Ram Navami

The spring has given way to, The scorching summer has started to show And fall upon, The fire flames as icicles hanging by Showing the fluctuation in temperatures, Heat waves swirling, The bouts of the loos Scorchig the faces And against such a background, Begins it the Basanti Puja, The akal-bodhan (untimely worship) of Lord Rama As well as Ram Navami, Shri Ram Navami, The birth celebrations of The seventh avatar of Vishnu. The day drawing out utmost, The tender leaves glistening, The earth parched dry With an acute scarcity of water all around, Ram Navami starting with, Rama worshipping Bhagavati With neelkamals As for her boon and blessing from To win over Ravana. Somewhere the processions on their way, Somewhere the kirtana doing the rounds, Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Sita-Ram, Sita-Ram, Jai Sita-Ram, Somewhere readaing from the Ramayana Or Ramchartimanas, The Ram-Sita temples tidied up With those of Hanuman. The red flags fluttering, The idols of Ram with Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman Looking beautiful, Dressed and decorated well, Somewhere the Hanuman standing With the open torn heart Showing the Ram-bhakti, Sita-Ram written over the heart. The day seems drawing out utmost, The earth looking parched and dried up, In the heat and dust and humidity Of the season, When Ram Navami begins with Wile on the other the little cuckoos too Have not stopped from cooing sweetly From the green olive branches.