Sinduraruna Poem by Sri Lal

i.
The first light of dawn is amba—
She is the eye of wisdom
watching over all.
She is the saffron queen.

From her ruby-studded crown,
the crescent moon shines.
Her eyes, starlit.

No smile is more alluring than hers,
and she is full of milk.
Her breasts nourish this sphere,
throughout time and space.

In her hand blooms a red lotus,
the stem slender,
and from the other,
a jeweled cup of nectar overflows.
She is drunk on the rapture.

At her feet sits a pot that gleams
with untumbled gems,
for whosoever's intentions are true.

I think of her, now.

ii.
My mind rests in the lap of the fair one,
seated upon the full-blown lotus of silence.
Her face is the moon luminous with delight,

her glance sidelong,
eyes wide like lotus petals.

Her limbs are the radiance of our sun.
She is clothed in golden silk
and holds the golden lotus in hand.

She is the embodiment of compassion—

She listens. She protects.
She is beautiful to gaze upon.
She inspires your rite and praise.

She is true inner tranquility.

iii.
The goddess is a vibrant blossom
to whom all swarm, as bees seek nectar.
Her scent intoxicates.

She who wields the noose and goad,
the bow and flowering arrow,
none can resist her.

iv.
Decked out with jewels, sandalwood beads,
and saffron powder of deepest red,
she outshines all.

She is the sacrificial hibiscus.

She is the commanding empress,
the breaking light of dawn.
Her eyes flood the earth with tenderness.
She captivates the heart
and drives the mind inward.

She loves each child as the one,
for the one she is is the one you are.

Published in Bangalore Review