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Ecstatic Poetry
by Mirabai via Zi Sunday, Jul 31 2011, 2:48am
international / prose/poetry / literature

All mystic poets regardless of culture, time or gender deliver the same message and speak the same timeless, universal 'language.'

I have rendered two of Mirabai's poems into English. I hope the Hindu metaphors are not lost on Western readers, enjoy!

Mystic Poet, Mirabai (1498-1550)

Ankle Bells

If Mira dances,
how can her ankle bells not dance with her?

“Mira is insane,” they say;
“the family’s ruin.”
One day poison came to my door, I drank it and laughed.
I am now at the feet of my Lord;
I offer my body and Soul to him alone.

The Lord is water to me, how I thirst [for Him];
I am never satiated.

My Lord lifts mountains
and removes evil from humanity;
My Lord vanquishes the selfish and greedy;

I go only to Him for shelter.



Why Mira cannot return home

The Dark One’s colours
have penetrated my body;
all previous tones and shades
have been washed away.

Making Love to the Dark One and eating little;
those are my pearls and carnelians.

[Mala] prayer beads and religious markings
these are my scarfs and rings;
they are enough feminine wiles for me --
my Beloved [Krishna] taught me this.

Condemn or accept me,
approve or disapprove,
I praise the Holy Mountain unceasingly.
I have chosen Bhakti, the path of Ecstatic Love;
many have followed before me.

I do not steal or injure any Being,
what would you accuse me of?

I have ridden Elephants
and felt their swaying power;
now you would have me ride a jackass,
please, try to be serious.

Krishna

http://www.wisdomportal.com/PoetryAnthology2/Mirabai-Anthology.html

COMMENTS

Mountain Lifter
by roy Sunday, Jul 31 2011, 10:37am

namaste, journeyman, another poem from Mira:

My Lord supports mountains,
Krishna, none other;
renunciates, I have seen the world,
there is no other but Him.

I left brothers and family
I left everything I had

Sitting with ascetics, I lost
all worldly values.

I looked at the devotees,
and realised I was one of them;
I looked at the world
and wept.

With tears I watered Love’s vine
until its tendrils encircled my heart.

I churned milk until the butter
separated from the whey.

My brother-in-law sent [me] a cup of poison,
I drank it laughing
and remained in ecstasy;
my devotion is strong,
what was to happen
has happened.
Brother, I cannot live without
the giver of Delight.

In-laws fight constantly, one with the other;
watchmen guard their doors.
For what should I give up
my only Love?