Masterclass in the Hills of Sikkim

The Man

Chest up and with a twinkle in his eyes

Smiled and said to himself

I am big and mighty

All bow down to me

My requests are a command to many

On a vacation to Sikkim

Opened the window of his grand hotel

HE stood before the Man

As a tall and mighty mountain

High, as high the eye could see

With snow-capped peaks

Mightier than any man could ever be

The Man hung his head down and moved on. 

The Man

Driving through the circuitous hilly roads

He smiled and said to himself

My vision has always been so impeccable

I plan in advance, foresee the times ahead

No wonder, they call me a visionary

He peered through the front windscreen of the car

HE came down the clouds

As an envelope of endless dense fog

Visibility came down to almost zero

The Man slowed his vehicle to a stop

Then slowly inched his way forward

Feet by feet, watching every curve and bump

The Man realised the limits of his vision

Wiped the windscreen and slowly moved on.

The Man

With a life’s bag full of success and glory

Smiled again and said with an air of arrogance

I get, what I desire

My goals once set are conquered one by one

Nothing can ever stop me from achieving my success

Today, I shall conquer the peak.

HE came down as a landslide

Blocking the path

Wiping away the road

With boulders big and small

For once the goal seemed distant and lost

The Man looked at the seat behind

His wife and daughter were safe

Life’s true goals and wealth were still with him

What more goals and glory were there for him to seek?

The Man

Sat down on the floor of the monastery

In all humility, gently chanted  

Om Mane Padme Hum

Jewel in the Lotus

Repeated the same chant many times over

The fog that hung low

Slowly lifted

HE showed himself seated on a lotus

With peace and calmness surrounding him

 The Man

Put his hands together

Prayed for his loved ones

Prayed for peace and happiness to all

For his family, friends and beyond

Spoke one last time to himself

I mistook my vision, goals and success

HE showed me the right path

In his own simple way

The Man

Slept well that night

Free from ego, arrogance and pride

It was the last night before he returned to the plains

It had been pouring incessantly the previous days

With no light peeping through the dark clouds

The Man and his people had lost all hope

But deep inside they all longed 

Of getting one small glimpse

Of the elusive Guardian Deity of the Hills

Representing the Five Treasures of Snow:

Gold, Silver, Gems, Grains and Holy Book

HE smiled and showered his grace

HE opened up the sky with splendid light

Pushing the dark clouds away

The Man and his people

Saw HIM in all his glory

Mount Kanchendzonga

Glory, Glory, Glory to the Lord.

SS