EPILOGUE

(A POEM)

Dr. Ravuri Bharadwaja

O Mother Earth!

Allow me to make a small appeal,

This body of mine by now itself is of no avail.

After my death, it becomes useless.

My mortal remains will be deposited in your arms,

You endearingly caress me with your finger tips,

Then you fondlingly take me into your fold.

After that, you fully envelop me,

You affectionately embrace me-who was

separated from you for quite a long time.

I then, bow into your arms and gradually get dissolved,

I will completely be one with you,

Then,

O Mother Earth!

O Embodiment of Kindness!

You absorb my entire body into yours,

I do not have any objection,

But O Mother!

I Pray, spare my lips,

Please, do not touch them.

Leave them - leave them as they are.

Please, do not touch those lips,

Highly sanctified by uttering - uttering and

uttering the name of my Kantham, By chanting,

chanting and chanting her sacred name.

Let the chanting of that name,

Continue uninterruptedly many a decade, century, millennium

Ever, for ever and eternally.

(Excerpt from Okinta Vekuva Kosam a Telugu book of long poem)

- Translated by Sri G. Ramakrishna Rao

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