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                          Temporary Travellers
 
                   Men are all short-lived travellers
                      Of the illusive earthly sphere
                     And death the callous leveller
                    Of all who on its way do steer.

                      All along the route we travel
                        We knit a web of relations:
                      As a darling child and marvel
                         For our parental affection,

                        As caring and loving father
                           Fulfilling our duty in life,
                          As an affectionate mother
                         Disposed for every sacrifice,

                           As a spouse in family net
                           Upholding moral traditions
                         Or as close friends associated
                         By similar goals and passions.

                        Whether a preacher or teacher,
                            Whether leader or follower
                        All one day quit their outer garb
                           In search of the celestial orb.

                              Death is the leveller of all:
                        It respects no age, caste or creed,
                         It respects no rule, rank or deed,
                      All have to quit when comes the call.

                         Whether powerful lords or kings, 
                         Monarchs or simple folks, indeed,
                          They all do fall down on his ring
                      And with them nothing do they bring.

                             Let us take no pride in glory,
                             In cars, mansions or palaces
                                  In power or authority:
                           These are futile and out of place,

                     These last but for some days, some years
                             And do not keep us company 
                       Or stay by our side, near and dear
                          When turned to ashes clumsily; 

                          Our sole company to the grave 
                        Remains our kind and noble deeds
                         From mire the human race to save
                         And bring relief to to folks in need.

                             Let not fame elate us too high
                                 Nor social or family ties
                             Blind our outer temporal sight
                            To the truth of the Divine Light;

                             Let not the fateful, sad demise
                            Of someone to us near and dear
                             Dishearten us much out of size
                        Or shroud our life with clouds of fear.

                              Our solace to those afflicted 
                            And prayers for those departed;
                               After such events let us rise,
                         Let not our will wane with sad sighs;

                             Rather let us shore up our faith 
                              And trust in the Almighty Lord
                              As what for us just lies in wait,
                               To question we cannot afford;

                           Everything proceeds from His Will,*
                            Like storms ravaging with a thrill,
                            Like floods flowing all on its way,
                          Like earthquakes shaking all away;

                            Let the shine of the Divine Light
                              Guide our path as we unravel
                             Our journey of life with delight
                                  As temporary travellers;

                              Let it lead to the rightful goal
                              To cleanse and purify our soul
                               As we wearily wade our way
                                    To liberation everyday,

                                 Liberation from the chains
                               Of temporal travel and death,
                              And exit from the illusive earth
                                 A heavenly shade to attain.

*In verse10.8 of Bhagavad Gita as It Is, Lord Krishna says to Arjuna:
“I am the Supreme Truth and the cause of all causes.”
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