All your days don’t pass in the same way
Today who is a king of kings
Tomorrow a poor beggar he may become
Janaki’s husband Shri Ramchandra
Was the incarnation of God
Yet in the forest she had to suffer banishment
And abuse at the hands of Ravana
Even her fire-ordeal couldn’t burn
What fate had preordained.
Five Pandava brothers were her husbands
And God Krishna was her friend
Yet at the hands of Duhshashan
Draupadi had to suffer humiliation
Even her son got killed in battle
In the presence of her friend
Who was the chief of the Jadu clan.
After giving away his kingdom in charity
The great king Harishchandra became a chandal,
A mere keeper of the cremation ground
Yet on his breast Lord Vishnu bore his footprints.
Translation of the very charming ballad – Chirodin kaharo saman nahi jay – by Kazi Nazrul Islam. In order to enjoy its charm one has to hear the song. Its best recording is by Dhiren Basu.
