Daily Poetry — August 27, 2026

शक्ति और क्षमा (Shakti aur Kshama)

Composed by रामधारी सिंह 'दिनकर' (Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar')

Original Hindi

क्षमा शोभती उस भुजंग को जिसके पास गरल हो, उसका क्या जो दंतहीन, विषहीन, विनीत, सरल हो। तीन दिवस तक पंथ माँगते रघुपति सिंधु किनारे, बैठे पढ़ते रहे छंद अनुनय के प्यारे-प्यारे। उत्तर में जब एक नाद भी उठा नहीं सागर से, उठी अधीर धधक पौरुष की आग राम के शर से। सिंधु देह धर त्राहि-त्राहि करता आ गिरा शरण में, चरण पूज दासता ग्रहण की, बँधा मूढ़ बंधन में।

English Translation

Forgiveness adorns the serpent that possesses venom, What of one toothless, venomless, humble, and simple? For three days, Raghupati (Rama) sought a path by the ocean shore, Sitting, reciting sweet verses of entreaty. When not a single sound arose from the ocean in response, The fire of Rama's valor, restless, blazed forth from his arrow. The ocean, taking human form, fell at his feet, pleading "save me, save me", Worshiped his feet, accepted servitude, bound in foolish chains.

AI Generated

AI Echo (Hindi)

न्याय का पथ भी तब तक ही सीधा और शांत रहे, जब तक सत्य पर बलवान का कुटिल प्रहार न ढहे। दुर्बल की पुकारें अक्सर व्यर्थ ही रह जाती हैं, शक्ति बिन कहाँ कोई भी बात मानी जाती है? मौन रहना भी कभी-कभी अपराध बन जाता है, जब आततायी का साहस जग में बढ़ जाता है। उठो, गरज उठो, हे वीरों, अब सिंहनाद करो, न्याय के हित रणभेरी फूंक, अनीति का नाश करो। तभी तो धर्म प्रतिष्ठित होगा, भय से मुक्त होगा, अत्याचारी का शासन भी निश्चय चूर होगा।

AI Generated

AI Echo (English)

The path of justice too remains straight and calm, Only until the powerful's crooked strike doesn't bring harm. The pleas of the weak often remain unheard and in vain, Without strength, when is any word ever taken? Silence itself sometimes becomes a grave crime, When the oppressor's courage grows across space and time. Arise, roar forth, O brave ones, let your lion's cry sound, For justice, blow the war bugle, let evil be unbound. Only then will dharma be established, free from fear, The tyrant's rule, too, will surely disappear.

Literary & Historical Context

"Shakti aur Kshama" (Power and Forgiveness) is a highly impactful excerpt from Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar's' epic poem 'Rashmirathi', published in 1952. 'Rashmirathi' is a retelling of the Karna-Arjuna conflict from the Mahabharata, focusing on Karna's life, struggles, and moral dilemmas. This particular section, however, references an episode from the Ramayana, where Lord Rama, before crossing the ocean to Lanka, first humbly requests passage from the sea god (Samudra). Only when his pleas are ignored for three days does Rama, infuriated, decide to use his divine arrows to dry up the ocean. This act prompts the sea god to appear and concede. The lines philosophize that forgiveness (Kshama) is a virtue truly meaningful only when one possesses the power (Shakti) to inflict harm; otherwise, it is simply a reflection of weakness. Dinkar, a poet of Veer Ras (the sentiment of heroism), used this narrative to emphasize the importance of strength and self-respect, especially in the context of a newly independent India grappling with its identity and geopolitical challenges. The poem, therefore, transcends a simple mythological retelling to become a commentary on national strength and assertive diplomacy.

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