Waters and soils of Bangla

বাংলার মাটি বাংলার জল

Banglar mati Banglar jol

Waters and soils of Bangla,

Airs and fruits of Bangla

Purify, glorify, purify o my source!

Homes, shops and markets here

Forests and meadows dear

Restore them all, restore them all

Restore them all, o my source

Promises, hopes and dreams

Words, missions that we deem

Make them true, make them true, 

Make them true, o my source

The heart of of our dear Bangla

Brothers and sisters here

Unify, unify, 

Bring them close, o my source

Don't you stop my wavering heart

 সংকোচের বিহ্বলতা নিজেরে অপমান

Shankocher biobholota nijere opoman

Don't you stop my wavering heart

Don't imagine the unhappy fact.

Master the path, free the fear and win your heart.

Care for small people, strike the ugly

you don't need more to be complete.

Master the stakes, don't you doubt you have what it takes.

When the bell goes, give all you have,

sweet and silent follow the path.

Master the fear, show your strength when courage is dear.

A rendition in English can be found here.

You are unknown to me, but my heart seeks you out

তোমারে জানি নে হে,তবু মন তোমাতে ধায়

Tomare jani ne he, tobu mon tomate dhaay

You are unknown to me,

but my heart seeks you out

never having known you

the world rests in your hands

Infinite beauty! who has felt it ever of you.

Oh! That splendor is always new.

Unwittingly, I gave you my heart.

You're light in all the light

I am blinded in darkness

You are free and fascinating

I am drowned by my pathways

You span infinity!

I am small and needy.

What amazing partnership we two create!

My night ends here with the autumn day

 আমার রাত পোহালো শারদ প্রাতে

Amar raat pohalo shaarod praate

My night ends here with the autumn day

Flute of mine, who shall be the one to have you?

You had so many songs to sing

Goodbyes and welcoming melodies

In the rains and in the spring night and day.

So many secrets from my heart

You stole away from me with your songs, from my heart.

Time to say goodbye is nearly here

like a star that melts in the sky.

Say goodbye to all things dear

as blossoms fade away.

At the dawn of a new era

 ওরে,  নূতন যুগের ভোরে

orey nuton juger bhorey

At the dawn of a new era

Why waste your time

in judging the flow of time

What will remain

will remain

What will be

will be

Why add your fears, doubts, worries

into the uncertainty

 

Look at the mountain stream

gushing forth from a glacier

rushing down treacherous slopes

Let loose your grip and take the plunge

Trust the force of nature

And carve through the rocks

a path yet unknown

 

Rocky be the road

Tough be the stones

Deeper the plunge

Stronger is the force

In knowing the unknown begins

The journey to knowing your own self

 

Victory bells will ring out

With each step you take

The pace of your stride

Will determine the passage of time

Wait no more to get up and get going

- 1937

Who is it that beckons with an affectionate call

 কে রে ওই ডাকিছে
ke re oi dakichhe

Who is it that beckons with an affectionate call
Her voice resonating throughout the world
Come one, come all, come let's go

So the birds sing in joy
Suffusing dawn with sweet melody
Why then this sorrow
Why the tears in your eyes
Why curl up in distress
Why bereft of joy

Let's go and fulfil our hopes

Euphoria in my body

গায়ে আমার পুলক লাগে
Gaaye amar pulok lage (audio link)

Euphoria in my body
Wine in my eyes
My heart tied
with a red ribbon.

Below the sky now
In the water, land, flowers, fruits
You spread me, my love.
           
What game is this with you now.
Can't tell if I really found out.

Joy wants to feign tears.
Sweet separation
makes the sun rise.

As the day ends listen to the call

দিন যদি হল অবসান
Din jodi holo (audio link)

As the day ends
listen to the call
from deeper chambers
of your world.

See how the good night
fires candles to celebrate.

At the brink of your earth
sing a song of thanks.

Calm your heart
spent with noise and haste.

Even if you miss the Sight
you can bare your heart.
The dark will be the Touch.
The dark will bring the Joy.

       

I know that you long for me

তুমি যে আমারে চাও আমি সে জানি
Tumi je amare chao ami se jani

I know that you long for me.
I see why you make me cry.

In the sun, in the night
I see why you screen your face.

Through many tasks all day I know
why you dress up differently
why you make mixed melodies.

When the ferrying is all over
I see where you leave to
in your sunset-boat.


   

You are so rich

অসীম ধন তো আছে তোমার, তাহে সাধ না মেটে
Osheem dhon to achhe tomar (audio link here)

You are so rich
Yet here you are
unhappy, before you receive
the gold back from me
in little bites.

You gave me a full bag.
Now here you are
calling to me
since I shut down.

You want to be the beggar
You want my heart.
Your antic tickles the world.

You will step off high ground,
walk with me on the dust
Till death do us part.

Happiness animates this world of yours

আনন্দ রয়েছে জাগি ভুবনে তোমার

Happiness animates this world of yours
Because you are always nearby
The blue sky is stunned into silence
The sun, moon and stars string a garland of light upon it
Your universe roves in joy across the vast space
Nestled in your lap in the skies beyond
I am a child in need of your refuge
I gaze evermore at your affectionate face

Strike hard at my fear, O Terrible One

ভয়েরে মোর আঘাত করো ভীষণ

Strike hard at my fear, O Terrible One
Be ruthless in bringing me to your feet
You bind me evermore to tasks within the fortress of my room
Evermore you tie me up in forms and appearances
Come, do come O Sudden One
Engulf me from all directions
Sweep me off in an instant
Liberate my life
Let alight upon it
Your benevolent and smiling gaze
Your blissful and fearless form eternal

If the doors of my heart remain shut O Lord

যদি এ আমার হৃদয়দুয়ার বন্ধ রহে গো কভু

If the doors of my heart remain shut O Lord
Come into my life breaking them open
I pray to You, do not turn your back to me
If someday on the strings of my Veena
Your beloved name does not play
Take mercy on me and stay O Lord
I pray to You, do not turn your back to me
If someday when you beckon to me
My consciousness remains inert in sleep
Awaken me with a thunderbolt of pain
I pray to You, do not turn your back to me
If someday I yield your place to someone else
My king, the eternal ruler of my life
I pray to You, do not turn your back to me

At the break of dawn He came

ভোরের বেলা কখন এসে
bhorer bela kokhon eshe

At the break of dawn He came
He touched me with his grace and left with a smile
Who pushed the doors of my sleep open to give me that news
I stirred awake  to find my eyes awash in tears
I felt the sky whisper into my ears
My body felt replete with many a song
My heart blossomed
Bowing in reverence like a dew drenched flower
My life gushed like a river overflowing it’s bank
Making it’s way to the vast infinite

I have found the path of fearlessness

পেয়েছি অভয়পদ, আর ভয় কারে

I have found the path of fearlessness
Now I fear nothing, no one
Along the shore of the ocean that this world is
I walk, I wander in blissful joy
In the sweetness of Her shade
My sorrow and grief fade away
Her compassion glows in resplendent rays
Never ever in life, not even in death
Will I leave Her or let Her go

Your grief will not last forever

দুঃখ যে তোর নয় রে চিরন্তন

Your grief will not last forever
A shore there is beyond the untold teardrops of this ocean
All afflictions of this life will come to end here
In the abode of eternal life, there is everlasting solace
Your death will not last forever
You will go past it’s gates
Your fetters will be freed
If at this hour, the flowers of your worship wilt in the storm
Your salver will be filled with a garland when you leave

Play your Veena in my innermost being

বীণা বাজাও হে মম অন্তরে
beena bajao hey momo ontorey

Play your Veena in my innermost being
When I am with loved ones or on my own
In times of delight and joy
In times of peril and woe
Play a blissful strain, my friend, in my innermost being

In deep distress I lie awake

ঘোর দুঃখে জাগিনু
ghor dukkhe jaginu

In deep distress I lie awake
A dark night overcast with dense clouds
Alone I am
Of you showing up
I have lost all hope
Night gives way to dawn
Awaken all directions
I stand at the door
My arms outstretched
My eyes eager for your arrival

We know Him as our companion

আমরা তারেই জানি তারেই জানি সাথের সাথী
amra tarei jani tarei jani khelar shathi

We know Him as our companion
It is of Him alone we know
Night and day we plead with Him
We beseech Him to be our mate
With Him we tend to our flock, a sweet song on our flute
For Him we lay a cosy seat in the banyan shade
With Him at the helm, our boat we row
We rejoice with Him, come stormy waves
When the day’s work is all done
For Him we light a lamp at dusk
And gaze expectantly at the road

Countless rays in boundless space

অসীম আকাশে অগণ্য কিরণ
asheem akashe agonno kiron

Countless rays in boundless space
So many planets, so many satellites
Many a sun, many a star glowing in amazing blaze
Where are you, O where are you?
Without you there is no light
The sun and moon dimmed
In darkness plunged the whole universe
Your presence within my heart is blissful O Lord
Your sweet presence reveals itself
In the sweet radiance of love

I am the flame of the evening lamp

আমি সন্ধ্যাদীপের শিখা
aami shondhyadeeper shikha

I am the flame of the evening lamp
The forehead of darkness I anoint with a holy mark
The touch of my radiance ignites a secret thrill in it’s dreams
In it’s heart is etched my first love letter
My celebration is in silence beneath a sky bereft of birdsong
When the young sun steps out
When the world is awakened at dawn
I fade away like a fleeting mirage

I won’t be scared, I won’t have fear

আমি ভয় করব না ভয় করব না
aami bhoy korbona bhoy korbona

I won’t be scared, I won’t have fear
I won’t quit in fright before it’s time
To sail my raft, I must face the storm
I won’t let go of the helm and oars
I won’t dissolve into tears
I have to practise that which is tough
I will stand with my head held high
I will not lurch into the slush
Wanting to take the easy road
My duties I will own, walk the straight road
If adversity comes my way
I won’t crouch into a corner

Fear not, fear not, victory will be yours

নাই নাই ভয়, হবে হবে জয়
naai naai bhoy hobe hobe joy

Fear not, fear not, victory will be yours
This locked door will be flung open
I know you will break free of your fetters
You lose yourself now and then
In the dormancy of a deep dark night
Time and again you will have to reclaim
Your own rights in this universe
To this earth you have been invited
Summoned to this society
She invokes you to sing each day
Of your joy, woe, fear and shame
Flowers and leaves, rivers and springs
Will join you in your melody
Darkness and light will pulsate to your beat

Letting diffidence overwhelm you is an insult to yourself

সঙ্কোচের বিহ্বলতা নিজেরে অপমান

Letting diffidence overwhelm you is an insult to yourself
Let not the anxiety of danger cower you down
Free yourself from fear
Seize the strength within you
Triumph over your own self
Defend the destitute
Vanquish the villainous
Never regard yourself as wretched, helpless
Free yourself from fear
Seize the strength within you
Never doubt your own self
When duty summons you with a clarion call
Wager your own life in humble silence
Free yourself from fear
Seize the strength within you
Let your worth be revealed in daunting tasks

another version by Anandamayee Majumdar (to be rendered in English)

Don't you stop my wavering heart
Don't imagine the unhappy fact.

Master the path,
free the fear and win your heart.

Care for small people, fight the ugly.
You don't need more to be complete.

Master the stakes,
don't you doubt you have what it takes.

When the bell goes, give all you have.
Sweet and silent, follow the path.

Master the fear,
show your strength when courage is dear.

Was it in my dream that I sensed

স্বপ্নে আমার মনে হল
swapney amar mone holo

Was it in my dream that I sensed
When did you knock at my door
I did not stir, I did not wake up
You evanesced into the darkness
I heard a soft pitter patter in my stupor
Shadows shuddered through the forest
Spooked by the chirping of crickets
I did not stir, I did not wake up
The river streamed by the edge of the forest
A wayfarer beckoned to me
Inviting me on a journey
I know not if it had rung out
The Veena at my bedside
I did not stir, I did not wake up
The fragrance from the forest swaddled my slumber

We till the land with pleasure

আমরা চাষ করি আনন্দে
amra chaash kori anonde

We till the land with pleasure
Hours go by in the fields from dawn to dusk
The sun blazes, the rain pours down
Leaves rustle in the nearby woods
The wind wears the scent of ploughed land
Lyrics of the fertile soil emerge within the furrows
A new poet thrills anew stringing them to rhythm
Slender leaves of paddy fields cheer a race of riotous joy
In the golden sunlight of Agrahayana*, the earth laughs in glee

The bright flame of fire glows in the stars

আজ তারায় তারায় দীপ্ত শিখার অগ্নি জ্বলে
aaj taray taray deepto shikhar ogni jwole

The bright flame of fire glows in the stars
Resplendent is the assembly of heavenly light
Aeons ago was I summoned to that regal space
My heart said “No”, it could not feel at home
Thus I sailed across the ocean of time
I came to this place beneath the sleep bereft skies
Here the air is filled with sweet whisperings
On this verdant earth, in the waters so blue
Here the grass is embellished with floral hues
Light and shade locked in embrace on forest trails
My heart says “Yes”, this feels like home
So my days go by here absorbed in this play
On this verdant earth, beneath the sleep bereft skies

The hope I came with is not to be

মনে যে আশা লয়ে এসেছি
mone je asha loye eshechhi

The hope I came with is not to be
I gaze at that face and look away
My tears stay hidden
My ache remains within
How do you keep smiling
Why do I roam in tears
Why does my heart quiver so
Why don’t you see and go away

What my heart wants to tell remains untold within

মনে রয়ে গেল মনের কথা
mone roye gelo moner kotha

What my heart wants to tell remains untold within
What comes forth are my tears, my ache
I think of saying a few words
Why do I look at you and withdraw
I fear your gaze would make me faint
Why do my eyelids lower so
He walks away crestfallen
Do call him back, my friend
He could not fathom, he left in pain
My heart-creeper lies drooping in the dust

You stay away, aloof, withdrawn

তুই কেবল থাকিস সরে সরে
tui kebol thakish shorey shorey

You stay away, aloof, withdrawn
Nothing thus can fill your heart
A messenger from the treasury of joy
Goes by calling out to you
You sit in a corner unresponsive
Thus do you lose it all
Arouse your life
Come to the fore
Stand amidst all
Do not cut your stride short
Burst open, break free
Throw yourself into the world
The few days you have left
Do not spend in listless stupor