---

The stench of cremation mounds

fills the dark charnel grounds

Under the Shiva moon,

the ritual shall begin, in secrecy

Bodies that floated on

the river are being gnawed upon

Bloated flesh consumed with

the excrement of the Aghori

Vessel, a human skull

passes around the ring

preparing for the cull

Alcohol and urine

Sacrifice of beast and men

The ritual butchering can commence

Scorching in the raging flames

the cages of souls disintegrate

Flow of unknown words spat

in near catalepsy

They walk through the flames that

no longer burn their skin

For if there is any benevolence,

then there must be, as well, malevolence

Balance to rule over all existence

Symmetry to determine the moral sense

Breaking the taboos will not

corrupt him who sees beyond

All forgiven by the gods

for fortifying the bond

that conjoins evil and good

Secrets of life understood

As morning devours the night

they travel from darkness into light

In divine madness they

are one with the gods, time fades away

Indulged in misery

Aghori’s flesh and blood

are but transient things,

instruments of the gods

For if there is any benevolence,

then there must be, as well, malevolence

Balance to rule over all existence

Symmetry to determine the moral sense