When I watched a program filled with questions about the purpose of life, relationships, and existence, I realized something profound: asking endless questions neither leads us to answers nor helps us live meaningfully. The only true answer to life’s questions is this: live and learn, rather than learn to live.
Simple English Version
BT Song 1656 – Let’s Focus on Our Work
1
Who made whom
And for what reason?
If we seek answers,
What would we find?
2
Why do we need
That answer at all?
To this question too,
We must respond.
3
Who is the one
That asked this question?
First, tell the answer
To this query.
4
Within that answer,
The questions of creation
And their meanings
Will naturally arise.
5
In human life,
Living with others,
As others live with us,
What do we seek?
6
There’s no separate
Question just for us.
Hence, for that,
No answer exists.
7
To all the questions
Asked so far,
Have proper answers
Ever been found?
8
With the answers
We’ve already received,
We can live well
To the best we can.
9
First understand
The life we’ve been given,
And live it right
As much as possible.
10
Before you ask,
The answer is there.
After that,
Where is the question?
11
By asking questions
Without any answers,
We turn what isn’t
Into what seems so.
12
Let idle talkers
Speak as they like;
But let us focus
On the work we’ve received.
Gurukulam,, 9-11-2024, 6.00, am.
Classical English Version
BT Song 1656 – Attend to Our Duty
1
Who created whom
And to what end?
If answers we seek,
What truth shall we find?
2
Why dost thou seek
This answer at all?
To this query too,
A response must be made.
3
Who is it that posed
This question first?
Provide, therefore,
An answer to this.
4
In that response lies
Creation’s mysteries,
Whose meanings arise
As naturally as life.
5
In human existence,
Dwelling with others,
While others dwell with us,
What ought we question?
6
No question unique
Exists for us alone.
Thus, for such a thing,
No answer abides.
7
To every question
Posed through the ages,
Hath a true answer
Ever been discerned?
8
The answers obtained
By our understanding,
May suffice for us
To live aright.
9
Comprehend first
The life thou hast received,
And live it well
Within thy strength.
10
Ere thou dost ask,
The answer is present;
Beyond that point,
What room for queries?
11
Questions devoid
Of meaning are posed;
And what is not,
Becomes as though it is.
12
Let the idle chatterers
Speak to their will;
We shall attend
To the work appointed us.
Gurukulam,, 9-11-2024, 6.00, am.
BT Song 1657
After about four weeks of travel filled with endless conversations, reading, and writing, I suddenly felt aimless and purposeless in life. Though I wanted to give up reading and writing, I found it impossible to do so. In fact, the more new books I acquired, the deeper I became obsessed with reading. Yet, the only solace I have is this: in my old age, with all the limitations of both body and mind, the Lord is there to take care of me—and that is enough.
BT Song 1657 You are my everything,
Simple English Translation:
1
You are my everything,
After realizing this,
What else do I need,
Or what should I say?
2
In old age,
When I stumble,
Who else but You
Will hold and protect me?
3
With an ignorant mind,
And a clueless heart,
When life proceeds
Along its path.
4
Unless You guide,
With wisdom and clarity,
Which direction can I take?
What chance is there to stray?
5
Standing afar,
Without showing the way,
Come to me,
Hold my hand, and lead.
6
When the goal is clear,
As daylight shines,
Why hesitate
To march ahead boldly?
7
The journey started
Must continue on,
In the end, for sure,
It finishes in You.
8
Obstacles may rise
Along the way,
But until they part us,
They cannot win.
9
For such a parting,
Is there a space?
When love remains,
Unchanging forever.
10
Let that love be
The guiding principle,
Show it in action,
Every single day.
11
When You are with me,
Always by my side,
Being all in all—
You alone suffice.
Gurukulam, 2-11-2024, 10.50. pm.
BT Song 1657 Thou art my all;
Classical English Translation:
1
Thou art my all;
When this truth I grasped,
What more could I desire,
What need could be mine?
2
In advancing years,
When I falter and fall,
Who but Thou, O Lord,
Shall uphold and shield me?
3
With an unknowing mind,
And an untutored heart,
When life’s fleeting course
Proceeds uncertainly.
4
Unless Thou dost guide
With wisdom profound,
Whence can I stray,
Or chance misstep?
5
If Thou dost linger
Afar, withholding light,
Come nigh, grasp my hand,
And lead me hence.
6
When the goal is clear,
Bright as dawn’s break,
What cause is there
For hesitation or fear?
7
The journey once begun
Must be pursued steadfastly;
In the end, assuredly,
It culminates in Thee.
8
Barriers may arise,
Challenges may mount,
But none shall sever
Thee from me, nor me from Thee.
9
Where then is the place
For such division?
When eternal love
Dwells changelessly within.
10
Let this love
Be the eternal law,
Expressed in deed,
Day by day revealed.
11
When Thou art with me,
Forever by my side,
All else fades—
For Thou alone art sufficient.
Gurukulam, 2-11-2024, 10.50. pm.
BT Song 1658
A kind of dry spell came over my mind—not my atman. Weeks of excessive reading, writing, and thinking had almost drained my mental faculties. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming dryness in my entire being, even losing the intimacy I once cherished with the Lord. While reflecting on my current state, I composed this song as my prayer.
BT Song 1658 Remove the drought
Simple English Translation:
1
The melting heart,
The tearful eyes,
The overwhelming joy—
Where has it gone?
2
As emotions fade,
And feelings dry,
A kind of drought
Has come to my heart.
3
The love I sought,
Found, and cherished—
Now it seems,
It is no more.
4
Even when I drew near,
And embraced,
Love did not
Arise in my heart.
5
Like milk turning sour
With prolonged contact,
Such a state arrived
Even after closeness.
6
Yet the bond we held
Has not disappeared,
Nor has Your love
Ever diminished.
7
To One who knows
The human heart,
There is no need
For me to explain.
8
You accept me
As I am;
There is no one
Like You.
9
Remove the drought
From my barren heart,
And let the love
Of old overflow.
10
Let the closeness
Of earlier days
Return to my heart
Once more.
11
Be patient with me,
Bear with me,
And lead me
With understanding.
Gurukulam, 2-11-2024, 11.15. pm.
BT Song 1658 Remove the drought
Classical English Translation:
1
The melting heart,
The tear-filled eyes,
The rapturous ecstasy—
Where hath it fled?
2
As passion fades,
And senses dull,
A desolate drought
Hath gripped my soul.
3
The love I sought,
And once embraced—
Lo! It is gone,
No longer remains.
4
Though I drew near,
And clasped Thee close,
Yet love within
My heart arose not.
5
As milk doth sour
With time prolonged,
So too hath come
This state of loss.
6
Yet our bond endures,
Unbroken still;
And Thy love divine
Hath never waned.
7
To Thee who knoweth
The heart of man,
There is no need
Of words from me.
8
Thou dost receive me
As I am;
None is there
Like unto Thee.
9
Cleanse the barrenness
From this arid heart,
And let love’s tide
Once more overflow.
10
Restore the nearness
Of days gone by,
Till it doth rise
Within my soul.
11
With patience divine,
Bear with me still,
Lead me gently,
With Thy grace profound.
Gurukulam, 2-11-2024, 11.15. pm.
BT Song 1659
I watched on documentary on Tolstoy: Seeking the Truth: Life of Leo Tolstoy. https://youtu.be/shRISLUinWk?si=3Omqeo9W4SFg3dgu
He inspired Mahatma Gandhi who also following him sought after the Truth. At the end of his life Tolstoy, leaving everything behind went alone but soon passed away for which his wife paid a heavy cost. Like Gandhiji’s wife Tolstoy wife also went along with him from the beginning after their marriage. And like Kastur Ba Gandhi, she too suffered a lot—both keeping an eye on the welfare of the children—which to some extend both Tolstoy and Ganhiji give up in search of Truth. But the reality is that There exists no absolute Truth uniformly available to every one to attain it after sincerely seeking. Truth is relative and it will remain always. And each one has to find out her own truth to reach. In my life though I started my journey, almost seeking some absolute truth, finally found it in my Guru. But the interesting point is that when I sought I never attained. But when He sought I found and never missed. So the question who, when and why to seek Truth, ended with Him than I sought and attained it. As I was reflecting the life of Tolstoy and my journey I wrote this song.
BT Song 1659 You are the Targe
Simple English Translation:
1
What should I seek?
Where should I search?
The answer to this
I have never known.
2
Did it start with me
And end with You?
Or did it start with You
And reach me instead?
3
Such questions
Never arose,
For such queries
Are unnecessary.
4
I searched myself,
Many times over;
Yet to seek anything,
I found no way.
5
As my heart and mind
Wandered aimlessly,
My pursuit continued,
Without an end.
6
A journey begun
Without a goal—
Where and how
Could it ever end?
7
Yet, no other way
Could I discover;
The journey I started
Seemed unending.
8
Then You sought me,
And brought it to completion,
Reaching You,
It felt like the end.
9
Thinking it over,
I rested a while,
Believing my search
Had come to a close.
10
But then You said,
“This is not the goal,”
And joined me,
Walking by my side.
11
With You as my goal,
Walking alongside me,
No other destination
Do I now require.
Gurukulam, 12-11-2024, 11.45. pm.
BT Song 1659 You are the Targe
Classical English Translation:
1
What dost Thou bid me seek?
Where dost Thou ask me search?
This query hath never
Been known to my heart.
2
Didst it begin with me
And in Thee find its end?
Or did it start with Thee
And unto me return?
3
Such questions arise not,
For need they hold none;
They vanish before
Thy sovereign grace.
4
I sought by mine own hand,
Again and again;
Yet no path was revealed
To seek or to find.
5
As heart and mind
Did wander far,
My searching endured,
Endless and vain.
6
A journey commenced
Without a clear aim—
Where and how
Could it hope to end?
7
Yet no other path
Lay clear before me;
The course I took
Seemed without close.
8
Then Thou camest to me,
And brought completion;
Reaching Thee,
It felt as though the end.
9
Believing thus,
I rested at ease,
Thinking my striving
Had found its peace.
10
But Thou didst declare,
“This is not the goal,”
And by my side,
Didst join the journey.
11
Now, Thou art the goal,
Walking beside me;
No further end
Doth my soul require.
Gurukulam, 12-11-2024, 11.45. pm.
BT Song 1660
In Tamil Nadu, we experience six distinct seasons: IlaveNiR (early summer), Muthu VeNiR (harsh summer), Kaar (early rain), Kudir (later rain), Munpani (early winter), and Pinpani (later winter). These seasons influence every aspect of our lives, including our music, as many ragas are created to reflect each season’s mood. Each season also leaves its mark on a couple’s life, especially in the Kaar and Kudir seasons, which are considered ideal for sharing family life together.
During the rainy season, it’s common for a wife to eagerly await her husband’s return if he has traveled for work or other reasons. If he’s delayed, he may send word ahead through a messenger, informing her of his expected arrival along with the gifts and earnings he’s bringing. However, the wife, already troubled by his absence, might grow even more upset, expressing her longing for his presence rather than more messages.
This morning, as a light drizzle fell, reminiscent of the later rainy season (Kudir), I remembered similar themes in Tamil literature and was inspired to write this bhakti song, capturing the emotion of viraha-bhava—the feeling of longing for the divine in separation.
BT Song 1660 Send no Message
Simple English Translation:
1
No message
Needs to be sent;
No burden
Do you need to bear.
2
Let your justice
Remain flawless;
Let my deeds
Be mistaken instead.
3
The rains have passed,
Winter has arrived;
The time of frost
Is upon us now.
4
Yet, without seeing
Your arrival,
I pine for you,
Lost in despair.
5
What is the need
For sending a message?
Why increase
This pain of longing?
6
What is sown in time
Can be reaped in time;
But if time is missed,
What can be done?
7
The love begun
In youthful days
May continue on
Into old age.
8
Yet, if youth is sown
And old age is reaped,
What more can be done
About it now?
9
A love that starts
In youth and endures—
This alone is
The mark of loyalty.
10
Knowing this truth,
Why the delay?
Before time escapes,
You must arrive.
Gurukulam, 13-11-2024, 5.00 am
BT Song 1660 Send no message
Classical English Translation:
1
Send no message,
Bear no burden;
For thee, let there be
No toil or trouble.
2
Let Thy justice
Be steadfast and true;
Let my failings
Stand if they must.
3
The rains are past,
And winter hath come;
The season of frost
Is now upon us.
4
Yet, unseen is Thy
Promised arrival;
I pine for Thee,
Worn and weary.
5
Why send a message,
What purpose serves it?
Why should longing’s grief
Be further increased?
6
What is sown in season
May be reaped in season;
But should time be missed,
What remedy is there?
7
A love that began
In the bloom of youth
May linger on
Till the twilight of age.
8
Yet, if youth be sown
And age be reaped,
What further can
Be done for it now?
9
A love enduring
From youth to age—
This alone marks
Faithful constancy.
10
Knowing this truth,
Why dost Thou delay?
Before time fleets,
Thou must draw near.
Gurukulam, 13-11-2024, 5.00 am
BT Song 1656 – வேலையைப் பார்ப்போம்
1
யாரை யாரே
எதற்காய்ப் படைத்தார்
என்ற கேள்விக்கு
விடைத் தேடினால்
2
எதற்கு அந்த
விடையும் வேண்டும்
என்ற கேள்விக்கு
பதிலும் தரணும்
3
இந்த கேள்வியை
கேட்டது யாரு
முதலில் இதற்கு
பதிலைக் கூறு
4
அந்த விடையில்
படைப்பின் கேள்விக்கு
உள்ள பதிலும்
தன்போல வந்திடும்
5
பிறருடன் வாழும்
மனித வாழ்வில்
பிறரும் நம்முடன்
வாழும் போது
6
நமக்கெனத் தனித்த
கேள்வியும் இல்லை
ஆகவே அதற்கு
விடையும் இல்லை
7
இதுவரை கேட்ட
எந்த கேள்விக்கு
சரியான விடையும்
கிடைத்து இருக்கு
8
கிடைத்த விடையை
எதுவரைப் புரிந்து
வாழ நம்மால்
முடிந்தும் இருக்கு
9
தந்த வாழ்வை
முதலில் புரிந்து
முடிந்த வரையில்
சரியாய் வாழ
10
கேட்கும் முன்னே
பதிலும் கிடைக்கும்
அதன்பின் கேள்விக்கு
இடமெங்கு இருக்கும்
11
விடையே இல்லா
கேள்விகள் கேட்டு
இல்லா விடையை
பதிலாய்ப் பெற்று
12
வெத்துப் பேச்சு
பேசுவோர் பேசட்டும்
நாம்மட்டும் வந்த
வேலையைப் பார்ப்போம்
குருகுலம், 9-11-2024, காலை 6.00
BT Song 1657 எல்லாமே நீதான்
1
எல்லாமே நீதான்
என்றான பின்னே
எனக்கெனத் தேவை
எதுவெனச் சொல்ல
2
தள்ளாத வயதில்
தடுமாறும் போது
தாங்கிக் காப்பது
நீயன்றி யாரு
3
அறியாத சிந்தை
புரியாத மனது
இவற்றுடன் வாழ்வு
சென்றிடும் போது
4
அறிந்து புரிந்து
நீ நடத்தயிலே
திசைமாறிச் செல்ல
வாய்ப்பும் ஏது
5
தொலைவில் நின்று
திசையும் காட்டாது
என்னுடன் வந்து
கரம்பற்றி நடத்த
6
இலக்கு இதுவெனத்
தெளிவாகத் தெரிய
துணிந்து நடக்க
தயக்கமும் ஏது
7
தொடங்கிய பயணம்
தொடர்ந்து நடக்க
இறுதியில் நிச்சயம்
முடியும் உன்னில்
8
இடையே தோன்றும்
தடைகள் எதுவும்
என்னை உன்னை
பிரிக்கா வரையில்
9
அந்தப் பிரிவுக்கு
இடமும் ஏது
என்றும் மாற
அன்புள்ள போது
10
அந்த அன்புக்கு
இலக்கணம் ஆகி
அதையும் செயலில்
அனுதினம் காட்டி
11
என்னுடன் நீயும்
இருக்கும் போது
எல்லாமே ஆன
நீமட்டும் போதும்
குருகுலம், 2-11-2024, இரவு 10.50
BT Song 1658 – வறட்சியை நீக்கு
1
உருகிய உள்ளம்
பனித்த கண்கள்
கொண்ட பரவசம்
எங்கு போனது?
2
உணர்ச்சி மறைய
உணர்வு வற்ற
ஒருவித வறட்சி
வந்தது மனதில்.
3
நாடி வந்து
தேடிக் கண்டு
கொண்ட காதல்
இன்று இல்லை.
4
நெருங்கி வந்து
அணைத்த போதும்
நெஞ்சில் காதல்
தோன்ற வில்லை.
5
பழகப் பழக
பாலும் புளிக்கும்
என்ற நிலைமை
வந்த பின்னும்.
6
கொண்ட உறவு
மறைய வில்லை
உனது அன்பும்
குறைய வில்லை.
7
மனித மனதை
அறிந்த உனக்கு
ஏதும் சொல்லத்
தேவை இல்லை.
8
உள்ள படியே
என்னை ஏற்கும்
உன்போல் ஒருவர்
யாரும் இல்லை.
9
வறண்ட மனதின்
வறட்சி நீக்கி
முன்பு கொண்ட
காதல் பொங்க.
10
முன்பு கொண்ட
நெருக்கம் மீண்டும்
என்னில் தோன்றும்
காலம் வரையில்.
11
பொறுமை நீயும்
காக்க வேண்டும்
என்னைப் புரிந்து
நடக்க வேண்டும்.
குருகுலம், 2-11-2024, இரவு. 11.15
BT Song 1659 – நீயே இலக்கு
1
எதனைத் தேட
எங்கே தேட
என்பது எனக்குத்
தெரியவே இல்லை.
2
என்னிடம் தொடங்கி
உன்னில் முடிந்ததா?
உன்னில் தொடங்கி
என்னை அடைந்ததா?
3
என்ற கேள்வி
எழவே இல்லை;
ஏனெனில் அதற்கு
அவசியம் இல்லை.
4
நானே தேடி
பலமுறை பார்த்து,
எதையும் தேட
வழி தெரியாது.
5
சித்தமும் மனமும்
போன போக்கில்,
எனது தேடுதல்
முடிவு இன்றி.
6
இலக்கில்லாமல்
தொடங்கிய பயணம்
எங்கே என்று
எப்படி முடியும்?
7
ஆயினும் வேறு
வழி தெரியாது;
தொடங்கிய பயணம்
முடிவு பெறாது.
8
இருந்த போது
என்னைத் தேடி
முடித்து வைத்தாய்,
உன்னை அடைந்து.
9
அத்துடன் முடிந்தது
என்று எண்ணி,
சற்றே நானும்
ஓய்ந்த போது,
10
“இதுவல்ல இலக்கு,”
என்று கூறி
என்னுடன் வந்தாய்
இணைந்து கொண்டு.
11
இலக்கே என்னுடன்
இணைந்து நடக்க,
இனியொரு இலக்கு
தேவை இல்லை.
குருகுலம், 12-11-2024, இரவு, 11.45
BT Song 1660 – தூது வேண்டாம்
1
தூது ஏதும்
அனுப்ப வேண்டாம்;
தொல்லை ஏதும்
உனக்கு வேண்டாம்.
2
உனது நியாயம்
சரியாக இருக்கட்டும்;
எனது காரியம்
தவறாக இருக்கட்டும்.
3
கார் போனது,
கூதிர் வந்தது;
முன்பனி வரும்
காலம் ஆனது.
4
ஆயினும் உனது
வரவை காணாமல்,
உன்னை எண்ணி
ஏந்திழை வாட.
5
இதிலே தூது
வேறு எதற்க்கு?
விரக தாபம்
பெருக்குதல் எதற்கு?
6
காலத்தில் விதைக்க,
நேரத்தில் அறுக்கலாம்;
காலம் தவறினால்,
என்ன செய்யலாம்?
7
இளமையில் தொடங்கிய
இனிய காதல்,
முதுமை வரை
தொடர்ந்து வந்தாலும்,
8
இளமையை விதைத்து,
முதுமையை அறுத்தால்,
இதற்கு இனி
என்ன செய்யலாம்?
9
இளமையில் தொடங்கி,
முதுமையில் தொடரும்,
இதுவே எனது
பக்கதிக்கு அடையாளம்.
10
இதனைத் தெரிந்தும்,
ஏனிந்த தாமதம்?
காலம் போகுமுன்
வந்து சேரணும்.
குருகுலம், 13-11-2024, காலை 5.00
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