Mayapur, West Bengal, the birthplace of Lord Caitanya. It’s a very special and beautiful place, lush and green and filled with pilgrims and kirtan. Starting at 3.30am every day a devotee ringing a bell will walk through the large guest ashrams and call us to life. This poem is for him.
The Bell Ringer of Mayapur
The bell ringer of Mayapur
Banishes the night
His bell grows from soft to loud
As it reaches my door
‘Jiva jago! Jiva jago!
Awake awake spirit soul
Do not sleep in the lap
Of the witch called maya.
For yet another day has come
As will another tomorrow
I will leave behind yesterday
It is over now and cannot be returned
The bell ringer calls forth the future
Rise up and prepare yourself
Be ready to come before the sun
The earth and others
Prepare the balance needed
to live both sides
being strong, yet dependent
knowing, yet not
listening to speak
seeing with heart
The bell ringer has come
To take you to another day
Go happily with light step
For it cannot be another way
And you cannot hide forever.
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