Adhrit with threads, sacred

Adhrit with threads, sacred

 

Adihrit! Your ceremonial tale

merits your enlightenment to sail

across oceans and continents many

to reach your USA pals Jack and Jenny

on the pomp and show of the celebration

also on your austerity in the ritual-laden function

performing nine layers of rituals over two days

seasoning your tender heart in the future to blaze

`” some sanctifying the acts you have undergone

rest spiritually sanctioned for a man to carry on.

As the parental wish for their son

the tenth layer is left unsaid and undone

kept waiting for your wedding day

as some priests say.”

on the significance of the occasion

and to life on earth, its contribution,

religious guidelines and sermons,

ancestral, community traditions

their experiences over the ages

the saying of saints and sages

and on you, its impact, and your impression

and on associated customs and tradition

explaining the symbolic deeds performed on you

and the sacred thread on you, your view.

the purpose behind each step, tell, you must

revealing epical significances now gathering dust

Adhrti!! you never attempt to put in airs

the hymns chanted in your ears

by the presiding priest in confidence

of the ritual that is the essence.

The sacred thread as your ornament

a lifelong wear a feature permanent

put around neck and shoulder touching waist

time to time that can only be replaced

knitted with three threads signifying to show

Indebtednesses on this earth you owe

to your parental ancestors  you, who bred

Rishi saints, the survival of the earth who led

the Almighty in Heaven who is behind everything

without whose divine direction moves nothing.

Interpret I for you in your tender way

to environment and society, you have much to pay

this sacred thread will go on reminding you

so that in your every deed you act true

true to your conscience enlightened now

nothing wrong you will do, take the vow.

to reveal realize and act on the wisdom

attempt brains of kids at your age seldom

but these sacred ceremonial  steps push you

to know something beyond the curriculum and new.

Hey Adhriti! Blessed you are

from the Pal dynasty being the rising star

with  Indian tradition as background

bent of mind spiritually bound

tradition enlightening you at the tender age

with sermons preached by many a sage

besides being grown up in the Western culture

with modern science, you, to nurture

that a right blend a child, at teen, needs

in the future world bloom will these breeds.

Blessed you are by virtue of your birth

to bag this thread ceremony on this earth

your thread ceremony is a step ahead

to spiritualize you your fragrance to spread.

On this auspicious day

we all pray

from our heart’s abyss

for your health happiness and bliss

with blessings galore

"On all fronts, you stay at fore

in study and service to society the worldwide

spreading the fragrance of your ancestors giving them joy and pride."

Do not unveil your parental fear

as you approached three lines to cross over.

do not picture Grandpa’s grandfather

his clean-shaven head palm leaves - umbrella to cover

drilling of ears’ flap with ornamentation

with begging bowls alms collection.

that over ages practiced by ancestral pursuance

given up gradually under Western influence

that with the renewed interpretation you could avoid

thank you must your grandpa who made it null and void.

 

P K Routray

in the service of the Lord

(NB iOn the occasion of my friend & classmate Pramod Pal's grandson now 11 yrs old based at USA's thread ceremony)