Tuesday, September 19, 2000

Garden: So high is my Lord's palace...


So high is my Lord's palace, my heart trembles to mount its stairs: yet I must not be shy, if I would enjoy His love.

Next: This is the end of a path, but not the end of the garden. Return to the beginning: would you like to follow the FLUTE again, or answer the call of the VEENA?


[Source: RT 11 (partial); 1.131. nis' din khelat rahî sakhiyân sang]

Here is the full poem:

XI

I. 131. nis' din khelat rahî sakhiyân sang

  I played day and night with my comrades, and now I am greatly
    afraid.
  So high is my Lord's palace, my heart trembles to mount its
    stairs: yet I must not be shy, if I would enjoy His love.
  My heart must cleave to my Lover; I must withdraw my veil, and
    meet Him with all my body:
  Mine eyes must perform the ceremony of the lamps of love.
  Kabîr says: "Listen to me, friend: he understands who loves. If
    you feel not love's longing for your Beloved One, it is vain
    to adorn your body, vain to put unguent on your eyelids."

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