Time Stands Still - Lines from "It Does Not Die" By Maitreyi Devi

"With great difficuliy I tried to pick it up; my hand was numb, my mind vacant. Could one cross such distances in so short a time? My body certainly remained here in this chair, but I entered Maliakala, infinite time, time that had no bcginnmg, no end—to that point where the sun does not shine and stars are not seen. This separation of body and soul, to be present at two different points in time simultaneously, hurts physically."

Stretching my arms out wildly

to touch that intangible life,

let me go to this wedding so far away.

There Mahakala presides.

breaking and tearing all that is useless,

he holds up the lamp of free life

and marks the bride's forehead

with a spark of fire. . . .

I must go where the bridal night

waits unwavering

with the steadfast devotion

of someone's love. . . .