On this tree is a BIRD: it dances in the joy of life. None knows where it is, and who knows what the burden of its music may be? Where the BRANCHES throw a deep shade, there does it have its nest: and it comes in the evening and flies away in the morning, and says not a word of that which it means.
Where to next: the
BIRD or the
BRANCH?
[
Source: RT 30 (partial); 2.95. yâ tarvar men ek pakherû]
burden: i.e. a musical refrain
Here is the full poem:
XXX
II. 95. yâ tarvar men ek pakherû
On this tree is a bird: it dances in the joy of life.
None knows where it is: and who knows what the burden of its
music may be?
Where the branches throw a deep shade, there does it have its
nest: and it comes in the evening and flies away in the morning,
and says not a word of that which it means.
None tell me of this bird that sings within me.
It is neither coloured nor colourless: it has neither form nor
outline:
It sits in the shadow of love.
It dwells within the Unattainable, the Infinite, and the Eternal;
and no one marks when it comes and goes.
Kabîr says: "O brother Sadhu! deep is the mystery. Let wise men
seek to know where rests that bird."
