‘The Yogi’s a Solitary’
In the World but Not of It
Here is a fine fix, Rahim,
which path should I choose?
This world will not abide my truth,
by my falsehoods I will forsake Ram.
(Rahim: Mustansir Dalvi)
Wisest to play the fool. Lynx-eyed, play blind.
Prick-eared, be deaf.
Polished, lie dull among the dull.
Survive.
(Lal Ded: Ranjit Hoskote)
The yogi’s a solitary
He doesn’t go on pilgrimages
Or to religious fairs
Or attend congregations
He doesn’t keep fasts
He doesn’t have a travel bag
Or utensils to cook in
Or a plate to eat from
He doesn’t carry a purse
He doesn’t rub
His body with ash
He doesn’t have an alms bowl
But never goes hungry
At night
After his wanderings
He returns to his house
And sleeps in the courtyard
You can’t meet him
Says Kabir
He’s left the country
We’re citizens of
And he’s not coming back
(Kabir: A. K. Mehrotra)
I won’t be wheedled if you wheedle me again, my dear.
The fearless Way is my sole aim, won’t sway back and forth
in fear, my dear.
Enamoured of worldly goods, won’t wallow in venom’s
well, my dear.
Taking joy and sorrow as the same, won’t rouse my mind’s
flame, my dear.
Maddened by the greed for wealth, won’t plead from door
to door, my dear.
Touched in the head by hope, won’t openly speak my
mind, my dear.
Trapped in illusion’s snare, won’t hang from love’s tree,
my dear.
Ramprasad says, I’ve drunk milk and won’t be watered
down, my dear.
(Ramprasad Sen: Sampurna Chattarji)
The man of the house says he’s found a guru.
Mother Mesai, 1 now what do I do?
I have a family, hungry mouths to feed.
Namdev, my Lord, pays them no heed.
Mesai, I’m asking you for aid.
I can’t see anyone else who will help.
My husband has Vitthala on his mind.
And fills the house with others of his kind.
They dance, they sing, they touch each other’s feet
They chant Vitthala’s name and joy breaks free.
Poor Gonai,2 you birthed a white stone
Even that Vitthala claimed for His own.
Mesai, how would a woman not be vexed?
Mother, you tell me, what comes next?
(Rajai: Jerry Pinto and Neela Bhagwat)