Itihaas-4

Amangal Chaaya -Inauspicious Shadow

Hey Radhe!
Today as you return
from the riverside;
Tread not the path-
Where the Kadamba tree stands
Where He used to wait for you
That place where you used to pay
HimHumble Obeisance
Tread not that path anymore!

The trampled leaves,
The rising dust,
The barren path,
Dont they reveal today
That Krishna's
Eighteen Akshahauni army
Will march by
This very path
Onward to the Battlefield!


Oh foolish lass!
Step aside-
Conceal your wounded Love,
Bide your broken heart,
To pound no more!
Today Krishnas army
Intoxicated by the thirst for blood
Shall march this way!


Agreed, Kanu is yours;
True, you are familiar
with every pore of His
But so does the Huge army
That belongs to Him
And they know you not
So step aside you foolish lass!


This bough of the Aamr tree
Was dear to Him,
As it is to you-
Every evening he used to wait-
Standing here,
For you to come-
Standing here,
He used to
Call your name on
His flute!


Today the very same bough
Is in the way
Of the Mighty army-
It stands a hurdle
To the speeding chariots!
The sky high flags
Shall get caught in its branches!
The shady Asoka tree
too is in the way-
So what if they are felled?
So what if they are uprooted?
So what if the Army tramples
On Memories underfoot?
The village has to hang
festoons and capers
To welcome
The Mighty Army!


Why are you sad?
Oh foolish lass?
What if todays Krishna
Remains a stranger;
What if Krishna
Is different from Kanu?

Do not shed a tear-
Do not lose heart-
True, in this war;
The song of your love
Has been drowned -
Everything is lost!


Rise in pride!
Hey Radha!
Just remember, your Beloved
Has an Eighteen Akshahauni Army
Under Him!
Who else can boast
of such an honour???