Kalidas Meghdootam - Translation English and Hindi

I have wanted to do a translation for a really long time. Just a small one as an introduction hopefully its enchanting enough and draws you in to read it fully,

अपने मालिक को नाखुश कर, उसने एक साल का वनवास पाया

अपनी प्रिये से बिछड कर, एक यक्ष रामगिरि पर रहने आया
छायादार दरख़्त थे , था वहाँ का पानी निर्मल
जनकपुत्री ने भी वहाँ कभी किया था बसर ।

The Kohinoor Story

And as the British monarchs or Prime Ministers come to India, the clamor grows louder than ever for the return of the Kohinoor literally the mountain of light. It is among the most famous diamonds in the world. It was found in the Kollur mine, on the river Krishna and presented by Mir Jumla to Shah Jahan, the emperor of Delhi. Nadir Shah, the conqueror won it by sword from Muhammad Shah a descendant of Shah Jahan. Nadir Shah's grandson Sha Rukh was forced to give it away to Ahmad Shah Abdali, another mighty invader who was from Afghanistan. Ahmad Shah's grandsons fought over it, and finally one named Shah Shuja prospered and he claimed the Kohinoor for himself. The Lion of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh won a battle from Shah Shuja and it passed onto him as a spoil from the war. When his son lost a battle with the British, the stone made its way to England.

Once Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was asked the price of the Kohinoor, he said Paanch talwar, five swords was the price of the Kohinoor. Implying the Kohinoor had never been bought or sold so its value was not known, it had always been claimed as victory by the mightier sword five times before Ranjeet Singh got it. And that is how it shall probably be, if India is stronger it can lay claim over it. The stronger country's will will prevail.

Podna Podni - The Fight of the Weaver Bird

There were two weaver birds Podna and Podni, husband and wife they were living merrily in their tree house. Then one day the king decided that their house was built on his land, while forgetting that nature's bounty is for everybody to share, and he took away the Podni. The Podna was grieved at this he was a small bird, but he had a big will to fight against the injustice of the king. He immediately set out to find all the resources he could, he made a cart of reeds (sarkande) that grow by the lake and yoked two frogs from the pond to pull it. Then drumming two kettle drums he went singing

"Sarkande ki gaari, do maindhak jote jayen

 Raja le gaya podni, hum ladne marne jaayen"

"I go on my reed cart, To fight the king I am going to depart

 To fight the King I raise a war cry, Now is the time to do or die"

Now "Himmate Mard Maddade Khuda", "Fortune favors the bold" thinking this he started off alone

And as he went along his way, he met a cat, the cat asked him where was he headed to and the Podna told him his tale and intentions. The cat asked to join him and said he might come in handy. The Podna agreed as there was no place for the cat in the cart Podna told her "Hus Phus mere kaan main ghus". So that cat got into the weaver birds ears. Similarly moved by his tale and offering their help, a group of ants, a rope and a club, and a river got into his ear.

The Podna reached the castle of the king and there the guards laughed at him and his small cart. Nevertheless he went on further to enter the king's court. The Podna asked the king to return his wife, the King refused. He had the Podna imprisoned in the hen house, and he expected the hens would pick on him, and make him miserable so that he would go back, but as night came the Podna said,

"Nikal Billi Teri Baari Kaan Chhod Kanpati Maari"

"Come out cat, its your turn, Leave the ear I have pulled the lobe"

And he pulled his ear lobe, out jumped the cat and it ate all the hens. The King was very annoyed that the Podna survived he locked him in the stable next night, and expected the horses to trample him. The Podna at night said

"Nikal Rassi aur Sonte tumhari baari, Kaan Chhod Kanpati Maari"

And the rope tied the horses, the clubs beat and killed them. The King then tried locking him up in the elephant stable, but the ants came out of Podna's ear when he called and so the elephants were also dealt with. Finally furious the King had had enough, he tied the Podna to his own bed, as it was getting impossible to imprison him anywhere else. In the night the Podna touched his ear and he called 

"Nikalo dariya teri baari, Kaan Chhod Kanpati Maari"

And then the river came gushing out, it started flowing through the palace drenching the tapestries and the carpets, making its way around, taking away everything in its path and then the King's bed started to get swept away. Now very afraid and repenting his sins, the King said "Take away, take away your Podni, but please spare me." And so claiming victory over the big bad King the Podna came back with his wife.

Below is a the animation of this story from Animated Tales of the World

Heard this story from Mum's friend, instead of Podna and Podni her version had a Mor and Morni(peacock and peahen). I guess the culprits would then be the Kaale chor(black hearted thieves), going by the old song of Nani's peahen getting stolen by Kaale chor

Jua Pet faat Nadi laal bahi

This is a bit of a nonsensical poem, that we heard as children, not sure if its supposed to imply something bigger, like maybe the start of the World War with the assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, a non-consequential event which without rhyme or reason leads to bigger problems.

Jua pet faat nadi laal bhayi
Gaiya Seeng toot peepal paat jhade
Kauwa kaana bhaya
Raani nachni bhayi
Raja dholak baja

Such was the chaos over the death of a little lice, that the river turned red when she heard about it, the cow lost her horns, and the peepal tree shed all its leaves, the crow lost its hearing, the queen went on dancing in a frenzy and the king went on playing.

Prayers Answered - Aaj Nahin Kal

A Herdsman who had lost a bullock prayed to the gods to bring him the thief, and told them that in return he would sacrifice a goat to them. The gods answered and just then,the Herdsman saw a Lion, his jaws dripping with bullock's blood, approaching him."I thank you,"said the Herdsman, continuing his prayer, "for showing me the thief. And now if you will take him away, I will give you another goat."

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Persons who live in or near forests of India often make their living by gathering firewood. They tie it into bundles which are slung over their shoulders and carrying on their backs to a market-place. One day an old man, out in the woods alone was picking up sticks. He greedily made a pile so largethat, when it was tied,he found it too heavy to lift. Sweating and groaning he tried in vain to get it onto his back; the market was far, and as it was getting late he couldn't make a second trip
Despair came over him. Sitting on the ground he moaned and groaned and he muttered to the god of Death Yama to come to him.;Yama, in his mercy, heard the cry, appeared, and approached him in the forest.
"I have come" said Yama, "What do you want?" Now that he was face to face with death the man swallowing hard, answered,
"I -- I just wanted you to help me put this load of wood onto my back!"

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An ultra pious Muslim man used to pray every day under a tree that God in his love should pull him to himself
"Khuda Apni Mohabbat Main Mujhe Kheench"

One day a man was sitting on top of the tree, he heard this man pray, he threw down a noose and began to pull the devotee up,
"Aaj Nahin Kal" roared the devotee,not today tomorrow.