Three footsteps
that measured the world
aren’t solicited
Reaching hometown
within a footstep
is sufficient
The lengthy saree
that Draupathi was bestowed
isn’t wanted
A spare cloth for
walking mothers
mom-to-be wives
swooning sisters
pubescent daughters
are enough
Coolness of Brindhavan
isn’t besought
sandal for blistered feet
is all that is wanted
Lifting the Govardhana hill and
bringing the rain to halt
isn’t besieged
A tree’s cool shade
is that all needed for
scorching sun
Kavasa Kundala of
Supreme Self,
received of charity,
isn’t asked for
One mouthful of rice
is all sufficient
Those Seven worlds
seen revolving inside
Balakrishna’s mouth
isn’t coveted
Witnessing Lord Krishna’s
foot and blood
is enough
Carrying the infant
in a basket,
Vasudeva crossed
the river walking through
Our Vasudevas
carrying poverty
vade walking through
black river
For Boodhagi,
Aadhisheshan is
a protecting parasol
Sudharshana Wheel
is in the fury of
those who walk
Their silence is
novel Bhagavad Gita
their tears,
conch Paanchajanyam
This is
The Kurukshetra on Highway
Swervingly,
Krishna is with
Kauravas!
- Andal Priyadharshini
Translated By : Naveena
About the Translator:
Naveena, an ardent writer in Tamil and English is a native of Hanumanthanpatty, Theni district. She works as an Assistant Professor of English at PMT College, Melaneelithanallur. A prospective doctorate in the realm of African Women writings . Emecheta and Adichie, are her forte in research exploration.
Apart from writing and researching, she is one of the editors for an academic journal under the aegis of Indian Defense Ministry. Naveena has also been honoured with the coveted, ‘Voice of Women’ award, by CPS, Srilanka.
Her anthologies in English include, A Parrot in Blue & Other Poems on Feminism, Are You Real & Other Poems on Greek and Roman mythical and metaphysical love stories. Lilithum Aadamum, is her collected essays in Tamil realm. It’s her creative literary endeavour on Gender- bender tolerance and pro- Feminism.
She is a well trained translator from National Translation Mission. Her diversified interest has made her assist in translating text books of schools under the Government of Tamilnadu. Her Tamil poems embalm and encompass dialects of Theni and Madurai. Of late, she is conferred with the prestigious award of horonary doctorate from George Washington University for her tireless contributions towards the upliftment of tribal children in promoting their wellness in skill based learning.
