SUBRAHMANYA BHARATI
(Extracted from Panchali Sabadam and
rendered into English by K. C. Kamaliah.)
A country this is with
many mountains
Crowned with summits of
blue;
A country this is full
of rivers flowing
With water nectar-like;
Of cool groves and
gardens
Packed with trees fruit
laden;
Its soil so fertile, wet
or dry,
Can
save all mankind from hunger.
Its people live like
gods on earth
Eating
cream, fresh ghee and honey.
Gracefully swans float
and glide
Amid
the golden lotuses.
Bees buzz, parrots
prattle, koils sing,
Filling
the ears with sweetness.
Soft Southern breezes
wafting fragrance,
Maidens, smooth
shouldered and bedecked with gold,
As they stroll on lofty
terraces.
A country this is that
makes
Their captivating eye hover over there,
A
source of delight to their lovers.
A country this is
Made rich and splendid,
By
great virtue and great industry.
A country this is
Where women like damsels
Dazzle the beholder’s
eyes;
Where valour, wisdom, penance and learning
And sacrifice abound;
Where
theft and meanness are unknown.
A country this is
Shining like a luminous
diamond
On
Earth’s crown of antiquity.