What is consciousness, if not, self-preserving?
Defined by a characteristic non-transience,
Amorphous and inexplicable by tangibility -
And befuddling to discern in its entirety.
What is life, if not a manifestation of consciousness?
A repertoire of diverse-ranging possibilities,
Beset with nettling fallacies sometimes;
Yet, also as glorious as it can get at pinnacles.
What is hope, if not an immutable aspect of life?
The spark that kindles our ambitious fervour -
Oscillating betwixt several lows and highs,
But, ultimately staying true to its indomitability.
What is belief, if not a precursor to evergreen hope?
Trusting the process with occasional rancour,
Sustaining ravaged self-esteem from receding away,
Harnessing the prowess to see the good in others.
What is faith, if not a holistic fortification of belief?
A munition to defend against forced proselytism,
And freely exercise one’s own rationalism
As if unafraid of others’ acerbic jabberwocky.
What is identity, if not a by-product of faith?
Devoid of which, we’re rendered in hapless crisis
Of doubtful existentialism; isn’t it fabulous simply
To celebrate with pride - human heterogeneity?
What is art, if not an expression of identity?
Colourful condiments splayed on a blank canvas,
Obliterating the lethal nature of offensive banality -
That which fosters an indelible essence of creative spark.
What is culture, if not a form of exposition of art?
Heralding prominent social clauses and syncretism,
Succouring many a people from plummeting into chaos -
Providing humanity with the contrivance of fraternity.
What is the soul, if not a figment of a rich culture?
Infusing life in a concoction of flesh, blood & bones,
More antiquated than even time itself -
Immortalised through a nexus with the universe.
What is karma, if not causality of the soul’s ventures?
A natural mechanism to keep humanity from -
Annihilation by enforcing necessary checks & balances;
Keeping the scales at equilibrium from wavering,
In the grand scale of the infinite cosmos.
- Priyanshu Mohanty
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