That stream of fiery sparks you let loose
through the earth verily flows onwards.
Through form and formlessness, that blazing flame
fills the universe, ever aquiver.

None can extinguish the power of its life-force.
None are able to comprehend its supreme design.
In that perfect stance exists your compassion,
in every way and in every age.

Single-handedly, how do you play so many cosmic
games?
You do not halt for either obstacle or adversity.
You take Haláhala* for yourself,
but distribute heavenly nectar
And so, all things in the universe bow to your name.

*Haláhala is the poison that Shiva
drank to protect the universe,
when the poison spewed out of the cosmic ocean,
churned by the warring gods and demons.
Shiva’s throat became blue as a result,
and he came to be known as Niilakańt́ha,
the Blue-Throated One.

Translated from Bengali

JE AGNISPHULIUṊGA DHARÁY CHAŔÁLE
TÁHÁR DHÁRÁI EGIYE CALE,
SE VAHNISHIKHÁ RÚPE ARÚPE
BHUVAN BHARIYÁ SATATA DOLE.

SE PRÁŃSHAKTI KEU NEVÁTE PÁRE NÁ
SE PRAJUKTI KEU BUJHIYÁ ОT́HE NÁ,
SE SAḾSTHITI MÁJHE ÁCHE TAVA KARUŃÁ
SARVA BHÁVE ÁR SARVA KÁLE.

ETA LIILÁ EKÁ TUMI KIRÚPE KARIYÁ JÁO
KONA BÁDHÁ-VIPATTITE NÁHI THEME’ JÁO,
HALÁHAL NIJE NIYE’ AMRTA VILÁYE DÁO
TÁI TAVA NÁME NATA SABE NIKHILE.

11-09-1985