Illumination-Song and Liberation-Dance, part 1

Editor's note

Bhagaban Dekho Mor Bedanai Bhara Pran

```

Dekho mor bedanai bhara pran

Kotha taba kripa aphuran

Pabo kigo amrita sandhan

Translation

```

Behold! my life inundated with ceaseless pangs.

Where is Your Compassion infinite?

Will I ever discover Nectar-Delight

Will I?

Asha Mor Halo Ghor Nirasha

```

Tabu prane raje puta pipasa

E jibane ache shudhu kuasa

Translation

```

Yet I enjoy pure thirst for the unknown Beyond.

Helplessly poor, weak, an orphan.

Amito Tomare Dakina Chahina

```

Tabu kena more dakicho

Tabu kena bhalobasicho

Khamibe amar amire

Moher nishar gabhire

Translation

```

Yet, why do You need me?

my earth-existence to You.

I know Your Compassion-Eye.

Alas, why do I always remain in the heart

Jani Ami Ei Deha Pran Man

```

Sukh dukh ar jiban maran

Eto dudiner mela

Bhenge jai sab sadher mela

Sadhan bhajan sab akaran

Translation

```

Joy and sorrow, life and death,

This is a fair that lasts

The fleeting time

Desire-attachment day

Lord Supreme,

Aspiration and dedication are of no avail.

Ogo Nirakar Chile Ekakar

```

Kena e rachana, eta prarochana

Kena bahi samiran

Kena kande sada janani basundhara

Mora sabe kende hese

```

Translation

```

Why have You become many?

What motivated You to grow

Why have You created

And wild wind?

Why have You created teeming fears,

Why, why?

Just for a short time

We know not why.

Permeates our entire existence-reality.

Jadi Prane Na Thakito Alo Asha

```

Britha hato bhabe asa

Phute ache bhalobasa

Translation

```

I would not have descended onto earth.

And it is here where the Garden of Love smiles.

Jetha Ache Ami Amar Hisab Nikash

```

Hisab nikash

Rupantarer ashar sarbanash

Translation

```

Where there is gain and loss and bargain,

There what we see is

Transformation-hope there in vain ends.

Bhalobasa Bhalobasa

```

Ananda alo bhasha

Amiya sagare bhasa

Translation

```

What is love?

Love is the distribution of one’s self-giving

Jiban Maran Sadhan Bhajan

```

Kichu nahi habe biphal

Dibe sakalere suphal

Translation

```

Prayer and meditation,

Nothing will end in vain.

Will offer a fruitful life

At the journey’s end.

Jadi Jagate Ja Chale Gela

```

Asibena phire ar

Jadi je phulti jhare geche

Tabe kena britha asa

Bhalo chilo nirakar

Translation

```

Disappears and never returns,

Reminiscence-life?

Then why enter into this world?

Where I was formless and was alone.

Dudin Par Phuraye Jai

```

Jiban abhinoy

Sakali sanchoy

Ahamikar mittya bhoy bal

Shudhu thake manob asahai

Translation

```

After a short time.

And the dream of human mind,

In human life —

Pride and self-esteem,

Yet man will eternally treasure

Amar Jata Baroi Mishti

```

Ami kari katoi srishti

Ekla jete habe niruddeshe

Tao je rekhe jete habe

Niye jao ma bojhati amar

Laho amar bhar

Translation

```

I ceaselessly create.

and nothing

Alone I shall enter

Even my own physical body

Mother, in spite of Your

I know You will carry me,

Mother, do carry me.

Dukhe Achi Seto Bhalo

```

Dukhe ami bhalo thaki

Susamaye tomai bhule

Bujechi sukh kebal micha phanki

Tomai mago daki

Translation

```

I enjoy perfect peace.

Is a real stranger

While I enjoy,

Mother, I fail to see You.

That grant me

And invoke You.

Amader Ei Deha Pran Man

```

Sukh dukh ar jiban maran

Shudhu gara ar churiya phela

Dekhite dekhite phurabe bela

Ki ta ache prayojan

Translation

```

life and death,

of children’s toys.

Next moment cast them aside.

Why then such a huge preparation?

Kahar Tripti Lagi

```

Kena ami kari eta karma

Kabhu kichu tahare marmo

Mor jibaner prati dharma

Mor rakkha kaboch barma

Translation

```

Do I untiringly work?

The cord of my life

At each hush-gap.

O my life’s protection-light?

Debar Matan Kichui Karina Dan

```

Tabu ja diyechi phiriya diyona prabhu

Phiriya diyona mor khaniker sukh

Dibe kigo kabhu amrita sandhan

Translation

```

Anything of real value.

I pray to You

What I have already

Return me not

Return me not

I have not offered to You

Nevertheless, will You not

Charan Pheligo Jiban Chhande

```

Nachiya uthichhe pran

Swarge karigo mlan

Ananta abhijan

Translation

```

My life has grown into

I have transformed

Into the heights of God-Glory.

Are no match for my achievements

My eternity’s companion

E Jagate Keu Habena

```

Jakhan apan

Kebal srijan

Translation

```

That there can be

Whom I can call my own,

Why do I then

Feeding teeming hopes?

Kabe Habe Hetha Purna Bidhatar Ash

```

Kabe habe dharanir andhiyar nash

Kabe pabe kripa surja mukti sandhan

Translation

```

Desire-Hope be fulfilled

When will the ceaseless

Be illumined?

Human beings enjoy

When will the Compassion-sun

Liberation-flood?

Akash Rani Jethai Rakhe

```

Sagar buke charan rekha

Parashanti priti dekha

Translation

```

Graciously places Her Feet,

I am the heart-reality

Infinity’s peace,

My heart desires.

And achieve them

Smilingly and supremely shines.

Ek Sajiyache Bahu Nijere Karite

```

Nijere karite aswadan

Nijere danite pramodan

Abhinna hiya nibedan

Translation

```

For aspiration’s enjoyment supreme;

For manifestation’s enjoyment supreme.

In Reality’s Perfection-Fulfilment-Light.

Ami Bali Chokhe Dekhe

```

Tumi balo punthi lekhe

Tomar amar mater milan

Ami thaki chokhe giye

Thakbena ar kothao ami

```

Translation

```

You speak from your world library.

Ever see eye to eye

You bury yourself

In the ocean-bed of books;

Of my all-illumining

I know, I know,

For good,

Our oneness-perfection

Ami Taba Patha Chahi

```

Taba nam shudhu gahi

Ei khane dao more amrita bar

Parash manir dekha chai

```

Translation

```

I sing Your Victory-Song

Here and all-where.

You will appear before me

Then I am more than ready

Here and now,

When the philosopher’s stone

The land is transformed into

Likewise, when I sing Your Victory-Song

And illumined,

Nayan Amar Chai Tomare

```

Kandi deha karagare

Neme prabhu asbe kabe amar bhasbe

Translation

```

My eyeless body,

Yet my eyes envision not

In this deplorable life of mine.

When will Your Compassion’s

Permeate my life

Debata Esechhe Ruddha Hiyar Dware

```

Ore unmad kemane tushibi tare

Jeche dila dhara

Asiyachhe tor dware

Translation

```

Therefore, you see not

O fool, when will you stop playing the role of

When will you try to

In His own Way?

Into ecstasy’s flood

He wants to be taught by you alone.

He is your soul-world’s Eternity-rest.

At your heart’s closed door.

Deha Mandire Jadi Nahi Dekha Pai

```

Britha kena prabhu mandire mor thai

Balo kotha tumi nai

Tai dekha nahi pai

Translation

```

Why do I live inside my body, O Lord?

Then is there any place where You can remain

Alas, I have not kept my heart’s eye

Therefore, I see You not anywhere.

Kothai Chinta Kothai Bhabana

```

Sthir achapal man

Nahi ashanti mithya maran

Param niranjan

Translation

```

No desire,

I have become.

I see not false and fruitless dream.

And for me there is no torture of death.

Pure, infinite and immortal.

Nai Kona Ar Byetha

```

Eseche namiya man pran dehe

Ami mile gechi sajare

Charidike mor ananda ghana

```

Translation

```

A sky of peace has descended.

Are now in tranquillity-sea.

I supremely enjoy

Asbona Ar Jabona

```

Marbona ar banchbona

Jiban maran nadir parapare

Ami bare bare

Translation

```

I shall not return.

I shall not die.

To invoke You, Lord,

My self-transcendence in the ever-transcending

Deha Ache Ache Byetha

```

Tari sathe mishe

Shanti pabe kise

Shudhu sei sukhi

Pushpa samo dukhi

Translation

```

Therefore, suffering, too.

He who owns a body

World-suffering befriends him.

But he who has conquered

Has made friends with Eternity’s Delight.

Like a flower forcibly plucked from the tree.

Matri Mantre Dikkhita Mora Chira

```

Chira unnata shir

Amara mukti bir

Bhari dhara mar bijoy gathai

Ar deri not bela bahe jai

Translation

```

Our heads are eternally high.

We are the liberation-warriors

Mother Earth.

We sing the supreme glory of Mother Earth.

We can brook no more delay.

Ar Kena Ghum Uthte Habe

```

Lagte chabe kaje

Moder ki ghum saje

Kon surete baje

Nitya sakal sanje

Translation

```

It is high time for us to wake up

We are Eternity’s pilgrims.

A life of inconscient sleep does not become us.

Day in and day out, at every living moment,

Bhoy Karina Karbona Ar

```

Ke mareche balo dubar

Matha tule thakbo bhabe

Chalto ami pathe dekhe

Ami prabhur prabhu amar

Translation

```

Whom shall I fear?

I shall always remain dauntless.

I have nothing more to learn.

I have learned —

For each other and in each other

Dudiner Tare Jagate Asiya

```

Dudin ekhane kandiya hasiya

Tabu bhabi mane amar bihane

Ami ke janina, kichui parina

Amare karite gorab dan

Sabare aghat hani

Translation

```

We come into the world.

And then we do not know

Yet we think that out presence here on earth

We do not know who we are,

As our very own.

Immediately we cast a slur

Kena Dhare Rakha Britha Ankhi Jale

```

Rahibena kena sabe jabe chale

Jete dao hasi mukhe

Phutibe jiban alo phule phale

Translation

```

When we know that one by one

Do not call, do not hold.

Whenever he wants to.

“Be happy. Remain happy.

Grow in your heart-garden.”

Ke Uthila More Daki

```

Hriday gahane thaki

Se jage aj ekaki

```

Translation

```

Ah, it is my soul-bird.

And all-illumining vision

Ke Amare Chai

```

Megher aral hate

Ke jena amare tane

Ke jane kothai

Translation

```

Hiding inside the veil of teeming clouds?

“Come, come”?

Like a volcano?

I am now running

Diyechile Jaha Shesh Haye Geche

```

Esechi abar tai

Charane tomar chai

Manaber hite daogo shakati

Sthan jena sada pai

Translation

```

I have used up.

Once again.

Which will eternally last.

And divine devotion.

In life and death may my existence

Bhule Ja Sab Jharer Bhoi

```

Khulre tari khol

Nichu hoi ma taito unchu

Phulguli tui tol

Maner uccharol

Translation

```

Save your boat.

The Mother bends her head,

True, your world is full of thorns.

Just collect beauty’s flower

Pay no attention to world-criticism.

Of name and fame.

Ogo Dayamoy Kemane Tomare Pabo

```

Tomar lagiya pagal haiya

Ke more dekhabe alo

Ogo dayamoy kemane tomare pabo

Translation

```

Do tell me how I can receive You.

Who will now show me the light of the Beyond?

O Lord of Compassion,

To see You, to feel You,

And grow into Your own transcendental Height.

Kamana Moha Dore Niyata Bandhan More

```

Dekhi je amar shakti apar

Maran kale krore heri hiya bhore

Translation

```

With my long desire-rope.

All bonds and bounds.

From earth’s scene,

Ogo Amar Pather Sathi

Ogo amar pather sathi

Kato katha kato giti

Chilam ami sangopane

Ele ure amar pane

Amar ghare bandhle basa

Keu amai ar nahi tane

Translation

```

Along Eternity’s Road.

Today again, we are together.

Do stay in my heart-room.

Bhulite Diyona Prabhu

```

Jadi ami bhule jai kabhu

Bhulite diyona kabhu

Maraner ghum jadi kabhu pai

Bhulite diyona kabhu

Chahibar mato nahi kichhu ar

Bhulite diyona prabhu

Translation

```

If ever I forget You,

If excruciating pangs shall compel me

Do awaken me with Your infinite Compassion.

If ever the sleep of death attacks me,

Do remain inside my sleeping heart.

Meaningful and fruitful.

Upartato Dekha Gela

```

Kebal shudhu kolahal

Kato khani gabhir jal

Shudhu kebal phanki

Ota kena thakbe baki

Translation

```

There is nothing but confusion-din.

And see what we can discover

Life, we have tasted.

Let us now enter into the world of death

Why should death remain unnoticed

Rajar Dulal Pather Kangal

```

Phire pathe pathe

Kena he bidhata khide khide bale

Jagiya sakale dekhe purabasi

Sakal ange bedanar dage dagi

```

Translation

```

Yet you roam from door to door

Constantly you are suffering from

Constantly you are tortured by

Behold!

Has accepted and embraced

The immeasurable dole of

Earth-creation,

And faultlessly.

Eternity’s Compassion-flood.

Samyer Jug Aji

```

Keha rahibena parer adhin

Sukhi aj keha nai

Samyer jug aji

Translation

```

Nobody can dare

And lord it over others.

The somnolent human hearts.

Want and need;

The face of happiness,

Of the Absolute Supreme?

Taba Katha Chara

```

Mukhe kichu asena

Kan kichu shunena

Man kichu bhabena

Hiya kichu chahena

Translation

```

I allow not my mind

Your message alone

My mind thinks only of one thing

My heart wants nothing, save and except

Balre Sabai Praner Katha Balre Bal

```

Praner katha balre bal

Dekhina hiyar shatadal

Pran khule bhai sabai bal

Thakbena ar chokher jal

Translation

```

That you are mine and I am yours.

Behold, our heart-lotus with celestial fragrance.

Soulful feelings.

That our hope-tree

Tarar Deshe Chander Deshe

```

Khelbo ami aj

Bishwa jayir saj

Translation

```

With my eternal friend, moon.

I shall smile with them with my inner beauty.

World-illumining, world-fulfilling cloak.

Srote Bhese Jachi Chale

```

Ami sarba hara

Ache pashan kara

```

Translation

```

I am now totally lost.

Between my existence and my Lord’s Existence

In me, I see the endless flow of soulful tears.