Triveni Journal
1927 | 11,233,916 words
Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....
(Rendered by B. R. Deshpande, from the poem "Jirna Durga" in Marathi)
Stretched in front, the gruesome citadel lies dilapidated…….
where, of old, lion-like men, brave and venturesome, their dwellings made;
where Nerbudda rang through the echoing precipices,
told them of their duty, sang the songs of success.
Flowery beds were strewn in this very fort’s pleasure-palaces
and when the fire of freedom flamed, all were burnt to ashes.
Their only goddess was their sharp sword-blade;
and to anoint it ever with blood, their creed.
Not only life but all that life is for
they gave, in their freedom’s need.
Such heroes dwelt of old in this–in this very heap!
But now doth here some lowly priest the idol-goddess worship.
His hand besmears the image with sandal-paste, vermilion powder mixed.
Drunk with intoxicating ‘bhang,’ he babbles a tale of old, incoherent and fixed, . . .
with feelings none–glad for a pie or two!
Such is the sport of time,
not here alone but everywhere!
In us too no feeling arises,
For we dwell in a dingy attic, and that one rented!
And say we, contentedly,
‘Why should such lowly creatures as ourselves great mansions have?’