Tulsi, Trump's Card To Bridge Gap
This is Trump’s card in the race to be the POTUS (President of the United States). Adding Tulsi Gabbard to his team to help him in the upcoming debate on September 10. This debate with Kamala (Lotus in many languages) Harris could help him bridge the widening gap that threatens to sink his chances to occupy the White House.
What A Political Pundit Would Have Prescribed Or Hoped For?
Donald Trump may surely feel the last few weeks have been Harris-ing him beyond measure. The assassination attempt on him a month ago had given his ship a sympathetic shove into the waters. Also lent some wind to his sails. Just what any political pundit would have hoped for any of his or her client.
Closing Our Mind, Eyes & Ears; Opening Our Mouth!
But someone like this Republican candidate may only be expected to keep Trumpeting when silence or softer tones would have been advised. Being insensitive to others and/ or being besotted with our own views means we close our minds, eyes and ears. Often leading to a wide-open mouth. Wide enough to put our own foot into. Suddenly, a seemingly small gap with Democrats may stretch an uncomfortable mile.
A Few Leaves From Tulsi's Playbook
The September 10 debate could then be a good opportunity for Trump to claw back, if he prepares well. He has wisely decided to pick American Hindu Tulsi Gabbard to help him with the same. Readers may recollect Tulsi pushing Kamala on the back foot in their widely talked about debate in 2020.
Can Tulsi Turn The Tide?
Trump may be hoping that Tulsi would be able to do something similar for his debate with the Democratic hopeful. Of course, this is just the first one between the two final nominees from the two respective mainstream parties. There is still enough time till the elections in November for either side to pull itself away with a decisive lead in public ratings.
The Holy Basil & The Lotus
Meanwhile, as Indians it is inevitable that we notice the Holy Basil (Tulsi) and the Lotus (Kamala) in rival camps. Both Kamala (by her mother’s background) and Tulsi (as a practising American Hindu) may at least be a little familiar with these sacred elements from the Hindu (platter of) offerings to the Divine.
Revered In Hinduism/ Indic Iconography
Both the Lotus and the Holy Basil are connected to Vishnu (the Preserver) in the Hindu Triumvirate of (Brahma -Creator, Preserver and Shiva-Destroyer). The Basil and the Lotus are both revered in Hinduism/ Indic iconography. Increasingly a lot of medicinal benefits (of the lotus) are also coming to light.
Rising Above The Marsh Of Materialism
For long the lotus has also been a metaphor in Indic philosophy for the evolved soul rising above the marsh of materialism and vile thoughts/ actions. Vishnu is sometimes called Kamala Nayan (the Lotus-eyed one). It is believed he offered Lord Shiva, his own eye as an offering in lieu of a missing lotus.
Beyond Navel Gazing... Novel Creation!
In the Hindu Cosmic scheme, Lord Vishnu is at rest on a bed of the thousand-headed serpent, AdiSesha. From his navel, a celestial lotus arises and Brahma, resting on this lotus, creates the world. Rather than merely pass his time navel gazing, perhaps Vishnu felt it more judicious to trigger some novel Creation! And the rest is history!!
What Thulasi Stands For-Humility & Humble Devotion
Thulasi or the ‘Americanized’ Tulsi is an important plant in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also considered to be a favourite of Lord Vishnu. It is a symbol of humility and humble devotion to the divine. An allegory from the Mahabharatha wherein the wives of Krishna (avatar of Vishnu) decide to do a ‘Thula-Bharam’ of Sri Krishna, underlines the importance of Thulasi.
Thula-Bharam
Typically a thula bharam ceremony is performed for a family member as follows. The family member is weighed against fruits or honey or sweets or silver or any other item as convenient or desired by the family. These items are then offered to a temple and/ or distributed among the needy. (This practice is still continued in some South Indian temples, notably GuruVayoor Temple in Kerala.)
Money Doesn't Move The Divine!
The wives of Krishna decide to do a Thula-Bharam for Krishna. That is, Krishna was seated on one side of a weighing scale and on the other side, the wives decided to put their ornaments. Satyabhama (daughter of the richest person in Dwaraka, Satrajit) was proud of her father’s riches and began putting her adornments. But even after exhausting all that Satyabhama’s father had gifted her (which was by no means small), Krishna’s side of the weighing scale stayed heavier and lower.
The Thulasi Leaf Sways The Scale (Thula)
Krishna’s first wife Rukmini (avatar of Sri Lakshmi) realized what was going on. She picked a leaf of Thulasi, prayed to the Divine and humbly offered it as her contribution. The side bearing Krishna immediately went up to reflect the Divine's acceptance of / submission to the Thulasi leaf.
Can Tulsi Swing Debates & Votes Trump's Way?
There is another story to why the Thulasi leaf is so dear to Vishnu or Krishna as his avatar. May make even a ‘colourful’ man like Donald Trump visibly blush! But that is beyond the scope of this note. In ending we may only say it is too early to comment whether the addition of Tulsi will sway the scale in Trump’s favour. But exciting weeks ahead for all those interested in that festival called democracy. May not be as humungous and with as many nuances as the Indian one. But no less interesting, surely!
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