Death-Perception : Life-Perception
POET : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's is one of the significant post-independence voices in Hindi and Indian English Poetry, expressing the lyricism and pathos, aspirations and yearnings of the modern Indian intellect. Rooted deep into the Indian soil, his poems reflect not only the moods of a poet but of a complex age.
Born : 26 June 1926: Jhansi (U.P.), Edu. : M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1957) from Nagpur University; Retd. Professor.
Several volumes of poetry in English are published, viz. In French 'A MODERN INDIAN POET : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : UN POÈTE INDIEN ET MODERNE; In English Forty Poems of Mahendra Bhatnagar After The Forty Poems Exuberance and other poems Dr.Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry Death Perception : Life Perception Passion and Compassion Poems : For A Better World A Handful of Light Lyric-Lute. etc. Poems are translated in most of the Indian languages.
Published research & critical studies : (1) Living Through Challenges : A Study of Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry (2) Poet Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : His Mind And Art.
Adviser — 'POETCRIT'. At present — Reasearch Guide in many Indian Universities.
Contact : 110 BalwantNagar, Gandhi Road, Gwalior — 474 002 (M.P.) INDIA / Phone : 0751-4092908 / M – 098934 09793
E-Mail : drmahendrabh@rediffmail.com
THE MOTIF OF DEATH
IN THE POETRY OF MAHENDRA BHATNAGAR :AN ASSESSMENT
– Dr. D. C. Chambial
Life is poised between the two antipodal points of birth and death. Where there is birth, there is death. Where one begins the other ends. Birth is welcome and rejoiced. Death is considered terrible and is, therefore, mourned. Enmeshed in the enigma of existence man has been trying since time immemorial to dive into the mysteries of life and death. All metaphysical systems of world are the outcome of man’s endeavour to find truth in this regard. In the modern age of science man has toiled hard to lay bare the mystery of death. However, it still remains beyond the domain of science. Where the domain of science ends, the domain of metaphysics begins. What is outside the physical world is left for the philosophy to explain. Mahendra Bhatnagar has, in his book, 'Death-Perception : Life-Perception', tried to perceive the mystery of life and death. In this paper my endeavour shall be to explore Mahendra Bhatnagar’s views about death.
In order to answer the question : What is death? The poet has nothing to say different from the commonly held notion about it that death is ‘an earthly end’ and compares it to ‘a horrendous night’ (‘Life - Death’ : 22). What the poet calls ‘a horrendous night’ is the state of existence after death. However, this ‘horrendous night’ begins with death. As the one side of a coin cannot be severed from the other, similarly, birth and death are also integral and cannot be separated : ‘an unbreakable string / tied to birth’ (Ibid.) The poet declares the Vedic truth : ‘Death - a truth’ (Reality’ : 32). It is also the truth of existence. Where there is life, there is death.
Man, ever since he began to speculate and meditate about the fate of life after its termination on this terra firma, has found death an enigma to explore. It was, and still is, an enigma for him.
There is a lot about death that one wants to know : what is death? What happens to the individual on death? If body is the dwelling of soul, as the Hinduism and most of the other world religions maintain, then, what happens to the soul on and after death? What would happen if there were no death? Etc. The poet also believes in this arcane nature of death and states : ‘Death? / A question-mark!’ (Contemplation : 10). He, once again, repeats this mystery of death in his poem, ‘Conclusion’, with the same words and is staunch in his faith that man is ever engaged in unraveling and unmasking the secrets about death. He says though ‘death’, at present, is ‘a question-mark’, but a day will certainly come when ‘The mystery of death / to be unmasked ... revealed’ (‘Conclusion’ : 20)
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar, the poet, opens his discourse about death and tells the readers about its imminence. He says : ‘Death is imminent / Unavoidable’ (Gratitude’ : 2). It is very much intone with the Hindu philosophy that states : ‘Jatasya hi dhruvo mrityu ...’ (the Ghagvadgita : II, 27). He further expounds that death which is the end of life on the earth ‘ ... is certainly / Unavoidable!’ (Experimenting’ : 38). The fact that whosoever has life and is born on this earth is bound to decay or die. An individual’s life is limited. One cannot go beyond this limit. None can abjure the verity that one day this life on earth has to come to an end. There is no way out. The poet sings :
One day from the body
Life-bird
will fly away,
That will
Never return!
Fly away!
Life-bird
Will fly away!
(‘Truth’ : 94)
Here the poet, with the help of the symbol of a bird, tries to explain that one day JIVA or PRANA will have to forsake this body. It cannot live in for good. This body is subject to the laws of destructibility and transience.
Death has never been a welcome. The very origin of death, according to Christianity, is cruel, for it is the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God : they disobeyed the God, ate the forbidden fruit and the God, in turn, not only expelled them out of Eden but also inflicted death on them. Death has been with man since his first disobedience and the original sin. The poet calls death a cruel wheel that spares no one :
Cruel is
the wheel of death
very cruel!
Under which
Lifeless - living
Gradually grinding and changing
Every moment, every minute!
This earth rocks horribly!
invisibly / Silently
Continuously moves
This wheel of death.
(‘The Wheel of Death’ : 6).
This wheel always goes on like the wheel of time and one and all fall prey to it without any distinction.
The termination of life from the physical body is termed as death. Death is death whatever be its kind or form. The philosopher poet, Dr. Mahendra also declares that ‘Though the end, the same death!’ (‘Forms of Death’ : 18). Nonetheless, he differentiates and recognizes two kinds of death : one, natural or accidental death; two, the unnatural or suicide or murder. In this regard the poet writes : ‘Death natural / or accidental / ... / end of a conscious life’ (Ibid.) These both kinds of death, natural and accidental, are so called because they are the ‘writs of Providence’ (Ibid.) But, about the second kind, ‘suicide / or / murder’, the poet says that it ‘isn’t death, but, a murder.’ (ibid.) Thus, the poet acknowledges two
kinds of death with clear difference.
The poet is of the view that one should not fear death. While living one should be free from its fear. Living constantly under the fear of death will make the individual a coward and one will not be able to accomplish anything in one’s life. Thus the whole objective of life and living will be defeated. One is supposed to live and, while living, do such acts that are helpful for the progress of humanity. With this motive in mind, the poet says that ‘Fearing death / will make / living futile! / weight heavy / dry onerous / pleasure less heart.’ (Free From Worry’ : 8). Under the constant fear of death, life loses its meaning. In order to make life meaningful one has to be free from the fear of death. So, the philosopher poet says :
Life
only meaningful,
when every moment is free
from the dread of death. (Ibid.)
The poet seems to echo what the Hindu philosophy says :
What should not be worried about you should not worry say the wise
Whether one lives or dies does not bother the pundit.
(the Bhagvadgita : II, 11).
The poet, in his poem ‘The Philosophy of Death’ (72) posits :
Death :
When a certainty,
In vain
Why
to doubt
to fear
so much?
O, tell death —
‘Come; when you please.’
There is no need either to nourish any doubt about death or fear it; it is imminent. In another poem, he says :
It is preordained that
you
one day
will sleep
in the lap of death
silently!
× × ×
in the pitch dark
of the death! (‘Preordained’ : 96)
and then talks about the destruction of the body after death by consigning it to fire : ‘fair form / will be reduced / to ashes!’ (Ibid.) The JIVA forsakes body; body becomes dead because it is senseless to all external stimuli of the physical world, and finally the body joins the five elements - fire, earth, water, air, and sky, the PANCH BHUTA — out of which it had taken shape.
All this happens, the poet argues, when body becomes unsuitable for the soul as it’s dwelling. Then the soul leaves it and looks for a new one that is befitting for it, the poet says :
What?
Body
Not worth living;
Therefore ...
Soul!
You left
In quest of new.’ (‘A Puzzle’ : 12)
as if the soul unfolds the secret of its leaving the body, that is death, to the poet. The poet’s philosophy seems to echo the Vedic philosophy :
As a man discards the old and worn out clothes,
Likewise the soul discards old body and enters new one.
(the Bhagvadgita : II, 22).
In the absence of death there would have no God nor the need for any such supreme divinity. The poet continues his argument that ‘If there were no death, / God wouldn’t have any existence’ (‘The truth’ : 14). It means that in the absence of death man would have thought himself to be the Supreme Being and the God were to be something non-existent. It is the existence of death that makes human being inferior to God and man needs some super power to attribute to that power all the enigmas of physical and metaphysical existence that are beyond the human ken. In the absence of death, even ‘The whole philosophy / hell and heaven’ (Ibid.) would have become redundant. But, there is death that necessitates the existence of God, before whose will the man bows. Therefore, the man realizes the ultimate truth that ‘Ram nam satya hai / (God’s name is the only TRUTH)’ (Ibid.) In other words, the poet contends that only God is the Reality.
It is not that death has made the existence of God feasible but it also has a purpose. The poet maintains that death is not without purpose. It also has its utilitarian value and makes life not only useful but also beautiful for existence on this earth. He posits :
Death's made life very beautiful,
Transformed this world, in fact,
into a pleasant heaven,
We learnt the meaning of love,
only then / true's true,
Transformed man into higher beings
than immortal god!
(‘Gratitude; Again’ : 4)
Whatever man tries to achieve in life and art is also death’s gift to him; so, the poet firmly holds :
Death’s given
Beauty to life
Such
Endless - vast!
Death’s given
Man
Life - art - efficiency
Such
Embellishment - adornment!
(‘Gratitude’ : 2)
It is a fact that death has some objective. But, the poet not only encourages the mankind to shed the fear of death but also suggests to belittle death by finding a purpose of living because :
We
who are the artisans of life
should talk only about life
discover
the meaningfulness of life.
and know
about the essence of life.
(‘Purpose’ : 56)
His panacea for belittling death is :
If death
destroys us
let us
strike back at it. (Ibid.)
But, how can we strike back at death? The poet has himself answered this question successfully in the poem itself that it can be done by discovering ‘the meaningfulness of life’ and by singing ‘the glory of life’ (Ibid.) The ‘meaningfulness of life’ suggests a purposeful life so that he is remembered even after he is dead.
Death is imminent. It cannot be avoided. It is the fate of all living beings on this earth. It can only be relegated to pettiness. Then there is no need to fear death : ‘let human self / not be terrorized / of death care’ (‘A Wish’ : 58). The living ones should always be ready to welcome death. There is no alternative to it. Therefore, the poet has debunked death of all its power and fear and and welcomes death to
come,
do come one day!
And take me away
in your flying-chariot
away ... far away (‘An Invitation’ : 74).
perhaps, like the persona in Emily Dickinson’s poem, ‘The Chariot’1
To conclude our discussion, we can say that the poet comes out with some very concrete suggestions to tear off the hitherto much significance attached to death. He does not believe in any type of ritual, because these do not form part of the eternal truth; these have been devised and followed by the survivors. He exhorts the mankind : ‘Let the last act be / free from rituals’ (‘The Last Will’ : 110). What is more important. in order to find the ultimate truth, to unmask the enigma of death shrouded in the mystery, is to approach the hitherto unsolved riddle of death single-mindedly. For this he suggests : ‘let mind be set / only on the mystery beyond death!’ (Ibid.) He also consoles those who are left behind wailing and bemoaning in these words : ‘End - / a sign of perfection, / a successful stage / why to bewail’ and should
follow in the footsteps
of the departed
to attain the meaning of life
glorify it.
(‘Kritkarma’ : 112).
It is ‘the meaning of life’ that has not been found yet and the quest for which is ever going on like the journey of life as propounded by Aurobindo Ghose2. Mahendra Bhatnagar, the poet and philosopher, has very deeply studied and experienced, in his imagination, the concept of death and has made some very radical observations that make him stand all alone as a sedate thinker in the contemporary poetry.
Notes :
(1) In the Dickinson’s poem, Death is one of the occupants in the chariot. Death asks the poetess / persona to accompany him. The opening lines of the poem are :
Because I could not stop for death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And immortality.
In Mahendra Bhatnagar’s poem, the poet / persona invites Death to take him / her with himself, because he is not afraid of death and ready to go with him.
(2) In his poem, ‘Is This the End?’, Aurobindo Ghose says that death does not put an end to the journey or quest of life. The poet refers to soul that is immortal and continues its journey ceaselessly. It goes on even after the goal has been achieved. The last two stanzas of them poem, that have relevance to the argument in the present article, are :
The Immortal in the mortal is his name;
An artist Godhead here
Ever remoulds himself in dimmer shapes,
Unwilling the cease.
Till all is done for which the stars were made,
Till the heart discovers God
And the soul knows itself. And even then
There is no end.
[1] GRATITUDE
Death is;
Death is imminent,
Unavoidable —
That's why
Life is so desired!
That's why
There's such a semblance
Between life and death!
Death's given
Beauty to life
Such
Endless — vast!
Death's given
Man
Life - art - efficiency
Such
Embellishment - adornment!
In dubiously
Transience,
Death element / feeling
Minute by minute death - tension
Are acceptable,
Gratitude
To death
Life's gratitude!
[2] GRATITUDE; AGAIN
Death's made life very beautiful,
Transformed this world, in fact,
into a pleasant heaven,
We learnt the meaning of love,
only then / true's true,
Transformed man into higher beings
than immortal god!
[3] THE WHEEL OF DEATH
Cruel is
The wheel of death
Very cruel!
Under which
Lifeless - living
Gradually grinding and changing
Every moment, every minute!
This earth rocks horribly!
Invisibly
Silently
Continuously moves
This wheel of death
Uninterrupted ... unchanged!
Before it
Stability has
No existence
Its motion
Always controls
Life and death,
Earth and sky!
[4] FREE FROM WORRY
Fearing death
will make
living
futile!
weight heavy
dry onerous
pleasureless heart.
So
Life
only meaningful,
when every moment is free
from the dread of death.
It is ill-ominous
to talk about
the fear of death,
or cataclysm
for this reason.
[5] CONTEMPLATION
Death?
A question-mark!
To know the mystery
not only difficult
but also
all unknown
for man.
Body
merges into five-elements
everything scatters
and ends.
Life's
not to return;
impossible
to revive again,
and know the mystery.
When there's no self
death — a puzzle
queer puzzle!
Uninterpreted to-date,
A wonderful puzzle!
All efforts futile —
to explicate
the meaning of death;
it's very intricate difficult
to contemplate.
[6] A PUZZLE
What ?
Body
Not worth living;
Therefore ...
Soul !
You left.
In quest of new
On an unknown path;
Where ?
But where ??
Unknown,
Everything unknown!
A pitch dark night,
Everything
Mysterious!
Who questions ?
Who answers ?
[7] THE TRUTH
If there were no death,
God wouldn't have any existence,
man
would have never reconciled
with his fate!
God — a symbol,
God — a proof
of man's helplessness
of readiness after death.
The whole philosophy
of hell and heaven
is an imagination.
Man
at each moment
is afraid of death, and
horripilant again and again!
He knows —
'death is imminent'!
So, his each step
is frought with suspicion.
Not only this
he is also
absolutely ignorant
of the so called
Yam's1 world.
That's why
he takes refuge
in God
for eternal peace in death!
That's why
he sings the long song -
'Ram nam satya hai!'
(God's name is the only TRUTH)
O, birth and death
is nothing
save for his cruel-amusing act!
[1 God, dispensing death in Indian mythology.]
[8] FORMS OF DEATH
Be death natural
or accidental
conclusion is the same -
end of a conscious life,
to change into a senselessness
active life
to sleep for good
palpitation of heart!
Both are the so called
writs of Providence,
the script of fate : invisible, indelible.
But
an act of terminating life
by suicide
or
by murder,
or destruction of the ferocious
in self or social defense,
isn't death,
but, a murder.
Though the end, the same
death!
True death or untimely death.
[9] CONCLUSION
Death?
A question-mark?
Stable
Unanswered,
adamant,
stands
as an adversary.
But, man
accept not defeat,
not a bit
think of God
in defense,
in an answer to the question,
no, not!
The mystery of death
to be unmasked ... revealed
sure
sure
some day!
[10] LIFE-DEATH
Death :
An unbreakable string
Tied to birth,
Birth :
One end;
Death :
The other extreme end !
Birth - a shore
Death - an opposite bank;
Birth :
Why a jubliation ?
Death :
Pain ...!
Why ?
Birth - death
When equal ?
One / well shaped;
The other / completely invisible!
Birth -
A beginning,
Death -
Destruction : an assault!
Birth ... known,
Death ... un-known!
Birth : beginning
Death : end,
Birth - initiation
Death - an earthly end!
Birth : yes, a being,
Death : ah! a non-being!
Birth : a new dawn,
Death : a horrendous night!
[11] A PAIR
Sandy desert spread
all around
like the dying lamp-flame
brown
yellow
Palish-green
waterless
slipping age
at he verge of death!
But
countless
waving ... green
oases
Thorny
leafless
growing trees -
flags
of life!
Lake —
a resting place ... life giving
infusing life!
[12] THE OPPOSITE
Life : a jubilation
Death : the last breath
A melody / a cry!
Pious action / loud lamentation!
[13] EQUAL
Morning is red
Evening is red
Morning-evening are one.
Wail on birth
Wail on death
Birth-death are one.
It is
the true wisdom,
the real knowledge,
every other consideration
is in vain.
[14] SAKHI
What makes you so sad ?
Why do you lose your wits ?
Life - very precious; true
Death - eternal, why do you rue
[1 A detached saintly statement.]
[15] A DESIRE
May all children and young live!
Heart-rending is untimely death!
[16] REALITY
''Death —
a birth
over and over again
of soul.''
It's untrue
to consider this idea true?
A blind faith
an irrational faith!
Life / blends in five-elements,
the end / of a creation,
the end / of a person,
a being.
No where
here ... there.
It's true
there be an eternal fusion.
Neither there is any Hell,
nor there is any Heaven,
this manifest world is the only truth.
Death — a truth,
Life — a truth!
[17] THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE
External motion —
physical vibration,
Internal motion —
Life.
The transporter of life-motion
I
Ceaseless controller —
I
as long as
life is in flux
History will be created by
human-mind
human-body.
Never there be catastrophe;
Life ever be full of melody,
Every particle be in motion.
To fuse is
To lose internal motion.
[18] EXCELSIOR
Struggles and strifes
lead to life,
to be inactive,
an indication - of the approaching death,
to stop - the end of life.
Life : only a flux
ceaseless flux!
To grow,
to change
is to be alive!
Stasis
an established trait
of the lifeless.
Life has a thrill, a throb,
a continuous palpitation in the live hearts!
To stop —
de-existence
invitation to ill-ominous death,
Excelsior ... excelsior!
The only 'mool-mantra'1
to prove life!
[1 Key principle.]
[19] EXPERIMENTING
In man
Wish for life —
Eternal and strongest,
Whereas
The final truth
About every life
Is death!
Yes, end is certainly,
Unavoidable!
But / it is also true -
impatient passion for
Immortality and youth
Will never wane,
Man's queer valour
Longs for melody,
Not for tears!
Everytime
Continuous struggle
With the eternal challenge
of death is welcome!
He will be
A mrityunjaya1; he will be!
[1 victorious over death.]
[20] MEANINGFULNESS
Mere living
isn't a proof of
life's meaningfulness,
Living -
only helplessness
like death - an exit.
Which is natural
in adopting it
without any specificity,
'Living-being'
doesn't mean
to be 'a human being.'
Declaration of
human glory only when
there is perfect peace of mind -
when we give
a new meaning to life,
in pitch dark
open doors
to a world full of lights.
Know the mysteries of life,
Talk to the moon and stars.
Let selflessness
be the motive of our living,
let's devour materialistic hurdles
at every step.
Let's acquire
such capabilities,
then
life may be
dedicated to death.
No regret,
no sorrow.
There isn't
the least difference of opinion.
This life is successful
this life is rare.
Blessed is the Earth!
[21] A PRAYER
I long
not for immortality,
I long for
youthfulness.
Perfect health, diseaselessness,
absolute peace
of human mind and body.
This desired boon
is sought
not from any god.
Self-achieved by self-efforts
not by any prayer.
Body free from pain
mind free from torture.
Yes,
May
we live for
125 years!
For ourselves,
for others.
[22] A MIRAGE
Self-willed and ambitious
man
runs after money
after pleasures
at the cost of life.
How strange
at this queer, dirty intention!
If there is life / money must flow in,
If there is life / pleasure must dog in!
Shattered and disorderly life
malady-stricken / frustrated wounded life
momentary
eager to fall into
the death-pool!
Blind, perplexed, ignorant
Man
Construes money to be supreme
thinks pleasure all in all!
He'll spoil / the precious life,
and will lose life / the gift of God!
[23] A VOW
Absolutely loyal
we,
have descended in
the formidable duel of
life and death !
being soldiers of
an immortal army of life,
will not be surrounded
by the deceitful trick of
any adversary !
May be vanquished,
but, will never admit the supremacy
of death a bit,
won't let our right
to live
be snatched away!
The triumphant-call will echo
till the last breath
struggling
life-strength will fight
till the last edge of hope / effort!
[24] THE CALL OF CONQUEST
The whole world sleeps —
who weeps
in the dead of night ?
It's heard -
in the house hard by
death has suddenly charged,
it's true —
someone has died.
The sharp dagger
of theYama-doot1
has once again
touched the man!
Reach
with ambrosial heart-felt condolences,
may this man
live again and again!
Let life-drum sound
every moment
though
biers be laid!
[1 Emissary of Yam / God dispensing death in Indian
mythology.]
[25] A CALL
They who sing Alakh1
have come,
who sing the sweet beloved song
of new life
have come!
Singers of Sohar2
have come!
Players of life-song
on every string of the violin of heart
have come!
Mentally vanquished!
Awake!
Strike by stretching!
Awake!
Jump
into the live sea
of life
O divers!
Stir the stupor!
[1 A word urging inspiraton.
2 An auspicious song sung at the birth of a child.]
[26] ONE DAY
Have faith
Life
will be victorious,
fear not the wicked,
fear not!
Let's destroy
every doubt!
Have faith
life will be victorious!
Deep darkness
of dead death
will surround / frighten;
have faith in
the sun's strength / firmness
Let's unmask
every particle of it!
Let's floodlight around!
Have faith
life will be triumphant!
[27] PURPOSE
We
who are the artisans of life
should talk only
about life,
discover
the meaningfulness of life,
and know
about the essence of life!
If death
destroys us
let us
strike back at it,
let us
sing the glory of life,
let us
strike a severe blow at
Yama, death!
[28] A WISH
let there be
no existence of death-serpent
in the garden of life,
let human self
not be terrorized
of death scare!
let every person
enjoy life
without any doubt,
let his each moment be
mellifluous!
Let a lover of life
play with life,
and live life fully
by embracing
every pleasure!
[29] LONGING
As long as
I wished
to live,
lived heartily!
Imagine
the lamps burnt on
even in rains!
None
was kind,
struggled -
with firm faith in
self potence!
[30] PROVED
With a wish to live
one won't
wait for death!
Gold
pure, drossless -
why should it take
a fire-test ?
End the illusion,
Bend the kaal-chakar1!
Associate with life!
Give up this stupor!
[1 Cycle of death / time]
[31] HEALTHY VISION
Live
by thinking self
immortal,
laugh and sing
without any concern,
eat and drink
without any worry;
should it
be termed
true living?
When face to face
with the end
Or
Should remain ignorant of it
Should
we call it
true living?
[32] COMPATIBILITY
I sing
I sing the songs
of victory!
I sing
about the triumph of life
over death!
I sing dauntlessly
the triumph of life-bud
of the dearest thing!
I sing
again and again!
The sounds that echo
in the sky of the graveyard
of the liberated-selves of carefree birds
are translations
of my
life-sentiments!
The compatriots
of my
life-adorations!
[33] DREADFUL
Beware!
We have
hoisted the red flags,
on every house, in every village,
in every town,
of life, new life!
In every locality, at every cross,
here, there -
everywhere!
Hoisted
red flags!
Now
the demon of death
won't be able to carry out
his terrorist, fatal, men-devouring
maddening trick!
Ambushes
on entering into the body,
proclaims himself
an unvanquished doota1
of Yama2
lays down
within the body
explosives,
and ...
remote-controls
by hiding
in invisible places!
Let's see,
where from he comes now!
[1 Emissary. 2 Lord of death.]
[34] THE PHILOSOPHY OF DEATH
Death :
When a certainty,
In vain
Why
to doubt,
to fear
so much!
O, tell death -
'Come; when you please.'
At this time
Come,
Let's sing and dance!
Play on varied musical instruments!
Let's end this silence;
Who cares
for death ?
[35] AN INVITATION
Death
come,
do come one day!
And take me away
in your flying-chariot;
away ... far away
into hell!
That I may
unite all those
living in hell,
urge on them
for a revolt,
prepare them
for a change in life!
I don't acknowledge
any Chitragupta1
any Yama;
I'll challenge them!
Just, let me jump
into the hell-pond!
Just, let me mingle
with the huge crowd of
hell-denizens!
[1 According to Indian mythology an official in the court of Yama
who keeps record of righteous and unrighteous actions of living beings.]
[36] TO THE FAIRY OF DEATH
O death, come
I am ready!
Never think,
I am helpless.
Won't you
Inform ?
Won't you
Oblige me ?
You'll come —
On tip-toes,
Surprising
Like a clever girl.
Alright,
Accepted!
My beloved,
Your this game
Is welcome!
Come quietly,
Come, o death
I'm ready!
I know
It well
That of the book of life
Thou art the end!
Therefore,
For me
Thou art the good news
Of totality!
Come
O death, come
I'm ready!
Awaiting you
I've bedecked myself,
I'm ready!
[37] A REQUEST
Death —
it hardly matters
if you are feminine,
I can befriend you!
Why do you feel shy ?
Come
be my comrade!
If not a cohabiter
be my neighbour!
You beautiful like the moon,
from the opposite window
peep out,
evaluate —
and one day
all at once
make me accompany you
to the land of the dead!
Just
taunting and teasing!
[38] THE MODE OF DEATH
Death might be overtaking
while dreaming,
Prana1
might be out from the body
just then.
A dreaming man
passes away!
What does he know ?
Ask those living
who
have covered the dead body
with a sheet of cloth!
what happened ?
What happened ?
At last ?
[1The life-force]
[39] A COMPARISON
Between Shiva
and shava1
the difference lies only in the 'I'
(the first vowel sound)
Shiva —
is goodness,
gives comfort!
Shava —
ill-ominous,
only decays!
Shiva has three eyes,
Shava is blind!
A great imbroglio!
[1Shava — a dead body.]
[40] THE DISTANCE
You remembered
Thanks!
Gave a sweet pain
Accepted!
How strange the coincidence
That the last farewell
O, the first love!
Came
On the disappearing path,
With a wish -
Never to be fulfilled,
Sometime with a true physical touch
Our co-feelings
Never to be distanced!
I go —
Go with memory,
Go with pain!
[41] THE END
Strife
Where is it now ?
Journey —
Where is it now ?
Everything stood still
The running, jumping, the liquid river water
Everything frozen —
Like blood in veins!
All bones of body
Continuously
Crackle with pain,
Who'll press them
Now
Till the dying breath ?
Dark surrounds
While none is around!
Now there is no flutter
Only a stasis,
Now life -
A fatigued filament;
A scatter!
[42] A BLOW
I ...
kept you alive —
so
I'll carry
your living but decayed corpse!
Carry it silently, helplessly!
You
murdered
the faiths,
you
burnt the wishes
in a flaming furnace,
sham, hypocrisy
well enacted
and filled every moment of life
with unbearable pain!
Never became a loved one;
never became a murderer!
O, never snatched the right to live -
though the doubt was unmasked,
every doubt!
When kept alive
I'll burn in the hell-fire
bear all by
being insensitive!
Early or late
all
in an eternal sleep have to fall,
dust unto dust!
O unfortunate!
Then, why to weep ?
[43] TRUTH
Life-bird
will fly,
fly away!
Life-bird
will fly away!
Why you try so hard,
sing hymns every morn and eve,
nothing is in your control
you bow in every temple,
one day from the body
Life-bird
will fly away,
that will
never return!
Fly away
Life-bird
will fly away!
[44] PREORDAINED
It is preordained that
you
one day
will sleep
in the lap of death
silently!
It is preordained that
you
one day
will be lost
in the pitch dark
of the death!
It is preordained that
you
one day
renouncing name and fair form
will be reduced
to ashes!
[45] A PROCLAMATION
Tell
the world -
now
Mahendra Bhatnagar sleeps!
Sleeps in an eternal sleep!
What
is to happen
happens;
O Man!
Why do you weep?
Life
that is one's own,
one has no right
over it too,
hearth - wealth
that is one's own
that too
in fact
has no essence!
You've no claim
over that!
Becoming
silent - stoic
set out
leaving everything
set out
severing all relations
new and old!
Everyone
has to experience
this moment,
death's eternal
then
why to fear it?
O immortal death!
You may consider me
helpless,
end,
I voluntarily
accept you,
accept you from body and mind!
I sleep
on the comfortable
soil-bed!
I lose my identity
by fusing with the particles
of this soil!
I sow a new life!
As I have accepted life
likewise
O death
I do accept you!
I go,
I go from this world!
I go from this
lovely home, lovely world!
I go
for good ... for good!
I go!
[46] I BOW THEE
Adieu!
O the springs of the world
Adieu!
O, the shining moon
The twinkling bright stars
Adieu!
Hills ... valleys
Slopes ... marshes
Adieu!
Adieu
O, the high waves of the sea!
Fluttering
wings of illusion,
Eyes
Profuse with love
Adieu!
The strings of
An inextricable knot
The unrealised hopes
Adieu!
Adieu!
[47] GOOD BYE!
We
Beaten by fate,
We
Defeated
In the game of life,
Ah!
Tortured by dears,
Hurt on heart,
With a bowed head
Silent
Go for good —
Never
Remember,
Even today
Listen,
Do not light the memory-lamp!
[48] AN ASCETIC
To overcome death
one more Siddharth1 — an ascetic
has set out!
Who at each step
trampled the elusive moves of
Yama's legion!
Wasn't trapped
in any vyuha2
tied his noose hard
on death!
He who sings
songs of life
at the edge of doom,
one day —
he will attain
an immortal place
by changing his shape,
preserve this
by changing his shape,
preserve this
heritage
by making it a stupa3
[1 initial name of Buddha. 2 phlanx, the war movement
arrangement of an army to surround or capture the enemy.
3 a Buddhistic tope / sacred spot.]
[49] THE LAST WILL
Never weep,
Never be disinterested!
Bear a blow
Never lose temper.
Let the last act be
free from rituals
let mind be set
only on the mystery beyond death!
Life after death
when none has known
when none has seen ...
All established systems :
imaginary,
illogical.
To follow them — not desired!
O never be a blind-follower,
Let refinement of worship be
in the splendour of knowledge.
Follow —
good faith and good feelings!
[50] KRITKARMA1
Why bewail?
Why bewail
on the renunciation of body?
End —
a sign of perfection,
a successful stage
Why to bewail?
The end of life —
A stage
Why to bewail?
Let us
follow in the footsteps
of the departed
to attain the meaning of life,
glorify it.
Take the last salute!
[One who has finished one's duty / [karma]
:
रविवार, 25 नवंबर 2007
रविवार, 19 अगस्त 2007
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's is one of the significant post-independence voices in Hindi and Indian English Poetry, expressing the lyricism and pathos, aspirations and yearnings of the modern Indian intellect. Rooted deep into the Indian soil, his poems reflect not only the moods of a poet but of a complex age.
Born : 26 June 1926: Jhansi (U.P.), Edu. : M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1957) from Nagpur University; Retd. Professor.
Several volumes of poetry in English and other languages are published, viz. In French 'A MODERN INDIAN POET : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : UN POÈTE INDIEN ET MODERNE; In English Forty Poems of Mahendra Bhatnagar After The Forty Poems Exuberance and other poems Dr.Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry Death Perception : Life Perception Passion and Compassion Poems : For A Better World A Handful of Light Lyric-Lute. etc. Poems are translated in most of the Indian languages.
Published research & critical studies :
(1) Living Through Challenges : A Study of Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry
(2) Poet Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : His Mind And Art.
Adviser — 'POETCRIT'. At present — Reasearch Guide in many Indian Universities.
Contact :
110 BalwantNagar, Gandhi Road,
Gwalior — 474 002 (M.P.) INDIA
Phone : 0751-4092908 / M-98934 09793
E-Mail : drmahendrabh@rediffmail.com
A HANDFUL OF LIGHT
Poet : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar
[1] EVEN THEN
As an unexpected guest
you came to mind
suddenly!
I know –
I was’t preprepared for your
overwhelming welcoming
with garland of buds,
and affixing festoons on every door,
eager every moment
awaiting!
You, the dear one,
a visitor!
Say –
have I not been
a receptionist of yours
as ever?
I’m overjoyed,
appear
on my unsophisticated heart-land
simple one!
Ominous moment,
am thankful, grateful!
But,
Why this coyness?
Stay a while
let me feel
these extremely invaluable moments!
I know –
you’re a roving,
a guest
how could you be tethered
to the tender trap
of human love?
Eh! even then ...
a little ... supplication
even then!
[2] FROM THE VALLEY OF ‘PATALPANI’1
I,
a wanderer strayed
have come to seek solace
in your lap!
To come down insitinctively
on open breast-slopes,
support with
your arms, strong as hills!
Give the cool shade
of ungauged deep!
Give pleasant touch
of refreshing current of water
to my burning lips,
grant joy
to the mind
silent for ages,
give a happy sense
of love-confluence to the unsatiated soul!
In this solitude
with murmur melodic music
give the rainbow abode of dream!
O deep dale!
I’ve come —
your life
an everlasting companion!
Let me hold
for a few moments
the helpless emotional tide
with your innocent flow!
I may,
or may not come this side
in this birth again!
Have I,
a wanderer
not even this little right
to leave behind
a few prints ...
signifying
love?
1 A resort in Malwa (M.P.) INDIA
[3] THE WINTRY SUN
How pleasing
the wintry sun!
Heart never feels content
even after bathing in it
from morn to eve,
mind never wills
to part with
and get away from it,
Oh, how sweet
the wintry sun!
Let us sleep
in its lap
as of a beloved,
and be lost
for the day!
How desirable
how charming
the wintry sun!
How pleasing
the wintry sun!
[4] ONSET OF WINTER
True, not now!
On oath, I
not now!
No more disdain-disrespect
no, not at all!
Glittering
pleasant
golden sun
come!
Do not knock,
all doors, ventilators, windows
are open,
no more neglect
on oath, I
not now!
Waiting for you,
accept the offering,
sensitize,
impart heat
to every part of body!
O auspicious sun
fold me in your lap
and gild me!
Let me
cover myself with you
till the cold breeze blows,
let me be lost in reverie
till mind's fill!
let me be warmed, heated;
Fill the body with rays!
Golden sun
come!
Now, no more
disdain, disrespect,
not at all!
On oath, I!
[5] AN EVENING AT ‘TIGHIRA’1
(Sketch / One)
In the placid water of
the Tighira dam
your fair face
mysteriously, floating unblinking
looks at me!
Lifting sturdy, fair, muscular arms
the circle-tipped fingers
moving on the red palm
of your hand
invite me from
the far off span of the Tighira dam!
I,
who on the bank.
Look at the beautiful image
wearing a binoculars
on lusty, heavy eyes!
1 A drinking water reservoir in Gwalior town (M..P.) INDIA
[6] AN EVENING AT ‘TIGHIRA’
(Sketch / Two)
On the narrow bridge of the Tighira
bowed-eyes
hesitant
you!
Waving hair
in the blowing strong wind,
silhouetting
the sturdy limbs,
fluttering
end of kanjivaram1 saree,
what an unsuccessful strategy
of two smart hands!
Slowly, gently
move
naked, flabby, fair feet,
a queer, dream-like,
pleasant, romantic walk!
1 A town in Tamilnadu, where these sarees are manufactured.
[7] UNEXPRESSED
Man –
himself a well-known periphery
of his own
every unimagined anguish.
Somewhat uncontrolled violation
for oneself and others,
meaningless,
averse meaningless!
Experienced life-pain,
only
confine
to the predetermined limit,
in man’s environ,
in the state of the sub-conscious.
[8] QUERIES
Who,
has scattered the countless seeds
of faithlessness
on mind's straum?
Who,
has scattered
the rare and highly valued gems
of our firm faith
on the horrid path of suspicion?
By pricking the thorns
of a sheer ir-reverence
in our feet,
has seized
the inexhaustive legacy?
Who, suddenly
with hollow philosophy,
has undermined
the weighty wisdom
of truth and experience-proved
life beliefs?
Who,
has with devastating hurricane’s speed
deflected
the sky-scraping high summits
of our iron faith?
[9] UNEXPECTED
Like all times
arrived Asharha1
with a flood of gifts
of clouds anew!
but,
the intense thirst-stricken chatak2
said nothing,
only stared
with vacant eyes,
neither welcomed the newcomer
nor drank life-giving nectar!
Like all times
Savana3 rained in torrents!
With lusty shaky breasts
black clouds
gathered thick
hankered restless,
begged –
spreading their green, wet border!4
But,
peacocks didn’t dance,
Bhadon5 went away sapless,
the silent sky
didn’t give voice to kajali6 songs.
Like all times
came the wintry-moonlit nights
chilly!
to remind
about young moon-faced beauty’s words!
But,
'Shuklabhisarika'7
didn’t move from her home,
pathway –
desolately awoke every night,
no morpankhi8 ever stirred
in the tranquil lake!
Like all times
sweet-flourished Spring came,
with new leaves
and bracelets of colourful flowers!
But jasmine didn’t bloom
nor was heard
the dolour of koel9!
A year
of burdensome dates
of obscure memories
came .... to .... an ... end!
1 a month from mid June to mid July.
2 an Indian bird supposed to drink only rain water during ‘Swati’ constellation.
3 a month from mid July to mid August.
4 greenery.
5 a month from mid August to mid September.
6 folk song sung during rainy season.
7an adolescent woman who often comes out to meet her lover in the moonlit night.
8 a boat of the shape of pea-cock’s wing.
9 Indian cuckoo.
[10] NEW YEAR
O New Year
I could not
welcome you
despite willingness!
Thought of planning
varied celebrations
before your auspicious arrival,
God knows what
peculiar new ideas
assimilated in mind,
but,
could not put a little of that
into practice!
O New Year!
How
Have you come
without any pomp and show?
And, despite willingness,
I could not embrace you
in my love-laden arms!
O New Year!
How sad you must be feeling indeed!
I could not dedicate even a sngle line
to welcome you,
despite willingness
this time
to write not one : but many poems!
O, what happened?
Something memorable outstanding
must have happened –
the prologue
or
the epilogue
of the drama of life!
But,
nothing happened,
only
a sensation of rehearsal!
O New Year!
I slept and woke up
with a longing
to give you an important place
in the index of life!
Despite willingness
could neither live
nor die!
[11] FOR ME ALONE
A cold
silent
night of winter –
for me alone!
All unknown stars
trees slept
before me only one —
a body of darkness
for me alone!
God knows
of what unpardonable, exceptional
sins’ result !
All lost
in a world of dreams,
but,
I alone –
tired and restless!
This dumb-founded
heavy snow cold
shivering night –
For me alone!
[12] EASY : DIFFICULT
It’s easy
simply to pass a day,
difficult to live!
How easy
to spend life,
difficult —
to manage
to set
to stitch
the threads, the fibres
of a fractured personality!
Poison only to vomit
timely – untimely,
difficult to drink!
It’s easy
simply to pass a day
difficult to live!
[13] DAY - END
Today —
like ever
silently went away!
Undesired intolerable
rang the harsh alarm
of early morn,
not even a single bird chirped
to rejoice the day!
The dawn distributed the golden sunshine
to every house, every door!
Neither anybody
knocked at
my closed doors,
nor gently called
my name!
Noon –
a matured experienced woman
wrote moments of rest
in evey body’s diary,
but boredom, only boredom
to me!
Idle and lethargic
I look at
the approaching
Evening crimson,
what at all can you offer?
A silent answer –
‘darkness ... dense darkness!’
[14] RETROSPECTION
Flew away
Eh, many a year
of life
devoid of rejoicings
full of dearths
yes,
fluttered away
several years
of life!
The time
will not return
lost in dust
and sun,
slept
in darkness!
In the uproars around
life continued to scream,
helpless
at every step,
more helpless
in endeavours!
I could not sing
even a single song
of joy,
even a single song
of pain!
Sound
continued to resound
only :
struggle ... struggle ... struggle!
All the directions
of comfort
were turned round!
Eh, many a year
of life
fluttered away
before long!
[15] SPRING LIVED
I too lived
the spring!
I had heard –
Blossoms bloom in spring,
every bough bows down
with sprouts, new leaves,
is full of new sap!
Flowers
of sweet and intoxicated feelings
bloom in spring,
the whole earth
is bedecked with
varied hued wear,
various melodies
of their own
ring in the heart.
On all sides
unknown echoes of jingle
flow and overspread
in the air!
Each isolation
is excited with new vibrations,
each darkness
glistens with
the golden light
of hope!
Each sloth-inert heart
spurts, squirms with
unknown ecstasy!
Each lip
Sings, flutters with
the feeling of unexperienced pain!
Hands touch
the highest summits of fancy!
But, I did not experience
all this,
did not see any thing!
Spring flitted away
in the struggle of life!
I, too,
lived the spring!
[16] REPENTANCE
Lo!
I’ve spent life
laughing and weeping
but could not live!
Spent the day
by waking,
by sleeping the night,
yes, I’ve spent life,
but could not live!
Being in senses
or senselessly
how have I
spent the life?
but could not live!
By getting a little
but losing all
Oh, so spent the life,
but could not live!
In longing — in turbulence
maintaining-spoilting
remaining mute-speaking loud
if one relevant –
irrelevant another,
have spent the life
dreaming, dreams a few
but could not live!
[17] DESTINY
The smoke of doubts abounds
how
to breathe!
Lips envenomed deep
how to drink
the honey!
When the tide
of repentance rises
in heart
how to sleep
on cosy bed!
On the stony soil
of barren land
how to sow
a new life!
[18] ALMS
Hey!
who has filled
the compressed gloom
in my precious life-vessel?
Give me
a handful of light!
Oh!
who has hung
the serpents numerous
of suspicion
on the sandal-wood-natured
body?
Give me
bit of trust,
fragments
of faith!
Give me
a handful of light!
[19] FAITH
Defeated
in life
but not despondent!
Where is fidelity?
Faithlessness has ever
embraced me,
not sweet fruit
only ablaze poison
meted to my ill fate!
I’am cursed,
deceived at every step,
not despaired!
Momentary –
Remorse
Pain
Suffocation!
Think it a blessing
no other fetter
of attachment!
[20] LIFE ASPIRANT
Dense darkness
heaving sighs the wind
horrid sky spread like curse,
very chilly moments!
But, live on this hope –
some one may light
like sun-ray
love-laden
golden lucky lamp!
On a desolate path
silent solitary heart you
body like burden
futile life!
But, move on, on this hope –
at some moment
long-awaited stranger’s feet
may create music!
Lost is the Spring,
Autumn merely Autumn,
flowers turned into thorns
dreams drenched in dust!
O suicider!
Shut not the doors and windows,
some equally tortured
wandering soul
may dye the room
by reciting
a heavenly nectarlike song!
[21] LIFE AS BESTOWED
Golden days of life
worth living –
like a sacred boon,
like a comforting song,
lovely-enchanting-words-echoing-days
Ah! Worth living!
Each moment
joy worth drinking!
The days of life’s
continuous contrariness,
the burdensome days
full of despondency, depression
and extreme emptiness –
inauspicious like a curse,
difficult days like a fang fever
bitter, prickly!
Ah! Worth living!
Each moment
forbearance
worth drinking!
The life as bestowed –
good
bad
to live constantly!
To live inevitablly!
[21] DISILLUSIONMENT
Perhaps
which was never acceptable
to you
if a fallacy of that claim
has appeared
in mind
today
it’s good,
it’s propitious!
Instable
deceived mind!
Think not —
highly precious
very rare heritage
of life is lost!
Not faintness
but certainly
awareness.
Not the mist of temptation
true knowledge
the reality of life.
Life will now get significance
in a new lustre,
be not worried at all
in despair!
[22] POINT OF VIEW
Be not allured to the past,
past — is dead!
Let it turn to ashes,
do not bear its burden
be not a bier!
The worshippers of the dead
one day
in present itself
will themselves become passive
useless / unwanted / uninteresting!
What is past–
is extinct!
Why should it be the controller of the present?
Why should it overpower the present?
Free the present
from the past,
live it with full fervour,
enjoy!
with this knowledge
of reality –
every future moment
will adapt itself
to the present!
The future –
is infinite!
[23] HORRIFIED
Always horrified
from the faults of vision,
hetergeneous, strange,
affected with
hundreads of prejudices
and surrounded by
the dense dark of doubts
we look at one another
as strangers!
And in the unwanted
venomous strangulating atmosphere
when we restlessly writhe,
the ocean of extreme
wicked meanness thunders
full of innumerable
horrible creatures!
Free from the shackles
of all humbleness
becoming man.
[24] REALITY
Bitterness
everywhere available,
Sweetness a rarity!
Panic evident
everywhere,
Courage rare!
Everywhere
annoyance display,
Stasis lost!
Everywhere
affectation, meretriciousness,
Reality a very long way off !
[25] ACHIEVEMENT
Could not achieve –
what was ever desired,
No sorrowing.
Under innumerable covers
of so-called noble glory
exposure of such a
naked meanness!
Achievement of failure!
No sorrowing.
Easily manifest
invisible drama
of so-called great personality –
labelled as impartial-neutral,
Achievement of failure!
No sorrowing.
[26] FARCE
I hate artificial smile!
When some people
smile in this manner
I feel, they’ll bite!
Trap
in their snake-noose!
When
such an unpleasant smile
becomes a part
of etiquette,
how dreary it looks!
I hate this
artificial dry smile,
I hate it
boundlessly!
[27] MISAPPREHENSION
We,
the beings of the Science age,
got the zenith of intellect
great / highly developed / omniscient!
Permanent principles
Eternal values of life
are meaningless
for us!
Our dictionary
defines ‘heart’
as merely a mass of muscles
that purifies blood
provides fresh blood to all the arteries,
the mystery of its palpitation
is quite clear to us,
on its weakening or decaying
we can also change it!
Related with heart :
Primeval man’s
passions,
all the feelings,
delicate sweet emotions of man –
are nothing
but ridiculous for us!
For us primeval man’s
sentiments of mutual love,
his physical movements –
due to pangs of separation,
all
childish / unhygienic / meaningless!
It is for us
in the history of man
the utmost waste of time!
For us
Attraction –
Synonym of
lust for sensuous pleasure!
Womanish postures –
Simply acting of limbs
learnt by practice,
easily attainable
by getting admission
in the dramatic theatres!
Love-dialogue –
Artificial,
miraculous voice luxuriance!
Mating : Lover-beloved –
Only for the sake of sensual pleasure!
Memory –
Another name of hypocricy
or pain of paucity!
Love –
Illusion / fraud
non-existent,
mere word of a single syllable!
[28] ENVY
Don’t envy / Don’fear Envy!
Other’s expression of envy –
whether symbolic / spoken / through actions
spells your success!
A cleanser of self-profundity!
Why timorous of it?
why so confounded?
Envy – as naural
equally necessary – its suppression.
Destroy / not embrace the envy!
Equipoise the envious
encourage him to advance,
give him a chance to develop,
fill his little self with glory.
Then none will envy,
then none will fear of malice.
The day –
Man will toleratate assaults of envy,
thence – it will become
only an insignificant topic in poetics,
of describing the short-lived1 emotions.
1 Sanchari-bhava : in Sanskrit Poetics there are 33 short-lived emotions. After strengthening the potential emotions; they subside.s
[29] SELF-REALISATION
We are human beings —
created from soil
the best
most beautifully bedecked,
life sign
best expressed,
heart
purest,
mind
mature!
Smallness —
let it be dear to us,
with the glory
of dust particles,
be well-informed,
well-tried!
Bound to die —
Why should be afraid of death?
Why should senses be insensate?
Why should become dejected?
Judges of good and bad
why should become bull-headed?
[30] PRESENT
It’s an age
of chaos, insecurity,
of expression
of incessant enmity,
full of bitter tortures,
daunted by ill-wills!
Obsessed
with dark roaring whirlwinds!
Every moment
terrified of dearth-difficulties!
It's an age
of pitiless assaults,
intolerable insidious talks!
Of unexperienced pain,
lost human sensitivity!
Of unseen pitch-dark gloom!
Of queer
hullabaloo,
bloody cruel deadly
morn!
[31] ARGUING
Questions –
static as usual!
Handicapped
all reasoning,
smithereened
imagination!
Questions buried
under the rocks of incertitude!
Lack of clue
east ... north ... everywhere,
all stasis!
How long
this tugging?
How long — still
helpless mental-state?
How long— still
will you put on the questions
on the rugged complex surface?
All as usual
standing-still on its place.
[32] TO THE ENVIRONMENT
The sky
full of biting sultriness
and with the waving fire-flames
the world is heated
too much!
Too much
disturbed pressed
the crushed human mind!
The entire atmosphere
of life
worn and wearied
incarcerated!
Let’s change it,
make it dynamic
and fill the firmament
with the cloud
and malar-1 melody!
With windy whiffs
write finis to environ burning!
[33] WHIRLWIND
Whirlwind
approaches
overflowing / roaring
with great speed
full of dust!
In a few moments
it’ll also envelop your sky!
Awake, arise
firm intrepid mind,
be wary!
Vow to bear the jostles
now
at once
resolved in your inner-self.
You’ve to measure the strength of storms,
let aplomb
proclaim control over plights,
sensitizing
the slumbering
unknown strength of intellect!
Before the Himalaya-strong disposition
the roaring
cruel storm’ll change its path!
The harbinger of death
blind dust-storm’ll
change its way!
[34] LIFE-CONTEXT
Let’s give
new context to
the Gita of life!
When man’s environment
has changed
let’s create new hymns!
By establishing new values,
let’s give new shape
to internal and external forms
of life-oriented poetry!
Let’s give aura of new living ideals!
And bedeck with
the glistening golden ornaments!
Let’s bedeck the statue of life
with new build
and with novel expression,
by completing the man’s
long-standing desires of the glory of relations,
let’s glorify the age!
Let’s
by becoming
the discoverers of new routes
set out rapidly
toward the new horizons!
[35] SWEAT-EARNED
Hard-work
will realize our dreams!
Will strengthen the base!
Freely
we’ll live
in the new world of prosperity and peace,
adapting to civilization, culture
live every moment
in the hallo of knowledge!
Suppositions will materialize.
If we work hard
mountains continuously emitting fire
will turn to ash!
All our dreams will materialize!
If we work hard
the deepest chasm
of deficiencies will end,
by crushing each weakness
the toil-wave will sanctify the life!
If we work hard –
for the present imminent,
for future to arrive.
Let’s be
the invincible controllers,
regulators
of present and future!
Let’s the farsighted founders
of the longed-for life!
[36] DETERMINATION
Let there be vigour,
worship full of lights!
Stipulations of dying Ravana,
layers of dense, dark night
will dissolve, dissolve!
Ram-like faith
of determination
arisen in the hearts of men!
Wielders of missiles
pilots of MIGs and Pushpaks
are borne in every family!
Are sentries of boundaries
as the invincible Himalayas
verily victory be to Man!
Let there be Diwali,
let there be Diwali!
Let there be the light superb!
Every time
the electric-halo
will glisten
on gloomy ages!
Let there be strength,
and be the worship of lamp!
Every particle of proud Ama1 will scatter,
the face of lamp-lighted-earth
will brighten!
1 moonless night, amavasya
[37] ASSURED
Be it a crossing of four / or seven paths
not at wit's end,
fear of straying away
does not obsess the mind.
I admit, not so much familiar with the path,
and deficient in sufficient knowledge
to reach the goal,
but, if the view point is clear,
then will read the distance
written on mile-stones,
and names of all cities
situated in east and west, north and south.
Then– it’s not difficult
to go beyond
crossings of four or seven paths,
then – be not sad
at these crossings of four or seven paths.
Varied faiths, varied forms of rules,
varied ways,
innumerable slogans – flags
countless mutual strong oppositions,
but, if one has the potential to assess the age,
if heart is in consonance
with the pulse of the people,
then there is no ground to doubt,
faith will not be false,
and turnings at the crossings of four or seven paths
won’t lead astray!
[38] WEIRD
How much so ever may be
the area of the Earth,
we have for living
this sepulchral cellar!
Which gives
an illusion of being alive,
in which
it’s difficult even to live
by thinking oneself dead!
How weird it seems
to think so
in rainy nights –
the graves of the dead
are better
for their roofs
do not leak,
the dead quietly sleep
in the lap
on the mother-earth!
We wake on wet beds
for whole nights
and silently shed tears
like the philosphers!
[39] DIFFERENCE
Every person’s life
is not a highway
garden bedecked / full of plants
expansive / unhindered / clean
plain smooth and lovely!
It’s not possible
that every person should get
such ease, so much convenience!
In the same direction / on the same ground
not situated homes of all,
when the same goal
is not desired!
Some will have to cross
the narrow / stont
full of turns / uneven
populous
dark footpaths, streets
each step mud-smeared!
No,
every man’s life
is not full of facility
well lighted highway!
Path will change
when the ground changes!
[40] CONSEQUENCE
Life-long
insulted, hated
life if had drifted away
from the track –
easy,
no surprise.
Life-long hopeless
always moving in the eddy of doubt
defeated life
is continuously aflame –
easy;
no surprise.
Life-long
lived in wants
life dragging in dearths,
if all at once
it burns –
easy,
no surprise.
[41] COMMITTED
We’ll give voice
of challenge
to the dumb,
of victory and faith,
of cheerful light of future,
of new hope!
We’ll elevate
the life of all
equally and liberate this earth
from exploitation,
by abolishing the disparity
of colour and creed
free the people of the world
from extortion!
We’re committed
to a righteous system,
ready to alter
the horrified world!
[42] CONTRIBUTION
For the new crop
are dedicated
life's a few drops of toil-sweat,
for the veins of the earth
are dedicated
a few drops of blood pure!
Let it be
sappy
full of strength!
Let every sown seed
sprout for the desired world,
let it bear fruit!
Let every heart
be filled
of sentiments ... desire
like sweet relish.
So –
offered
in the accomplishment of creation
the exalted tunes
of new sensibility!
Dedicated are
for the weal of the world
the innate tunes
of prayer!
[43] NEW LIGHT
O! crushed shattered
life!
Raise head.
I’ve come
like your victory
the Himalayas
of meaningful
instinctive faith!
Full of faithlessness
lost in dark dejection
wearied
desolate life!
Raise head
See
I, the lustrous sun
of your fate,
knock at the door!
Life will not split
like this!
Life
will not disperse
like this!
[44] KACHANAR1
For the first time
at my door
so bloomed Kachanar
overwhelmed with joy,
every branch overloaded!
So sparkled
So excited
Kachanar descended down
to the deeps of my heart!
Glowing rose-apple-coloured
enamoured my detached mind
on balcony and parapets
tightly anchored Kachanar!
For the first time
at my door
so swayed Kachanar
As if heart and soul
full of love!
A world of innumerable longings!
For the first time
such a wonderful largesse!
1 a tree of genus Banbinia (banbinia variegata) the flowers of which are used as vegetable.
[45] LOVING
In this season of joviality
Rose!
Why sad?
Sighing
time and again.
Why not spread
the fragrance of dalliance?
O Rose!
Today
don’t be sad
So sad!
Give sweetness
to life
zestful mind
being commodious
with pious love
with recreation-nectar
be full of joy
side by side!
When full is growth
be not sad!
[46] FACE TO FACE
We’ll talk
to our heart’s content,
in one another’s embrace
will talk
throughout the night,
we’ll utter words
to our heart’s content!
On the simple honest surface of faith
we of alike characteristics
will open the complexes of inferiority
the sloughs of doubt,
easily with open heart!
We’ll live tonight
to our heart’s content,
drink the vessels
of nectar!
[47] CO-TRAVELLER
Crossed the rugged
uneven path of life
long path
together as one!
Footpaths or highways wide
chasms or circular heights of mountains,
traversed
together as one
the path of life!
even for a moment no sigh or moan!
Far from misery / far from inferiority
howsoever helpless!
Not even a wrinkle on forehead!
Travelled the horrible path,
the path of life
together as one.
With the dust of whirlwinds
or foot prickling thorns –
Never stopped!
In scorching sun,
in deep descending dense dark well
were never tired!
Drenched to the bone kept on traveling,
holding hand in hand tied hands
together as one.
Traversed
the unfamiliar
path of life
long path!
[48] COMPANIONLESS
Cold night
desolation!
Now and then somewhere
some tree trembles,
when ... then
sighs the wind.
Or cries
with pain a chakwa!1
None to talk
deep
a very deep silence
complete
unbroken unconsciousness
senseless
wounded.
Blunted mind
trembling body
sorrowful
pitiable palsy
Desolation!
Naught to say,
cold night!
1 A cursed Indian bird; which is separated from his life-partner during the night.
[49] ESSENCE
Life –
Deserted like crematorium,
Life –
Accursed
Burdensome and solitary
Like a banyan tree!
Life –
The another name of gloom,
Life –
The painful result of
Past lives’
Ominous sins!
Life –
An experience
Of noon’s scorching heat,
Life –
An experience
Of throat pricking needles
Acute thirst!
Life –
A stasis
Sourceless
Sore wound!
Life –
Unwanted sannyas (renunciation)
Mere tension!
[50] PERPLEXITY
Colourful dreams seen
in the kingdom of mind,
engrossed in the erotic fancies,
false, lustful violation of propriety.
Considered it
a world of happy heaven.
The great boon of the Earth
an optimum staircase
of possible desires.
Birth meaningfulness –
Ever utilitarian-lust.
Endless joy-creation
Life-vision.
But
World a reality
How much different!
A world formed in dreams
Silken soft patterns of fancies
Lost in a moment!
Some one
Fortunate / powerful
Could materialize a few moments
By chance or by abduction.
For others
Mere
irrelevance
narcissism!
[51] UNDERSTANDING OF
DESTINATION
That day
we
started our journey
before dawn
had started an incessant journey,
thinking
that we’ll reach our destination
definitely.
That day
we
in the darkness of the night
with great faith
had started our continuous journey,
thinking
that we’ll reach
the shore
and reah without any doubt.
Passing through
an uneven path
fathoming
the deep ditches
had set on our journey
with resolute will.
Admitted
that our path
was beset with several hurdles,
stood,
there was rupture
there was slipperiness.
Hurricanes
tried to stop our speed,
lightning and thundering clouds
time and again
But, we didn’t stop
didn’t bend before opposition.
Gradually
our path became clear
and one day
with pulsating heart
we reached the halting place.
Badly tired
languid
helpless
inert.
Gradually
awareness dawns :
destination isn’t the end,
is foundation
is gate to enter
is the stage of life – is the land for action!
Why blundered
to consider it a dreamland?
It was better
to be at the same poit
from where the journey was begun.
[52] STOP
Life
long distances
has covered!
Screaming
panting
life
innumerable
steep heights
abysmal depths
has covered!
The resounding echoes
of dawn and dusk
have stopped,
stopped
on the path
of life past,
turning into
a sigh,
has disappeared
into the void!
Life
its journey
of destinations
has covered!
[53] CAPABILITY
Life –
a mere journey,
endless journey
on an infinite path!
To stop momentarily for rest
is the mere
prelude of marching ahead.
Destination –
far,
very far,
time –
little,
too little!
[54] SITUATION
Despite best efforts
there is no order
all at sixes and sevens!
No knowledge of direction
a straying away!
From complex
to more complex
has become
the complication!
Has not decreased,
instead increased
the isolation !
[55] MAN
Today
from the horrible
savage, man-eater wild beasts
is safe
Man!
Not at all
afeared, suspicious and worried,
of the devastating
angry expressions
of the seasons,
Man!
Knows
how to save himself and other creatures
from the various furious acts
of nature
Man!
It’s easy for him
to reach
the heights of the void.
It’s easy for him
to fathom the deeps
of the seas.
But how strange
man is the most unsafe
from man,
absolutely ignorant
rom
the man’s psychology.
Afraid
of mutual
trickery.
Blood in eyes
hurt
angry
with mutual
venomous satirical remarks.
Man gives in –
to the cruel
heart-touching
assaults,
man loots –
man
with tricky
sentiments.
Man –
miles away today
from man,
devoid of
intimacy
each step hollow
only full of vanity.
[56] ANSWER
I’ll not at all be
humble or sad
I acknowledge the loss.
Knaves –
stealthily hatching conspiracies,
waiting in ambush,
how did you
strangely decide
listening only
to one party’s arguments?
No entreaty
to you
I condemn you!
I can never be
inferior thus!
I acknowledge the loss!
Just to the nefarious satiety
of your flatterers
you devoid me
from my temporary right,
I hate and snub
your facetious shameless,
evil wicked backbiting and
odious character!
Know
identify well –
it does not enfeeble a little!
I acknowledge the loss!
[57] OPPOSITION
Path of progress obstructed,
Caste-war.
Family-pride
Has become the frightful fatal snake.
Bite / fierce bite,
Bottomless fall of creation’s grand creature.
Mean narrow heart vomits poison,
Creating disaster!
Humanity blood bedaubed,
Devil singing –
Senseless malicious caste-song.
Cruel / Vanity-overridden,
Mannerless
Self-indulged.
March, march ahead!
To break
Bestial horns grown on man’s head
And sharp teeth!
To snap
The inhuman casteism!
To concatenate
In one string
The society and the individual.
[58] THE FALL
In the country
Rising, overflowing
Caste hatred, religion hatred
Class disparity, birth disparity
Filth! Filth! Filth!
Dust! Dust! Dust!
Acute mental tension
enmity!
Every direction is full of poison
swallowing wisdom.
Ill-ominous deep-dark
night of hatred.
Wary and afraid
Man of man
Seems –
Past is returning.
Wild beasts
are growing
by leaps and bound
in the society,
the so-called
noble, caste-vanity
mischief.
Man :
Divided by caste-creed-religion-birth
helpless oppressed.
Dying away the weak
Shame! Shame! Shame!
Opprobrious! Opprobrious! Opprobrious!
Antagonism
Fraud
Hypocrisy.
Beware!
Patient young man!
Of flow of caste-hatred-sentiments,
Of the cruel caste-based crime.
Beware!
Of the impact of
Faith in birth-based-caste,
Destroyer of unity
The feeling of segregation.
Beware,
The young man!
[59] STRANGE
How strange it is!
Even after three decades of independence,
Even after the completion
of five Five-Year plans
The common man of my country is poor!
Very poor!
How strange it is!
Everywhere
Rule the money, the rank, the animal,
What kind of self-rule?
Money, rank, animal
Makers of the destiny of Bharat,
These being applauded everywhere, all around,
Their vanity
Abounds / surrounds
And all other things
are gone to the winds!
Administration
Blind, deaf
Dense is every man’s trouble
(Our bad luck!)
Seems –
Change is not far off,
Very near!
But today
how strange it is!
[60] A TRAGEDY
Was poor
Was untouchable
Feared!
Of starvation
Of beating
Died!
From suffering
From this world
Freed!
[61] A HERETIC
Corpse
burning
in creation-ground
of someone poor,
someone unfortunate!
Family
stunned ... shocked
the priest very happy
for death-feed
a time to enjoy!
But O! the young man
deceit,
all gone evades,
puts an end
to purohiti (priesthood),
is changing Garuda-purana1
and the rituals of the dead.
The priest annoyed
shouts :
Kaliyugi! kaliyugi!
In fact,
this is
the vast sensibility
of the new society!
1 One of the eighteen Puranas in which are given the descriptions of different Hells and the rituals of the dead.
[62] A CALL
Don’t be silent,
You’ve never
committed any mistake.
Speak –
Impartially,
Call a spade a spade.
You’ve always
called truth
the truth.
There is
no crime of yours.
But who stubbornly
proved truth
a falsehood
and slighted the reality,
embraced the religion
of deception –
Don’t be silent
before that knave!
Thunder
expressing your anger,
thunder aloud!
Against injustice
O, full of astuteness!
[63] CONFIDENT
Ever struggling the proletariat
life did’t change.
Adamant, intractable, alone proletariat.
Condition the same,
neither improved, nor recovered.
The down-trodden
will challenge the system
till his last breath,
remember –
hurt, crying
bleeding public
never sleep!
The determination
of revolt
never wanes
with horrible assaults,
one committed
never mourns the loss, the defeat!
The flood
of furry
will follow!
Which will raze to the ground
the strong forts
of beastly inhuman class!
[64] UNHURT
Man
surrounded by the punches
of cyclones,
has become
a rock!
Struggles
again and again
with high courage
subject to firm faith!
Tries to recognize
with assaults / attacks
with roaring fires,
not at all amazed.
Faith in final victory
Increased,
to make
new history.
Of invincible life’s
formidable
strong
morale,
sets the forest afire,
creates
new surface for life.
[65] LEFTIST
Won’t do injustice!
Won’t endure injustice!
O! blind with power,
the authority wielders!
Won’t let
your successful knavery
succeed any more.
Won’t be cheated
any more
in the name of
paraloke1
or
public welfare.
Man
will not burn
in hell-fire of malpractices.
Autocratic
willful
won’t be alive
any more
in the new world
decidedly.
[66] UNITED
We’ll
always win,
when we march
together
side by side!
The supporters
of equality
the proponents of socialism
will fight to the last,
will never
yield!
Will march ahead
taking
each step together,
when united in strength
the faith
won’t wane.
[67] BEGINNING A CHANGE
It won't be–
bullet should
oppress truth,
honest be forced to
prostrate before
the tyrant,
it won’t be!
Several centuries
have endured
the slavery of barbarity,
but now
it won’t be!
Bayonets of tortures
have become blunt,
don’t you see –
the foundations
of lustful plans
of the brutal are jolting?
Every country
the cell of death
is getting air and light of life!
The curtain
from horrendous conspiracies
has been raised,
the entire atmosphere
is now anew!
[68] WORKERS’ SONG
Let us march together
Victory then it be of the Left!
Exploited masses’ve from slumber risen
Oppressed masses are rebel
Come, come on to the roads
Why to worry for the home!
We won’t let this chance be wasted
We’ll turn the wheel of time
Change the faces, O comrade
Of the dumb morn and eve!
The slogan booms in every hearth
Equal are one and all
One will eat one’s bread
Won with one’s sweat!
Let’s bear the bullet on the breast
Drenched with blood and sweat
Never dwindle will the honour
Of the name of the ‘worker’!
[69] AT YEAR'S END
“Congratulations,
dear friend!
May the new year
be good and fruitful
be fortunate,
full of happiness,
boundless prosperity
abundant name and fame,
bestow a pitcher of
sweet sentiments!”
These
real or formal
good wishes / sentiments
of friends
continued to beguile throughout the year,
continued to trample the good fortune!
Yearned for happiness,
pined for prosperity,
writhed for name and fame,
and heart longed for gold-bowls
full of sweet sap
to the brim overflowing!
Farewell to the year
is not as it was the welcome!
What else I should say,
dear friend!
[70] INCOMPATIBILITY
We aren’t Modern,
but the Age is!
(The saying is peculiar!)
Though
the body wears the ultra-modern dress,
yet our mind is gripped
by orthodox dogmas
blind-faiths, ancient traditions
irrelevant meaningless customs
primitive rites,
lines on hand
and stars!
Our mentality
is pre-historical,
but the Age is ‘Modern’!
Modernity : mere mask
on our old-fashioned faces!
Modernity : shiny silver hemming
on houses
on mansions.
Our old orthodox thinking
our fatalsistic philosophy
pushes us
back ... back ... back
in the past
far in the past
in the untimely dead past.
We have scientific achievements;
but not scientific foresight,
neither scientific angle of vision –
(This situation
is not minor
to be overlooked,
it’s queer,
it’s unheard of.)
We are blind-followers of faith
and walk closing eyes,
by calling ourselves Modern
we deceive ourselves!
Where is
the New Man
of the New Age?
Our sense is stupefied
to see the stupid priests
being worshipped!
[71] DEMOCRACY
One who has nuisance value
is worshippable!
The greater one's nuisance value
the more he is worshippable!
And worthy
of being followed!
has more organs!!
And all others handicapped!
He is adorable!
One who is mad after power
mad after lust
cruelly lusty
is respectable,
posted high
well-bedecked superb reverend!
The more one is talkative
and blockheaded
the more one is abusive and rustic
is surrounded by a crowd!
full of hustle and bustle!
His glory
beggars description!
and what else about him
is worth saying?
[72] A LONGING
We
don’t eat,
only
fill our belly,
graze.
(this is our fate.)
You eat
all best things
of the world
(for us
all meaningless!)
All the boons
of the God
you have amassed
for yourself,
by depriving us.
(It’s your
nature.)
No flute,
No music!
No money
No serving of tasty dessert
by mother!
Either
we’ll only see
or
hear
in stories dumb,
helpless –
(Almonds and cashew nuts and pistachios,
grapes,
Kheer-mohan2, Rasgulla3, Rabari4
Far from us!)
1 A proverb.
2 Kheer-mohan – a kind of sweetmeat made from milk-cheese.
3 Rasgulla – a kind of Bengalli sweetmeat.
4 Rabari – thickened milk and sugar, a kind of sweetmeat.
[73] DAWN
Uncovering
the blanket
of the cosmos
coming
the dawn!
Opening
the slept
naked hills,
Confounding
the embraced / engaged in intercourse
shaggy
blinking bushes!
O,
where should
they go
which side!
On this
child-play
of the naughty dawn
all animals and birds
are in commotion!
[74] BIASED
In the veil of leaves
covers utmost
herself
the fair cauliflower!
Is ruthlessly
severed
by the greedy Kallu!!
Preserver
the destroyer
what a deceipt!
Says –
I’ll sell
in the veg. market ’morrow!
Do, do your job
O, my scythe!
1 Name of a cultivator.
[75] AN ABSURD POEM
(1)
The cat has crossed the path,
The bitch has licked the vessel,
The woman has gone from home to a bathing place,
Oh! The poem composed so blunt!
(2)
The cat wept bitterly,
The bitch jumped time and again,
The woman strayed from door to door,
Whole sari is in thread-bare state,
The poem was written a piercing one!
(3)
The cat and the rat resolved enmity,
The bitch swam across the river,
The woman went out for a walk,
Today, mind your own safety,
A poem – having neither head nor tail!
[76] A STATEMENT OF THE PROLETARIAT
People
speak our language,
it’s true!
All those offensive words
echo
in Parliament
in statements of leaders,
it’s true!
O!
You shout
our slogans?
Strange
but, true!
Commotion
readiness
today all of a sudden
people
unfetter
our chains,
it’s true.
The big, big officers
Today
visit
our dark huts
to know our sorrows
for the first time,
it’s true.
It seems –
‘Revolution’ has emerged!
People’s army
has come down
in the villages
in the towns!
What a wonderful
mass-movement!
Power-hungry leaders
have changed
overnight!
Or
for self-protection
only a hypocrisy
full of falsehood
a deceptive
sympathetic-voice.1
1 During emergency / 26th June 1975 and onward.
[77] A SOLACE
A dense fog
has veiled the sky,
the dense fog
has enveloped the sky!
All roads are closed,
life is motionless!
How much
has contracted the horizon –
of our vicinity,
the wide horizon!
We’re shut up
in the hazy environment,
how odd
the sequence of time’s eternity!
Sound-waves obstructed,
entire consciousness
enveloped in the horrible atmosphere,
all around
only one
inert dumbness reigns supreme,
the whole society
is stunned and afraid.
Listen —
I come,
I come like the Sun!
The halo of sight is with me,
inexhaustible faith of self-power!
I’ll raze
the mountains of darkness and mist
to the ground!
I’ll sweep away
all the blockades of path!
The sky will once again reverberate
with multiple sounds!
Once again there be light,
rising,
moving,
non-stop light will spread!
[79] CO-OPERATION
Let us
convert distances
of countries / of men
into extreme proximity.
Let us build
a very strong
bridge!
Let us transform
the strangeness
of heart / of feelings
into consolation
and promise of protection.
Let us raise
a sky-scaling flag
of mutual amity!
Let us change
the ignorance / the lack of intelligence
of religions / of different faiths
into well-defined thorough perception.
Let us
aim at the welfare
of all humanity!
[80] IN EXPECTATION
Let the desert of deficiencies
bloom into prosperity,
a life
full of new sentiments
may come again!
Let me sing
a strong impetuous song!
Let the peaks
of dense dark fall down,
let the flags of light
wave everywhere
on the surface of earth!
Let the lamp
of sensitive sentiments
be lighted in every heart!
Let me sing the song!
The paths beset
with several distresses
be freed,
the circle of barbed wire
will break from every side
of electric obstructions,
of life ending extensions!
On the bored strong
mental horizon of man
let me put forth
shoots of belief!
Let me sing the song!
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's is one of the significant post-independence voices in Hindi and Indian English Poetry, expressing the lyricism and pathos, aspirations and yearnings of the modern Indian intellect. Rooted deep into the Indian soil, his poems reflect not only the moods of a poet but of a complex age.
Born : 26 June 1926: Jhansi (U.P.), Edu. : M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1957) from Nagpur University; Retd. Professor.
Several volumes of poetry in English and other languages are published, viz. In French 'A MODERN INDIAN POET : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : UN POÈTE INDIEN ET MODERNE; In English Forty Poems of Mahendra Bhatnagar After The Forty Poems Exuberance and other poems Dr.Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry Death Perception : Life Perception Passion and Compassion Poems : For A Better World A Handful of Light Lyric-Lute. etc. Poems are translated in most of the Indian languages.
Published research & critical studies :
(1) Living Through Challenges : A Study of Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry
(2) Poet Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : His Mind And Art.
Adviser — 'POETCRIT'. At present — Reasearch Guide in many Indian Universities.
Contact :
110 BalwantNagar, Gandhi Road,
Gwalior — 474 002 (M.P.) INDIA
Phone : 0751-4092908 / M-98934 09793
E-Mail : drmahendrabh@rediffmail.com
A HANDFUL OF LIGHT
Poet : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar
[1] EVEN THEN
As an unexpected guest
you came to mind
suddenly!
I know –
I was’t preprepared for your
overwhelming welcoming
with garland of buds,
and affixing festoons on every door,
eager every moment
awaiting!
You, the dear one,
a visitor!
Say –
have I not been
a receptionist of yours
as ever?
I’m overjoyed,
appear
on my unsophisticated heart-land
simple one!
Ominous moment,
am thankful, grateful!
But,
Why this coyness?
Stay a while
let me feel
these extremely invaluable moments!
I know –
you’re a roving,
a guest
how could you be tethered
to the tender trap
of human love?
Eh! even then ...
a little ... supplication
even then!
[2] FROM THE VALLEY OF ‘PATALPANI’1
I,
a wanderer strayed
have come to seek solace
in your lap!
To come down insitinctively
on open breast-slopes,
support with
your arms, strong as hills!
Give the cool shade
of ungauged deep!
Give pleasant touch
of refreshing current of water
to my burning lips,
grant joy
to the mind
silent for ages,
give a happy sense
of love-confluence to the unsatiated soul!
In this solitude
with murmur melodic music
give the rainbow abode of dream!
O deep dale!
I’ve come —
your life
an everlasting companion!
Let me hold
for a few moments
the helpless emotional tide
with your innocent flow!
I may,
or may not come this side
in this birth again!
Have I,
a wanderer
not even this little right
to leave behind
a few prints ...
signifying
love?
1 A resort in Malwa (M.P.) INDIA
[3] THE WINTRY SUN
How pleasing
the wintry sun!
Heart never feels content
even after bathing in it
from morn to eve,
mind never wills
to part with
and get away from it,
Oh, how sweet
the wintry sun!
Let us sleep
in its lap
as of a beloved,
and be lost
for the day!
How desirable
how charming
the wintry sun!
How pleasing
the wintry sun!
[4] ONSET OF WINTER
True, not now!
On oath, I
not now!
No more disdain-disrespect
no, not at all!
Glittering
pleasant
golden sun
come!
Do not knock,
all doors, ventilators, windows
are open,
no more neglect
on oath, I
not now!
Waiting for you,
accept the offering,
sensitize,
impart heat
to every part of body!
O auspicious sun
fold me in your lap
and gild me!
Let me
cover myself with you
till the cold breeze blows,
let me be lost in reverie
till mind's fill!
let me be warmed, heated;
Fill the body with rays!
Golden sun
come!
Now, no more
disdain, disrespect,
not at all!
On oath, I!
[5] AN EVENING AT ‘TIGHIRA’1
(Sketch / One)
In the placid water of
the Tighira dam
your fair face
mysteriously, floating unblinking
looks at me!
Lifting sturdy, fair, muscular arms
the circle-tipped fingers
moving on the red palm
of your hand
invite me from
the far off span of the Tighira dam!
I,
who on the bank.
Look at the beautiful image
wearing a binoculars
on lusty, heavy eyes!
1 A drinking water reservoir in Gwalior town (M..P.) INDIA
[6] AN EVENING AT ‘TIGHIRA’
(Sketch / Two)
On the narrow bridge of the Tighira
bowed-eyes
hesitant
you!
Waving hair
in the blowing strong wind,
silhouetting
the sturdy limbs,
fluttering
end of kanjivaram1 saree,
what an unsuccessful strategy
of two smart hands!
Slowly, gently
move
naked, flabby, fair feet,
a queer, dream-like,
pleasant, romantic walk!
1 A town in Tamilnadu, where these sarees are manufactured.
[7] UNEXPRESSED
Man –
himself a well-known periphery
of his own
every unimagined anguish.
Somewhat uncontrolled violation
for oneself and others,
meaningless,
averse meaningless!
Experienced life-pain,
only
confine
to the predetermined limit,
in man’s environ,
in the state of the sub-conscious.
[8] QUERIES
Who,
has scattered the countless seeds
of faithlessness
on mind's straum?
Who,
has scattered
the rare and highly valued gems
of our firm faith
on the horrid path of suspicion?
By pricking the thorns
of a sheer ir-reverence
in our feet,
has seized
the inexhaustive legacy?
Who, suddenly
with hollow philosophy,
has undermined
the weighty wisdom
of truth and experience-proved
life beliefs?
Who,
has with devastating hurricane’s speed
deflected
the sky-scraping high summits
of our iron faith?
[9] UNEXPECTED
Like all times
arrived Asharha1
with a flood of gifts
of clouds anew!
but,
the intense thirst-stricken chatak2
said nothing,
only stared
with vacant eyes,
neither welcomed the newcomer
nor drank life-giving nectar!
Like all times
Savana3 rained in torrents!
With lusty shaky breasts
black clouds
gathered thick
hankered restless,
begged –
spreading their green, wet border!4
But,
peacocks didn’t dance,
Bhadon5 went away sapless,
the silent sky
didn’t give voice to kajali6 songs.
Like all times
came the wintry-moonlit nights
chilly!
to remind
about young moon-faced beauty’s words!
But,
'Shuklabhisarika'7
didn’t move from her home,
pathway –
desolately awoke every night,
no morpankhi8 ever stirred
in the tranquil lake!
Like all times
sweet-flourished Spring came,
with new leaves
and bracelets of colourful flowers!
But jasmine didn’t bloom
nor was heard
the dolour of koel9!
A year
of burdensome dates
of obscure memories
came .... to .... an ... end!
1 a month from mid June to mid July.
2 an Indian bird supposed to drink only rain water during ‘Swati’ constellation.
3 a month from mid July to mid August.
4 greenery.
5 a month from mid August to mid September.
6 folk song sung during rainy season.
7an adolescent woman who often comes out to meet her lover in the moonlit night.
8 a boat of the shape of pea-cock’s wing.
9 Indian cuckoo.
[10] NEW YEAR
O New Year
I could not
welcome you
despite willingness!
Thought of planning
varied celebrations
before your auspicious arrival,
God knows what
peculiar new ideas
assimilated in mind,
but,
could not put a little of that
into practice!
O New Year!
How
Have you come
without any pomp and show?
And, despite willingness,
I could not embrace you
in my love-laden arms!
O New Year!
How sad you must be feeling indeed!
I could not dedicate even a sngle line
to welcome you,
despite willingness
this time
to write not one : but many poems!
O, what happened?
Something memorable outstanding
must have happened –
the prologue
or
the epilogue
of the drama of life!
But,
nothing happened,
only
a sensation of rehearsal!
O New Year!
I slept and woke up
with a longing
to give you an important place
in the index of life!
Despite willingness
could neither live
nor die!
[11] FOR ME ALONE
A cold
silent
night of winter –
for me alone!
All unknown stars
trees slept
before me only one —
a body of darkness
for me alone!
God knows
of what unpardonable, exceptional
sins’ result !
All lost
in a world of dreams,
but,
I alone –
tired and restless!
This dumb-founded
heavy snow cold
shivering night –
For me alone!
[12] EASY : DIFFICULT
It’s easy
simply to pass a day,
difficult to live!
How easy
to spend life,
difficult —
to manage
to set
to stitch
the threads, the fibres
of a fractured personality!
Poison only to vomit
timely – untimely,
difficult to drink!
It’s easy
simply to pass a day
difficult to live!
[13] DAY - END
Today —
like ever
silently went away!
Undesired intolerable
rang the harsh alarm
of early morn,
not even a single bird chirped
to rejoice the day!
The dawn distributed the golden sunshine
to every house, every door!
Neither anybody
knocked at
my closed doors,
nor gently called
my name!
Noon –
a matured experienced woman
wrote moments of rest
in evey body’s diary,
but boredom, only boredom
to me!
Idle and lethargic
I look at
the approaching
Evening crimson,
what at all can you offer?
A silent answer –
‘darkness ... dense darkness!’
[14] RETROSPECTION
Flew away
Eh, many a year
of life
devoid of rejoicings
full of dearths
yes,
fluttered away
several years
of life!
The time
will not return
lost in dust
and sun,
slept
in darkness!
In the uproars around
life continued to scream,
helpless
at every step,
more helpless
in endeavours!
I could not sing
even a single song
of joy,
even a single song
of pain!
Sound
continued to resound
only :
struggle ... struggle ... struggle!
All the directions
of comfort
were turned round!
Eh, many a year
of life
fluttered away
before long!
[15] SPRING LIVED
I too lived
the spring!
I had heard –
Blossoms bloom in spring,
every bough bows down
with sprouts, new leaves,
is full of new sap!
Flowers
of sweet and intoxicated feelings
bloom in spring,
the whole earth
is bedecked with
varied hued wear,
various melodies
of their own
ring in the heart.
On all sides
unknown echoes of jingle
flow and overspread
in the air!
Each isolation
is excited with new vibrations,
each darkness
glistens with
the golden light
of hope!
Each sloth-inert heart
spurts, squirms with
unknown ecstasy!
Each lip
Sings, flutters with
the feeling of unexperienced pain!
Hands touch
the highest summits of fancy!
But, I did not experience
all this,
did not see any thing!
Spring flitted away
in the struggle of life!
I, too,
lived the spring!
[16] REPENTANCE
Lo!
I’ve spent life
laughing and weeping
but could not live!
Spent the day
by waking,
by sleeping the night,
yes, I’ve spent life,
but could not live!
Being in senses
or senselessly
how have I
spent the life?
but could not live!
By getting a little
but losing all
Oh, so spent the life,
but could not live!
In longing — in turbulence
maintaining-spoilting
remaining mute-speaking loud
if one relevant –
irrelevant another,
have spent the life
dreaming, dreams a few
but could not live!
[17] DESTINY
The smoke of doubts abounds
how
to breathe!
Lips envenomed deep
how to drink
the honey!
When the tide
of repentance rises
in heart
how to sleep
on cosy bed!
On the stony soil
of barren land
how to sow
a new life!
[18] ALMS
Hey!
who has filled
the compressed gloom
in my precious life-vessel?
Give me
a handful of light!
Oh!
who has hung
the serpents numerous
of suspicion
on the sandal-wood-natured
body?
Give me
bit of trust,
fragments
of faith!
Give me
a handful of light!
[19] FAITH
Defeated
in life
but not despondent!
Where is fidelity?
Faithlessness has ever
embraced me,
not sweet fruit
only ablaze poison
meted to my ill fate!
I’am cursed,
deceived at every step,
not despaired!
Momentary –
Remorse
Pain
Suffocation!
Think it a blessing
no other fetter
of attachment!
[20] LIFE ASPIRANT
Dense darkness
heaving sighs the wind
horrid sky spread like curse,
very chilly moments!
But, live on this hope –
some one may light
like sun-ray
love-laden
golden lucky lamp!
On a desolate path
silent solitary heart you
body like burden
futile life!
But, move on, on this hope –
at some moment
long-awaited stranger’s feet
may create music!
Lost is the Spring,
Autumn merely Autumn,
flowers turned into thorns
dreams drenched in dust!
O suicider!
Shut not the doors and windows,
some equally tortured
wandering soul
may dye the room
by reciting
a heavenly nectarlike song!
[21] LIFE AS BESTOWED
Golden days of life
worth living –
like a sacred boon,
like a comforting song,
lovely-enchanting-words-echoing-days
Ah! Worth living!
Each moment
joy worth drinking!
The days of life’s
continuous contrariness,
the burdensome days
full of despondency, depression
and extreme emptiness –
inauspicious like a curse,
difficult days like a fang fever
bitter, prickly!
Ah! Worth living!
Each moment
forbearance
worth drinking!
The life as bestowed –
good
bad
to live constantly!
To live inevitablly!
[21] DISILLUSIONMENT
Perhaps
which was never acceptable
to you
if a fallacy of that claim
has appeared
in mind
today
it’s good,
it’s propitious!
Instable
deceived mind!
Think not —
highly precious
very rare heritage
of life is lost!
Not faintness
but certainly
awareness.
Not the mist of temptation
true knowledge
the reality of life.
Life will now get significance
in a new lustre,
be not worried at all
in despair!
[22] POINT OF VIEW
Be not allured to the past,
past — is dead!
Let it turn to ashes,
do not bear its burden
be not a bier!
The worshippers of the dead
one day
in present itself
will themselves become passive
useless / unwanted / uninteresting!
What is past–
is extinct!
Why should it be the controller of the present?
Why should it overpower the present?
Free the present
from the past,
live it with full fervour,
enjoy!
with this knowledge
of reality –
every future moment
will adapt itself
to the present!
The future –
is infinite!
[23] HORRIFIED
Always horrified
from the faults of vision,
hetergeneous, strange,
affected with
hundreads of prejudices
and surrounded by
the dense dark of doubts
we look at one another
as strangers!
And in the unwanted
venomous strangulating atmosphere
when we restlessly writhe,
the ocean of extreme
wicked meanness thunders
full of innumerable
horrible creatures!
Free from the shackles
of all humbleness
becoming man.
[24] REALITY
Bitterness
everywhere available,
Sweetness a rarity!
Panic evident
everywhere,
Courage rare!
Everywhere
annoyance display,
Stasis lost!
Everywhere
affectation, meretriciousness,
Reality a very long way off !
[25] ACHIEVEMENT
Could not achieve –
what was ever desired,
No sorrowing.
Under innumerable covers
of so-called noble glory
exposure of such a
naked meanness!
Achievement of failure!
No sorrowing.
Easily manifest
invisible drama
of so-called great personality –
labelled as impartial-neutral,
Achievement of failure!
No sorrowing.
[26] FARCE
I hate artificial smile!
When some people
smile in this manner
I feel, they’ll bite!
Trap
in their snake-noose!
When
such an unpleasant smile
becomes a part
of etiquette,
how dreary it looks!
I hate this
artificial dry smile,
I hate it
boundlessly!
[27] MISAPPREHENSION
We,
the beings of the Science age,
got the zenith of intellect
great / highly developed / omniscient!
Permanent principles
Eternal values of life
are meaningless
for us!
Our dictionary
defines ‘heart’
as merely a mass of muscles
that purifies blood
provides fresh blood to all the arteries,
the mystery of its palpitation
is quite clear to us,
on its weakening or decaying
we can also change it!
Related with heart :
Primeval man’s
passions,
all the feelings,
delicate sweet emotions of man –
are nothing
but ridiculous for us!
For us primeval man’s
sentiments of mutual love,
his physical movements –
due to pangs of separation,
all
childish / unhygienic / meaningless!
It is for us
in the history of man
the utmost waste of time!
For us
Attraction –
Synonym of
lust for sensuous pleasure!
Womanish postures –
Simply acting of limbs
learnt by practice,
easily attainable
by getting admission
in the dramatic theatres!
Love-dialogue –
Artificial,
miraculous voice luxuriance!
Mating : Lover-beloved –
Only for the sake of sensual pleasure!
Memory –
Another name of hypocricy
or pain of paucity!
Love –
Illusion / fraud
non-existent,
mere word of a single syllable!
[28] ENVY
Don’t envy / Don’fear Envy!
Other’s expression of envy –
whether symbolic / spoken / through actions
spells your success!
A cleanser of self-profundity!
Why timorous of it?
why so confounded?
Envy – as naural
equally necessary – its suppression.
Destroy / not embrace the envy!
Equipoise the envious
encourage him to advance,
give him a chance to develop,
fill his little self with glory.
Then none will envy,
then none will fear of malice.
The day –
Man will toleratate assaults of envy,
thence – it will become
only an insignificant topic in poetics,
of describing the short-lived1 emotions.
1 Sanchari-bhava : in Sanskrit Poetics there are 33 short-lived emotions. After strengthening the potential emotions; they subside.s
[29] SELF-REALISATION
We are human beings —
created from soil
the best
most beautifully bedecked,
life sign
best expressed,
heart
purest,
mind
mature!
Smallness —
let it be dear to us,
with the glory
of dust particles,
be well-informed,
well-tried!
Bound to die —
Why should be afraid of death?
Why should senses be insensate?
Why should become dejected?
Judges of good and bad
why should become bull-headed?
[30] PRESENT
It’s an age
of chaos, insecurity,
of expression
of incessant enmity,
full of bitter tortures,
daunted by ill-wills!
Obsessed
with dark roaring whirlwinds!
Every moment
terrified of dearth-difficulties!
It's an age
of pitiless assaults,
intolerable insidious talks!
Of unexperienced pain,
lost human sensitivity!
Of unseen pitch-dark gloom!
Of queer
hullabaloo,
bloody cruel deadly
morn!
[31] ARGUING
Questions –
static as usual!
Handicapped
all reasoning,
smithereened
imagination!
Questions buried
under the rocks of incertitude!
Lack of clue
east ... north ... everywhere,
all stasis!
How long
this tugging?
How long — still
helpless mental-state?
How long— still
will you put on the questions
on the rugged complex surface?
All as usual
standing-still on its place.
[32] TO THE ENVIRONMENT
The sky
full of biting sultriness
and with the waving fire-flames
the world is heated
too much!
Too much
disturbed pressed
the crushed human mind!
The entire atmosphere
of life
worn and wearied
incarcerated!
Let’s change it,
make it dynamic
and fill the firmament
with the cloud
and malar-1 melody!
With windy whiffs
write finis to environ burning!
[33] WHIRLWIND
Whirlwind
approaches
overflowing / roaring
with great speed
full of dust!
In a few moments
it’ll also envelop your sky!
Awake, arise
firm intrepid mind,
be wary!
Vow to bear the jostles
now
at once
resolved in your inner-self.
You’ve to measure the strength of storms,
let aplomb
proclaim control over plights,
sensitizing
the slumbering
unknown strength of intellect!
Before the Himalaya-strong disposition
the roaring
cruel storm’ll change its path!
The harbinger of death
blind dust-storm’ll
change its way!
[34] LIFE-CONTEXT
Let’s give
new context to
the Gita of life!
When man’s environment
has changed
let’s create new hymns!
By establishing new values,
let’s give new shape
to internal and external forms
of life-oriented poetry!
Let’s give aura of new living ideals!
And bedeck with
the glistening golden ornaments!
Let’s bedeck the statue of life
with new build
and with novel expression,
by completing the man’s
long-standing desires of the glory of relations,
let’s glorify the age!
Let’s
by becoming
the discoverers of new routes
set out rapidly
toward the new horizons!
[35] SWEAT-EARNED
Hard-work
will realize our dreams!
Will strengthen the base!
Freely
we’ll live
in the new world of prosperity and peace,
adapting to civilization, culture
live every moment
in the hallo of knowledge!
Suppositions will materialize.
If we work hard
mountains continuously emitting fire
will turn to ash!
All our dreams will materialize!
If we work hard
the deepest chasm
of deficiencies will end,
by crushing each weakness
the toil-wave will sanctify the life!
If we work hard –
for the present imminent,
for future to arrive.
Let’s be
the invincible controllers,
regulators
of present and future!
Let’s the farsighted founders
of the longed-for life!
[36] DETERMINATION
Let there be vigour,
worship full of lights!
Stipulations of dying Ravana,
layers of dense, dark night
will dissolve, dissolve!
Ram-like faith
of determination
arisen in the hearts of men!
Wielders of missiles
pilots of MIGs and Pushpaks
are borne in every family!
Are sentries of boundaries
as the invincible Himalayas
verily victory be to Man!
Let there be Diwali,
let there be Diwali!
Let there be the light superb!
Every time
the electric-halo
will glisten
on gloomy ages!
Let there be strength,
and be the worship of lamp!
Every particle of proud Ama1 will scatter,
the face of lamp-lighted-earth
will brighten!
1 moonless night, amavasya
[37] ASSURED
Be it a crossing of four / or seven paths
not at wit's end,
fear of straying away
does not obsess the mind.
I admit, not so much familiar with the path,
and deficient in sufficient knowledge
to reach the goal,
but, if the view point is clear,
then will read the distance
written on mile-stones,
and names of all cities
situated in east and west, north and south.
Then– it’s not difficult
to go beyond
crossings of four or seven paths,
then – be not sad
at these crossings of four or seven paths.
Varied faiths, varied forms of rules,
varied ways,
innumerable slogans – flags
countless mutual strong oppositions,
but, if one has the potential to assess the age,
if heart is in consonance
with the pulse of the people,
then there is no ground to doubt,
faith will not be false,
and turnings at the crossings of four or seven paths
won’t lead astray!
[38] WEIRD
How much so ever may be
the area of the Earth,
we have for living
this sepulchral cellar!
Which gives
an illusion of being alive,
in which
it’s difficult even to live
by thinking oneself dead!
How weird it seems
to think so
in rainy nights –
the graves of the dead
are better
for their roofs
do not leak,
the dead quietly sleep
in the lap
on the mother-earth!
We wake on wet beds
for whole nights
and silently shed tears
like the philosphers!
[39] DIFFERENCE
Every person’s life
is not a highway
garden bedecked / full of plants
expansive / unhindered / clean
plain smooth and lovely!
It’s not possible
that every person should get
such ease, so much convenience!
In the same direction / on the same ground
not situated homes of all,
when the same goal
is not desired!
Some will have to cross
the narrow / stont
full of turns / uneven
populous
dark footpaths, streets
each step mud-smeared!
No,
every man’s life
is not full of facility
well lighted highway!
Path will change
when the ground changes!
[40] CONSEQUENCE
Life-long
insulted, hated
life if had drifted away
from the track –
easy,
no surprise.
Life-long hopeless
always moving in the eddy of doubt
defeated life
is continuously aflame –
easy;
no surprise.
Life-long
lived in wants
life dragging in dearths,
if all at once
it burns –
easy,
no surprise.
[41] COMMITTED
We’ll give voice
of challenge
to the dumb,
of victory and faith,
of cheerful light of future,
of new hope!
We’ll elevate
the life of all
equally and liberate this earth
from exploitation,
by abolishing the disparity
of colour and creed
free the people of the world
from extortion!
We’re committed
to a righteous system,
ready to alter
the horrified world!
[42] CONTRIBUTION
For the new crop
are dedicated
life's a few drops of toil-sweat,
for the veins of the earth
are dedicated
a few drops of blood pure!
Let it be
sappy
full of strength!
Let every sown seed
sprout for the desired world,
let it bear fruit!
Let every heart
be filled
of sentiments ... desire
like sweet relish.
So –
offered
in the accomplishment of creation
the exalted tunes
of new sensibility!
Dedicated are
for the weal of the world
the innate tunes
of prayer!
[43] NEW LIGHT
O! crushed shattered
life!
Raise head.
I’ve come
like your victory
the Himalayas
of meaningful
instinctive faith!
Full of faithlessness
lost in dark dejection
wearied
desolate life!
Raise head
See
I, the lustrous sun
of your fate,
knock at the door!
Life will not split
like this!
Life
will not disperse
like this!
[44] KACHANAR1
For the first time
at my door
so bloomed Kachanar
overwhelmed with joy,
every branch overloaded!
So sparkled
So excited
Kachanar descended down
to the deeps of my heart!
Glowing rose-apple-coloured
enamoured my detached mind
on balcony and parapets
tightly anchored Kachanar!
For the first time
at my door
so swayed Kachanar
As if heart and soul
full of love!
A world of innumerable longings!
For the first time
such a wonderful largesse!
1 a tree of genus Banbinia (banbinia variegata) the flowers of which are used as vegetable.
[45] LOVING
In this season of joviality
Rose!
Why sad?
Sighing
time and again.
Why not spread
the fragrance of dalliance?
O Rose!
Today
don’t be sad
So sad!
Give sweetness
to life
zestful mind
being commodious
with pious love
with recreation-nectar
be full of joy
side by side!
When full is growth
be not sad!
[46] FACE TO FACE
We’ll talk
to our heart’s content,
in one another’s embrace
will talk
throughout the night,
we’ll utter words
to our heart’s content!
On the simple honest surface of faith
we of alike characteristics
will open the complexes of inferiority
the sloughs of doubt,
easily with open heart!
We’ll live tonight
to our heart’s content,
drink the vessels
of nectar!
[47] CO-TRAVELLER
Crossed the rugged
uneven path of life
long path
together as one!
Footpaths or highways wide
chasms or circular heights of mountains,
traversed
together as one
the path of life!
even for a moment no sigh or moan!
Far from misery / far from inferiority
howsoever helpless!
Not even a wrinkle on forehead!
Travelled the horrible path,
the path of life
together as one.
With the dust of whirlwinds
or foot prickling thorns –
Never stopped!
In scorching sun,
in deep descending dense dark well
were never tired!
Drenched to the bone kept on traveling,
holding hand in hand tied hands
together as one.
Traversed
the unfamiliar
path of life
long path!
[48] COMPANIONLESS
Cold night
desolation!
Now and then somewhere
some tree trembles,
when ... then
sighs the wind.
Or cries
with pain a chakwa!1
None to talk
deep
a very deep silence
complete
unbroken unconsciousness
senseless
wounded.
Blunted mind
trembling body
sorrowful
pitiable palsy
Desolation!
Naught to say,
cold night!
1 A cursed Indian bird; which is separated from his life-partner during the night.
[49] ESSENCE
Life –
Deserted like crematorium,
Life –
Accursed
Burdensome and solitary
Like a banyan tree!
Life –
The another name of gloom,
Life –
The painful result of
Past lives’
Ominous sins!
Life –
An experience
Of noon’s scorching heat,
Life –
An experience
Of throat pricking needles
Acute thirst!
Life –
A stasis
Sourceless
Sore wound!
Life –
Unwanted sannyas (renunciation)
Mere tension!
[50] PERPLEXITY
Colourful dreams seen
in the kingdom of mind,
engrossed in the erotic fancies,
false, lustful violation of propriety.
Considered it
a world of happy heaven.
The great boon of the Earth
an optimum staircase
of possible desires.
Birth meaningfulness –
Ever utilitarian-lust.
Endless joy-creation
Life-vision.
But
World a reality
How much different!
A world formed in dreams
Silken soft patterns of fancies
Lost in a moment!
Some one
Fortunate / powerful
Could materialize a few moments
By chance or by abduction.
For others
Mere
irrelevance
narcissism!
[51] UNDERSTANDING OF
DESTINATION
That day
we
started our journey
before dawn
had started an incessant journey,
thinking
that we’ll reach our destination
definitely.
That day
we
in the darkness of the night
with great faith
had started our continuous journey,
thinking
that we’ll reach
the shore
and reah without any doubt.
Passing through
an uneven path
fathoming
the deep ditches
had set on our journey
with resolute will.
Admitted
that our path
was beset with several hurdles,
stood,
there was rupture
there was slipperiness.
Hurricanes
tried to stop our speed,
lightning and thundering clouds
time and again
But, we didn’t stop
didn’t bend before opposition.
Gradually
our path became clear
and one day
with pulsating heart
we reached the halting place.
Badly tired
languid
helpless
inert.
Gradually
awareness dawns :
destination isn’t the end,
is foundation
is gate to enter
is the stage of life – is the land for action!
Why blundered
to consider it a dreamland?
It was better
to be at the same poit
from where the journey was begun.
[52] STOP
Life
long distances
has covered!
Screaming
panting
life
innumerable
steep heights
abysmal depths
has covered!
The resounding echoes
of dawn and dusk
have stopped,
stopped
on the path
of life past,
turning into
a sigh,
has disappeared
into the void!
Life
its journey
of destinations
has covered!
[53] CAPABILITY
Life –
a mere journey,
endless journey
on an infinite path!
To stop momentarily for rest
is the mere
prelude of marching ahead.
Destination –
far,
very far,
time –
little,
too little!
[54] SITUATION
Despite best efforts
there is no order
all at sixes and sevens!
No knowledge of direction
a straying away!
From complex
to more complex
has become
the complication!
Has not decreased,
instead increased
the isolation !
[55] MAN
Today
from the horrible
savage, man-eater wild beasts
is safe
Man!
Not at all
afeared, suspicious and worried,
of the devastating
angry expressions
of the seasons,
Man!
Knows
how to save himself and other creatures
from the various furious acts
of nature
Man!
It’s easy for him
to reach
the heights of the void.
It’s easy for him
to fathom the deeps
of the seas.
But how strange
man is the most unsafe
from man,
absolutely ignorant
rom
the man’s psychology.
Afraid
of mutual
trickery.
Blood in eyes
hurt
angry
with mutual
venomous satirical remarks.
Man gives in –
to the cruel
heart-touching
assaults,
man loots –
man
with tricky
sentiments.
Man –
miles away today
from man,
devoid of
intimacy
each step hollow
only full of vanity.
[56] ANSWER
I’ll not at all be
humble or sad
I acknowledge the loss.
Knaves –
stealthily hatching conspiracies,
waiting in ambush,
how did you
strangely decide
listening only
to one party’s arguments?
No entreaty
to you
I condemn you!
I can never be
inferior thus!
I acknowledge the loss!
Just to the nefarious satiety
of your flatterers
you devoid me
from my temporary right,
I hate and snub
your facetious shameless,
evil wicked backbiting and
odious character!
Know
identify well –
it does not enfeeble a little!
I acknowledge the loss!
[57] OPPOSITION
Path of progress obstructed,
Caste-war.
Family-pride
Has become the frightful fatal snake.
Bite / fierce bite,
Bottomless fall of creation’s grand creature.
Mean narrow heart vomits poison,
Creating disaster!
Humanity blood bedaubed,
Devil singing –
Senseless malicious caste-song.
Cruel / Vanity-overridden,
Mannerless
Self-indulged.
March, march ahead!
To break
Bestial horns grown on man’s head
And sharp teeth!
To snap
The inhuman casteism!
To concatenate
In one string
The society and the individual.
[58] THE FALL
In the country
Rising, overflowing
Caste hatred, religion hatred
Class disparity, birth disparity
Filth! Filth! Filth!
Dust! Dust! Dust!
Acute mental tension
enmity!
Every direction is full of poison
swallowing wisdom.
Ill-ominous deep-dark
night of hatred.
Wary and afraid
Man of man
Seems –
Past is returning.
Wild beasts
are growing
by leaps and bound
in the society,
the so-called
noble, caste-vanity
mischief.
Man :
Divided by caste-creed-religion-birth
helpless oppressed.
Dying away the weak
Shame! Shame! Shame!
Opprobrious! Opprobrious! Opprobrious!
Antagonism
Fraud
Hypocrisy.
Beware!
Patient young man!
Of flow of caste-hatred-sentiments,
Of the cruel caste-based crime.
Beware!
Of the impact of
Faith in birth-based-caste,
Destroyer of unity
The feeling of segregation.
Beware,
The young man!
[59] STRANGE
How strange it is!
Even after three decades of independence,
Even after the completion
of five Five-Year plans
The common man of my country is poor!
Very poor!
How strange it is!
Everywhere
Rule the money, the rank, the animal,
What kind of self-rule?
Money, rank, animal
Makers of the destiny of Bharat,
These being applauded everywhere, all around,
Their vanity
Abounds / surrounds
And all other things
are gone to the winds!
Administration
Blind, deaf
Dense is every man’s trouble
(Our bad luck!)
Seems –
Change is not far off,
Very near!
But today
how strange it is!
[60] A TRAGEDY
Was poor
Was untouchable
Feared!
Of starvation
Of beating
Died!
From suffering
From this world
Freed!
[61] A HERETIC
Corpse
burning
in creation-ground
of someone poor,
someone unfortunate!
Family
stunned ... shocked
the priest very happy
for death-feed
a time to enjoy!
But O! the young man
deceit,
all gone evades,
puts an end
to purohiti (priesthood),
is changing Garuda-purana1
and the rituals of the dead.
The priest annoyed
shouts :
Kaliyugi! kaliyugi!
In fact,
this is
the vast sensibility
of the new society!
1 One of the eighteen Puranas in which are given the descriptions of different Hells and the rituals of the dead.
[62] A CALL
Don’t be silent,
You’ve never
committed any mistake.
Speak –
Impartially,
Call a spade a spade.
You’ve always
called truth
the truth.
There is
no crime of yours.
But who stubbornly
proved truth
a falsehood
and slighted the reality,
embraced the religion
of deception –
Don’t be silent
before that knave!
Thunder
expressing your anger,
thunder aloud!
Against injustice
O, full of astuteness!
[63] CONFIDENT
Ever struggling the proletariat
life did’t change.
Adamant, intractable, alone proletariat.
Condition the same,
neither improved, nor recovered.
The down-trodden
will challenge the system
till his last breath,
remember –
hurt, crying
bleeding public
never sleep!
The determination
of revolt
never wanes
with horrible assaults,
one committed
never mourns the loss, the defeat!
The flood
of furry
will follow!
Which will raze to the ground
the strong forts
of beastly inhuman class!
[64] UNHURT
Man
surrounded by the punches
of cyclones,
has become
a rock!
Struggles
again and again
with high courage
subject to firm faith!
Tries to recognize
with assaults / attacks
with roaring fires,
not at all amazed.
Faith in final victory
Increased,
to make
new history.
Of invincible life’s
formidable
strong
morale,
sets the forest afire,
creates
new surface for life.
[65] LEFTIST
Won’t do injustice!
Won’t endure injustice!
O! blind with power,
the authority wielders!
Won’t let
your successful knavery
succeed any more.
Won’t be cheated
any more
in the name of
paraloke1
or
public welfare.
Man
will not burn
in hell-fire of malpractices.
Autocratic
willful
won’t be alive
any more
in the new world
decidedly.
[66] UNITED
We’ll
always win,
when we march
together
side by side!
The supporters
of equality
the proponents of socialism
will fight to the last,
will never
yield!
Will march ahead
taking
each step together,
when united in strength
the faith
won’t wane.
[67] BEGINNING A CHANGE
It won't be–
bullet should
oppress truth,
honest be forced to
prostrate before
the tyrant,
it won’t be!
Several centuries
have endured
the slavery of barbarity,
but now
it won’t be!
Bayonets of tortures
have become blunt,
don’t you see –
the foundations
of lustful plans
of the brutal are jolting?
Every country
the cell of death
is getting air and light of life!
The curtain
from horrendous conspiracies
has been raised,
the entire atmosphere
is now anew!
[68] WORKERS’ SONG
Let us march together
Victory then it be of the Left!
Exploited masses’ve from slumber risen
Oppressed masses are rebel
Come, come on to the roads
Why to worry for the home!
We won’t let this chance be wasted
We’ll turn the wheel of time
Change the faces, O comrade
Of the dumb morn and eve!
The slogan booms in every hearth
Equal are one and all
One will eat one’s bread
Won with one’s sweat!
Let’s bear the bullet on the breast
Drenched with blood and sweat
Never dwindle will the honour
Of the name of the ‘worker’!
[69] AT YEAR'S END
“Congratulations,
dear friend!
May the new year
be good and fruitful
be fortunate,
full of happiness,
boundless prosperity
abundant name and fame,
bestow a pitcher of
sweet sentiments!”
These
real or formal
good wishes / sentiments
of friends
continued to beguile throughout the year,
continued to trample the good fortune!
Yearned for happiness,
pined for prosperity,
writhed for name and fame,
and heart longed for gold-bowls
full of sweet sap
to the brim overflowing!
Farewell to the year
is not as it was the welcome!
What else I should say,
dear friend!
[70] INCOMPATIBILITY
We aren’t Modern,
but the Age is!
(The saying is peculiar!)
Though
the body wears the ultra-modern dress,
yet our mind is gripped
by orthodox dogmas
blind-faiths, ancient traditions
irrelevant meaningless customs
primitive rites,
lines on hand
and stars!
Our mentality
is pre-historical,
but the Age is ‘Modern’!
Modernity : mere mask
on our old-fashioned faces!
Modernity : shiny silver hemming
on houses
on mansions.
Our old orthodox thinking
our fatalsistic philosophy
pushes us
back ... back ... back
in the past
far in the past
in the untimely dead past.
We have scientific achievements;
but not scientific foresight,
neither scientific angle of vision –
(This situation
is not minor
to be overlooked,
it’s queer,
it’s unheard of.)
We are blind-followers of faith
and walk closing eyes,
by calling ourselves Modern
we deceive ourselves!
Where is
the New Man
of the New Age?
Our sense is stupefied
to see the stupid priests
being worshipped!
[71] DEMOCRACY
One who has nuisance value
is worshippable!
The greater one's nuisance value
the more he is worshippable!
And worthy
of being followed!
has more organs!!
And all others handicapped!
He is adorable!
One who is mad after power
mad after lust
cruelly lusty
is respectable,
posted high
well-bedecked superb reverend!
The more one is talkative
and blockheaded
the more one is abusive and rustic
is surrounded by a crowd!
full of hustle and bustle!
His glory
beggars description!
and what else about him
is worth saying?
[72] A LONGING
We
don’t eat,
only
fill our belly,
graze.
(this is our fate.)
You eat
all best things
of the world
(for us
all meaningless!)
All the boons
of the God
you have amassed
for yourself,
by depriving us.
(It’s your
nature.)
No flute,
No music!
No money
No serving of tasty dessert
by mother!
Either
we’ll only see
or
hear
in stories dumb,
helpless –
(Almonds and cashew nuts and pistachios,
grapes,
Kheer-mohan2, Rasgulla3, Rabari4
Far from us!)
1 A proverb.
2 Kheer-mohan – a kind of sweetmeat made from milk-cheese.
3 Rasgulla – a kind of Bengalli sweetmeat.
4 Rabari – thickened milk and sugar, a kind of sweetmeat.
[73] DAWN
Uncovering
the blanket
of the cosmos
coming
the dawn!
Opening
the slept
naked hills,
Confounding
the embraced / engaged in intercourse
shaggy
blinking bushes!
O,
where should
they go
which side!
On this
child-play
of the naughty dawn
all animals and birds
are in commotion!
[74] BIASED
In the veil of leaves
covers utmost
herself
the fair cauliflower!
Is ruthlessly
severed
by the greedy Kallu!!
Preserver
the destroyer
what a deceipt!
Says –
I’ll sell
in the veg. market ’morrow!
Do, do your job
O, my scythe!
1 Name of a cultivator.
[75] AN ABSURD POEM
(1)
The cat has crossed the path,
The bitch has licked the vessel,
The woman has gone from home to a bathing place,
Oh! The poem composed so blunt!
(2)
The cat wept bitterly,
The bitch jumped time and again,
The woman strayed from door to door,
Whole sari is in thread-bare state,
The poem was written a piercing one!
(3)
The cat and the rat resolved enmity,
The bitch swam across the river,
The woman went out for a walk,
Today, mind your own safety,
A poem – having neither head nor tail!
[76] A STATEMENT OF THE PROLETARIAT
People
speak our language,
it’s true!
All those offensive words
echo
in Parliament
in statements of leaders,
it’s true!
O!
You shout
our slogans?
Strange
but, true!
Commotion
readiness
today all of a sudden
people
unfetter
our chains,
it’s true.
The big, big officers
Today
visit
our dark huts
to know our sorrows
for the first time,
it’s true.
It seems –
‘Revolution’ has emerged!
People’s army
has come down
in the villages
in the towns!
What a wonderful
mass-movement!
Power-hungry leaders
have changed
overnight!
Or
for self-protection
only a hypocrisy
full of falsehood
a deceptive
sympathetic-voice.1
1 During emergency / 26th June 1975 and onward.
[77] A SOLACE
A dense fog
has veiled the sky,
the dense fog
has enveloped the sky!
All roads are closed,
life is motionless!
How much
has contracted the horizon –
of our vicinity,
the wide horizon!
We’re shut up
in the hazy environment,
how odd
the sequence of time’s eternity!
Sound-waves obstructed,
entire consciousness
enveloped in the horrible atmosphere,
all around
only one
inert dumbness reigns supreme,
the whole society
is stunned and afraid.
Listen —
I come,
I come like the Sun!
The halo of sight is with me,
inexhaustible faith of self-power!
I’ll raze
the mountains of darkness and mist
to the ground!
I’ll sweep away
all the blockades of path!
The sky will once again reverberate
with multiple sounds!
Once again there be light,
rising,
moving,
non-stop light will spread!
[79] CO-OPERATION
Let us
convert distances
of countries / of men
into extreme proximity.
Let us build
a very strong
bridge!
Let us transform
the strangeness
of heart / of feelings
into consolation
and promise of protection.
Let us raise
a sky-scaling flag
of mutual amity!
Let us change
the ignorance / the lack of intelligence
of religions / of different faiths
into well-defined thorough perception.
Let us
aim at the welfare
of all humanity!
[80] IN EXPECTATION
Let the desert of deficiencies
bloom into prosperity,
a life
full of new sentiments
may come again!
Let me sing
a strong impetuous song!
Let the peaks
of dense dark fall down,
let the flags of light
wave everywhere
on the surface of earth!
Let the lamp
of sensitive sentiments
be lighted in every heart!
Let me sing the song!
The paths beset
with several distresses
be freed,
the circle of barbed wire
will break from every side
of electric obstructions,
of life ending extensions!
On the bored strong
mental horizon of man
let me put forth
shoots of belief!
Let me sing the song!
शुक्रवार, 10 अगस्त 2007
Biodata of Poet Mahendra Bhatnagar
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's is one of the significant post-independence voices in Hindi and Indian English Poetry, expressing the lyricism and pathos, aspirations and yearnings of the modern Indian intellect. Rooted deep into the Indian soil, his poems reflect not only the moods of a poet but of a complex age.
Born : 26 June 1926: Jhansi (U.P.), Edu. : M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1957) from Nagpur University; Retd. Professor.
Several volumes of poetry in English and other languages are published, viz.
In French 'A MODERN INDIAN POET : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : UN POÈTE INDIEN ET MODERNE;
In English Forty Poems of Mahendra Bhatnagar After The Forty Poems Exuberance and other poems Dr.Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry Death Perception : Life Perception Passion and Compassion Poems : For A Better World A Handful of Light
Lyric-Lute. etc.
Poems are translated in most of the Indian languages.
Published research & critical studies :
(1) Living Through Challenges : A Study of Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry
(2) Poet Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : His Mind And Art.
Adviser — 'POETCRIT'. [Half-yearly literary English magzine, Maranda / H.P.], ‘VICHAR-DRISHTI’ [Quarterly literary Hindi magzine, Delhi-Patna] At present — Reasearch Guide in many Indian Universities.
Contact : 110 BalwantNagar, Gandhi Road, Gwalior — 474 002 (M.P.) INDIA / Phone : 0751-4092908 / E-Mail : drmahendrabh@rediffmail.com
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's is one of the significant post-independence voices in Hindi and Indian English Poetry, expressing the lyricism and pathos, aspirations and yearnings of the modern Indian intellect. Rooted deep into the Indian soil, his poems reflect not only the moods of a poet but of a complex age.
Born : 26 June 1926: Jhansi (U.P.), Edu. : M.A. (1948), Ph.D. (1957) from Nagpur University; Retd. Professor.
Several volumes of poetry in English and other languages are published, viz.
In French 'A MODERN INDIAN POET : Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : UN POÈTE INDIEN ET MODERNE;
In English Forty Poems of Mahendra Bhatnagar After The Forty Poems Exuberance and other poems Dr.Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry Death Perception : Life Perception Passion and Compassion Poems : For A Better World A Handful of Light
Lyric-Lute. etc.
Poems are translated in most of the Indian languages.
Published research & critical studies :
(1) Living Through Challenges : A Study of Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's Poetry
(2) Poet Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar : His Mind And Art.
Adviser — 'POETCRIT'. [Half-yearly literary English magzine, Maranda / H.P.], ‘VICHAR-DRISHTI’ [Quarterly literary Hindi magzine, Delhi-Patna] At present — Reasearch Guide in many Indian Universities.
Contact : 110 BalwantNagar, Gandhi Road, Gwalior — 474 002 (M.P.) INDIA / Phone : 0751-4092908 / E-Mail : drmahendrabh@rediffmail.com
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