Balamani Amma’s poem, translated by Ammu Nalapat.

Anger unleashed, unstoppable,
Sinners all, these humans lost in greed
they dare to contain me,
appropriate me for selfish needs
Dare to severe the very thread
that sustains life on earth
Isolating themselves in
fortresses of ignorance
they push the world into darkness

Evil reigns intoxicated
Battle cries rent the air
Unforgivable are such lapses,
by those ordained for immortality
Watch, my weapons are many,
in the forests, in the earth, in every
creature that lives and breathes

The heat of her breath sears the air
Clouds of dark locks billow and sway
Garlands of skulls heave across her bosom
Lightning sparks in her eyes, her dance begins
A three-pronged attack on mind, body and soul

All shudder and perish in the line of fire
perpetrators and mute spectators both
equally culpable in her eyes
None can escape this fiery onslaught,
This erring chain of humanity
shall be burnt to embers from end to end

Hush, what lies in this darkness,
hindering my steps
what can survive my dance of destruction?
Whose chest is it that I trample on
whose blood soaks my feet?

whose silent intent stills my feet,
and streams cool moonlight into my heart?

Dear God, at my feet lies none other,
my other half, my Shiva,
He who is in everyone and everything,
Is it you that I have punished so?
I beseech you, Lord, forgive my pride,
Sinners deserve compassion, yes,
and we who punish them, even more.

Anger dissolves and repentance wells,
A thought dawns, all living things
must be nurtured with light alone

In blessing she raises her hands,
one to protect, one to bestow,
Burning torches make way
for glowing lamps, wicks raising
their heads in anticipation
for a glimpse of the divine

And a million minds begin to blossom
bathed in the luminous glow of truth.