जाता अस्ताला (स्थूलवाचन) Jata Astala (As the Sun Goes to Set) - extended reading

सूर्य मावळायला निघतो तेव्हा त्याचे डोळे पाणावलेले असतात. आपण गेल्यावर जगाचे काय होईल, अंधारात सारी धरा बुडेल याची चिंता त्याला वाटते. तो सर्वांना मदतीसाठी हाक मारतो, पण कोणीही पुढे येत नाही. सारे जग निरुत्तर राहते.

At the start of the poem, as the sun prepares to set, its eyes are seen brimming with tears. It is anxious about what will become of the world once it goes down, worrying that the whole earth will instantly be plunged into darkness. It cries out plaintively, 'someone save this earth, hurry, hurry,' but no one rises to answer its call, no one steps forward, no one is sure they can take on this task. The whole world remains silent and unresponsive to this question.

अशा वेळी माती-पणती हळूच इकडे-तिकडे बघत पुढे येते. ती विनम्र भावाने वाकून सूर्याला म्हणते, 'तेजोमय सूर्या, माझ्या छोट्या तेजाने मी शक्य होईल तेवढी धरा उजळवीन.'

While no one else dares to come forward, a small earthen lamp glances around and quietly steps forward. Bowing humbly, it tells the radiant sun, 'With my own small light, I will light up this earth as much as I can.' What the mighty sun feared was impossible, this tiny lamp offers to do in its own small way.

पणतीचे हे वचन ऐकून सूर्याचे डोळे ओलावतात. आपल्या पश्चात एवढी छोटी पणतीदेखील जगाला उजळवण्याचा प्रयत्न करेल हे कळल्यावर सूर्याला समाधान वाटते आणि तो तृप्त मनाने अस्ताकडे झुकतो.

On hearing the lamp's humble yet resolute promise, the sun's eyes moisten with gratitude and joy. Knowing that the earth will not be plunged into complete darkness after it sets, because this small lamp will keep giving light in its own way, brings the sun great contentment. With a satisfied and peaceful heart, the sun slowly sinks towards the horizon, and the poem ends.