Monday, September 18, 2000

Garden: As the night-bird...


As the night-bird Chakor gazes all NIGHT at the moon, so Thou art my LORD and I am Thy servant. From the beginning until the ending of time, there is love between Thee and me, and how shall such love be extinguished?

Where to next: the NIGHT or the LORD?


[Source: RT 34 (partial); 2.110. mohi tohi lâgî kaise chute]

Chakor. This Indian partridge feels a love for the moon that is both intense and unrequited.

Here is the full poem:

XXXIV

II. 110. mohi tohi lâgî kaise chute

  How could the love between Thee and me sever?
  As the leaf of the lotus abides on the water: so thou art my
    Lord, and I am Thy servant.
  As the night-bird Chakor gazes all night at the moon: so Thou art
    my Lord and I am Thy servant.
  From the beginning until the ending of time, there is love
    between Thee and me; and how shall such love be extinguished?
  Kabîr says: "As the river enters into the ocean, so my heart
    touches Thee."

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