Short Poems

'Tis a hard task to sing His praises.

The sensual in the senses' power, the wrathful in pride are led astray.
The lustful in the flame of lusting, the greedy in hoarding are led astray.

The Pandit in the Puranas' study, the Jogi in Joga's rules led astray.
O Dulam Das he alone wins safety, who chants the Name in all eight hours.

You walk as vivid as a sunny storm
Across the drinking meadows, through the eyes
Of stricken men, with light and fury mingled,
Making passionate and making young.
You drive the mists, and lift the drooping heads,
And in the sultry place of custom raise
The naked colors of abounding life,
And sound the crimson windy call of liberty.

I am Hari Prasada's daughter, and Sahjo Bai am I named.
I was born of Thusar lineage, my guru's feet my sure defence.
Charan Das my guru Deva to me revealed the hidden secret.
By Joga and Joga's rules hard to come by, he brought it near and gave me vision.
To other sadhus I do reverence, with joined hands and head bowed low.
May this one boon to me be given, that with devotion I may serve.

Hear ye sants and all good men: do not harbour pride.
Of but four days this life is made: but at the last you die.
You think, " my life will last unchanged: " of all you'll give account.
Eat, O Swan, drink and enjoy: seek not to hold and hide.
O Garib Das, He is in all: to no one then be harsh.

They ask of the Path but have no knowledge, intent on quarrels sound and fury.
Salvation's road they do not follow: nor discern between saint and sinner.
They go to mosque, they go to temple, but slay the creatures God has made.
Pandit, Qazi, both were worsted: they do not part the milk from water.
They cut the throats of living creatures, and think a stock and stone accepts it.
Says Garib Das, They went empty away: their life is cursed, abhorred of men.

All creeds proclaim the sovereignty of love: they proclaim it greater than Ganga and Joga's ordinances.
From love springs singleness of aim: from love too springs resignation.
From Bhagti and love spring wisdom: light breaks forth and folly banished.
Love is so precious, none can achieve it, but when Hari is merciful then is it gained.
The power of love Bhagwana obeys: all the scriptures prove it so.
When love within the Bhagat's heart awakes, before him Hari stands revealed.
From love's mine come all crowning mercies: Charan Das knows it in his heart.

O Sat Guru, whatever Thou hast taught me, that I learned and that I sang.

To-day Thou hast made me Thine own and at Thy feet I have bowed my head.
What can I say of beginning or end, To-day I meditate upon Thy Name.

The current of this stream runs strong, take me safe across to-day.
Jagjivan is Thy slave: I lay my head an offering at Thy feet.

O men, practice that devotion, from which at the last some good may come.
Forsake disputes, revile not others, be ye humble and lowly of heart.
I proclaim that religion as true, that sings praise of the name with understanding.
Abandon pride and self-conceit: the Treasury of mercy will then show favour.
Sadhus, Vedas, Puranas declare that this is the sign of the true Sabda.
To hold within the two letters the real essence, this is held the true religion.
Jagjivan has embraced His feet: he sees the beauty of the Unconditioned and the Freed.

RUBA " I

Cup-bearer, bring, bring here again my yestereven's wine;
My harp and rebeck bring, them bid address this heart of mine:
Whilst still I live, 'tis meet that I should mirth and glee enjoy;
The day shall come when none may e'en my resting-place divine.

Strive always for the highest, you will gain the highest seat,
And have the half-moon's silver for the covering of your feet.