As the shiny new day had just begun
My eyes fluttered open upon the rays of the sun
I saw my siblings being taken outside
And soon around me as well, the rope was tied
The man who tied it was not unknown to me
For he is the one who every morning, sets me free
And lets me run and jump the fields about
And eat all the grass I want throughout
As I walk outside, jingling anklets, I soon hear
As I saw the little girl walking near and near
She hops and plays with me everyday
And by her side, do I always stay
As she came closer and closer in my sight
I felt her gentle arms wrap around me tight
Instantly the warmth in my heart grew
For I love to be by her side too
But as I felt wet drops touch my neck
Of her face I managed to see a speck
As out of her eyes, tears found their way
“Not him Nanna!” I heard her say
In confusion, her face I scanned
For her words, I had failed to understand
“Do not say so Kanna” the man calmly told
“He must go to Devi” he spoke as he shook off her hold
The little girl kept crying for me there
I had no choice but to walk, not knowing where
As I walked I heard the songs they sung
Of the Goddess, who, to thwart evil had sprung
“She is the protector of all” one then said
“And at her feet, vanishes every dread
Her lotus-like eyes gaze upon every plea
As every soul from torment, she sets free!
She is Annapurna, the mother who feeds!
As she nurtures the ones doing good deeds!
She is Parvathi, the mother who protects all!
As at her feet, every demon must fall!”
They sung of this deity I knew not
So who could such Devi be, I thought
She holds you close through any despair?
She holds you with love and care?
Of so pure a soul, I only knew one!
The little girl with whom I play and run!
She is Devi, only she must be
For there isn’t a soul kinder than her I see
But I will make Devi happy, didn’t the father reply?
But while sending me here, did she not cry?
I walked along with them as the little girl I recalled
A temple was the place that they got me to was called
I saw my siblings walk ahead of me
Yet all around, except stones, no Devi do I see
The men chanted something as they sat
Maybe Devi will come play with me after that?
Only when the blood oozed out of my sister’s neck
Of the evil of humankind, I saw a speck
I realized, finally, at that moment
What the parting tears of the little girl meant
As my kin’s blood flowed as a stream
I tried to run, I tried to scream
As I sensed death and pain coming near
Mistook for acceptance were my cries of fear
I cried for Devi to come to me
I cried for Devi to set me free
As I was thrown into this dark abyss
I cried for Devi to at least witness this
But I knew in my heart, long long ago
That weeping in tears, they let my Devi go
Yet I couldn’t help but cry in vain
For I didn’t want to endure this pain
I want to go back and play in the sun
I want to run, eat, and have some fun
Oh! The little girl’s tears did I ignore
I want to at least see her smile once more
I cried and screamed through the way entire
Yet my pleas were burnt like flies to the fire
With death and my life, a trade was made
As on my throat was placed the sharp blade
And as my last breath, I set free
I at last, saw Devi, in front of me
Her gentle arms wrapped around me tight
As she shed tears upon my plight
-Veda Samhita
25/2/2025