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

O Lord of mine, O ruthless One

ওগো দেবতা আমার, পাষাণদেবতা
ogo debota amar pashandebota

O Lord of mine, O ruthless One
You who dwell in my heart
Lord of the temple within
I have offered all my flowers at your feet
My morning fades into twilight
My sightless eyes grope in the dark
Will my worship be all in vain
Will this servant retreat in tears
I have brought as offering this time
All the desires of my life
Seeing the darkness I have lit
A lamp for my worship
So be it if the light flickers out
I will stay put at the door
Offering my tears at your service

A drum roll rings out in the ocean waves

ওই সাগরের ঢেউয়ে ঢেউয়ে বাজল ভেরী
oi shagorer dheue dheue bajlo bheri

A drum roll rings out in the ocean waves
Won’t be long before my doors are flung open
Your play is bound not by four walls
Confined not to a corner of the room
You range across the world
In fierce forms and terrifying tints
Death is the raft to your shore
Tears the wind in it’s sail
Your Veena sings to me
Of setting out, of losing way
That which crumbles, falls apart
Let it perish, turn to dust
That which brims, that which teems
See that abundance my friend
Grace the skies, fill the breeze

Deluge my heart

দাও হে হৃদয় ভরে দাও
dao he hridoy bhore dao

Deluge my heart
Fill it to the brim
Let it overflow
Waves surge and swell in the ocean of nectar
Let my heart heave in that sweet ecstasy
The nectar that drives the three worlds
To euphoric exuberant exhilaration
Do bestow unto me

Did they get Her message today

আজ কি তাহার বারতা পেল রে কিশলয়
aaj ki tahar barota pelo re kisholoy

Did they get Her message today
the young green shoots of leaves
Of whom do they speak, rustling through the woods
Which Eternal Traveller do they sing praise of
In many a tune across the distant azure
Where the Champa* buds gleam
Flickering glints of yellow and white
Where the crickets chirp in dense forests
There do come O poet
Bedeck yourself with flowers
Pick up your flute
Lend your voice to the symphony

I thought you would return

ভেবেছিলেম আসবে ফিরে
bhebechhilem aashbe phire

I thought you would return
I bid you thus farewell at the end of spring
You left me awash in tears
Now on this monsoon day
My heart is in a bind
Now in rain drenched dusky darkness
I let my eyes brim over
Alone in this drizzling downpour
I wonder how to call you back
When you are within sight
Abundance graces my life
I wish to quell my fear of separation
By keeping my faith of fulfillment
Yet on this lonely night without you
A refrain of loss echoes in my heart

Why hide your smile in bashfulness

হাসিরে কি লুকাবি লাজে
hashire ki lukabi laaje

Why hide your smile in bashfulness
Capricious she is, she can’t be reined
Your lips try to hold her in
She escapes through your eyes

On this full moon night of Srabon

আজ শ্রাবণের পূর্ণিমাতে কী এনেছিস বল্‌
aaj sraboner purnimate ki enechhish bol

What have you brought today
On this full moon night of Srabon*
A chalice of laughter brimming over with tears
The ache of jasmine flowers drifts
in the deep sighs of the monsoon breeze
Even as the flowers burst into bloom
Why feign a game and let them droop
O do tell what you have brought
What is this daze I see in the moon’s gaze
Which land of dreams does she roam
My heart awaits by the road
She knows not who she seeks
She senses a faint hint
A to and fro in the restless breeze
O do tell what you have brought

lingering note of the last song

শেষ গানেরই রেশ নিয়ে যাও চলে
shesh gaaneri resh niye jao chole

As you leave, do take with you
the lingering note of the last song
Say your last words before time runs out
The darkness is upon us
Twilight with her light and shade
Disorients the travellers on their way
The last rays of the sun smudge the western sky
The Tamal woods echo with the last cry of peacocks
Is that her on her way to a lover’s tryst
In search of the unknown
She opens the gate of my courtyard
For the last time

Love wilts within my heart

মন হতে প্রেম যেতেছে শুকায়ে
mon hote prem jetechhe shukaye

Love wilts within my heart
Life wanes towards an end
A worn face, dim eyes, mane as white as snow
The Veena lies neglected, silent by my side
My fingers too weak to play
My voice too feeble to sing
I bid farewell to you my friend
My companion in melodious times
Will you pour one last time
Sweet nectar into my life
Before I take leave from life
Just once, only once I want to sing
With my dying breath I will sing
Those songs so dear to me
The trees will fan their branches
Above my memorial stone
The forest gods and goddesses
Will chant odes to oblivion

Victory to the commander of India’s destiny

জনগণমন-অধিনায়ক জয় হে
jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya hey

You who rule the heart and mind of the people
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
The lands of Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha Dravid Utkal Banga
The hills and mountains of Vindhya and Himachal
The rippling waters of the Yamuna and Ganga
The billowing waves of the Indian Ocean
Your auspicious name awakens them all
They sing your praise and seek your blessings
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

Your call is proclaimed night and day
We hear your benevolent voice
Hindus Buddhists Sikhs Jains Parsis Muslims Christians
All the people from east to west
Assemble around your august throne
A garland of love is woven
You who direct and unite all folks
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

The road along which humanity walks
Down the ages through rise and fall
O Eternal Charioteer
The wheels of your chariot pave that way
Their thunder echoing through night and day
Your conch resounds through great revolutions
A clarion call and deliverance from woes and perils
You who lead us showing the way
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

When the country lay ailing in excruciating pain
A dense darkness covering her in gloom
You remained watchful with your benevolent gaze
You came to the rescue O compassionate Mother
A comforting lap amidst nightmares and terrors
You who deliver us from trials and tribulations
Victory to You, the commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

The night gives way to dawn
The sun emerges from the eastern mountains
The birds burst into song
The morning breeze breathes in new life
In the warmth of your kind affection
India awakens from her sleep and bows at your feet
Victory to You, O Lord of all kings
The commander of India’s destiny
Victory, Victory, Victory to You

Those who tend to your flock

ওদের সাথে মেলাও যারা চরায় তোমার ধেনু
oder shathe melao jara choraay tomaar dhenu

Connect me in friendship with those who tend to your flock
Those who herd your cows playing the flute in your name
Why did I come, in what greed
To this pier constructed out of stones
To this marketplace of commotion
What do they say, the leaves in the forests
Who gestures through the caressing fingers of grass
The Lord of my life with great pleasure
Plays the game of life in his playhouse
The birds have brought the tidings to me

I see no harm in the pain you give

দুখ দিয়েছ, দিয়েছ ক্ষতি নাই
dukkho diyechho, diyechho khoti naai

I see no harm in the pain you give
But why leave me in loneliness
You took away those near to me
O Lord, stay then yourself close to me
My heart cannot sense anything
The sun and moon are lost from sight
I walk helplessly on this path
Do call me O Lord, do call me
You put out the light in my home
The darkness of dejection descends
Show me the window O Lord
Where your eternal light glows
I find myself beside a dried up brook
My heart cries out in thirst
I seek the source of boundless love
Do not leave me parched so
Who are those I can call my own
They come today, are gone tomorrow
The universe is ever in motion
Rest there is for none
Each one remains engrossed in their own lives
Who can be a refuge to another
Do encircle with your affection O Lord
Those who have no refuge

My friend, spring has come to the forests

ওরে ভাই, ফাগুন লেগেছে বনে বনে
orey bhai phagun legechhe bone bone

My friend, spring has come to the forests
To every branch, every flower, every fruit, every leaf
In each and every nook and corner
The sky is painted in colourful hues
The universe is alive with melody
My heart rustles with the restlessness of leaves
See how the earth with her vibrant colours
Distracts the sky from his ascetic penance
Her rustling murmuring babbling laughter
Breaks into his silent meditation
The wind races through the woods
Asking at the gates of every bower
The name of each flower