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Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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Sufi / Muslim

Yoga / Hindu : Shakta (Goddess-oriented)

20th Century

About Najrul Islam

Timeline (1899 - 1976)

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English version by
Rachel Fell McDermott

Original Language
Bengali

Talk to me, javas, talk to me --

Themes

Bliss

Garden

Lotus

Rose

Smile

Recommended Books

	Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal, Translated by Rachel Fell McDermott

Talk to me, javas, talk to me --
what austerities did you do to get Syama Ma's feet?
Torn from your stems on illusion's plants,
falling scattered to the ground at Her feet,
     you got liberation
          bursting open
     beside yourselves with joy.
If only I could learn from your example
my life might bear fruit.
Thousands of sweet-smelling flowers bloom in the woods,
and they're all such beauties! So how come
          you got Ma's feet?
          You're just ignoran't javas!

Crimson like you at the Mother's feet,
when will they be flowers
          offered to Her, blessed by Her?
When will they turn red
          at the touch of Her feet?
When will they, just like you, blush scarlet --
                    these dull petals of my mind?

-- from Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal, Translated by Rachel Fell McDermott

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Najrul Islam

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World