पाऊस-The Rain

By Ms. Harshada Hemant Anawkar

तुला पाहूनी कळले सारे

मनवेडे का बावरले??

तु आल्याने हे चंचल मन 

रानपाखरू  झाले..

तुझ्या आठवणीत 

एक वरीस सरले,

तुझ्या परतायच्या आशेने 

डोळे दाराकडे वळले..

रातदिस तुझी वाट पाहूनी 

मी आता थकून गेले,

भक्ताला देव-प्रचिती यावी 

असे काहीसे आज घडले..

तुझी वाट पाहता पाहता 

झरोका रिकामा झाला ,

किलबिलणार्या जीवांचा 

जीव नाहीसा झाला..

रोज डोळे भरून येई 

आसवांच्या सरी कोसळून जाई,

बहरणारे जीव कोमेजून जाई 

सरिता स्वरलुप्त होई ..

वार्‍याची पावरी शांत होऊन

सुखकाळावर अंधार सरला,

तुझ्याकडे डोळे लावून 

बसणारा तो जीवच आता विरला..

तुझ्या अभावी काय होते ??

कळले रे सारे दुःख,

हिरवे-तान्हे जीव सुकू लागले 

हरवू लागले सुख..

तुझ्या केवळ नसण्याने 

जीवन बदलून गेले,

विरहाने आता संकटाचे 

डोंगर कोसळू लागले..

माफी तुझी मागते रे 

तु आहे आम्हास खास,

तुच जीवनदान देणारा

चंचल, निर्मळ पाऊस..

TRANSLATION

“The Rain”

When I saw you, all became clear,

Why had humans gone so astray?

With your arrival, my restless heart,

Became a wild bird, free to play.

In memories of you, a season has passed,

Longing for your return, my gaze is cast,

Towards the door, where you’ll appear at last.

Night and day, I’ve waited, weary and worn,

A devotee seeking divine morn,

A longing so deep, it aches to the core.

As I waited, my window grew bare,

Life's vibrant pulse ceased to care,

A silent world, forevermore.

Each day, tears would fall, a ceaseless rain,

As life withered, in sorrow and pain,

Rivers lost their song, a mournful strain.

The wind's soft whisper has turned to a sigh,

Darkness has crept where joy used to lie,

My soul, once full of hope, now begins to die.

Without you, I’ve learned of sorrow’s deep well,

Green life withers, its beauty to fell,

Happiness fades, a sorrowful knell.

Your absence has changed all I hold dear,

Mountains of trouble, caused by fear,

Crush my heart, year after year.

Forgive me, oh rain, so pure and bright,

You’re the lifeblood, our guiding light,

A precious gift, a wondrous sight.

EXPLANATION:

Once upon a time, with your arrival, our hearts would dance like carefree birds. But now, in your absence, a heavy silence has settled, and our souls yearn for your return. We've spent countless nights gazing out of our windows, hoping to catch even a glimpse of you. Yet, as days turn into weeks and weeks into months, our hope dwindles, and our world grows increasingly parched. Every day, tears fall like a relentless downpour, mirroring the sorrow that grips our hearts. The once-vibrant life around us now withers, and the rivers that once sang with joy are now silent. The gentle breeze that once carried your promise has fallen still. We’ve come to realize the true depth of our loss. The lush greenery, once a symbol of life, now stands as a testament to our grief. Your absence has cast a long shadow over our lives, and we find ourselves burdened by a sorrow that seems insurmountable. We beg your forgiveness, oh rain, for we now understand your invaluable role in our existence. You are the giver of life, the bringer of hope, and the cleanser of our souls.

By Ms. Harshada Hemant Anawkar