મરજીવિયા Marjiviya (The Pearl-Divers)

કમર કસીને, ઉત્સાહથી ભરેલો મરજિવિયો મોતી લેવા સમુદ્ર તરફ દોડે છે.

The poet first draws the picture of the marjiviya - the diver who descends deep to fetch pearls. Girded and brimming with zeal, the brave one dashes towards the sea, his eyes alight and his heart full of longing.

સ્વજનો રડીને રોકે છે - 'આવા ભયમાં કોણ ઊતરી બચ્યું છે?' - પણ એ ડગતો નથી.

His kin and dear ones, eyes brimming with tears, try to hold him back. They reason - 'Why throw away this life in vain? Who has ever gone down into this death-like deep and returned?' Yet the diver does not waver from his firm resolve.

વિકરાળ મોજાં પણ તેને રોકી શકતાં નથી; નિર્ભય બની તે અગાધ પાણીમાં ઊતરે છે.

The roaring waves of the fierce sea and its mountain-high swells cannot turn him away. Without a trace of fear, casting off all dread, he dives into the fathomless water and descends as if into the very jaws of death.

છેવટે એ તળિયેથી અમૂલ્ય મોતી લઈને બહાર આવે છે - સાહસનું ફળ મળે છે.

At last the diver rises from the sea-bed bearing priceless gems and pearls. Returning from the mouth of death, he brings up an inexhaustible treasure. The poet suggests that life's great reward comes only to those who, with firm resolve and courage, descend into danger.