LIX. THIS DAY WILL PASS

This day[196] will surely pass, Mother, this day will pass, and only rumour linger. Countless will be the reproaches against Tārā's name.[197] I came to the market of the world, and by its bathing- ghāt I sat to sell my wares. Mother, the Sun our Lord is seated on his platform,[198] the ferryman has come. The load of the many fills the boat, he leaves behind the wretched one. They seek a cowrie from this poor man; where shall he get it?

Prasād says: Stony-hearted Girl, look back. Give me a place, O Mother! Singing thy glory, I will plunge in, into the sea of the world.[199]

This song is recalled by Rabindranath Tagore in a well-known song in Gītimālya (see Fruit Gathering, 51); but that translation is only a brief précis of the Bengali, omitting the opening lines 'I know this day will pass.'

FOOTNOTES:

[196] Some texts read, 'This brief day will pass,' with a play on din, day and dīn, brief, poor, obscured, 'This day will pass.'

[197] Because she has not saved her devotee.

[198] A conventional phrase for sunset, when the sun seems seated directly opposite the spectator; but the reader may recall the Musalman on his prayer-mat.

[199] The troubles of this life, over which we must pass to the next world.

LX. HE HEEDS NOT MEN'S BLAME

Shout the name of Kālī, Kālī, folk say, and folk will say, 'He is mad.' Folk miscall you, will miscall you; let it go. Good and evil are two things;[200] do the thing that is good. Lift the sword of Kālī's name and with it cut down illusion and world's attraction.

Alas for the vain pull of this delusive world! It is bringing Rāmprasād to destruction.

FOOTNOTES:

[200] His protest against any philosophy which confuses moral distinctions.

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