DRAUPADI -XIII

 

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - XIII

The ceremonial welcome lingered

till late night, the drums, clarinets, conches

played to dance rhythms while Vasudev

won one and all in Drupad's palace.

His winsome smiles and witty interventions

to Drupad's political queries and  his proud

assertions of certainty, military powers

Vasudev punctured with sharp wisdom,

making Drupad cover his shame

with courteous silence.

 

 

At the Royal Banquet Draupadi personally

served Krishna charmed by his radiance

of eyes, mind and his all knowing smile;

how can a human be so angelic in smile

so penetrative in political perceptions and

so jocular at the dining place, asking for

more of everything making Draupadi run.

"Have your own food Draupadi, don't sweat

for me, come sit by my side and eat".

 

Draupadi enjoyed serving him and  wished

she had the chance to serve him more and more

till mortality enveloped her consciousness

in perennial bliss of a life fulfilled:

like a  mind reader krishna had quipped

'Pass  me the kheer Draupadi , give me more!'

 

Draupadi returned to her chamber happy

for Krishna had promised to speak to her

in the garden escortless and free,

how will she prepare herself in body and mind

what  will he say , what will she speak.

She rolled on the bed caught between

uncontrolled anticipation and awe,

sleep evaded her eyes till the stars

were down the sunwashed hills afar.

 

Life's This - That

 

I have often heard

tea vendors shouting

come and drink my tea

he who drinks my adrak tea

finds heaven reachable.

 

I have also heard

skin bone children

howling for bread

while politicians like

suave actors beg for votes.

 

When the power line is cut off

while watching soft porn

on the mobile lonely men

rise up in revolt-

what's this-

they take the tariff

but give us grief

to roast us in our loneliness.

I have felt life tearing away

far from the world of my home

when words of horror and death

rogue dogs barking biting

each other over-

God knows what,

are thrown at me from all sides

killing my concentration

when I try to find out a

substitute for L O V E

a synonym if you prefer.

Sabita Sahu

 

 

 

 

DRAUPADI -XII

 

 

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - XII 

Triumphal arches were the gates

three tiered floral tapestry

gave them the look of exotic rainbow

which made heaven look pale with envy

Draupadi with a thousand virgins

imaginatively decked up like fairies

stood with the arati plate in excitement,

while Dhristadyumna supervised the defence,

ten thousand cavalry behind the array

of soldiers standing in O formation,

seven layers thick miles ahead.

 

King Drupad calm and happy stood

near the palace entrance with guards.

The bands played welcome Vasudev

the conch shells blew in unison

when the rising dust of Krishna's charriot

were sighted, the rhythm of horse hooves

evoked pride and fear, Draupadi looked

at her preparations with a nervous smile.

IN SEARCH OF HONEY

 

Last evening at sundown

I was in the market searching for honey

one shopkeeper said honey- no

we have syrups -

no- no - no  I  want honey -

sorry.

 

I asked  another shopkeeper,

do you have honey

yes mam, he placed a bottle of

Dabur honey on the counter.

I said no, I need honey

which drips in the air

sweetens life, elevates the moon

to run after butterflies like school kids

I want a lonely flower enjoying

the company of her lover bee

resonating the air with the hum of hymns.

 

The shopkeeper looked at me

holding two other bottles

we have Baidyanath and also Ramdev.

Thank you, but I don't need

this honey which cures cough

I want honey to purge my soul

of the billion indignities

which you hurl at us

my contaminated soul searches

for the honeydew,

do you have - anyone?

Sabita Sahu

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Am The First Born

The sky is mine

land and sea

stars and planets

all are mine-

don't divide the

elemental universe

into genders,

I am  woman

I give birth to man

nurse him bring him up,

I teach him the first

letter 'Ma' 'Mother'

how can my progeny

my children divide the world.

Man is my creation

I am Aditi- next to none-

I will break all shackles

and move freely

lavishing my love

on everything on everyone

that breathes or is still.

 

I now drive, navigate, fly

swim and set new benchmarks

the world is open for me

as it is for you,

let not our freedoms clash

amity is beyond freedom

I extend my arms to

embrace all nuances of life,

join me if you wish

and respect me

for I deserve as

the first born of God.

Sabita Sahu

 

DRAUPADI- XI

 

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - XI

 

Alpana, do you know Sri Krishna Vasudev?

Alpana's face brightened, a flush

reddened her dimpled cheeks, Yes Princess,

Who doesn't know him, when I was twelve

my father took me with him to the Mathura festival,

father showed me a very young Krishna

and his brother Balram fighting Kansa's wrestlers:

That was years ago, how did he look

asked Draupadi, her curiosity bubbling out,

Alpana added with a happy reminiscent voice,

he was dark but with a glistening body

he was well proportioned and handsome

he wore a peacock plume on his head gear

his walk had a strident message

he killed Kansa the terrible king

and released his parents from Kansa's prison.

 

No woman can resist

his ebullient demeanour

Really! Is he a man or a player!

Alpana's defence she chopped -

But he is now in Dwarika, how come?

 

Their entire family moved out

with the Yadavs of Mathura and Vrindaban

to Dwarika, that's what I have heard.

For fear of repression from Jarasandh

the Father- in - law of Kansa

more tyrannical and cruel than Kansa,

But why do you want to know Krishna?

Don't you know, Krishna Vasudev is visiting

Kampilya next week: Great that is great!

I'll be happy to see him again,

he must be full grown, his fame

has spread far and wide as a wise,

brave, judicious and heroic man

he is incomparable in Aryabarta.

  Hey Princess, do you know

he was naughty, he stole clothes

of the gopikas on Yamuna banks

he played the flute which charmed

all the women of vrindaban,

I have also heard that he loved Radha

a beautiful young maiden

he doted on her.

 

Draupadi asked her to stop,

How do you know all these,

Alpana smiled and said

everyone knows I have heard from

many women about his greatness.

Princess!

You will love him when you see him.

Let's see when he comes.

I am all agog inside me.

Self Introduction

 

How shall I introduce myself

what shall I say what I am

shall I say that I punish myself

for somebody else's mistake

or my hands try to move faster

than wind to wipe tears from

the eyes of my love

or I run and fall for my dear ones

to see them rise high

or one who failed to extend

her motherly arms to cuddle.

 

What account do I have

in the pages of my life

I do not know but when

I turn  I find nothing written

simply blank, with a sigh

I tear them to make paper boats

and sway in rainwater  that

reaches no where.

 

What if I have  absorbed

all seasons, and weathers of time

I hardly remember how much

I have enjoyed  and with whom,

I am not dead yet

I hold life's fortitude

my shadow waits for the light

to make me feel the bliss of love.

 

 

DRAUADI - X

 

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - X

The Krishna Sensation

 

History is not man's chambermaid

nor mistress,  to carry the message

of the past to future unborn,

man makes history and forwards it

by preserving memories

like treasures of gold

to dazzle future men with wonder.

Father let's make this occasion momentous

said Dhristadyumna with a knowing smile

the king nodded, He is godlike wise  and clever

never lose your guard, we need his favour.

 

Returning to the chamber Draupadi

fell on the silk sheets thinking of Vasudev

Who is he, how does he look,

What are his needs, what is he as man

How to guaze his mind

Who can tell?

Before I greet him I must know about him

his tastes, his fancies, a bit of his past

he is a legend, they say, a Hero

of many exploits, amorous, adventurous forays

into uncharted territories have left behind

many a tale of wonder

for admirers to gloat over:

I wish he were here now

I cannot wait a whiff when

Krishna is in everyone's heart

I must see myself

whether he is  real or an icon

for weak hearted mortals.