For Any Wrong Happening, Do Not Run To Your Gods, Blame Yourself Poem by Bashyam Narayanan

A childhood friend of mine
Seemingly very much devoted
To the faith his family belonged
Never missed a day
To visit the places of worship
In our big town
Never missed a day
To complete the
Daily rituals with which
He was baptized long back

Fled the town overnight
In search of earning opportunities
Went abroad
Got a job
Things did not end there
Convenience and comfort made him
Change his faith
Got married to a woman
Of a different faith
And settled there

Unaware of these his parents
Went ahead for his marital alliance
Which he also accepted
Got second time married
Without disclosing his earlier wedding
In all his traditional ways
Expressing devotion to all gods
Of his original faith

Through the second marriage
He was blessed with twins
When everything came to light
His parents were turned practically mad
Who, otherwise, were an enthusiastic couple
And his second wife
Fell seriously ill, not terminally,
But beyond recovery
His twins are now practically parentless
And in shattered childhood

I was induced to ask the gods of these faiths
As to what were their roles
When this person kept his faiths

They looked at each other for a while
And both said in chorus
You only have created us
And you only have decorated us with powers
But, you would never ask for
Correct help or guidance
You would act on impulses
And on the demands of your sensual pleasures
If anything goes wrong
You would look at us
Seeking reasons and explanations for the mishap

For any wrong happening
Do not run to your gods
Blame yourself