Hardly were they revolutionaries
who built gas chambers
to kill their brothers and sisters
and occupy the throne with iron hands to rule
Revolutionary was he
who leaving behind him
the kingdom, the throne
and the lure of the power
under a peepal tree meditated
for the mankind to get the light of wisdom
Revolutionary was he
who in spite of humiliation and suffering
and from the jaws of death said,
‘Father, forgive them, they know not
what they do’ for the benefit of the humanity
Revolutionary was he
who gave the clarion call,
“Arise and awake, stop not
till the goal is reached,’
for the spiritual uplift of all
Revolutionary was he
who with conviction declared,
‘Non-violence is the weapon of the strong,’
to dethrone the mighty Raj
to welcome the dawn of freedom
Revolutionary was he
who sang loud and clear,
‘Where is the mind without fear
and head is held high,’
to march on a path of right thought
Revolutionary was he
who from behind the haze of time
saw the high gates of freedom
to thunder, ‘Delhi is not far,
march forward' and inspired a new generation
Revolutionary was the saint
in silence who did chant,
‘Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya’ –
Lead us from untruth to truth
Lead us from darkness to light
Lead us from death to immortality!
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