IMPURE
Primarily among
Large section of Hindus all over
A strong sense of self impurity
Is a chronic feature
According to own thoughts and imagination
Based on own understanding and conception.
Such impurity feelings
Are related to body, dwellings and wearings.
While entering
A domestic or community shrine
To offer prayer to the Deity
Many of those minds
Suffers scare of Impurity
And the first thing
All are required to do
To utter short verses for self purification
Followed by little drops of
Body spray with water
Believed holy from the Ganga river
Flowing over thousand kilometers
Flushing domestic and industrial
Filth and pollutants,
Causing no fall out
On its purity and sacred contents.
Cooked food for the Deity
While on transit from
Temple Kitchen to the shrine
Earth is sanctified
Sprinkling holy water on the passage line.
46
Generally No dinner or breakfast
For the deity, it is lunch only,
That also cooked by
Anyone from a particular caste
All from other castes are impure
From their birth.
Till they breathe their last.
From others in general
Only sweet products and fruits
Are acceptable to the deity
All different in quality and quantity
According to devotees capacity.
Those who can manage to offer very little,
Much pain in mind they feel,
Having enough from others
God may not even look at theirs.
Humble minds
Try to draw consolation,
Small offers from billions on earth
And heavy inflow from other planets
Must be enough for His meals
There is no cause of sorrowful emotion.
If better body-cleaning and clothing
Were to be factors of entry pass
In places of prayer,
God would not have created
Even one half-fed and half-clad
To be debarred form
Walking to His chamber.
If there is a God Almighty
And all creatures and creations
Are His and belong to Him,
47
How can those be impure,
If any one so presume
May be a signal about
His own minds instability syndrome.
Own misdeeds make one guilty
With unclean body and wearing one is dirty
These two are different from impurity,
Which is
A mixture of fake and real
Of any matter or material.
Birth of a child in a family
Though hailed
As the bless of Almighty,
The mother is kept confined
With routine work reduction
May be to protect her
Against exposure to infection,
But she and other members of family
And also the house and households
Are believed to be
Under a spell of impurity fold.
After month long waiting as impure
With spray of Ganga water
On each one and every where
And performance of some rituals
Purity returns,
Instantly and for sure.
On death
The body is considered more impure,
Which brings touch of impurity
On entire household and family members,
48
Total washing and flushing
Become a priority
And through rituals
After a period of austerity,
Sprinkles of water from Ganges
Restore the sense of purity.
Unlucky widows
Irrespective of their age
Are humiliated
Both within the family and socially,
As very impure
And their presence and touch
On arrangements for
Ceremonials or Religious
Are considered to be highly inauspicious.
This is the status men think
Of the body gifted by God
What about purity of
All other creations of thine
Oh my Lord?
If human body itself is impure,
Eatables for deity
Sacred threads for priest
And collection of Ganga water
All done by hands of impure body
Can all those
Pass the tests of purity study?
With pricks of conscience
About own guilt
Towards path of righteousness
When one's mind tilts
49
Lord shall hear his prayer
From any where
Far away from
Any shrine or temple structure.
To overcome closed-eye visions
On many age-old customs and traditions
Having deep rooted influences
Over the minds of millions,
A Social Diary
Providing enlightened version
Is a matter of high priority
For some over-due transition.

The Lords Tree (Debabriksha)

                                                        Dilip Kumar Choudhury

Sometimes one gets to hear of a child being  born during a long flight. Those taking birth while on flight too have no  option other than to descend to earth.  Soil is the first and last resort of the human body.

The birth of human being is well coordinated.  Only the Almighty knows where in this vast expanse of the earth one shall be born.  One may be conceived in the mothers womb at one place but be born at a completely different place.

No other land in this whole world drew me towards it. I was destined to be born in Khurma Gram – Shunamganj Zila  in present day Bangladesh (earlier a part Sylhet zila)

The entire Sylhet Zila  was indeed blessed to have had  Chaitanya Maharabhus Lotus feet  touch its soil and  Peer Shahjalal’s duas resound in its very atmosphere. Later  Shunamganj and Sylhet became well known because of Hasanraja. His Songs and poems became popular  in entire Bengal . My motherland  Khurma is  a tiny village of this Zila .  The village most probably came into existence 200 years ago and has been the home of both Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims are in majority and are either farmers or farm workers. However both communities have forever been living in peace and Harmony.  This Harmony was seen even in the days of the partition and in the 1950’s as there was no communal discord or violence even then.   The village was at a distance from the city but the connecting roads were moderately good.  During the monsoon season  paddy fields and all lakes and ponds used to be flooded with water. At such times the only mode of transport in the village was of boats and banana  leaves.  Our village had a  full fledged school,an English medium middle  school and a post office  which was not there in many of our neighbouring villages.  At the end of the village boundary was a hospital which was run by  a local body of the neighbouring village. The role of supervision of this hospital was vested on our village. Many patients from far off places used to come for treatment at this hospital. In those days Khurma was considered to be a progressive village.

The ancestral deity of this village was Gobindoji. The Asan  Bedi ( Sanctum)is at the  base of a tree.  In our village all auspicious occasions and family celebrations began after offering prayers at Gobindojis sanctum sanctorum and singing of hymns of the LORD. Ladies would begin their daily chores after offering prayers  at the Rooposhi Tala area at a corner in the Courtyard.  I was born on the evening ofDol poornima  ( Holi) at a house which was adjacent to this sacred land.

My first breath took in the air of this village. Its  water quenched my first thirst. It was on this holy land that I rolled and turned, crawled, walked and ran. I gained my knowledge of alphabets at the school of Khurma.  The only teacher at this school was  Maulvi Majrul Hak. He dealt  with his students in the most affectionate manner. For all the students (both boys and girls) he was the teacher  who could be approached for all their demands and wishes.  It was with the help of the knowledge imparted by Maulviji that I passed my 10th std examination from   the English Medium middle school of my village.

The only graduate at that time in our village was  Nalini Chakraborty – the son  of our ancestral priest  Jaladhar Chakroborty.  He was not drawn away from the village by any lucrative job. He joined the middle  school of the village as the head teacher. In the neighbouring village Mohodi, Rajni Nath was the evergreen poet. Very often we witnessed debate sessions between Nalini and Rajani.  Most of the debates between these two learned scholars revolved around religious matters.  Swayed by competitive spirit  the two would  often taunt  each other about ignorance and inability .Within minutes they would compose poems  to outdo  each other.  The debates over the different  chapters ( Khandas) of Ramayana and Mahabharata  would enliven the village environment.

In those days the sanctum of Govindoji was the epicentre of all auspicious occasions of the society. Every evening during the month of October ( Kartik ) , namkirtan  ( hyms in the name of the Lord Krishna) was  sung  at social gatherings.  Each family would make contributions  for the arrangements  of Harinaam and Hariloot ( Prasad). On several special occasions namkirtan used to go on nightlong for five to six days. Even devotees of the neighbouring villages used to partake in the festivities. Shri  Krishna Leela ( Story of Lord Krishna’s life)  constituted a very important  aspect of the daily life of the villagers.  The central figure of all festivities at our village was Krishna – Chaitanya.

I was very young at that time, too young and too ignorant to understand the meaning and depth of the Kirtan.   However the pleasant notes satiated my senses. It aroused deep within  me a sense of  and devotion  and faith which was hitherto unknown and unrecognized. Nearly fifteen kilometres from our village was Jagannathpur Village.  The local resident , Rai pariwar’s  magnanimity helped set up the  English Higher Secondary School in 1946. I completed my studies upto class IX from this school . Thereafter, upto 1952 I resided in Sylhet City. I passed my Matric Exam from an aided High School  in 1950 and completed my  intermediate exam from  Moorarichad College in 1952. Thereafter I left  East Pakistan.

Twenty years later.......

After the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation, I once again got the opportunity to visit Sylhet in 1972.  I was assigned the responsibility of distributing relief material.  I stayed there for almost six months at a stretch.  During my stay I visited Khurma Village, the place of my birth twice. I also distributed some relief material at my village. I don’t remember the date of my first visit , maybe it was August or September.  It was the monsoon season.  On the official  vehicle I travelled   on  semi constructed road from Sylhet to Shunamganj, upto  Jauyaar bazaar.  Thereafter I took a boat to continue my onward journey. Very soon after this dusk fell.  As  I crossed Chaulihar the un- penetrable darkness of Amabashya night descended upon us. At this time we had to cross a very narrow muddy stream.  On both sides were scattered human habitat. The light from the lanterns appeared  to be peeping in from the bushes and trees of the forest area.  It seemed as though the lights were being switched on and switched off continually .  Soon it began to rain.  I had no idea as to whom I would find in my village. I had to return within an hour. I thought of handing over the relief material to the Maulvi so that the same may be distributed by him.

 A mesmerizing Experience Face to Face ----

How much further I have to go, I wondered. I asked the boatman to stop rowing the boat. To get an idea of just where I was I came out of the thatching (chauni) of the boat. To my amazement I found that I was facing Gobindojis sanctum which was just at a little distance away. An unknown sense of deep happiness and enchantment encaptivated me and my body quivered with emotion at this transcendental happening..  How wonderful is this Divine Play( Leela) of Govindoji. My first sight of my village was his very Lotus Feet. I did not understand on that day, nor did I imagine that The Lords Tree – worshipped as Gobindoji would in future give us another example   of supernatural divine play.

The last visit to my birthplace was towards the end of 1996.  My wife Bandana accompanied me during this visit. The love and affection I had received from  my village folk had helped me transcend many hardships on the road of life. This visit of mine was in a sense a thanksgiving visit for me. I had informed village headmen in advance about my visit. Through them I collected some  updated information about my village including information about the monthly income of the residents .

Population – 1056, No. of Families 171 , Middle Class Family 57, Poor and Labour Class  118.  Family members from five families  are teachers at the local school and government servants.  No. of Houses –  150, Concrete Buildings: 10,  Houses with Tin Thatching : 110, Huts of Mud and Hay : 60

The deprived section of villagers – women  and   the elderly were essentially labour  class.  In this land with only marginal differences there were 115 families (  569members) of  poor and labour class.  To each family member I gave Rs.350 each and therefore distributed Rs.39,000/=. Maybe  they had never received  such a large sum of money on a single day . Joy and happiness was writ on their faces and the entire ambience was of joy and mirth.  The tidal wave of blessings  for my wife and myself continued unabated for a long time.  I cannot describe the deep sense of fulfilment which I experienced in the last moments that I spent in my village as words fail me in describing such  an overwhelming experience.

From the assembly of people, l I once again went to bow my head in reverence of Gobindoji.  The ancient of mosque of the village was within the Courtyard of the residential quarter of the Maulvi. A new mosque was being constructed. When I expressed my desire  to make a small contribution  by way of paying for some bricks, it was readily accepted  .

In the early part of the 20^th Century there were 50 Hindu Families in Khurma . Now there are only 10 Hindu families residing in Khurma.  The Sanctum of Govindoji  has worn off in parts . There had been no repairs for several years and the road leading towards it has been usurped. I discussed the reconstruction of road and re- establishment of Sanctum with some of the villagers. At my Birth place, a new family was living  after making it their home.  Having left the house for ever I did not long to know who resided there now.  A Muslim woman came to me on her own accord and introduced herself, further saying that whenever we decide to return to our land they would immediately relinquish their claim.  I returned after reassuring her that she may stay there permanently without nurturing any fear whatsoever.

More than 100 villagers followed us up to quite a great distance.  There was a deep sense  of amazement and excitement in their gaze and expression as they showered their blessings on us.  Putting   my birthplace into the  realm /docket  of my dreams  and  memories  I began my return journey towards Dhaka.

In connection of  my work  I resided in Dhaka from 1995. In January 1997 , I sent Rs 5000/ to a well known Hindu  resident of Khurma Village. A few months later at the end of my  Mission Contract in Bangladesh I returned to Delhi.

Twelve years  have elapsed since then.  One of my relatives Sh. Shubhash Choudhury who lives in Silchar ( Assam) visited Kurma along with his son in 2009 and spent a  few hours there.  The purpose of this was to visit his birthplace and connect his  highly educated  and well established son to his roots.  He was unaware of my earlier visits to the village.  Both prior to and after expressing his desire to offer prayers at the sanctum of Gobindoji , he heard  a story related to the sacred tree from the  village folk. I had sent money to a Hindu resident to rebuild the sanctum of Gobindoji.  To fulfill his petty needs , swayed by greed  he tried to cut the sacred holy tree.  As he began felling the tree from the spot which had been struck by the axe blood began oozing out almost like juice.

Subhash had no desire to know  about  the date, year, time or  the witnesses of this great misdeed as he did not wish to keep  such a painful thing in his memory.  His ancestors had  cut themselves  off from all attachment to their  birthplace several years ago.  Within a few days of this dastardly act the Hindu man lost his wife, one son , the second son became mentally disturbed and he himself became bed ridden.   Everyone in the village believes that his great suffering is due to the great curse which has befallen him  because  of his evil misdeed.

If anyone else ever goes to visit their birthplace in Khurma  - or if anyone from that country comes to  our country in near or distant  future – the story of this event  being recorded here  will be awaiting  them.

NARASURA
(Devilish Men)
Joyous Composition
By
Dilip Choudhury
C-530 Chittaranjan Park
New Delhi 110019
October 2011
NARASURA
(Devilish men)
People are
Here, there and Everywhere
Surrounded by Devils
In forms of
Brain-washed Religious Suicide - Pawns
Fundamentalists and Racists
Kidnappers, Frauds and Anarchists
Maoists, Naxalites and Terrorists
And numerous other forms of Fascists
......
Adulterators, Food poisoners
Spurious drug makers and dealers
LPG & PDS stock hoarders/Black-marketers,
Water and power stealers,
Heroin, Cocaine and Weapon smugglers,
Builders-Mafia and land grabbers,
Kidney and Eye transplant racketeers,
Unorganized/bonded labour exploiters,
Currency and Stamp-paper forgers,
Personal-law twisters and brokers,
Rumour mongers, touts, bribers and
blackmailers.
                       
                      1            



Many of those are under masks of
Clergy, Imams and Priests,
Political and Social Activists,
All posing as friends of people,
As great moralists,
AND
Daya-like fake-encounter specialists.
......
Volcanoes of Scams gradually erupting,
In forms of,
2G, CWG, Air India purchase deals,
Cash for Votes, Illegal mining
In Karnataka and Goa Hills.
State acquiring Poors land
At throwaway price for
Dedication to Royal heritage building ,
Adarsh Society Hollows
KG Basin wealth mine
In grip of Shark Swallows

              2

Law enforcers turn greedy,
They hunt for bribe,
Cash for third party query in parliament,
And shares from MP fund,
For local area development,
Patronisers of city destructions,
Favouring illegal constructions,
And later enacting law for regularization,
And still with honour they thrive,
And master more state guards,
For own security,
Leaving Parliament to
Close range shots of terrorists,
Manjunaths and Dubeys, Whistle blowers,
Are destined to be in the hit lists.

                 3

When a large banyan tree falls
And earth-around crack and Tremor
There are obvious fall-outs, even human toll
The ruler so consoles the Nation,
With Sarcastic call
.....
State making people as Bhagidar,
In tasks of law and order,
Through forums of RWA,
Required to erect huge gates and grills,
In all lanes and bye-lanes,
And to hire day and night Guards,
At community costs,
For the community to protect
Their own lives and interests.

                4
Mohishasura symbolizes Devasura,
Here on earth are the Narasura,
The Human Beasts.
Among options for some control are
True non-polarised Non-subservient activists
And Neutral Social groups
To form nationwide Anti-Narasura Troops
Under selfless, non-corruptible National
Leadership
As the deities collectively did
Pooling all their strength in mother Durga
To break Devasura wrists.

                  5

And not to wait till hi-jackers command
Passport and Visa free fly,
For any or more of us,
On board for perilous destiny,
To Kandahar or across Oceans
Through the over- seas sky.
Joyous Composition
By
Dilip Choudhury
October 2011

Debo Brikho ( The Lords Tree)

CONTROL

In the faith and imagination
Of men so far,
Body is the abode of the
Formless invisible four
Mind, talent, soul and air.
Mind is busy and alarmed ever
In collection, preservation and utilization
Of means and associates
For fulfillment of luxuries and desires
Through endless struggles and labour
Not always free from risks or danger.
Restlessness and disruption
Of peace of mind
Are at the influence of
Six passions of the body
Dragging it in different directions
From behind.
Foremost need of everyone
Is to keep the mind
Under control and regulation.
Under whose command
The minds act and play
With certainty
Can anyone ever say?
To keep respective mind
Towards path of religion,
Saints and spiritualists
Practices in their own way
With all devotion
and they pray
Oh mind
Give up cunningness,
Term of life is short
Day after day
Becoming less and less,
Minutes later may be the end
When exactly none can guess.
There is only one
The Lord of universe
Who only can bless
And grant bliss to minds
In turmoil of disarray and distress.
How long would you
Run after emotions and Lusts
For quenching material thirst
And
Remaining tied to
Dogmas of un-touchability and castes
While you are aware that in this body
The next moment may be your last.

The 20th Century

Gave us a lot of pride and glory

About spectacular achievements in science and thoughts.

And adventure to outer space

But side by side

With horrible memories of

Death and destruction

And suffering of millions

In global and regional wars

By furies of Nature

Ethnic brutalities

And emergence of sponsored terrorists

And with pains and anxieties

About many more millions

Who are still deprived of food and shelter

To whom access to health care and education

Are yet too far

Hope the new centurions will

Make the good earth a much better place to live

Where in hunger

None Shall ever have to cry

And where for lack of medical Aid

None Shall ever have to die

DILIP  CHOUDHURY

31st December 1999

                                        You once wrote this at the turn of  the century and millennium

                                         Hoping the new century would bring in a new dawn

                                         Away from hunger , ethnic brutalities and terrorism

                                    Your mission had taken you close to such victims of natural and man made disasters

                                       Whom you served steadfastly

                                        And in whose pain your heart cried

                                       Hope one day the world will see sense and adopt your vision of peace and            

                                       advancement