Prarthona or Prayer by Rabindranath Tagore

Written in August 1906,‘Prarthona or Prayer’, was first published in Tagore’s collection called Kheya (Boat) brought out the same year.

PRARTHONA OR PRAYER

Despite all odds, I will not sell
                      Myself.
I want to stand with everyone
                  As a part of a queue. 
In the morning light,
Shame should not sully me.
May I be enlightened by the 
                  Permeating radiance. 
I will not sell, not sell
                      Myself. 

I will have a clear accord 
                 With the world. 
I will breathe in the breeze 
         That flits in the open skies. 
My body will be purified by the
    Affectionate touch of the Earth. 
The trees will sway with the
           Delight I experience. 
I will be content with this 
            Accord with the world. 

I will care for others and feel happy 
                         In my heart. 
Let no discordant notes sound 
                  from the tunes of my bina*. 
Whatever I experience, give me the 
Strength to accept, let my 
Heart be filled with the joyousness 
                         Of the skies. 
May the wellbeing of others fill my heart
                          With contentment.


*Veena, a string instrument

This poem has been translated by Mitali Chakravarty with editorial input by Sohana Manzoor

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