Join me in wishing India a very happy Independence Day – the picture has a boat with colors of the Indian flag.
Reproduced below is my favorite poem ‘Pushpa Ki Abhilaashaa’ (The Desire of a Flower) by Poet Makhanlal Chaturvedi.
The poem is dedicated to all the martyrs who laid down their life to free/defend their country.
चाह नहीं मैं सुरबाला के
गहनों में गूँथा जाऊँ,चाह नहीं प्रेमी-माला में
बिंध प्यारी को ललचाऊँ,चाह नहीं, सम्राटों के शव
पर, हे हरि, डाला जाऊँचाह नहीं, देवों के शिर पर,
चढ़ूँ भाग्य पर इठलाऊँ!मुझे तोड़ लेना वनमाली!
उस पथ पर देना तुम फेंक,मातृभूमि पर शीश चढ़ाने
जिस पथ जावें वीर अनेक।
A rough English translation is below
I do not wish to be woven into ornaments for a beauty
I do not wish to be made into a lover’s garland that tempts a beloved
I do not wish to be proffered as a mark of respect to deceased kings
I do not wish to be an offering to Gods and be filled with pride at my good fortune
Oh Gardener – please pluck me!
And throw me on the path, down which
Go the many brave hearts willing to sacrifice their lives for the motherland
12 comments
Beautiful!
Thanks. Wish you a very happy Independence Day!
Fabulous photo.
Glad you liked it. Sometimes occasions like these force one to go through stacks of forgotten pics 😉
Yes We love India, and a lovely song, thank you!
Amen!
Great picture…. 🙂
Appreciate the comment. Have a great day!
It was great to read this poetry after so many years back. It was in my Hindi Rapid Reader, when I was in studying in my school – wya back down the memory lane. A truly inspiring post.
Yup Amitabha. Even I read it in school and it has lingered in my memory ever since. It’s written in such simple words that even kids can understand it.
Yet the emotion it evokes is such that it makes us not only appreciate the selflessness of the flower but also wonder what we have done for our martyrs.
Bahut Khub.
Dhanyawaad!