Summary
Kathmandu is a travelogue from Vikram Seth’s book Heaven Lake, where he recounts his visit to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. The chapter provides insights into his experiences as he travels from China to India, crossing Tibet and Nepal. His stay in Kathmandu exposes him to the city’s unique blend of religious culture, vibrant life, and the contrasting serenity of its sacred sites.
Seth visits two prominent temples during his time in Kathmandu: the Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath Stupa. The Pashupatinath temple, sacred to Hindus, is described as a chaotic place filled with tourists, priests, hawkers, and animals. The holy Bagmati River, which runs through the temple, is also polluted by people washing clothes and dumping flowers into it. In contrast, the Baudhnath Stupa, a Buddhist site, provides a serene and peaceful environment with a large white dome and surrounding Tibetan shops selling traditional goods like felt bags and silver ornaments. This tranquil place offers a calm respite from the bustling energy of the city.
Kathmandu is also a city of contrasts, where the hustle and bustle of daily life fills the streets with noise from radios, vendors, and car sounds. Seth enjoys local snacks like marzipan and spicy corn-on-the-cob while observing the lively atmosphere of the city. He finds the city culturally rich, with numerous shrines, shops, and vendors selling various goods, from postcards to cosmetics.
After exploring Kathmandu, Seth decides to return to Delhi. Initially, he plans to take a long and tiring journey via bus and train, but ultimately books a return flight with Nepal Airlines to make his trip more comfortable.
In his final reflection, Seth is deeply moved by a flute seller he encounters near his hotel. Unlike other hawkers, the flute seller plays his instrument thoughtfully, which captivates the author. This moment leads him to realize the power of music to communicate and evoke emotions, and he compares the flute’s melody to a human voice, signifying how deeply he has started to notice and appreciate even the smallest details of life.
The chapter Kathmandu teaches readers about the importance of maintaining a peaceful and thoughtful mindset when visiting sacred places. It encourages reflection on how we interact with the world around us and appreciate the beauty and serenity of different cultures.
Summary
The poem A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal by William Wordsworth reflects on the theme of loss and the inevitability of death. In the poem, the poet expresses the deep sorrow and realization that comes with the death of a loved one. The poet shares his inner thoughts on life, highlighting how he took it for granted while his loved one was alive, and only after her death does he come to understand the true essence of life and death.
In the first stanza, the poet describes how his soul was in a state of unconsciousness or deep sleep before the death of his beloved. He admits that he never feared death, yet when she passed away, he found it impossible to accept. The poet acknowledges that he never considered the possibility of death taking her away, which is why it struck him so hard.
In the second stanza, the poet reflects on the physical state of his beloved after her death. She is no longer able to move, speak, or hear. She has become part of the earth, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life and death. The poet recognizes that her physical presence is now reduced to dust and is integrated into the earth, eventually becoming part of rocks, stones, and trees. This transformation is a poetic representation of the process of death, where a human being returns to nature.
Overall, A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal speaks about the fleeting nature of life and how death, though inevitable, can be hard to accept. It also reflects on the poet’s growth in understanding the value of life, especially in the face of loss.