Mother

O India! Forget not that the ideal of thy womanhood is Sita, Savitri, Damayanti; forget not that the God thou worshippest is the great Ascetic of ascetics, the all renouncing Shankara, the Lord of Umâ; forget not that thy marriage, thy wealth, thy life are not for sense-pleasure, are not for thy individual personal happiness; forget not that thou art born as a sacrifice to the Mother's altar; forget not that thy social order is but the reflex of the Infinite Universal Motherhood; forget not that the lower classes, the ignorant, the poor, the illiterate, the cobbler, the sweeper, are thy flesh and blood, thy brothers. Thou brave one, be bold, take courage, be proud that thou art an Indian, and proudly proclaim, I am an Indian, every Indian is my brother. Say, The ignorant Indian, the poor and destitute Indian, the Brahmin Indian, the Pariah Indian, is my brother. Thou, too, clad with but a rag round thy loins proudly proclaim at the top of thy voice: The Indian is my brother, the Indian is my life, India's gods and goddesses are my God. India's society is the cradle of my infancy, the pleasure-garden of my youth, the sacred heaven, the Varanasi of my old age. Say, brother: The soil of India is my highest heaven, the good of India is my good, and repeat and pray day and night, O Thou Lord of Gauri, O Thou Mother of the Universe, vouchsafe manliness unto me! O Thou Mother of Strength, take away my weakness, take away my unmanliness, and make me a Man!”

-Swami Vivekananda

The Art Of Living By Ramkrishna Paramhans to Swami Vivekananda

A rare conversation between Ramkrishna Paramahansa & Swami Vivekananda  READ IT LOUD TO FAMILY, it's one of  the best message I have come across....

1. Swami Vivekanand:- I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic.

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you free.

2. Swami Vivekanand:- Why has life become complicated now?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Stop analyzing life.. It makes it complicated. Just live it.

3. Swami Vivekanand:- Why are we then constantly unhappy?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

4. Swami Vivekanand:- Why do good people always suffer?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer.

With that experience their life becomes better, not bitter.

5. Swami Vivekanand:- You mean to say such experience is useful?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons .

6. Swami Vivekanand:- Because of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading…

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides the way.

7. Swami Vivekanand:- Does failure hurt more than moving in the right direction?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you.

8. Swami Vivekanand:- In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

9. Swami Vivekanand:- What surprises you about people?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- When they suffer they ask, “why me?” When they prosper, they never ask “Why me?”

10. Swami Vivekanand:- How can I get the best out of life?

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

11. Swami Vivekanand:- One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- There are no unanswered prayers. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

🌿Happiness@lways🌿

हरि नाम कौ आधार

माधवजू, जो जन तैं बिगरै / सूरदास

माधवजू, जो जन तैं बिगरै।
तउ कृपाल करुनामय केसव, प्रभु नहिं जीय धर॥
जैसें जननि जठर अन्तरगत, सुत अपराध करै।
तोऊ जतन करै अरु पोषे, निकसैं अंक भरै॥
जद्यपि मलय बृच्छ जड़ काटै, कर कुठार पकरै।
तऊ सुभाव सुगंध सुशीतल, रिपु तन ताप हरै॥
धर विधंसि नल करत किरसि हल बारि बांज बिधरै।
सहि सनमुख तउ सीत उष्ण कों सोई सफल करै॥
रसना द्विज दलि दुखित होति बहु, तउ रिस कहा करै।
छमि सब लोभ जु छांड़ि छवौ रस लै समीप संचरै॥
करुना करन दयाल दयानिधि निज भय दीन डर।
इहिं कलिकाल व्याल मुख ग्रासित सूर सरन उबरे॥

भावार्थ :- जीव के प्रति भगवान की असीम करुणाशीलता है। कितना ही कोई अपराध करे, करुणामय हरि उसे क्षमा ही करते हैं। बच्चा कितने ही अपराध करे, माता तो उसे छाती से लगा कर प्यार ही करेगी। मलयागिर कुठाराघात करने वाले के शरीर को भी शीतलता देगा। धरती को हल से जोतते हैं, उसे विदीर्ण करते हैं, फिर भी वह दुःखों को झेलकर सुन्दर फल देती है। जीभ की भी यही बात है। सदा दांतों तले दबी रहती है, पर कभी दांतों पर क्रोध नहीं करती। छहों रसों का स्वाद उनको चखाती है। ऐसे ही ईश्वर अपनों के अज्ञानावस्था में किये अपराधों को क्षमा कर देता है।

शब्दार्थ :- तऊ =तो भी। नहिं जीय धरै =मन में नहीं लाते। जठर अन्तर्गत = पेट के भीतर, गर्भ में। अंक =गोद। रिपु =शत्र, काटने से तात्पर्य है। धर =धरा, पृथ्वी। नल =नाला। करषि =जोत कर। द्विज =दांत।

कीजै प्रभु अपने बिरद की लाज / सूरदास

कीजै प्रभु अपने बिरद की लाज।
महापतित कबहूं नहिं आयौ, नैकु तिहारे काज॥
माया सबल धाम धन बनिता, बांध्यौ हौं इहिं साज।
देखत सुनत सबै जानत हौं, तऊ न आयौं बाज॥
कहियत पतित बहुत तुम तारे स्रवननि सुनी आवाज।
दई न जाति खेवट उतराई, चाहत चढ्यौ जहाज॥
लीजै पार उतारि सूर कौं महाराज ब्रजराज।
नई न करन कहत, प्रभु तुम हौ सदा गरीब निवाज॥

भावार्थ :- इस पद में भक्त ने भगवान के आगे अपना हृदय खोलकर रख दिया है। कहता है तुम्हें अपने विरद की लाज रखनी हो, तो तार ही दो। पूछो, तो मैं आज तक तुम्हारे काम नहीं आया। इस प्रबल माया अकोन, कामिनी-कांचन के बंधन में बहुत बुरी तरह से जकड़ा हूं। देखता हूं, सुनता हूं और सब जानता हूं, पर जो नहीं करना चाहिए, वही करता चला जाता हूं। पर यह विश्वास है, कि तुम पतितोद्धारक हो। यद्दपि मैं पार उतराई नहीं देना चाहता हूं, फिर भी नाव पर चढ़ना चाहता हूं। तुमसे कोई नई बात करने को नहीं कहता। तुम तो सदा से पतितों को पार उतारते आये हो। तुम गरीब-निवाज हो, तो मुझ गरीब को भी पार लगा दो। `नेकु तिहारे काज,' `तऊ न आयौं बाज,' `दई न जाति....जहाज,' `नई न करन कहत' आदि की बड़ी सुन्दर और मुहावरे-दार भाषा है। अहंकार को भगवान की अगाध करुणा में डुबो देने की ओर इस पद में संकेत किया गया है।

शब्दार्थ :-बिरद =बड़ाई। न आयौं बाज = छोड़ा नहीं। खेवट = नाव खेने वाला। उतराई =पार उतारने की मजदूरी। नई = कोई नई बात।

सरन गये को को न उबार्‌यो / सूरदास

सरन गये को को न उबार्‌यो।
जब जब भीर परीं संतति पै, चक्र सुदरसन तहां संभार्‌यौ।
महाप्रसाद भयौ अंबरीष कों, दुरवासा को क्रोध निवार्‌यो॥
ग्वालिन हैत धर्‌यौ गोवर्धन, प्रगट इन्द्र कौ गर्व प्रहार्‌यौ॥
कृपा करी प्रहलाद भक्त पै, खम्भ फारि हिरनाकुस मार्‌यौ।
नरहरि रूप धर्‌यौ करुनाकर, छिनक माहिं उर नखनि बिदार्‌यौ।
ग्राह-ग्रसित गज कों जल बूड़त, नाम लेत वाकौ दुख टार्‌यौ॥
सूर स्याम बिनु और करै को, रंगभूमि में कंस पछार्‌यौ॥

भावार्थ :-जो भी भगवान की शरण में गया, उसने अभय पद पाया। यद्यपि भगवान् का न कोई मित्र है, न कोई शत्रु, तो भी सत्य और असत्य की मर्यादा की रक्षा के लिए, अजन्मा होते हुए भी वह `रक्षक' और `भक्षक' के रूप धारण करते हैं। प्रतिज्ञा भी यही है।

शब्दार्थ :- उबार्‌यौ =रक्षा की। भीर =संकट। संभार्‌यौ = हाथ में लिया। अंबरीष = एक हरि भक्त राजा। दुरवासा = दुर्वासा नामके एक महान क्रोधी ऋषि। प्रहार्‌यौ =नष्ट किया। नरहरि = नृसिंह। नखनि =नाखूनों से। बिदार्‌यौ =चीर फाड़ डाला। रंगभूमि = सभा स्थल।

जौलौ सत्य स्वरूप न सूझत / सूरदास

जौलौ सत्य स्वरूप न सूझत।
तौलौ मनु मनि कंठ बिसारैं, फिरतु सकल बन बूझत॥
अपनो ही मुख मलिन मंदमति, देखत दरपन माहीं।
ता कालिमा मेटिबै कारन, पचतु पखारतु छाहिं॥
तेल तूल पावक पुट भरि धरि, बनै न दिया प्रकासत।
कहत बनाय दीप की बातैं, कैसे कैं तम नासत॥
सूरदास, जब यह मति आई, वै दिन गये अलेखे।
कह जानै दिनकर की महिमा, अंध नयन बिनु देखे॥

भावार्थ :- `सत्य स्वरूप' अपनी आत्मा का वास्तविक रूप। असत् शरीर को ही अविद्यावश `आत्मा' मान लिया गया है। वह तो सनातन सत्य है। `तौलों.....बूझत' मणि-माला गले में ही पहने है , पर भ्रमवश इधर-उधर खोजता फिरता है। आत्मा तो अन्तर में ही है, पर उसे हम जगह-जगह खोजते फिरते हैं। `अपनी...छाहिं' मुंह में तो अपना काला है, पर वह मूर्ख शीशे में कालिमा समझ रहा है , उस शीशे को बार-बार साफ कर रहा है। असद्ज्ञान के साधन भी असत् ही होते हैं। जब तक जीवात्मा को स्वरूप का यथार्थ ज्ञान नहीं हुआ, उसे `सत्' `असत्' का विवेक प्राप्त नहीं हो सकता।

शब्दार्थ :- बूझत फिरतु =पूछता फिरता है। पचतु =परेशान होता है। पखारतु = धोता है, साफ करता है। तूल =रुई। पुट = दीपक से तात्पर्य है। अलख =वृथा।

तुम्हारी भक्ति हमारे प्रान / सूरदास

तुम्हारी भक्ति हमारे प्रान।
छूटि गये कैसे जन जीवै, ज्यौं प्रानी बिनु प्रान॥
जैसे नाद-मगन बन सारंग, बधै बधिक तनु बान।
ज्यौं चितवै ससि ओर चकोरी, देखत हीं सुख मान॥
जैसे कमल होत परिफुल्लत, देखत प्रियतम भान।
दूरदास, प्रभु हरिगुन त्योंही सुनियत नितप्रति कान॥

भावार्थ :- यह अनन्यता का वर्णन है। यह `तन्मयता' से प्राप्त होती है। बिना प्राण के जैसे `प्राणी' शब्द निरर्थक है, वैसे ही भगवद्भक्ति-रहित जीवन व्यर्थ है। मृग का राग-प्रेम, चकोर का चन्द्र-प्रेम और कमल का सूर्य प्रेम प्रसिद्ध है। जीव को इसी प्रकार भगवत्प्रेम में तन्मय हो जाना चाहिए।

शब्दार्थ :- जन =दास। नाद =शब्द, राग। सारंग =मृग। भान= भानु,सूर्य।

धोखैं ही धोखैं डहकायौ / सूरदास

धोखैं ही धोखैं डहकायौ।
समुझी न परी विषय रस गीध्यौ, हरि हीरा घर मांझ गंवायौं॥
क्यौं कुरंग जल देखि अवनि कौ, प्यास न गई, दसौं दिसि धायौ।
जनम-जनम बहु करम किये हैं, तिन में आपुन आपु बंधायौ॥
ज्यौं सुक सैमर -फल आसा लगि निसिबासर हठि चित्त लगायौ।
रीतो पर्‌यौ जबै फल चाख्यौ, उड़ि गयो तूल, तांबरो आयौ॥
ज्यौं कपि डोरि बांधि बाजीगर कन-कन कों चौहटें नचायौ।
सूरदास, भगवंत भजन बिनु काल ब्याल पै आपु खवायौ॥

भावार्थ :- क्षणिक विषय-रसों में आनंद मानकर यह जीव आत्मानन्द से विमुख रह गया। धोखे में ठगाया गया। `हरि-हीरा' को अंतर में खोकर जीवनभर विषय-रस में भूला रहा। कालरूपी सर्प खा गया। `ज्यों सुक...आयौ.' तोता सेमर के फल में रात-दिन आशा लगाये बैठा रहा, कि कब पकता है। अंत में पका जानकर चोंच मारी तो अंदर से केवल रुई निकली। इससे किसकी भूख बुझी है? विषय-सुखों का परिणाम सारहीन ही है। अंत में, जब काल-ब्याल के मुख में पड़ गया, तब पछताने से क्या होगा ?

शब्दार्थ :- डहकायौ =ठगा गया। गीध्यौ = लालच में पड़ गया। कुरंग = मृग। जल देखि अवनि कौ = ग्रीष्म में धरती से उठती हुई गर्म हवा को जल समझ लिया, यही मृगतृष्णा है। सेमर =शाल्मलि वृक्ष। तूल =रूई। तांवरो =मूर्छा।चौंहटे =चौहटा,चौक।

कहावत ऐसे दानी दानि / सूरदास

कहावत ऐसे दानी दानि।
चारि पदारथ दिये सुदामहिं, अरु गुरु को सुत आनि॥
रावन के दस मस्तक छेद, सर हति सारंगपानि।
लंका राज बिभीषन दीनों पूरबली पहिचानि।
मित्र सुदामा कियो अचानक प्रीति पुरातन जानि।
सूरदास सों कहा निठुरई, नैननि हूं की हानि॥

भावार्थ :- `कहावत ...दानि' ऐसे दानी आज`दानी' के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हैं; राम और कृष्ण को लोग बड़ा दानी कहते हैं। पर उन्होंने कोई निःस्वार्थ दान तो दिया नहीं। अकारण दान करते, तो दानी अवश्य कहे जाते। फिर भी वे आज `दानी' के नाम से पुकारे जाते हैं। `चारि...सुदामहिं,' सुदामा और श्रीकृष्ण उज्जैन में गुरु सांदीपन के गुरुकुल में पढ़ते थे। सुदामा ने वहां कभी कृष्ण को कोई कष्ट नहीं होने दिया। यदि द्वारिकाधीश ने तब उसे माला-माल कर दिया होता, तो कौन-सी बड़ी बात थी। प्रत्युपकार ही होना था। विभीषण ने घर के सारे भेद राम को बतला दिये थे, उन्होंने उसे लंका का राज्य सौंप दिया। फिर भी राम और कृष्ण आदर्श दानी कहे जाते हैं। कुछ हो, सूर के साथ तो निठुराई का ही व्यवहार किया, नेत्रों से भी हीन कर दिया।

शब्दार्थ :- छेदे =काट डाले। सारंगपानि = धनुर्धारी राम। पूरबली = पुरानी, पहले की। निठुराई =निर्दयता, निठुराईं।

मेरो मन अनत कहां सचु पावै / सूरदास

मेरो मन अनत कहां सुख पावै।
जैसे उड़ि जहाज कौ पंछी पुनि जहाज पै आवै॥
कमलनैन कौ छांड़ि महातम और देव को ध्यावै।
परमगंग कों छांड़ि पियासो दुर्मति कूप खनावै॥
जिन मधुकर अंबुज-रस चाख्यौ, क्यों करील-फल खावै।
सूरदास, प्रभु कामधेनु तजि छेरी कौन दुहावै॥

भावार्थ :- यहां भक्त की भगवान् के प्रति अनन्यता की ऊंची अवस्था दिखाई गई है। जीवात्मा परमात्मा की अंश-स्वरूपा है। उसका विश्रान्ति-स्थल परमात्माही है , अन्यत्र उसे सच्ची सुख-शान्ति मिलने की नहीं। प्रभु को छोड़कर जो इधर-उधर सुख खोजता है, वह मूढ़ है। कमल-रसास्वादी भ्रमर भला करील का कड़वा फल चखेगा ?कामधेनु छोड़कर बकरी को कौन मूर्ख दुहेगा ?

शब्दार्थ :- अनत =अन्यत्र। सचु =सुख, शान्ति। कमलनैन = श्रीकृष्ण। दुर्मति= मूर्ख खनावै = खोदता है। करील -फल = टेंट। छेरी =बकरी।

प्रभु, मेरे औगुन चित न धरौ / सूरदास

है हरि नाम कौ आधार।
और इहिं कलिकाल नाहिंन रह्यौ बिधि-ब्यौहार॥
नारदादि सुकादि संकर कियौ यहै विचार।
सकल स्रुति दधि मथत पायौ इतौई घृत-सार॥
दसहुं दिसि गुन कर्म रोक्यौ मीन कों ज्यों जार।
सूर, हरि कौ भजन करतहिं गयौ मिटि भव-भार॥

भावार्थ :- `हरि-भजन' ही मुक्ति का सर्वोत्कृष्ट और तत्काल फलदायक साधन है। इसलिए `सब तज, हरि भज' ही मुख्य है।

शब्दार्थ :- आधार = भरोसा। बिधि =वेदोक्त कर्म-कांड से आशय है। ब्यौहार =क्रिया, साधन। सुक =शुकदेव। इतौई =इतना ही। गुन =गुण-सत्व, रज और तमोगुण। जार =जाल। भवभार =जन्म मरण के चक्र से अभिप्राय है।

है हरि नाम कौ आधार / सूरदास

है हरि नाम कौ आधार।
और इहिं कलिकाल नाहिंन रह्यौ बिधि-ब्यौहार॥
नारदादि सुकादि संकर कियौ यहै विचार।
सकल स्रुति दधि मथत पायौ इतौई घृत-सार॥
दसहुं दिसि गुन कर्म रोक्यौ मीन कों ज्यों जार।
सूर, हरि कौ भजन करतहिं गयौ मिटि भव-भार॥

भावार्थ :- `हरि-भजन' ही मुक्ति का सर्वोत्कृष्ट और तत्काल फलदायक साधन है। इसलिए `सब तज, हरि भज' ही मुख्य है।

शब्दार्थ :- आधार = भरोसा। बिधि =वेदोक्त कर्म-कांड से आशय है। ब्यौहार =क्रिया, साधन। सुक =शुकदेव। इतौई =इतना ही। गुन =गुण-सत्व, रज और तमोगुण। जार =जाल। भवभार =जन्म मरण के चक्र से अभिप्राय है।

Maya

That I should make much of myself and turn it on all sides, thus casting coloured shadows on thy radiance---such is thy maya.

Thou settest a barrier in thine own being and then callest thy severed self in myriad notes. This thy self-separation has taken body in me.

The poignant song is echoed through all the sky in many-coloured tears and smiles, alarms and hopes; waves rise up and sink again, dreams break and form. In me is thy own defeat of self.

This screen that thou hast raised is painted with innumerable figures with the brush of the night and the day. Behind it thy seat is woven in wondrous mysteries of curves, casting away all barren lines of straightness.

The great pageant of thee and me has overspread the sky. With the tune of thee and me all the air is vibrant, and all ages pass with the hiding and seeking of thee and me.

Fearful Joy

Is it beyond thee to be glad with the gladness of this rhythm? to be tossed and lost and broken in the whirl of this fearful joy?

All things rush on, they stop not, they look not behind, no power can hold them back, they rush on.

Keeping steps with that restless, rapid music, seasons come dancing and pass away---colours, tunes, and perfumes pour in endless cascades in the abounding joy that scatters and gives up and dies every moment.

Sun light

Thy sunbeam comes upon this earth of mine with arms outstretched and stands at my door the livelong day to carry back to thy feet clouds made of my tears and sighs and songs.

With fond delight thou wrappest about thy starry breast that mantle of misty cloud, turning it into numberless shapes and folds and colouring it with hues everchanging.

It is so light and so fleeting, tender and tearful and dark, that is why thou lovest it, O thou spotless and serene. And that is why it may cover thy awful white light with its pathetic shadows.

Art the sky

Thou art the sky and thou art the nest as well.

O thou beautiful, there in the nest is thy love that encloses the soul with colours and sounds and odours.

There comes the morning with the golden basket in her right hand bearing the wreath of beauty, silently to crown the earth.

And there comes the evening over the lonely meadows deserted by herds, through trackless paths, carrying cool draughts of peace in her golden pitcher from the western ocean of rest.

But there, where spreads the infinite sky for the soul to take her flight in, reigns the stainless white radiance. There is no day nor night, nor form nor colour, and never, never a word.

Waiting for thy recognition

She who ever had remained in the depth of my being, in the twilight of gleams and of glimpses; she who never opened her veils in the morning light, will be my last gift to thee, my God, folded in my final song.

Words have wooed yet failed to win her; persuasion has stretched to her its eager arms in vain.

I have roamed from country to country keeping her in the core of my heart, and around her have risen and fallen the growth and decay of my life.

Over my thoughts and actions, my slumbers and dreams, she reigned yet dwelled alone and apart.

many a man knocked at my door and asked for her and turned away in despair.

There was none in the world who ever saw her face to face, and she remained in her loneliness waiting for thy recognition.

Dare to be powerful beyond measure

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in my god who is always with me.

Light

On the slope of the desolate river among tall grasses I asked her, `Maiden, where do you go shading your lamp with your mantle? My house is all dark and lonesome---lend me your light!' she raised her dark eyes for a moment and looked at my face through the dusk. `I have come to the river,' she said, `to float my lamp on the stream when the daylight wanes in the west.' I stood alone among tall grasses and watched the timid flame of her lamp uselessly drifting in the tide.

In the silence of gathering night I asked her, `Maiden, your lights are all lit---then where do you go with your lamp? My house is all dark and lonesome---lend me your light.' She raised her dark eyes on my face and stood for a moment doubtful. `I have come,' she said at last, `to dedicate my lamp to the sky.' I stood and watched her light uselessly burning in the void.

In the moonless gloom of midnight I ask her, `Maiden, what is your quest, holding the lamp near your heart? My house is all dark and lonesome---lend me your light.' She stopped for a minute and thought and gazed at my face in the dark. `I have brought my light,' she said, `to join the carnival of lamps.' I stood and watched her little lamp uselessly lost among lights.

My Prayer

Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not. Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own. Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger.

I am uneasy at heart when I have to leave my accustomed shelter; I forget that there abides the old in the new, and that there also thou abidest.

Through birth and death, in this world or in others, wherever thou leadest me it is thou, the same, the one companion of my endless life who ever linkest my heart with bonds of joy to the unfamiliar.

When one knows thee, then alien there is none, then no door is shut. Oh, grant me my prayer that I may never lose the bliss of the touch of the one in the play of many.

Golden light

Yes, I know, this is nothing but thy love, O beloved of my heart---this golden light that dances upon the leaves, these idle clouds sailing across the sky, this passing breeze leaving its coolness upon my forehead.

The morning light has flooded my eyes---this is thy message to my heart. Thy face is bent from above, thy eyes look down on my eyes, and my heart has touched thy feet.

Red Lotus

Let all the strains of joy mingle in my last song---the joy that makes the earth flow over in the riotous excess of the grass, the joy that sets the twin brothers, life and death, dancing over the wide world, the joy that sweeps in with the tempest, shaking and waking all life with laughter, the joy that sits still with its tears on the open red lotus of pain, and the joy that throws everything it has upon the dust, and knows not a word.

Light

Light, my light, the world-filling light, the eye-kissing light, heart-sweetening light!

Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the centre of my life; the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love; the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.

The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light. Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.

The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling, and it scatters gems in profusion.

Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling, and gladness without measure. The heaven's river has drowned its banks and the flood of joy is abroad.

Lord of all heavens..

Thus it is that thy joy in me is so full. Thus it is that thou hast come down to me. O thou lord of all heavens, where would be thy love if I were not?

Thou hast taken me as thy partner of all this wealth. In my heart is the endless play of thy delight. In my life thy will is ever taking shape.

And for this, thou who art the King of kings hast decked thyself in beauty to captivate my heart. And for this thy love loses itself in the love of thy lover, and there art thou seen in the perfect union of two.

Neem leaves...

I asked nothing from thee; I uttered not my name to thine ear. When thou took'st thy leave I stood silent. I was alone by the well where the shadow of the tree fell aslant, and the women had gone home with their brown earthen pitchers full to the brim. They called me and shouted, `Come with us, the morning is wearing on to noon.' But I languidly lingered awhile lost in the midst of vague musings.

I heard not thy steps as thou camest. Thine eyes were sad when they fell on me; thy voice was tired as thou spokest low---`Ah, I am a thirsty traveller.' I started up from my day-dreams and poured water from my jar on thy joined palms. The leaves rustled overhead; the cuckoo sang from the unseen dark, and perfume of babla flowers came from the bend of the road.

I stood speechless with shame when my name thou didst ask. Indeed, what had I done for thee to keep me in remembrance? But the memory that I could give water to thee to allay thy thirst will cling to my heart and enfold it in sweetness. The morning hour is late, the bird sings in weary notes, neem leaves rustle overhead and I sit and think and think.

In Morning...

I thought I should ask of thee---but I dared not---the rose wreath thou hadst on thy neck. Thus I waited for the morning, when thou didst depart, to find a few fragments on the bed. And like a beggar I searched in the dawn only for a stray petal or two.

Ah me, what is it I find? What token left of thy love? It is no flower, no spices, no vase of perfumed water. It is thy mighty sword, flashing as a flame, heavy as a bolt of thunder. The young light of morning comes through the window and spread itself upon thy bed. The morning bird twitters and asks, `Woman, what hast thou got?' No, it is no flower, nor spices, nor vase of perfumed water---it is thy dreadful sword.

I sit and muse in wonder, what gift is this of thine. I can find no place to hide it. I am ashamed to wear it, frail as I am, and it hurts me when press it to my bosom. Yet shall I bear in my heart this honour of the burden of pain, this gift of thine.

From now there shall be no fear left for me in this world, and thou shalt be victorious in all my strife. Thou hast left death for my companion and I shall crown him with my life. Thy sword is with me to cut asunder my bonds, and there shall be no fear left for me in the world.

From now I leave off all petty decorations. Lord of my heart, no more shall there be for me waiting and weeping in corners, no more coyness and sweetness of demeanour. Thou hast given me thy sword for adornment. No more doll's decorations for me!

When the king came....

The night darkened. Our day's works had been done. We thought that the last guest had arrived for the night and the doors in the village were all shut. Only some said the king was to come. We laughed and said `No, it cannot be!'

It seemed there were knocks at the door and we said it was nothing but the wind. We put out the lamps and lay down to sleep. Only some said, `It is the messenger!' We laughed and said `No, it must be the wind!'

There came a sound in the dead of the night. We sleepily thought it was the distant thunder. The earth shook, the walls rocked, and it troubled us in our sleep. Only some said it was the sound of wheels. We said in a drowsy murmur, `No, it must be the rumbling of clouds!'

The night was still dark when the drum sounded. The voice came `Wake up! delay not!' We pressed our hands on our hearts and shuddered with fear. Some said, `Lo, there is the king's flag!' We stood up on our feet and cried `There is no time for delay!'

The king has come---but where are lights, where are wreaths? Where is the throne to seat him? Oh, shame! Oh utter shame! Where is the hall, the decorations? Someone has said, `Vain is this cry! Greet him with empty hands, lead him into thy rooms all bare!'

Open the doors, let the conch-shells be sounded! in the depth of the night has come the king of our dark, dreary house. The thunder roars in the sky. The darkness shudders with lightning. Bring out thy tattered piece of mat and spread it in the courtyard. With the storm has come of a sudden our king of the fearful night.

The Golden Chariot

I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and I wondered who was this King of all kings!

My hopes rose high and methought my evil days were at an end, and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.

The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile. I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand and say `What hast thou to give to me?'

Ah, what a kingly jest was it to open thy palm to a beggar to beg! I was confused and stood undecided, and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little grain of corn and gave it to thee.

But how great my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little gram of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and wished that I had had the heart to give thee my all.

My Travel...

The morning sea of silence broke into ripples of bird songs; and the flowers were all merry by the roadside; and the wealth of gold was scattered through the rift of the clouds while we busily went on our way and paid no heed.

We sang no glad songs nor played; we went not to the village for barter; we spoke not a word nor smiled; we lingered not on the way. We quickened our pace more and more as the time sped by.

The sun rose to the mid sky and doves cooed in the shade. Withered leaves danced and whirled in the hot air of noon. The shepherd boy drowsed and dreamed in the shadow of the banyan tree, and I laid myself down by the water and stretched my tired limbs on the grass.

My companions laughed at me in scorn; they held their heads high and hurried on; they never looked back nor rested; they vanished in the distant blue haze. They crossed many meadows and hills, and passed through strange, far-away countries. All honour to you, heroic host of the interminable path! Mockery and reproach pricked me to rise, but found no response in me. I gave myself up for lost in the depth of a glad humiliation---in the shadow of a dim delight.

The repose of the sun-embroidered green gloom slowly spread over my heart. I forgot for what I had travelled, and I surrendered my mind without struggle to the maze of shadows and songs.

At last, when I woke from my slumber and opened my eyes, I saw thee standing by me, flooding my sleep with thy smile. How I had feared that the path was long and wearisome, and the struggle to reach thee was hard!