Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Ravidas

Timeline (1398? - 1448?)

Ravidas, Ravidas poetry, Yoga / Hindu, Yoga / Hindu poetry, poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, Sikh poetry

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English version by
Nirmal Dass

When I existed,

Themes

King

Snake

Water

Recommended Books

	Guru Ravidas: Life and Teachings (Mystics of the East series) , by K. N. Upadhyaya
	Songs and Saints from the Adi Granth, Translated by Nirmal Dass
	Songs of the Saints of India, Translated by John Stratton Hawley / Translated by Mark Juergensmeyer
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Translated by Gurbachan S. Talib
	Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Translated by Winand M. Callewaert

When I existed,
You did not.
Now You exist
and I do not:
as a storm lifts waves
from water --
still they are water
within water.

O Madho,
how can we describe
this illusion?
What we believe does not exist.

A mighty king sleeps
on his throne
and in his dream
becomes a beggar.
Seeing his kingdom vanish
before him
he greatly mourns --
such is our condition.

Like the tale
of the serpent
and the rope --
I know a little
of the secret.
Seeing many bracelets
we think gold has many forms --
but it is always forever gold.

In all things
exists the Lord,
assuming countless shapes;
in each pore he plays and sports.
Ravi Dass say,
He is nearer than my hand.
All that comes to pass
is by His will alone.

-- from Songs and Saints from the Adi Granth, Translated by Nirmal Dass

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Ravidas

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World