The Ruins Of Vikramshila Poem by Bijay Kant Dubey

I see the ruins of Vikramshila
And think about the monastery,
The Buddhist vihara,
The acharyas and bhikkus
Dwelling therein
In the two-terraced complex
With the mandapa
And the main stupa atop the mansion
Made from small bricks, mud mortar
And lime clay
With the terracotta plates
Adorning the walls.

A seat of Vajrayana Buddhism
It attracted students
From far and wide
With the pupils from Tibet, China, others,
Residential and celled
For teachers and pupils alike
And the dwarpalas at the gates
Interviewing students
For entry into.

Stretched over a wide landscape
By the Ganges,
The ancient varsity stood it
Surrounded by temples
And inclusive of votive stupas,
A seat of learning
Tantric Buddhism with the study of
Indian philosophy, art and culture.

I see the campus of the mahavihara
And think of the residential complex
Adjoining and adjacent to the main stupa
Unfolding from, opening up to them
And the flight of stairs linking them all,
From the ground level to the first terrace
And from the first to second terrace
To the main stupa atop of
From the mandapa.

The red brick square structure,
Two-terraced
And with the stairs lifting it all
So scenic and panoramic
In the midst of natural surroundings,
A vihara,
A Buddhist mahavira
For learning and educational
Imparting knowledge in ancient days.

The terracotta plates with
The carvings and engravings
Of Avalokiteswara and Nath deities,
Warriors, devotees, ascetics,
Animal figures
While the main stupa walls
With the stucco figures of Buddha
Adorning it all, decorating.

The acharyas and bhikkus lived together
In the residential vihara
Housing them all
With a few ante-chambers too
For meditational purposes,
Still standing as a witness
Of an age gone by
When the university held its sway over.