Hymnal Pundarik

Find me O, citydwellers,
Stuck in capitalist concrete,
In wireless cocoons shuffling carpeted feet,
Desiring to be… of dry tedium freed!
Right beside you upon shoreless waters,
I expand pristine white leaves
In stotras, shlokas and mantras
Of universal wisdom… in Sanskrit,
Mastered digitally, searchable in video feed.

Find that incomparably sweet MS Subbulakshmi,
Sitting at Vishnu’s feet.
Hear her sing how the Lord sees
Through me… for I, the white lotus,
Am his eyes verily!
Touch me and be rid of worldly grief!

– Bolbul

PS: MS Subbulakshmi received India’s highest civilian honor