Bela chale jai

1. Jibana taru tale

```

Jibana taru tale ke base aji

Marana maru bhume binash baji

Jiban bhor maran ghor

Kothai tumi he hiya majhi

```

2. Translation

```

Who is seated at the foot

Of my life-tree today?

I see destruction thundering

Over my death-desert.

I am in between the dawn of life

And the darkness of death.

O my heart’s Pilot Supreme!

Where are You? ```

3. Ashar mita

```

Ashar mita trishar pita

Tomar charan tale

Harabo mor dibanishi

Samarpaner bale

```

4. Translation

```

O Friend of my hope,

O Father of my aspiration-thirst,

At Your Feet I shall lose

My days and nights

With my surrender-strength.

```

5. Brahma Vishnu Shib

```

Brahma Vishnu Shib

Ami achetan jib

Durga Kamala Kali

Kothai arghya thali

Kartik Ganapati

Dao more dhrira mati

```

6. Translation

```

Brahma, Vishnu, Shib!

An unconscious creature am I.

Durga, Kamala, Kali!

Where is my aspiration-dedication-bowl?

Kartik, Ganapati!

Do surcharge my mind with firm determination. ```

7. Surjya debata pranam

```

Surjya debata pranam

Japi abiram taba madhu nam

Toma pane chahi jaya giti gahi

Taba ankhi mor sudham

```

8. Translation

```

O Sun God, I salute You.

I invoke Your sweet name sleeplessly.

I look at You and sing Your Victory-Song.

Your Vision-Eye, my good abode. ```

9. Tomai ami jani

```

Tomai ami jani

Taito sada mani

Tomai ami daki

Na diye ar phanki

Tomai ami puji

Swarupe mor khunji

```

10. Translation

```

I know who You are.

Therefore, I always obey You.

I invoke You

Without deceiving any more.

I worship You

And thus I search for my

True Self-Form.

```

11. Esecho bale

```

Esecho bale benche achi

Dharecho bale ami nachi

Khamibe shata truti mor

Amare dibe usha bhor

```

12. Translation

```

You have come into my life.

Therefore, I am still alive.

You have caught me by the hand.

Therefore, I am dancing.

You will forgive my countless mistakes.

You will grant me a new dawn. ```

13. Sumadhur sure

```

Sumadhur sure antara pure

Dake more prema bithika

Madal badal akashe pagol

Hasi ananda gitika

```

14. Translation

```

Inside the very depth of my heart

In a sweet and soulful tune

The love-avenue calls me.

Kettledrum and thunderbolt are enjoying

A divinely wild game in my sky

And are offering me fountain-songs

Of smile and delight.

```

15. Jani ami nahi jani

```

Jani ami nahi jani

Tomar gabhir madhur bani

Tabu tomar charan tale

Tano khama kripar bale

```

16. Translation

```

I know that I do not know

Your deep and sweet Message.

Yet You draw me towards You

And place me at Your Feet

With Your Compassion-Power.

```

17. Bhakti lagi

```

Bhakti lagi kandi ami

Mukti lagi kandi

Atma tyager premer dore

Tomai ami bandhi

```

18. Translation

```

I cry for devotion.

I cry for liberation.

I bind You with the love-cord

Of my self-sacrifice-life. ```

19. Tomar sathe

```

Tomar sathe khelbo jedin

Sabar sathe khelbo

Tomar prane milbo jedin

Sabar prane milbo

```

20. Translation

```

I shall play with everyone

On the day I play with You.

I shall blend in every heart

On the day I blend in You. ```

21. Shikkha Guru

```

Shikkha Guru dikkha Guru

Nutan jiban halo suru

Shikkha Guru dikkha Guru

Habona ar kabhu viru

Paye dale agyanata

Tomai dibo saphalata

```

22. Translation

```

O my teacher-Guru, O my initiation-Guru,

A new life has dawned.

O my teacher-Guru, O my initiation-Guru,

I shall no longer make friends with cowardice.

I shall kick off ignorance-night

And offer you my success-life. ```

23. Nitya amai bahan kari

```

Nitya amai bahan kari

Amar shire

Shanti pabo keman kare

Pran gabhire

```

24. Translation

```

Every day I carry

My existence-life

On my head.

How can I have satisfaction-peace

Inside my heart?

```

25. Madhavi latar

```

Madhavi latar madhur madhuri

Sugopane kare mor hiya churi

Urdhe akashe nimne batase

Nachi aji ami maha ullase

```

26. Translation

```

Sweet, soft and translucent creeper

In silence steals away my heart.

Above me, the vast sky.

Under me, the wind blowing.

Today I dance in ecstasy supreme.

```

27. Vishma ar Drona

```

Vishma ar Drona

Satyaki Arjuna

Mahavim Karna

Virer asana

Tomare danibe

E katha janibe

```

28. Translation

```

Vishma, Drona, Satyaki, Arjuna,

Mahavim and Karna:

These immortal heroes

Will, without fail, grant you

Their warrior-thrones.

```

29. Ami nil gaganer

```

Ami nil gaganer shubhra shashi

Sangi bangshidhar

Alor sathe kheli nachi

Mora nirantar

```

30. Translation

```

I am the whiteness and brightness-moon.

Lord Krishna, the Flutist supreme

Is my Compeer.

We play and dance sleeplessly

With the Mother-Light

Of the Supreme. ```

31. Sonar harin

```

Sonar harin hiyar harin

Tibra tomar gati

Ashar pradip jwalai prane

Premer unnati

```

32. Translation

```

O golden deer, O psychic deer

Of my heart,

Your fast, faster, fastest speed

Kindles the hope-lamp

In my progress-love.

```

33. Sabar sathe nahi chali

```

Sabar sathe nahi chali

Ekla ami chali

Dekhle keha lukai deha

Kathati nahi bali

```

34. Translation

```

I do not walk along with others.

I walk alone, all alone.

If anybody sees me, my body,

I hide in silence sublime. ```

35. Jiban amar sanga habe

```

Jiban amar sanga habe

Maran nadir tire

Chaoa paoar bhari bojha

Rakhbona ar shire

```

36. Translation

```

My life shall end

At the rim of death-river.

I shall not carry any more

The heavy load of my desire-night

And fulfilment-day.

```

37. Mata mata mata

```

Mata mata mata

Saraswati mata

Karo prane shuddha

Karo mane buddha

Jibana samare

Mama antare

Dao dao mata

Asim purnata

```

38. Translation

```

Mother, Mother, Mother,

Mother Saraswati,

Do purify my vital.

Do enlighten my mind.

In the battlefield of my life,

O Mother divine,

Do grant my heart

Your fulfilment infinite. ```

39. Ke chahe go

```

Ke chahe go ke chahe

Amar jiban ke chahe

Ke gahe go ke gahe

Amar bijoy ke gahe

```

40. Translation

```

Who cares to have me?

Who cares to have my life?

Who cares to sing?

Who cares to sing my victory-song? ```

41. Bhranta tumi

```

Bhranta tumi bhranta

Taito sada klanta

Gaho prabhur nam

Oi je swarga dham

```

42. Translation

```

False you are, false.

Therefore, you are always tired.

Repeat the Name of the Absolute Lord.

Yonder, Heaven’s existence-abode. ```

43. Shanti jyoti

```

Shanti jyoti shakti dhara

Nimna gati bandhan hara

Parane mor namlo

Nutan jiban kusum kali

Phutlo aji phutlo ```

44. Translation

```

Behold, the flood of peace,

Light and power

Descending freely, unobstructed,

Into my aspiration-heart.

A new life-bud in me

Has blossomed today. ```

45. Ajanare achenare

```

Ajanare achenare

Ami basi bhalo

Tai mor puta pran

Sada nashe kalo

```

46. Translation

```

I love the unknown

And the unseen.

Therefore

My hallowed heart

Always

Destroys darkness-night. ```

47. Ekla pathe

```

Ekla pathe ghure berai

Tomar dekha lagi

Ashar sathe ghumai ami

Kanna sathe jagi

```

48. Translation

```

Alone I walk along

In search of You.

I sleep with my hope-friend

And cry with my wakefulness. ```

49. Jiban debata

```

Jiban debata daki animesh

Khama karo aji more

Ogo sumahan jagater tran

Jagi jena shubha bhore

```

50. Translation ⁵⁰

```

O my life’s Love Supreme,

Sleeplessly I invoke You

To forgive me today.

O great One, O world’s Reality-Salvation,

May I be fully awakened

In purity’s auspicious dawn.

```

50. In the original songbook, the last line read “In prosperity’s auspicious dawn.” This line was later revised by the author.↩

51. Asha niye

```

Asha niye asi bhabe

Asha diye chale jai

Purnata maha bani

Hetha nai hotha nai

```

52. Translation

```

I came into the world with hope.

I am on my way to the other world

Leaving behind me my hope.

Fulfilment-message is not to be found

In any part of the world.

```

53. Shunechi shunechi

```

Shunechi shunechi shunechi

Tomar amar giti

Peyechi peyechi peyechi

Tomar kripar prithi

Tabu achetan mor pran man

Andhar gabhire rayechi

```

54. Translation

```

I have heard, I have heard,

I have heard Your immortal Song.

I have received, I have received,

I have received Your Compassion-Love.

Yet unconsciously live my mind and my vital.

In the depths of night's darkness I abide. ```

55. Duar khulo

```

Duar khulo aji

Hiyar duar

Ashar setu bandhi

He kripa pathar

```

56. Translation

```

O, open today my heart-door!

I have built a hope-bridge

Between You and me,

O compassionate One,

Beginningless and endless.

```

57. Mor khudha

```

Mor khudha antara majhe

Taba sudha kripa ankhi raje

```

58. Translation

```

In the inmost recesses

Of my hungry heart

Your Compassion-Eye

Of Nectar-Delight abides. ```

59. Kanna amar

```

Kanna amar shesh habena

Shesh habena

Tabu kena toma pane

Man chalena

```

60. Translation

```

The flow of my tearful eyes

Will never cease, never.

Yet my mind does not run

Towards You. ```

61. Jatra pathe

```

Jatra pathe dibas rate

Tomar gahi joy

Ami kebal tomar lagi

Ei dhrira pratyay

```

62. Translation

```

Day and night along the street

When I look around,

Your Victory-Song I sing.

I exist only for You.

This is my heart’s conviction

Unparalleled. ```

63. Vishwa Prabhu

```

Vishwa prabhu ami tomar kripar das

Rakhbo mane birat madhur itihas

```

64. Translation

```

O Lord of the Universe,

I am Your Compassion-slave.

I shall always keep in mind

This vast and sweet history of mine. ```

65. Praner katha

```

Praner katha balar lagi

Esechi aj tomar dware

Kabe amai niye jabe

Sukha dukher parapare

```

66. Translation

```

I have come to Your Door today

To tell You my heart’s inmost secret.

When will You take me

To the Shore supreme,

Beyond joy and sorrow?

```

67. Bandhiya bandhiya

```

Bandhiya bandhiya amar amire

Narak jatana pai

Khuliya khuliya amar swarupe

Swarger sukh khai

```

68. Translation

```

Binding and binding my little “i”,

I am suffering the torture of hell.

Unveiling and unveiling my true Form,

I enjoy Heaven-happiness. ```

69. Greecer chhilo

```

Greecer chhilo chaoa khudha

Tai peyeche birjya sudha

Athens tomai pranam kare

Vishwa sabha baran kare

```

70. Translation

```

Greece had the longing hunger.

Therefore, it received strength-nectar.

Athens, the world-assembly bows to you

And receives you in silence-admiration. ```

71. Tomar kripai

```

Tomar kripai urdhe nachi

Tomar khamai nimne banchi

Prem sagare dub diyechi

Tomar majhe sab peyechi

```

72. Translation

```

Because of Your Grace,

High in Heaven I dance.

Because of Your Forgiveness,

Here below on earth

My life-breath breathes.

I have dived deep

In the sea of Love divine.

I have received everything

Inside Your Heart-depth.

```

73. Bela chale jai

```

Bela chale jai bela chale jai bela

Kotha tumi ogo jibaner shesh khela

```

74. Translation

```

My time is passing away.

O, where are You,

My life’s last game? ```

75. Diner sheshe

```

Diner sheshe jatra sheshe

Elam phire ghare

Ashar setu bhanga halo

Pran gabhire manthare

```

76. Translation

```

At the end of day,

At the end of journey’s close,

Home I have returned.

My hope-bridge is being totally smashed,

Slowly, very slowly,

Inside the very depths of my heart. ```

77. Chahi kichu

```

Chahi kichu sabar kache chahi kichu

Taito kari sabar paye mata nichu

```

78. Translation

```

I desire something

From everybody, I desire.

Therefore, I bow my head

At the feet of all and sundry. ```

79. Anande bhara

```

Anande bhara aloker majhe

Dyuloker nartan

Bhuloker jib nahi dekhe kabhu

Jane shudhu krandan

```

80. Translation

```

Earth-bound human beings

Never see the dance of Heaven.

In the heart of supernal Light and Delight

They only know how to cry and cry. ```

81. Shesh kathati

```

Shesh kathati ei jibaner

Shesh kathati

Shanti kothao nahi pela

Mor mathati

```

82. Translation

```

The last message of this life,

The last message:

My head has never had peace.

```

83. Tumi dayal

```

Tumi dayal ami kangal

Taito chali ek sathe

Tumi amar chira sathi

Jiban bhore maran rate

```

84. Translation

```

You are a self-giving man

And I am a true beggar.

Therefore, we move around together.

You are my eternal Companion

At the dawn of my life,

In the night of my death. ```

85. Chale jao

```

Chale jao chale jao

Balibar dekhibar age

Tabu kena daki toma

Nahi jani barai anurage

```

86. Translation

```

Away You go, away You go,

Before I talk to You,

Before I see You.

Yet I do not know

Why I invoke You

With my heart’s intense cry. ```

87. Ami tomar kripar shishu

```

Ami tomar kripar shishu

Tumi vishwamoy

Atmajayer asha prane

Tomar gahi joy

```

88. Translation

```

I am Your Compassion-child,

You are the Father universal.

I have the burning desire

To conquer myself.

Therefore, Your Victory-Song

I always sing. ```

89. Tumi je amare tushibe

```

Tumi je amare tushibe

Tumi je amare pushibe

E katha janabo ajike

Amar praner majhike

```

90. Translation

```

You will satisfy me.

You will feed me.

I shall tell this today

To my heart’s Pilot Supreme. ```

91. Sudur hate bhese asi

```

Sudur hate bhese asi

Ei dharanir buke

Swarupe mor bhule gechi

Andhakare dhuke

```

92. Translation

```

From a distant world,

Floating, I came into the heart

Of this world.

I have forgotten my Self-form totally

In the eyeless darkness-life.

```

93. Chaoa paoar shesh habena

```

Chaoa paoar shesh habena