The light that busts the darkness

Pranava Pravaaham – The Surge of Aum - Verse 6

Tamil poem by Kavignar Perumal Rasu

English rendering by Vamanan

I wrestled with it, I railed at it, I boxed it and even tried calling it names.

It wouldn’t leave, the engulfing darkness.

Darkness at noon. Darkness in a crowd. Darkness alone.  Only darkness.

Then light dawned all of a sudden. A glowing candle in my hands. Who lit it? Whence came the light? I didn’t know. But the darkness retreated. The gloom was gone.  The night had taken to its heels.

Like light quelling darkness, there is a radiance whose very presence puts darkness to flight. A light that abhors worry and weakness, fear and diffidence, anger and greed.

I can’t seek the light anywhere else, My Lord. I can’t afford to be turned away in darkness from any door.

I seek your sanctum alone, I seek the source of all light.