The Solemn Light

An average child takes around five years to fully develop the five senses; so, counting out those formative years makes this Christmas my absolute 28th. Back in my birthplace, today is "Boro Din" or "Bara Din" meaning that it is a day when the "day" starts to elongate itself. Indeed, it means many things on the subtext - among others, it means that more luminous days commence hereafter. In today's edition of InDepth, on the day of Christmas, let us dwell on some aspects of this eternal light.

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." - the famous quotation from the Great Bible symbolizes a unique phenomenon. It is the phenomenon of light - the same light that is both peripheral, superficial as well as inwardly, spiritual. God wishes for light, transports His message to all, and finds Jesus to universalize His appeal. The small boy in me, looking at the picture of The Christ, on the very day of Christmas, once asked his adorable grandma, "Why is Jesus sad ?" The reply, "Oh! He is sad because we all are sad." Then, "Why are we sad?". Finally, "Because we are all still in dark."

Over to some years later - grandma was still alive. She was still the same philosopher; however, I had not understood the meaning of what she said some years before about Jesus, light and darkness. Drowned in studies, the struggles of growing up years, and puzzled by the metaphors of the society, my Christmas was reduced to mere cake cutting, some chocolates and a visit to the beautiful Church in our town. Never did I try to question further on the meaning of this interplay of light and darkness; it had almost passed away into oblivion.

Then, after some more years down the line - once, on the insistence of my father, the recluse in me decided to go a bigger Church on the day of Christmas. It was located in a neighboring town and the visit was supplemented by a grand picnic, organized by my father's friends. Of course, it was enjoyable for all, but not for me. Suddenly, a bigger premise, a clearer look at Jesus brought back the old question - of that of light, sadness, darkness.

Again some more years passed until that decisive year came, on which, through some coincidental happenings, I chanced upon a song by Rabindranath Tagore. The song, the words and the tune took over the rest of me! Only my material self was left behind - the spiritual part was all taken away. Through several trials and errors, tribulations and turbulence, the song started to awaken a few chords and strings inside me. If the tune made me close my eyes every time and took me to the heavenly backdrop of a Church, it also made me first sad and then happy. However, the words had the supreme effect on me. The meaning of the "light" that I was searching for, was all inscribed and articulated there - the "light" is actually the light of happiness, solemnity, piousness, knowledge, sanctity, truthfulness, honesty, energy and benevolence! On that Christmas day, with that song, thanks to Tagore, a minuscule element of the Great Bible was taught to a mere beginner like me. I finally got a flawless revelation of the abode of light where sadness and darkness can never reach and where stays the God and the Christ.

                                     Anondoloke Mongolaloke....(The Tagore Song)

                                     ******************************************************

                                            [Only the opening lines are translated]

                                           

                                            In the cosmos of happiness stays light, 

                                            In the sphere of spirituality stays light.

                                            You and Your benevolence stay there too - 

                                            You the supremely elegant and true!