Jiva’s find the Vani in Manali
A collective poem inspired by our six weeks of kirtan and book distribution in Manali, India.
We sing to a sea of shoppers adrift in softies and selfies,
Who can’t help but smile at such a sight:
Amidst the chaos of the mall, we share this treasure-trove of truth for all.
“The deal is one selfie, one book! Hindi? English? Punjabi? Bengali? Do take a look.
You don’t already own every book?
Here’s one meant just for your hand, a window to the spiritual land.”
An army of street kids help canvas the crowd
To be heard amid discord, we sing mighty loud
Old friends and new join the kirtan: dancing families, giddy honeymooners, Punjabi partyers, Sai Baba bellowers, Rajasthani sarangi harmonizers
BOOM shakalaka shakalaka shaka BOOM
Goes the kola. Ting tiki tiki tik ting go the karatalas
Pahari pattu-clad women watch in wonderment,
Arrows from the Americas aimed back to Bharat, land of light
I pray to guru to aim me right