Sunday, May 10, 2015

THE BOOK OF NATURE



                An inspector was formally inspecting a school in Kerala, South India. He entered a class where the teacher was teaching geography with the help of a globe. The children got up and greeted him with respect. The inspector asked the students, “What is the name of this town?”  They answered together, “Kottayam.”
               The next question was, “In which state is Kottayam situated?” They answered, “Kerala.”
               He asked again, “To which country does Kerala belong?”
“India”, they answered.
               He then asked them, “Where is India?”
A few students said, “In Asia”.
               Next, he asked, “Where is Asia”?
Two students said, “In the world.”
               His final question was, “And where is the world?”
A bright student stood up and answered clearly, “In the hands of God.”
               The inspector was greatly impressed by the confident reply of the student.
               The Universe is like an open book, spread out before us by the Creator. It is a treasure-house revealing the majestic, miraculous and mysterious works of an infinite intelligence, God. Looking at the exquisite elegance and harmonious variety of nature, including the beauty of butterflies and the fragrance of flowers, poets and scientists have praised the glory of the Creator. Let us read the book of nature, with a sincere vision and a genuine mission to learn the truth. The truth shall enlighten us.
               The great poet of Malayalam, Mahakavi Kumaranasan, in his famous poem entitled, “PSALM” (സങ്കീർത്തനം) says,

ചന്തമേറിയ പൂവിലും ശബളാഭമാം ശലഭത്തിലും
സന്തതം കരതാരിയന്നൊരു ചിത്രചാതുരി കാട്ടിയും
ഹന്ത! ചാരുകടാക്ഷമാലകൾ അർക്കരശ്മിയിൽ നീട്ടിയും
ചിന്തയാം മണിമന്ദിരത്തിൽ വിളങ്ങുമീശനെ വാഴ്ത്തുവിൻ.”

               These wise words may be translated as:
“In the blooms very beautiful and in butterflies which are beauteous,
Ever showing the artistry of His skilful hands which are marvellous,
And extending His kindly gaze through the brilliant rays of the blazing sun,
Praise the God who resides and shines in the mansion of human reflection.”
(Translator: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip)






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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Former Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Alfeen Public School, Kanjirappally, Kerala, India. 
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