Dinkar’s Clarion Call

Ramdhari Singh “Dinkar” was a renowned Indian poet, essayist, and patriot. He is considered one of the most important figures in Hindi literature.

Born on September 23, 1908, in Simaria village, Begusarai district, Bihar, India, Dinkar was raised in a humble farming family. He completed his primary education in his village and later attended Patna University, where he earned his Master’s degree in Hindi literature.

Dinkar’s literary journey began in the 1930s, writing poetry and essays that reflected his nationalist sentiments and social concerns. His early works were influenced by the Indian independence movement and the Progressive Writers’ Movement. He has been hailed as Rashtra Kavi (National Poet).

He is known for his powerful and evocative poetry, which was greatly influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Karl Marx. His poetry often explored themes of:

1. Nationalism and patriotism

2. Social justice and equality

3. Human struggle and resilience

4. Nature and its symbolism

Some of his notable works include:

1. “Atma ki Aankhen” (The Eyes of the Soul, 1964)

2. “Rashmirathi” (The Sun’s Charioteer, 1952)

3. “Hunkar” (The Clarion Call, 1938)

4. “Neem Ke Patte” (The Neem Leaves, 1954)

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poetry and essays continue to inspire generations of readers and writers. His work remains relevant today, reflecting his commitment to social justice, national pride, and human resilience.

Today I share a poem, which is a powerful call to courage and resilience, urging the countrymen to face challenges head-on and emerge stronger.

This poem is taken from Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s epic ‘Rashmirathi,’ an immortal work. Every line of it explains the profound meanings of life in the simplest words.

Just see how inspiring these lines of his are-

विपत्ति जब आती है/ When Calamity Strikes

सच है, विपत्ति जब आती है,

कायर को ही दहलाती है,

शूरमा नहीं विचलित होते,

क्षण एक नहीं धीरज खोते,

विघ्नों को गले लगाते हैं,

काँटों में राह बनाते हैं।

.

मुख से न कभी उफ़ कहते हैं,

संकट का चरण न गहते हैं,

जो आ पड़ता सब सहते हैं,

उद्योग-निरत नित रहते हैं,

शूलों का मूल नसाने को,

बढ़ खुद विपत्ति पर छाने को।

.

है कौन विघ्न ऐसा जग में,

टिक सके वीर नर के मग में

खम ठोंक ठेलता है जब नर,

पर्वत के जाते पाँव उखड़

मानव जब जोर लगाता है,

पत्थर पानी बन जाता है।

.

गुण बड़े एक से एक प्रखर,

हैं छिपे मानवों के भीतर,

मेंहदी में जैसे लाली हो,

वर्तिका-बीच उजियाली हो।

बत्ती जो नहीं जलाता है

रोशनी नहीं वह पाता है।

.

पीसा जाता जब इक्षु-दण्ड,

झरती रस की धारा अखण्ड,

मेंहदी जब सहती है प्रहार,

बनती ललनाओं का सिंगार

जब फूल पिरोये जाते हैं,

हम उनको गले लगाते हैं।

.

वसुधा का नेता कौन हुआ?

भूखण्ड-विजेता कौन हुआ?

अतुलित यश क्रेता कौन हुआ?

नव-धर्म प्रणेता कौन हुआ?

जिसने न कभी आराम किया,

विघ्नों में रहकर नाम किया।

.

जब विघ्न सामने आते हैं,

सोते से हमें जगाते हैं,

मन को मरोड़ते हैं पल-पल,

तन को झँझोरते हैं पल-पल

सत्पथ की ओर लगाकर ही,

जाते हैं हमें जगाकर ही।

.

वाटिका और वन एक नहीं,

आराम और रण एक नहीं

वर्षा, अंधड़, आतप अखंड,

पौरुष के हैं साधन प्रचण्ड

वन में प्रसून तो खिलते हैं,

बागों में शाल न मिलते हैं।

.

कंकरियां जिनकी सेज सुघर,

छाया देता केवल अम्बर,

विपदाएँ दूध पिलाती हैं,

लोरी आँधियाँ सुनाती हैं

जो लाक्षा-गृह में जलते हैं,

वे ही शूरमा निकलते हैं।

.

बढ़कर विपत्तियों पर छा जा,

मेरे किशोर! मेरे ताजा!

जीवन का रस छन जाने दे,

तन को पत्थर बन जाने दे

तू स्वयं तेज भयकारी है,

क्या कर सकती चिनगारी है?

– रामधारी सिंह “दिनकर”

.

English translation:

.

When Calamity Strikes

.

When calamity strikes, it’s only the weak

Who tremble in fear, their future is bleak.

The brave stand firm, they never retreat,

With patience and courage, they never concede.

They face obstacles, no matter the storm,

And carve out their path through thorns.

.

No lament escapes their resolute lips,

No fear of adversity’s crushing grips.

They endure all, unflinching and strong,

Ever industrious, righting life’s wrong.

Their goal is to uproot the sorrow’s root,

Conquering adversity, their spirit acute.

.

Is there an obstacle, fierce or grand,

That a valiant soul cannot withstand?

When man stands strong with heart so true,

Even mountains tremble and crumble too.

With human effort high and spirit higher,

Even stones will turn into water.

.

Countless qualities, deep and rare,

In every human, are hidden there—

Like henna’s red, unseen till shown,

Or the light in a wick not yet known.

But he who leaves the lamp unlit,

Will never bask in its glowing gift.

.

When sugarcane is crushed, its juice flows

Unceasingly, in a stream in a steady glow.

Henna, when struck, gives its colour bright,

Adorning women with sheer delight.

When flowers are stung together with care,

They’re cherished with love, beyond compare.

.

Who leads the earth, with wisdom, might?

Who conquers lands, with endless fight?

Who earns a fame none can forsake?

Who builds a faith, for hearts to take?

It’s the one who, through trials pressed,

Never gave in and always stood the test.

.

When obstacles rise and block our way,

They stir us from sleep, where minds sway.

They twist our thoughts, they bend our will,

Our bodies tremble, yet we climb the hill.

Only by guiding us on a clearer track,

They truly do wake us and lead us back.

.

A garden and forest, not quite the same,

Rest and battle, a different game.

Storms, rain, and heat, harsh but bold,

Are tools of courage that make us hold.

Flowers may bloom in the garden’s care,

But teak in the forest is mighty and rare.

.

For those who rest on beds of stone,

The sky is their only shield, alone.

Adversity feeds them like mother’s milk,

While storms cradle them, lullaby as silk.

Those who burn in the house of lac flames,

Are the ones who emerge to hero’s fame.

.

Rise, and face the storm, my youth,

O my young warrior, embrace the truth!

Let the essence of life bleed and run,

Till your body hardens, one with the sun.

You are a force in yourself, a fiery might,

What harm can a mere spark ignite?

–Ramdhari Singh “Dinkar”

–Kaushal Kishore