Surcharged with Love Divine: Prem Bani Radhasoami in Verse
Huzur Maharaj's poetical compositions are contained in four big volumes entitled, Prem Bani Radhaswami. Like the Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry of Soamiji Maharaj, the four volumes of, Prem Bani Radhasoami, comprise forty two Bachans or chapters.
Prem means love and Bani means verses composed by Sants, Sadhs and Mahatmas. The books of Prem Bani are surcharged with Love divine. Every line, phrase or word is Prem or Love spiritual. In most of the hymns Surat (soul, spirit entity) has been addressed as Suratia, which is an expression of endearment as indeed Surat is most dear to the Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal [Compassionate Lord of the Soul]. In like manner Satsangis and Satsangins have been addressed as dear brothers and sisters and friends:
Translation
My dear brothers and sisters!
Develop right understanding and recognize the Satguru.
Attend His Satsang, ponder over His discourses, and
see what effect they produce on your mind.
This is how you should recognize a Sadh [great or advanced soul].
The tone and mode of singing the hymns of Prem Bani was set by Huzur Maharaj Himself or approved by Him. The recitation by those who are trained and practised is highly elevating. Listeners feel an upward tug on their minds and Surats, are filled with love and devotion for the Supreme Being Radhasoami Dayal and the Sant Sat Guru. The state of ecstatic bliss and love produced by the chanting is to be experienced, it cannot be described. Prem Bani Radhasoami is love and nothing but love.
Huzur Maharaj's style conforms to a beautiful standard of simplicity, sometimes almost childlike, but never superficial.
Translation
If I had not committed sins and faults,
how would have Your pardon
got an occasion to move?
The words are simple, but evocative, rousing feelings of love and devotion for the Supreme Father Radhasoami Dayal and the Sant Sat Guru. As one listens to them, one experiences a shower of Love; one's Surat and mind are dyed in the color of Love.
It is hoped this English translation will satisfy the craving of Satsangis abroad to know what an inestimable treasure of Prem (Love) are Prem Banis. They will be prompted to learn Hindi so that they can chant Shabds from the original in Hindi and experience spiritual uplift. (Biography of Huzur Maharaj)
Translations of Various Verses from Prem Bani Radhasoami
You have forgotten the Supreme Being, Beloved Radhasoami.
As an emanation from that Supreme Being,
you have come from the highest region,
but you remain entangled in the Triloki (the three worlds).
Receive initiation in Surat Shabd Yoga from Guru,
and reversing your course, rush towards your True Abode.
Mounting the steps of Shabd one after another,
finally merge in the holy feet of Radhasoami.
Always utter RADHASOAMI, the Name of the Merciful Supreme Being.
Then only will mind and Kal [time-lord, lord of death] become powerless against you.
Behold! This jovial Surat, i. e., loving devotee,
though amidst worries and anxieties, remains carefree all the time.
Though mixing with the crowd right from the morning,
internally he keeps aloof from all.
Tactfully shielding himself against the onslaughts of mind and maya [illusion],
he always treads the path shown by the Guru.
The cord of his Surat remains linked with the
Holy Feet of the Beloved all day and night.
Whosoever is attached to the Guru in this manner,
will succeed in reaching the ultimate goal.
Radhasoami will help and protect him,
and will bestow the gift of firm devotion on him.
He is low, base and uncouth, but Radhasoami, in
His grace and mercy, has imparted to him the true secrets.
I intensify Bhajan [listening to the Sound Current],
and enhance love and devotion.
By practising Surat Shabd Yoga,
rush to Nabh (Sahas-dal-kanwal, Thousand Petalled Lotus).
Radhasoami Dayal bestows on me His special
mercy, and I see a brilliant Flame within.
From there, I proceed to and merge in Trikuti [three worlds, causal plane],
and after having touched the region of Guru,
I bathe in the Mansarovar lake [Lake of Nectar].
Now, all alone and rid of body and mind, I frolic
all the time in the company of Hansas [heavenly beings].
Proceeding further, I ascend beyond Maha-sunn [the Great Void],
listening to the Sound of Sohang [I am That, or, I am He].
After having seen the regions of
Alakh [Unseen -- beyond perception] and Agam [Inaccessible, Unfathomable],
I have wondrous Darshan [Vision] of Radhasoami.
