I have always liked a poem,
'सखी, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते' since I was a school going boy. This poem is written by Maithili Sharan Gupt. I liked this poem, when I had read it for the very first time itself.
Context of the poem is that when King Siddharth, who later becomes Gautam Buddha, has renounced his family and has gone without bidding goodbye to his devoted wife,
'Yashodhara', who was his love-life cum friend since childhood.
The emotions of Yashodhara has been described in such a touching and thoughtful way that it leaves the reader to ponder - was Gautam Buddha right or is this the supreme sacrifice that is required to achieve greatness - not only by the great person himself /herself, but by the most loved and close ones of person whom the world knows as great!!
Without sacrifices of Yashodhara was it possible for King Siddhartha to have become Gautam Buddha?
Though, Yashodhara exhibited a broad range of emotions; pain and regret expressed in the poem is profound. Don't know why; but it has always attracted me, mesmerized me. It made me think - what hurts more when a relationship gets over? Is there a way that the pain can be subdued? What is the greater regret - not being able to say final goodbye or to see someone you love go, before your own eyes?
Why this poem is so close to my heart and my thoughts around relationships - I might touch upon in some other post.
Here goes the poem:
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते,
कह, तो क्या मुझको वे अपनी पथ-बाधा ही पाते?
मुझको बहुत उन्होंने माना
फिर भी क्या पूरा पहचाना?
मैंने मुख्य उसी को जाना
जो वे मन में लाते।
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते।
स्वयं सुसज्जित करके क्षण में,
प्रियतम को, प्राणों के पण में,
हमीं भेज देती हैं रण में -
क्षात्र-धर्म के नाते
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते।
हुआ न यह भी भाग्य अभागा,
किसपर विफल गर्व अब जागा?
जिसने अपनाया था, त्यागा;
रहे स्मरण ही आते!
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते।
नयन उन्हें हैं निष्ठुर कहते,
पर इनसे जो आँसू बहते,
सदय हृदय वे कैसे सहते ?
गये तरस ही खाते!
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते।
जायें, सिद्धि पावें वे सुख से,
दुखी न हों इस जन के दुख से,
उपालम्भ दूँ मैं किस मुख से ?
आज अधिक वे भाते!
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते।
गये, लौट भी वे आवेंगे,
कुछ अपूर्व-अनुपम लावेंगे,
रोते प्राण उन्हें पावेंगे,
पर क्या गाते-गाते ?
सखि, वे मुझसे कहकर जाते।
- मैथिली शरण गुप्त
P.S.: Maithili Sharan Gupt in his other creations, has portrayed some very strong and relatively unsung heroins of Indian mythology & history. He has given a unique perspective while narrating their side. In one of his poetic creation, "Saket", protagonist is Urmila, wife of Lakshman ji.
