It is 7:PM
In the shade of the great sundari tree, on the banks of the river
Dinghy boats splutter from all directions
Into the half-light of the shallows
Carrying people exhausted by the heat of the day
They settle themselves on the steps of the ghat
Drink tea, and await the ceremony of Ganga Aarti
The sound of the primordial conch breaks the silence
The oil lamps are lit
And soon pendulous, fiery candelabras
Send plumes of smoke heavenwards
Prayers are recited
And the faithful sing praise of the goddess
ॐ जय गंगे माता मैया जय गंगे माता
The mind travels, and salience is conjured
In the darkness, a tiger roars
The veil is thin, the knife is sharp
Don't step too far into the night, lest you find it torn apart
And a cast upon the battlefield
We are all the vessels of the coliseum
And nothing is as it seems
So speak your untruths
But know what awaits you on the mountain
The future is yours, dear listener