O, DEFENDERS OF FAITH

My creator is He

who gave flowers fragrance,

trees shade, oceans water,

winds motive power,

created earth, moon, sun.

All are Human beings,

none better than others

except the devout.

Everyone has right to

live on earth,

reap labour’s fruit,

walk about with dignity,

enjoy free speech,

indulge in a smile,

have wishes fulfilled

and desires satiated

All God’s progeny

deserve respect

why, o, why should

one’s conceit be

fatal to others?

I seek light for

the unfortunate, those

whom, to feed your ego,

you treat as worse

than wayside stones

I speak for those

whom your beguiling

eloquence held captive

and sold to oppressors

in every age,

God is mine.

(Translated by Prakash Chander)