Take the Weapons

I know a little saint 

Living in the city 

Without displaying 

The least signs of his sainthood;

He is calm, quiet and honest;

Secretive and unspeaking;

He prevailed upon me to call 

Him "Brother...!"

I would ask him, "Brother.....!

Why are you meditating so much?"

His usual answer would 

be an innocent smile.

He however struck intense terror 

Into my heart last evening;

The consternation and panic 

Was too much to bear,

So terribly frightening.

I said, "I'm going..."

He caught me with his powerful hand,

"It felt like it was made of iron

And roared like a mad lion:

"I saw Mother Kali in a vision 

Presenting me with a bhala..

Asking me to worship Lord Ganesh..

Then I saw Lord Ganesh within me. 

He was fierce and indignant

Pointing the bhala out to me again...!

Mother Kali was emitting 

fire from the mouth;

The wreath of skulls 

She was wearing,

And the long tongue lolling 

Astride a fierce lion,

Commanding me to take the Wheel 

And the Trident...!

And saying: "I am Vishnu..!

I'm Shiva...!

Take the weapons 

And slaughter the demons..

They have lost their right to living;

I am Mother Earth weeping,

Seeing my dear children crying...

Take the weapons 

Destroy the demons

And lighten the burdens,

Your Mother am weeping. 

Take the Bhala;

Take the Wheel 

Take the Trident 

I am giving..

Let Truth triumph,

Let Virtue triumph.

Take the weapons;

Destroy the demons...."

I came back home;

I took my dinner 

I went to bed 

But that night I never snored 

All night I kept thinking...

Was the man his equilibrium losing...?

Was he merely boasting...?

Late in the day, the mind became calm 

And I was sleeping.