A bemusing Hindu monk

A bemusing Hindu monk
P K Routray

Skinny, ash smeared,
having long beard,
wildly haired,
who never gets scared,
frail man with a loin cloth,
with wisdom of a million worth,
having hidden but brightened face,
with worries finding no trace
smiling lips with glittering teeth,
friendly smile from mouth hidden beneath,
ever seeking and ever searching eyes,
aura of appearance as if us to baptize,
soothing and friendly gesture,
to bless the sufferings always eager,
wearing and often counting beads
made of basil stems or Rudrakhya seeds
eats a little, speaks a little,
breathes deep with sound feeble,
always calm composed, never in rage
undisturbed to criticism or praise,
He is equal to man or animal,
poor or rich, big or small.
From child hood he finds his master
who guides him to pursue further.
He practice austerity and penance
first at monastery then in dip forest for silence.
There are some instances of meditation,
with no food, no water and no inhalation.
With austerity penance and meditation
in the deep lonely forest he gets enlightened vision.
With ocean of wisdom,
from the earthly sufferings he preaches for freedom.