THE LOTUS OF BAHAPUR

Amidst the murky waters of the world
A flower blooms.
Chaste, pure white and oblivious to the grime,
A beauteous thing and spectacle of joy,
To hopes refresh and faith fortify,
'Tis a clarion call to the hearts of men,
To raise the banner,
And bear the torch to heights undreamt.
The flower blooms!
And a New Day dawns upon this ancient land.
Darkness flees before the light,
As a cowering bully before the avenger's might.
Perceive a freshness in the air,
As the fragrant exhalations of a Holy Sprite
And once again,
The ageless, changeless Faith of God reigns supreme.
Oh Mystic Teacher of the marsh!
Grant us the key to the noble art,
To remain unsullied in the growing morass,
To stay steadfast in the engulfing chaos.
Blessed the land where the Lotus blooms,
Where Krishna piped his enchanting tunes,
Where Gautama, lockless walked into the night,
Where the Galilean's utterances are enshrined,
Where the Prophet's soul is now part of the soil,
Where gentle Nanak ruffled feelings harmonize,
And where now the Nightingale's song is ensconced
And comes wafting sweetly on the scented air.
"Live Oh men in joy and peace!
In harmony and love abide.
Seek the Kingdom of Heaven first
And you will never go athirst.
Know that nearness to God is your only hope,
And separation from Him a terrible woe."
Thus does the Lotus flower bloom,
And blooms in every pilgrim's heart.

Written by Darshan Manocha