Friday, December 21, 2018

Tagore: Eternally New

A new dawn
The birth of a child brings an extraordinary feeling of joy and amazement. In these rare moments in our lives we give ourselves up completely to the wonder of seeing a new creation.

If we observe closely, new birth is happening around us all the time. We must tune ourselves to see everything afresh, the new dawn, the new hues in the evening sky, the new buds, the fresh snowflakes each with a new design. Attuned to the eternal renewal around us, we can drink deeply from the wellspring of joy to refresh ourselves.

Hey nutan ..
Dekha dik aar baar janmer pratham shubhakhan  |
Tomar prokash hok kuhelika kori udghaton 
Surjer moton ||
Riktataar bakkha bhedi aapanare karo unmochan  |
Byakta hok jeebaner joy,
Byakta hok tomaamaajhe asimera chirobismay  |
Udayadigante shankha baaje,mor chittamaajhe
Chiranutanere dilo daak
Pnochishe boishakh ||

Oh the new ..
Reveal yourself yet again this auspicious moment of birth,
May your light shine, unveiled from mist,
As does the glowing sun,
From the emptiness of the soul, reveal yourself,
May the joys of life be revealed again,
May your creation be a never ending wonder in me,
As you ascend up the horizon, conch shells resound in celebration within my soul,
Calling out for eternal renewal of the heart,
This twenty fifth day of Spring

Friday, December 7, 2018

Tagore: The heart is made for love ..

Love for all things
The world is intricately woven with exquisite beauty. Life is filled with little glad tidings. From the garland of stars in the night sky to the soft breeze over new leaves. From the melody of bird songs at dawn to the flowers strewn on the ground. We must see, feel and be touched by them. Then a deep love for all things will blossom in our heart.

Jodi prem dile na prane
Keno bhorer akash bhore dile amon gane gane? 
Keno tarar mala gatha,
Keno phuler sayon pata,
Keno dokhin howya gopon katha janaay kane kane?

Jodi prem dile na prene
Keno akash tabe amon choya chaay a mukher pane?
Tabe khane khane keno
Amar hridoy pagol heno
Tari sei sagore bhasaay jahar kul se nahi jane?

If the heart is not meant to love,
Why does the morning break its heart in songs?
Why are the stars strung into a garland?
Why this bed of flowers on my path?
Why does the south wind whisper its sweet little secrets?

If the heart is not meant to love
Why does the sky gaze at my face so ardently?
Why does the heart yearn so madly for someone? 
Why does this foolish heart recklessly launch its hope on the sea whose shore it does not know?