He Came Out Of The Temple Poem by Bishnupada Sethi

Lord of the universe
Following an age old tradition
Rode on a huge chariot
Covered with red and yellow canopy
On the grand avenue
Accompanied by His siblings separately
To bestow blessings on the mortals
And fulfill their wishes
To the chant of His holy names
And the music made by drum beats, conch and cymbals.

The grand spectacle is viewed
By everyone in the universe
And by the gods and goddesses
From up in the heaven.

Human beings fail to see-
How numerous souls
Ghostly bodies too
Wander near the chariots
And trail behind
Waiting for that particular moment
On return from the sojourn.

Barrels of holy drinks in earthen pitchers
Made of rich ingredients
After those are offered to the deities
As a ritual get smashed
Spilling all over
On the floors of chariots.

Numerous spirits, souls
And entities of other world
After waiting for a year or more
Compete with each other
Like the human devotees
To get a little of the drink
In their efforts to attain salvation.

He came out of the temple.
No one could stop Him.
He had reasons-
Few stated and many unknowns.