Fragrant Flowers At The Feet of My Flamboyant Flutist- (Devotional Poems To Krishna)

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The author, Mrs. Jyoti Atul Bhatt's (Jaysheela Devi Dasi), life is a saga of the ubiquitous Indian woman balancing several chores in life, swinging from her responsibilities as a homemaker in a joint family to a working woman She served as a Professor of History in Wilson College, Mumbai. Simultaneously she also enjoyed the seva of being the Director of the Indological Research Institute, Gurudev Siddhapeeth, Ganeshpuri where under the guidance of her first Guru, Swami Chidvilasanda, she progressed on her spiritual journey the seeds of which were sown in her by her parents. After marriage it was her husband Atul whose deep spiritual inclination and rich experience that encouraged and inspired her. Her two daughters, Janitri and Rudrika, who also indulged in spiritual practices with great zeal and fervor played a role in helping her on this path of salvation. In her quest for the Truth, the blessings and teachings of many saints and seers have left a deep, indelible impression on her heart. It was the philosophy and the uplifting teachings of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada that gave her a definite direction on the path of Krishna bhakti where she has finally found repose. She took initiation from Shri Radha Govinddas Goswami Maharaj of ISKCON who helped to deepen her attraction for Krishna. She is striving to fulfil her intense desire to one day reach her desired destination of direct communion with Krishna and thereafter continue to serve Him eternally with undaunted devotion and love. She has offered her humble services to Him in the form of her first book, 'How Krishna Came Into Their Lives', some articles in magazines and newspapers, such as Shades of Dharma' and Sweet Surrender' in the Speaking Tree of the Times of India.

To be asked to write a Foreword for your sister's collection of poems by the poet herself is a mighty big responsibility that needs to be justified verifiably. And above all, my greatest Honour and privilege.

The transition of a brilliant multifaceted daughter, wife, mother and professor into a spiritually inclined champion of devotion has been an incredible one. From being a freelance writer to becoming the Director of the Indological Research Centre, Gurudev Siddha Peeth, Ganeshpuri, guiding research in religion and spirituality to receiving the most delectable accolades for her book 'How Krishna Came into their Lives', Jyoti Bhatt's journey has been an uphill path in spiritual enrichment and realization. And as 'from hour to hour we ripe and ripe', so has Jyoti Bhatt moved with time, from learning to knowing, and culminating in an awakening of her 'love'; and thereby hangs the tale of Jyoti Bhatt's surrender to the Object of her love.

Jyoti Bhatt's anthology, 'Fragrant Flowers at the Feet of my Flamboyant Flutist', is a soulful accumulation of the poet's expressions in monologues with her faith and of her faith over a period of time. On reading the first few and then gradually the rest of the poems, one is amazed at Jyoti's singular focus and rendezvous with 'Krishna'. The poems take us along a virtual trip that subtly awakens our existential beings which fortunately, we as readers, get to encounter first hand! Each poem unfolds the dust of ignorance and ignominy that we wrap around ourselves in the journey of life: but we are made to turn around as she skilfully succeeds in drawing us and slowly, closer and closer to our own faith! We begin to see her passion, we begin to feel the intensity of her assurance of the presence of her faith and ultimately she succeeds in convincing even the non-believers. That is Jyoti Bhatt, the cloquent admirer and devotee of Krishna!

The case with which Jyoti gives way to powerful expression is outstanding and it is without doubt that love alone can win Him. The aptly chosen titles of her poems urge the readers to look for more, to unravel the ultimate truth of the universe just as the rose reveals its ultimate beauty when its petals gradually open and reveal the truth of creation. In the poem- You are Everywhere she shares her firm and well learned belief that Krishna is 'far away and yet nearer than the nearest both within and without. Objectifying the man of the material world the 'Jiva',' that heaps unwanted karmas, is asked to pause, think and know that God is Everywhere! Heap on heap and load over load of doubts makes the myriad minded man swing like a pendulum in delirium, but unwavering faith comes to the believer's rescue that 'Only Parthsarathi Krishna could do so!". The poet in total surrender has advised to put the ego away to be able to see the unseen and know the unknown.

The poems are an epitome of the glasslike transparency of her simple faith in her passionate affair with her Flutist!

Justly, Jyoti Bhatt's Anthology weaves reality with vision. The grace of her exquisite diction adds a spark and a sparkle to her expressions which cascade down our mind's effortless ease inspiring trust in her Lover.

**Contents and Sample Pages**