SRI AUROBINDO

Translations

from Sanskrit and Other Languages

II. From Bengali

Songs of Bidyapati

XIV

O friend, my friend, has pain a farther bound

Which sounds can utter, for which words are found?

Fiercely the flute’s breath through me ran and thrilled,

My body with sweet dreadful sound was filled.

By violence that brooks not of control

The cruel music enters all my soul.

Then every limb enamoured swoons with shame

And every thought is wrapped in utter flame.

Yea, all my labouring body mightily

Was filled and panted with sweet agony.

I dared not lift my eyes. My elders spoke

Around me when that wave of passion broke,

And such a languor through my being crept,

My very robe no more its office kept.

With slow feet on their careful steps intent

Panting into the inner house I went.

Even yet I tremble from the peril past,

So fierce a charm the flute upon me cast.