Dr. T. N. VRAJBAL
A figure of sand grains
glued together
Stands with pride supported
on a parched body;
Ever challenging the wind
Unmindful of its own
destiny.
Shadow has many a name
but none is perfect;
Under the cloud’s shadow
the sun lies crumbled to grains;
And the rays are sifted through a sieve;
Alas, the knowledge of the
Self is not complete!
–Translated from the original in Hindi by Ravi S. Varma