Rabindranath Tagore poem/song - Chokher Aloye Dekhechhilem - a translation and rendition

 

Bengali words

Transliteration in English

Chokher aaloy dekhechhilem chokher baahire. Antare aaj dekhbo, jakhan aalok naahi re. Dharay jakhon daao na dhara hriday takhon tomay bhara, Ekhon tomar aapan aaloy tomay chaahi re. Tomay niye khelechhilem khelar gharete. Khelar putul bhenge gechhe prolay jharete. Thaak tabe sei kebol khela, hok na ekhon praaner mela - Taarer beena bhaanglo, hriday-binay gaahi re.

My translation with my notes, my thoughts, or viewpoint -

The poignant and spiritual thought is about the "journey within" instead of fascination with the outside world.

{Chokher aaloy dekhechhilem chokher baahire.}

With the light ( power, strength, capability ) of my eyes, I saw the outside world.

{Antare aaj dekhbo, jakhan aalok naahi re.}

Now, when I try to look within myself,  there is no light ( visibility)

{Dharay jakhon daao na dhara hriday takhon tomay bhara,}

You elude me when I try to grasp ( understand, comprehend) you, but then my heart is even more (completely ) filled with you ( thoughts about you)

{Ekhon tomar aapan aaloy tomay chaahi re.}

But now I want you to appear ( show up) in your full brightness ( radiance)

{Tomay niye khelechhilem khelar gharete.}

I played in the playhouse with you ( toyed around with ideas of you )

{Khelar putul bhenge gechhe prolay jharete.}

But the tempest storm shattered the toys ( simple ideas about you or the game are now destroyed)

{Thaak tabe sei kebol khela, hok na ekhon praaner mela}

Let it just remain a mere game/play, and let us celebrate life (as a fun outing)

{Taarer beena bhaanglo, hriday-binay gaahi re.}

The physical Veena ( stringed musical instrument) broke, but I can still sing with the strings/voice of my heart