Tomorrow is Madhusudan Das 's death anniversary which happens to be my father's birth anniversary. So, narrating an incident that shows how he used his inherent qualities in favour of people of Odisha.
A destitute old woman once sought justice from Madhusudan Das. Her plight was dire: a village landlord had seized her only possession, a small plot of land bordering the village road. Madhu Babu, known for his compassion, reassured her, promising to visit her village soon.
The following day, Madhusudan Das arrived in his horse-drawn cart. Near the old woman's disputed land, he instructed his driver to dig a pit. As his cart approached the pit, the wheel became deliberately ensnared. Madhu Babu then summoned the villagers. Feigning distress, he inquired whose land had caused him this trouble.
To everyone's astonishment, the landlord, eager to distance himself from any accusation, pointed at the old woman and declared, "It's hers!" Seizing this moment of unwitting admission, Madhusudan Das promptly drew up legal documents transferring ownership of the land to the old woman. He then presented the papers to her, securing her rightful claim.
This incident exemplifies Madhusudan Das's cleverness and wit, qualities he employed to uplift the marginalized and ensure justice prevailed, even against powerful adversaries.
My favourite poem from Madhusudan Das is as below with its english translation,
Tu para bolau
Utkal Santan ?
Tebe kimpa tuhi bhiru !
Tohar Janani
Rodan karile
Kahibaku kimpa daru ?
To' purbapurushe
Bira paniare
Labhithile kete khyati
Hakima nikate
Dukha kahibaku
Kimpa thare tora chhati ?
To purbapurushe
Jaya karithile
Ganga tharu Godavari,
Tankari aurase
Janma hoi tuhi
Keun gune tanku sari ?
Tu mane bhabuchhu
toshamada kari
Badhaibu Jatiman
Toshamadiara
Kukura prakruti
Aintha patare dhyan.
Jatira unnati
hebakire bhai
Swarthaku Jagat mani ?
Godar godare
maunsa lagile
Deharaki subha gani ?
Jatira unnati
se kahin kariba
Swarthe jar byasta mana
Shaguna bilua
Chikitschak hele
Saba ki paiba prana!!
It's English translation
This is a poem by the Odia poet Madhusudan Das. It is a patriotic poem that calls on the people of Odisha to be proud of their heritage and to work for the betterment of their state.
Here is a translation of the poem into English:
"You call yourself a son of Utkal?
Why are you so afraid?
When your mother weeps,
Why are you afraid to speak?
Your ancestors
In the midst of war
Achieved great fame,
Why does your chest tremble
To speak of your sorrows
To the rulers?
Your ancestors
Conquered lands
From the Ganga to the Godavari,
Having been born of their lineage,
What qualities do you possess
That make you forget them?
You think
That by flattery
You will increase your status,
But the nature of a flatterer
Is like that of a dog
Whose attention is fixed on stale food.
How will the nation progress, my brother,
If you consider only your own interests?
If you apply ointment to a wound
But do not care for the root cause,
Will the body be truly healed?
How can one
Who is preoccupied with his own selfish interests
Work for the progress of the nation?
Even if a jackal or a cat
Pretends to be a physician,
Will it be able to save anyone's life?"
The poem is a powerful call to action. It urges the people of Odisha to be proud of their heritage and to work for the betterment of their state. It also warns against the dangers of selfishness and flattery.
The poem is still relevant today. It reminds us that we should be proud of our heritage and that we should work for the betterment of our community. It also warns us against the dangers of selfishness and flattery.
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