THE
NEW GODS
V.
Lalitha Kumari
‘Old order changeth, yielding place to new’
The gods that reign today are quite a few
The pace of the old gods is now slow
The votaries of new ones in numbers grow
Some gods who were once but regional
Today to nooks and corners make visits seasonal
Like ambitious rulers they have expanded
Boundaries and have in other states landed.
Rama and Krishna maintain their calm
While Ayyappa and Santosh Ma bear the palm
For through Siva they have become Kin
Though to a later date belongs their origin.
Their apostles and devotees are enthusiastic
Who with rituals spend days hectic
And very zealously stern vows keep
While old-fashioned Bhakti runs rather deep.
To shun the new isn’t the aim of this rhyme
Piety is welcome in any name or clime
Some gods are for the hour, some for all time
The latter help to make life sublime.