Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Yoga / Hindu : Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama)

16th Century

About Mirabai

Timeline (1498 - 1565?)

Mirabai, Mirabai poetry, Yoga / Hindu, Yoga / Hindu poetry, Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama) poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

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English version by
Robert Bly

The Dagger

Themes

Moon

Pain and Wounding

Water

Recommended Books

	The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell
	For Love of the Dark One: Songs of Mirabai, Translated by Andrew Schelling
	Holy Fire: Nine Visionary Poets and the Quest for Enlightenment, Edited by Daniel Halpern
	Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, Translated by Daniel Ladinsky
	Mirabai: Ecstatic Poems, Translated by Robert Bly

More >>

The Dark One threw me a glance like a dagger today.
Since that moment, I am insane; I can't find my body.
The pain has gone through my arms and legs, and I can't find my mind.
At least three of my friends are completely mad.
I know the thrower of daggers well; he enjoys roving the woods.
The partridge loves the moon; and the lamplight pulls in the moth.
You know, for the fish, water is precious; without it, the fish dies.
If he is gone, how shall I live? I can't live without him.
Go and speak to the dagger-thrower: Say, Mira belongs to you.

-- from Mirabai: Ecstatic Poems, Translated by Robert Bly

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Mirabai

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World