Inspirational Poems

राम–भरत मिलन – महादेवी वर्मा

Bharat meets Lord Rama to request a return to Ayodhya

Accepting the demand of step-mother Kekayi for a 14 year banvaas, Ram along with wife Sita and brother Lakshman, made abode in the forest of Chitrkoot. One day Lakshman saw from a distance, Bharat approaching with an army and thought that he wanted to kill Ram in order to permanently …

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चाहता हूँ देश की धरती, तुझे कुछ और भी दूँ – राम अवतार त्यागी

Chahata hoon desh ki dharti tujhe kuchh aur bhi doon!

I had read this poem by Ram Avtar Tyagi in children’s school Hindi text book. It left a deep impression. It may moisten eyes of some readers, especially those who feel special affinity for India. And that is why this is such a special poem. Illustration is from the collection …

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प्रताप की प्रतिज्ञा – श्याम नारायण पांडेय

Maharana Pratap

Mansingh, a Rajput, ( “Maan” in first line of third stanza) had aligned with Emperor Akbar of Delhi and had attacked Rana Pratap’s kingdom of Mewar. Rana Pratap kept fighting and resisting this assault. His velour and that of his legendry horse “Chetak” has been immortalized by famous poet Shyam …

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बाल कविता – रामकथा , राजीव कृष्ण सक्सेना

बाल कविता - राम कथा

My grandchildren live in The Netherlands. The elder one Svarnu started to read Ramayana and discusses issues with me.  This poem is inspired by our children abroad, who wish to keep connected with our culture.  Here is a summary of Ramayana in a very short poem.  Rajiv Krishna Saxena बाल …

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एक बूंद – अयोध्या सिंह उपाध्याय ‘हरिऔध’

Here is the story of a rain drop, apprehensive and scared of being destroyed. Instead, it falls into a seepi and turns in a pearl. A simple, effective and moving poem that assuages the fear of unknown in us when we embark in a new activity or start a new …

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मेरा परिचय – अटल बिहारी वाजपेई

My introduction: Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Ji’s famous  poem on his birthday!  Hindu thought and philosophy evolved over the Indian sub-continent over last thousands of years. It was the most liberal thought that allowed unfettered thinking and reasoning and was a natural precursor for true humanism. Hindu society assimilated whosoever reached India for shelter from …

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पूर्व चलने के बटोही – हरिवंश राय बच्चन

Before starting a journey, assess the path...

Here is a sound advice for a traveller embarking on a long and uncharted journey. Harivansh Rai Bachchan warns about possible hardships and challenges on the path. An inspiring poem indeed. Rajiv Krishna Saxena पूर्व चलने के बटोही पूर्व चलने के बटोही, बाट की पहचान कर ले पुस्तकों में है …

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जनतंत्र का जन्म – रामधारी सिंह दिनकर

Birth of the Indian democracy

In view of the recent crusade of Anna Hazare against corruption, this poem about the power of masses becomes a must-read. Dinkar Ji wrote this beautiful poem when India became a Republic on Jan 26, 1950. India’s population was 33 Crores that time. From now on, it would be the …

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कुँवर सिंह का विद्रोह – प्रसिद्ध नारायण सिंह

I recently visited Jhansi and as I am a great admirer or Rani Laxmibai, I went to see her palace, Jhansi Fort and museum. In the museum, I found a very nice poetry book related to the first freedom fight of 1857. In this book I found a truly remarkable …

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हल्दीघाटी: युद्ध – श्याम नारायण पाण्डेय

How Rana Pratap fought Man Singh on the bettle field of Haldighati

In mid 1500s Akbar the Mughal emperor of India, in his bid to consolidate his empire, had entered into agreements with Rajput kingdoms except that of Mewar. Maharana Pratap of Mewar was defiant and did not want to lose his independence. Frustrated Akbar sent his massive army led by Mansingh …

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