(English)
O Cloud!
That dark shadow that you carry on your body
Is it that you suffered a similar tragedy?
Or, is that a scar of the insensitive world’s pollution
Tears with kohl in deep tribulation?
I Yaksha¹! Cursed and exiled
Banished to the wild,
Have lost my hearth and kin,
And my love, that once had been.
When destiny deserts they say,
Becomes difficult to find a way,
All gets charred to dust and ashes
Hopes, dreams and wishes it dashes.
Amazed but silent directions,
All my friendly vegetations,
Not even a waft of breeze,
Helps my sorrows to cease.
Yaksha: in Hindu mythology, Yakshas are chthonic semi-divine beings.
They live under the earth in the Himalayas where they guard the wealth
of wealth.
Woeful and lifeless surrounding,
Comes to me reminding,
Why do I behold this life,
Without you, an abyss of strife?
Stretched like a bow to fire,
Sky enraged with ire,
And earth curiously sore,
Simmering with hidden uproar.
On the lamps of twinkling stars,
Like a moth berserk, bizarre,
My heart goes leaping and dashes,
Rejected it falls and crashes.
They ridicule me and say,
Insane or, gone astray,
Fools! How will they learn to care?
To share the pangs I bear.
Swings on the ceilings of my dreams,
Your face like a fresco of queens,
Whispers an echo of your presence,
May not be physical, but in essence.
Light of the day feels teasing,
To my eyes that keep bleeding,
Night is my friend and keeper,
That cradles my pain to stupor.
Crying and sobbing incessantly,
Does it really help one’s destiny?
It dries the soul even further,
And drains the tears forever.
Dried-up eyeballs suspended oblique,
Piercing my eyes like a woodpecker’s beak,
Senses with waning feelings, emotions,
Singeing and shrinking hopes, aspirations.
My senses brood in my body’s cave,
If I’ve any worth in this grave,
For I can see no end to my quest,
My sins, my virtues, all gone waste.
Lying in such a condition desolate,
Yaksha’s ears could hear resonate,
A growl, or may be clouds rumbling,
Like a herd of tipsy elephants tumbling.
After a dry and humid summer,
A heavy cast sky brings a beamer,
To the flora, fauna and humans alike,
For who doesn’t like a little respite?
All but me, will celebrate, rejoice,
The romance of the rain that brings spice,
I remain with your memories alone,
Chasing a dream that never comes home.
Yet the smiling glances of the cloud,
Made Yaksha hope aloud,
For clouds may act as messenger dove,
And bring some solace to his mourning love.
Hoping to get his request heard,
But fearing that he may sound absurd,
Propitiated the cloud in a pleading tone,
With voice breaking in feeble moan.
“To end your sorrows O my friend!
I shall try going to any end”,
The cloud a friendly hand extended
To keep Yaksha’s hope unbended.
But will he be able to find,
My love in pain, roaming blind,
And will this nomad really deliver,
My words that’ll make my love recover?
He who changes his path so swift
A gush of wind makes him drift,
Hope he is able to keep his promise,
A vagabond not succumbs to blemish.
Sensing the dwindling faith of his friend
Roared the cloud with thunder blend,
“I won’t let your faith get shaken
O my friend, do not be so broken.”
Yaksha’s heart filled with the pouring
Who, but a friend, can be so reassuring?
Deadened senses got shaken from stupor,
When all doubts evaporated like vapour.
Frail body and grief - charred cells
Blossom to health when joy impels,
Warmth spreads when two hearts bleed,
‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’.
“O friend, who’s blessed with countless forms,
Do me a favour for friendship norms;
‘l’ll not blame ever even if you fail,
You can’t rewrite a destiny frail! ”
“You’ve to go to the town of Yaksha,
In the lap of Himalayas, known as ‘Alka’¹,
With palaces adorned with the bright spread
Of moonlight emanating from Shiva’s head².”
“Mourning women when see you arrive,
Will dance with joy and rush describe,
To my love who holds on a thread fragile
Of hope, that may crumble any which while.”
“Look my friend, that gentle breeze!
With layers of cloud like dangling crease,
Have come to meet and soothe your heart
Narrating your lover’s message in part.”
1. Alka: Mythical city of Yaksha & Yakshini in Himalayas.
2. Crescent moon on Shiva’s head: Myth holds that when ‘Chandra’ (the moon-god)
was cursed by Daksha (the master of civilization) for being partisan towards Rohini
avoiding his other 26 daughters (symbolic of 27 lunar asterisms – the ‘Nakshatras’),
Shiva helped his body from fading away by using ‘soma’ (a sacred herb). However,
he was cursed by Daksha again and again. So, Shiva asked Chandra to take refuge in
his lock of hair where he will find enough soma to rejuvenate him periodically.
Thus, while the curse of Daksha causes the moon to wane, Lord Shiva rejuvenates him
to wax again.
“Come let me tell you the path you take,
‘l’ll not let my work your promises break,
Of cooling the earth and bringing to life,
The dried vegetation, dying in strife.”
Tired if you get, of a journey non-stop,
Rest for a while on a mountain top,
And if you feel thirsty ever,
Soak your lips in the stream of a river.
Rain for a while on the Malav land¹,
An earth that smells of rainy gland,
Douse the fire that threatens the forest
Of mangoes of all kind, sweet and best.
1. Malav land: a region of present day Madhya Pradesh (central India) which included part
of Rajasthan and Maharashtra too. Means ‘abode of Lakshmi’ (Goddess of Wealth).
Adorning uniquely the forest around,
Mangoes of all hues, ripe abound,
And you settle amidst them there,
On top like a crown of shining black hair.
Like well set nipples on the breast of earth,
Creating a scene of amusement and mirth,
Heavens will enjoy this beauty galore,
Gods and goddesses wishing for more.
Mountains will offer you a resting place,
They welcome their guests with honour and grace,
More so because your character is noble,
Respected alike by the high and humble.
Th river that irrigates Vindhya’s plateau¹,
Known as ‘Reva’, flows with gusto,
Drink its water to gain strength,
Roar and thunder with piercing length.
Frightened women coiled with their lover,
To feel secure and recover from shiver,
Getting such blissful moments hefty,
Grateful lovers will bless you plenty.
Meeting peacock’s welcoming eyes,
And those gardens of ‘Ketaki’² wide,
Laden with ripe blackberry around,
Forest of ‘Dasharan’ you have found.
1. VINDHYA: The mountains which stretch across India, and divide the Madhyadesa
or 'middle land’, the land of the Hindus, from the south, that is, they divide
Hindustan from the Dakshin. The mountain is personified, and according to a legend
he was jealous of the Himalaya, and called upon the sun to revolve round him as he
did round Meru. When the sun refused the mountain began to raise its head to obstruct
that luminary, and to tower above Himalaya and Meru. The gods invoked the aid of
Agastya, the spiritual guide of Vindhya. That sage called upon the mountain to bow down
before him, and afford him an easy passage to and from the south. It obeyed, and Agastya
passed over. But he never returned, and so the mountain remains in its humbled condition,
far inferior to the Himalaya.
2. Ketaki:This beautiful cream-yellow flower is used often in worship. The
tree is grown in temple precincts and is considered particularly sacred to
Krishna. It forms one of the five flower-darts of Kamadeva (Cupid). Not
used for worshipping Lord Shiva.
Stretching your body in ‘Vidisha’¹ land,
Drifting along river Betwa’s sand,
Enjoy its swift and wavy water,
Do drink some, but avoid the fretter.
Who knows, how long will these last?
With the changes creeping in so fast,
How can a thing remain immortal?
In the land of illusion and suffering mortal.
You may reach ‘Avanti’² soon,
A place of good souls, riches and boon,
Hover on ‘Ujjayani’ before you proceed,
Listen to the tales of Udayan’s deed.
1. Vidisha: a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the fork of Betwa and Bes rivers.
An important trade centre and a bustling city under the rule of Sungas, Nagas, Satvahanas
and Guptas.
2. Avanti & Ujjayani: One of the 16 Janapadas (republics) of ancient India located in
Malwa region with Ujjaiyani (present day Ujjain) as its capital. Very important station
on the overland trade route between North and South India and to the port of
Bharukachha (modern Bharauch or Broach) on the Arabian Sea.
Don’t ever miss that relishing sight,
Of silken faces alluring bright,
Or else, you will be known as blind,
Numb with senses rare to find.
Traces of love and romance till far,
Must be Ujjayani’s gate ajar,
Look at Nirbindhya’s dancing stream,
Exposing its navel with enticing gleam.
Seems like she’s gone out of care,
Thinned like tapering pleat of hair,
Fill up her body with a heavy rain
Help her health and rhapsody regain.
Shipra’s¹ gentle and humble breeze
Makes the guilt of lovers decrease,
Behaving like a gleeful, indulgent lover,
Sounds of swan giving them a cover.
Hanging from the windows locks of hair
Lending its fragrance to neighbouring air,
Dancing peacocks with friendly faces
Will give you a feel of elating embraces.
Somewhere there you may find
The temple of Chandishwara Mahakaal² divine,
Like indigo-neck pheasant, O dark cloud!
Followers of Shiva will welcome aloud.
1. Shipra: a river in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The river rises in the kakri bardi hills
Vindhya Range north of Dhar, and flows south across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River.
It is one of the sacred rivers in Hinduism. There are hundreds of Hindu shrines along the banks of
the river Shipra. Shipra is a perennial river. Earlier there used to be plenty of water in the river.
Now the river stops flowing after a couple of months after the monsoon.
2. Chandishwar Mahakal: present day Mahakaleshwar temple on the banks of Rudra sagar lake of Ujjain in the state of
Madhya Pradesh. ‘Mahakal’ is ‘Lord of death’, but much more aptly ‘the lord of Time’.
Like freshly blossomed red hibiscus
Cloaked in the dusk’s crimson thus,
Spread over bowed branches of trees
Filled with devotion, you too freeze
Stay around until darkness descends
To offer your prayer to Shiva, you bend,
Wrap around like an elephant-skin¹ wet
Give Lord Shiva the supreme respect.
While Shiva’s desire gets fulfilled
Pleased Bhawani² admiring you thrilled,
Will pour blessings of her inner core,
May you get stronger with every roar!
1. Elephant stands for unbridled pride. Wearing of elephant skin by shiva symbolizes that he has conquered the vice of ‘pride’.
2. Bhawani: ferocious form of goddess ‘Parvati’. She connotes "giver of life", nature's power as well the source of creative energy.
Black clouds making the royal road dark
Lures a beeline of lovers stark,
Anxious to meet their soulmate’s feather
Beautiful women milling together.
Like a black touchstone with golden hay
Scatter your lightening in such a way,
That makes the path visible and clear,
Obstruct them not, with rain or roar!
If tired due to excess of fun and play
With your beloved lightening, then you may
Sleep for a rest on a palace roof,
But leave as you see the dawn’s hoof.
Spending the night with someone else
Lovers return to their home tense,
Wiping tears of their wives so dear,
Left alone pining, with fears unclear.
The Sun too must be returning
In dawn’s haze, apt for hiding,
Wiping the ice-cold tears of lotus,
With its soft rays giving solace.
Do not cross the path of the guilty Sun,
Angry, it may react and shun,
The lovelorn heart of a deviant lover
Is likely to emanate a mixed behaviour.
Lured by your enticing image O Cloud!
Crystal clear water of ‘Gambhira’ proud,
Her eyes like a white lotus and darting fish
Looks at you askance full of wish.
Her water adorned with bowed canes along,
Looks like a damsel’s apparel pulled wrong,
Exposing her hip and gleaming thighs,
How’ll you leave, but for repent and sighs?
Crossing the forest of ripe fig trees
Earth’s fragrance bearing breeze,
Take you to Devagiri¹ O my friend!
Saviour of Gods, Skanda’s² land.
1. Devgiri: ancient name of the town of Daulatabad near Aurangabad in modern Andhra Pradesh.
2. Skanda: also known as ‘Kartikeya’, younger brother of ‘Ganesha’, is a war God riding over a Peacock.
Descend on statue of Skanda as shower
Of scattered clouds like petals of flower,
Roar o Cloud that echoes in the valley!
Of Devagiri, treated to pleasures’ rally.
Buoyed with the joy of hearing your roar
The Peacock of Kartick dances galore,
Worship Kartick and come down further
To quaff some water from ‘Chambal’ river.
When you settle atop the ‘Chambal’
Do you know what exactly you resemble?
A big blue sapphire amidst the shining pearl,
On the breast of the earth around neck’s curl.
Move on to meet the Daspur¹ beauties
Endowed with eyes of charming gaieties,
Dark pupil with dancing eye brows
Like a black bee-line on flowering rows.
Touch upon ‘Brahmavarta’², and reach the battlefield
Of ‘Kurukshetra’³ that saw many getting killed,
Of ‘Kaurava’ and ‘Pandava’ in a battle historic,
Where Arjuna’s arrows pierced like magic.
Heads of kings got severed in vain,
As lotus gets hit by your savage rain;
Elder brother of Krishna, Balarama⁴ once roamed
Along ‘Saraswati’⁵ with his plough strong.
1. DASHPUR: modern Mandsaur town - Dasharna janapada which gave name Dashpur. The area was ruled by Dasharna people during Mahabharata period.
2. BRAHMAVARTA: modern Kaithal of Haryana, India. Historically, it was known as "Kapisthal" & It is said to have been founded by the mythical hero Yudhisthira of Mahabharata
3. KURUKSHETRA: a district of Northern Indian State of Haryana. Kurukshetra was originally given to an area covered by 48 kosas (land measurement scale used in India) 860 places of pilgrimage related to the Mahabharata and Gita exist today. It is also called "Holy Land" "Land of Mahabharat".
4. BALARAMA: Balaram is the elder brother of Lord Krishna. He is treated as the incarnation of Sheshnag. His weapon was a plough. He is also called 'Haldhar'. He is a protector from desires, the divinity of strength or the strength of the divine, symbolizing duty, honesty and simplicity.
5. SARASWATI: Rig Vedic river. The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda(10.75) mentions the Sarasvati between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west, and later Vedic texts like Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahmanas as well as theMahabharata mention that the Sarasvati dried up in a desert.
O Krishna hued Cloud! Drink its water,
Your soul gets purified, you’ll feel better.
Drift ahead to Kanakhal¹, to get the glimpse divine,
Of the foamy laughter of ‘Ganges’, all aligned;
Like a ladder that king of mountains has given
For the cursed sons of sagar² to be taken to heaven;
Giving Parvati’s oblique eyebrows a sneer,
‘Ganga’ with her waves caught Shiva’s hair.
Bend like ‘Airawat’³ and lie prostrate,
Quaff its water, you have a rare fate!
Your shadow dissolving in Ganges random,
Looks like a confluence with Yamuna in ‘Sangam’⁴.
(1. KANAKHAL: present day’s HARIDWAR of India)
(2. SAGAR: According to ancient traditions, King Sagar had sixty thousand sons who were burnt to ashes due to the anger of saint Kapil Muni. They all suggested that if the Holy Ganga is brought from the haven and the ashes of his sons were dipped in it, their souls will definitely achieve nirvana or moksha.)
(3. AIRAWAT: The Airavat was the chosen carriage for the God of all Gods ‘Indra ’. It was regal in size and had ten tusks, not just the usual two.)
(4. SANGAM: confluence of river ‘Ganges’ and ‘Yamuna’ in Allahabad, India)
Rocks perfumed by the navel of musk-deer
Gives Himalayas a fragrant atmosphere,
Could there be a resting place better
For a traveller tired of long hard labour?
Shining like mud on the horns of Shiva’s bull
Tarry a while on a peak snow-full;
When breeze-borne friction amidst pine trail
Makes wild fire scorch yak’s¹ tail
Throw your torrential rain on blazing fire
To douse its heat and soothe its ire,
And when arrogant Sarabhs² excited by your roar
Try leaping over you with intention poor,
1. Kalidas has used word ‘Chamri Deer’ for ‘Yak’ – an animal with hairy tail
2. SARABH: A legendary 6-legged animal
Strike them with hailstorm and rain
Worthy of a jeer such attempts vain.
There must be a rock bearing Shiva’s foot mark
Worshipped with hefty gifts and devotion stark;
Of master disciples and sages who believe
That a sight of it will get them released,
From the sins to make them eternal follower,
You too take a look and settle for a prayer.
While the breeze rustles weaving a rhapsody
In the bamboo groves with Kinnaris¹ melody,
Praising Pashupati² for his Tripura³ winning feat,
Lend them your roar like a resonating drum beat.
1. KINNARI: female counterpart of the Kinnara, a half-man half-horse being from Hindu mythology. They sing praises to the gods
2. PASHUPATI: Master of all animals – another name for Lord Shiva
3. TRIPURA: three cities of God, Silver & Iron, built by Asuras, were destroyed by Shiva; and hence, he’s known as Tripura conquror)
Enter from Parsurama’s Kraunch door
And move towards north furthermore,
Ascend a little along the slope oblique
You’ll reach soon atop Kailasha’s peak.
Used like a mirror by daughters of Gods
Embedded in blue sky peaks like prods,
When you settle on Kailasha like black soft kohl
On the milky pieces of ivory as a big mole;
You seem like a dark blue sheet of wave
Spread on the shoulders of fair Baldev¹,
Lovely you look dear cloud, my friend!
On the joints of the peak along its bend.
1) Baldev: also ‘Balarama’ – an agricultural god carrying a plough on his shoulder – having Shaiva background
Bright pearl peaks, the playground of Shiva,
Holding his hands roams Parvati as diva,
Hold your rain-mine from drizzle or motion
Lay beneath their feat like stairs in devotion.
Here, in the lap of Kailasha you’ll find
The city of Alka adorned divine,
Where clouds lay as pearl-bead pieces
Like frills decorating the lofty terraces.
Lissome women attractive and bright
As lightning with which you are alight,
Paintings on houses of myriad hue
Vie with butterflies’ colourful slew.
Lotus in hands, kund¹ buds on dark tresses,
Kurvak² on the braids as delicate laces,
Fragrant Shirish³ flower as dangling earrings
Bedeck the women with natural offerings.
Ponds with blooming lotus which swans throng
Vivid-winged peacocks cackle whole day long,
Black bees on flowers ceaselessly hum
Moonlight wipes away darkness in one strum.
But for happiness that brings occasional tear
Yakshas do not have sunderance my dear!
While stars reflected on the crystals of a house
Blessed with eternal youth they douse;
1) Kund: Star Jasmine – sacred to God Vishnu
2) Kurvak: a fragrant flower
3) Shirish: Albizia lebbeck: a beautiful flower with fine frills dangling all around
Drinking and enjoying wish-tree’s¹ wine
With their chosen women erotic and divine.
Pleased and elated lovely virgins play
Moved by Mandakini’s cool breeze sway.
Entranced even gods gaze at their profile
And wish their company, even for a while.
Impatient lovers with an urge primeval
Hastily pull knots of garment around navel;
Of their beloved, who feel shy of nudity
With the flames of gems exposing their beauty;
Bashfully throw a handful of powder
To put out the flame for privacy and order.
1. Kalidasa used word ‘Kalpa vriksha’ here. ‘Kalpavriksha’ is a mythical tree which fulfilled any wish
Entering their houses clouds with breeze
Spoiling some paintings and colourful crease,
Disappear like smoke through the windows
Cleverly as adulterers or mean fellows.
In the midnight with your girdle removed
Moon blooms full with its rays rescued,
Soaked in moonlight cool dews oozing
Drops from Chandrakanta gems¹ feel soothing;
Taming fatigue of amorous play
Nightlong excess of pleasure and hay,
To meet their mates when lovers hurry,
Lotus-shaped gold rings fall in the scurry;
the moon's rays, and also supposed to be dissolved by the moon's light
Petals of Mandara¹ scattered all the way
Broken pearls fallen with heavy breasts’ sway,
Indicate the path they took for rendezvous
With their passionate lovers waiting to woo.
Flowers as ornaments, garments of all hues
Paint for the feet, and wine for their use,
The Wish-tree alone bears it all
To sustain their beauty and youthful call.
In this city of attractions galore
From the King’s palace move a little more!
My house will be visible from afar
Painted like a rainbow with portals ajar.
1) Mandar: Erythrina Indica: medicinally important tree with beautiful red flowers
A tender Mandar tree must be nearby
Reared like a son, dear to my wife’s eye,
A pond with gold lotus and emerald stairs
Carefree swans floating with flair.
On its bank, a sapphire peaked mountain,
Place of our frolic fenced with golden plantain,
Looking at lightening throbbing in your lap
Forlorn emotions come surging to entrap.
Remember these landmarks, O my friend!
Will help in identifying my home, my land,
Signs of lotus and conch on my door
Will gaze at you and recognize for sure.
As a lotus deprived of sun ray
Loses its charm and fades away,
My house too must be desolate
Without me, mourning its ill fate.
Sitting on the peak of the frolic mount
Like an elephant cub charming stout,
Cast your glance on my house quietly
With your lightening as fire-flies shine softly.
Amidst friends surrounding her too many
Yet suffering alone the agony,
My beloved sits bashful and meek
Like Chakavi¹ forlorn and sealed beak.
1) Chakvi: legendary love-birds ‘chakva’ and ‘chakvi’ – male and female large orange brown ducks
encircle, defines both, the night and the sky of Kartika. ‘Chakva’ and ‘chakvi’, believed to separate
during the night, are together suggesting that a Kartika night does not separate lovers but rather unites them.
Sylph, who is blessed with juicy lips
Like a vimb-fruit¹ ripen drips,
Eyes darting like an alert deer
Left alone to suffer in fear.
Bowed posture with her bosom heavy
Deep navel and thin waist curvy,
If there’s one, she must be your Bhabhi²,
With parched lips in grief may be.
Charred with incessant flow of tears
Face hidden in dishevelled coarse hairs,
Same as you do by hiding the moon
Blocking the moonlight and make them agloom.
1) Vimb fruit: a citrous juicy fruit
2) Bhabhi: wife of elder brother
Supporting her cheek on palm helplessly
Asking her pet Maina¹ pining ceaselessly,
“Don’t your eyes also bleed like mine
Craving to see him back and fine?”
Or, preparing offerings for gods and goddesses
Imagining and painting my weary countenances,
Veena² in her lap, in crumpled apparel,
Trying to sing my forgotten laurel;
Tears come dripping all over strings
Caressing and tuning she tries to sing,
Muffling the notes of divine compositions
With grief distorting the desired creations.
for their ability to reproduce sounds, including human speech, when in captivity.
2. Veena: The veena is one of the most ancient string instruments of India. Its origin can
be traced back to the ancient yazh, a stringed instrument, similar to the Grecian harp.
Bharata, in his Natya Shastra, explains the theory of the 22 sruti-s in an octave with the
help of two experimental veenas.
Sitting on the doorsill counting flowers
Period of separation, days and hours,
Or, lost in the thoughts of joyful past
Living in fantasy, trying to last.
Days must be passing by with relative ease
But what about the nights when pangs increase?
Settle on her windows O my friend Cloud!
And attract her attention declaring aloud.
That you have sweet messages from me
To make her feel lighter and sorrow free,
Nights which she spent like a moment’s flash
With me, now have turned wailing and crash.
Cool rays of waning moon in eastern sky
Entering her windows before they die,
Still would be filling her with ecstasy
Lying on one side in pain and fantasy.
Unable to bear the sight of rays bright
Closing her eyes with heavy eyelids tight,
Neither awake nor sleeping, living in dismay,
Similar to a lotus on a cloudy day.
Trying to catch a nap for a dream
For, she can have a union with me,
But flow of tears impede that pleasure
Nothing allows her the desired leisure.
I remember she left her hairs single-plaited
On the day of curse feeling berated,
Which I’ll go back and properly amend
When the time of my curse comes to an end.
Feeble and week with ornaments no more
Lifeless body beyond all cure,
Friend, your kind heart will surely weep
Filled with mercy and compassion deep.
Eyelashes unkempt, eyes bereft of kohl,
Without wine eyebrows playing no more,
Her left eye will flicker with your sensation
Like lotus in water with fish’s swift motion.
If she seems lost in a pleasant sleep
Wait till she recovers from her slumber deep,
Who knows, in dreams holding me in her bosom
Pleads to fill her up with the ecstasy of unison.
In such a state, caress her with a thin drizzle
She may open her eyes with cool breeze’s frizzle,
Beware, not to let your lightning come in way
With a mild thunder introduce yourself and say;
“O Lady, I’m the Cloud who cools world over
Have brought messages of your beloved to deliver!”
As Sita¹ had welcomed Hanuman with grace,
She too will listen enrapt, looking at your face.
1. Simile drawn to express similar feelings when SITA, Lord Rama’s wife, in captivity of Ravana meets
Hanuman who appears unexpectedly.
As rays falling on dewdrops dance with pleasure bright
Her face will emanate a fountain of light,
Listening to messages of one’s beloved from a friend
Is next to being together and happiness of no end.
Hanging on Ashok-Tree¹ full of flowers red
Continue with your messages in Maulsari’s² shade;
Your beloved O Lady! Is in the jungles of Ramgiri³
Laden with adversities, his heart feels weary.
For your welfare with yearnings to reach you sooner
Tough to decide who is less and who is keener,
He shares your pain living in a loathsome fatigue
Helpless, far away, entrapped in destiny’s intrigue.
1) Ashok tree: Sarca Indica: evergreen tree native to India . The tree is dedicated to God ‘Kama, the god of love.
Its bark is strong astringent and used in uterine infections.
2) Maulsari : Mimusops Elangi: or, ‘Bakul’ is a small green tree bears highly fragrant small whitish flowers in February-March
in subtropical India.
3) Ramgiri: Ramtek or Ramgiri is a hill near Nagpur
He seeks your face in creepers and plants,
In the mirror-like moon and deer’s skittish glance;
Do not mind, if I am more candid and clear
None of these can match your beauty my dear!
Sketching your angry look on a black rock
Persuading, lays at your feet in an exercise mock,
Tears come heaving wiping memories and picture
Destiny denies even this union with stricture.
If I meet you in dreams by chance
To embrace you forever, I stretch my arms,
Gods and Goddesses pity this sight
And shed tears on my hapless plight.
Perfumed by the latex of Devdaar¹ trees
Touching your body when comes north breeze,
To feel your essence I try to seize
As long as possible I embrace this breeze.
I wish that the night became shorter
And days bore less heat to feel better,
To make my pain and suffering bearable
Impossible things I beseech feeling miserable.
But who gives heed to this being in pain
All my prayers have gone in vain,
Yet understanding destiny’s equation
I convince my heart to accept the situation.
1) Devdar tree: (Cedrus deodara): is a pyramidal, rapid growing tree with drooping branches and gray-green needles.
It is worshipped as divine tree by Hindus in India. Forest of Devdar used to be favourite abode or living place of ancient
Indian sages and their families devoted to God ‘Shiva’.
As joyful days are never forever
The sorrows too will soon be over;
As the wheel of time goes up and down
Happiness and pain also take a round.
Four months later when Vishnu leaves his bed¹
It will be time to let my curse be shed,
Then in the pleasant moonlit winter nights
Embracing, we’ll recount the cursed days’ plights.
Tell her that O dark-eyed!
I’m alive and living with pride,
Let not your faith drift away
I will soon return one day.
1) When Sun retreats southward (from July to December), in this dark inauspicious second half, rain
clouds cover the sky and Vishnu goes to sleep. The world is left in the care of the Goddess and Vishnu’s
avatars. He slumbers for four months, the Chatur-maas.
The belief in the world futile
That love dies in yearning hostile,
Wrongly they say love dies in sunderance
I feel it doubles the craving’s preponderance.
After consoling her lovelorn heart
Return to me with her message fast;
O friend, will you be able to do this favour?
I know you are noble and will reject it never.
You cool the world to make it recover
From the miseries of summer’s boiling heat cover,
And quench the thirst of Chatak¹ without expectation
Such is your character worthy of veneration.
1) Chatak: Pied crested Cuckoo: The chatak bird craves only rain-water. Even when it is dying of thirst,
it turns its beak upward and wants only water from the sky. It is known as ‘Monsoon Bird’.
Forgive me, if I, a craving creature
Requested a task not worthy of your stature,
May you not suffer a sunderance for a moment
With your beloved lightning embracing permanent.
May you be filled with an eternal water flow
Like stream of elixir keeping world aglow;
Never should it happen that you become dry
And roam dangerously like hurricane to destroy.
The Cloud behaved worthy to his pining friend
Did as requested and returned to Yaksha’s end,
It melted Kuber’s heart and filled with pity
He ended Yaksha’s curse and showered generosity;
By blessing the couple with everlasting pleasure
All fulfilled wishes in abundant measure.
