OPEN THOU THY DOOR OF MERCY
Reading edition
All my guilt of old, sin upon sin, put far, far away. Give, O Lord, give in my heart the melody of a new song.
To stir to life my withered, unfeeling heart, near to death and poor, play thy melody on the bīnā, taking ever a new tune.
As in Nature thy sweetness overflows, so let thy compassion wake in my heart.
In the midst of all things may thy loving face float before my eyes. May no rebel thought against thy wish ever wake in my heart.
Day by day, before I set foot in life’s forest, may I crave thy blessing and so advance, my Lord.
Setting thy commands upon my head, may I with unfaltering care accomplish my every task in the remembrance of thy feet.
Giving to thee the fruit of my task fulfilled, at the end of day may my wearied spirit and body find rest.
Hurrying have I come from far away, knowing thee compassionate. A hundred hindrances there were to my coming. How many thorns fill the path to my goal. So, to-day, behold! my heart is wounded, my life is dark. Hurrying have I come from far away, knowing thee compassionate.
Open thou thy door of mercy. My raft of life drifts on the boundless ocean. Fearlessness art thou, and ever powerful. Nought have I, I am weak and poor. My heart is thirsting for thy lotus feet. The day is now far spent. Open thou thy door of mercy. My raft of life drifts on the boundless ocean.[9]
Hemantabālā Dutt. Tr. Miss Whitehouse.