I shall move in a hurry and proceed soon.
I shall see the countenance of the Dark One .
If by the guard I am restrained
At the gate where the lions stand ,
I won’t budge an inch or yield;
I shall, at once, push my way forward.
Dust of the twenty-two steps
Shall I rub all over my limbs.
I shall beg and receive a morsel
Of the holy food, Kaivalya .
The sacred banyan tree is truly blessed.
With an ability to grant every wish, it is endowed.
Blessed too is the dark doorway ;
I shall see him from behind the pillar
On which the Lord’s eagle-carrier
Garuda offers his prayer.
I shall see the countenance of the Dark One.
Inside the hall of audience
I shall join the saints with great rejoice;
Within my heart I shall chant your name in silence.
Says Salabega, the lowly one,
I am a Yavana, an outcaste and fallen;
At your lotus feet shall I seek solace.
I shall see the countenance of the Dark One.
Original Oriya hymn “Bahana jibi…”
Source: Mishra, Neelamani. Ed. Bhajana Sangraha (Odia). Cuttack: Grantha Mandir, 1990.
