अन्धकारको यात्री

Writer Reflection

Writing The Traveler of Darkness (अन्धकारको यात्री) was a journey for me—one that explored the deepest aspects of the human experience. The poem is a reflection of the three types of journeys that we all undergo in life: physical, mental, and spiritual.

• The Physical Journey (The Search for Love) : The lover wandering through the streets represents our universal search for connection. It’s about finding someone or something to complete us, even when it feels just out of reach.
• The Mental Journey (Self-Discovery) : This journey is about shedding ignorance and discovering our true selves. It’s not about acquiring knowledge but about unlearning and finding clarity.
• The Spiritual Journey (The Quest for Liberation) : The ultimate goal in the poem is liberation—the search for peace and unity, transcending dualities and finding deeper meaning.

Through this poem i wanted convey that "losing and gaining are two sides of the same coin". In life’s journey, losing is a form of gaining. Every loss brings us closer to something deeper and more meaningful. And this journey? It never truly ends. It's eternal. Every step we take in the search for truth, love, or enlightenment, leads to another step, and the cycle continues.

Poem Description

अन्धकारको यात्री is a profound exploration of human life's journey, weaving together themes of love, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. The poem is structured around three key journeys: the physical search for love, the mental journey of self-realization, and the spiritual quest for liberation. The poem is written in a Gadya style, drawing inspiration from Sufi poetry and integrating elements of Nepali philosophical thought. Through the symbolic use of darkness, wine, and the lamp, the poet depicts the inner and outer battles of a seeker striving for truth. Darkness symbolizes ignorance, illusion, and emotional turmoil, while the wine represents love, passion, and the pursuit of knowledge. The lamp is a beacon of hope, wisdom, and spiritual light that illuminates the way through the darkness. The traveler, caught between the worlds of the material and the spiritual, embarks on a quest that is both external and internal. The external journey reflects the physical search for a lover, while the internal journey symbolizes the quest for self-understanding and the deeper truths of existence. The poem emphasizes that in the search for love and truth, the traveler must face challenges, losses, and moments of confusion. Yet, it is through these struggles that enlightenment is ultimately achieved. The main message of the poem is that losing and finding are two sides of the same coin. To truly gain something in life, one must first lose. The journey of life, love, and self-discovery is endless, and the traveler must continue, no matter the darkness encountered. This poem, in its depth and symbolism, serves as both a philosophical reflection on life's meaning and a spiritual guide for anyone on a quest for truth, enlightenment, and love.

Writer Introduction

Shankar Aryal does not consider himself a writer, but he occasionally expresses his thoughts through poetry which explores themes of life, death, emotions, and existential struggles. Though not a full-time poet, his works—such as "अन्धकारको यात्री" (The Traveler of Darkness), "सपनाको क्यानभास" (The Canvas of Dreams), "काग्" (The Crow), and "Does the Grave Call?" (चिहानले पुकार छ?)—are known for their striking imagery and deep metaphors. Beyond literature, Aryal is an electrical engineering student and a skilled full-stack developer, seamlessly blending the worlds of technology and creative expression. Learn more about his journey and projects on his personal website.