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GANESH LALWANI
Written at Panitabhumi
[It is recorded in the Acăränga Sutra that Lord Mahavira visited Panitabhumi in the far west of Bengal two thousand and six hundred years ago. Here the people living in the bleak landscapes though intially hostile to the would-be-Tirthankara later on became the earnest followers of the Law of the Nirgrantha.]
I have seen you on the road,
Seen you at noon.
How long it was ?
I have opened the sky, Have opened the windows, Ye were walking on foot, Your eyes calm,
Your hands at ease,
Leaves were rustling in the wind.
Dust was whirling round, In flocks
Village dogs gather
And bark aloud.
How long it was ?
You walked being within Never looking up.
You never cared
Who came near
Or went away Or threw stone at you Or gave you a push. How long it was ?
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