Courage is not just standing against the evil. The true courage comes when you are able to wish for the blessing to the enemy! Here is what the brave poet speaks to his heart. He explains why to love thine enemy. For the lack of love / compassion to the enemy will only lead to the downfall of self. And he also says that as the shell hoards the beautiful pearl, there would be good in everyone. Find the pearl in every plain shell so life is filled with love, goodness and betterment.
I am not sure whether I have insane courage or whether I am plain stupid. For I have added my translation to one of my most favourite verses of my favourite poet Bharathi. Though I have translated his works for ages, the reason for this new-found embarrassment is this song has been translated by himself. And the contrast is just too plain and clear. So please excuse my lack of expertise.
பகைவனுக் கருள்வாய் -- நன்னெஞ்சே பகைவனுக் கருள்வாய்.
Love thy enemy – Oh Good Heart!
Love thy enemy!
புகை நடுவினில் தீயிருப்பதைப் பூமியிற் கண்டோ மே-நன்னெஞ்சே! பூமியிற் கண்டோ மே.
We saw in the world that fire
resides inside the smoke – Oh Good Heart!
We saw in the world.
பகை நடுவினில் அன்புரு வானநம் பரமன் வாழ்கின்றான் -நன்னெஞ்சே! பரமன் வாழ்கின்றான்.
The Paraman lives on, as the form of love
Amidst the enmity – Oh Good Heart!
The Paraman lives on.
சிப்பியிலே நல்ல முத்து விளைந்திடுஞ் செய்தி யறியாயோ?-நன்னெஞ்சே! குப்பையிலே மலர் கொஞ்சுங் குருக்கத்திக் கொடி வளராதோ?-நன்னெஞ்சே!
Don’t you know the fact that a good pearl
Grows within the shell? – Oh Good Heart!
Will not the creeper lily (Hiptage benghalensis), bearing the adorable flowers
Grow over garbage? – Oh Good Heart!
உள்ள நிறைவிலொர் கள்ளம் புகுந்திடில் உள்ளம் நிறைவாமோ,-நன்னெஞ்சே! தெள்ளிய தேனிலொர் சிறிது நஞ்சையும் சேர்த்தபின் தேனோமோ?நன்னெஞ்சே!
When a guilt thought creeps in a content heart,
Will the heart be content anymore? – Oh GoodHeart!
After adding a drop of poison to pure honey,
Will the honey still be just honey? – Oh Good Heart!
வாழ்வை நினைத்தபின் தாழ்வை நினைப்பது வாழ்வுக்கு நேராமோ?-நன்னெஞ்சே! தாழ்வு பிறர்க்கெண்ணத் தானழிவா னென்ற சாத்திரங் கேளாயோ?-நன்னெஞ்சே!
Thinking of the downfalls of life after thinking of the goodness of life,
Is that right to the life? – Oh Good Heart!
Haven’t you heard of the gospel that those who seek the downfall
of others, fall themselves as prey? – Oh Good Heart!
போருக்கு வந்தங் கெதிர்த்த கவுரவர் போலவந் தானுமவன்-நன்னெஞ்சே! நேருக் கருச்சுனன் தேரிற் கசைகொண்டு நின்றதுங் கண்ணனன்றோ?-நன்னெஞ்சே!
Even when those who came against and for war
are the Gauravs – Oh Good Heart,
Isn’t it the Kannan who stood as the charioteer
with the whip for Archunan? – Oh Good Heart!
தின்ன வரும்புலி தன்னையும் அன்பொடு சிந்தையிற் போற்றிடுவாய்-நன்னெஞ்சே! அன்னை பராசக்தி யவ்வுரு வாயினள் அவளைக் கும்பிடுவாய்-நன்னெஞ்சே!
Praise in the heart with love, even the Tiger
That comes to eat – Oh Good Heart!
Mother Parasakthi is indeed the form of love,
Worship her – Oh Good Heart!
The following is the translation done by Bharathiyaar himself and was published on September 22, 1915.
Love thine enemy, heart of mine, Oh!
Love thine enemy.
Hast thou not seen the shining flame
Amidst the darkening smoke?
In foeman’s soul lives Krishna, whom
As Love the wise invoke.
Oft we’ve preached to men that God
In all that is doth shine.
Why, then, my heart, ‘tis God that stands
Arrayed as foeman’s line.
Does know that limpid pearls are found
Within the oysters vile?
Hast seen on dunghill, too, sometimes
The starry blossom smile?
The heart that guards a wound, shall it
The Inner Peace possess?
The honey poison-mixed, shall it
Be wholesome ne’ertheless?
Shall we who strive for Life and Growth,
Lend thought to Sad Decay?
“Thine evil thoughts recoil on thee’,
So do the wise ones say.
When Arjun fought, twas Krishna whom
He faced, disguised as foes;
‘Twas Krishna, too, that drove his car
In charioteering pose.
Strike down the tiger threat’ning thee,
But love it, straight and true;
The Mother of All hath donned that garb,
Salute Her, ay there, too.
Love thine enemy, heart of mine, Oh!
Love thine enemy.
Ripples 