Aalok Guatam
Images of deities,
Their worship in the language of the heart from deep within,
Assurances of happiness and of peace,
A belief that thrives on faith,
The supply of deep-seated cravings to the mute images,
A support, resting on a shaking belief
That everything would be accomplished,
Incantation of mantras,
The message of the heart,
From devotees, directly to their God!
Though wishes for good health, happiness and peace
Have been articulated time and again
Right from the depth of the heart
If the devotees are left in despair,
What would the mute images be able to give
Save unfathomable tension?
Man is at the same location
As he was before
Inside his own state and circumstances
Writhing, and yet
He might not be able to transgress
This faith and belief, in vogue for generations
And so, he will kneel down again.
Trans: Mahesh Paudyal
[Aalok Gautam (b. 1947) is a poet from Manipur, India. Former chairperson of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Manipur, he has published one anthology of poems, Manchhe Bhitrako Manchhe Bolchha, besides many other prose and poetic works published as isolate pieces. He lives in Imphal with his family.]