Cat Penance

"ஒரு பெரிய யானைக்குப் பக்கத்தில் ஒரு பூனை தவம் செய்கிறது.அதன் அருகில் எலிகள் விளையாடுவதைப் பார்க்கலாம். இந்த சிற்ப அற்புதத்தை நிர்மாணித்த விசுவகர்மாக்கள் சிற்பக் கலையின் உயிர் நிலையைக் கண்டவர்களாயிருந்ததுடன், நகைச்சுவை உடையவர்களாயும் இருந்திருக்க வேண்டும். கங்கா நதி தீரத்தில் தவம் செய்யும் மகான்களுக்கும் மத்தியில் ருத்ராட்சப் பூனைகளும் உண்டென்பதை அவர்கள் சித்தரித்து காட்டி இருக்கிறார்கள்."

Kalki's take on this beautiful piece of sculpture at Arjuna's penance(or probably Bhagirathan's penance) at Mahabalipuram. From his book 'kal sonna kathaigaL'.

Bala has uploaded a few of the pics taken during our trip here.

Helmet

He was a regular at the Gym. He was proud of his body and used to work out regularly, sculpting each and every part of his body, muscle and even veins.

But little did he realise that his head is not strong enough to bear a collision at a high speed. Rather had he covered his head with a helmet, I would have seen him again at the gym in a few days time.

The thrill in driving bike at high speeds, skidding past the traffic, reaching the helm of the crowd and accelerating away from them is an exhilarating and victorious feeling that only a few other activities can match. Some times minor or major accidents occur to themselves or to their friends from which lessons will be learnt. These lessons will become part of one's driving instincts and the same mistake would not be committed again.These are the lucky lot with a strong life line.

In his case, I was hoping that he would realise the limits of his driving skills and capabilities of his own bike. I was sure that when he walks out of the ICU, he would have learnt his lesson - 'Usiru' is much more valuable than 'Masiru'.

But today, he cannot walk out of the room only his lifeless body would be moved out.

RIP Jagan.