Ramdhari Singh Dinkar was one of the most important modern Hindi poets, essayists and academic scholars. Known as 'Rashtra Kavi' (National Poet), he received the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Jnanpith Award. His fiery, patriotic poetry inspired generations.
❝The cold, dead ashes of centuries stir once more, dust dons a golden crown and struts about, the people? yes, you heard right, the people themselves are coming, vacate the throne, for the people are coming.❞
❝Do not stop Yudhishthira here — let him go to his heavenly abode — let him take all five with him; this is the fitting reward. If one must even conquer Duryodhana — then abandoning truth and non-violence, take up the name of weapons.❞
❝Forgiveness befits the serpent that has venom to give — What is the virtue of one who has no fangs or poison, only submission? Seeing you, such strength arises in me — that I will not bow my head before the whole world.❞
❝Vacate the throne for the people are coming now, Revolution's redness covers the people's brow. The throne upon which you sit and give your command, The people shall claim that throne and make it theirs in this land.❞
❝The cold extinguished ash of centuries has stirred — the earth, wearing a crown of gold, now struts. Part ways — hear the thunder of time's chariot: vacate the throne, for the people come.❞
❝Stop not Yudhishthira here — let him journey to heaven above, But return to us the Gandiva-bow, bring back Arjun and Balram's love. Kauravs and Pandavas were one, even today one lineage they share, But what stands before us calls — let us perform patriotism's prayer.❞
❝Vacate the throne — the people are coming, In the voice of every soul rings a victory cry. Rise, youth of my nation — From every direction comes a call for you.❞
❝Those who are rooted to the ground, Who keep connecting even when broken and bound. No storm can shake them from the place they stand, For they remain grounded on their own dear land.❞
❝Vacate the throne, for the people now arise, The age is turning, and a new dawn greets the skies. From this nation's soil we are born and made, In this very soil, our lives must someday fade.❞
❝I shall light the lamp of my very life's flame, As long as darkness grips this land's domain. I will not stop, bend, or tire along the way — This is the land of heroes — my home I'll defend this day.❞
❝My lord of mountains, my vast one, manifest, divine, radiant of brow. At whose feet lie the plains and lowlands, On whose forehead stands towering Himachal.❞
❝Forgiveness, compassion, penance, sacrifice, and willpower — you took the support of all. But when, where, did Suyodhana the man-tiger ever lose to you? tell me.❞
❝Forgiveness becomes the cobra that carries its venom within, What use forgiveness in one toothless, mild, and free of sin. Both strength and mercy together give life its grace and glow, Otherwise the meekness of the weak means nothing, high or low.❞
❝The fire that burns us in the end refines, Through the heat of trials our true character shines. The storms that bend us low and bring us to our knees, Are the very ones that strengthen our roots with ease.❞
❝Dogs receive milk and clothing, hungry children writhe in pain, Clinging to their mother's bones, they endure the winter's bitter bane. A young woman's dignity is sold, yet no one's hunger fades, Speaking of religion in this swamp, without wet eyes, one never aids.❞