If the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) were to happen once more,
Which side would you choose to align with?
Could you fight for equal rights
During the distribution of the divine nectar (Amruta)?
Becoming an ascetic, could you refuse
To bring down the river Bhagirathi from the heavens?
Becoming Bharata, instead of worshiping the wooden sandals (Paduka),
Could you forcefully bring Lord Rama back to his kingdom?
Becoming Arjuna, could you refuse the call to arms,
Putting an end to the absolute resolve for war?
Could you, in a mere flash, alter the truth that
“The destruction of desire is the destruction of sorrow”?
By not letting the log of wood
Float away into the vast ocean,
Could you, as the tribal chief Biswabasur, protect
Your beloved deity, Lord Nilamadhab?
Under whose command do these events unfold?
At whose gesture does the cycle of seasons change?
If everything is truly within your supreme control,
Then, witnessing this mockery of human existence,
Why do you remain so quiet, O Silent God…?
— Ratnamaya Tripathy
Adhyayana, Balangir
Original Odia : Ratnamaya Tripathy
Translated by : Dr. Khyatimaya Tripathy
Want to read this poem in Odia ? Click Here
Want to read this poem in Hindi ? Click Here
