Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath

With my consort Parvati
I galloped
on the banks of Bagmati
as a golden deer every dawn

Now I live behind silver doors
in a tiered pagoda
of wood and copper
topped with gold gajur

People worship me
as the lord of beasts and gods
I am the great gratifier of wishes
the saviour of this sacred land.

                    *
Lord of animals, men and gods
do you still gallop with Parvati
as golden deer
along the banks of Bagmati

or have you returned to Mount Gaurishankar
seeing what have we done to Bagmati
Do you still offer your blessings
to whoever seeks you out

Have you returned to Kailash Mansarovar?
or has it melted away
Tell us lord, have you left the Earth
for the other worlds ?