Tuesday, September 19, 2000

Garden: Your friend stands...


Your Friend stands on the other shore, but you never think in your mind how you may meet with Him: the BOAT is broken, and yet you sit ever upon the bank, and thus you are beaten to no purpose by the WAVES.

Where to next: the BOAT or the WAVES?


[Source: RT 74 (partial); 3.30. are dil, prem nagar kä ant na pâyâ]

Here is the full poem:

LXXIV

III. 30. are dil, prem nagar kä ant na pâyâ

  O my heart! you have not known all the secrets of this city of
    love: in ignorance you came, and in ignorance you return.
  O my friend, what have you done with this life? You have taken
    on your head the burden heavy with stones, and who is to
    lighten it for you?
  Your Friend stands on the other shore, but you never think in
    your mind how you may meet with Him:
  The boat is broken, and yet you sit ever upon the bank; and thus
    you are beaten to no purpose by the waves.
  The servant Kabîr asks you to consider; who is there that shall
    befriend you at the last?
  You are alone, you have no companion: you will suffer the
    consequences of your own deeds.


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