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2017-03-29

Caithfidh tú glacadh leo siúd a ghéilleann duit

Má ritheann an Ghainséis go dtí an t-aigéan
is má dhiúltaíonn an t-aigéan di,
abair liom, a Vitthal,
cé d’éisteodh lena gearán?

Bhfuil abhainn in ann diúltú d’éisc?
An dtabharfadh máthair droim láimhe dá leanbh?

Deir Jan,
a Thiarna,
caithfidh tú glacadh leo siúd
a ghéilleann duit.

Janabai



You must accept those who surrender to you


If the Ganga flows to the ocean

and the ocean turns her away,
tell me, O Vitthal,
who would hear her complaint?

Can the river reject its fish?
Can the mother spurn her child?

Jan says,
Lord,
you must accept those
who surrender to you.

 

Janabai


English version by Sarah Sellergren
Original Language Marathi
-- from Images of Women in Maharashtrian Literature and Religion, Edited by Anne Feldhaus