically; The opportunist takes advantage of it cunningly!

Swinging justice's scale Is offered for sale!

"Fowl of air sow not reap not": They feed on other's grain and fruit!

"Seek and ye shall find", the Lord sayeth; But we seek what we can't find on earth!

"Thy faith hath made thee whole"; Now, money maketh all

"Put new wine into new bottles"; Put new thought into newborn minds!

Man boasts, he could land on moon, But could he, as on land, walk on?

Coin is minted round to roll From hand to hand, that's its role.

Confinement is bondage, Even in golden cage!

Someone's mistake of yesterday Might be social rite of today.

Poverty cannot be alleviated By preaching philosophy concentrated!

When thy begging bowl is full and flowing over, You will feel, you are the God, reigning world over!

All of us work for and hope But only few reach the top!

Man is slave of circumstances Created by his circumstandees* (* Don't look for this word in a Dictionary, for it is coined).

Invention of Zero inspired calculation; Zero as a wheel had incited revolution!

"Early bird catches the worm"; Early worm walks unto doom!

Resourceful are not successful; Successful are not resourceful!

To err is human; To pardon is humane!

Why should purest of all rivers, Ganges, holy Desecrate itself merging into sea wholly?

Even on udder full of milk, Mosquito fancies blood to suck!

The event that will make you happy Might make many others unhappy!

"Drops of water make an ocean", Drops that drip dry even ocean!

Idle mind is not a devil's workshop – At times, poetry flows from it non-stop!

The wick will burn to ashes in no time If the lamp lacks oil that keeps the flame.

While ringing in, with gaiety, the New Year, Grow and show, you are one more year wiser.

You would become only what you can And not that you wish or others plan!

Despite absorbing hottest rays of Sun, Moon always emits only coolest sheen!

Moneys black and white, vie each other, Even within sacred temple coffer!

Do whatever you have to, today, here and now For, tomorrow is a dream, may not come true.

He who keeps company, in lone dark night, If dead suddenly, turns object of fright!

With a begging bowl, I vie to reach the gate Of palace I built* and lived in my birth last! (* Hindus believe that the soul of a dead person will have rebirth elsewhere)

What anybody could give in abundance To others, in time of distress, is advice!

Know, thou were not born nor shall die at thy wish; Thence, time in between is not thine to lavish!

Don't try to throw stones from glass roof, Unless the glass is bullet proof!

Disease is always like a guest – Comes at unexpected moment!

You can kick even the air afar, If it is put in a ball of rubber!

Water flows only on slopes – The life flows solely on hopes!

Wondrous monument for departed wife – Tajmahal. Could she ever enjoy that architectural marvel?

Hot morning news in evening turns cold; Tomorrow history and, then, tales old!

Building castles in the air, does the idle; Won't building a hut on the land be ideal!

When thy name scales thro' the ladder of fame, Know, it is someone else did give thee a name!

One who feels ignorant only can gain knowledge As empty vessel has enough space for storage!

Life is like a brittle sheet of glass: Transparent, breaks on being careless!

Even dirty efflux from stable Holy Ganges laps with no grumble!

"Rolling stone gathers no moss" It will only deplete its mass!

You have something, you will feel a lot you have not; When you have not any, will not feel you have not.

Only thro' crooked stairs and power-lifts Man can reach unto enviable heights!

Souls of amoeba and an elephant, By mass and shape would not be different!

Nudity is not sex appealing; It lies in dressing half-revealing!

Man has no permanent foe or friend, For he has an ever-changing mind.

Woman's bosom is Ocean of Milk for the baby; Reposing bed, to compose, for grief-stricken hubby!

I don't long for fame as son of my father; But, indeed, wish to earn name as an author.

"None in this world is perfect" a diction; But, everyone claims to be an exception!

Man slays gentle peacock to gather its quill And present a "peacock dance" to show his skill!

The needy nurtures no formality; Not patience to wait till maturity!

Any event, however long, should end; Even God's incarnations have ended!

Thoughtless act in split moment Gets man long years in punishment.

Poor man's mistake could be a crime; Rich man's crime could be a mistake!

The evil is not evil always; And the good need not be good always!

One's internal and external beauty Is assessed by external entity!

If you don't do what you have to do, Someone will do what you may not do!

Between man and man, man is the enemy; Man to man, managing man is difficult!

If you go on doing good, God will do you good; If the God doesn't do good, none would say good God!

If you look once again, what you have done earlier, After years, you will feel you could have done better!

If you shy ever to make a debut, Opportunities will fight shy of you!

No wonder continental drift theories stay; Look at the neighbouring nations drift away!

Woman is undaunted force; Man controls it by mere farce!

While being poor is not a bane; Becoming rich is not a boon.

Why need middle men Between God and man?

All my vices will be adored If I have immense wealth amassed!

Something is not better than nothing at all; For, nothing is better than something awful!

Who does not spend, have to spend; Who spends may not have to spend!

Taxes are levied to feed Government employees Still they tax public to add spice to luxuries!

Somewhere a tearful farewell.* Here, a cheerful arrival. (Hindus believe in re-birth. The dead soul will be born somewhere else, quite often, immediately).

Truth shall prevail When all lies fail!

Rome was not built in a day; But it was burnt in a day!

We don't do what we could do when needed to do, And try to do what others do which we can't do!

I did not understand what my dad told me; My son doesn't understand what I tell him!

I should now be loving my neighbour, A beautiful dame moved in next door!

Talk never and you will have friends never; Talk ever, friends will be foes forever!

You are not a made yourselves entity, Society carved out your personality!

If you are fond of the fag's lasting puff, You'll take last breath in breathless cough!

Man will not learn good things if taught, Sure will learn all the vices untaught!

On God of heavens I was reposing my faith; And failed, 'cause I ignored all little gods of earth!

God hath created man to live a century, But didn't give a performance guarantee!

When I was a child, father was my hero; As I grew up, to me, he is a zero!

Flesh and fish become delicacies By cooking them with vegetables!

Lo! How I lost huge sums in interest Because I had no money to invest!

Only virtuous will own All the wrongs they have done!

Books are loved by knowledge seekers, And are shelved by antique seekers!

Hindu tenets say, treat thy guest as god; We shall, if he pays in Dollars for food!

From financier I don't get aid; From fiancιe I may get AIDS!

All that had come were bad, And all to come are good!

All I do is good; At times it turns bad!

I wish, all that untoward happened today Should have been a nightmare of dead yesterday. This birth, I'm the wheel beneath, carrying all load; Grant me next birth at least as steering wheel, O' Lord!

The blind shows the way For those gone astray!

When two cons bat and dozens bet, Million fools squat around as bait!

Neither the born nor the borne Know why, on earth, they have born,

Bonehead who has no seat Pounces upon throne to sit!

One who turns lie a truth Is fit to reign the earth!

God is moulded into an idol For shaping Him a lifeless ideal!

All the dreams I dreamt about Came true as nightmares aghast!

Even if others love, if you don't love, You can't feel the love, for loving is love!

THE TRUTH THAT IS DEATH

Living man hopes for a future, best; Dying man repents on futile past!

Where do the senses go on man's death? None gone did return to tell that truth!

Why shower rose petals over the tomb? Can its fragrance reach deep into its womb?

However fast, through life, we race, Death will follow us at the same pace!

Dead, we may not be re-born, as legends say; Our souls, caught in condoms, will be thrown away! (* Hindu tenets say that every soul has rebirth) Know, death is not at all a calamity, It's life's destination at eternity!

If you know wherefrom you have come here, You will also know, death takes you where!

With death, we all have a date; When, where and how, we know not.

The one who was terribly afraid of death Reclines calm and composed on its gruesome berth!

While poor dies like a dog; The rich dies like a Lord!

Obituary says: the dead attained heaven; Seems, he sent back a reaching note from heaven!

Man's fear of death Is source of God.

If now and today I die and go I'll join manes dead aeons ago!

Blooms meant for propagation Deck the body of dead person!

The Lord, with His aesthetic touch Created world, a beauty as such,

FREEDOM

Freedom is not growing wings, It lies in breaking the strings!

We spent our fifty years of freedom Building, for our leaders, their kingdom!

We struggled for freedom And won freedom to struggle!

Fifty years of freedom Reminds, we need freedom!

We won freedom to put minority in position Sidelining the majority into opposition!

We won freedom in midnight, That's why we are still in darkness!

Fifty years ago, we won freedom To vote against our own freedom!

OUR POLITY

Flying aloft on a helicopter I can fathom depth of deluge water!

You can vote somebody to power, But can't recall him soon thereafter.

Tolerance of all other's faith is secularism; Intolerance of other's faith is seclusionism.

Faltering step in business, you will fall; Failing step in politics, you will be tall.

Postal stamps are meant for damaging Faces of leaders by ink stamping.

Political power is real kick, Under which man stabs at his own back.

I am a V.V.I.P., because I am, er, A cousin of friend of son of the minister!

Sprawling cremation sites of leaders, sanctified, Soon will turn the capital, city of the dead.

Democracy is a process by which Certain men are voted to become rich.

Political leader gives lot of opportunity To all his followers to make black money aplenty.

Sitting in office, using office, I made money; Quitting office, wrote of office, and still made money!

All political parties split, split and split- Like nuclear fission, to gain explosive might?

Best way to hold party members together Is to make each one of them Prime Minister!

Shameless face has a ribless tongue Extemporising non-stop harangue!

Born with rich heritage, Deride rich in knowledge!

The fool who has no seat Runs for the throne to sit! Nay, I am not born a tomfool For people to vote me to rule!

Politician is not magician; He is only a tactician!

I live here, in a world of politics; Only politics within my heart, ticks!

The sect that make lie a truth Are born rulers of this earth!

I say: 'the law will take its own course'; But, in my case, it can take off course!

Nay, not tainted by a scam, It's the colour of my skin!

I'm public servant doing all your chores And, for living, made only thousand Crores* (*Ten million)

You can change the court But not the decree!

Elections made it possible: Untouchables are now touchable!

Between the playwright and heroine Who's the superstar playing hero?

In politics everywhere, election we conduct. For popular votes, only unpopular contest!

Try holding tricolour Indian flag From becoming multicolour tag!

WHITE COLLAR

Two men could do the job of one; The dexterous does the tens' alone!

Salary is for sitting by the table, To do work, pay handsel, as per table!

The playful could be studious as well, For, both call for devotion and skill.

Public office always is for private profit; Treasure hunters! Take to public service soonest!

Perfection is a serious deformity For it is not money making quality!

If corruption is the curse of society, It's boon to public servants' community!

Who pretends to be busy as bees Will be ignored always by his boss!

If you do not sit where you ought to sit You will find someone else in your seat!

In case you don't fare well, Boss will bid you farewell.

People qualify for public services By ticking answers at random choices!