Bhanu Bhakta Acharya
(1814-1866)
Poet Bhanubhakta (1814 - 1866), who is the most widely read poet by the Nepalese is also known as the aadikavi or the 'first poet' literally, was born in a village in Tanahun district of Western Nepal. He is known for his epic poetry Ramayana. He composed this poem at a park at the gateway to the Kathmandu City. The melody and free play of imagination used in this short poem at a time when classical devotional poetry was in order, is remarkable.
Balaju
I saw Balaju today
And sat down to write-
This place is paradise on earth
Birds flutter around
And sing melodies from the vines
How greatly they capture the mind
If only I could compose a poem
What greater luxury could I imagine!
And if I could make a lady
Lovely and great
Dance in this place
I could drag indra near
And creat a paradise here!
From Ramayana
The procession reached Janakpur in no time
The crowd was so big it emptied the ayodhya town
Verily the soldiers were all to Janakpur bound
Janak received Dasharatha with great fanfare
Ram with Laxman touched the father's feet dear
Janaka ordered the best rest house to be ready-made
Happily, Dasharath into the cottage went to rest
Janaka ordered auspicious moments that the city revered
With dancing and singing at night lightss and torches burned
Taapestries of jewel hung over the alter of wedding
Stones, pearls and diamonds in every house of Janakpur shined
Sita-ji's mother was full of joy to get all four brothers
Married to their daughters with all rituals and manners
Janaka gave his daughters to Rama and Laxman
And his brother's daughters to Bharat-ji and brave Shatrughan
Translated by : Abhi Subedi
