My Dance Master

It was a dance that I saw
a few years ago
it promised to draw
rapturous encores!

Skilled was the dancer
and seated was the audience
Yet every step got an answer
an echoing obedience!

None had seen this dance before
Yet all danced in unison
We danced and danced and wanted more
For in this dance we saw a vision

The vision of the master
whose name was often chanted
whose dance spells disaster
yet leaves everyone enchanted!


Nataraja!
O King of Dance!
In this beautiful raaga
will you teach me how to dance?


The music became soundless
the bodiless master smiled
I too became speechless
when he soundlessly replied


“Dance this dance of thrill
and of supersensual joy!
Be like me if you will
and ceaselessly enjoy!”

“The steps are easy to follow
just be seated in your noble stage
They are the same as a kalpa ago
what I taught you in this confluence age”

He enthroned me in his heart
and said, “Dance away O Soul!”
Since that day he’s my sweetheart
and to dance on is my goal!