Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/164

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God as lover,

134 BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. [ Chap, — ‘Thou art the lord of the universe, O Krishna, adored by the Yogis. ‘“T am but a poor milkmaid and know not how to worship thee! ‘Yet do I offer myself, my soul and body, unto thee as the sacrifice of love. “Thou art my lord, thou art my path—My mind seeks not for any other object. ‘The world scorns me because of this love, yet do I not regret it. ‘Abuse is like a garland of flower about my neck for thy dear sake. ‘Thou alone knowest whether I am pure or impure. ‘“T know not even what is good or bad for me. “Virtue and vice, says Chandidas, are alike to me. I know them not, but know thy feet alone.” Some of Chandidas’s songs of Bhavasanmilana (Union in spirit) have been adopted with slight changes by the Brahmo Samaj of Bengal and are sung in their churches during divine service. The paradox that has to be understood is that Krishna througout such passages means God. Yet he is represented as a youth, standing at a gate, কলঙ্কী বলিয়।, ডাকে সব লোকে, তাহাতে নাহিক ছুঃখ । তোমার লাগিয়া, কলঙ্কের হার, গলায় পরিতে সুখ। সতী ব। অসতী, তোমাতে বিদিত, ভাল মন্দ নাহি জানি। Bez Dalal, গাপ পুণ্য মম. তোমার চরণ খানি ।

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