Navrasa

 Navarasa

Shringara (Love and Beauty)

The scent of parijat

lingers in the soft moonlight —

my breath entangled with his.

⸻

Hasya (Laughter).

Sethji’s fat hands reach,

prasad vanishes mid-air—

monkey grins, mouth full.

⸻

Karuna (Compassion and Sorrow)

My child sheds a tear,

a mother bird mourns her nest —

grief lingers, silent.

⸻

Raudra (Fury)

Another Nirbhaya.

The third eye of Shiva must

burn this world to ash.

⸻

Veera (Heroism)

In Subhadra’s womb

a young warrior keenly

awaits the battlefield.

⸻

Bhayanaka (Fear)

Swords and lit torches

in hands of people praying

to another God.

⸻

Vibhatsa (Disgust)

Vultures encircle

the red-bloodied, reeking earth —

death dances about.

⸻

Adbhuta (Wonder)

The joy of catching

fireflies in little hands —

the wonder of twilight.

⸻

Shanta (Peace)

Blessing of full moon

washes over the suckling

babe with milk divine.

The Hindu calender

 The Hindu Calendar

The earth smiles in flowers

as Chaitra heralds with joy

the birth of Lord Rama.

Vaishakha sun smiles bright,

promising cornucopia

on Akshay Tritiya.

Jyeshtha’s parched lips,

chanting Vishnu’s thousand names,

burn lifelong sins.

The dark Ashadha clouds

rain rivulets of delight.

Devotees throng Puri.

Green succulence paints

the chunris of womenfolk

swinging Sravana jhoola.

Bhadra skies are dark;

Yamuna swells to kiss the feet

of baby Krishna.

Ashvin’s moonbeams adorn

each form of Navdurga,

lighting lamps within.

Cool Karthik winds charm

the fragrant hearts of parijat;

Lord Ram comes back home.

Margashirsha’s mild sun —

seeking Krishna as a groom,

girls weave marigold haar.

Granaries brim full

in Pausha’s hush before spring;

hearths hum with promises.

Magha’s saffron tides

call pilgrims for sacred rites,

as Ganga flows on.

Palaash blooms ignite —

Radha blushes in delight,

Krishna’s Phalguna.