The clouds had dispersed.
On the eastern horizon rose the morning star,
The breast of the earth heaved a sigh of comfort,
Undulated rustling of twigs along the paths in the woods,
Birds sang from branch to branch.
The devotee called out : "It is time."
Time for what ?
For setting out.
The others sat on thinking.
Understood it not, each creating a meaning
convenient for each one's mind.
Up to the depth of the soil sank the caress of dawn,
The restlessness of life shook the roots of the cosmic being.
Who knows from where a voice extremely subtle
Whispered in everybody's ears :
"Come along to the pilgrimage of accomplishment."
From voice to voice, in the crowd, this message
Acquired velocity in a noble inspiration.
Men lifted up their gaze,
Women joined their hands to touch their forehead.
Children started laughing and clapping.
The first ray of the dawn besmeared the devotee's head
with a golden paste of sandalwood.
Everybody cried : "Brother, we bow to you."