This time I shall devour Thee utterly, Mother Kali! br For I was born under an evil star, br And one so born becomes, they say, the eater of his mother. br Thou must devour me first, or I myself shall eat Thee up; br One or the other it must be. br br I shall besmear my hands with black br and with black my face; br With black I shall besmear the whole of my body. br And when Death seizes me, br with black I shall besmear his face. br br O Mother, I shall eat Thee up br but not digest Thee; br I shall install Thee in my heart br And make Thee offerings with my mind. br You may say that by eating Kali br I shall embroil myself br with Kala, Her Husband, br but I am not afraid; br Braving His anger, br I shall chant my Mother's name. br Come what may, I shall eat Thee up — br Thee and Thy retinue — br Or lose my life attempting it. br br [Translated by Elizabeth U.