12. Tell Me, O Swan, Your Ancient Tale
Tell me, O Swan, your ancient tale.
From what land do you come, O Swan? To what shore will you fly?
Where would you take your rest, O Swan, and what do you seek?
Even this morning, O Swan, awake, arise, follow me!
There is a land where no doubt nor sorrow have rule,
Where the terror of Death is no more.
There the woods of spring are a-bloom,
And the fragrant scent “He is” is borne on the wind.
There the bee of the heart is deeply immersed,
And desires no other joy.
Summary
In this poem, Kabir addresses a swan (hamsa), a metaphor for the soul, and asks about its origin and destination. The swan symbolizes the spiritual seeker or the eternal self that journeys beyond the physical world.
Kabir urges the swan (soul) to awaken and follow the spiritual path to a divine realm—one free from doubt, sorrow, and the fear of death. This realm is described as a paradise where eternal spring blooms, and the fragrance of the Divine (“He is”) fills the air.
He further compares the heart to a bee, which finds ultimate fulfillment in divine nectar, seeking no other joy. This signifies a state of deep spiritual immersion and contentment.
Kabir’s message is clear: the soul’s true home is not in the material world but in the divine presence, where it will find peace, joy, and liberation.
Line 1: TELL ME, O Swan, your ancient tale.
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Swan: A symbol of purity, grace, and the soul in spiritual poetry.
- Ancient tale: A timeless or eternal story, often referring to spiritual wisdom.
- Explanation:
- The poem begins with an invocation to the swan, asking it to share its “ancient tale.” The swan symbolizes the soul, and its tale represents the timeless wisdom of the spiritual journey.
- Context:
- In Indian spirituality, the swan (hamsa) is often associated with the soul’s journey toward liberation. Kabir uses this imagery to evoke a sense of divine inquiry and the search for eternal truth.
Line 2: From what land do you come, O Swan? to what shore will you fly?
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Land: A place of origin, symbolizing the soul’s source.
- Shore: A destination, symbolizing the soul’s ultimate goal.
- Explanation:
- Kabir asks the swan about its origin and destination, symbolizing the soul’s journey from its divine source to its ultimate union with the divine. The questions reflect the seeker’s curiosity about the nature of existence and the purpose of life.
- Context:
- These questions are central to spiritual inquiry. Kabir uses them to guide the reader toward contemplating the soul’s origin (the divine) and its destination (union with the divine).
Line 3: Where would you take your rest, O Swan, and what do you seek?
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Rest: A place of peace or fulfillment.
- Seek: To search for or desire.
- Explanation:
- Kabir continues his inquiry, asking where the swan (soul) finds rest and what it seeks. These questions highlight the soul’s longing for peace and its ultimate quest for divine realization.
- Context:
- The idea of “rest” symbolizes spiritual liberation (moksha), where the soul finds eternal peace. The swan’s “seeking” represents the soul’s innate desire for union with the divine.
Line 4: Even this morning, O Swan, awake, arise, follow me!
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Awake, arise: To become conscious or alert.
- Follow me: To follow the path of spiritual guidance.
- Explanation:
- Kabir calls upon the swan (soul) to awaken and follow him on the spiritual path. This line is a call to action, urging the seeker to embark on the journey of self-realization.
- Context:
- The “morning” symbolizes a new beginning or spiritual awakening. Kabir’s call to “follow me” reflects his role as a spiritual guide, leading the seeker toward the divine.
Line 5: There is a land where no doubt nor sorrow have rule: where the terror of Death is no more.
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Land: A spiritual realm or state of being.
- Doubt and sorrow: Mental and emotional afflictions.
- Terror of Death: Fear of mortality.
- Explanation:
- Kabir describes a divine realm free from doubt, sorrow, and the fear of death. This “land” represents the state of spiritual liberation, where the soul experiences eternal peace and freedom.
- Context:
- This line reflects the ultimate goal of spiritual practice: to transcend the limitations of the material world and attain a state of eternal bliss and fearlessness.
Line 6: There the woods of spring are a-bloom, and the fragrant scent ‘He is I’ is borne on the wind:
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Woods of spring: Symbolizing renewal, beauty, and divine grace.
- Fragrant scent: A metaphor for divine presence or realization.
- ‘He is I’: The realization of oneness with the divine.
- Explanation:
- Kabir paints a vivid picture of the divine realm, where the “woods of spring” are in full bloom, symbolizing spiritual vitality and beauty. The “fragrant scent ‘He is I’” represents the realization of the soul’s unity with God.
- Context:
- This line conveys the idea of non-duality (advaita), where the individual soul realizes its oneness with the divine. The imagery of spring and fragrance evokes a sense of joy and fulfillment.
Line 7: There the bee of the heart is deeply immersed, and desires no other joy.
- Difficult words/meanings:
- Bee of the heart: A metaphor for the soul, drawn to the nectar of divine love.
- Deeply immersed: Fully absorbed or united.
- Desires no other joy: Complete contentment in divine union.
- Explanation:
- Kabir describes the soul as a bee immersed in the nectar of divine love, finding complete fulfillment and desiring nothing else. This symbolizes the state of spiritual bliss and union with God.
- Context:
- The bee metaphor emphasizes the soul’s natural attraction to the divine and the joy of spiritual realization. It suggests that true happiness lies in union with God, beyond all worldly desires.
Summary of the Poem:
Kabir’s poem is a lyrical exploration of the soul’s journey toward divine union. Using the swan as a metaphor for the soul, he poses profound questions about the soul’s origin, destination, and ultimate purpose. The poem describes a divine realm free from doubt, sorrow, and fear, where the soul realizes its oneness with God. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Kabir conveys the beauty and joy of spiritual liberation, urging the seeker to awaken and follow the path to divine realization.
