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Chapter 10
CONTEMPLATION OF GOD’S MANIFESTATIONS
53. God In The Animals
21. And what about the peacock! Peacocks are rare in Maharashtra, but Gujarat has them in plenty. I am habituated to walking ten to twelve miles daily. While in Gujarat, I used to see a lot of peacocks during my walks. When the clouds gather in the sky and the rain looks imminent, the peacock gives a call. To hear that cry emerging from the depths of its heart is a stirring experience. Our whole science of music is based on the note of that cry—the shadja (षड्जं रौति।). Shadja is the basic note of the Indian system of music. The peacock, with its eyes raised towards the rain-heavy clouds, gives a deep- throated cry and spreads its plummage the moment the clouds begin to thunder. It certainly is a bewitching sight. The beauty and elegance of that plummage is enough to humble man’s pride. Kings may bedeck themselves with all the fineries, but they cannot excel a peacock. Its plummage with innumerable shades of colours is indeed a piece of marvellous artistry. Enjoy its beauty and also see God therein. The whole creation is bedecked in such a fascinating way. The Lord is there all around; but we, the wretched creatures, fail to behold him. Tukaram has said, ‘देव आहे सुकाळ देशीं‚ अभाग्यासी दुर्भिक्ष ।।’ The Lord is everywhere, but to the wretched He is elusive. For the saints there is prosperity everywhere, while for us there is famine. 22. How can one forget the cuckoo? Whom does it call? In the summer, rivers and streams dry up, but tender green leaves sprout on trees. Does it ask, ‘Who brought about this marvel? Where is its creator?’ How intense and sweet is its voice! A religious observance named kokilavrata has been prescribed in Hinduism. Women observing this vrata take food only after hearing the cuckoo’s note. This observance teaches us to see the Lord in the cuckoo. The cuckoo seems to be chanting the Upanishads in its melodious voice. One hears its voice, but it remains hidden. The poet Wordsworth was so enchanted by the cuckoo that he would wander in the forest in search of it. The great poet of England is mad after a cuckoo; but in India, even ordinary housewives do not take food without hearing its voice. This kokilavrata has put ordinary Indian women at par with the great poet. To hear the cuckoo’s sweet singing is the height of joy. The Lord has manifested Himself in the form of the cuckoo also. |
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