GREAT EXIT
Prof. K.V.S. Murti
In the darkness of a
cloudy night
Darkness of
raven-hooting night
Time halted for a
moment in that night:
Life-saving medical
implements all
Became pale suddenly
lamenting bitterly
‘Nirmala Hridayam’
in Kalighat of Calcutta
Sore-throated
lamenting bade pathetic farewel...
Clad in blue
cloud-bordered moon white saree
Bearing on shoulders
cross of compassion
Smiling jasmin-white
moonlight of Bharati
Leaving dusky
delight of the west
Seeking light of
human salvation in the east
Arrived traveller of
sublime distances –
Where is Albania,
country of joy and wealth,
Where is India,
territory of gloom and death?
She is human bridge
between two nations
Built-in light of
universal unity ...
Akin to infant
Krishna weeping
For butter-feeding
mother Yasoda
akin to beckoning
hand of compassionate Chirst
For mother Mary of
personified affection
Mother’s required
journey for Bharat decided–
Discern divine folk
on starry highway raised
Auspicious row of
celestial welcome ...
Inspiring immense
courage at every step
Her smiles are
flowery shower of moonlight
Enough if she looks
raising her eyes
That look is
drenching rain of golden honour
Enough if she speaks
raising her teeth
That talk is
honey-sweet nectar
Enough if she raises
her hand and blesses
That gesture is
friendly flower-fragrance
Enough if she
decides in her pure interior
That wish is ideal
peak of soul’s empire...
Jealousy and
selfishness insult and blame
Thorny ashes in
Jahova’s path
Bloody burning city
of Satan’s empire–
Her entire life is
Jesus’s commandment
‘Service to humanity
is service to God’ message
Is her ideal kinship
of universal love
Destitutes and
trouble-bitten-and-cursed ones
Innumerable God-made
clay-dolls all
Lodged in the
art-centre of charities home
Steadily spreading
good-news of kindness
She is thirsty alter
Truth-Glory-Beauty-Love...
As girl woman nurse
and sannyasin
The Lady of penance
tasted Nature’s power
Came to live in
Bharat as Karmayogin
Vacated the house
and left for every
Soul of the sage
became white pigeon
Vanished into
eternal moonlight-radiance
Physical cage is
mother’s dwelling
Attained Absolution
in holy pilgrimage–
May her soul rest in peace – Amen!
* English translation of the Telugu poem ‘Mahaprasthanam’ written by Dr. D. Lalithakumari.