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The Hovering One by Devara Dasimayya (10th Century) Timeline English version by A. K. Ramanujan Original Language Kannada Yoga / Hindu : Shaivite (Shiva) 10th Century Ramanatha, who can know the beauty of the Hovering One who's made Himself form and of space the colours?     -- from Speaking of Siva, by A K Ramanujan Amazon.com   / Photo by atomicjeep /	Recommended Books Speaking of Siva, by A K Ramanujan
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

These few lines, just a handful of words, are almost undefined, walking us along that thin border between frustration and delight.

I mean, what is Devara Dasimayya trying to emphasize by naming God "the Hovering One"? Several of this Indian saint's songs recognize the Divine within the ether or akasha, the subtle atmosphere that permeates all material existence as a living field of knowledge. I suspect he is saying that God "hovers" in the ethers, just barely hidden behind the multiplicity of material existence.

The Divine hovers, too, beyond all form, but from that airy formlessness, has inexplicably manifested form and color -- the entire kaleidoscope of surface reality.

But those are just statements to satisfy the intellect. Dasimayya's question still rings in the air: Who can truly know, fully appreciate, and directly witness that beauty -- from the apparently tangible to the most teasingly subtle? Who bothers to cultivate the vision that can take in the wholeness?

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
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