Gitanjali - Transaltion by R. Tagore

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Gitanjali

Gitanjali

by Rabindranath Tagore1912.

Frontispiece from 1913 edition

• Introduction by Yeats (See last 3 pages)

1

GI!"#!$I

%ou %ast made me endless& suc% is t%y pleasure. %is frail 'essel t%ou emptiest again and again& and

fillest it e'er it% fres% life.%is little flute of a reed t%ou %ast carried o'er %ills and dales& and %ast breat%ed t%roug% it melodieseternally ne.

!t t%e immortal touc% of t%y %ands my little %eart loses its limits in oy and gi'es birt% to utterance

ineffable.

%y infinite gifts come to me only on t%ese 'ery small %ands of mine. !ges pass& and still t%ou pourest&

and still t%ere is room to fill.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Rabindranath_Tagore

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Gitanjali/intro

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/File:Gitanjali_intro.jpg

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Gitanjali/intro

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Rabindranath_Tagore



2

*%en t%ou commandest me to sing it seems t%at my %eart ould brea+ it% pride, and I loo+ to t%y

face& and tears come to my eyes.

!ll t%at is %ars% and dissonant in my life melts into one seet %armony--and my adoration spreadsings li+e a glad bird on its flig%t across t%e sea.

I +no t%ou ta+est pleasure in my singing. I +no t%at only as a singer I come before t%y presence.

I touc% by t%e edge of t%e far-spreading ing of my song t%y feet %ic% I could ne'er aspire to reac%.

run+ it% t%e oy of singing I forget myself and call t%ee friend %o art my lord.

3

I +no not %o t%ou singest& my master/ I e'er listen in silent ama0ement.

%e lig%t of t%y music illumines t%e orld. %e life breat% of t%y music runs from s+y to s+y. %e %oly

stream of t%y music brea+s t%roug% all stony obstacles and rus%es on.

y %eart longs to oin in t%y song& but 'ainly struggles for a 'oice. I ould spea+& but speec% brea+snot into song& and I cry out baffled. !%& t%ou %ast made my %eart capti'e in t%e endless mes%es of t%ymusic& my master/

4

$ife of my life& I s%all e'er try to +eep my body pure& +noing t%at t%y li'ing touc% is upon all my

limbs.

I s%all e'er try to +eep all untrut%s out from my t%oug%ts& +noing t%at t%ou art t%at trut% %ic% %as

+indled t%e lig%t of reason in my mind.

I s%all e'er try to dri'e all e'ils aay from my %eart and +eep my lo'e in floer& +noing t%at t%ou%ast t%y seat in t%e inmost s%rine of my %eart.

!nd it s%all be my endea'our to re'eal t%ee in my actions& +noing it is t%y poer gi'es me strengt% to

act.

5

I as+ for a moments indulgence to sit by t%y side. %e or+s t%at I %a'e in %and I ill finis%

afterards.

!ay from t%e sig%t of t%y face my %eart +nos no rest nor respite& and my or+ becomes an endlesstoil in a s%oreless sea of toil.

oday t%e summer %as come at my indo it% its sig%s and murmurs, and t%e bees are plying t%eir

minstrelsy at t%e court of t%e floering gro'e.

"o it is time to sit uite& face to face it% t%ee& and to sing dedication of li'e in t%is silent ando'erfloing leisure.



6

4luc+ t%is little floer and ta+e it& delay not/ I fear lest it droop and drop into t%e dust.

I may not find a place in t%y garland& but %onour it it% a touc% of pain from t%y %and and pluc+ it. I

fear lest t%e day end before I am aare& and t%e time of offering go by.

%oug% its colour be not deep and its smell be faint& use t%is floer in t%y ser'ice and pluc+ it %ilet%ere is time.

7

y song %as put off %er adornments. S%e %as no pride of dress and decoration. 5rnaments ould marour union, t%ey ould come beteen t%ee and me, t%eir ingling ould dron t%y %ispers.

y poets 'anity dies in s%ame before t%y sig%t. 5 master poet& I %a'e sat don at t%y feet. 5nly let me

ma+e my life simple and straig%t& li+e a flute of reed for t%ee to fill it% music.

8%e c%ild %o is dec+ed it% princes robes and %o %as eelled c%ains round %is nec+ loses all

pleasure in %is play, %is dress %ampers %im at e'ery step.

In fear t%at it may be frayed& or stained it% dust %e +eeps %imself from t%e orld& and is afraid e'en tomo'e.

ot%er& it is no gain& t%y bondage of finery& if it +eep one s%ut off from t%e %ealt%ful dust of t%e eart%& if

it rob one of t%e rig%t of entrance to t%e great fair of common %uman life.

9

5 Fool& try to carry t%yself upon t%y on s%oulders/ 5 beggar& to come beg at t%y on door/

$ea'e all t%y burdens on %is %ands %o can bear all& and ne'er loo+ be%ind in regret.

%y desire at once puts out t%e lig%t from t%e lamp it touc%es it% its breat%. It is un%oly--ta+e not t%ygifts t%roug% its unclean %ands. !ccept only %at is offered by sacred lo'e.

10

6ere is t%y footstool and t%ere rest t%y feet %ere li'e t%e poorest& and loliest& and lost.

*%en I try to bo to t%ee& my obeisance cannot reac% don to t%e dept% %ere t%y feet rest among t%e

poorest& and loliest& and lost.4ride can ne'er approac% to %ere t%ou al+est in t%e clot%es of t%e %umble among t%e poorest& and

loliest& and lost.

y %eart can ne'er find its ay to %ere t%ou +eepest company it% t%e companionless among t%e poorest& t%e loliest& and t%e lost.



11

$ea'e t%is c%anting and singing and telling of beads/ *%om dost t%ou ors%ip in t%is lonely dar+

corner of a temple it% doors all s%ut7 5pen t%ine eyes and see t%y God is not before t%ee/

6e is t%ere %ere t%e tiller is tilling t%e %ard ground and %ere t%e pat%ma+er is brea+ing stones. 6e isit% t%em in sun and in s%oer& and %is garment is co'ered it% dust. 4ut of t%y %oly mantle and e'en

li+e %im come don on t%e dusty soil/

eli'erance7 *%ere is t%is deli'erance to be found7 5ur master %imself %as oyfully ta+en upon %im

t%e bonds of creation, %e is bound it% us all for e'er.

8ome out of t%y meditations and lea'e aside t%y floers and incense/ *%at %arm is t%ere if t%y clot%es become tattered and stained7 eet %im and stand by %im in toil and in seat of t%y bro.

12

%e time t%at my ourney ta+es is long and t%e ay of it long.

I came out on t%e c%ariot of t%e first gleam of lig%t& and pursued my 'oyage t%roug% t%e ildernesses of

orlds lea'ing my trac+ on many a star and planet.

It is t%e most distant course t%at comes nearest to t%yself& and t%at training is t%e most intricate %ic%

leads to t%e utter simplicity of a tune.

%e tra'eller %as to +noc+ at e'ery alien door to come to %is on& and one %as to ander t%roug% all t%eouter orlds to reac% t%e innermost s%rine at t%e end.

y eyes strayed far and ide before I s%ut t%em and said 6ere art t%ou/

%e uestion and t%e cry 5%& %ere7 melt into tears of a t%ousand streams and deluge t%e orld it%

t%e flood of t%e assurance I am/

13

%e song t%at I came to sing remains unsung to t%is day.

I %a'e spent my days in stringing and in unstringing my instrument.

%e time %as not come true& t%e ords %a'e not been rig%tly set, only t%ere is t%e agony of is%ing inmy %eart.

%e blossom %as not opened, only t%e ind is sig%ing by.

I %a'e not seen %is face& nor %a'e I listened to %is 'oice, only I %a'e %eard %is gentle footsteps from t%e

road before my %ouse.

%e li'elong day %as passed in spreading %is seat on t%e floor, but t%e lamp %as not been lit and I

cannot as+ %im into my %ouse.

I li'e in t%e %ope of meeting it% %im, but t%is meeting is not yet.

14

y desires are many and my cry is pitiful& but e'er didst t%ou sa'e me by %ard refusals, and t%is strongmercy %as been roug%t into my life t%roug% and t%roug%.



ay by day t%ou art ma+ing me ort%y of t%e simple& great gifts t%at t%ou ga'est to me unas+ed--t%is

s+y and t%e lig%t& t%is body and t%e life and t%e mind--sa'ing me from perils of o'ermuc% desire.

%ere are times %en I languidly linger and times %en I aa+en and %urry in searc% of my goal, but

cruelly t%ou %idest t%yself from before me.

ay by day t%ou art ma+ing me ort%y of t%y full acceptance by refusing me e'er and anon& sa'ing mefrom perils of ea+& uncertain desire.

15

I am %ere to sing t%ee songs. In t%is %all of t%ine I %a'e a corner seat.

In t%y orld I %a'e no or+ to do, my useless life can only brea+ out in tunes it%out a purpose.

*%en t%e %our stri+es for t%y silent ors%ip at t%e dar+ temple of midnig%t& command me& my master&

to stand before t%ee to sing.

*%en in t%e morning air t%e golden %arp is tuned& %onour me& commanding my presence.

16

I %a'e %ad my in'itation to t%is orlds festi'al& and t%us my life %as been blessed. y eyes %a'e seen

and my ears %a'e %eard.

It as my part at t%is feast to play upon my instrument& and I %a'e done all I could.

"o& I as+& %as t%e time come at last %en I may go in and see t%y face and offer t%ee my silent

salutation7

17

I am only aiting for lo'e to gi'e myself up at last into %is %ands. %at is %y it is so late and %y I%a'e been guilty of suc% omissions.

%ey come it% t%eir las and t%eir codes to bind me fast, but I e'ade t%em e'er& for I am only aiting

for lo'e to gi'e myself up at last into %is %ands.

4eople blame me and call me %eedless, I doubt not t%ey are rig%t in t%eir blame.

%e mar+et day is o'er and or+ is all done for t%e busy. %ose %o came to call me in 'ain %a'e gone

bac+ in anger. I am only aiting for lo'e to gi'e myself up at last into %is %ands.

18

8louds %eap upon clouds and it dar+ens. !%& lo'e& %y dost t%ou let me ait outside at t%e door all

alone7

In t%e busy moments of t%e noontide or+ I am it% t%e crod& but on t%is dar+ lonely day it is only

for t%ee t%at I %ope.

If t%ou s%oest me not t%y face& if t%ou lea'est me %olly aside& I +no not %o I am to pass t%ese

long& rainy %ours.

I +eep ga0ing on t%e far-aay gloom of t%e s+y& and my %eart anders ailing it% t%e restless ind.



19

If t%ou spea+est not I ill fill my %eart it% t%y silence and endure it. I ill +eep still and ait li+e t%e

nig%t it% starry 'igil and its %ead bent lo it% patience.

%e morning ill surely come& t%e dar+ness ill 'anis%& and t%y 'oice pour don in golden streams brea+ing t%roug% t%e s+y.

%en t%y ords ill ta+e ing in songs from e'ery one of my birds nests& and t%y melodies ill brea+

fort% in floers in all my forest gro'es.

20

5n t%e day %en t%e lotus bloomed& alas& my mind as straying& and I +ne it not. y bas+et as

empty and t%e floer remained un%eeded.

5nly no and again a sadness fell upon me& and I started up from my dream and felt a seet trace of a

strange fragrance in t%e sout% ind.

%at 'ague seetness made my %eart ac%e it% longing and it seemed to me t%at is as t%e eager

breat% of t%e summer see+ing for its completion.

I +ne not t%en t%at it as so near& t%at it as mine& and t%at t%is perfect seetness %ad blossomed in

t%e dept% of my on %eart.

21

I must launc% out my boat. %e languid %ours pass by on t%e s%ore--!las for me/

%e spring %as done its floering and ta+en lea'e. !nd no it% t%e burden of faded futile floers Iait and linger.

%e a'es %a'e become clamorous& and upon t%e ban+ in t%e s%ady lane t%e yello lea'es flutter andfall.

*%at emptiness do you ga0e upon/ o you not feel a t%rill passing t%roug% t%e air it% t%e notes of t%e

far-aay song floating from t%e ot%er s%ore7

22

In t%e deep s%ados of t%e rainy #uly& it% secret steps& t%ou al+est& silent as nig%t& eluding allatc%ers.

oday t%e morning %as closed its eyes& %eedless of t%e insistent calls of t%e loud east ind& and a t%ic+

'eil %as been dran o'er t%e e'er-a+eful blue s+y.

%e oodlands %a'e %us%ed t%eir songs& and doors are all s%ut at e'ery %ouse. %ou art t%e solitary

ayfarer in t%is deserted street. 5% my only friend& my best belo'ed& t%e gates are open in my %ouse--do not pass by li+e a dream.

23

!rt t%ou abroad on t%is stormy nig%t on t%y ourney of lo'e& my friend7 %e s+y groans li+e one in



despair.

I %a'e no sleep tonig%t. 'er and again I open my door and loo+ out on t%e dar+ness& my friend/

I can see not%ing before me. I onder %ere lies t%y pat%/

:y %at dim s%ore of t%e in+-blac+ ri'er& by %at far edge of t%e froning forest& t%roug% %at ma0y

dept% of gloom art t%ou t%reading t%y course to come to me& my friend7

24

If t%e day is done& if birds sing no more& if t%e ind %as flagged tired& t%en dra t%e 'eil of dar+ness

t%ic+ upon me& e'en as t%ou %ast rapt t%e eart% it% t%e co'erlet of sleep and tenderly closed t%e petals of t%e drooping lotus at dus+.

From t%e tra'eller& %ose sac+ of pro'isions is empty before t%e 'oyage is ended& %ose garment is

torn and dustladen& %ose strengt% is e;%austed& remo'e s%ame and po'erty& and rene %is life li+e a

floer under t%e co'er of t%y +indly nig%t.

25In t%e nig%t of eariness let me gi'e myself up to sleep it%out struggle& resting my trust upon t%ee.

$et me not force my flagging spirit into a poor preparation for t%y ors%ip.

It is t%ou %o draest t%e 'eil of nig%t upon t%e tired eyes of t%e day to rene its sig%t in a fres%ergladness of aa+ening.

26

6e came and sat by my side but I o+e not. *%at a cursed sleep it as& 5 miserable me/

6e came %en t%e nig%t as still, %e %ad %is %arp in %is %ands& and my dreams became resonant it%its melodies.

!las& %y are my nig%ts all t%us lost7 !%& %y do I e'er miss %is sig%t %ose breat% touc%es my sleep7

27

$ig%t& o% %ere is t%e lig%t7 <indle it it% t%e burning fire of desire/

%ere is t%e lamp but ne'er a flic+er of a flame--is suc% t%y fate& my %eart7 !%& deat% ere better by far

for t%ee/

isery +noc+s at t%y door& and %er message is t%at t%y lord is a+eful& and %e calls t%ee to t%e lo'e-tryst t%roug% t%e dar+ness of nig%t.

%e s+y is o'ercast it% clouds and t%e rain is ceaseless. I +no not %at t%is is t%at stirs in me--I

+no not its meaning.

! moments flas% of lig%tning drags don a deeper gloom on my sig%t& and my %eart gropes for t%e pat% to %ere t%e music of t%e nig%t calls me.

$ig%t& o% %ere is t%e lig%t/ <indle it it% t%e burning fire of desire/ It t%unders and t%e ind rus%es

screaming t%roug% t%e 'oid. %e nig%t is blac+ as a blac+ stone. $et not t%e %ours pass by in t%e dar+.



<indle t%e lamp of lo'e it% t%y life.

28

5bstinate are t%e trammels& but my %eart ac%es %en I try to brea+ t%em.

Freedom is all I ant& but to %ope for it I feel as%amed.

I am certain t%at priceless ealt% is in t%ee& and t%at t%ou art my best friend& but I %a'e not t%e %eart to

seep aay t%e tinsel t%at fills my room

%e s%roud t%at co'ers me is a s%roud of dust and deat%, I %ate it& yet %ug it in lo'e.

y debts are large& my failures great& my s%ame secret and %ea'y, yet %en I come to as+ for my good&

I ua+e in fear lest my prayer be granted.

29

6e %om I enclose it% my name is eeping in t%is dungeon. I am e'er busy building t%is all all

around, and as t%is all goes up into t%e s+y day by day I lose sig%t of my true being in its dar+s%ado.

I ta+e pride in t%is great all& and I plaster it it% dust and sand lest a least %ole s%ould be left in t%is

name, and for all t%e care I ta+e I lose sig%t of my true being.

30

I came out alone on my ay to my tryst. :ut %o is t%is t%at follos me in t%e silent dar+7

I mo'e aside to a'oid %is presence but I escape %im not.

6e ma+es t%e dust rise from t%e eart% it% %is sagger, %e adds %is loud 'oice to e'ery ord t%at I

utter.

6e is my on little self& my lord& %e +nos no s%ame, but I am as%amed to come to t%y door in %is

company.

31

4risoner& tell me& %o as it t%at bound you7

It as my master& said t%e prisoner. I t%oug%t I could outdo e'erybody in t%e orld in ealt% and

poer& and I amassed in my on treasure-%ouse t%e money due to my +ing. *%en sleep o'ercame me Ilay upon t%e bed t%at as for my lord& and on a+ing up I found I as a prisoner in my on treasure-

%ouse.

4risoner& tell me& %o as it t%at roug%t t%is unbrea+able c%ain7

It as I& said t%e prisoner& %o forged t%is c%ain 'ery carefully. I t%oug%t my in'incible poer ould

%old t%e orld capti'e lea'ing me in a freedom undisturbed. %us nig%t and day I or+ed at t%e c%ainit% %uge fires and cruel %ard stro+es. *%en at last t%e or+ as done and t%e lin+s ere complete and

unbrea+able& I found t%at it %eld me in its grip.



32

:y all means t%ey try to %old me secure %o lo'e me in t%is orld. :ut it is ot%erise it% t%y lo'e

%ic% is greater t%an t%eirs& and t%ou +eepest me free.

$est I forget t%em t%ey ne'er 'enture to lea'e me alone. :ut day passes by after day and t%ou art notseen.

If I call not t%ee in my prayers& if I +eep not t%ee in my %eart& t%y lo'e for me still aits for my lo'e.

33

*%en it as day t%ey came into my %ouse and said& *e s%all only ta+e t%e smallest room %ere.

%ey said& *e s%all %elp you in t%e ors%ip of your God and %umbly accept only our on s%are in %is

grace, and t%en t%ey too+ t%eir seat in a corner and t%ey sat uiet and mee+.

:ut in t%e dar+ness of nig%t I find t%ey brea+ into my sacred s%rine& strong and turbulent& and snatc%

it% un%oly greed t%e offerings from Gods altar.

34

$et only t%at little be left of me %ereby I may name t%ee my all.

$et only t%at little be left of my ill %ereby I may feel t%ee on e'ery side& and come to t%ee ine'eryt%ing& and offer to t%ee my lo'e e'ery moment.

$et only t%at little be left of me %ereby I may ne'er %ide t%ee.

$et only t%at little of my fetters be left %ereby I am bound it% t%y ill& and t%y purpose is carried out

in my life--and t%at is t%e fetter of t%y lo'e.

35

*%ere t%e mind is it%out fear and t%e %ead is %eld %ig%,

*%ere +noledge is free,

*%ere t%e orld %as not been bro+en up into fragments by narro domestic alls,

*%ere ords come out from t%e dept% of trut%,

*%ere tireless stri'ing stretc%es its arms toards perfection,

*%ere t%e clear stream of reason %as not lost its ay into t%e dreary desert sand of dead %abit,

*%ere t%e mind is led forard by t%ee into e'er-idening t%oug%t and action--Into t%at %ea'en of freedom& my Fat%er& let my country aa+e.

36

%is is my prayer to t%ee& my lord--stri+e& stri+e at t%e root of penury in my %eart.

Gi'e me t%e strengt% lig%tly to bear my oys and sorros.

Gi'e me t%e strengt% to ma+e my lo'e fruitful in ser'ice.



Gi'e me t%e strengt% ne'er to dison t%e poor or bend my +nees before insolent mig%t.

Gi'e me t%e strengt% to raise my mind %ig% abo'e daily trifles.

!nd gi'e me t%e strengt% to surrender my strengt% to t%y ill it% lo'e.

37

I t%oug%t t%at my 'oyage %ad come to its end at t%e last limit of my poer&--t%at t%e pat% before me

as closed& t%at pro'isions ere e;%austed and t%e time come to ta+e s%elter in a silent obscurity.

:ut I find t%at t%y ill +nos no end in me. !nd %en old ords die out on t%e tongue& ne melodies

brea+ fort% from t%e %eart, and %ere t%e old trac+s are lost& ne country is re'ealed it% its onders.

38

%at I ant t%ee& only t%ee--let my %eart repeat it%out end. !ll desires t%at distract me& day and nig%t&are false and empty to t%e core.

!s t%e nig%t +eeps %idden in its gloom t%e petition for lig%t& e'en t%us in t%e dept% of myunconsciousness rings t%e cry--I ant t%ee& only t%ee.

!s t%e storm still see+s its end in peace %en it stri+es against peace it% all its mig%t& e'en t%us my

rebellion stri+es against t%y lo'e and still its cry is--I ant t%ee& only t%ee.

39

*%en t%e %eart is %ard and parc%ed up& come upon me it% a s%oer of mercy.

*%en grace is lost from life& come it% a burst of song.

*%en tumultuous or+ raises its din on all sides s%utting me out from beyond& come to me& my lord of

silence& it% t%y peace and rest.

*%en my beggarly %eart sits crouc%ed& s%ut up in a corner& brea+ open t%e door& my +ing& and come

it% t%e ceremony of a +ing.

*%en desire blinds t%e mind it% delusion and dust& 5 t%ou %oly one& t%ou a+eful& come it% t%y

lig%t and t%y t%under.

40

%e rain %as %eld bac+ for days and days& my God& in my arid %eart. %e %ori0on is fiercely na+ed--nott%e t%innest co'er of a soft cloud& not t%e 'aguest %int of a distant cool s%oer.

Send t%y angry storm& dar+ it% deat%& if it is t%y is%& and it% las%es of lig%tning startle t%e s+y from

end to end.

:ut call bac+& my lord& call bac+ t%is per'ading silent %eat& still and +een and cruel& burning t%e %eart

it% dire despair.

$et t%e cloud of grace bend lo from abo'e li+e t%e tearful loo+ of t%e mot%er on t%e day of t%e fat%ers

rat%.



41

*%ere dost t%ou stand be%ind t%em all& my lo'er& %iding t%yself in t%e s%ados7 %ey pus% t%ee and

pass t%ee by on t%e dusty road& ta+ing t%ee for naug%t. I ait %ere eary %ours spreading my offerings

for t%ee& %ile passers-by come and ta+e my floers& one by one& and my bas+et is nearly empty.

%e morning time is past& and t%e noon. In t%e s%ade of e'ening my eyes are drosy it% sleep. en

going %ome glance at me and smile and fill me it% s%ame. I sit li+e a beggar maid& draing my s+irto'er my face& and %en t%ey as+ me& %at it is I ant& I drop my eyes and anser t%em not.

5%& %o& indeed& could I tell t%em t%at for t%ee I ait& and t%at t%ou %ast promised to come. 6o couldI utter for s%ame t%at I +eep for my dory t%is po'erty. !%& I %ug t%is pride in t%e secret of my %eart.

I sit on t%e grass and ga0e upon t%e s+y and dream of t%e sudden splendour of t%y coming--all t%e lig%ts

abla0e& golden pennons flying o'er t%y car& and t%ey at t%e roadside standing agape& %en t%ey see t%ee

come don from t%y seat to raise me from t%e dust& and set at t%y side t%is ragged beggar girl a-trembleit% s%ame and pride& li+e a creeper in a summer bree0e.

:ut time glides on and still no sound of t%e %eels of t%y c%ariot. any a procession passes by it%

noise and s%outs and glamour of glory. Is it only t%ou %o ouldst stand in t%e s%ado silent and

be%ind t%em all7 !nd only I %o ould ait and eep and ear out my %eart in 'ain longing7

42

arly in t%e day it as %ispered t%at e s%ould sail in a boat& only t%ou and I& and ne'er a soul in t%e

orld ould +no of t%is our pilgrimage to no country and to no end.

In t%at s%oreless ocean& at t%y silently listening smile my songs ould sell in melodies& free as a'es&free from all bondage of ords.

Is t%e time not come yet7 !re t%ere or+s still to do7 $o& t%e e'ening %as come don upon t%e s%ore

and in t%e fading lig%t t%e seabirds come flying to t%eir nests.

*%o +nos %en t%e c%ains ill be off& and t%e boat& li+e t%e last glimmer of sunset& 'anis% into t%enig%t7

43

%e day as %en I did not +eep myself in readiness for t%ee, and entering my %eart unbidden e'en asone of t%e common crod& un+non to me& my +ing& t%ou didst press t%e signet of eternity upon many

a fleeting moment of my life.

!nd today %en by c%ance I lig%t upon t%em and see t%y signature& I find t%ey %a'e lain scattered in

t%e dust mi;ed it% t%e memory of oys and sorros of my tri'ial days forgotten.

%ou didst not turn in contempt from my c%ildis% play among dust& and t%e steps t%at I %eard in my

playroom are t%e same t%at are ec%oing from star to star.

44

%is is my delig%t& t%us to ait and atc% at t%e ayside %ere s%ado c%ases lig%t and t%e rain comes

in t%e a+e of t%e summer.

essengers& it% tidings from un+non s+ies& greet me and speed along t%e road. y %eart is glad



it%in& and t%e breat% of t%e passing bree0e is seet.

From dan till dus+ I sit %ere before my door& and I +no t%at of a sudden t%e %appy moment ill

arri'e %en I s%all see.

In t%e mean%ile I smile and I sing all alone. In t%e mean%ile t%e air is filling it% t%e perfume of

promise.

45

6a'e you not %eard %is silent steps7 6e comes& comes& e'er comes.

'ery moment and e'ery age& e'ery day and e'ery nig%t %e comes& comes& e'er comes.

any a song %a'e I sung in many a mood of mind& but all t%eir notes %a'e alays proclaimed& 6ecomes& comes& e'er comes.

In t%e fragrant days of sunny !pril t%roug% t%e forest pat% %e comes& comes& e'er comes.

In t%e rainy gloom of #uly nig%ts on t%e t%undering c%ariot of clouds %e comes& comes& e'er comes.

In sorro after sorro it is %is steps t%at press upon my %eart& and it is t%e golden touc% of %is feet t%atma+es my oy to s%ine.

46

I +no not from %at distant time t%ou art e'er coming nearer to meet me. %y sun and stars can ne'er+eep t%ee %idden from me for aye.

In many a morning and e'e t%y footsteps %a'e been %eard and t%y messenger %as come it%in my %eart

and called me in secret.

I +no not only %y today my life is all astir& and a feeling of tremulous oy is passing t%roug% my

%eart.It is as if t%e time ere come to ind up my or+& and I feel in t%e air a faint smell of t%y seet presence.

47

%e nig%t is nearly spent aiting for %im in 'ain. I fear lest in t%e morning %e suddenly come to my

door %en I %a'e fallen asleep earied out. 5% friends& lea'e t%e ay open to %im-- forbid %im not.

If t%e sounds of %is steps does not a+e me& do not try to rouse me& I pray. I is% not to be called from

my sleep by t%e clamorous c%oir of birds& by t%e riot of ind at t%e festi'al of morning lig%t. $et me

sleep undisturbed e'en if my lord comes of a sudden to my door.!%& my sleep& precious sleep& %ic% only aits for %is touc% to 'anis%. !%& my closed eyes t%at ould

open t%eir lids only to t%e lig%t of %is smile %en %e stands before me li+e a dream emerging from

dar+ness of sleep.

$et %im appear before my sig%t as t%e first of all lig%ts and all forms. %e first t%rill of oy to myaa+ened soul let it come from %is glance. !nd let my return to myself be immediate return to %im.



48

%e morning sea of silence bro+e into ripples of bird songs, and t%e floers ere all merry by t%e

roadside, and t%e ealt% of gold as scattered t%roug% t%e rift of t%e clouds %ile e busily ent on

our ay and paid no %eed.

*e sang no glad songs nor played, e ent not to t%e 'illage for barter, e spo+e not a ord nor

smiled, e lingered not on t%e ay. *e uic+ened our pace more and more as t%e time sped by.

%e sun rose to t%e mid s+y and do'es cooed in t%e s%ade. *it%ered lea'es danced and %irled in t%e

%ot air of noon. %e s%ep%erd boy drosed and dreamed in t%e s%ado of t%e banyan tree& and I laidmyself don by t%e ater and stretc%ed my tired limbs on t%e grass.

y companions laug%ed at me in scorn, t%ey %eld t%eir %eads %ig% and %urried on, t%ey ne'er loo+ed

bac+ nor rested, t%ey 'anis%ed in t%e distant blue %a0e. %ey crossed many meados and %ills& and

passed t%roug% strange& far-aay countries. !ll %onour to you& %eroic %ost of t%e interminable pat%/oc+ery and reproac% pric+ed me to rise& but found no response in me. I ga'e myself up for lost in t%e

dept% of a glad %umiliation--in t%e s%ado of a dim delig%t.

%e repose of t%e sun-embroidered green gloom sloly spread o'er my %eart. I forgot for %at I %ad

tra'elled& and I surrendered my mind it%out struggle to t%e ma0e of s%ados and songs.

!t last& %en I o+e from my slumber and opened my eyes& I sa t%ee standing by me& flooding mysleep it% t%y smile. 6o I %ad feared t%at t%e pat% as long and earisome& and t%e struggle to reac%

t%ee as %ard/

49

You came don from your t%rone and stood at my cottage door.

I as singing all alone in a corner& and t%e melody caug%t your ear. You came don and stood at my

cottage door.

asters are many in your %all& and songs are sung t%ere at all %ours. :ut t%e simple carol of t%is no'icestruc+ at your lo'e. 5ne plainti'e little strain mingled it% t%e great music of t%e orld& and it% a

floer for a pri0e you came don and stopped at my cottage door.

50

I %ad gone a-begging from door to door in t%e 'illage pat%& %en t%y golden c%ariot appeared in t%e

distance li+e a gorgeous dream and I ondered %o as t%is <ing of all +ings/

y %opes rose %ig% and met%oug%t my e'il days ere at an end& and I stood aiting for alms to be

gi'en unas+ed and for ealt% scattered on all sides in t%e dust.

%e c%ariot stopped %ere I stood. %y glance fell on me and t%ou camest don it% a smile. I felt t%at

t%e luc+ of my life %ad come at last. %en of a sudden t%ou didst %old out t%y rig%t %and and say *%at

%ast t%ou to gi'e to me7

!%& %at a +ingly est as it to open t%y palm to a beggar to beg/ I as confused and stood undecided&and t%en from my allet I sloly too+ out t%e least little grain of corn and ga'e it to t%ee.

:ut %o great my surprise %en at t%e days end I emptied my bag on t%e floor to find a least little

gram of gold among t%e poor %eap. I bitterly ept and is%ed t%at I %ad %ad t%e %eart to gi'e t%ee my



all.

51

%e nig%t dar+ened. 5ur days or+s %ad been done. *e t%oug%t t%at t%e last guest %ad arri'ed for t%enig%t and t%e doors in t%e 'illage ere all s%ut. 5nly some said t%e +ing as to come. *e laug%ed and

said "o& it cannot be/It seemed t%ere ere +noc+s at t%e door and e said it as not%ing but t%e ind. *e put out t%e lamps

and lay don to sleep. 5nly some said& It is t%e messenger/ *e laug%ed and said "o& it must be t%eind/

%ere came a sound in t%e dead of t%e nig%t. *e sleepily t%oug%t it as t%e distant t%under. %e eart%

s%oo+& t%e alls roc+ed& and it troubled us in our sleep. 5nly some said it as t%e sound of %eels. *e

said in a drosy murmur& "o& it must be t%e rumbling of clouds/

%e nig%t as still dar+ %en t%e drum sounded. %e 'oice came *a+e up/ delay not/ *e pressed our

%ands on our %earts and s%uddered it% fear. Some said& $o& t%ere is t%e +ings flag/ *e stood up on

our feet and cried %ere is no time for delay/

%e +ing %as come--but %ere are lig%ts& %ere are reat%s7 *%ere is t%e t%rone to seat %im7 5%&s%ame/ 5% utter s%ame/ *%ere is t%e %all& t%e decorations7 Someone %as said& =ain is t%is cry/ Greet

%im it% empty %ands& lead %im into t%y rooms all bare/

5pen t%e doors& let t%e conc%-s%ells be sounded/ in t%e dept% of t%e nig%t %as come t%e +ing of our

dar+& dreary %ouse. %e t%under roars in t%e s+y. %e dar+ness s%udders it% lig%tning. :ring out t%ytattered piece of mat and spread it in t%e courtyard. *it% t%e storm %as come of a sudden our +ing of

t%e fearful nig%t.

52

I t%oug%t I s%ould as+ of t%ee--but I dared not--t%e rose reat% t%ou %adst on t%y nec+. %us I aitedfor t%e morning& %en t%ou didst depart& to find a fe fragments on t%e bed. !nd li+e a beggar I

searc%ed in t%e dan only for a stray petal or to.

!% me& %at is it I find7 *%at to+en left of t%y lo'e7 It is no floer& no spices& no 'ase of perfumedater. It is t%y mig%ty sord& flas%ing as a flame& %ea'y as a bolt of t%under. %e young lig%t of

morning comes t%roug% t%e indo and spreads itself upon t%y bed. %e morning bird titters and

as+s& *oman& %at %ast t%ou got7 "o& it is no floer& nor spices& nor 'ase of perfumed ater--it is t%ydreadful sord.

I sit and muse in onder& %at gift is t%is of t%ine. I can find no place to %ide it. I am as%amed to ear

it& frail as I am& and it %urts me %en I press it to my bosom. Yet s%all I bear in my %eart t%is %onour of

t%e burden of pain& t%is gift of t%ine.From no t%ere s%all be no fear left for me in t%is orld& and t%ou s%alt be 'ictorious in all my strife.%ou %ast left deat% for my companion and I s%all cron %im it% my life. %y sord is it% me to cut

asunder my bonds& and t%ere s%all be no fear left for me in t%e orld.

From no I lea'e off all petty decorations. $ord of my %eart& no more s%all t%ere be for me aiting and

eeping in corners& no more coyness and seetness of demeanour. %ou %ast gi'en me t%y sord foradornment. "o more dolls decorations for me/



53

:eautiful is t%y ristlet& dec+ed it% stars and cunningly roug%t in myriad-coloured eels. :ut more

beautiful to me t%y sord it% its cur'e of lig%tning li+e t%e outspread ings of t%e di'ine bird of

=is%nu& perfectly poised in t%e angry red lig%t of t%e sunset.

It ui'ers li+e t%e one last response of life in ecstasy of pain at t%e final stro+e of deat%, it s%ines li+e

t%e pure flame of being burning up eart%ly sense it% one fierce flas%.

:eautiful is t%y ristlet& dec+ed it% starry gems, but t%y sord& 5 lord of t%under& is roug%t it%

uttermost beauty& terrible to be%old or t%in+ of.

54

I as+ed not%ing from t%ee, I uttered not my name to t%ine ear. *%en t%ou too+st t%y lea'e I stood

silent. I as alone by t%e ell %ere t%e s%ado of t%e tree fell aslant& and t%e omen %ad gone %omeit% t%eir bron eart%en pitc%ers full to t%e brim. %ey called me and s%outed& 8ome it% us& t%e

morning is earing on to noon. :ut I languidly lingered a%ile lost in t%e midst of 'ague musings.

I %eard not t%y steps as t%ou camest. %ine eyes ere sad %en t%ey fell on me, t%y 'oice as tired ast%ou spo+est lo--!%& I am a t%irsty tra'eller. I started up from my day-dreams and poured ater frommy ar on t%y oined palms. %e lea'es rustled o'er%ead, t%e cuc+oo sang from t%e unseen dar+& and

perfume of >babla> floers came from t%e bend of t%e road.

I stood speec%less it% s%ame %en my name t%ou didst as+. Indeed& %at %ad I done for t%ee to +eep

me in remembrance7 :ut t%e memory t%at I could gi'e ater to t%ee to allay t%y t%irst ill cling to my%eart and enfold it in seetness. %e morning %our is late& t%e bird sings in eary notes& >neem> lea'es

rustle o'er%ead and I sit and t%in+ and t%in+.

55

$anguor is upon your %eart and t%e slumber is still on your eyes.

6as not t%e ord come to you t%at t%e floer is reigning in splendour among t%orns7 *a+e& o%

aa+en/ let not t%e time pass in 'ain/

!t t%e end of t%e stony pat%& in t%e country of 'irgin solitude& my friend is sitting all alone. ecei'e%im not. *a+e& o% aa+en/

*%at if t%e s+y pants and trembles it% t%e %eat of t%e midday sun--%at if t%e burning sand spreads

its mantle of t%irst--

Is t%ere no oy in t%e deep of your %eart7 !t e'ery footfall of yours& ill not t%e %arp of t%e road brea+

out in seet music of pain7

56

%us it is t%at t%y oy in me is so full. %us it is t%at t%ou %ast come don to me. 5 t%ou lord of all%ea'ens& %ere ould be t%y lo'e if I ere not7

%ou %ast ta+en me as t%y partner of all t%is ealt%. In my %eart is t%e endless play of t%y delig%t. In

my life t%y ill is e'er ta+ing s%ape.

!nd for t%is& t%ou %o art t%e <ing of +ings %ast dec+ed t%yself in beauty to capti'ate my %eart. !nd



for t%is t%y lo'e loses itself in t%e lo'e of t%y lo'er& and t%ere art t%ou seen in t%e perfect union of to.

57

$ig%t& my lig%t& t%e orld-filling lig%t& t%e eye-+issing lig%t& %eart-seetening lig%t/

!%& t%e lig%t dances& my darling& at t%e centre of my life, t%e lig%t stri+es& my darling& t%e c%ords of my

lo'e, t%e s+y opens& t%e ind runs ild& laug%ter passes o'er t%e eart%.

%e butterflies spread t%eir sails on t%e sea of lig%t. $ilies and asmines surge up on t%e crest of t%e

a'es of lig%t.

%e lig%t is s%attered into gold on e'ery cloud& my darling& and it scatters gems in profusion.

irt% spreads from leaf to leaf& my darling& and gladness it%out measure. %e %ea'ens ri'er %asdroned its ban+s and t%e flood of oy is abroad.

58

$et all t%e strains of oy mingle in my last song--t%e oy t%at ma+es t%e eart% flo o'er in t%e riotouse;cess of t%e grass& t%e oy t%at sets t%e tin brot%ers& life and deat%& dancing o'er t%e ide orld& t%e

oy t%at seeps in it% t%e tempest& s%a+ing and a+ing all life it% laug%ter& t%e oy t%at sits still it%its tears on t%e open red lotus of pain& and t%e oy t%at t%ros e'eryt%ing it %as upon t%e dust& and

+nos not a ord.

59

Yes& I +no& t%is is not%ing but t%y lo'e& 5 belo'ed of my %eart-- t%is golden lig%t t%at dances upon t%e

lea'es& t%ese idle clouds sailing across t%e s+y& t%is passing bree0e lea'ing its coolness upon my

fore%ead.

%e morning lig%t %as flooded my eyes--t%is is t%y message to my %eart. %y face is bent from abo'e&t%y eyes loo+ don on my eyes& and my %eart %as touc%ed t%y feet.

60

5n t%e seas%ore of endless orlds c%ildren meet. %e infinite s+y is motionless o'er%ead and t%e

restless ater is boisterous. 5n t%e seas%ore of endless orlds t%e c%ildren meet it% s%outs and

dances.

%ey build t%eir %ouses it% sand and t%ey play it% empty s%ells. *it% it%ered lea'es t%ey ea'et%eir boats and smilingly float t%em on t%e 'ast deep. 8%ildren %a'e t%eir play on t%e seas%ore of

orlds.

%ey +no not %o to sim& t%ey +no not %o to cast nets. 4earl fis%ers di'e for pearls& merc%ants

sail in t%eir s%ips& %ile c%ildren gat%er pebbles and scatter t%em again. t%ey see+ not for %iddentreasures& t%ey +no not %o to cast nets.

%e sea surges up it% laug%ter and pale gleams t%e smile of t%e sea beac%. eat%-dealing a'es sing

meaningless ballads to t%e c%ildren& e'en li+e a mot%er %ile roc+ing %er babys cradle. %e sea plays

it% c%ildren& and pale gleams t%e smile of t%e sea beac%.

5n t%e seas%ore of endless orlds c%ildren meet. empest roams in t%e pat%less s+y& s%ips get rec+ed



in t%e trac+less ater& deat% is abroad and c%ildren play. 5n t%e seas%ore of endless orlds is t%e great

meeting of c%ildren.

61

%e sleep t%at flits on babys eyes--does anybody +no from %ere it comes7 Yes& t%ere is a rumour

t%at it %as its delling t%ere& in t%e fairy 'illage among s%ados of t%e forest dimly lit it% glo-orms& t%ere %ang to timid buds of enc%antment. From t%ere it comes to +iss babys eyes.

%e smile t%at flic+ers on babys lips %en %e sleeps--does anybody +no %ere it as born7 Yes&t%ere is a rumour t%at a young pale beam of a crescent moon touc%ed t%e edge of a 'anis%ing autumn

cloud& and t%ere t%e smile as first born in t%e dream of a de-as%ed morning--t%e smile t%at flic+ers

on babys lips %en %e sleeps.

%e seet& soft fres%ness t%at blooms on babys limbs--does anybody +no %ere it as %idden solong7 Yes& %en t%e mot%er as a young girl it lay per'ading %er %eart in tender and silent mystery of

lo'e--t%e seet& soft fres%ness t%at %as bloomed on babys limbs.

62*%en I bring to you coloured toys& my c%ild& I understand %y t%ere is suc% a play of colours on

clouds& on ater& and %y floers are painted in tints--%en I gi'e coloured toys to you& my c%ild.

*%en I sing to ma+e you dance I truly no %y t%ere is music in lea'es& and %y a'es send t%eirc%orus of 'oices to t%e %eart of t%e listening eart%--%en I sing to ma+e you dance.

*%en I bring seet t%ings to your greedy %ands I +no %y t%ere is %oney in t%e cup of t%e floers

and %y fruits are secretly filled it% seet uice--%en I bring seet t%ings to your greedy %ands.

*%en I +iss your face to ma+e you smile& my darling& I surely understand %at pleasure streams from

t%e s+y in morning lig%t& and %at delig%t t%at is t%at is %ic% t%e summer bree0e brings to my body--

%en I +iss you to ma+e you smile.

63

%ou %ast made me +non to friends %om I +ne not. %ou %ast gi'en me seats in %omes not my

on. %ou %ast broug%t t%e distant near and made a brot%er of t%e stranger.

I am uneasy at %eart %en I %a'e to lea'e my accustomed s%elter, I forget t%at t%ere abides t%e old in

t%e ne& and t%at t%ere also t%ou abidest.

%roug% birt% and deat%& in t%is orld or in ot%ers& %ere'er t%ou leadest me it is t%ou& t%e same& t%eone companion of my endless life %o e'er lin+est my %eart it% bonds of oy to t%e unfamiliar.

*%en one +nos t%ee& t%en alien t%ere is none& t%en no door is s%ut. 5%& grant me my prayer t%at I may

ne'er lose t%e bliss of t%e touc% of t%e one in t%e play of many.

64

5n t%e slope of t%e desolate ri'er among tall grasses I as+ed %er& aiden& %ere do you go s%ading

your lamp it% your mantle7 y %ouse is all dar+ and lonesome--lend me your lig%t/ s%e raised %erdar+ eyes for a moment and loo+ed at my face t%roug% t%e dus+. I %a'e come to t%e ri'er& s%e said& to



float my lamp on t%e stream %en t%e daylig%t anes in t%e est. I stood alone among tall grasses and

atc%ed t%e timid flame of %er lamp uselessly drifting in t%e tide.

In t%e silence of gat%ering nig%t I as+ed %er& aiden& your lig%ts are all lit--t%en %ere do you go it%

your lamp7 y %ouse is all dar+ and lonesome--lend me your lig%t. S%e raised %er dar+ eyes on myface and stood for a moment doubtful. I %a'e come& s%e said at last& to dedicate my lamp to t%e s+y. I

stood and atc%ed %er lig%t uselessly burning in t%e 'oid.

In t%e moonless gloom of midnig%t I as+ %er& aiden& %at is your uest& %olding t%e lamp near your

%eart7 y %ouse is all dar+ and lonesome--lend me your lig%t. S%e stopped for a minute and t%oug%tand ga0ed at my face in t%e dar+. I %a'e broug%t my lig%t& s%e said& to oin t%e carni'al of lamps. I

stood and atc%ed %er little lamp uselessly lost among lig%ts.

65

*%at di'ine drin+ ouldst t%ou %a'e& my God& from t%is o'erfloing cup of my life7

y poet& is it t%y delig%t to see t%y creation t%roug% my eyes and to stand at t%e portals of my ears

silently to listen to t%ine on eternal %armony7

%y orld is ea'ing ords in my mind and t%y oy is adding music to t%em. %ou gi'est t%yself tome in lo'e and t%en feelest t%ine on entire seetness in me.

66

S%e %o e'er %ad remained in t%e dept% of my being& in t%e tilig%t of gleams and of glimpses, s%e%o ne'er opened %er 'eils in t%e morning lig%t& ill be my last gift to t%ee& my God& folded in my

final song.

*ords %a'e ooed yet failed to in %er, persuasion %as stretc%ed to %er its eager arms in 'ain.

I %a'e roamed from country to country +eeping %er in t%e core of my %eart& and around %er %a'e risenand fallen t%e grot% and decay of my life.

5'er my t%oug%ts and actions& my slumbers and dreams& s%e reigned yet delled alone and apart.

any a man +noc+ed at my door and as+ed for %er and turned aay in despair.

%ere as none in t%e orld %o e'er sa %er face to face& and s%e remained in %er loneliness aiting

for t%y recognition.

67

%ou art t%e s+y and t%ou art t%e nest as ell.

5 t%ou beautiful& t%ere in t%e nest is t%y lo'e t%at encloses t%e soul it% colours and sounds and odours.

%ere comes t%e morning it% t%e golden bas+et in %er rig%t %and bearing t%e reat% of beauty& silently

to cron t%e eart%.

!nd t%ere comes t%e e'ening o'er t%e lonely meados deserted by %erds& t%roug% trac+less pat%s&

carrying cool draug%ts of peace in %er golden pitc%er from t%e estern ocean of rest.

:ut t%ere& %ere spreads t%e infinite s+y for t%e soul to ta+e %er flig%t in& reigns t%e stainless %ite

radiance. %ere is no day nor nig%t& nor form nor colour& and ne'er& ne'er a ord.



68

%y sunbeam comes upon t%is eart% of mine it% arms outstretc%ed and stands at my door t%e li'elong

day to carry bac+ to t%y feet clouds made of my tears and sig%s and songs.

*it% fond delig%t t%ou rappest about t%y starry breast t%at mantle of misty cloud& turning it intonumberless s%apes and folds and colouring it it% %ues e'erc%anging.

It is so lig%t and so fleeting& tender and tearful and dar+& t%at is %y t%ou lo'est it& 5 t%ou spotless and

serene. !nd t%at is %y it may co'er t%y aful %ite lig%t it% its pat%etic s%ados.

69

%e same stream of life t%at runs t%roug% my 'eins nig%t and day runs t%roug% t%e orld and dances in

r%yt%mic measures.

It is t%e same life t%at s%oots in oy t%roug% t%e dust of t%e eart% in numberless blades of grass and

brea+s into tumultuous a'es of lea'es and floers.

It is t%e same life t%at is roc+ed in t%e ocean-cradle of birt% and of deat%& in ebb and in flo.

I feel my limbs are made glorious by t%e touc% of t%is orld of life. !nd my pride is from t%e life-t%rob

of ages dancing in my blood t%is moment.

70

Is it beyond t%ee to be glad it% t%e gladness of t%is r%yt%m7 to be tossed and lost and bro+en in t%e

%irl of t%is fearful oy7

!ll t%ings rus% on& t%ey stop not& t%ey loo+ not be%ind& no poer can %old t%em bac+& t%ey rus% on.

<eeping steps it% t%at restless& rapid music& seasons come dancing and pass aay--colours& tunes& and

perfumes pour in endless cascades in t%e abounding oy t%at scatters and gi'es up and dies e'erymoment.

71

%at I s%ould ma+e muc% of myself and turn it on all sides& t%us casting coloured s%ados on t%y

radiance--suc% is t%y >maya>.

%ou settest a barrier in t%ine on being and t%en callest t%y se'ered self in myriad notes. %is t%y self-separation %as ta+en body in me.

%e poignant song is ec%oed t%roug% all t%e s+y in many-coloured tears and smiles& alarms and %opes,

a'es rise up and sin+ again& dreams brea+ and form. In me is t%y on defeat of self.

%is screen t%at t%ou %ast raised is painted it% innumerable figures it% t%e brus% of t%e nig%t and t%e

day. :e%ind it t%y seat is o'en in ondrous mysteries of cur'es& casting aay all barren lines ofstraig%tness.

%e great pageant of t%ee and me %as o'erspread t%e s+y. *it% t%e tune of t%ee and me all t%e air is

'ibrant& and all ages pass it% t%e %iding and see+ing of t%ee and me.



72

6e it is& t%e innermost one& %o aa+ens my being it% %is deep %idden touc%es.

6e it is %o puts %is enc%antment upon t%ese eyes and oyfully plays on t%e c%ords of my %eart in

'aried cadence of pleasure and pain.

6e it is %o ea'es t%e eb of t%is >maya> in e'anescent %ues of gold and sil'er& blue and green& andlets peep out t%roug% t%e folds %is feet& at %ose touc% I forget myself.

ays come and ages pass& and it is e'er %e %o mo'es my %eart in many a name& in many a guise& in

many a rapture of oy and of sorro.

73

eli'erance is not for me in renunciation. I feel t%e embrace of freedom in a t%ousand bonds of delig%t.

%ou e'er pourest for me t%e fres% draug%t of t%y ine of 'arious colours and fragrance& filling t%is

eart%en 'essel to t%e brim.

y orld ill lig%t its %undred different lamps it% t%y flame and place t%em before t%e altar of t%ytemple.

"o& I ill ne'er s%ut t%e doors of my senses. %e delig%ts of sig%t and %earing and touc% ill bear t%y

delig%t.

Yes& all my illusions ill burn into illumination of oy& and all my desires ripen into fruits of lo'e.

74

%e day is no more& t%e s%ado is upon t%e eart%. It is time t%at I go to t%e stream to fill my pitc%er.

%e e'ening air is eager it% t%e sad music of t%e ater. !%& it calls me out into t%e dus+. In t%e lonely

lane t%ere is no passer-by& t%e ind is up& t%e ripples are rampant in t%e ri'er.

I +no not if I s%all come bac+ %ome. I +no not %om I s%all c%ance to meet. %ere at t%e fording in

t%e little boat t%e un+non man plays upon %is lute.

75

%y gifts to us mortals fulfil all our needs and yet run bac+ to t%ee undiminis%ed.

%e ri'er %as its e'eryday or+ to do and %astens t%roug% fields and %amlets, yet its incessant stream

inds toards t%e as%ing of t%y feet.

%e floer seetens t%e air it% its perfume, yet its last ser'ice is to offer itself to t%ee.%y ors%ip does not impo'eris% t%e orld.

From t%e ords of t%e poet men ta+e %at meanings please t%em, yet t%eir last meaning points to t%ee.

76

ay after day& 5 lord of my life& s%all I stand before t%ee face to face. *it% folded %ands& 5 lord of allorlds& s%all I stand before t%ee face to face.



?nder t%y great s+y in solitude and silence& it% %umble %eart s%all I stand before t%ee face to face.

In t%is laborious orld of t%ine& tumultuous it% toil and it% struggle& among %urrying crods s%all I

stand before t%ee face to face.

!nd %en my or+ s%all be done in t%is orld& 5 <ing of +ings& alone and speec%less s%all I stand

before t%ee face to face.

77

I +no t%ee as my God and stand apart--I do not +no t%ee as my on and come closer. I +no t%ee asmy fat%er and bo before t%y feet--I do not grasp t%y %and as my friends.

I stand not %ere t%ou comest don and onest t%yself as mine& t%ere to clasp t%ee to my %eart and

ta+e t%ee as my comrade.

%ou art t%e :rot%er amongst my brot%ers& but I %eed t%em not& I di'ide not my earnings it% t%em&

t%us s%aring my all it% t%ee.

In pleasure and in pain I stand not by t%e side of men& and t%us stand by t%ee. I s%rin+ to gi'e up my

life& and t%us do not plunge into t%e great aters of life.

78

*%en t%e creation as ne and all t%e stars s%one in t%eir first splendour& t%e gods %eld t%eir assembly

in t%e s+y and sang 5%& t%e picture of perfection/ t%e oy unalloyed/

:ut one cried of a sudden--It seems t%at some%ere t%ere is a brea+ in t%e c%ain of lig%t and one of t%e

stars %as been lost.

%e golden string of t%eir %arp snapped& t%eir song stopped& and t%ey cried in dismay--Yes& t%at loststar as t%e best& s%e as t%e glory of all %ea'ens/

From t%at day t%e searc% is unceasing for %er& and t%e cry goes on from one to t%e ot%er t%at in %er t%e

orld %as lost its one oy/

5nly in t%e deepest silence of nig%t t%e stars smile and %isper among t%emsel'es--=ain is t%issee+ing/ unbro+en perfection is o'er all/

79

If it is not my portion to meet t%ee in t%is life t%en let me e'er feel t%at I %a'e missed t%y sig%t--let menot forget for a moment& let me carry t%e pangs of t%is sorro in my dreams and in my a+eful %ours.

!s my days pass in t%e croded mar+et of t%is orld and my %ands gro full it% t%e daily profits& let

me e'er feel t%at I %a'e gained not%ing--let me not forget for a moment& let me carry t%e pangs of t%is

sorro in my dreams and in my a+eful %ours.

*%en I sit by t%e roadside& tired and panting& %en I spread my bed lo in t%e dust& let me e'er feelt%at t%e long ourney is still before me--let me not forget a moment& let me carry t%e pangs of t%is

sorro in my dreams and in my a+eful %ours.

*%en my rooms %a'e been dec+ed out and t%e flutes sound and t%e laug%ter t%ere is loud& let me e'er

feel t%at I %a'e not in'ited t%ee to my %ouse--let me not forget for a moment& let me carry t%e pangs oft%is sorro in my dreams and in my a+eful %ours.



80

I am li+e a remnant of a cloud of autumn uselessly roaming in t%e s+y& 5 my sun e'er-glorious/ %y

touc% %as not yet melted my 'apour& ma+ing me one it% t%y lig%t& and t%us I count mont%s and years

separated from t%ee.

If t%is be t%y is% and if t%is be t%y play& t%en ta+e t%is fleeting emptiness of mine& paint it it%

colours& gild it it% gold& float it on t%e anton ind and spread it in 'aried onders.

!nd again %en it s%all be t%y is% to end t%is play at nig%t& I s%all melt and 'anis% aay in t%e dar+&

or it may be in a smile of t%e %ite morning& in a coolness of purity transparent.

81

5n many an idle day %a'e I grie'ed o'er lost time. :ut it is ne'er lost& my lord. %ou %ast ta+en e'ery

moment of my life in t%ine on %ands.

6idden in t%e %eart of t%ings t%ou art nouris%ing seeds into sprouts& buds into blossoms& and ripeningfloers into fruitfulness.

I as tired and sleeping on my idle bed and imagined all or+ %ad ceased. In t%e morning I o+e up

and found my garden full it% onders of floers.

82

ime is endless in t%y %ands& my lord. %ere is none to count t%y minutes.

ays and nig%ts pass and ages bloom and fade li+e floers. %ou +noest %o to ait.

%y centuries follo eac% ot%er perfecting a small ild floer.

*e %a'e no time to lose& and %a'ing no time e must scramble for a c%ances. *e are too poor to be

late.!nd t%us it is t%at time goes by %ile I gi'e it to e'ery uerulous man %o claims it& and t%ine altar is

empty of all offerings to t%e last.

!t t%e end of t%e day I %asten in fear lest t%y gate to be s%ut, but I find t%at yet t%ere is time.

83

ot%er& I s%all ea'e a c%ain of pearls for t%y nec+ it% my tears of sorro.

%e stars %a'e roug%t t%eir an+lets of lig%t to dec+ t%y feet& but mine ill %ang upon t%y breast.

*ealt% and fame come from t%ee and it is for t%ee to gi'e or to it%%old t%em. :ut t%is my sorro isabsolutely mine on& and %en I bring it to t%ee as my offering t%ou reardest me it% t%y grace.

84

It is t%e pang of separation t%at spreads t%roug%out t%e orld and gi'es birt% to s%apes innumerable int%e infinite s+y.

It is t%is sorro of separation t%at ga0es in silence all nig%ts from star to star and becomes lyric among

rustling lea'es in rainy dar+ness of #uly.



It is t%is o'erspreading pain t%at deepens into lo'es and desires& into sufferings and oy in %uman

%omes, and t%is it is t%at e'er melts and flos in songs t%roug% my poets %eart.

85

*%en t%e arriors came out first from t%eir masters %all& %ere %ad t%ey %id t%eir poer7 *%ere ere

t%eir armour and t%eir arms7%ey loo+ed poor and %elpless& and t%e arros ere s%oered upon t%em on t%e day t%ey came out

from t%eir masters %all.

*%en t%e arriors marc%ed bac+ again to t%eir masters %all %ere did t%ey %ide t%eir poer7

%ey %ad dropped t%e sord and dropped t%e bo and t%e arro, peace as on t%eir fore%eads& and

t%ey %ad left t%e fruits of t%eir life be%ind t%em on t%e day t%ey marc%ed bac+ again to t%eir masters

%all.

86

eat%& t%y ser'ant& is at my door. 6e %as crossed t%e un+non sea and broug%t t%y call to my %ome.

%e nig%t is dar+ and my %eart is fearful--yet I ill ta+e up t%e lamp& open my gates and bo to %immy elcome. It is t%y messenger %o stands at my door.

I ill ors%ip %im placing at %is feet t%e treasure of my %eart.

6e ill go bac+ it% %is errand done& lea'ing a dar+ s%ado on my morning, and in my desolate %ome

only my forlorn self ill remain as my last offering to t%ee.

87

In desperate %ope I go and searc% for %er in all t%e corners of my room, I find %er not.y %ouse is small and %at once %as gone from it can ne'er be regained.

:ut infinite is t%y mansion& my lord& and see+ing %er I %a'e to come to t%y door.

I stand under t%e golden canopy of t%ine e'ening s+y and I lift my eager eyes to t%y face.

I %a'e come to t%e brin+ of eternity from %ic% not%ing can 'anis%--no %ope& no %appiness& no 'isionof a face seen t%roug% tears.

5%& dip my emptied life into t%at ocean& plunge it into t%e deepest fullness. $et me for once feel t%at

lost seet touc% in t%e allness of t%e uni'erse.

88

eity of t%e ruined temple/ %e bro+en strings of >=ina> sing no more your praise. %e bells in t%e

e'ening proclaim not your time of ors%ip. %e air is still and silent about you.

In your desolate delling comes t%e 'agrant spring bree0e. It brings t%e tidings of floers--t%e floerst%at for your ors%ip are offered no more.

Your ors%ipper of old anders e'er longing for fa'our still refused. In t%e e'entide& %en fires and

s%ados mingle it% t%e gloom of dust& %e earily comes bac+ to t%e ruined temple it% %unger in %is



%eart.

any a festi'al day comes to you in silence& deity of t%e ruined temple. any a nig%t of ors%ip goes

aay it% lamp unlit.

any ne images are built by masters of cunning art and carried to t%e %oly stream of obli'ion %en

t%eir time is come.

5nly t%e deity of t%e ruined temple remains unors%ipped in deat%less neglect.

89

"o more noisy& loud ords from me--suc% is my masters ill. 6encefort% I deal in %ispers. %espeec% of my %eart ill be carried on in murmurings of a song.

en %asten to t%e <ings mar+et. !ll t%e buyers and sellers are t%ere. :ut I %a'e my untimely lea'e in

t%e middle of t%e day& in t%e t%ic+ of or+.

$et t%en t%e floers come out in my garden& t%oug% it is not t%eir time, and let t%e midday bees stri+e

up t%eir la0y %um.

Full many an %our %a'e I spent in t%e strife of t%e good and t%e e'il& but no it is t%e pleasure of my

playmate of t%e empty days to dra my %eart on to %im, and I +no not %y is t%is sudden call to %at

useless inconseuence/

90

5n t%e day %en deat% ill +noc+ at t%y door %at ilt t%ou offer to %im7

5%& I ill set before my guest t%e full 'essel of my life--I ill ne'er let %im go it% empty %ands.

!ll t%e seet 'intage of all my autumn days and summer nig%ts& all t%e earnings and gleanings of my busy life ill I place before %im at t%e close of my days %en deat% ill +noc+ at my door.

91

5 t%ou t%e last fulfilment of life& eat%& my deat%& come and %isper to me/

ay after day I %a'e +ept atc% for t%ee, for t%ee %a'e I borne t%e oys and pangs of life.

!ll t%at I am& t%at I %a'e& t%at I %ope and all my lo'e %a'e e'er floed toards t%ee in dept% of secrecy.

5ne final glance from t%ine eyes and my life ill be e'er t%ine on.

%e floers %a'e been o'en and t%e garland is ready for t%e bridegroom. !fter t%e edding t%e bride

s%all lea'e %er %ome and meet %er lord alone in t%e solitude of nig%t.

92

I +no t%at t%e day ill come %en my sig%t of t%is eart% s%all be lost& and life ill ta+e its lea'e in

silence& draing t%e last curtain o'er my eyes.

Yet stars ill atc% at nig%t& and morning rise as before& and %ours %ea'e li+e sea a'es casting up

pleasures and pains.

*%en I t%in+ of t%is end of my moments& t%e barrier of t%e moments brea+s and I see by t%e lig%t of



deat% t%y orld it% its careless treasures. @are is its loliest seat& rare is its meanest of li'es.

%ings t%at I longed for in 'ain and t%ings t%at I got--let t%em pass. $et me but truly possess t%e t%ings

t%at I e'er spurned and o'erloo+ed.

93

I %a'e got my lea'e. :id me fareell& my brot%ers/ I bo to you all and ta+e my departure.

6ere I gi'e bac+ t%e +eys of my door--and I gi'e up all claims to my %ouse. I only as+ for last +ind

ords from you.

*e ere neig%bours for long& but I recei'ed more t%an I could gi'e. "o t%e day %as daned and t%elamp t%at lit my dar+ corner is out. ! summons %as come and I am ready for my ourney.

94

!t t%is time of my parting& is% me good luc+& my friends/ %e s+y is flus%ed it% t%e dan and my

pat% lies beautiful.

!s+ not %at I %a'e it% me to ta+e t%ere. I start on my ourney it% empty %ands and e;pectant %eart.

I s%all put on my edding garland. ine is not t%e red-bron dress of t%e tra'eller& and t%oug% t%ere

are dangers on t%e ay I %a'e no fear in mind.

%e e'ening star ill come out %en my 'oyage is done and t%e plainti'e notes of t%e tilig%tmelodies be struc+ up from t%e <ings gateay.

95

I as not aare of t%e moment %en I first crossed t%e t%res%old of t%is life.

*%at as t%e poer t%at made me open out into t%is 'ast mystery li+e a bud in t%e forest at midnig%t/

*%en in t%e morning I loo+ed upon t%e lig%t I felt in a moment t%at I as no stranger in t%is orld& t%at

t%e inscrutable it%out name and form %ad ta+en me in its arms in t%e form of my on mot%er.

'en so& in deat% t%e same un+non ill appear as e'er +non to me. !nd because I lo'e t%is life& I

+no I s%all lo'e deat% as ell.

%e c%ild cries out %en from t%e rig%t breast t%e mot%er ta+es it aay& in t%e 'ery ne;t moment to find

in t%e left one its consolation.

96

*%en I go from %ence let t%is be my parting ord& t%at %at I %a'e seen is unsurpassable.

I %a'e tasted of t%e %idden %oney of t%is lotus t%at e;pands on t%e ocean of lig%t& and t%us am I

blessed--let t%is be my parting ord.

In t%is play%ouse of infinite forms I %a'e %ad my play and %ere %a'e I caug%t sig%t of %im t%at isformless.

y %ole body and my limbs %a'e t%rilled it% %is touc% %o is beyond touc%, and if t%e end comes

%ere& let it come--let t%is be my parting ord.



97

*%en my play as it% t%ee I ne'er uestioned %o t%ou ert. I +ne nor s%yness nor fear& my life

as boisterous.

In t%e early morning t%ou ouldst call me from my sleep li+e my on comrade and lead me runningfrom glade to glade.

5n t%ose days I ne'er cared to +no t%e meaning of songs t%ou sangest to me. 5nly my 'oice too+ up

t%e tunes& and my %eart danced in t%eir cadence.

"o& %en t%e playtime is o'er& %at is t%is sudden sig%t t%at is come upon me7 %e orld it% eyes

bent upon t%y feet stands in ae it% all its silent stars.

98

I ill dec+ t%ee it% trop%ies& garlands of my defeat. It is ne'er in my poer to escape unconuered.

I surely +no my pride ill go to t%e all& my life ill burst its bonds in e;ceeding pain& and myempty %eart ill sob out in music li+e a %ollo reed& and t%e stone ill melt in tears.

I surely +no t%e %undred petals of a lotus ill not remain closed for e'er and t%e secret recess of its

%oney ill be bared.

From t%e blue s+y an eye s%all ga0e upon me and summon me in silence. "ot%ing ill be left for me&

not%ing %ate'er& and utter deat% s%all I recei'e at t%y feet.

99

*%en I gi'e up t%e %elm I +no t%at t%e time %as come for t%ee to ta+e it. *%at t%ere is to do ill beinstantly done. =ain is t%is struggle.

%en ta+e aay your %ands and silently put up it% your defeat& my %eart& and t%in+ it your goodfortune to sit perfectly still %ere you are placed.

%ese my lamps are blon out at e'ery little puff of ind& and trying to lig%t t%em I forget all else

again and again.

:ut I s%all be ise t%is time and ait in t%e dar+& spreading my mat on t%e floor, and %ene'er it is t%y pleasure& my lord& come silently and ta+e t%y seat %ere.

100

I di'e don into t%e dept% of t%e ocean of forms& %oping to gain t%e perfect pearl of t%e formless.

"o more sailing from %arbour to %arbour it% t%is my eat%er- beaten boat. %e days are long passed

%en my sport as to be tossed on a'es.

!nd no I am eager to die into t%e deat%less.

Into t%e audience %all by t%e fat%omless abyss %ere sells up t%e music of toneless strings I s%all ta+et%is %arp of my life.

I s%all tune it to t%e notes of fore'er& and %en it %as sobbed out its last utterance& lay don my silent

%arp at t%e feet of t%e silent.



101

'er in my life %a'e I soug%t t%ee it% my songs. It as t%ey %o led me from door to door& and it%

t%em %a'e I felt about me& searc%ing and touc%ing my orld.

It as my songs t%at taug%t me all t%e lessons I e'er learnt, t%ey s%oed me secret pat%s& t%ey broug%t before my sig%t many a star on t%e %ori0on of my %eart.

%ey guided me all t%e day long to t%e mysteries of t%e country of pleasure and pain& and& at last& to

%at palace gate %a'e t%e broug%t me in t%e e'ening at t%e end of my ourney7

102

I boasted among men t%at I %ad +non you. %ey see your pictures in all or+s of mine. %ey come

and as+ me& *%o is %e7 I +no not %o to anser t%em. I say& Indeed& I cannot tell. %ey blame me

and t%ey go aay in scorn. !nd you sit t%ere smiling.

I put my tales of you into lasting songs. %e secret gus%es out from my %eart. %ey come and as+ me&ell me all your meanings. I +no not %o to anser t%em. I say& !%& %o +nos %at t%ey mean/

%ey smile and go aay in utter scorn. !nd you sit t%ere smiling.

103

In one salutation to t%ee& my God& let all my senses spread out and touc% t%is orld at t%y feet.

$i+e a rain-cloud of #uly %ung lo it% its burden of uns%ed s%oers let all my mind bend don at t%y

door in one salutation to t%ee.

$et all my songs gat%er toget%er t%eir di'erse strains into a single current and flo to a sea of silence inone salutation to t%ee.

$i+e a floc+ of %omesic+ cranes flying nig%t and day bac+ to t%eir mountain nests let all my life ta+e its

'oyage to its eternal %ome in one salutation to t%ee.



Gitanjali by William Butler Yeats

Introduction

! fe days ago I said to a distinguis%ed :engali doctor of medicine& I +no no German& yet if a

translation of a German poet %ad mo'ed me& I ould go to t%e :ritis% useum and find boo+s in

nglis% t%at ould tell me somet%ing of %is life& and of t%e %istory of %is t%oug%t. :ut t%oug% t%ese prose translations from @abindranat% agore %a'e stirred my blood as not%ing %as for years& I s%all not

+no anyt%ing of %is life& and of t%e mo'ements of t%oug%t t%at %a'e made t%em possible& if some

Indian tra'eller ill not tell me. It seemed to %im natural t%at I s%ould be mo'ed& for %e said& I read

@abindranat% e'ery day& to read one line of %is is to forget all t%e troubles of t%e orld. I said& !nnglis%man li'ing in $ondon in t%e reign of @ic%ard t%e Second %ad %e been s%on translations from

4etrarc% or from ante& ould %a'e found no boo+s to anser %is uestions& but ould %a'e

uestioned some Florentine ban+er or $ombard merc%ant as I uestion you. For all I +no& so abundantand simple is t%is poetry& t%e ne renaissance %as been born in your country and I s%all ne'er +no of

it e;cept by %earsay. 6e ansered& *e %a'e ot%er poets& but none t%at are %is eual, e call t%is t%e

epoc% of @abindranat%. "o poet seems to me as famous in urope as %e is among us. 6e is as great in

music as in poetry& and %is songs are sung from t%e est of India into :urma %ere'er :engali isspo+en. 6e as already famous at nineteen %en %e rote %is first no'el, and plays %en %e as but

little older& are still played in 8alcutta. I so muc% admire t%e completeness of %is life, %en %e as 'ery

young %e rote muc% of natural obects& %e ould sit all day in %is garden, from %is tenty-fift% yearor so to %is t%irty-fift% per%aps& %en %e %ad a great sorro& %e rote t%e most beautiful lo'e poetry in

our language, and t%en %e said it% deep emotion& ords can ne'er e;press %at I oed at se'enteen

to %is lo'e poetry. !fter t%at %is art gre deeper& it became religious and p%ilosop%ical, all t%einspiration of man+ind are in %is %ymns. 6e is t%e first among our saints %o %as not refused to li'e&

but %as spo+en out of $ife itself& and t%at is %y e gi'e %im our lo'e. I may %a'e c%anged %is ell-

c%osen ords in my memory but not %is t%oug%t. ! little %ile ago %e as to read di'ine ser'ice in oneof our c%urc%es--e of t%e :ra%ma Sama use your ord c%urc% in nglis%--it as t%e largest in

8alcutta and not only as it croded& but t%e streets ere all but impassable because of t%e people.

5t%er Indians came to see me and t%eir re'erence for t%is man sounded strange in our orld& %ere e

%ide great and little t%ings under t%e same 'eil of ob'ious comedy and %alf-serious depreciation. *%ene ere ma+ing t%e cat%edrals %ad e a li+e re'erence for our great men7 'ery morning at t%ree--I

+no& for I %a'e seen it--one said to me& %e sits immo'able in contemplation& and for to %ours does

not aa+e from %is re'erie upon t%e nature of God. 6is fat%er& t%e a%a @is%i& ould sometimes sitt%ere all t%roug% t%e ne;t day, once& upon a ri'er& %e fell into contemplation because of t%e beauty of

t%e landscape& and t%e roers aited for eig%t %ours before t%ey could continue t%eir ourney. 6e t%en

told me of r. agores family and %o for generations great men %a'e come out of its cradles. oday&

%e said& t%ere are Gogonendranat% and !banindranat% agore& %o are artists, and iendranat%&@abindranat%s brot%er& %o is a great p%ilosop%er. %e suirrels come from t%e boug%s and climb on to

%is +nees and t%e birds alig%t upon %is %ands. I notice in t%ese mens t%oug%t a sense of 'isible beauty

and meaning as t%oug% t%ey %eld t%at doctrine of "iet0sc%e t%at e must not belie'e in t%e moral orintellectual beauty %ic% does not sooner or later impress itself upon p%ysical t%ings. I said& In t%e ast

you +no %o to +eep a family illustrious. %e ot%er day t%e curator of a museum pointed out to me a

little dar+-s+inned man %o as arranging t%eir 8%inese prints and said& That is the hereditary connoisseur of t%e i+ado& %e is t%e fourteent% of %is family to %old t%e post. 'He answered, 'When

Rabindranath was a boy he %ad all round %im in %is %ome literature and music. I t%oug%t of t%e

abundance& of t%e simplicity of t%e poems& and said& In your country is t%ere muc% propagandist

riting& muc% criticism7 *e %a'e to do so muc%& especially in my on country& t%at our minds

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gradually cease to be creati'e& and yet e cannot %elp it. If our life as not a continual arfare& e

ould not %a'e taste& e ould not +no %at is good& e ould not find %earers and readers. Four-

fift%s of our energy is spent in t%e uarrel it% bad taste& %et%er in our on minds or in t%e minds of

ot%ers. I understand& %e replied& e too %a'e our propagandist riting. In t%e 'illages t%ey recite longmyt%ological poems adapted from t%e Sans+rit in t%e iddle !ges& and t%ey often insert passages

telling t%e people t%at t%ey must do t%eir duties.

I %a'e carried t%e manuscript of t%ese translations about it% me for days& reading it in railay trains&or on t%e top of omnibuses and in restaurants& and I %a'e often %ad to close it lest some stranger ouldsee %o muc% it mo'ed me. %ese lyrics-- %ic% are in t%e original& my Indians tell me& full of subtlety

of r%yt%m& of untranslatable delicacies of colour& of metrical in'ention--display in t%eir t%oug%t a orld

I %a'e dreamed of all my li'e long. %e or+ of a supreme culture& t%ey yet appear as muc% t%e grot%of t%e common soil as t%e grass and t%e rus%es. ! tradition& %ere poetry and religion are t%e same

t%ing& %as passed t%roug% t%e centuries& gat%ering from learned and unlearned metap%or and emotion&

and carried bac+ again to t%e multitude t%e t%oug%t of t%e sc%olar and of t%e noble. If t%e ci'ili0ation of:engal remains unbro+en& if t%at common mind %ic%--as one di'ines--runs t%roug% all& is not& as it%

us& bro+en into a do0en minds t%at +no not%ing of eac% ot%er& somet%ing e'en of %at is most subtle

in t%ese 'erses ill %a'e come& in a fe generations& to t%e beggar on t%e roads. *%en t%ere as but

one mind in ngland& 8%aucer rote %is >roilus and 8ressida>& and t%oug%t %e %ad ritten to be read&or to be read out--for our time as coming on apace--%e as sung by minstrels for a %ile.

@abindranat% agore& li+e 8%aucers forerunners& rites music for %is ords& and one understands at

e'ery moment t%at %e is so abundant& so spontaneous& so daring in %is passion& so full of surprise& because %e is doing somet%ing %ic% %as ne'er seemed strange& unnatural& or in need of defence. %ese

'erses ill not lie in little ell-printed boo+s upon ladies tables& %o turn t%e pages it% indolent

%ands t%at t%ey may sig% o'er a life it%out meaning& %ic% is yet all t%ey can +no of life& or becarried by students at t%e uni'ersity to be laid aside %en t%e or+ of life begins& but& as t%e

generations pass& tra'ellers ill %um t%em on t%e %ig%ay and men roing upon t%e ri'ers. $o'ers&

%ile t%ey aait one anot%er& s%all find& in murmuring t%em& t%is lo'e of God a magic gulf %ereint%eir on more bitter passion may bat%e and rene its yout%. !t e'ery moment t%e %eart of t%is poet

flos outard to t%ese it%out derogation or condescension& for it %as +non t%at t%ey ill understand,and it %as filled itself it% t%e circumstance of t%eir li'es. %e tra'eller in t%e read-bron clot%es t%at

%e ears t%at dust may not s%o upon %im& t%e girl searc%ing in %er bed for t%e petals fallen from t%ereat% of %er royal lo'er& t%e ser'ant or t%e bride aaiting t%e masters %ome-coming in t%e empty

%ouse& are images of t%e %eart turning to God. Floers and ri'ers& t%e bloing of conc% s%ells& t%e

%ea'y rain of t%e Indian #uly& or t%e moods of t%at %eart in union or in separation, and a man sitting in a boat upon a ri'er playing lute& li+e one of t%ose figures full of mysterious meaning in a 8%inese picture&

is God 6imself. ! %ole people& a %ole ci'ili0ation& immeasurably strange to us& seems to %a'e been

ta+en up into t%is imagination, and yet e are not mo'ed because of its strangeness& but because e%a'e met our on image& as t%oug% e %ad al+ed in @ossettis illo ood& or %eard& per%aps for t%e

first time in literature& our 'oice as in a dream.

Since t%e @enaissance t%e riting of uropean saints--%oe'er familiar t%eir metap%or and t%e generalstructure of t%eir t%oug%t--%as ceased to %old our attention. *e +no t%at e must at last forsa+e t%eorld& and e are accustomed in moments of eariness or e;altation to consider a 'oluntary forsa+ing,

but %o can e& %o %a'e read so muc% poetry& seen so many paintings& listened to so muc% music&

%ere t%e cry of t%e fles% and t%e cry of t%e soul seems one& forsa+e it %ars%ly and rudely7 *%at %a'ee in common it% St. :ernard co'ering %is eyes t%at t%ey may not dell upon t%e beauty of t%e la+es

of Sit0erland& or it% t%e 'iolent r%etoric of t%e :oo+ of @e'elations7 *e ould& if e mig%t& find& as

in t%is boo+& ords full of courtesy. I %a'e got my lea'e. :id me fareell& my brot%ers/ I bo to you

all and ta+e my departure. 6ere I gi'e bac+ t%e +eys of my door--and I gi'e up all claims to my %ouse. I



only as+ for last +ind ords from you. *e ere neig%bours for long& but I recei'ed more t%an I could

gi'e. "o t%e day %as daned and t%e lamp t%at lit my dar+ corner is out. ! summons %as come and I

am ready for my ourney. !nd it is our on mood& %en it is furt%est from a <empis or #o%n of t%e

8ross& t%at cries& !nd because I lo'e t%is life& I +no I s%all lo'e deat% as ell. Yet it is not only in our t%oug%ts of t%e parting t%at t%is boo+ fat%oms all. *e %ad not +non t%at e lo'ed God& %ardly it may

be t%at e belie'ed in 6im, yet loo+ing bac+ard upon our life e disco'er& in our e;ploration of t%e

pat%ays of oods& in our delig%t in t%e lonely places of %ills& in t%at mysterious claim t%at e %a'emade& una'ailingly on t%e oman t%at e %a'e lo'ed& t%e emotion t%at created t%is insidious seetness.

ntering my %eart unbidden e'en as one of t%e common crod& un+non to me& my +ing& t%ou didst

press t%e signet of eternity upon many a fleeting moment. %is is no longer t%e sanctity of t%e cell andof t%e scourge, being but a lifting up& as it ere& into a greater intensity of t%e mood of t%e painter&

painting t%e dust and t%e sunlig%t& and e go for a li+e 'oice to St. Francis and to *illiam :la+e %o

%a'e seemed so alien in our 'iolent %istory.

*e rite long boo+s %ere no page per%aps %as any uality to ma+e riting a pleasure& beingconfident in some general design& ust as e fig%t and ma+e money and fill our %eads it% politics--all

dull t%ings in t%e doing--%ile r. agore& li+e t%e Indian ci'ili0ation itself& %as been content to

disco'er t%e soul and surrender %imself to its spontaneity. 6e often seems to contrast life it% t%at of

t%ose %o %a'e lo'ed more after our fas%ion& and %a'e more seeming eig%t in t%e orld& and alays%umbly as t%oug% %e ere only sure %is ay is best for %imA en going %ome glance at me and smile

and fill me it% s%ame. I sit li+e a beggar maid& draing my s+irt o'er my face& and %en t%ey as+ me&

%at it is I ant& I drop my eyes and anser t%em not. !t anot%er time& remembering %o %is life %adonce a different s%ape& %e ill say& any an %our I %a'e spent in t%e strife of t%e good and t%e e'il& but

no it is t%e pleasure of my playmate of t%e empty days to dra my %eart on to %im, and I +no not

%y t%is sudden call to %at useless inconseuence. !n innocence& a simplicity t%at one does not findelse%ere in literature ma+es t%e birds and t%e lea'es seem as near to %im as t%ey are near to c%ildren&

and t%e c%anges of t%e seasons great e'ents as before our t%oug%ts %ad arisen beteen t%em and us. !t

times I onder if %e %as it from t%e literature of :engal or from religion& and at ot%er times&remembering t%e birds alig%ting on %is brot%ers %ands& I find pleasure in t%in+ing it %ereditary& a

mystery t%at as groing t%roug% t%e centuries li+e t%e courtesy of a ristan or a 4elanore. Indeed&%en %e is spea+ing of c%ildren& so muc% a part of %imself t%is uality seems& one is not certain t%at %e

is not also spea+ing of t%e saints& %ey build t%eir %ouses it% sand and t%ey play it% empty s%ells.*it% it%ered lea'es t%ey ea'e t%eir boats and smilingly float t%em on t%e 'ast deep. 8%ildren %a'e

t%eir play on t%e seas%ore of orlds. %ey +no not %o to sim& t%ey +no not %o to cast nets.

4earl fis%ers di'e for pearls& merc%ants sail in t%eir s%ips& %ile c%ildren gat%er pebbles and scattert%em again. %ey see+ not for %idden treasures& t%ey +no not %o to cast nets.

*.:. Y!S

September 1912

Documents

Gitanjali - Transaltion by R. Tagore