The Parijat

"Hindus" that call themselves, Regard It as a holy tree Which alighted from the sky-- Originated from the churning of sea; One of the fourteen 'Ratnas' I happened to have a look at, Which has as its guardians, A bunch of bearded religiocrat: Whilst I was nearby it, I looked at it as I'd at any other grove; Not even once it occurred to me-- The thought of its sanctity-- I was in a state of emptiness; I had only come here to enjoy Nature; This is when I made a move... ...Insensitive to anything but blissful greenery Prevalent all around, I made a jump to pluck off a leaf-- Just overhead, And lo!there were issuing sounds From the mouth of the sagacious, And miscalculated words were hurled For me as a curse... But what could I do?I stood there, In an imprudent fashion and kept smiling At the miserable state of their thoughts: They abused and mouthed obscenities, They asked me if I was Indra Or an inhabitant of Swarga-- The abode of the Holy tree-- I had no answers and no other expressions Tried to cross my face-- I smiled and looked at them In a state of serene calmness... By the by, I took a look at the Parijat, That Arjuna had summoned to earth; Then I witnessed the blue heavens And walked away as another gust of wind That had rustled the leaves on the Sacred Tree...