Philosopher’s stone (Photo credit: tv)
(Paurosh Pathor) Philosopher’s Stone —Rabindranath Tagore
The lunatic moves around in search of ‘The Philosopher’s stone.’
Head full of tangled hair covered with dust and muck all over,
lean and thin body looks like a shadow.
Lips tightly closed he stays within himself
he depicts himself as a picture of pain and suffering.
His two eyes seemingly looking for something in his mind’s eye.
He has no family,no home,he’s covered with dust all over,
he is poorer than the beggar on the street,
he has so much pride____ he does not value gold or silver,
he does not care for the wealth of the king__
his condition makes one smile, he does not want anything,
His only desire is the ‘Philosopher’s Stone,’
Lying in front is the vast roaring ocean.
The rolling waves , are giggling
at the crazy creation of the world.
The sky is glancing, without a break,
the howling wind is blowing unhindered.
The sun rises early morning in the eastern sky,
The moon slowly shows up in the evening.
Continuous rain is making a sweet sound,
the deep mystery wants to say___
where is the desired wealth he knows everything,
one who understands the language will be able to find it.
It pays no attention, singing its own strung song
the sea listens to its own voice.
Some are leaving, others coming, some are crying, some laughing,
the lunatic moves around looking for the,’Philosopher’s Stone.’
Long ago ,in history ____
a ray of gold was visible on the touchstone at that moment.
All eyes were on it out of curiosity
they gingerly treaded the path leading to the bank of the ocean___
quietly stood with heads lowered.
Were stunned for a while closed their eyes and listened
the song of this vast ocean which existed from time immemorial.
Then out of curiosity jumped in this deep ocean
solved the mystery of this eternal ocean.
After long sad toil goddess Lakshmi appeared
in this beautiful world.
On the banks of this sea the lean and thin lunatic,
was still looking for the,’Philosopher’s Stone.’
After all this time,perhaps he has given up hope.
Still he keeps on looking, he knows not what is rest___
hope is gone, he still did not give up the habit of looking.
The separated bird calls her partner,all night from the branch of the tree,
the unfortunate bird cannot find her mate.
still she calls all day, hopeless, untiring___
her only work is to stay awake and continue calling.
And forgetting everything sending waves up to the sky
one doesn’t know who the sea is constantly looking for.
The more he cries he cannot get it ever he knows,
Still he extends his arms up in the sky___ this is his solemn vow.
By the side of the ocean in his matted hair
the lunatic looks around for the,’Philosopher’s Stone.’
Once the village boy asked him,
‘What are you carrying, o Devotee ,o let me see ?
Where did you find the gold fetter?’
The devotee was surprised, the fetter sure is gold
when and how the iron turned to gold he did not know.
Wonderful how amazing! he kept looking at it,
he rubbed his eyes and looked___ it’s not a dream.
he touched his forehead sat down on the ground,
he wanted to curse himself__
in a crazy fit he looks around___ alas where did it go.
I had my desired wish but it ran away.
He habitually gathered so many pebbles,
he hit the fetters with them___
he did not bother to look ,he threw them far away,
he has no idea when he threw the ,’Philosopher’s Stone.’
The sun was setting.
The sky was golden colour, the sea was melted gold,
on the west the bride was dreaming of gold.
The Devotee was slowly going back to the previous path
looking for the lost gem once again.
He has lost his strength___ and is unable to carry the body’s weight,
like a tree his inner self is broken to pieces.
Old long path lying around are dead plants
how far will he travel on this endless path.
The vast desert is deserted
Impending danger of nocturnal animals is keeping everyone in.
I looked for half my life when will I close my eyes
the touch I felt for a moment,
the rest of my broken body I am dedicating again
to go back and look for the same ,’Philosopher’s Stone.’
Sabethville 