There was neither Nothingness nor Being,
Nor the skies above, nor the heavens beyond.
What covered it ? Where was it ? In whose keeping ?
Was there water then ? Water in depths unfathomed ?
Death was not then, nor immortality,
Nor any sign of night or day.
The One breathed alone, self sustained,
The One there was, and no other.
Darkness there was wrapped in darkness
All was ocean, swathed in gloom.
The One came to be, alone in the void
Born at last from fire within.
Desire arose in the beginning then
Primal seed of the nascent mind.
Sages searching their hearts with wisdom
Know that which Is, is kin to what Is Not.
Across the void shone the light piercing
What was above and what below ?
Mighty forces surged, fertile, creative
Power raged above, earth heaved below.
Who truly knows ? Who can speak forth ?
Whence it was born, whence came creation ?
The gods themselves were born after
Then who can say whence it came to be ?
How came to be this vast creation
Whether it was made, or formed itself
He who sees all from highest heaven
Verily he knows, or perhaps he does not….
Nor the skies above, nor the heavens beyond.
What covered it ? Where was it ? In whose keeping ?
Was there water then ? Water in depths unfathomed ?
Death was not then, nor immortality,
Nor any sign of night or day.
The One breathed alone, self sustained,
The One there was, and no other.
Darkness there was wrapped in darkness
All was ocean, swathed in gloom.
The One came to be, alone in the void
Born at last from fire within.
Desire arose in the beginning then
Primal seed of the nascent mind.
Sages searching their hearts with wisdom
Know that which Is, is kin to what Is Not.
Across the void shone the light piercing
What was above and what below ?
Mighty forces surged, fertile, creative
Power raged above, earth heaved below.
Who truly knows ? Who can speak forth ?
Whence it was born, whence came creation ?
The gods themselves were born after
Then who can say whence it came to be ?
How came to be this vast creation
Whether it was made, or formed itself
He who sees all from highest heaven
Verily he knows, or perhaps he does not….
***
What better way to start off a blog ?
The above is my (semi)-translation of the Nasadiya Suktam, one of my all-time favourite poems from the Rigveda. I found several translations on the Internet (not a single one by an Indian!), all somewhat unsatisfactory and mutually contradictory in places.
So I got hold of the original and where the translations conflicted, I was able to use my admittedly limited knowledge of Sanskrit to give what I hope is a more accurate rendering. Then I tried to make it all a bit more poetic – always a risky proposition.
What you saw was the final result.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThis post is amazing and stunning!!Good to know some people are still interested in Sanskrit. Keep up the good work.
It would be good if you can include the original Sanskrit part also.
ReplyDeleteHi Swati,
ReplyDeleteFor the original Song of Creation--Nasadiya Sukta, you could have a look at the following link:
http://home.comcast.net/~prasadmail/nAsadeeyasUktam-s.pdf
Hope that helps...
Baishali
this is so beautiful. thank you for the translation.
ReplyDeleteI have been an avid reader of the Vedas, especially the first three, alongside the Upanishads and Geeta. As such, both the Purusha Suktya (Rigveda 10:90) and this Creation Hymn are among my favourite ones. You sir, have done a great job giving rise to a new, and a simple translation of the vastly rich hymn.
ReplyDeleteGlorious work, and all I can say is that my awe exceeds all limits as I re-read the lines of the hymn.