SARASWOTI CHAUDHARI “RACHANA”

Photo source: google

On the Other side of Lakshmanrekha¹

I know the risk

Of crossing lakshmanrekha

Drawn by our ancestors

At the door of the house

But my saviour-Lakshmana-

Who went in search of Rama

Probably has lost his way.

For several decades

There has been no attempt

To undo the effects of the line

To let me free!

Confined in the captivity

I am evaluating

The reasons of my weakness

And is growing frail.

But how long?

The wait is over

For Rama or Lakshmana;

Leaving me confined within the lines

It is likely they are busy chasing the golden deer

Huffing and puffing

They have probably forgotten

A helpless woman

Whose protection was their obligation!

Even after knowing the threat from Ravana

Who was standing in the disguise of a sage

On the other side

I crossed the lakshmanrekha

To live with Ravanas.
(Translated from Nepali by Keshab Sigdel)

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¹ In the epic Ramayana, Lakshmanrekha is a line drawn by Lakshmana around the dwelling he shared with his brother Rama and Rama's wife Sita while they lived in the jungle. Sita was warned not to cross the line, as it would bring risk to her security. Ravana abducted her once she crossed the line.

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