Gitabitan, Touch my soul...

Touch my soul
With the magic jewel of fire,
Bless this life
With the gift of fire.
Lift up this body
Make it the lamp in thy temple;
Day and night
Let the flame of light
Burn in my songs.

All night let thy touch
Pass over the dark
Blossoming new stars.
The blackness will vanish
From before the eyes,
Wherever they turn
They will find light.
My anguish will be ablaze
And rise upward.
Touch my soul
With the magic jewel of fire!

Song আগুনের পরশমণি ছোঁয়াও প্রাণে

Translation by Nagendranath Gupta, Sheaves, Indian Press, Allahabad, 1929

Another version:

Give a touch of the fiery magical stone to my life,
Purify me, clarify me, enlighten me,
With all severe pain, purify my soul.
Uphold my mortal body high, enlightened
Allow me to serve your temple as the burning lamp inside –
Let the lamp radiate through my songs.
With your petite touches into the darkness
Nascent stars arise glimmering all night.
My eyes will not find a dark spot anywhere
It will be light everywhere
All my sufferings would burn and soar skyward.

Translated by Anjan Ganguly