Poetry : Dev Bhoomi — Himachal Pradesh

 

Dev Bhoomi — Himachal Pradesh

( This is an English translation of my poem, originally written in Hindi and  which has been posted in this blog  as 57th post.. While preserving the spirit and imagery of the original, the translation seeks to convey its reverence for the natural beauty and sacred essence of Himachal Pradesh. )

The morning sun,

Rises softly,

Behind the snowy peaks,

Slowly enfolding the sky

In its gentle embrace,

Spilling liquid gold,

Across the mighty mountains.

The glistening summits,

Proud and tall,

Rise heavenward,

As if reaching

To meet their Creator

In the sacred realm above.

The mountains drift,

Behind floating clouds,

Like little girl,

Playing hide-and-seek

In  her  mother's loving embrace.

When the sun sinks,

Into the dark of night,

The clear blue sky,

Glows crimson bright.

It is the hour of twilight,

When sun and moon,

Meet in a sacred embrace.

 The sound of conch shells,

Echoes across the peaks,

While silent pines,

And stately deodars

Whisper softly to the breeze..

Their quiet grace,

Spreads gently,

Across the sleeping valleys.

The icy winds begin to sing,

Carrying ancient songs,

On silent wings.

In lush forests,

And tranquil streams,

The Creator's presence,

Softly gleams.

The shimmering  lakes,

The emerald meadows,

The waterfalls,

With their silver sheen—

The earth rejoices,

Pure and radiant,

Dancing,

In nature's endless light.

A haven for poets,

Painters, and sages,

A land of timeless wisdom,

Through the ages.

Here life reveals,

Its hidden meaning,

In every dawn,

It is Dev Bhoomi—

The Land of the Gods,

A sacred realm,

Where heaven seems near.

And forever in my heart,

It shall remain—

My beloved land,

My birthland.

-Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya