The Question
Prashno (Question):
by Rabindranath Tagore
Translated by Snehendu Kar.
Bhagawan*, from time to time,
You’ve sent your Gurus and saints
On this merciless world of ours.
They implored and advised us:
“Love and forgive others and
Banish hate from your hearts.”
They are esteemed and admired.
Yet, in our difficult lives and times,
We fail to heed their calls.
I have seen how blatant hate
and senseless violence,
in dark and dreadful nights,
Brutalize the weak and the powerless.
I have seen countless children,
tormented by cruelty and pain,
knock their bleeding heads on stone-deaf walls.
They aimlesly cry out for relief and respite,
that they never find in their lives.
My voice is choked, and my flute is quiet.
Silent stars on moonless nights,
witness my grief and my plight.
That is why, I weep and ask:
“Dear Lord- those who have poisoned your air,
Those who have plunged us in dark despair,
Those who have drowned us in violence and warfare
Have you ever forgiven them?
Have you ever loved them?”
__________________________________________
* Bhagawan is God
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