Continuation of the story: On Joy and Sorrow

Then a woman said, speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving joy.

When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than Sorrow,” and others say , “Nay Sorrow is greater.”

But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come,and one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon  your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure- keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or sorrow rise or fall.

To be continued! 🙂

…………………………. 🙂

 

“Kabbo”(poetry) By Tagore Post and translation by Ranu

Tagore in 1879, when he was studying in England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In this poem Tagore is telling us,no one escapes from adversity regardless of who he is.It is a process human beings have to go through,he is no exception. Through his poem entitled “Kabbo” ,which means poetry, he explains it.

O immortal poet,

Wasn’t there joy and sorrow

hope and disappointment in your life,

Just like us?

Did you not face conspiracy, hidden pain?

Were you spared from

Insult,disrespect,suspicion,

wrongful judgement?

You had moments when

you were in need of pity but were deprived.

You also had sleepless nights

heart breaks.

You kept yourself  above

adversity

and wrote poems which blossomed

like the beautiful Lotus.

There was no trace of poverty

you did not let  sorrow and

setback

ruin the sweetness of your poems

and presented it to us before you left!