The moon shimmering in its silvery splendour,

Beckons the lovers of the world to rejoice.

I look at the azure skies,

The Lord seems to be celebrating tonight,

He has lit up the heavens with beautiful, twinkling delights.

The serene, white & fluffy clouds,

Add beauty to His Majesty’s celestial designs.

Bathed in moonlight, I watch spellbound.

A sudden streak of lightning,

Lends vibrancy to the Divinity,

And makes this mortal world appear dimmer in contrast.

The thunder is rapturous,

Heralding the commencement of His celebrations.

The sky gradually takes on a darkish hue,

The clouds turn somber and ominous,

The glow of the moon surrenders to this sudden alarm,

And stealthily hides behind the clouds.

Is it the triumph of evil over the angels?

The victory of Satan over God?

Lightning and thunder take turns,

Each competing with the other’s ferocity.

A child’s wail pierces the distance,

The earth and the Lord’s shrine in heaven

Are both plunged in darkness.

The air is laden with moisture and dust,

The wind kicks up a storm,

Slow at first, gradually gaining momentum..

The storm is wild in its ceaseless ecstasy,

Wreaking havoc along the way,

Unmindful of the uprooted trees,

Playing havoc with the poor man’s abode,

Pouring forth its wrath in a spirit of cheerfulness.

I find it difficult to focus,

My tears mingle with the dust,

I watch the plunder and I wonder,

Is this shrieking storm the unleashing of hell’s fury?

A tiny raindrop gently falls on a sapling,

The dust settles,

The storm is spent,

Water cascades down the heavens and caresses the earth,

As though applying balm to its wounds.

The fragrance of the flowers is carried by the soft breeze,

Reminiscent of the aroma of incense sticks.

The moon teasingly peeps from behind the clouds,

Adorning the world with resplendent grandeur.

The stars are twinkling with renewed vigour,

Ushering a new beginning.

Nothing can stop the Lord’s celebrations tonight!

It is the triumph of peace over strife,

The victory of light over darkness.

Arise! Awake!

The air is reverberating with the sound of conch-shells.

Let us rejoice,

And partake of these Celestial celebrations tonight!

MAHUA DAS

© 2004