Chapter 3. Kali had gone
The Lotus feet’s mercy
Gajendran, the elephant
In danger, cried out
For help, and Thirumal
Rushed up to its call.
He saved it from a crocodile.
He helps those who call.
Behind cows, He went.
We submit to His Lotus feet.
In the temple of mind.
Let Lord Mahadevan save us.
With a deer in hand, He dances.
He’s in the hearts of devotees.
And is the Master of all Devas.
King Cobra surrendered
Chased by Kali, Nalan
In the forest walked alone.
A King Cobra called him,
“Oh King, please come.”
“Under you, I take shelter,
As I’m now in danger.
From this forest fire
Save me at this hour.”
He saw him burning
As the fire was spreading,
The Cobra was burning.
Nalan saw this plight
And went to him straight.
He went to King Cobra
The Fire God’s boon
Came to his mind then.
So, he crossed the fire
And slowly went near.
Save me he said.
“Due to a sage’s curse
I’m burnt like this.
Please help me
From fire save me.”
Like this Cobra said.
His story Nalan heard.
He decided to help him
And from fire save him.
Take me away
Cobra said, “Take me.
In a safe place, leave me.
My curse will leave me
Once you save me.”
He saved the Cobra
Nalan took him away
For him to stay
At a safe distance
From the fire place.
Count ten and put me down
The cobra told Nalan,
“Please count ten
From your first step
Drop me at the tenth step.”
Nalan counted ten
From the first step
To the tenth step,
When Nalan counted ten
The cobra bit him then.
What was the reason?
Nalan asked, “Tell me
Why did you bite me?
With no provocation,
What’s the reason?
Body became dark
When cobra bit Nalan
For a valid reason,
His body became dark,
Short and shrunk.
Explained the reason
“I bit you for the reason
You’ll not be known
To anyone in this body
Which is too ugly.”
“I’m Karkotakan.
I did this in return
For what you did.
Now you can hide.”
Take this robe
“From this forest fire,
You brought me here.
Take this robe for use
Whenever you need this.”
On use, it will shine
“This shape will disappear
Your old one will appear,
This robe, whenever you use.
So, carefully keep this.”
Be a charioteer
“Your name is not Nalan,
But will be Vagugan,
Meaning short-handed man,
And as a charioteer, you’ll join.”
“Go to Ayodhya direct
And there you'll start
Your fresh career
As the best charioteer.”
Pure magic. And so the wondrous tale continues. And happily after is still possible. I must read on. Always your friend, Sandra
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
In Nalan's story I always like this part. The snake bit Nalan in spite of Nalan's life-saving help. But there is a good reason behind. God gives us troubles just to meet good ends. Your work of bringing this story in poetic English is an uplifting karma.