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....
As I gaze at you with winkless eyes
in mute wonder
meseems I’ve seen you somewhere–
I cannot recall when.
That contour of your face, that dancing pose
and that familiar contraction of your eyebrows
that wakes commotion in my mind
they all lie blended in your refined smiles
A hymn as it were in marble you are
chanted by a master sculptor.
Those limbs that were once so smooth
bear the ravages of Time today.
Ah, those festive days are gone for ever.
How youthful was your body
By the wanton excess of Time
scars have appeared all over, ah me!
As I gaze and gaze at you
it occurs to me
it’s better not fashioned in marble you are.
But how will that help you?
Will you be spared for that?
What if we do not turn to be
as ruthless as Time lewd?
Aren’t we all slaves of Time
so long as we wall on earth
his captive helpless?
If we do not touch you,
Will that leave you unmolested?
If we do not run after you, Time shall.
Therefore, take whatever precautions you may,
There’s no escape.
Your beauty fascinates me.
Yet prostrated with grief am I.
Meseems I’ve seen you at Konark
I cannot recall when.
–Translated from Bengali by Umanath Bhattacharya