ABOUT THE POEM: “Over Stay” is a fiercely determined meditation on action, duty, and the unwavering nature of true character. Drawing inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita's philosophy of action without attachment (Karmanye vadhikaraste), the poem rejects fleeting ego and ambition in favor of unbreakable competence. It explores the painful irony of pushing past one's "destined hour" to make a final stand, asserting that the only way to triumph is through complete, resolute endurance.Only this can be done-
so this will be done.
Even if victory slips away,
it will still be done.
Fear demands a steeper price
than failure ever could.
Krishna tells Arjuna:
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana,
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sango ’stv akarmani.
I act-
not from duty, blame, or chains of obligation;
not from desire,
not from ambition-
but because this alone
can be done with character.
While I draw breath,
this will be done.
I cannot lose
without one final stand.
Yet my soul feels dishonored
lingering too long in this world.
My shadow murmurs:
Why haven’t you gone?
Even then-
it will be done.
Those with tadpole intent-
half-formed, fickle,
clawing at feelings too vast to grasp-
will never taste this irony.
Their egos veil
the silent forge of endurance.
It is the eternal bout
between hollow swagger
and unbreakable competence.
In a circus of self-crowned heroes,
I refuse the villain’s brand as well.
I reach the ridge, glance back-
as ever, no one behind,
no one ahead.
What now?
Only I remain
to issue the command.
Until my efforts rise as answers,
not reflexes.
Nothing has unfolded as I dreamed,
yet what must be done
will be done.
This is no game,
no path to fame.
But my heart-my love-my restless mann-
my character will not allow defeat.
The universe may claim the final victory;
I will not grant it the choice.
Even knowing
we have outlived our destined hour,
it will still be done-
for me,
for you.
We have character.
The only way out
is through.
My name is smaller than my character-
uninflated by ego,
unhungry for greed.
My mann knows this,
and I will do what must be done.
I am a human being, not Oppenheimer.
I will not become “Death, the destroyer of worlds”-
I will not do what must not be done.
Yet I will do what must be done.
From mann arises character;
from character, pure desire;
from desire, true intent;
from intent, right action-
and the circle holds unbroken.
