This is a Kashmiri devotional song in praise of Lord Krishna, which recounts a practical phenomenon witnessed by his friend Sudama. [Kaim sa ne preytith mein pana paer]
A Kashmiri devotional song
Part-1
[1]
Who held this dark malice,
this venomous mind?
Who snapped my green bonds, my shelter, my kind?
My hut of dry twigs, my branches laid bare—
Who left me with nothing but wind and despair?
(Chorus)
Who shattered my cottage, my shelter so
small?
Who answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is this the favour Thou granted to me?
[2]
Dead-tired and weary, from distance wide,
Tears filled his eyes in a shimmering tide.
"Who is this king in my dwelling so vast?
What magic is this, from a glorious past?"
(Chorus)
Who shattered my cottage, my shelter so
small?
Who answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is this the favour Thou grantest to me?
[3]
Dead-tired and weary, with burdens
to bear,
Tears filled his eyes, streams bright and clear.
Sudama saw a king in his dwelling so grand,
“What magic is this, by whose unseen hand?”
Chorus
Who shattered my cottage, my shelter so
small?
Who answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is this the favour Thou granted to me?
[4]
Where is my family? Where do
they wander?
Why do I stand in a place I must ponder?
Starved by my journey, by cruel drought's art,
I search for my garden, my roots, and my heart.
Chorus
Who shattered my cottage, my shelter so
small?
Who answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is this the favour Thou granted to me?
[5]
Where are the blossoms that
sweetly would cling?
Where are these meadows in the first verdant spring?
What wondrous fields spread, a vision of might?
What grace has transformed my darkness to light?
Chorus
Who shattered my
cottage, my shelter so small?
Who
answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O
Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is
this the favour Thou granted to me?
…..
Part-2
[1]
Where from these fountains so
bright and blue?
Where do these flowers draw colours so new?
Where did these pearl springs get a promise to run?
Where from this water come blessings, so won?
Chorus
Who shattered my cottage, my shelter so
small?
Who answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is this the favour Thou grantest to me?
[2]
Everywhere, buildings in
grandeur now loom,
Everywhere, houses with bright-coloured bloom,
Everywhere, heavenly fragrance and light,
Everywhere shining, a beautiful sight.
Who shattered my
cottage, my shelter so small?
Who
answered my prayers with ruin and all?
O
Murli Dhar, is this Thy decree?
Is
this the favour Thou grantest to me?
[3]
Where have these fountains with
sudden grace sprung?
Where do these blossoms to bright hues belong?
Where have these pearl-waters, so silent, flown?
Where has this river of blessing grown?
Who smashed my hut, my humble home?
Who left me to wander, to weep and to
roam?
[4]
Everywhere, palaces touch
clouded skies,
Walls painted bright where my cottage lies.
Everywhere fragrance, a heavenly air,
Yet my poor hut—who has tended with care?
(Chorus)
Who smashed my hut, my humble home?
Who left me to wander, to weep and to
roam?
[5]
When did these servants and helpers
appear?
Have all my children fled far from here?
Has my dear wife betrayed me at last?
Is my small world a tale long past?
(Chorus)
Who smashed my hut, my humble home?
Who left me to wander, to weep and to
roam?
[6]
Where are those buds, those flowers so
fair?
I long for their fragrance still in the
air.
My heart is aching, I’m searching in vain,
Hoping to see their beauty again.
(Chorus)
Who smashed my hut, my humble home?
Who left me to wander, to weep and to
roam?
[7]
Sudama pressed on, both hands to the
frame,
Perplexed as he whispered his own name.
He peered through the doorway, to the ceiling
and floor—
Puzzled, he wandered through the window
and door.
(Chorus)
Who smashed my hut, my humble home?
Who left me to wander, to weep and to
roam?
[8]
Pitiful Sudama, lost in surprise,
Watched as a wonder rose to his eyes.
Out from the forest, calm and sweet,
Susheela came forth, his wife, to greet.
(Chorus – softly)
Who smashed my hut, my humble home?
Who left me to wander, to weep and to
roam?
(Final echo)
Who smashed my hut… who smashed my hut…
Sham Misri, Seattle, USA
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