He even translated works of Rabindranath Tagore from Bengali to Hindi. His poetic journey began in the 1920s, a period charged with the nationalist struggle, which greatly shaped his rebellious and patriotic themes. His first published poem appeared during this time, and he often wrote under the pen name "Amitabh" to avoid British censorship.

His poetry collections such as Renuka (1935), Kurukshetra (1964), and Rashmirathi (1943)—an epic poem based on Karna from the Mahabharata—remains influential classics of Hindi literature.

His poems were a rallying cry for freedom and valor, invoking the spirit of sacrifice and revolution while also reflecting on ethical and philosophical questions. He addressed themes like war, righteousness, and social justice, combining the classical and modern poetic forms.

Beyond his literary achievements, he was an active participant in India’s freedom struggle, initially supporting the revolutionary movement and later embracing Gandhian ideals, albeit with his own interpretation.

After independence, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian Parliament) for 12 years and held positions such as vice-chancellor of Bhagalpur University. He was also appointed as a Hindi advisor to the Government of India.

His contributions earned him numerous honors including the Padma Bhushan in 1959 and the Sahitya Akademi Award.

He passed away on April 24, 1974, in Madras (now Chennai), leaving a rich legacy as a poet of rebellion, patriotism, and cultural reflection, widely regarded as a towering figure in Hindi literature comparable in stature to Pushkin in Russia.