Ravana | A Poem 

One soul 

Three incarnations 

All three times 

Iconoclast 

All three times 

Slayed by the hands of God 

How benevolent Ravana had been 

More devoted to God 

Than a believer 

Adversity is the best stairway to reach God 

Was rightly understood by wise Ravana 

Memory is the best offering 

It is only possible 

To memorise every moment 

Through adversity 

So 

Ravana did not turn a theist 

(Moran is an acclaimed Assam-based poet and book reviewer. He has written five poetry books, and his work has been translated into 30 languages) (Translated from Assamese by Bibekananda Choudhary) (Views expressed are personal)