Pravin Gadhvi's Laughing Buddha
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Presented here is the entire poem, "Laughing Buddha", written by Pravin Gadhvi.
(Full Moon day of Buddha's birthday)
There was an
Underground atomic blast on
Buddha's birthday-a day of
Full Moon
Buddha laughed!
What a proper time!
What an auspicious day!
Buddha laughed!
At whom ?
There was a laughter on his
Lips and tears in his
Eyes
He was dumb that day.
See,
Buddha laughed!
Reference of the poem:
On May 18th, 1974, India became one of the few countries in the world to test a nuclear bomb. This big event happened in the desert of Rajasthan, at a place called the Pokhran Test Range. It was given the name "Smiling Buddha". Interestingly, this day was also Buddha Purnima, a very special day for Buddhists because it is the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha.
to get more information on operation smiling buddha (click here)
Let's explore some questions and answers related to the poem "Laughing Buddha."
(Q-1) What should be of a higher moral importance for governing bodies, national security or basic needs of its citizens? What do you think is Gadhvi's opinion about this?
On one hand, national security is crucial for the protection of a country and its people. It involves safeguarding borders, protecting citizens from external threats, and maintaining stability. A strong defense is essential for a nation's sovereignty and independence.
On the other hand, the basic needs of citizens are fundamental to human dignity and well-being. These include access to food, water, shelter, healthcare, education, and employment. Governments have a moral obligation to ensure that their citizens have these essential necessities to live a decent life.
Many people think that protecting the country is very important because it keeps everyone safe. Without security, people can't live peacefully. But others argue that people should have their basic needs met first because without these, people can't live at all.
His poem "Laughing Buddha" is about finding peace and happiness within oneself. While it doesn't directly address this issue, the poem's focus on inner peace and harmony could suggest a perspective that values the well-being of individuals. This could imply that he might prioritize the basic needs of citizens as a foundation for a peaceful and secure society.
according to me,
"A country needs to be safe, but it also needs to make sure its people have what they need to survive and thrive."
(Q-2) In light of Henri Bergson's essay titled "Laughter: An Essay On The Meaning Of The Comic" share your thoughts about the possible interpretations of Buddha's laughter in Gadhvi's poem.
To read Henri Bergson's "Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic." (Click here)
Henri Bergson, a famous thinker, wrote about laughter and what it means. He said laughter comes from seeing silly things that don't fit in with normal life. It's like when we see someone slip on a banana peel; it's unexpected and funny.
To learn more about Henri Bergson's essay, one should refer to this article ("Laughter is vital")
Now, let's think about the Laughing Buddha in Pravin Gadhvi's poem. Buddha is usually seen as a calm and wise person, but here he's laughing. This is a bit unexpected, like the funny things Bergson talked about.
Maybe Gadhvi's Buddha is laughing at how silly life can be. Life is full of ups and downs, happy and sad times. But the Buddha is still happy and peaceful, no matter what. His laughter might be saying that it's okay to laugh at life's funny side, even when things are tough.
Or maybe the laughter is about something deeper. Buddha is known for understanding the world in a special way. So, his laughter could be a way of showing us that there's something funny or silly about how we see the world. It might be inviting us to look at life with a new, playful perspective.
(Q-3) The rise and fall of significance of a particular moment in history depends on the narrative that is build around it. Discuss this statement with specific reference to Laughing Buddha.
The poem talks about how India tested a powerful bomb. This was important for the country, but it happened at a wrong time. Many Indians were very poor then, so using money for a bomb was not a good idea. People inside and outside India were upset about this. Writers wrote stories and poems that showed this test in a bad light.
through poem, If we only focus on the happy, peaceful side of the Buddha, we might think that his laughter is a sign of great wisdom. But if we look at the time when the poem was written, when India was facing big problems, the Buddha's laughter might seem strange or even sad.
Later, India tested another bomb when the country was getting better. Most people thought this was okay because many Indians were no longer poor. This shows how what people write about history can change how we think about past events.
This shows us that the way we talk about history is really important. Different stories can make us think different things about the past. It's like looking at the same picture from different angles. Each angle shows us something new.
So, yes, how we tell stories about history can make an event seem more or less important. It's like building a house. The way you arrange the bricks can make a big difference in how the house looks and feels.
(Q-4) Share your interpretation of the lines: "What a proper time! What an auspicious day!"
When we read the lines "What a proper time! What an auspicious day!" in Pravin Gadhvi's "Laughing Buddha," we can't help but feel a deep sense of irony and disbelief. It's as if the poet is speaking for the human heart, expressing our collective shock and outrage at the contrast between the peaceful ideals represented by Buddha Purnima and the violent reality of a nuclear explosion.
The poet's choice of words is masterful. "Proper" and "auspicious" are words we associate with positive, harmonious occasions. By using them to describe such a destructive event, Gadhvi is challenging our understanding of these terms. He's forcing us to question what we truly value as a society.
This poem, through its powerful imagery and language, invites us to reflect on the human cost of such decisions. It's a call to conscience, urging us to consider the implications of our actions, not just in terms of power or politics, but in terms of our shared humanity and our aspirations for peace.
Thank you!!
