Then and now

(558)  Tumi je diyecho nara

It's You Who gave me a stir
At life's start, my Master;
Never will You be forgot.
Due to You, my everything
Is swaddled in moonbeams.

In a corner I did lie,
Deaf and mute in life.
Then came You secretly
Into my heart-cave.
This Your coming,
Never is it without meaning;
Each minute You gave me a shake.

In a world of light,
I've worn clothing smeared with ink;
But in every thought and deed
Chimes only Your divine desire.
Though that I do not see or hear;
Sleep rent, Your love-game I've conceived.

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Fitting in

(665)  Amay chariya kotha jao e nirajane

Forsaking me where do You go in a place so lonely?
Why do You make me cry while You smile inwardly?

Well have I loved You,
And You know well what would soothe;
Better for me would it be
If You did not play Your game continually.

To love You there are
Creatures by the crore, in myriads of garbs;
And so within Your heart,
Nowhere is there space for me, awake or asleep.

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Divine calling

(647)  Tumi je esecho aj

You have come today
To consider suffering humanity's plight,
To rub out the stain on collective mind,
To confer love on everyone alive.

For your coming a static world was waiting,
Its body scarred by grievous wounds aplenty.
All echoes of joy had long disappeared
Neath the steady load of torments heartrending.

In the bosom of earth, ignite a brighter light;
Within hearts oppressed, pour out more ambrosia.
Send forth a clarion call to one and all
To march ever onward with head held high.

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Dark longing

(644)  Tomari lagiya tomare smariya

Remembering You and for You only,
On Your relentless path I've journeyed.
Come into my heart with affection sweet;
See how many thorns were trod on by my feet.

So many storms upon my head I've suffered;
So many comet flames I have endured.
In great despair, great agony,
Painfully bent was my knee.

Seasons pass me by, the sun sinks in the sky;
Evening's dark shadows, they draw nigh.
A golden dream fades into nothing;
With fallen flowers I've strung my wreath.

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In His mind

(643)  Ami to tomare bhavini jiivane

I could not imagine You in my life;
Yet You've been thinking about me.
In a hidden, hard-to-reach place in my puny mind,
You've made Yourself a lodging.

The clouds that had gathered in my mind,
An accumulation of vanity and pride,
You drove those clouds so far away,
And drew me near through countless acts of grace.

Heavenly light, the one way out for the hapless,
Oh, soul of life, please accept my obeisance.
Patiently attending me, You've given inspiration;
Now, having awakened me, You've given realization.

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Breathless

(630)  Tomar katha bheve bheve

Always thinking of Thee,
My days, they go by.
You have not arrived.

On roadways and riverbanks,
Trading in the marketplace,
Many people came and went;
My once-full current has dried out,
So where art Thou?

Along an unknown land's unknown waterway,
When will You come, plying Your ferry?
For that advent I am keenly waiting;
My heart, it is breaking.

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Recognized but unknown

(609)  Ami tomay jani

You I do know...
I won't be able to say so.
No, no, no;
I won't be able to say so.

Even when noticed, unknown You remain;
With unknown music the veena You play.^[1]

When a lotus in lake water happens to bloom,
When rolling in dust is the light of the moon,
Then slumber gets shattered with resurgence;^[2]
That kindness of Yours I will never forget.

Though You are concealed, everything is just You;
From a hidden location plays Your hypnotic flute.^[3]
You are but one, dressed in multiple garments,
With multiple names, in form and rhythm different.

Sarkarverse article
Audio recording