O MY GOD! MAKE ME NOT A SUN.

O MY GOD! MAKE ME NOT A SUN

O my God! Make me not such a Sun

That lacks heat, warmth and coruscation,

That hastens not the seed’s germination,

But remains colder than the ice Himalayan.

 

O my God! Make me not such a Sun

That knows not empathy or compassion,

That is forgetful of duties and etiquettes,

And hates the humble, ordinary landscapes.

 

O my God! Make me not such a Sun

That stifles life and withers vegetation,

That promotes discrimination and favours inequality,

That darkens the day to augment gloom, robbery and cruelty.

 

O my God! Make me rather such a benign and unbiased Sun

That lets all hearts illuminate equally bright,

That symbolises sincerity and liberates all from woes and plight,

That showers everywhere peace, ecstasy and emancipation.

 

Copyright: Dr. Shankar D. Mishra, Sr. Lecturer in English

WhatsApp: 8249297412 | Blog: sdmpoetry.blogspot.com

Glossary

Stanza 1

Coruscation: Brilliant sparkling or flashing light / चमक या तेजस्वी प्रकाश / ଝଲମଲ କରୁଥିବା ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ ଆଲୋକ
Hastens: Makes something happen sooner or faster / शीघ्र करता है / ଶୀଘ୍ର କରେ
Germination: The process by which a seed begins to grow / बीज का अंकुरण / ବୀଜର ଅଙ୍କୁରୋଦ୍ଗମ
Himalayan: Relating to the Himalayas / हिमालय से सम्बन्धित / ହିମାଳୟ ସମ୍ବନ୍ଧୀୟ

Stanza 2

Empathy: The ability to understand and share another person’s feelings / सहानुभूति / ସହାନୁଭୂତି
Compassion: Deep sympathy and concern for others / करुणा / ଦୟା ଓ କରୁଣା
Etiquettes: Accepted rules of polite and proper behaviour / शिष्टाचार / ଶିଷ୍ଟାଚାର
Humble: Modest; not proud or arrogant / विनम्र / ନମ୍ର

Stanza 3

Stifles: Suppresses or prevents from developing or continuing / दबाता या रोकता है / ଦମନ କରେ ବା ରୋକିଦିଏ
Withers: Causes to become dry, weak or lifeless / मुरझा देता है / ଶୁଖାଇ ଦିଏ ବା ମଉଳାଇ ଦିଏ
Vegetation: Plants collectively, especially in a particular area / वनस्पति / ଉଦ୍ଭିଦ ସମୂହ
Discrimination: Unfair treatment of people because of their differences / भेदभाव / ଭେଦଭାବ
Inequality: Lack of equality; unequal treatment or opportunities / असमानता / ଅସମାନତା
Augment: To increase or make greater / बढ़ाना / ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରିବା
Gloom: Darkness, sadness or hopelessness / अंधकार; उदासी / ଅନ୍ଧକାର; ବିଷାଦ
Robbery: The act of taking property from someone by force or threat / लूट / ଲୁଟ୍
Cruelty: Behaviour that causes pain or suffering to others / क्रूरता / ନିଷ୍ଠୁରତା

Stanza 4

Benign: Kind, gentle and harmless / दयालु और सौम्य / ଦୟାଳୁ ଓ ସୌମ୍ୟ
Unbiased: Fair and not favouring one side / निष्पक्ष / ନିରପେକ୍ଷ
Illuminate: To light up or make bright / प्रकाशित करना / ଆଲୋକିତ କରିବା
Symbolises: Represents or stands for something / प्रतीक होना / ପ୍ରତୀକ ହେବା
Sincerity: Honesty and genuineness of feelings or intentions / ईमानदारी / ଆନ୍ତରିକତା
Liberates: Sets free from restrictions, suffering or difficulties / मुक्त करता है / ମୁକ୍ତ କରେ
Woes: Great troubles or sorrows / दुःख और कष्ट / ଦୁଃଖ ଓ କଷ୍ଟ
Plight: A difficult or unfortunate situation / कठिन परिस्थिति / ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶା ବା ଦୁର୍ବିପାକ
Ecstasy: Intense happiness or joy / परम आनन्द / ପରମ ଆନନ୍ଦ
Emancipation: Freedom from restrictions, suffering or oppression / मुक्ति / ମୁକ୍ତି

Additional Useful Words

Warmth: The quality of being warm; also kindness and affection / ऊष्मा; स्नेह / ଉଷ୍ମତା; ସ୍ନେହ
Promotes: Encourages or supports the growth or development of something / बढ़ावा देता है / ପ୍ରୋତ୍ସାହିତ କରେ ବା ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରେ
Favours: Supports or gives an advantage to someone or something / पक्ष लेता है; लाभ पहुँचाता है / ପକ୍ଷ ନିଏ; ସୁବିଧା ପ୍ରଦାନ କରେ
Showers: Gives or spreads abundantly / बरसाता है; प्रचुर मात्रा में देता है / ବର୍ଷାଇ ଦିଏ; ପ୍ରଚୁର ଭାବେ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରେ
Peace: A state of calm and freedom from conflict / शान्ति / ଶାନ୍ତି
Equality: The state of being equal in rights, status or opportunities / समानता / ସମାନତା
Equally: In the same degree or manner; without favouritism / समान रूप से / ସମାନ ଭାବରେ

Stanza-wise Summary

Stanza 1

English: The poet begins with a humble prayer to God. He does not want to become a Sun that gives only light but lacks heat, warmth and brilliance. The Sun is normally a symbol of life, energy, hope and growth. Its warmth helps seeds germinate and plants grow. However, the poet imagines a strange and useless Sun that cannot provide the necessary warmth for the seed to sprout. Such a Sun would fail in its essential duty and become colder even than the ice of the Himalayas. Through this image, the poet expresses his desire not to become a person who possesses knowledge, power or brilliance but fails to inspire, help or nourish others. He wants his life to have warmth, usefulness and positive influence.

Hindi: कवि ईश्वर से विनम्र प्रार्थना करता है कि वह उसे ऐसा सूर्य न बनाए जिसमें गर्मी, ऊष्मा और चमक का अभाव हो। सामान्यतः सूर्य जीवन, ऊर्जा, आशा और विकास का प्रतीक है। सूर्य की गर्मी बीजों के अंकुरण और पौधों की वृद्धि में सहायक होती है। लेकिन कवि ऐसे सूर्य की कल्पना करता है जो बीज के अंकुरण में भी सहायता न करे और हिमालय की बर्फ से भी अधिक ठंडा बना रहे। इस प्रतीक के माध्यम से कवि कहना चाहता है कि वह ऐसा व्यक्ति नहीं बनना चाहता जिसके पास ज्ञान, प्रतिभा या चमक तो हो, लेकिन दूसरों के जीवन में प्रेरणा, प्रेम, उपयोगिता और विकास न ला सके। वह चाहता है कि उसके जीवन में दूसरों के लिए गर्मजोशी, प्रकाश और सकारात्मक प्रभाव बना रहे।

Odia: କବି ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଏକ ନମ୍ର ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ତାଙ୍କୁ ଏପରି ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରାଯିବ ନାହିଁ, ଯାହାର ଉଷ୍ମତା, ତାପ ଓ ଦୀପ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ସାଧାରଣତଃ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଜୀବନ, ଶକ୍ତି, ଆଶା ଓ ବିକାଶର ପ୍ରତୀକ। ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟର ଉଷ୍ମତା ବୀଜର ଅଙ୍କୁରୋଦ୍‌ଗମ ଓ ଉଦ୍ଭିଦର ବୃଦ୍ଧିରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରେ। କିନ୍ତୁ କବି ଏପରି ଏକ ଅଦ୍ଭୁତ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟର କଳ୍ପନା କରିଛନ୍ତି, ଯାହା ବୀଜର ଅଙ୍କୁରୋଦ୍‌ଗମରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରେ ନାହିଁ ଏବଂ ହିମାଳୟର ବରଫଠାରୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଅଧିକ ଥଣ୍ଡା। ଏହା ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ କବି ପ୍ରକାଶ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ସେ ଏପରି ମଣିଷ ହେବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ, ଯାହାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଜ୍ଞାନ, ପ୍ରତିଭା କିମ୍ବା ଦୀପ୍ତି ଥାଏ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରେରଣା, ସାହାଯ୍ୟ, ଉଷ୍ମତା ଓ ବିକାଶ ଦେଇପାରନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ।

Stanza 2

English: In this stanza, the poet continues his prayer to God and expresses his desire not to become an arrogant, insensitive and irresponsible person. He does not want to be like a Sun that has no empathy or compassion for others. He also does not want to forget his duties, responsibilities and good manners. The poet further rejects the attitude of despising simple and ordinary things. The phrase “humble, ordinary landscapes” symbolises the simple people, modest surroundings and ordinary aspects of life that are often ignored or looked down upon by proud people. Thus, the poet wishes to remain kind-hearted, sensitive, dutiful, courteous and respectful towards humble people and simple life.

Hindi: इस पद्यांश में कवि ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करते हुए कहता है कि वह कभी भी ऐसा असंवेदनशील, निर्दयी, अहंकारी और गैर-जिम्मेदार व्यक्ति न बने। वह ऐसे सूर्य के समान नहीं बनना चाहता जिसमें सहानुभूति और करुणा का अभाव हो। वह अपने कर्तव्यों, जिम्मेदारियों और शिष्टाचार को भी भूलना नहीं चाहता। कवि उन लोगों की मानसिकता को भी अस्वीकार करता है जो साधारण और विनम्र परिवेश या लोगों को तुच्छ समझते हैं। “Humble, ordinary landscapes” यहाँ जीवन की सादगी, सामान्य लोगों और साधारण परिवेश का प्रतीक है। कवि चाहता है कि वह हमेशा दयालु, संवेदनशील, कर्तव्यनिष्ठ, शिष्ट और साधारण लोगों तथा सरल जीवन के प्रति सम्मानपूर्ण बना रहे।

Odia: ଏହି ପଦ୍ୟାଂଶରେ କବି ପୁନର୍ବାର ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରି କହୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ସେ କେବେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏପରି ଅସମ୍ବେଦନଶୀଳ, ନିଷ୍ଠୁର, ଅହଂକାରୀ ଓ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱହୀନ ମଣିଷ ନ ହୁଅନ୍ତୁ। ସେ ଏପରି ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ, ଯାହା ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସହାନୁଭୂତି ଓ କରୁଣା ଜାଣେ ନାହିଁ। ସେ ନିଜର କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ, ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ଓ ଶିଷ୍ଟାଚାରକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭୁଲିବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ଏହା ସହିତ, ସେ ସରଳ ଓ ସାଧାରଣ ଜୀବନ କିମ୍ବା ନମ୍ର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଘୃଣା କରୁଥିବା ମନୋଭାବକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟାନ କରନ୍ତି। “Humble, ordinary landscapes” ଦ୍ୱାରା ସରଳ ଜୀବନ, ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକ ଓ ସାଧାରଣ ପରିବେଶକୁ ବୁଝାଯାଇଛି। ତେଣୁ କବି ସର୍ବଦା ଦୟାଳୁ, ସମ୍ବେଦନଶୀଳ, କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟନିଷ୍ଠ, ଶିଷ୍ଟ ଏବଂ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକ ଓ ସରଳ ଜୀବନ ପ୍ରତି ସମ୍ମାନଶୀଳ ରହିବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି।

Stanza 3

English: In this stanza, the poet continues his earnest prayer to God not to make him a destructive and harmful Sun. A real Sun gives life and helps vegetation grow, but the imaginary Sun described here does exactly the opposite: it stifles life and withers vegetation. Through this striking contrast, the poet expresses his rejection of anything that destroys life, growth and happiness. He further says that he does not want to promote discrimination or inequality. He wishes to treat all people fairly and without prejudice. The final line presents an even darker image: instead of illuminating the day, such a Sun would make it darker and increase gloom, robbery and cruelty. Thus, the poet prays to remain a source of life, equality, justice, light, kindness and peace, rather than becoming a cause of suffering and social injustice.

Hindi: इस पद्यांश में कवि ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करता है कि वह उसे ऐसा विनाशकारी और हानिकारक सूर्य न बनाए, जो जीवन को दबा दे और वनस्पतियों को मुरझा दे। वास्तविक सूर्य जीवन और विकास का आधार है, लेकिन कवि जिस काल्पनिक सूर्य की बात करता है, वह इसके विपरीत कार्य करता है। इसके माध्यम से कवि जीवन, विकास और प्रसन्नता को नष्ट करने वाली शक्तियों को अस्वीकार करता है। वह यह भी नहीं चाहता कि उसके कारण भेदभाव और असमानता को बढ़ावा मिले। वह सभी के साथ समान और न्यायपूर्ण व्यवहार करना चाहता है। अंतिम पंक्ति में ऐसा सूर्य दिन को प्रकाशित करने के बजाय और अधिक अंधकारमय बना देता है तथा उदासी, लूट और क्रूरता को बढ़ाता है। इसलिए कवि प्रार्थना करता है कि उसका जीवन प्रकाश, जीवन, समानता, न्याय, दया और शांति का स्रोत बने, न कि दुःख और अन्याय का कारण।

Odia: ଏହି ପଦ୍ୟାଂଶରେ କବି ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଏପରି ବିନାଶକାରୀ ଓ କ୍ଷତିକାରକ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ନ କରନ୍ତୁ, ଯିଏ ଜୀବନକୁ ଦୁର୍ବଳ କରିଦିଏ ଏବଂ ଉଦ୍ଭିଦଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଶୁଖାଇ ଦିଏ। ପ୍ରକୃତ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଜୀବନ ଓ ବିକାଶର ପ୍ରତୀକ, କିନ୍ତୁ କବି ଏଠାରେ ଏହାର ବିପରୀତ ଏକ କଳ୍ପିତ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟର କଥା କହିଛନ୍ତି। ଏହା ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ସେ ଜୀବନ, ବିକାଶ ଓ ସୁଖକୁ ନଷ୍ଟ କରୁଥିବା ଶକ୍ତିକୁ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାଖ୍ୟାନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ଚାହାନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ ଯେ ତାଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଭେଦଭାବ ଓ ଅସମାନତା ବଢ଼ିବ। ସେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମାନ ଓ ନ୍ୟାୟସଙ୍ଗତ ମନୋଭାବ ରଖିବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି। ଶେଷ ଧାଡ଼ିରେ ଏପରି ଏକ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟର ଚିତ୍ର ଦିଆଯାଇଛି, ଯିଏ ଦିନକୁ ଆଲୋକିତ କରିବା ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତେ ଆହୁରି ଅନ୍ଧକାରମୟ କରେ ଏବଂ ଦୁଃଖ, ଲୁଟ୍ ଓ ନିଷ୍ଠୁରତା ବଢ଼ାଇ ଦିଏ। ତେଣୁ କବିଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା ହେଉଛି—ତାଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ଜୀବନ, ଆଲୋକ, ସମାନତା, ନ୍ୟାୟ, ଦୟା ଓ ଶାନ୍ତିର ଉତ୍ସ ହେଉ, ଦୁଃଖ ଓ ଅନ୍ୟାୟର କାରଣ ନୁହେଁ।

Stanza 4

English: In the final stanza, the poet changes from describing the negative qualities of the imaginary Sun to expressing his ideal of a kind, impartial and benevolent Sun. He prays to God to make him such a Sun that treats everyone equally and allows every heart to shine with the same brightness. Here, the Sun becomes a symbol of equality, love, justice and universal goodness. The poet also wants his life to represent sincerity and truthfulness and to help people become free from their troubles, suffering and difficulties. Finally, he wishes to spread peace, ecstasy and emancipation everywhere. Thus, the stanza presents the poet’s highest aspiration: he wants his life to be a source of equal light, sincere goodness, freedom, happiness and peace for all humanity, without discrimination or partiality.

Hindi: अंतिम पद्यांश में कवि पहले वर्णित नकारात्मक सूर्य के विपरीत एक दयालु, उदार और निष्पक्ष सूर्य बनने की प्रार्थना करता है। वह ईश्वर से चाहता है कि उसे ऐसा सूर्य बनाया जाए जो प्रत्येक हृदय को समान रूप से प्रकाशित करे। यहाँ सूर्य समानता, प्रेम, न्याय और सार्वभौमिक कल्याण का प्रतीक बन जाता है। कवि चाहता है कि उसका जीवन ईमानदारी और सच्चाई का प्रतीक बने तथा वह सभी लोगों को उनके दुःख, कष्ट और कठिनाइयों से मुक्त करने में सहायक हो। अंत में वह ऐसी शक्ति की कामना करता है जो हर स्थान पर शांति, आनंद और मुक्ति बरसाए। इस प्रकार, अंतिम पद्यांश कवि की सर्वोच्च आकांक्षा को व्यक्त करता है—वह अपने जीवन को समान प्रकाश, सच्चाई, स्वतंत्रता, सुख और शांति का स्रोत बनाना चाहता है, जिसमें किसी के साथ भेदभाव या पक्षपात न हो।

Odia: ଶେଷ ପଦ୍ୟାଂଶରେ କବି ପୂର୍ବରୁ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣିତ ନକାରାତ୍ମକ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟର ବିପରୀତ ଏକ ମଙ୍ଗଳମୟ, ଦୟାଳୁ ଓ ନିରପେକ୍ଷ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେବା ପାଇଁ ଈଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ସେ ଚାହାନ୍ତି ଯେ, ତାଙ୍କ ଆଲୋକ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ହୃଦୟକୁ ସମାନ ଭାବରେ ଉଜ୍ଜ୍ୱଳ କରୁ। ଏଠାରେ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସମାନତା, ପ୍ରେମ, ନ୍ୟାୟ ଓ ସର୍ବଜନୀନ ମଙ୍ଗଳର ପ୍ରତୀକ ହୋଇଛି। କବି ଆହୁରି ଚାହାନ୍ତି ଯେ, ତାଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ସଚ୍ଚୋଟତା ଓ ଆନ୍ତରିକତାର ପ୍ରତୀକ ହେଉ ଏବଂ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ଦୁଃଖ, କଷ୍ଟ ଓ ବିପଦରୁ ମୁକ୍ତ କରିବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରୁ। ଶେଷରେ ସେ ସବୁଠାରେ ଶାନ୍ତି, ଆନନ୍ଦ ଓ ମୁକ୍ତି ବିତରଣ କରିବାର ଆକାଂକ୍ଷା ପ୍ରକାଶ କରନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ଏହି ପଦ୍ୟାଂଶରେ କବିଙ୍କ ସର୍ବୋଚ୍ଚ ଆଦର୍ଶ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇଛି—ତାଙ୍କ ଜୀବନ ସମାନ ଆଲୋକ, ସତ୍ୟନିଷ୍ଠା, ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା, ସୁଖ ଓ ଶାନ୍ତିର ଉତ୍ସ ହେଉ ଏବଂ କାହା ପ୍ରତି ଭେଦଭାବ କିମ୍ବା ପକ୍ଷପାତ ନ ରହୁ।

Prominent Literary Devices

1. Apostrophe

The poem directly addresses God as “O my God!” though God is not physically present as a listener. This expresses the poet’s earnest prayer.

2. Extended Metaphor

The Sun is used throughout the poem as an extended metaphor for a human being and his influence on others. The poet prays not to become a harmful or cold Sun, but a benign and unbiased Sun that spreads goodness.

3. Symbolism

The Sun symbolises life, knowledge, goodness, hope, equality and positive influence.

• Cold Sun → lack of warmth, empathy and usefulness
• Benign Sun → kindness, equality, peace and liberation

4. Personification

The Sun is given human qualities and actions. It is described as being able to “know” empathy, “hate” landscapes, “promote” discrimination and “favour” inequality.

5. Imagery

The poet creates vivid pictures through expressions such as “Himalayan ice,” “withers vegetation,” “darkens the day” and “showers everywhere peace.” These make the ideas of coldness, destruction, darkness and peace easy to visualise.

6. Antithesis

The poem contrasts opposite ideas:

• heat / cold
• light / darkness
• equality / inequality
• peace / cruelty
• liberation / plight

These contrasts highlight the kind of person the poet wants—and does not want—to become.

7. Repetition

The repeated opening “O my God! Make me not such a Sun” reinforces the poet’s prayer and creates unity among the stanzas.

The repeated structure “That…” also gives the poem rhythm and emphasis.

8. Anaphora

Several lines begin with the repeated word “That”, for example:

• “That lacks…”
• “That hastens…”
• “That knows…”
• “That is…”
• “That stifles…”
• “That promotes…”
• “That darkens…”

This repetition strengthens the poet’s description of the qualities he rejects and desires.

9. Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds appears in expressions such as “peace, ecstasy” and “gloom, robbery and cruelty.” It adds musicality and emphasis to the verse.

10. Hyperbole

The expression “colder than Himalayan ice” is an intentional exaggeration to emphasise extreme emotional coldness and lack of warmth.

11. Parallelism

The poem repeatedly follows a similar grammatical pattern, especially with “That…” clauses. This creates balance, rhythm and emphasis.

12. Enjambment

The thought continues from one line to the next without a complete pause, particularly in the longer descriptions. This helps maintain the flow of the poet’s prayer.

13. Metonymic/Conceptual Use of “Sun”

The Sun is not merely the astronomical object; it represents the character and influence of a human being. The poet uses the qualities associated with the Sun to express moral and social ideals.

14. Moral Contrast

The entire poem is built around a contrast between negative human qualities—coldness, discrimination, inequality, cruelty—and positive qualities—empathy, compassion, sincerity, equality, peace and emancipation.

Photo, glossary, summary and literary devices courtesy: Chatgpt