The devotion, impatient with Thee,
Instantly yielding to dance and musical spree
In reverential impulse smeared,
Drowned in emotional bubbles myriad,
Let that not be
O Lord, for me.
Let devotion tranquil
My holy pitcher fill
To the brim
With nectar serene –
In my life mundane
All dedications sane
Let branch out
In my missions devout;
Be those nourished deep –
Futile strives too not to nip;
But let flower into joy
All my human ploy;
Love universal may gratify
Even amidst grief high –
With its illumination
Without burn, for my clear vision.
Holding the tears of emotion vain
Let mind be full, firm and solemn.
Original Poem in Bengali Apramatta (=Unfrenzied) of the book ‘Naibedya’ (=Offering) written in 1901 A.D. by Rabindranath Tagore
Translator’s note:
Devotion to God is not merely getting lost in chants, music and dance in His praise. It seems, this poem arises out of the Poet’s disapproval of such frenzy that characterized the earlier Vaishnavites, since gained international dimension through ISKCON movement. True, this brings solace to one’s heart, but such personal craving should not be the goal of our devotion to God, which should have its solemn manifestation in various humane missions of our life, going beyond our self-interest even to our ordeal.
