Bengali Poetry (Translated)

Flower-Tidings

Flower Petals

We are flower petals, in groves upon groves
we bloom in ever-new splendor,
dancing and singing in love and devotion
we gather in festivals tender.

We bring the message of dawn's first light,
to all we give nectar, fragrance, and beauty bright.
Our hearts' love-filled melodies
flow rushing in all directions.

Our message is—be beautiful, pure and loving,
give love and joy, let all hearts be conquering.

Awaken all in immortal light,
break the deep slumber with dawn's bright flash.
In great joy, in light's caress
let darkness be shattered and dashed.

Rose

I am the rose, upon my face, beloved,
always floats a honeyed smile,
knowing everyone as my own
I love them all the while.

I bloom fragrant even among thorns,
giving everyone sweet joy and gladness;
carrying love's sweetness silently,
I come running to all worlds,
I am the rose, pouring out laughter
I love everyone with tenderness.

Hibiscus

I am hibiscus flower, I am hibiscus flower,
blood-red body—I am the sun's bud;
I give strength to the weak heart,
bring devotion to the devotee's heart,
my touch breaks the stubborn stone's delusion.

I destroy falsehood—
never let truth wander homeless,
in my core rings power's root,
I am hibiscus flower.

Lotus

Spreading gentle fragrance I have bloomed, the king of flowers,
eternally beautiful, my form is dressed in sweet attire.

In me dwells supreme consciousness,
I hold the quest for truth in my heart,
supreme bliss has found its throne in the midst of my heart.

I am the lotus, piercing mud I bloom in dawn's rays,
becoming radiant in great glory, darkness's barriers break away.

I sing forever the infinite's message...
I give faith in divine manifestation,
I have brought to the world transformation's new mantra today.

Champak

Golden-hued am I, I am champak flower,
drawn by my fragrance come running eager swarms of bees.
The bumblebee whispers words in my ear,
whose arrival-song of rhythm-tune-melody brings to my heart—
pour out life's joy and make the heart's core happy.

Tuberose

In evening's melody I bloom, white tuberose,
with fragrance and nectar I awaken all to sweet rhythm.

At the setting sun's farewell moment,
I awaken in new creation-dreams;
in my enchantment the night awakens, the path of new dawn.

In silent night's watch after watch I pour my heart's fragrance,
I kindle new life's lamp-flame in human souls.

My music seeks the unheard melody,
the unborn time is bound to that tune,
my musical practice's stream flows on, as if eternally endless.

Water Lily

I am shapla...water lily,
this honey-sweet Bengal has chosen
me as its national symbol.

In moonbeams I bloom,
darkness-shadow's spell breaks.

In fertile Bengal's heart I am ever-radiant,
I am shapla blossom...water lily.

All of Bengal's dreams and aspirations bloom in my two eyes,
in progress and glory this Bengal is so generous;
I hold Bengal's treasures in my heart,
this golden-green Bengal's song is with me.

Sunflower

Yellow-hued are my petals,
I am the sunflower,
finding refuge in dawn's light
I am forever joyful.

I keep my heart open toward the sun,
I fill up with light's gift,
life's sorrows at light's touch
silently break apart.

Honeybee

I am honeybee, I am honeybee,
with humming tune from flower to flower swaying
I dance, I dance.

To flowers I sing my love-song,
in flower-gardens I go in joy
dressed as a guest; then
flowers give me nectar-honey as gift.

Butterfly

I am beautiful, I am restless butterfly,
in thirst for flower-nectar awakens
my life's movement.

I love the fragrance of flowers,
flower-beauty gives me joy,
in flower-love, in flower-hearts,
my mind remains devoted.

Flower-messages I give to everyone's heart,
I bring union of all with all.
In eternally beautiful play-gardens
the devoted will seek me.

Bumblebee

Overwhelmed by flower-fragrance I buzz and hum,
touched by flowers my mind grows intoxicated and numb.

Life's story I tell to flower-petals,
love's message I carry from flower-ear to ear.
Hundreds of distant flower-gardens call to me.

Destructive Boy

I am wild-mischievous-destructive boy,
merciless am I, from flower to flower I set
fires of destruction blazing.

I strike flowers again and again,
whatever is beautiful, I destroy and ruin,
tender shoots and flower-buds all,
I tear and fling with both hands.

I don't understand creation's good, destruction is my work,
hatred-enmity jealousy-quarrel—these are all my nature.

On light-filled faces I smear black ink,
into nectar's heart I pour poison,
I break love, awaken fear—
pouring blind desire.

Don’t Tear

Don't tear, brother, don't tear,
don't tear the sweet flower-petals.
They spread love's fragrance,
don't hurt them.

Beautiful they are, so sacred,
they are humanity's soul-friends,
their bodies are so tender
don't hold them in your hard hands.

Flowers give honey-fragrance nectar,
love's silent message,
in flower-scent fills up therefore
the weary heart.

Life that you cannot give,
why then do you want to take its life?
The World-Father's blessed creation
don't cast rolling in dust.

Mistake

I understand my mistake,
I won't tear flowers anymore.

Today I've learned flowers' glory,
what splendor in their nectar-fragrance!
I've recognized now what beauty means,
where goodness has its root.

Like flowers I'll be pure,
humble gentle bowed;
I'll unite everyone in love's communion,
stay devoted to good work.

I won't hurt anyone's life,
I'll extend these hands to all,
I'll bind the world in love's bond,
I'll seek the shore of peace.
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