LXV. THE END

Tārā, do you remember any more? Mother, as I have lived happy, is there happiness hereafter? Had Śiva's words[209] been true, I should not [69]be beseeching you. After passing through delusion on delusion, I feel my right eyelid throbbing.[210]

Had there been any other place, I should not have besought you. But now, Mother, having given me hope, you have cut my bonds, you have lifted me to the tree's top.[211]

Rāmprasād says: My mind is firm, and my gift to the priest[212] well made. Mother, my Mother, my all is finished.[213] I have offered my gift.[214]

Traditionally, his last song. The text is even unusually doubtful and varying.

FOOTNOTES:

[209] The Tantric teaching of the efficacy of ceremonies and pilgrimage.

[210] When the right eyelid throbs, some ensuing gain is indicated; the throbbing of the left eyelid indicates loss to come.

[211] To a position of isolation and great peril. The next step will be into emptiness. Kālī has taken away his ladder of belief in ceremonial, and she must now save him.

[212] The gift (in this case apparently, Rāmprasād's gift of his life-long devotion) when worship is ended. This gift is called prasād, so that Rāmprasād is punning to the last. 'Prasād has offered his prasād. ' The prasād is sometimes kept by the priest, and sometimes distributed among the worshippers.

[213] Literally my claims are settled (adversely), dismissed. I have nothing; but in that nothing I have all I need.

[214] 'I have offered my cock to Aesculapius.'

[70]

ASCRIBED TO RĀMPRASĀD SEN