Do Not Beckon The Demon! Poem by Ravikumar C.P.

Original Kannada composition: Purandara Dasa
Translated by C.P. Ravikumar


Do not beckon the demon, O mother!

Do not beckon the demon!
I shall be a darling and hush up!
I shall make no trouble, Mother,
To eat I shall not kick up a fuss!

I shall not approach the pretty girls
And blindfold them with my hand
Shan't fight with the kids, won't scold my brother,
Won't ask for butter or eat sand!

I shall not go near the well, O mother,
Won't play with the snake, I promise!
Won't untie the calves or drink from the cows,
I will be an angel and stay put in one place!

When she heard her son speak so, a smile
Replaced the scowl on her face!
Overcome by love for her darling
Yashoda grabbed him in a tight embrace