Om
'Lead Me From The Illusion To the Reality.'
'Lead Me From Darkness Of Ignorance To The Light Of Knowledge.'
'Lead Me From Death To The Immortality.'
(From Upanisad)
Between black board, chalk, table, chair,
and the green faces
I have cherished being a bridge.
The inner strength
of the saplings
been filled with light and air.
The seedlings have Photosynthesized on their own
Stood their ground
on their own
by themselves
To become enormous trees
that spread shade.
My bag is full
with self-satisfaction and bliss.
On the way,
the trees bowed to me,
I raised my hands blessing them:
Be Immortal!
Be Immortal!
Then the war transpires,
The battle for development!
Movements of progression!
The war of modernity!
Opposition, Antagonism
have been assigned
to my black board,
on my strong shoulders,
And on my
uncompromising spine.
Sometimes, I’m rudely addressed as
'Hey, Master!'
Sometimes as
'Ohh, Shameless!'
Sometimes I’m deemed
insincere and over waged!'
My knowledge is auctioned:
... A master worthy of a hundred rupees only!
... A master worthy of a couple of hundreds only!
The collar of my righteousness
is twisted by
civil sophistication.
Now,
I’m a virtual teacher through computers, mobiles,
and online classes,
weaving the bridge
beyond phone screens
to infinite galaxies.
I am The Teacher!
No matter which title you place before or after my name,
No matter how much you try
to distort my backbone,
Burying as much
poison of hatred
in your own body.
Still,
I will carve you into
a doctor,
an engineer,
a lawyer.
Maybe, you sit on the throne of selfishness,
Maybe, you smile,
a smile of insolence eyeing me.
Still,
I will raise my hands to say,
Not adversity,
Not hatred,
Speak love only.
If ever your throne is overthrown,
If ever you think of
The 'Bliss Of Immortality'!
If ever you come again,
running through the very bridge
I weaved,
If you Call me …
"Oh! My Teacher!:
Again I will raise my hands in blessings on your head ...,
And call out
'Srinwantu Vishwe Amritashy Putra'
'Ma Vidwisawahai'
'Hear, Ye Children of Immortal Bliss!'
'May There Be No Enmity Among Us!'
At last, I will be far away
Blending with the beyond!
Still you will hear,
What your inner great soul is calling …
'Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Tamoso Ma Jyotirgamaya
Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya'
Lead Me From The Illusion To the Reality.'
'Lead Me From Darkness Of Ignorance To The Light Of Knowledge.'
'Lead Me From Death To The Immortality.'
-----------------
Written By:
Sujata Mishra
Translated By:
Manabesh Middar
Premangshu Ghosh
Bandana Sengupta
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