冰心译的《吉檀迦利》臻于完美之境，这是大家公认的，所以，我清楚，自己改译， 除了我敝帚自珍外，别人往往会不屑一顾，或者讥笑我自不量力。不过，我忍不住要做这无用功，真的没办法，心底好像有股力量在催逼我。每天只做一点，细水长流，也是一种乐趣。

１

Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.

您已使我永生，那是您的快乐。这脆薄的杯儿，您不断地倒空，又盛满新的生命。

This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.

您携着这小芦笛逾山越谷，从笛管里吹出永新的音乐。

At the immortal touch of thy hands my little heart loses its limits in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.

您双手不朽的触摸，让我微小的心，体验无边的快乐，发出不可言说的词调。

Thy infinite gifts come to me only on these very small hands of mine. Ages pass, and still thou pourest, and still there is room to fill.

您无穷的赐予，只倾入我小小的手里。时代过去了，您还在倾注，却依然没有充满。

２

When thou commandest me to sing it seems that my heart would break with pride; and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes.

当您命我歌唱时，我的心骄傲欲裂；凝望着您的脸，不禁热泪盈眶。

All that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts into one sweet harmony---and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird on its flight across the sea.

我生命里的一切凝涩与冲突，融入一片美妙的和谐——我的爱慕，像只快乐的鸟儿，展翅飞越大海。

I know thou takest pleasure in my singing. I know that only as a singer I come before thy presence.

我知道，您喜欢我歌唱。我知道，唯有作为歌者，我才会到您的面前。

I touch by the edge of the far-spreading wing of my song thy feet which I could never aspire to reach.

我的歌儿展翅，那远伸的翅梢，触到您的双脚，这是我从未渴望过的。

Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself and call thee friend who art my lord.

陶醉于欢唱，我忘乎所以；您本是我的主，我却叫您朋友。

３

I know not how thou singest, my master! I ever listen in silent amazement.

我不知您怎样唱，我的主人！我总惊奇地静听。

The light of thy music illumines the world. The life breath of thy music runs from sky to sky. The holy stream of thy music breaks through all stony obstacles and rushes on.

您音乐的光辉照亮世界。您音乐的气息透彻诸天。您音乐的圣泉，冲破一切石障，奔涌向前。

My heart longs to join in thy song, but vainly struggles for a voice. I would speak, but speech breaks not into song, and I cry out baffled. Ah, thou hast made my heart captive in the endless meshes of thy music, my master!

我的心，渴望与您合唱，却挣扎不出声音。我要说话，言语却不成曲调，我要呼喊，声音却被阻挡。呵，我的心，被您音乐的无边之网俘虏，我的主人！

４

Life of my life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing that thy living touch is upon all my limbs.

我的灵魂呀，我将永保躯体之纯洁，领悟您灵动的触摸，抚遍我的四肢。

I shall ever try to keep all untruths out from my thoughts, knowing that thou art that truth which has kindled the light of reason in my mind.

我将永远从我思想中摒除谎言，领悟您就是真理，点燃我心中的理智之火。

I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my heart and keep my love in flower, knowing that thou hast thy seat in the inmost shrine of my heart.

我将从我心中驱除一切邪恶，让爱开花，领悟您就坐在我心宫最深处。

And it shall be my endeavour to reveal thee in my actions, knowing it is thy power gives me strength to act.

我将竭力在行动中展现您，领悟您的威力给我行动的力量。

５

I ask for a moment's indulgence to sit by thy side. The works that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.

请容我在您身边坐会儿吧，我手头的工作，呆会儿再去完成。

Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite, and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.

远离了您，我的心便不懂休息，而工作也变成无边苦海中的无尽劳役。

Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.

今天，夏季轻嘘微语着来我窗前；群蜂在花树的庭院中尽情吟唱。

Now it is time to sit quite, face to face with thee, and to sing dedication of live in this silent and overflowing leisure.

时辰到了，与您静坐相对，在这寂静满溢的闲暇里，唱出生命的献歌。

６

Pluck this little flower and take it, delay not! I fear lest it droop and drop into the dust.

采下这朵小花，拿走吧，不要迟延！我怕它凋谢后落入尘土。

I may not find a place in thy garland, but honour it with a touch of pain from thy hand and pluck it. I fear lest the day end before I am aware, and the time of offering go by.

也许，它配不上您的花环，但采折它吧，以痛的触摸荣耀它。我怕警觉之先，日光已逝，过了供献的时间。

Though its colour be not deep and its smell be faint, use this flower in thy service and pluck it while there is time.

这花儿色浅香淡，但用它来礼拜吧；趁着有时间，就采折它吧。

７

My song has put off her adornments. She has no pride of dress and decoration. Ornaments would mar our union; they would come between thee and me; their jingling would drown thy whispers.

我的诗歌卸掉妆饰，她没有衣饰的骄傲。妆饰品会损害我们的融合，会横亘在我们之间，叮当声会掩没您的细语。

My poet's vanity dies in shame before thy sight. O master poet, I have sat down at thy feet. Only let me make my life simple and straight, like a flute of reed for thee to fill with music.

我那诗人的虚荣，羞死在您的目光中。诗圣呀，我已坐在您跟前。就让我的生命单纯正直，像一支芦笛，充满您的音乐。

８

The child who is decked with prince's robes and who has jewelled chains round his neck loses all pleasure in his play; his dress hampers him at every step.

那孩子，穿上王子长袍，佩戴珠宝项链，失去一切游玩之乐；因为衣服绊着他的步履．

In fear that it may be frayed, or stained with dust he keeps himself from the world, and is afraid even to move.

担心衣饰磨损或玷污，他远离尘世，甚至害怕挪动。

Mother, it is no gain, thy bondage of finery, if it keeps one shut off from the healthful dust of the earth, if it rob one of the right of entrance to the great fair of common human life.

母亲，您服饰的束缚，如果隔断人与大地的健康尘土，如果剥夺人进入日常生活的盛大集会的权利，那它就毫无益处。

９

O Fool, try to carry thyself upon thy own shoulders! O beggar, to come beg at thy own door!

傻子呀，想把自己背在肩上！乞丐呀，到你自家门口行乞！

Leave all thy burdens on his hands who can bear all, and never look behind in regret.

卸下你的负担，放在能承受一切的手中，别在后悔中回顾往昔。

Thy desire at once puts out the light from the lamp it touches with its breath. It is unholy--take not thy gifts through its unclean hands. Accept only what is offered by sacred love.

你欲望的气息，立刻吹灭它触到的灯火。它是邪恶的——别从它不洁之手接受礼物，只领受圣爱的赐予吧。

１０

Here is thy footstool and there rest thy feet where live the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.

您在最贫最贱最失所的人群中歇足，这是您的脚凳。

When I try to bow to thee, my obeisance cannot reach down to the depth where thy feet rest among the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.

我向您鞠躬，但敬礼无法抵达您歇足的深处——那最贫最贱最失所的人群中。

Pride can never approach to where thou walkest in the clothes of the humble among the poorest, and lowliest, and lost.

您穿着破敝的衣服，在最贫最贱最失所的人群中行走，骄傲永远被拒之门外。

My heart can never find its way to where thou keepest company with the companionless among the poorest, the lowliest, and the lost.

您与那些孤零的最贫最贱最失所的人作伴，而我的心找不到那个地方。

１１

Leave this chanting and singing and telling of beads! Whom dost thou worship in this lonely dark corner of a temple with doors all shut? Open thine eyes and see thy God is not before thee!

留下礼赞与念珠吧！在门窗紧闭、幽暗孤寂的殿角里，您礼拜谁呢？你睁眼看吧，上帝并不在你面前！

He is there where the tiller is tilling the hard ground and where the pathmaker is breaking stones. He is with them in sun and in shower, and his garment is covered with dust. Put of thy holy mantle and even like him come down on the dusty soil!

他在那里，农夫耕着枯地，路工敲着石头。顶着烈日，迎着阴雨，他与他们同在，衣袍蒙上了尘土。脱掉你的圣袍，也像他那样，踏进泥土里吧！

Deliverance? Where is this deliverance to be found? Our master himself has joyfully taken upon him the bonds of creation; he is bound with us all for ever.

解脱？哪里找它呢？我们的主已快乐地承担创造的锁链；他与我们永远连系在一起。

Come out of thy meditations and leave aside thy flowers and incense! What harm is there if thy clothes become tattered and stained? Meet him and stand by him in toil and in sweat of thy brow.

走出静坐，撇开香花吧！衣服污损又有何妨？去迎接他，在辛劳里，在流汗里，站在他身旁吧！

１２

The time that my journey takes is long and the way of it long.

我旅行了很久，经历漫长的旅途。

I came out on the chariot of the first gleam of light, and pursued my voyage through the wildernesses of worlds leaving my track on many a star and planet.

我驱车起行，迎着第一丝曙光，穿越世界的荒野，在众多星球上，留下我的足迹。

It is the most distant course that comes nearest to thyself, and that training is the most intricate which leads to the utter simplicity of a tune.

离你最近的地方，旅途最远；弹奏最简单的曲调，训练最难。

The traveller has to knock at every alien door to come to his own, and one has to wander through all the outer worlds to reach the innermost shrine at the end.

旅客要敲遍陌生人家门，才走回自己的家里；人要在外四处漫游，最终才抵达心宫最深处。

My eyes strayed far and wide before I shut them and said 'Here art thou!'

我四处张望后，闭上眼说：“你在这里！”

The question and the cry 'Oh, where?' melt into tears of a thousand streams and deluge the world with the flood of the assurance 'I am!'

“哦，在哪儿呢？”这问话，这呼唤，融化在千股泪泉里；“我在这里！”，这确信的回答，犹如洪流，淹没了整个世界。

１３

The song that I came to sing remains unsung to this day.

我要唱的歌，至今还未唱出。

I have spent my days in stringing and in unstringing my instrument.

我消磨着时光，调理我的乐器。

The time has not come true, the words have not been rightly set; only there is the agony of wishing in my heart.

时辰未到，歌词还未填好；只有我心中的渴望之苦。

The blossom has not opened; only the wind is sighing by.

花儿还未绽放；只有风儿叹息着吹过。

I have not seen his face, nor have I listened to his voice; only I have heard his gentle footsteps from the road before my house.

我从未见过他的面容，也从未听过他的声音；我只听见他轻柔的足音，从房前的路上传来。

The livelong day has passed in spreading his seat on the floor; but the lamp has not been lit and I cannot ask him into my house.

他消磨了一整天，在地上铺设座位；但灯火还未点燃，我不能请他进来。

I live in the hope of meeting with him; but this meeting is not yet.

我活在与他相会的希望中，但这相会的时辰还未到来。

１４

My desires are many and my cry is pitiful, but ever didst thou save me by hard refusals; and this strong mercy has been wrought into my life through and through.

我的欲望很多，我的哭泣很可怜，但您永远用坚决的拒绝来拯救我，这强烈仁慈已经完全融入我的生命。

Day by day thou art making me worthy of the simple, great gifts that thou gavest to me unasked---this sky and the light, this body and the life and the mind---saving me from perils of overmuch desire.

一天天地，您让我更配您自动的简单伟大的赐予——这天空与光明，这躯体、生命与心灵——把我从极欲的危险中拯救出来。

There are times when I languidly linger and times when I awaken and hurry in search of my goal; but cruelly thou hidest thyself from before me.

有时我无力地拖延时光，有时我匆忙地寻找目标；但您却狠心地藏了起来。

Day by day thou art making me worthy of thy full acceptance by refusing me ever and anon, saving me from perils of weak, uncertain desire.

一天天地，你不断拒绝我，让我更配你完全的接纳，把我从软弱动摇的欲望之险中拯救出来。

１５

I am here to sing thee songs. In this hall of thine I have a corner seat.

在您的厅堂，我坐在屋角，为您歌唱。

In thy world I have no work to do; my useless life can only break out in tunes without a purpose.

在您的世界中，我无事可做；我无用的生命，只能毫无目的地歌唱。

When the hour strikes for thy silent worship at the dark temple of midnight, command me, my master, to stand before thee to sing.

在夜半黑暗的庙中，当默祷钟声敲响时，我的主人，命令我站在您面前歌唱吧！

When in the morning air the golden harp is tuned, honour me, commanding my presence.

当金琴在晨光中调谐时，荣耀我吧，命令我到您的面前。

１６

I have had my invitation to this world's festival, and thus my life has been blessed. My eyes have seen and my ears have heard.

我接到这世界节日的请柬，因而，我的生命被祝福了。我耳闻目睹了节日盛况。

It was my part at this feast to play upon my instrument, and I have done all I could.

在宴会中，我负责奏乐，我也尽力了。

Now, I ask, has the time come at last when I may go in and see thy face and offer thee my silent salutation?

现在，我问，时辰终于到了吗？我能进去一睹您的容颜，并献上我静默的敬礼。

１７

I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands. That is why it is so late and why I have been guilty of such omissions.

我只等候着爱最终把我交到他手里。因此，我会迟误，会对这延误感到愧疚。

They come with their laws and their codes to bind me fast; but I evade them ever, for I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands.

他们用法律和规章紧紧地约束我；但我总躲着他们，因为我只等候着爱最终把我交到他手里。

People blame me and call me heedless; I doubt not they are right in their blame.

人们责备我，说我心不在焉的；我相信他们责备得对。

The market day is over and work is all done for the busy. Those who came to call me in vain have gone back in anger. I am only waiting for love to give myself up at last into his hands.

集市日结束了，忙人做完了工作。叫我不应的人含怒回去了。我只等候着爱最终把我交到他手里。

１８

Clouds heap upon clouds and it darkens. Ah, love, why dost thou let me wait outside at the door all alone?

乌云堆积，越来越暗。呵，爱，您为何让我独自等候在门外？

In the busy moments of the noontide work I am with the crowd, but on this dark lonely day it is only for thee that I hope.

在中午工作的忙碌时分，我融入人群中；但在这黑暗寂寞的日子，我只盼望着您。

If thou showest me not thy face, if thou leavest me wholly aside, I know not how I am to pass these long, rainy hours.

若您不容我见面，若您完全不理我，我不知如何度过这悠长的雨天。

I keep gazing on the far-away gloom of the sky, and my heart wanders wailing with the restless wind.

我一直凝望着遥远的阴空，心儿随着不宁的风彷徨悲叹。

１９

If thou speakest not I will fill my heart with thy silence and endure it. I will keep still and wait like the night with starry vigil and its head bent low with patience.

倘使您不说话，我将含忍着，心中充满您的沉默。我要静静等候，宛如星光中无眠的黑夜，耐心地低着它的头。

The morning will surely come, the darkness will vanish, and thy voice pour down in golden streams breaking through the sky.

清晨必定会来，黑暗也将隐匿，您的声音划破长空，像金泉般倾泻而下。

Then thy words will take wing in songs from every one of my birds' nests, and thy melodies will break forth in flowers in all my forest groves.

那时，您的话语，将从我每个鸟巢中唱着起飞，您的音乐，将在我林丛的繁花中恣意喷发。

２０

On the day when the lotus bloomed, alas, my mind was straying, and I knew it not. My basket was empty and the flower remained unheeded.

那天，莲花绽放，唉，我不觉心旌摇荡。我的花篮空着，花儿我也没去理睬。

Only now and again a sadness fell upon me, and I started up from my dream and felt a sweet trace of a strange fragrance in the south wind.

一缕忧愁不时地侵袭我。我从梦中惊起，感觉南风里一阵奇香的芳踪。

That vague sweetness made my heart ache with longing and it seemed to me that is was the eager breath of the summer seeking for its completion.

那朦胧的甜蜜，使我渴望得心痛，对我而言，犹如夏的渴盼气息寻求圆满。

I knew not then that it was so near, that it was mine, and that this perfect sweetness had blossomed in the depth of my own heart.

那时，我不晓得它离我那么近，而且是我的，这完美的甜蜜，已在我心灵深处绽放。

２１

I must launch out my boat. The languid hours pass by on the shore---Alas for me!

我必须撑船出航。在岸边消磨了倦怠的时光——为我叹息吧！

The spring has done its flowering and taken leave. And now with the burden of faded futile flowers I wait and linger.

春天开过花就告别了。如今残红遍地，我等待又留连。

The waves have become clamorous, and upon the bank in the shady lane the yellow leaves flutter and fall.

浪声喧哗，岸边林荫路上黄叶飘落。

What emptiness do you gaze upon! Do you not feel a thrill passing through the air with the notes of the far-away song floating from the other shore?

你凝望着何等空虚！你没感觉到吗？一阵惊喜，随着彼岸遥远的歌声，划破天空飘了过来。

２２

In the deep shadows of the rainy July, with secret steps, thou walkest, silent as night, eluding all watchers.

在七月雨季的浓阴中，你迈着秘密的脚步走来，如夜一般轻悄，躲过一切守望者。

Today the morning has closed its eyes, heedless of the insistent calls of the loud east wind, and a thick veil has been drawn over the ever-wakeful blue sky.

今天，清晨闭上眼，不理东风不住的狂啸，一层厚幕遮住了永远觉醒的碧空。

The woodlands have hushed their songs, and doors are all shut at every house. Thou art the solitary wayfarer in this deserted street. Oh my only friend, my best beloved, the gates are open in my house---do not pass by like a dream.

丛林停止歌唱，家家关门闭户。你是这孤街上的独行者。呵，我唯一的朋友，我最爱的人，我的家门开着——不要梦一般地走过。

２３

Art thou abroad on this stormy night on thy journey of love, my friend? The sky groans like one in despair.

我的朋友，在这暴雨夜，你在外作爱的旅行吗？天空像失望者在呻吟。

I have no sleep tonight. Ever and again I open my door and look out on the darkness, my friend!

今夜我无眠。朋友呀，我不时地开门，了望外面的黑暗！

I can see nothing before me. I wonder where lies thy path!

什么也看不见，我不知你走哪一条路！

By what dim shore of the ink-black river, by what far edge of the frowning forest, through what mazy depth of gloom art thou threading thy course to come to me, my friend?

我的朋友，你从哪个墨河的暗淡岸边，从哪个遥远的愁惨林边，穿过哪条迂回的昏暗曲径，摸索着到我这里来？

２４

If the day is done, if birds sing no more, if the wind has flagged tired, then draw the veil of darkness thick upon me, even as thou hast wrapt the earth with the coverlet of sleep and tenderly closed the petals of the drooping lotus at dusk.

倘使夜晚悄然来临，倘使鸟儿不再歌唱，倘使风儿吹倦了，那就用黑幕厚厚地盖上我吧，正如暮色中，您用睡衾覆盖大地，又轻柔合拢睡莲的花瓣。

From the traveller, whose sack of provisions is empty before the voyage is ended, whose garment is torn and dustladen, whose strength is exhausted, remove shame and poverty, and renew his life like a flower under the cover of thy kindly night.

行者结束旅程之前，粮袋空空如也，衣裳破裂污损，身体精疲力尽；在您仁慈的夜幕下，您除掉他的羞涩与困窘，使他的生命像花儿一样苏醒。

２５

In the night of weariness let me give myself up to sleep without struggle, resting my trust upon thee.

在这困倦之夜，让我帖服地沉入梦乡，把信任交付给您。

Let me not force my flagging spirit into a poor preparation for thy worship.

不要让我勉强自己，以萎靡的精神准备一个敷衍的礼拜．

It is thou who drawest the veil of night upon the tired eyes of the day to renew its sight in a fresher gladness of awakening.

正是您拉上夜幕盖住白昼的倦眼，使这眼神在觉醒的清新喜悦中焕然一新。

２６

He came and sat by my side but I woke not. What a cursed sleep it was, O miserable me!

他来坐在我身旁，但我还未醒来。多么可憎的睡眠，我真是可悲啊！

He came when the night was still; he had his harp in his hands, and my dreams became resonant with its melodies.

他踏着静夜而来；信手弹琴，我的梦里回荡着它的旋律。

Alas, why are my nights all thus lost? Ah, why do I ever miss his sight whose breath touches my sleep?

唉，为何每夜都虚度了？呵，他的气息飘入我的梦乡，为何我总无缘看见他？

２７

Light, oh where is the light? Kindle it with the burning fire of desire!

光明，光明在哪里？用渴望的烈火点燃它吧！

There is the lamp but never a flicker of a flame---is such thy fate, my heart? Ah, death were better by far for thee!

这儿有盏灯，却没有火焰颤动——我的心，那就是你的命运吗？呵，还不如死了更好！

Misery knocks at thy door, and her message is that thy lord is wakeful, and he calls thee to the love-tryst through the darkness of night.

痛苦敲着你的门，她传话说你的主醒了，叫你穿越夜的黑暗奔向爱的怀抱。

The sky is overcast with clouds and the rain is ceaseless. I know not what this is that stirs in me---I know not its meaning.

乌云满天，阴雨绵绵。心绪动荡不安，我不知它是什么——也不知它的意义。

A moment's flash of lightning drags down a deeper gloom on my sight, and my heart gropes for the path to where the music of the night calls me.

一刹那的闪光，在我面前划下一片更深的黑暗，我的心摸索着路，寻找那夜的音乐召唤我的地方。

Light, oh where is the light! Kindle it with the burning fire of desire! It thunders and the wind rushes screaming through the void. The night is black as a black stone. Let not the hours pass by in the dark. Kindle the lamp of love with thy life.

光明，光明在哪里？用渴望的烈火点燃它吧！雷声轰鸣，狂风怒吼，穿越虚空！夜如黑岩一般。不要在黑暗中消磨时光，用你的生命点燃爱的灯火吧！

２８

Obstinate are the trammels, but my heart aches when I try to break them.

束缚是顽固的，但要摆脱它时我又心痛。

Freedom is all I want, but to hope for it I feel ashamed.

我只要自由，但我却羞于期待它。

I am certain that priceless wealth is in thee, and that thou art my best friend, but I have not the heart to sweep away the tinsel that fills my room.

我确信您拥有无价之宝，您也是我最好的朋友，但我却无心将满屋的俗物一扫而空。

The shroud that covers me is a shroud of dust and death; I hate it, yet hug it in love.

我披着尘灰与死亡之衣；我恨它，却又爱恋着拥抱它。

My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy; yet when I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my prayer be granted.

我的债务巨大，我的失败惨重，我的耻辱隐秘而沉重；但当我来祈福时，我又战栗，唯恐我的祈求兑现。

２９

He whom I enclose with my name is weeping in this dungeon. I am ever busy building this wall all around; and as this wall goes up into the sky day by day I lose sight of my true being in its dark shadow.

那个人，被我用我的名字囚禁起来，在监牢中哭泣。我不停地修筑着围墙；当这围墙高耸入云时，我看不见我的真我，它淹没在高墙的黑影中。

I take pride in this great wall, and I plaster it with dust and sand lest a least hole should be left in this name; and for all the care I take I lose sight of my true being.

我为这道高墙自豪，又涂上一层沙土，唯恐这名字上留着一丝缝隙，我费尽心思，却迷失了真我。

３０

I came out alone on my way to my tryst. But who is this that follows me in the silent dark?

我独自去赴幽会，但谁在暗寂中跟着我呢？

I move aside to avoid his presence but I escape him not.

我走开躲他，但我无处可逃。

He makes the dust rise from the earth with his swagger; he adds his loud voice to every word that I utter.

他昂首阔步，使得尘土飞扬；我说的每个字，都掺杂着他的喊叫。

He is my own little self, my lord, he knows no shame; but I am ashamed to come to thy door in his company.

我的主，他是我的小我，他不知羞耻；但我却羞于与他一同到你门前。