SRI AUROBINDO

Translations

from Sanskrit and Other Languages

II. From Bengali

Songs of Bidyapati

XVII

Why fell her face upon my sight,

That is a lovelier moon in light,

Since but for one poor moment she

With her sweet eyes emparadised me?

Surely it was to slay my soul

That under her long lashes stole

The cruel grace of that transient look.

Desire laid hands upon her breasts

And there my poor heart clinging rests:

Love new-born its office took.

My ears yet wait upon her words;

Her murmurs dwell like cagèd birds.

I strive to part; my feet refuse.

The net of sweet desires is loose,

Yet thence my body will not move,

This is the very sea of love.¹

¹ Faint with the sudden hands of love.

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Fascimile of translation of Bidyapati’s song