Don't Look Outside the Grave, Aditi

"Don't Look Outside the Grave, Aditi"
Written by prominent Nepali poet and philosopher Umanath Kattel, this profound poem explores themes of life, death, and human morality. Through a dialogue between the poet and Aditi, a symbolic figure, the poem contrasts the purity and wisdom of the grave with the corruption and chaos of the living world.

The poet urges Aditi to stay in the grave, symbolizing peace and selflessness, warning that the living world, plagued by greed and moral decay, is unsafe. The poem reflects on the poet's own life journey, emphasizing the emptiness of existence without desire or attachment. Aditi represents hope, but the poet cautions her against returning to a world full of despair and corruption.

Kattel's work critiques societal flaws, portraying death as a sanctuary of unity and purity. The poem ultimately suggests that peace and wisdom are found in death, not life, and invites readers to reflect on the deeper truths of existence.