𝓦rite 𝓘ndia

Bharat-Mata

Her steady gaze - insight in each hand

symbols not just for the renunciates.

Priceless treasures from the mother-land

offering to all - well-being she creates. 

How to  insulate from all that harms

like sages seated on kusa-reed.

Alert yet at ease amidst daily alarms

in nature we seek the healing seed.

From tada-patra a wisdom not  bygone  

reach for the sky ... lines from the palm.

Gain all knowledge, bright future forge on

from sagacity will grow science soon calm.

Akshamala tender the finger-tip

 steady focus on the bead.

Let not vigilance loosen the grip

unity in diversity grow common creed.

To clothe in a swetambra unsoiled

her scions wove lotus in the muddy maze

Not by the sordid world to be embroiled

Mother in us all - the will humanity to raise!

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glossary regarding the objects held in the hands of Bharat-Mata:

kusa - a variety of grass Desmostachya bipinnata, considered to have purifying and insulating properties 

tada-patra - palm-leaf manuscripts used to record ancient writings

Akshamala - refers to a rosary usually made with beads from sacred plants such as tulsi etc.

swetambra - 'white-clad' indicating purity of purpose.  It may also be noted that ancient Greek visitors to India commented on whiteness of the linen produced from Indian flax.

 Bharat-Mata (1905)

by Abanindranath Tagore (1871-1951)  an Indian painter who founded the Indian Society of Oriental Art and  the Bengal School of Art, which was  instrumental in the renaissance of Indian painting . He was concerned to counteract theWestern artistic styles that were then influencing Indian painters, and he promoted instead a style based instead on a modern interpretation of traditional Rajput and Moghul art.