Gift of Blessings

Gift Packed with Blessings Tell me, serviceman, where you are I want to send you a gift Packed with my blessings   You do not have a regular address One day you are in Reasi and the next in Pulwama You spend your nights keeping vigil Be it winter or the season of rains Where should I send my gift with blessings? Poonch? Rajouri? Doda? Or Paadar? Tell me, soldier, where I may send my gift In your name   Carrying a haversack on your shoulders You move from place to place We sleep tucked under soft coverless and quilts You rest with a rifle to your chest It is the same – be it day or night Morning and evening are the same to you Do you ever get time to rest? If so, where? Tell me soldier where I may send my blessed gift In your name.   Tell my, how you live at Siachen How you sleep on that bed of snow You used to feel very cold Raised a hue and cry while bathing I have knitted a sweater with blessings in new designs Tell me when I should send it Tell me, soldier, where I may send my gift full of blessings In your name.   You are stationed in Jaisalmer and Uttarlai Dust storms raging there evoke awe in the eyes Create darkness of amavas when You cannot figure out faces I shall create a moon of blessings there Tell me, serviceman, where I may send my gift of blessings In your name.   When you fly an aircraft Remember not to stray beyond our borders The enemy is keeping a watch May surround you and catch you deviously I shall send blessings to protect you Tell me, O serviceman, where I may send you the gift of blessings In your name.   Kochi, Goa, Visakhapatnam Andaman, Chennai, Dakshin You run ships of the navy Sink submarines of the enemy Varun, the Lord of waters, is with you The world recognizes you skill What more should I say about you? Tell me, serviceman, where I may dispatch the blessed gift In your name.   Your courage is lofty Like Pir Panjal, Kargil or Kashmir Mahesh safeguards you So does Gauri-Putra Ganesh Defend the nation, do your duty Earn the reputation of Zorawar I want to open an account Of blessings in your name Tell me, serviceman, where I may send the gift of blessings In your name.   I have deep admiration for the uniform Khaki, white and blue May the Divine keep a benign eye on all When you get a medal for bravery I shall compose a lovely song And send you congratulations by telegram Tell me, serviceman, where I may send the gift of my blessings In your name.   Your sister quizzers me She loves you very much Sows seeds for Raarhe in your name Praises you among her friends Says she will offer a goat for your safety “My brother should return victorious in war And I shall give it as offering before the Devi” Tell me, serviceman, where I may send my gift of blessings In your name.   When you return after winning the battle We shall celebrate and throw parties Spread mats and draw alpanas Will go to Amritsar, Bahu, Satwari To offer prayers and thanksgiving poojas And shall offer Rot at th Peer’s dargaah In your name Tell me, serviceman, where I may send the gift of my blessings In your name.   Whenever you telephone I feel rejuvenated Sleep carefree Remain active through the day The next day passes happily I feel good about everyone I am inspired to write some song In your name Tell me, soldier, where I may send my blessed gift In your name.   Vicky, Gurdeep and Taariq Give birthday greetings to them Find time to go to the goshaala Feed green grass to the cows I am going to the temple with grandma I shall burn incense and seek blessings For you Tell me, serviceman, where I may send the gift In your name.   I have set aside ghee of brown buffalo’s milk When you come we shall offer it to the family deity And then use it You love sweet rice with lot of dry fruits in it Come and ask me to cook it for you It will give me great joy Tell me, serviceman, where I may send the gift packed with blessings In your name.   You should write to me more often Tell me when you are getting your annual leave When you come, we shall arrange a special pooja And give away the cow on Ekadashi day She has been with us for too long There are numerous tasks awaiting you Come and give me some relief Where should I go to unburden myself? Where? Tell me, serviceman, where I may send the gift loaded with blessings For you   When you come home on leave There is liveliness in the air Running around does not tire me Seeing your fine face I am drenched with joy There is spring all around And the breeze sings Malahaar The Koel also warbles sweet tunes In your name Tell me soldier, where I may send the gift of blessings In your name.