‘We cannot put the fire out with water!’
He said, ‘Indeed that fire’s a sign of God –
a flame out of your fire of stinginess.
What’s water? What is vinegar? Give bread!
Bypass your meanness if you are my people!’
The people said, ‘We’ve opened wide our doors;
we have been liberal and bountiful.’
‘You’ve given out of habit and by custom.
You have not opened up your hands for God
But all for glory, showing-off and pride,
not piety and fear and dedication.
Wealth is a seed, don’t sow in barren soil;
don’t put a sword in every brigand’s hand!
And know the faithful from the hateful ones;
seek out companions of the truth and join them!
Each person shows a liking for their own.
A fool alone then thinks he’s done good deeds.’
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
from Selected Poems
Brahma, Viu, Siva
In a worldless timeless lightless great emptiness
Four-faced Brahma broods.
Of a sudden a sea of joy surges through his heart –
The ur-god opens his eyes.
Speech from four mouths
Speeds to each quarter.
Through infinite dark,
Through limitless sky,
Like a growing sea-storm,
Like hope never sated,