TULSIDAS

Sound Celestial

Listen, O friend, to the thunderous roar of Shabd,

Which reverberates throughout the firmament.

Water, which becomes turbid by relishing the earth,

Gets cleansed of its impurities when filtered.

Waves of pure bliss emanate from the heart

When the moss that covers it is removed.

Hold the arrow, be still, stretch the bow taut,

Fix your aim sharp at the target, pierce the firmament.

The invisible world is contained within the human eye,

So say and describe all men of inner knowledge.

Behold the Brahmand within, through your astral eye.

When that eye is opened, everything stands revealed.

The soul in Sunn will hear resounding peals of Sound,

She will uncover and know the essence of Shabd.

They alone, O Tulsi, will know that perfect state,

Who have seen and experienced it themselves.


Within this body

Within this body
breathes the secret essence.
Within this body
beats the heart of the Vedas.

Within this body
shines the entire Universe,
so the saints say.

Hermits, ascetics, celibates --
all are lost
seeking Him
in endless guises.

Seers and sages perfectly parrot
the scriptures and holy books,
blinded by knowledge.

Their pilgrimage,
and fasting,
and striving
but delude.
Despite their perfect practice,
they discover no destination.

Only the saints
who know the body's heart
have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi.
Realize this, and you've found your freedom.

While teachers trapped in tradition
know only the mirage
in the mirror.