A Tale Of Great Sacrifice Poem by Amitava Chakraborty

When the scaring dark cloud overcast gradually
With sudden cessation of stormy west wind,
Why that ominous caw behind a thorny plant
Or the piteous barking near a dustbin shakes today my mind?

Strolling anxiously long I on solitary garret,
The reverend queen of Chitore palace,
Dedicated Rajput cast, we for ever
Keep dignity upon every earthly solace.

But who observes my restless glance today
At the messenger’s way from a lone turret?
How lucky I will be in my hero’s victory
With declaration of triumph tranquilizing my fret.

Not like this mischievous gloomy day
It was a glimpse of momentous joy,
Adorned in glittering armor my chivalrous king
Embracing me, the shrunken beloved in coy.

An adorable head on thee mighty bosom
Little fellow I heard thou love beats only,
How irresistible call was there
That speaking out my name so proudly.

Cherishing two crazy hearts their unfulfilled dream
When realization itself not a dream so far,
Blessed spring breeze burdened with aroma
Whispers in Royal garden inciting us to be love martyr.

Sent I off my king waving ceremonial lamps
When thousand voices sought for release from raiders’ stake,
Savior my valiant king today on liberation war
Look! How rigid his determinations for mother land’s shake.

Like dreadful passing of an evil comet
An approaching black spot storms in somber horizon,
Count forcibly alone today I my heart beat
When dear king struggling in a great mission.





Behold I rapidly the black spot enlarged into animation
When on weird horse back a leaning soldier
Falls down by uncelebrated victory gate
Drawing down this unfortunate queen soon there.

Put I his inclined head on my lap so passionately
When two half closed eyes searching for an eternal sleep.
“King is gone with kingdom- Your majesty queen”,
Uttered the dying fellow with his last breath so deep.

Is it a horrible dream or crude reality?
O Lord! Why such piteous curse to this dream searcher?
Like a fake flower without pollen
How an ill starred lady lives losing her lover!

Newly formed will be the kingdom with new king
Poor fellow I have to surrender in foe’s ruthless arm,
Unable you dear then to rescue me from other world
When alien’s fleshy hunger will be satisfied in wild charm.

“Come back, come back dear for once,
Look, praying thy beloved in hellish dejection.”
Dashed my shriek blindly in deserted palace
When echoing helplessly the same for a tragic conclusion.

Determined so I today to meet thee crossing the bar
As custom makes me feel proud in self sacrifice,
Thou soul is my soul- mine chastity yours,
Will loss we again in love in heaven with eternal bliss.



[The poem is based on the theme of ‘Jawar Brath’, a self sacrificial custom by earlier Rajput queens of Rajasthan, India before surrendering to the foes.]

Amitava Chakrabortty
14th January,2009

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