school of tradition..

school of tradition
first letters written in rice
guided by His grace

Image Source : Here

Shared @ Haiku Heights (Prompt #59, Write, September’s Height of Haiku Challenge) and Sensational Haiku Wednesday (Prompt #114, School).
Vidyarambham, a Hindu tradition in origin, but one that is now followed across all castes and religions in India, is where children between two and three years old are formally initiated into the characters of the syllabary.
The ceremony of Vidyarambham (Vidya means “knowledge” , arambham means “beginning’) for the children is held on Vijayadashami (the last day of Navaratri) day. On that day thousands of people arrive at the temple to initiate learning to their children.
Initiation into the world of syllabary usually begins with the writing of the mantra “Om hari sri ganapataye namah”. Hari refers to the Lord, Sri to prosperity. Initially, the mantra is written on sand or in a tray of rice grains. Then, the master would write the mantra on the child’s tongue with gold. Writing on sand denotes practice. Writing on grains denotes the acquisition of knowledge, which leads to prosperity. Writing on the tongue with gold invokes the grace of the Goddess of Learning, by which one attains the wealth of true knowledge.

© Leo (31st August, 2011)

Poetry & writing to me are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.

43 thoughts on “school of tradition..”

  2. Thank you for this haiku, Leo. It reminds me of a Jewish tradition: When a child is learning to read the Torah, a drop of honey is placed on the sacred words, and the child licks it to remind him that the words of God are sweet! Rice, honey, words: all good, all nourishing–as are the haiku from ten thousand poets. Oh, I am well fed!

  4. "school of Tradition" – I like that! Well done 🙂 Hey Leo, would you pass along to your friend G-Man that I can't post a comment on his site (nor can any non-Blogger user!)  I left him a comment on my post but he may not return to see it. He's very tight on his contact setup! Thanks much! 🙂

  8. I am so glad you gave us the history on this I read so many interesting pieces of work and never learn the background on it, Lovely work Vinay!

  13. What a great haiku and a wonderful explanation of what sounds like an inspiring tradition.I love the idea of writing on grain denoting the acquisition of knowledge and writing on the tongue invoking the grace of the Goddess of Learning.As a retired teacher this struck a chord.Thanks.

  18. Vinay I think I feel in your spam I left a comment yesterday about how much I liked this and appreciated you explaining the tradition but I don't see it = ( I really did enjoy the info so many people post things without the info and it leaves me wanting…..

  21. Er, yes.. It had gone to spam, Amanda. Even this one too. I'd not logged in to Disqus dashboard yet. So didnt notice. Thanks for liking the haiku 🙂

  39. There is a great old saying Leo which says learning the 3R's and that is Reading, writing (pronounced with R) and Rithmetic!! So it is not a mistake!! 🙂

  40. Wonderful haiku and photo, Leo!  I enjoyed your process notes about the tradition behind the poem too.  It's always interesting to see how other cultures live, and especially how they initiate their children into the larger society.

  41. A background was quite necessary, Traci. It is an unknown one to many of course. I'm glad you enjoyed all three, photo haiku and background. Thank you.

  42. Yes.. wonderful to start ur eduction on something like Rice.. Our ancestors are too brilliant.. they indirectly say that it is all for food.. 🙂

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