Mahananda Dhakal
My head has turned grey;
It has been years since I was born.
Upon seeing my head
Many people cast their smile.
Some others stare for hours.
Many bow their heads in reverence.
By touching this head
Many people have taken vows
Envisioned a beautiful world
And have carved their dreams.
By watching my head
Many people promise to imitate me.
Numerous try to become constant and immortal.
So, I have the pride of having my head grey.
My chest is the origin of my body.
Blood is circulated through its path.
And breathing happens, based on this chest.
Tenderness and bravery
Have been around the chest.
Humanity and sensitivity
Have been seated like rock on the chest.
So, the chest has been like a Chest.
Globe amaranth and Chrysanthemums
Have been nurtured by this Chest
Base of the fermentation of rhododendrons
Has become the chest.
And it has been a base for Rhododendron’s fermentation
I think
My chest is a hundred time wider than the Sky.
My two arms
Have prevented my chest from becoming timid.
One hand has carried Gorakhnath[1]
So I am called brave Gorkhali[2] all over the world.
And the other hand has lifted Swyambhunath[3]
Thus, I have been acknowledged as a peace lover all over the world.
My lap is adorable for all:
Black, white, tall, short, rich and poor;
All have played on this lap spontaneously.
By sitting on my lap
Many have read the Geeta and the Bible.
Numerous have read Quran and Tripitak.
I do not have any complaint to anybody.
I do not have discrimination for anyone.
I am independent.
My feet have taught me to become independent.
I can walk up and down.
And I can run on thorns and narrow paths.
With support of these feet I have won Lig Lig[4]
Depending on these I have reached Kangada[5].
And have crossed Teesta[6] several times.
To move forward my feet have assisted me.
From head to foot
Blood vessels are laid
Life has flowed in these vessels
Energy is being added by every blood drop.
I wish these blood vessels
Not to be unblocked
Nor any pollution to spread
Because I do not want to give birth to a malnourished child.
I admire to a gray-haired head.
I like the chest that cultivates globe amaranth and chrysanthemums.
I like my feet which are supporting me to move forward.
I am sorry;
I do not want to be a devil without head
I do not want to be handicapped by cutting legs
By cutting my hands I cannot be a peace lover
Neither can I give identity of a Gorkhali with trembling feet,
I need all organs.
I need my introduction.
I need my faith and self-respect.
Because, I am Nepal
And need an entire body.
(Translated from Nepali by Utsav Kafle)
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[1] Gorakhnath, the God like-figure and worshipped to gain bravery by Hinduism.
[2] Gorkhali is addressed to Nepali people who are world-widely acknowledged as symbol of bravery in troops.
[4] Liglige is a historic running competition which is scheduled to take place on October 18.
[5] The Kangara fort is a historic fort located in the Kangara district of the Himachal Pradesh in India and it was Nepali territory in the history.
[6] Teesta is a River (414Km) that raises in the Pauhunri Mountain located in Sikkim and historically it was in Nepali territory.
