Some Songs I have Sung to Gandhiji
By GURDIAL MALLIK
(On
October 2, 1944 Gandhiji would be entering on the 75th year of
his present incarnation. So I greet him with Some of the songs it has been one
of my most cherished happinesses and honours to sing to him at different times.
The first song is originally in Sindhi and by an unknown composer: the second
and third are originally it Hindi by the Translator).
(1)
O
Lord, Thy house–this world–is Wonderful.
The
sky is studded with stars,
But
among them the moon art Thou.
The
market-place is packed with people,
But
the breath that pervades them art Thou.
The temples are adorned with idols,
But
they are all fashioned after Thee.
The
river is replete with waves,
But
among them the river-god art Thou.
The
boatman steers the boat
But
at the helm of his life art Thou.
(2)
He
who has effaced his own evanescent self has alone known God.
God
does not dwell high up in the clouds,
He
is your own neighbour, within and without.
God
resides not in temples or in mosques;
He
lives in the piercing cry of human pain
And
in him who stills that pain.
(3)
O
Lord, make the people of the world one.
May
they dwell together in happiness,
May
they realize, through Thy grace,
The
mystic truth of brotherhood!
All
religions have one common root;
They
differ only in foliage and fruit,
May
they learn the lesson of their underlying unity,
Despite
the diversity of shelter each affords.
O
Lord, Thy Name is an amulet ensuring peace,
Thy
love indwells everywhere;
May
they drink deep of thy divine love!