Moiling in the Election Daze

By Sreelekha Chatterjee

Two political parties among others—traditional adversaries,
Asuras and Devas alike—join forces, cooperate
to churn the ocean of milk,
in pursuit of Amrita, the power of office.
New contests—standard or unprecedented—
stirring electoral waves and storms.
We, the citizens, are Mount Mandara,
the churning rod, affected in the same vein 
as the fierce wind roils the sea.
Vasuki, the rope for churning
resembling their incessant election campaigns—
operations through traditional–new media, rallies, 
written materials, phone calls—
their voices steaming through our senses and sensibilities.

No legislation is of account, worthwhile,
unless it appears parallel with the thoroughness, vigour,
fairness, rectitude, impartiality of our inherent, real being.
We may continue to be countless herds of cattle
feeding on the grass shared by the opportunists,
or rise above, make educated, informed decisions.
Lord Vishnu is the electoral system,
in his Kurma avatar, supporting the massif of voters,
earnestly instituting a calm within the oceanic population.

Despite their enmity, both sides work together.
Their objective or industry whatever it may be,
civil society is unable to discern at times which 
impalpable flame is burning within.
Together, they try hard to 
follow the norms of democracy,
for only collaboration generates Amrita.
Endure challenges, with the emergence of
electorate’s grievances, criticisms,
faith challenged, the deadly Halahala,
neutralised by Shiva-like blue 
transparencies in the election process,
negating unfair practices, potential abuses of state power,
assurances of celebrities 
and ordinary people vouching their claims
to have gained from their beneficial schemes.

Akin to the whipping of the mythical ocean,
mystical treasures do appear from the depths—
the moon of equality attainable; 
the parijata of true, blooming promises;
Airavata, the asset of divine egalitarianism; 
Kalpavriksha, the wish-fulfilling dream of a unified, just world. 
The confusion about the contending parties
emerges in the minds  of citizens,
one pulls while the other pauses—
the tug-of-war of trust–mistrust 
advance and retreat like seawaves.

In the battle between right and wrong in our consciousness,
at times the deceptive wrong disguised as right
almost wins the Amrita,
stays for long until right overthrows it
as Vishnu slays the head of Rahu—
the independent candidate—
while attempting to consume the elixir of interminable life. 
In the events of their ever-continuing struggle,
politics extolls the civilization in us, 
myths and tales merge with realities,
we hear the loud echoes of our votes, read the hints come at last,
crystal-clear water reflects our will.
One of the parties gets the larger share, vowing authority,
consumes the Amrita and restores in strength, assuring integrity,
while we, the general populace, are left breathing and walking free. 
Does the eternal potion of Amrita, at the end of
the upheaval, guarantee a “happily ever after”?
Do we become the republic that owns its sovereign way?  

Notes

Devas: Demigods.
Asuras: Demons.
Samudra Manthan: Churning of the ocean of milk in Hindu mythology by demigods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality.
Amrita: The nectar of immortality.
Mount Mandara: The mountain used as the churning rod.
Vasuki: The serpent operated as the rope. 
Kurma: Turtle avatar of Lord Vishnu steadying Mount Mandara at the bottom of the ocean.
Halahala: The deadly poison swallowed by Lord Shiva and held in his throat that turned blue.
Parijata: A beautiful and fragrant tree that was later planted in Indra’s heaven.
Airavata: The four-tusked elephant, Indra’s mount.
Kalpavriksha: The wish-fulfilling tree.
Rahu: The demon Rahu wished to drink the Amrita, but was beheaded by Lord Vishnu.