Hanker for the unknown

(339)  Udasii hiyate kajala rate

On pitch-dark nights, stoic is my mind;
Why does that happen to be?
Again and again, when time stands still,
My soul yearns for the unrevealed.

Where are You? You remain hidden,
Hunted throughout the seven worlds.^[1]
Deeply afflicted, tears flowing,
My heart hankers to obtain Thee.

The ocean of light, the mire of gloom—
Thoroughly I seek in every direction.
You are there, that I do assume;
But I cannot hold You in apperception.

Nearest and dearest of my life,
Why do You play hide-and-seek with me?
Come stand before me with a smile,
Beyond the sea of suffering.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording

With a paintbrush

(338)  Raunberaune sabare sajayecho

Variegating, You have dressed everyone;
Per Your liking, You bestow the clothing.

You have given the dawn's light a crimson hue,
And the distant heavens, a continual blue.
To plants and vines, You accord verdancy;
With green beauty, You imbue their psyche.

You have given sweetness to the human mind:
Tenderness, love, and the grace of sacrifice.
With a paintbrush, You raise our dignity;
You bring humanity close to divinity.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording

Path of light

(337)  Aloker path charibo na ami

I will not leave the path of light.
Outer and inner will be consistent;
I will not bow my head before sin.

A straight road I'll travel; straight words I'll speak;
With straight thoughts I'll remain engaged.
On any occasion and before anyone,
I will not promote myself.

I have come to do Your work;
Your message is my life's virtue.
Resting, dreaming, asleep, or active,
I will not keep in mind anything but You.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording

In a temple of form

(336)  Tomari hasite tomari banshiite

With Your smile, with Your flute,
You keep pleasing the world.
With matchsticks of Your splendor,
You've told us to light our lamps.

Near or far, whatever we perceive,
Other than You, nothing else we see.
Near or far, whatever we imagine,
All thoughts are suffused with Thee.
From Your sandalwood trees in Eden,
You've let us strip the sweetness.

With worship of the formless in a temple of form,
Day and night, You let us hear Your voice.
Dispelling darkness and entering hearts,
You've borne us out of bondage.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording

Into the unknown

(335)  Tumi kon deshete jao re bandhu

Oh, where do You go, abiding friend;
Where do You go?
Awash with secret inclinations,
You run against the flow.

Casting aside shore's moorings,
You rush free like a cyclone.
What driving tune excites You so—
That, please do tell me.

Candle wax extinguishing,
A stormy night arose.
What thunderous melody stirred You so,
Set Your boat off sailing?

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording

A bucket list of One

(334)  Labhi jadi punah manava janama

Should I attain human birth again,
The work of You alone, I will perform.
In Your service I will devote myself,
O Supreme Ruler of the heart.

At Creation's very genesis,
Did I not exist within You?
In this cosmos, my final status,
Lord, may it be on only Your lap.
The trail of Your footdust—
Let that now lead me to my goal.

Across so many rises and falls,
I have journeyed ever toward Thee.
I have not forgot nor can I forget You,
Lo, the universe's undisputed king.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording

Heartache

(333)  Amar hiyar vyakulata

The angst of my heart is
Only due to my wanting You.
Take away my gloom;
I beg mercy, I beg mercy.

I know You're always with me;
But I don't see You, can't embrace You.
Day and night You're ever present
With a melodious stream of song.
In each and every cell of my mind,
Joint and several, Lover, You reside.

In bright moonbeams at dusk of night,
In mild sunrays at break of dawn,
In the flash of lightning bolts,
In deepest dark and truest light,
Outside and in, You envelop me;
So due to You, I'm without sleep.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording