"Adi Kabi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya"

He gives his life to cutting grass and earns little money,
he hopes to make a well for his people 
so he will be remembered after death, 
this high thinking grass cutter lives in poverty, 
I have achieved nothing though I have much wealth. 

I have neither made rest houses nor a well, 
all my riches are inside my house. 
This grass cutter has opened my eyes today, 
my life is worthless if the memory of my existence fades away.
[Translation by Pallav Ranjan]

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Bhanubhakta Acharya, was born in 1814 at Ramgha, Tanahu. It was said, "turning point of his life came after he met a grass cutter who wanted to contribute something to the society, so that he would be immortal even after his physical body decayed." Back then there was no school or education system yet he got educated at home by learning Sanskrit verses from many Hindu epics like "Ramayana". He started a mammoth task of translating Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali language. Since Sanskrit was only limited to some educated families, he wanted to make this epic popular to general public. So he wrote it in lyrical style. Besides that, he also wrote Bakta mala, Badhu Shiksha, Prasnottarmala, Ramgeeta. Many of his poems were perhaps spread in an oral form than written form. Most of his short poems deal with events, which he felt profoundly about or they sing the praises of his gods. He was charged with some fund mismanagement and was sentenced. Perhaps that was the bitterest experience in his life. With his literary talent not only he got his freedom back, but also got some money from the government. In 1868, his immortal soul left him. He is the pioneer of Nepali literary movement. He is decorated by the honor of “ADI KABI."

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