A floral wreath (Gajra) adorns your hair bun, and a marigold garland rests on your neck;
Saffron-colored robes drape your body.
A deep, sacred mark (Tilak) sits gracefully upon your cheeks,
And your gait is full of solemn dignity.
Singing in the exquisite style of the celestial Gandharvas, chant for me
The glorious and sacred teachings of Lord Chaitanya (Gauranga).
Bringing down the celestial waters from the heavens into the local stream,
Recount the sacred legends of devotion to Mother Ganga.
Yesterday, opening the window of my room,
As I sat down to compose a lyrical song,
The image of a heavenly nymph flashed across my mind,
Moving with the majestic, slow gait of an elephant (Gajagamini).
You are the precious, preserved treasure of our rural princely states;
Your beauty is as fragrant as the earth itself.
O moon-faced one, flowing pure like the sacred Gandaki river,
What is this divine, mystic attire that you have fashioned?
— Ratnamaya Tripathy
Adhyayana, Balangir
—————–
Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy
Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy
This is Ratnamaya Tripathy’s another master piece. this time showcasing “Ga-Anuprasa” (Alliteration of the letter ‘Ga’ / ଗ-ଅନୁପ୍ରାସ). Every single word in this piece begins with the letter “Ga” (ଗ), weaving classical vocabulary to describe a divine, graceful woman adorned like a saintly devotee.
Want to read this poem in Odia ? Click Here
Want to read this poem in Hindi ? Click Here
