Lalan's Bird

Marc Chagall, detail of stained glass "America windows"

Lalan Fakir (1774–1890), known as Lalon Shah, is  is considered to be the greatest figure in the Baul tradition of Bengal. He composed numerous mystic poems and songs what celebrate the freedom of body and soul. 

Your heart is impregnated, with the Lord's presence,
If you can detect that presence,
You can enter the realm of the Unknown
One who has no form and yet dwells forever
is hard to explore.
Wisdom is born on the shore of light
Oh, my mind, he encompassed by the Lord
Your whole existence will be of no significance
Unless touched by the Master's Mercy
Launch the boat of love
And let the Master pilot it.
Then, says Lalon, you will safely
Reach the shore.

***
Ultimate knowledge
Why look for your loved one in the forest,
Look at your own soul
And there you'll find him.
What is matter, what is spirit?
The eye cannot clearly discern
Or the mind determine.
***
The man who holds his beloved
In his mind
Can do without the rosary.
He enjoys solitude.
Only a mad man will think
Of calling aloud
A person so near.
The man in solitude knows everything
That others know.
He is therefore content with himself.
You massage only those parts
where you feel the ache.
The loved one dwells securely in the mind.
One who gets a glimpse of the loved one
remains silent
and withdrawn
Lalan only goes on talking.

This song  "Khachar bhitor ochin pakhi kemne ashe jay" ("the unknown bird in the cage, how does it fly in and out?") is about our journeying beyond all things towards a freedom...

The unknown Bird in the cage...
how does it fly in and out?
Catch it, I would, if I could...
and put my mind's chains on its feet.

There are eight rooms with nine doors,
with latice-work in between.
On top of that, there' s a central yard
and a hall of mirrors.

The unknown Bird in the cage...
how does it fly in and out?

The Bird wouldn't behave so,
had it not been for my ill-luck.
It has broken through its cage
and flown away somewhere....

The unknown Bird in the cage...
how does it fly in and out?

O Mind, you have lived with high hopes,
but your Cage is made of raw bamboo.
One day this Cage will fall and break.
Lalon says, "The door 's ajar, the Bird's flown!"

The unknown Bird in the cage...
how does it fly in and out?

The translation by Carol Salomon.