Visions of Nura

Dawn.
The sun spreads her rosy fingertips
Across the still, hushed world.
One golden ray finds its way
Through a crack in the blinds
And lands on the chestnut hair
Of a slumbering angel.
I gaze on her with reverent wonder,
Realizing that I am looking upon
The true definition of beauty and love.
Nura stirs, her eyelids flutter,
And she smiles at me.
And in that smile I see
The radiant light of a thousand thousand suns!
It brightens even the darkest corner
Of the room, and of my heart,
Which melts into an infinite sea of joy,
As my soul becomes one
With all that is pure and good and right.
Morning.
Nura floats gracefully,
Like a butterfly,
Through the morning light,
As flocks on flocks of butterflies
Flutter in my heart and thrill my senses.
In silent rapture I watch her move
Through every detail of her morning ritual.
Her shadow through the shower curtain,
The strokes of the brush through her hair,
The toothpaste dribbling down her chin -
Such mundane tasks become
A joyous ballet when Nura performs them!
Does she know how much I love her,
Not in spite of, but because of such moments?
Does she understand the peace and happiness
That permeate my soul
And shed grace upon my life
With every little thing that she does?
Afternoon.
Nura lovingly plants flowers,
Not realizing that their delicate beauty
Is but a pale imitation of her own.
The reddest rose grows pale
For envy of her lips.
The greenest leaf withers
Because it cannot match her eyes.
The lesser sun in the sky above
Hides itself behind a blanket of clouds
Because my angel outshines it.
The warblers and finches cease their song
When they hear her voice, and grow sad,
Dimly comprehending that they
Will never utter such beautiful sounds.
Nature strives to emulate her.
Heaven rejoices in her.
Hearts melt at the sight of her.
And, with all my heart, I love her.
Dusk.
The sun gives up its feeble attempt
To outshine my angel and sets,
Defeated, over the shimmering gulf.
But I do not see the vibrant reds and
Oranges of the florid evening sky.
I see only their reflection in Nura's eyes.
Others gaze serenely over the sea,
Contemplating the profundity of its depths,
But I do not notice the crash of the waves
Or the play of light on the water's surface.
My deep inner peace owes nothing to
Sunset, salt air, or ocean depths.
All my serenity comes from
Contemplating the depths of Nura's soul
Shining forth from her luminous eyes.
There, I could lose myself forever,
Leave behind all earthly cares, and
Commune with the angels!
Night.
I hold my angel in my arms
And feel her heart beat
In perfect rhythm with my own.
I feel her soft, sweet breath
On my chest, and it warms me
To the very depths of my heart,
Which swells to bursting with
Boundless, burning love and joy.
I brush an errant strand of hair
From her face, and she stirs momentarily
From her slumber, smiling sweetly.
I marvel at that smile and its power
To light up even the dead of night
And fill it with divine radiance.
There we lay, breathing in unison,
Hearts beating as one, and as sleep overtakes me.
One thought fills my consciousness:
Nura and I are two halves of one blessed soul.

source:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1713379/want_to_melt_a_girls_heart.html

Gandharv Marriage

In simple words, Gandharv Marriage can be considered to be Love marriage, as when the bride and groom don't take consent of their parents, the rituals can not be done, so an exchange of the marital Garland marks the marriage.

The Gandharv Marriage concept has been recognized by the ancient Indian Texts. Such a form of marriage is often referred to as the solution to a relationship where families of the bride and groom don't agree to the marriage, then Gandharv Marriage is an option.

Method of Gandharv Marriage
The Gandharv Marriage is done through the pronunciation of adequate mantras and mutual promises for the happy marital life of the bride and groom and by the exchange of Garlands. These Garlands must be made of pure roses only or the Gandharv Marriage is not complete, also the Gandharv Marriage can not be done at night, and only at day. The Gandharv Marriage does not require the presence of any purohit (priest) as well, only the presence of the bride and groom, the knowledge of mantras and knowing of promises is required for the Gandharv Marriage

Gandharv Marriage in Literature
Kalidasa, an ancient Indian poet and writer had written a romantic tale on the love story of a King named Dushyantha and a girl named Shakuntala. The story had documented the usage of Gandharv Marriage rituals, where Dushyantha escapes the Ashram of Shakuntala's father and both of them marry secretly exchanging their Garlands, therefore through Gandharv Marriage. Gandharv Marriage has also been documented several times in royal marriages, where the Prince allegedly falls in love with a substandard caste woman and marries her without parental consent. Love marriages today are a common example of Gandharv Marriages.

source:
http://www.gandharv.com/gandharv-marriage