Triveni Journal
1927 | 11,233,916 words
Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....
Some Songs I have Sung to Gandhiji
By GURDIAL MALLIK
(On October 2, 1944 Gandhiji wouldbe entering on the 75thyear of his present incarnation. So I greet him with Some of the songs it has been one of my most cherished happinesses and honours to sing to him at different times. The first song is originally in Sindhi and by an unknown composer: the second and third are originallyit Hindi by the Translator).
(1)
O Lord, Thy house–this world–is Wonderful.
The sky is studded with stars,
But among them the moon art Thou.
The market-place is packed with people,
But the breath that pervades them art Thou.
The temples are adorned with idols,
But they are all fashioned after Thee.
The river is replete with waves,
But among them the river-god art Thou.
The boatman steers the boat
But at the helm of his life art Thou.
(2)
He who has effaced his own evanescent self has alone known God.
God does notdwell high up in the clouds,
He is your own neighbour, within and without.
God resides notin temples or in mosques;
He lives in the piercing cry of human pain
And in him who stills that pain.
(3)
O Lord, make the people of the world one.
May they dwell together in happiness,
May they realize, through Thy grace,
The mystic truth of brotherhood!
All religions have one common root;
They differ only in foliage and fruit,
May they learn the lesson of their underlying unity,
Despite the diversityof shelter each affords.
O Lord, Thy Name is an amulet ensuring peace,
Thy love indwellseverywhere;
May they drinkdeep of thy divine love!