Two Songs of Tagore – II

Translated from the original Bangla by Sreejit Datta

Nibiḍo ghɑːno ā͂dhāre jwoliche dhrubotārā

’Midst a densely knit dark shines forth the Polaris; 

Do not lose thy way, My Heart, in this shoreless abyss. 

Overcome by despair, do not cease thy song yet;

Fulfil thy Life by breaking open the prison of illusion. 

Keep the Strength in thy life, uphold Eternal Hope;

Here, in this beautiful world, uphold and cherish Love.  

Go on through the joys and sorrows of samsara with a smile,

Fill thy heart, ever, with the shower of His Eternal Nectar.     

Śudhāśāgoro tīre

Hear! On the shoreline of the Sea of Nectar are gathered

Men and women, thirsting for the Elixir of Divine Life.

Hallowed is this night, the earth’s made magnificent, 

All quarters sing Thy glory, brimming with fervent relief. 

The full moon is Thy Love which beams in the sky,

And sweet blows the breeze of Thy Beneficence. 

In all ten directions surge the Tides of Joy, and they

Immerse my life and heart in an ecstasy of permanence.