An experience at Dal Lake in Kashmir22
Many years ago, after looking at Dal Lake while on a boat, I wrote a poem: Ei jibaner mahanander._ <html><a href="#fn23" id="fnref23">23</a></html> There were many boats. I chose the boat called _New York. Some little children were sailing in the tinier than the tiniest dinghy. They were selling lotuses. They asked me for money, so I gave them money. Instead of giving me a lotus, they just disappeared in their tiny raft. This is deception!A few days later I went to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. My two sisters, Lily and Arpita, were sitting on the floor. I sat on my cot and I sang this song for the first time. I got the inspiration and the words at Dal Lake, but I set the words to music in our family’s house at the Ashram in Pondicherry. It is difficult, but it is a beautiful song!
Ei jibaner mahanander halo aji puta bhor Aloker sathe mitaii karechhi nahi ar ama ghor Asha sindhur parapare heri turiya dhamer tari Hriday gabhire arun charane bandini sharbari
Today the hallowed hour of Highest Delight has dawned in this life.
Today I have made friends with the Light of the Supreme.
Darkness no more, darkness nowhere.
Beyond the river of hope I see the
Boat of the Transcendental Realm.
The night of aeons is captured
And its surrender is made in the deepest
Depths of my heart,
At the feet of my inner sun.
