Based on one of Bhajagovindam, I wrote this song.1
பஜகோவிந்தத்தின் ஒருபாடலின் அடிப்படையில் எழுதியது:
கழிந்தது காலம்
காலையும் சென்றது மாலையும் வந்தது
கழிந்தது ஓர்நாள் வாழ்வினிலே
கடந்தது கோடை வந்தது வசந்தம்
காலமோ விளையாடுது வாழ்வினிலே
கழிந்தது இளமை வந்தது முதுமை
காலமும் போனது வாழ்வினிலே
கண்கூடாக இந்நிலைக் கண்டும்
களங்கமும் நீங்கலை மனதினிலே!
29-05-1994
English Translation
Morning has gone and evening has come
One day has gone in life
Summer is gone and spring has come
Time is playing in life
Youth is gone; old age has come
Time has gone in life
Even after seeing this
Evil has not yet been removed from my heart
29-05-1994
Comments
Bhajagovindam is one of my favourite Sanskrit slokas. When you read it, you will be moved by the depth of its meaning written with very few words in Sanskrit. Though I often heard it before I became a bhakta of the Lord, I began to understand its meaning only later. The entire Bhajagovindam is attributed to Sri Adi Sankara, but a few scholars rejected it. Others attributed only the first 12 stanzas to Sankara and the rest to his disciples. This bhajan depicts the vanity of life in its reality. Added to the meaning, the way it was sung by Smt. M. S. Subbhulakshmi (MSS), it has become one of her best contributions to the Carnatic music legacy. Though we need not agree with its doctrine, listening and understanding its meaning will help us know its influence on many Hindus even today. One can search and download the entire bhajagivndam and also listen to sung by MSS from the Internet.
Can we use other such bhajans and music as part of our sadhana? Though many have their genuine reservation against, I say ‘yes’. I cannot escape from two temptations in my life even now: listening to Carnatic music (not as a time pass, but as part of my sadhana) and reading books. When I listen to any Christian music (not to say there really is such a thing) that isn’t in pure Classic form, I never felt any desire to listen to it again or to use it as part of my sadhana. Though the meaning is very impressive yet the music never enhances the spirit to use them for my sadhana. However I like the gazal style, as such songs come in their original form. I have with me one Pakistani Christian Gazal which appeals to my spirit more than the non-classical Indian Christian songs.
14-7-14
Notes
- Dinaya minyau sayam praataha:
Sisira vasantau puraa yaataha:
Kaalahi kridati gachati aayuhu
Databi na muncati aasha paasaha—quoted from memory