The Project Gutenberg eBook of Truth and the Myth: Couplet Quips, by A. R. Narayanan

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This is neither prose nor verse, nor a testament, nor tenet, nor quotable quotes.

Quipping couplets flag off a train of thoughts, certain are abstract philosophy; yet few are derisive of social evils, coated with sarcasm.

Traversing through the quips, you will find you at both ends, alternatively, the archer and the target!

You and me are not the sole souls in its ambit. it encompasses every citizen of the world!!

We mock many truths as myths and try to realise myths as truth mixing both mercilessly, making it very difficult for others to discern between:

COUPLET QUIPS

A.R. NARAYANAN
26/480, 'Shreyas', Chakkalamuttu Road,
North Fort, Tripunithura,
Cochin 682 301. INDIA

I dedicate this book to that entity who has granted me all mental and physical faculties and keeps me in the world whom I could not meet yet, in spite of my constant search.

FOREWORD

By Dr. D Anjaneyulu, M.A., B.L., D.Litt.
Author and Journalist, Ex. President: Madras Press Club
and
Member: Authors Guild of India.

When Mr. A.R. Narayanan rang me up to ask me for a foreword to his book of verse, I did not know what I was in for. Because I had not met him before, nor had I read any of his written work. But I was instantly impressed by the simplicity and sincerity, earnestness and anxiety in his voice, and I readily agreed.

At the outset, I must say that I was attracted by the title of the work "Truth and the Myth couplets Quips". 'Couplet' reminded me of the heroic couplets of Alexander Pope (Dunciad and the rest) and those of John Dryden (Mac Flecknoe and so on). 'Quips were reminiscent of the witticisms of Bernard Shaw, the epigrams of Oscar Wilde and the paradoxes of G.K. Chesterton. A combination of the two should be quite spicy, I imagined. Nor was I disappointed. For, I found them undoubtedly spicy and readable. The couplets in this booklet cover a wide range of subjects of general interest of God and Man, of life and death, of truth and lies, of profession and practice, of politics and profit making and many other things. The concept of truth and myth seemed to remain upper most in the mind of the author, as when he says:

"In the beginning was the word;…….. word was
truth;
Now word of truth has become old-fashioned myth"

He is refreshingly frank in the expression of his views, be they traditional or modern or a happy blend of both. This, for instance, of God and Man:

The author has no patience with man's capacity to deceive himself and others, and man's flair for hypocrisy. And rightly so too, as we are all sure to agree:

At other times, he is satirical, with elements of irony and sarcasm. But he is always effective, because he is in right earnest.

This might be his first attempt at poetic composition, but there is maturity of thought and depth of feeling, which come from his variety of experience in life. I wish more power to his elbow; and hope that this collection, or may be selection, of couplets, will have a wide circle of readers. The quips are thought provoking, without being too harsh or hurting.

INTRODUCTION

Look around us, people are busily engaged in many things; serious, silly or sincere; inducing a spurt of smile or laughter; of fun, scorn or sympathy; on our lips. You and me are no exception. We too contribute to others fancy.

"Of God's creations, only man can laugh
For, to be laughed at, he does lot enough"

Laughing at others, we should also be bold to direct the very scorn at ourselves. But many of us simply won't or refuse to in the belief that each one of us is an exception. Laughter is a good medicine and, coming out of the hermit shell, we should learn to laugh at all laughable actions of the self and others. Man is sincere to and concerned only about himself. In his frenzy to own all the comforts and happiness of the world, he forgets his roots, tradition, nobility, culture and obligations towards the society, rendering his every action a ludicrous one.

Money has become everything to man and he is today and addict to it. His prayers, religious rites and marital, paternal, filial and fraternal relationships are guided by the quantum of money inflow. Here, in this era, man would do anything for handful of money because money is power.

Man derives all pleasures, respect, opportunities, and even a ticket to contest elections as candidate of a popular political party, get through it and reach positions on the top rung of political ladder by mere might of money. When the moneyed scoop all the fortunes on earth, the poor can only gaze agape at them, with a sigh.

The moneyed may be able to buy everything on earth, but not love. To exploit and live under his opulence, even distant relations and kith around him will pretend to love him. He will live in a fool's paradise believing that all of them really care for him, until the day his last pie is drained off and the love, sincerity and the loyalty of this so-called kith and kin are put to the acid test.

Even after knowing the occult deceptive function of it, man stakes his life in the grand race for money. Blinded by the spell of its tinkle, money becomes everything for him. He plunges into all sorts of malpractice to earn money and to create a comfortable cushion of savings.

No man is an exception to it. However, the most culpable are the public servants that have turned the public offices into private profit centres. Their pray are the poorest of the poor and those who are in distress.

Religious consciousness and respect for human values are overtly exhibited and upheld by him and he goes though all the rites and customs, in the guise of a man committed to social well being, camouflaging the evil intentions that lie deep beneath his heart. The places of worships, priests, charitable institutions and social organisations get profuse patronage from such people who literally steal the show wielding money. The poor are trampled to earth by the moneyed in their endeavour to grow tall, tall and taller, piercing the sky.

As the obeisance for money grew, the religious devotion became a mere ritualistic showpiece without any priming or pricking of conscience. Not only the religious rites, but also man's every interaction with his family, relatives and the society, in general, have become a real deplorable mockery. The sacred profession people select are also being desecrated by taking short cuts to riches at the cost of quality.

Religious fanaticism is another epidemic that has, of late, invaded the mankind. The intolerance of alien faith assumed devastating proportions and threatens the very existence of social, national and international amity. While none of the staunch fanatics have met God and ascertained his identity, they do not realise, all their frenzies to safeguard and sanctify the name they attribute to the God are all ill disposed. The masses follow the religious leaders blindly reminding the innocent children that walked into the back of beyond trailing the Pied Piper under the spell of his magical music.

God and the religions are creations of man for the betterment of mankind. Trifling all tenets and codes of moral conduct of their religion, the fanatics violently impose their ideology on the followers of alien faith and get easily infuriated on expression of slightest dissention of criticism.

Where will this tendency take us? I am afraid, back to savagery. I dart my thoughts towards all social evils, sprouted from the lust of money, egoism, and religious fanaticism, in the form of couplet quips, philosophy instilled and sarcasm anointed.

Many of these couplets are impregnated with occult and thought-provoking concepts and the reader may have to think and think over, even traverse through religious scriptures to enjoy the real kick of it.

I do not know how far I have succeeded in making an impact on the conscience of society and in summoning one and all to throw down their gloves against this social menace.

You are the judge. I welcome your bouquets and brickbats alike and, whichever it may be, I love to treasure it within the inner lobe of my heart, wrapped in velvet, forever.

OUM Namo Narayanaya! Chanting hymn octave
Narayanan offers at Thy feet, his couplets stave.

ALMIGHTY

If temple idols suddenly start speaking,
All the devotees, from sanctum, start sneaking!

The god Almighty is cemented* To altar, by him He created! (* In Hindu temples, the idols are fixed on the altar by 'Ashta bandham', i.e. eight knots, a rite of cementing and consecration using gum made of eight ingredients consisting of lacs and seeds)

Who is, how is and what name is the God?
Man gives various answers as per his mood!

Prayers are like letters sent by post
Some may reach, some in transit, get lost.

So good, you're praying for hitting jackpot,
But, buy a ticket at the racing spot!

The timid bashful lotus, the mud born, Reached the palm of the Lord*, by devotion. (* Hindu God Vishnu, the second among the Trinity, is depicted as holding a full bloom lotus on his right palm.)

Partha* prayed unto the Lord to be his charioteer;
Whom do you opt to drive yours thro' the future?
(* Another name for Arjuna, the warrior hero of Hindu
scripture, Mahabharata)

"Man proposes but God disposes", an adage;
If proposal be divine, even God will budge.

All the bank balance you have piled up
Can't tilt His balance when you are called up.

Lord who taught us not to expect fruit of action*
Hath never sought reward for prayers he'd sanction
(* Lord Krishna in Bhagvat Gita)

When one has to wage a Mahabharatha war
Certainly need a "Krishna" to prop him from rear.

Drop the 'I' from "O I'm", "O me", "O my" and "O mine" Remaining is Om,* chanting which makes one's life divine. (* The monosyllable hymn of Hindus called "Pranava Manthra" believed to be the source of the entire cosmos, chanting of which is believed to produce psychosomatic changes in the body)

One step you pace forward on the road to God,
You will be few steps nearer to his abode.

Sacraments are not made for God to eat.
In it, man gives himself his choicest treat.

Radha* still awaits, on the banks of Yamuna, That determined not to return cupid Krishna. (* Radha, was the consort of Sri Krishna until adolescence in Brindanvan. When he left for Mathura for good, He promised to rejoin her soon but he never did. She awaits him since the moment He left her. The expectation of sweet re-union keeps her alive and her fondness for Krishna remains fresh in her bosom. So does a devotee.)

MAN

Of God's creations, only man can laugh,
For, to be laughed at, he does a lot enough!

The dawn marks the reign of Sun on earth;
The dust marks the reign of sons of earth.

Lady of the house is Lakshmy*, And man of the house is dummy. (* Lakshmy is the Hindu Goddess of prosperity. In India, chaste housewife who is at the realm of household stands sentinel of the moral codes of conduct and, by it, causes the heavens to shower prosperity on the entire family. She is equated to Lakshmy.)

You can buy and own all that is on earth,
But will you enjoy it after your death?

Live, and, while living, earn only for living;
For, you can't carry the surplus while leaving!

From earth, plants produce things useful numerous;
Man only consumes quantity enormous!

Man is said to be a social animal
Since, in him, beastly qualities still prevail

"Do not expect the fruit of action"*
But be on guard for its reaction!
(Expounds Lord Krishna in Bhagvat Gita)

Day man is born, creator's job's over- Hell with Brahma*, who cares for him thereafter? (* Hindus believe, Brahma the first of the Trinity is the creator. Strangely, He is not worshipped widely as only two temples are dedicated to Him.)

Women are no weaker sex any longer:
The wonder pill makes them virtually stronger!

Mother's labour in bringing forth a child
Can't be paid for, even by tons of gold.

Sun lights the world, emitting rays perceptual;
Since world spins and is unsteady, nights do fall.

The lotus, that blooms under sunlight,
Won't bloom at night, if thousand lamps lit.

Against thy wishes, thou grow and get old;
Life flows on its own, to live it, be bold.

You can, well, cork the mouths of a thousand bottles,
But not that of one that always tittle-tattles.

The one, for long, had gone through adverse times,
Be afraid to face even good that comes!

Singer wishes to perpetuate his name
Shall stop singing at the peak of his fame.

Through mythology we try to know the myth;
Though many of us try to ignore the truth.

I can't say: "miles to go before I sleep",
Because the last sleep is not in my grip.

Behold, if somebody is nobody, nobody respects;
Anybody is anybody, anybody respects.

In this universe of eternal darkness,
Sunshine, at times, brings momentary brightness.

What you know now is only a millionth
Fraction of what you ought to learn henceforth!

Beautiful dame willing for any game
Gains, in record time, all the wealth and fame.

You cannot speak out all that you think;
For, most of them are rubbish that stink!

Poor know the comforts enjoyed by the rich
Rich are ignorant of poverty's pinch.

Who dives deep down comes up with a pearl;
Who flies high lands with nothing at all!

Boy, titled "Master" grows up to a "Mister"
Can then gray-haired old man be a "Mooster"?

Even wildest fire will itself extinguish
If it has nothing more to devour afresh!

Known devil is not better than unknown angel;
For, devil is devil and angel is angel.

Water flowing out, a case for conservation;
Water flowing in may cause great consternation!

Don't say, "a friend in need is a friend indeed"
A friend always in need is a pain indeed!

The flower and fruit and lamb and chicken, life longing
Fellow creatures men sacrifice for better living!

Sages say, life is a myth;*
Still, they live in search of truth!
(* Hindu philosophy)

Within temple, granite idol is worshipped;
Without, it is mere commodity far shipped!

Nature dame had borne millions of life thro' eons;
Still, she looks Miss universe as every day dawns!

"In the beginning was the word…….. word was truth"
Now the word of truth has become old-fashioned myth!

Judas, not Jesus, was the cause of Christianity,
For, his betrayal led Jesus to eternity

"Searching the Lord is beginning of knowledge"
And does not end until you break sensual bondage.

Light cannot comprehend darkness ever;
If put out, darkness again takes over!
Money is most powerful in this world;
Did it not kill even the Son of God?

This body is not for sensual titillation;
It is to fulfil duties assigned by the Great One!

People with money and muscle power,
For their selfish ends, tramp the frail and poor!

Evil souls reign this earth, for generations,
Despite our Lord's repeated incarnations!
(* Hindu God Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth ten times)

Haughty fire scales up, burning all that's on its way,
Humble water steps down, to wash earth's sins away!

"Food is medicine and medicine is food",
Gentle food, little medicine, keeps health good!

"Knock! It shall be opened unto you" preaching:
We are searching for doors that open sans knocking!

If you are enthralled by somebody's feat,
Know, strong-willed, you also can do it.

If you say, nothing in this world is impossible,
Know, not one, many hands need to make it possible.

Granite decked daily with bed of rose
Shall gain and own fragrance in due course!

Strand that developed in New York and London is 'Nylon'
Strife developed between Pakistan and India is 'Pain'.

You are warned, "look before you leap",
'Cause this leap should not be last lap.

In India, President can't preside, Speaker may not speak, And Governor should not govern; mere rubber stamps at work!

"Time and tide do not wait for anyone";
After all, who else waits here for someone?

Man gave God multiple hands* in His picture
To depict the Lord as the Superpower.
(* Hindu gods are depicted with multiple hands)

Heaven and hell are created by man's talent;
And he can make it anywhere, any moment!

Dressed up, spraying fragrant perfumes and made up faces,
Men know not, they are factories of stinking feces.

All the beauty of women is only skin deep,
To enjoy it, men should penetrate further deep!

THINK IT OVER

Wailed aloud as you came, availed eventful life, Prevailed, you will leave leaving others in wailing grief!

You can assert your right if you are right;
Only can falter when you are at fault!

Camphor burns to smoke leaving not even ash and odd,
Emitting fragrance of selfless oblation to the Lord!

Note down, nothing will go into nothing;
If you have nothing you will have nothing!

I have rich learning, culture and manners;
But beset with poor food, health and finance!

Be prepared all the while for bitter curses;
Boons may come, once in a while, as bonuses!

Better to soothe the victim of your ill deed
Than to confess before Minister ordained!

I'm a lighted but unburnt wick of yesterday;
Don't throw me out when am willing to burn today.

Present life is a present of bygone past,
Only purest present presents future best.

Statistics establishes a lie numerically;
The opportunist takes advantage of it cunningly!

"Seek and ye shall find", the Lord sayeth;
But we seek what we can't find on earth!

When thy begging bowl is full and flowing over,
You will feel, you are the God, reigning world over!

Man is slave of circumstances
Created by his circumstandees*
(* Don't look for this word in a Dictionary, for it is
coined).

Why should purest of all rivers, Ganges, holy
Desecrate itself merging into sea wholly?

The wick will burn to ashes in no time
If the lamp lacks oil that keeps the flame.

While ringing in, with gaiety, the New Year,
Grow and show, you are one more year wiser.

Do whatever you have to, today, here and now
For, tomorrow is a dream, may not come true.

He who keeps company, in lone dark night,
If dead suddenly, turns object of fright!

With a begging bowl, I vie to reach the gate
Of palace I built* and lived in my birth last!
(* Hindus believe that the soul of a dead person will
have rebirth elsewhere)

Know, thou were not born nor shall die at thy wish;
Thence, time in between is not thine to lavish!

Wondrous monument for departed wife Tajmahal.
Could she ever enjoy that architectural marvel?

Building castles in the air, does the idle;
Won't building a hut on the land be ideal!

When thy name scales thro' the ladder of fame,
Know, it is someone else did give thee a name!

One who feels ignorant only can gain knowledge
As empty vessel has enough space for storage!

You have something, you will feel a lot you have not;
When you have not any, will not feel you have not.

Woman's bosom is Ocean of Milk for the baby;
Reposing bed, to compose, for grief-stricken hubby!

I don't long for fame as son of my father;
But, indeed, wish to earn name as an author.

"None in this world is perfect" a diction;
But, everyone claims to be an exception!

Man slays gentle peacock to gather its quill
And present a "peacock dance" to show his skill!

If you go on doing good, God will do you good;
If the God doesn't do good, none would say good God!

If you look once again, what you have done earlier,
After years, you will feel you could have done better!

No wonder continental drift theories stay;
Look at the neighbouring nations drift away!

Something is not better than nothing at all;
For, nothing is better than something awful!

Taxes are levied to feed Government employees
Still they tax public to add spice to luxuries!

Somewhere a tearful farewell.*
Here, a cheerful arrival.
(Hindus believe in re-birth. The dead soul will be born
somewhere else, quite often, immediately).

We don't do what we could do when needed to do,
And try to do what others do which we can't do!

I did not understand what my dad told me;
My son doesn't understand what I tell him!

Talk never and you will have friends never;
Talk ever, friends will be foes forever!

If you are fond of the fag's lasting puff,
You'll take last breath in breathless cough!

Man will not learn good things if taught,
Sure will learn all the vices untaught!

On God of heavens I was reposing my faith;
And failed, 'cause I ignored all little gods of earth!

God hath created man to live a century,
But didn't give a performance guarantee!

Hindu tenets say, treat thy guest as god;
We shall, if he pays in Dollars for food!

I wish, all that untoward happened today
Should have been a nightmare of dead yesterday.
This birth, I'm the wheel beneath, carrying all load;
Grant me next birth at least as steering wheel, O' Lord!

Even if others love, if you don't love,
You can't feel the love, for loving is love!

THE TRUTH THAT IS DEATH

Why shower rose petals over the tomb?
Can its fragrance reach deep into its womb?

Dead, we may not be re-born, as legends say;
Our souls, caught in condoms, will be thrown away!
(* Hindu tenets say that every soul has rebirth)
Know, death is not at all a calamity,
It's life's destination at eternity!

If you know wherefrom you have come here,
You will also know, death takes you where!

The one who was terribly afraid of death
Reclines calm and composed on its gruesome berth!

Obituary says: the dead attained heaven;
Seems, he sent back a reaching note from heaven!

FREEDOM

We won freedom to put minority in position
Sidelining the majority into opposition!

OUR POLITY

Tolerance of all other's faith is secularism;
Intolerance of other's faith is seclusionism.

Faltering step in business, you will fall;
Failing step in politics, you will be tall.

Sprawling cremation sites of leaders, sanctified,
Soon will turn the capital, city of the dead.

Political leader gives lot of opportunity
To all his followers to make black money aplenty.

Sitting in office, using office, I made money;
Quitting office, wrote of office, and still made money!

All political parties split, split and split-
Like nuclear fission, to gain explosive might?

Best way to hold party members together
Is to make each one of them Prime Minister!

The fool who has no seat
Runs for the throne to sit!
Nay, I am not born a tomfool
For people to vote me to rule!

I say: 'the law will take its own course';
But, in my case, it can take off course!

I'm public servant doing all your chores
And, for living, made only thousand Crores*
(*Ten million)

In politics everywhere, election we conduct.
For popular votes, only unpopular contest!

WHITE COLLAR

Public office always is for private profit;
Treasure hunters! Take to public service soonest!

If you do not sit where you ought to sit
You will find someone else in your seat!

COCKTAIL

PROFESSION

Government servants are employed to tell one
Why they cannot do what he wants to get done!

Banker is one who sees pounds of flesh in man
But fails to notice the blood that streams within!

Trade unionist is one who incites labour unrest
And settles it at the cost of Labour and management!

Advocate is he who takes a quarrel to court
And conducts it until the client becomes bankrupt!

Accountant is trained to do a balancing trick,
Lifting the pane of profit counterweighed by black!

Businessman is busy scooping profits to prosper,
With other's money, while his own idling in coffer!

Actors are paid to depict different person
Of the self, with fan and fare, one the stage or screen.

Classical musician is a hoarse voiced vocalist
Deals with tunes in detail ignoring meaningful text!

Architects design castles smooching the sky
Which someone builds and some other occupy.

Roll out a rumour, public will carry it;
Float a company, public will finance it!

By public issue companies make money;
Once issued, it's public make all the money!

Pop is a branch of music founded in the West,
Practiced by the hysteric exhibitionist!

ADIEU

I may go, one day, behind the thick veil of death;
In these lines, I shall live forever on this earth.

BLURB

The idiosyncrasies of the Heavenly Father and the earthlings, you and me included, are exposed, with a tinge of sarcasm.

If you don't like any of the sharp, straight and sour quips it is certainly unpalatable for me too, but it is a fact we have to reconcile with.

I have no enmity with anyone who feels targeted and hurt by these couplets; for I know, I myself am the bull's eye!

We should point our index finger against each other; for none is perfect and invulnerable to mistakes or resistant to allurement to eat the forbidden fruit.

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