Stray Birds
(THE SERVICE of the fruit is precious)
217
THE SERVICE of the fruit is precious, the service of the flower is sweet, but let my service be the service of the leaves in its shade of humble devotion.
I.66. sadho, sabd sadhana kijai RECEIVE THAT Word from which the Universe springeth! That Word is the Guru; I have heard it, and become the disciple. How many are there who know the meaning of that Word? O Sadhu! practise that Word! The Vedas and the Puranas proclaim it, The world is established in it, The Rishis and devotees speak of it: But none knows the mystery of the Word. The householder leaves his house when he hears it, The ascetic comes back to love when he hears it, The Six Philosophies expound it, The Spirit of Renunciation points to that Word, From that Word the world-form has sprung, That Word reveals all. Kabir says: 'But who knows whence the Word cometh?'
'TRAVELLER, WHERE do you go?' I go to bathe in the sea in the redd'ning dawn, along the tree-bordered path.' 'Traveller, where is that sea?' 'There where this river ends its course, where the dawn opens into morning, where the day droops to the dusk.' 'Traveller, how many are they who come with you?' I know not how to count them. They are travelling all night with their lamps lit, they are singing all day through land and water.' 'Traveller, how far is the sea?' 'How far is it we all ask? The rolling roar of its water swells to the sky when we hush our talk. It ever seems near yet far.' 'Traveller, the sun is waxing strong.' 'Yes, our journey is long and grievous. Sing who are weary in spirit, sing who are timid of heart.' 'Traveller, what if the night overtakes you?' 'We shall lie down to sleep till the new morning dawns with its songs, and the call of the sea floats in the air.'
SHE LEFT ME her flower of smile taking my fruit of pain. She clapped her hands and said, she had won. The noon had eyes like the mad, red thirst raged in the sky. I opened the basket and found the flower dead.