If you are my father,
tell me then -
....... Who am I?
....... Where have I come from?
....... Where do I go?
If you are my mother,
tell me then -
....... Who made me?
....... When did I begin?
....... When shall I end?
If you are my teacher,
tell me then -
....... What am I made of?
....... What was I made for?
....... What shall I do now?
If you cannot, then
do not pretend
that you are
.......... my mother
.......... my father
.......... my teacher
Short, sweet, elegant and poignant. A very original composition. Deceptively simple work of art.
Nothing can be simpler than this. Pradhan makes poetry so simple! The title Nachiketa is also very appropriate. The questions in the poem can be asked by only a person who has unquenchable thirst for the unknown. Knowledge is not for the faint hearted. One has to question even one's father, mother and teacher. A very good poem, Dr Pradhan.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
a simple and beautiful write. keep it up.