Pinda-Dana Continuing

The burning country, Crows crowing While pinda-dana continuing for the dead father. The burning country By river banks Underneath the peepul tree Pinda-dana continuing. On the one hand lay it the dry river With the burnt logs While on the other pinda-dana continuing On the ghat. Under heat and dust, Sweltering and sweating of heat And dust swirling at some nook and corner Pinda-dana continuing. Pinda-dana, Pinda-dana for the soul, The spirit, The soul gone by. A handful of food for the soul Bereaved and departed, A handful of for the ritual sake, A litter of water drops. Pinda-dana, Pinda-dana continuing Under heat and dust In the country. The doer doing The pinda-dana, The priest helping it In getting it done. For the shantih, Shantih of the soul, The spirit gone by And bereaved. The soul departed, Departed And bereaved, Orphaned and wandering. Not settled, Settled yet, The soul, Lost soul. The hamlet by the river With the dry banks And the pinda-dana, Pinda-dana continuing. Continuing under The peepul tree From whom lies it hanging The asthi-kalasha. The asthi-kalasha, Asthi-kalasha Under the peepul tree, Peepul tree. By the banks, Banks of the dry river Lying Waterless and dried down. Pinda-dana, Pinda-dana, Pinda-dana for the soul Bereaved and departed.