Wednesday, August 30, 2006

I recently came across this wonderful song of the mystic poet Kabir:

Na Mein Dharmi Na Hi Adharmi
Na Mein Jati Na Kaami Ho
Na Mein Kehta Na Mein Sunta
Na Mein Sevak Swami Ho

Na Mein Bandha Na Mein Mukta
Na Mein Virat Na Rangi Ho
Na Mein Kahu Se Nyara Hua
Na Kahu Ke Sangi Ho

Na Hum Narak Lok Ko Jaate
Na Hum Swarag Sidhare Ho
Sab Hi Karam Hamara Kiya
Hum Karman Se Nyare Ho

Ya Mat Ko Koi Birla Bujhe
So Atal Ho Baitha Ho
Mat Kabir Kaho Ko Thape
Mat Kahu Ko Mete Ho

[Neither am I righteous nor unrighteous
Neither am I ascetic nor lascivious
Neither do I tell nor do I listen
I am neither servant nor master

I am neither bound nor free
I am neither downcast nor joyous
Neither am I separated from anything
Nor am I united with anything

Neither do I go to hell
Nor am I headed for heaven
Everyone's actions are my doing
I am detached from action

This maxim only the exceptional one knows
Who is of unshakable conviction
Kabir does not create anything
Nor does Kabir efface anything]

Monday, August 28, 2006

A shot in the dark.

Wonder if there is anyone out there to hear this virtual tree falling.

But I hear there is a time for everything.

"A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8)

Now seems the time to blog.

On my handle. I permit myself here to interpret Saahir Ludhiyanvi's words for the (Hindi) movie Kabhi Kabhi, and provide my own context to them.


The unawoken poet sings:

"mai pal do pal kaa shaayar hoo, pal do pal meree kahaanee hain
pal do pal meree hastee hai, pal do pal meree jawaanee hain

muz se pahale kitane shaayar, aaye aaur aakar chale gaye
kuchh aahe bhar kar laut gaye, kuchh nagmei gaa kar chale gaye
wo bhee ek pal kaa kissaa the, main bhee ek pal kaa kissaa hoo
kal tum se judaa ho jaaoongaa, wo aaj tumhaaraa hissaa hoo

kal aaur aayenge, nagmon kee khilatee kaliyaa chunanewaale
muz se behatar kahanewaale, tum se behatar sunanewaale
kal koee muz ko yaad kare, kyo koee muz ko yaad kare
masaruf jamaanaa mere liye, kyo wakt apanaa barabaad kare"



[I'm a poet of a moment or two, my tale tells for a moment or two
My existence spans a moment or two, my youth is a moment or two

Before me several poets have come and gone
Some sighed sighs and departed, some sang ballads and left
Their's was the story of a moment, mine is the story of a moment
Tomorrow I'll be separated from you, but today I'm part of you

Tomorrow there'll appear more, pickers of blossoming flowers of songs
That say it better than me, that listen better than you
Tomorrow some might remember me; why should anyone remember me?
The absorbed world, why should it squander it's time for me?]


On awakening, the poet sings:

"Maein Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon, Har Ek Pal Meri Kahani Hai
Har Ek Pal Meri Hasti Hai, Har Ek Pal Meri Jawaani Hai

Rishton Ka Roop Badalta Hai, Buniyaden Khatam Nahin Hoti
Khwabon Ki Aur Umango Ki, Miyaden Khatam Nahin Hoti
Ek Phool Mein Tera Roop Basa Ek Phool Mein Meri Jawaani Hai
Ek Chehra Teri Nishaani Hai, Ek Chehra Meri Nishaani Hai

Tujhko Mujhko Jeevan Amrit, Ab In Haathon Se Peena Hai
Inki Dhadkan Mein Basna Hai, Inki Saanson Mein Jeena Hai
Tu Apni Adaen Baksh Inhen Maein Apni Wafaen Deta Hoon
Jo Apne Liye Sochi Thi Kabhi, Woh Saari Duaen Deta Hoon"


[I'm the poet of every moment, My tale is of every moment
I exist in every moment, every moment is my youth

Forms of relationships change, their foundations remain intact
Dreams and aspirations, their durations do not expire
Your beauty lives on in one flower, my youth in another
One face bears your features, and another mine

You and I have to drink the elixir of life now with these hands
Make a home in their heartbeats, live in their breaths
You grant them your charms, I give them my fidelities
What I had once wished for myself, (I) give them all those blessings.]


I am no poet, and of unawoken poets I stake no claim to the noun.