Koel and Lotus Shaped Mogra

 

Koel trying to get attention

When we go for our yoga practice early morning, the moment we put on the light in the hall, birds outside will start a symphony. A female koel’s voice used to be outstanding. I used to enjoy the birds’ orchestra, but it seems the female koel wanted special attention.

Two days later I was at home when I heard some bird sounds in our lawn. 

When I checked,  bulbuls were trying to chase off a female koel sitting on the parijat tree. Most bulbuls are monogamous and territorial; often the pair-bond is maintained year after year. The bulbul family considers our home theirs and they have hatched their young ones multiple times in their nests on our trees and window. But the koel was very cool. When I looked out, she made eye contact with me and transferred a message. We were looking at each other for quite some time, I thanked her for the message and for the song that I hear every day morning at the yoga hall. Then she flew off and the bulbuls became quiet.

More about koels

The Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. Koel is a cuckoo, male is black with red eye, female has brown and white bars. In Indian folklore, the koel is considered a lucky bird. It is believed that good fortune would come if you heard one while out walking, and a child born on the day of the first cuckoo in spring would be lucky for all its life. Koels  are known for their loud, rich sounds and can easily be recognized by the subtle nuances of their calls. What makes these birds truly unique is their complex relationship with humans: from noisy alarm clocks to cultural folklore and religious symbology, koels have held a special place in our lives since time immemorial.

Spiritual meaning

Koel or cuckoo holds great symbolism in Eastern cultures. Furthering its symbolic nature as a bringer of news rather than joyous music, people usually say, “the Koel is calling,” instead of “the Koel is singing,” In Hindu mythology it is a significant symbol of divine love. It serves as an emblem of divinity in India, with many sects worshipping it as they believe the koel is linked with Lord Krishna himself.

It embodies a number of themes, such as patience and fidelity in Christianity. The poetic cry of the female koel has been said to resemble that of Mary calling for Jesus, with her song being interpreted as ‘Come come my beloved!’ – a beautiful representation for Christians everywhere.

Celtic symbolism portrays the koel bird as a symbol of transformation and self-exploration. Its migratory behavior signifies the idea of putting one’s energy to good use. The koel is seen as a reminder to consciously traverse the path of life with greater awareness, growth, and insight. Koel is linked with a range of goddesses who, in turn, can provide guidance, strength, and power to people embarking on journeys of personal growth, and it stands for creative independence.  The soul mates concept seen in so much African folklore mirrors that of the koel, which pairs up with its mate for years at a time.

In many South Asian cultures the Koel bird is an enduring symbol of spiritual enlightenment. Its melodious  voice is thought to open up the mind of the listener and encourage mindfulness.  Since it is believed to be a messenger of God carrying wisdom to man, to hear it means receiving inner knowledge. Some mythologies believe that hearing the melodious singing of a Koel is believed to cleanse any negative energy in their presence.

 In Tibetan mythology, it is said to be an old soul connecting humans to divinity. The Koel is a symbol of patience, peace, and resilience. Its spiritual meaning can remind us to be patient in difficult times and trust that things will get better with time and effort.

Mogra resembling a lotus

A couple of days later while I was gathering mogra flowers, one of them attracted my attention as it closely resembled that of a lotus. 

I was so fascinated by this and tried to get the message. The lotus is a symbol for purity, beauty, fertility, prosperity, and eternity. It also represents spiritual enlightenment, symbolizing  how to transcend material wealth for spiritual progress. It gives us the lesson that the ultimate aim of human beings is to perform karma without bothering about the external factors. Lotus has been regarded as a symbol of vairagya (detachment), so essential for remaining in God-consciousness.

A white lotus flower symbolizes purity and spiritual perfection, while a pink lotus flower symbolizes love, compassion, and purity of the heart.  Miraculously growing in the murkiest of conditions, the lotus is a lucky symbol that's revered for its resilience, considered a reminder that one can grow, share good karma and stay unchanged as a person.  

I have been into some serious sadhana recently and was happy to receive these messages from the Universe!

 

Reference:

https://spiritandsymbolism.com/koel-spiritual-meaning-symbolism-and-totem/

https://www.hindu-blog.com/2011/04/cuckoo-bird-koel-in-hindu-tradition.html