Vishalakshi
A hermit in Banaras told me the first day,
“You come here to learn, or to die.”
Seeing me intrigued,
He added, “and they are one and the same.”
Perplexed, I strolled through the cremation grounds,
Inhaling the air infused with the aroma of flesh.
First death came with Vedanta,
With realization that the I that went there was no more.
And came the Sautrantikas(??),
Pushing my being to annihilation.
Thanks to the Trika Shaivas,
For letting me regain a new self,
That I saved by running away,
Mortified by the gaze of Vishalakshi,
As she haunted my dreams,
While I chanted her names.
The big eyed one,
Summons me again,
Rekindling the desire to learn,
The mysteries of her magical gaze.
May be this time,
I will have the courage,
To bear with her laughter,
And embrace Mahakala with grace,
And gently tell the devotees,
We both worship the same God,
You call him Rama and I call her Rāmā.