Calm Down!

O dear mind, be still, calm down,

To peace, to balance, come around.

The Lord above, in love so true,

Might shower, shower, blessings on you.

You hold to pride, and show of fame,

But once you shed this hollow game,

And place your trust in God above,

He’ll shower, shower you with love.

Be steadfast in your faith, be strong,

His kindness lasts, His grace is long.

He’ll never leave His faithful heart,

The Lord might shower and never part.

Entrust in Purandara Vitthala today,

His endless wealth will find its way,

On earth and heaven’s brightened view,

He’ll shower, shower grace on you.

O dear mind, be still, calm down,

To peace, to balance, come around.

The Lord above, in love so true,

Might shower, shower, blessings on you.

(A hymn by Shri Purandaradasa - ಸಾವಧಾನದಿಂದಿರು ಮನವೇ)

Echoes of Mumbai

Born in hospital’s sterile embrace,

Grown up in bus, tram, busy train’s race,

Bottle-fed by cows unseen,

Syrup, Horlicks, energy’s sheen.

"Queue up, walk straight, run fast, no delay,

Dig deep, be strong, in life's fast relay.

Careful crossing roads, push, never slow,

Root yourself firm, in the city's flow."

Mother’s hand, firm and true,

Led me through streets where wheels flew,

Showed the world from one-room space,

Father’s absence, weekends’ trace.

Life moves forward, puppet of fate,

Labyrinth paths, with glowing lights late.

Rise, dress, rush, come home at midnight,

Hopeful rails wait for wheels by morning light.

(A poem by Dr. G. S. Shivarudrappa)

Ode to a Friend

As I pursued my goal with steadfast mind,

Past fortune led me to your guiding light.

A mother teaches first, a father guides,

But friend, you are both — a true delight.

In life's long journey, you lead, I follow,

Yet to the world, we stand side by side.

In you, dear friend, I see no hollow,

No boast, just humble gratitude inside.

Grateful to many, in countless births past,

This life’s golden mine of gratitude shines.

Think deep and this precious truth will outlast,

We owe thanks to those who crossed our life’s lines. 

(A poem by Dr. G. S. Shivarudrappa)

ಸ್ನೇಹ

ಸ್ನೇಹವೆಂಬ ಪದ ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ಸುಂದರ

ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ಯಾವ ಆಳ ಕಂದರ

ಅಳಲು ಸಿಗುವ ಹೆಗಲು ಅದು, 

ನಿದ್ದೆ ತರುವ ಮಡಿಲು ಅದು,

ಬಿಸಿಲ ತಡೆವ ಮುಗಿಲು ಅದು,

ಮನವ ತಣಿಸೊ ಕಡಲು ಅದು || ಸ್ನೇಹವೆಂಬ ||

ಬೆಂಕಿಮಳೆಗೆ ಅದುವೆ ಕೊಡೆ

ಭೇದಭಾವಕಿಲ್ಲ ಎಡೆ,

ಮೂರು ಕವಲು ಒಂದೆ ಜಡೆ,

ನೂರು ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಒಂದೆ ನಡೆ || ಸ್ನೇಹವೆಂಬ ||

ದೈವ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ವರವಿದು,

ಸ್ನೇಹವೆಂಬ ಮರವಿದು,

ಎಂದೂ ಬಾಡಿ ಮುರಿಯದು,

ಸಾವೆಂಬುದನರಿಯದು || ಸ್ನೇಹವೆಂಬ ||

(1998ರ ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದ ಪದ್ಯ)

Silent Depths

Being together for so long,

Did we see each other’s core?

Did the sailboat ever know

The depths it glided o’er?

Did the sky perceive the earth's

True worth, though hugged so tight?

Did the mirror claim a face,

Though it reflected beauty bright?

Did we ever truly see,

The inner worlds we hold?

Or did we merely drift along,

With stories left untold?

(A poem by Dr. H S Venkatesh Murthy)

A Gifted Path

Lord, I don’t bow or bend to you,

Nor your command, nor magic spell.

But I walk as you wish me to,

No protest, no defiant yell.

Is freedom found in knowing me,

Or in your mercy, fearing death?

Does salvation mean I’m free,

Or begging till my final breath?

You've given strength to break the chains,

To free myself, to stand alone.

You've watered plants with gentle rains,

To grow and thrive on their own.

You've granted wisdom, clear insight,

To look within, to see my soul.

You've given me a song so bright,

Played through my flute, it makes me whole.

You've given all I need, and more,

Abundance, life, a world so wide.

Why would I trouble you once more,

When all I need is by my side?

(A poem by Shri K S Narasimhaswamy)

Slow Down, My Boy!

Where is the boundary to the sky,

Where is the limit to your dreams?

Why chase the stars that pass you by?

Slow down! flow with the streams.

You seek the mirage of desire,

Wandering lost in desert sands.

Without the Supreme's holy fire,

Nothing unfolds by our own hands.

Be it sorrow, be it cheer,

In every moment, it is He,

The Supreme Lord, who’s always near,

The cause of all we feel and see.

Birth and death, two ends of life,

Neither is within our sway.

Who finds only joy, no strife?

Life’s plant bears both bloom and fray.

So why let greed and sorrow win?

Why dwell on what you cannot keep?

The gifts of God, through thick and thin,

Be calm, be grounded, in His deep.

('Baanigondu Elle Ellide' - A song written by Shri Chi. Udayashankar for the Kannada movie 'Premada Kanike')