SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
II. From Bengali
The soul beset by God wishes to surrender itself.
Who is this with smearèd limbs
Of sandal wreathed with forest blossom.
Earth bears not on her mortal bosom.
He his hair with bloom has crowned,
And many bees come murmuring, swarming.
Who is he that with sweet sound
Arrests our feet, our hearts alarming?
Daily passed these boughs of blessing,
But beneath their shadow never
Saw such beauty heart-caressing.
Like a cloud yet moist with rain
His hue is, robe of masquerader.
Outposts here what amorous raider?
And moonbeams from his feet make glamour;
When he moves, at every pace
His body’s sweets Love’s self enamour.
A strange wish usurps my mind;
My youth, my beauty, ah, life even
At his feet if I resigned
Were not that rich surrender heaven?