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.