Preface to Kanupriya

There are those moments when one feels that, when confronted by the ceaseless forces that relentlessly prod the flow of History; one is helpless- one has no choice but to be carried along with the current of Destiny. One finds oneself in a position of conflict- sometimes as a rebel against the current, at other times holding the reins in ones hands in full control, flowing along placidly, and then there are those times when one has to simply let go and meekly succumb to Fate in a gesture of mute surrender. But then there are those other moments when one feels that all these external forces have no significance whatsoever. What is important is, that which is nurtured within us at the time of Dissolution of the Self- a stage where the entire external cosmic phenomenon- creation as a whole-becomes trivial- that moment when one feels as if the self has been prised open like an oyster-the past, the present and the future is reduced to void and the I is dissolved, i.e. : becomes nonexistent.

Attempt has been made to strike a balance- where the two levels or stages are brought to a meaningful coexistence, but this quest is generally rendered futile. Such a situation is almost utopian fallacy and one is left with no choice but to resort to easier solutions; that is to draw an endless line of demarcation between the two stages and then standing at one point, claim that the other point is illusion and vice versa. The other alternative being that one can first live and experience one stage in all its totality and essence, believing it to be the Ultimate True experience, then later face the next stage, seek its solution forgetting the previous experience completely and let this transfer of experiences of the different stages in the course of Time be a continuous affair. Gradually, one gets accustomed to the incongruence of the difference in realities in the two stages. Then perhaps can one claim that it is this very diversity of the contradictory situations, the coexistence of paradoxical experiences that characterizes the personality of Human existence. And that the human personality is unique, because he succeeds in living through the diverse situations without settling for a compromise.

But Alas! What about those who have lived a life of utter simplicity taking instances, experiences as they come, living the present moment to the fullest, savouring its flavour and essence, seeking and perhaps finding in them a meaning to their lives and who are left unmoved by the magnificence of the Cosmic Reality. They who are not overwhelmed by the surreality of the meaning of life in totality. Such people are contented with things as they are; they are satisfied to know that Reality is simple, natural with all the strings attached perhaps. But to the seeker of the Beyond, the mundane poses innumerable questions to which he relentlessly seeks answers, he is dissatisfied with the business of existence, which to him seems trivial in the face of the general scheme of cosmic reality. To whom does he turn to for answers?

This is what perhaps Kanupriya attempts to probe-The individual relates personal experiences to his miniscule self as it applies to his day to day existence, but gradually he is compelled to evolve in his understanding of the Universe in its entirety. He is confronted with the colossal Reality, of which he is but an atom. This collection of poems, then perhaps is an attempt to trudge those very paths that the seeker treads, in his quest of Self-discovery.

Poorvaraag and Manjari Parinay is the first stage,
Srushti Sankalp- the second, Itihaas- describing Krishna's stint as a ruler/diplomat followed bySamaapan which is the final stage of self unfoldment, each described from the viewpoint of Kanupriya/ Radha.It is interesting to note that Radha does not make this path of discovery consciously, her quest for self unfoldment was purely unconscious, a spontaneous chain of incidents and reactions of an emotionally sensitive individual who is carried away by the various events and experiences and she attains the final stage of Understanding as a result of gradual spiritual evolution.

The poet has through the legend of Radha and Krishna, brought out the spiritual evolution of the individual by harmoniously combining the mythological situation with the contemporary times in the modern context.