Dr. Kamala Maddali
becomingakamala@gmail.com
© 2021 becomingakamala
Kamala is a synonym in Sanskrit, meaning lotus flower. This is my own name, which has always inspired me to be what I am now. I apologize for the brevity, but this flower symbolizes an important secret to your success and purpose.
In Hinduism, Kamala is the seat of mighty gods and goddesses such as Brahma, Vishnu, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi. Most other deities are depicted holding a lotus in one of their hands. Here are three popular references to this flower in the Hindu sacred texts:
The lotus has long been associated with Asian traditions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. In Jainism and
Buddhism, the lotus is a symbol of purity of heart, speech, and action. In Egypt, the lotus is a symbol of completion. In my childhood I sometimes wondered why this flower had such a celebrity status. I was compelled by the natural researcher in me to investigate the significance of this seemingly fragile yet surprisingly resilient flower. Each time I recognize its beauty, I am awed!
A lotus blooms right in the middle of muddy waters. If you follow the rhythm of the sun to live your life, it keeps blossoming each day and sleeps beneath the waves at night. Over the years, I have found many symbolisms associated with a Kamala—that of purity (it does remain pristinely beautiful despite the muddy surroundings) revival and enlightenment (it does submerge into the same murky waters every night only to bloom beautifully the next morning).
The symbolism that appealed to me the most was that a lotus is a symbol of transformation. Despite being surrounded by nothing much but dark and dirty mud, a lotus transforms itself to something so pristine. This is what keeps me going each time the going gets tough, when people and circum
stances challenge me, I have to “become” a Kamala—survive and transform myself and my surroundings despite what envelops me. Keep my peace and calm amidst all the noise and clutter of life.
Kamala also symbolizes many other things to me. First, the lotus embodies many lives within one life, with its petals opening in the sun and closing in the dark. Makes me wonder if it shouldn’t apply to us humans too. Shouldn’t we, too, show the resilience to bloom anew each time we wilt? Second, it also appears to me as though this pretty little thing challenges the mud to taint its beauty! I have adopted this into my life. I try to look at adversities straight in the eye and emerge as unscathed as I can.
Furthermore, since I’ve had time to build a protective layer around myself that keeps all unreasonable things and all unnecessary emotions out, I have developed a lotus-like protective barrier around me.
I’ve come to realize that I am the embodiment of Kamala, which you will understand if you read my life story. I have relinquished defeat. I have placed my faith in my own abilities as well as in the universe.
Goldie Hawn has stated, “A lotus is the most beautiful flower in the world, whose petals open one by one. People who strive to acquire more wisdom, kindness, and compassion must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each petal one by one.”
I couldn’t agree more! I have always wanted to change the world for the better. A lofty goal, but I have remained true to it. I have altered my paths along the way but never my goal.
BECOME THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE, AS I AM BECOMING A KAMALA