The Enchanting Call

What flute's enchanting call

Led you to a distant shore?

What garden's beauty lured

Your earthly eyes to explore?

With flowers soft, the moon so bright,

Embraces, kisses in the night.

The wild dance of the senses' fire,

In the garden of desire.

Weren't you pleased with tender breast,

And the warmth where love could rest?

Why now do you seem so worn,

In this silent, listless morn?

What does your rolling eye convey,

A plea for grace, or sorrow's play?

Like fire hidden in the wood,

Dejection sparks when least it should.

Beyond the seven seas it lies,

The hidden sea, the silent sighs.

Did unsprouted waves today

Whisper here in a quiet way?

Your soul in rapture soared so high,

Energy ecstatic, reaching sky.

Is life to leave what is, and pine

For what is not, yet seems divine?

What enchanting flute 

Called you all of a sudden?

What beautiful garden stretched 

Its lightning-hand unbidden?

(A poem by Shri Gopalakrishna Adiga)

In Your Grace

The light is yours, and so the wind,

Oh, let the flame not cease to burn.

The rough sea yours, the ship within,

Oh, let our lives not sink or turn.

The mountain high, the ground below,

Both are yours, let joy expand.

The shadow cool, the sun aglow,

Oh, let things be as you command.

A thunder there, a cloud up here,

Both are jewels of your grand design.

A bird that sings, a bud so dear,

Both bow to you, a sign divine.

The war cry loud, the Veena’s tune,

Echoes of your presence clear.

An epic vast, a limerick soon,

Both your creations, pure and dear.

(A poem by Shri K S Narasimhaswamy)

Heartfelt Surrender

There is no ultimate liberation

Until we surrender to the master’s grace.

What use is reading scriptures vast,

Becoming a scholar, yet lost in the chase?

 

What use are six shastras read,

Or puranas' tales, so wise and grand?

What value in the stories told,

If we don’t grasp the master’s hand?

 

What use the beads we meditate,

Counting chants in endless rhyme?

Or smearing ash upon our skin,

If we neglect the master’s time?

 

What use renouncing worldly needs,

Desires cast away and spurned?

All is naught without the heart,

To Purandara Vittala, turned.

(A hymn by Shri Purandaradasa)

The Unseen Truths

Does the cruel heart know of others' woes?

Or the angry mind of peace that flows?

Does the donkey know the perfume's worth,

Or death the time of one's last breath?

Does the beggar care for loss of pride,

Or the cat for food that's sanctified?

Does the lice know flowers' sweet scent,

Or the dog the tunes so elegant?

Does the fish know water's soft embrace,

Or the snake who poured milk in its place?

Does the banana plant know fruit's return,

Or the whore her client's financial burn?

Does the deaf hear whispers in the night,

Or the mute share dreams of flight?

Does the crow know cuckoo’s sweet song,

Or the owl see day’s bright throng?

Does the monk care for a house's plight,

Or the sick taste meals so right?

Does the monkey know jewels' sheen,

Or the coward war’s brave scene?

Do other gods grant all we plea,

Like Purandara Vittala, eternally?

(A hymn by Shri Purandaradasa)

The Bath

What use is bathing in the stream,

When mind to God is but a dream?

Service and giving to those in need,

Is bathing in acts, a noble deed.

Knowledge we gain, a bath so true,

Renouncing desires, purifies you.

To leave mere pleasures is a cleanse,

Meditate, let your soul ascend.

Serving teachers, elders wise,

This is where true bathing lies.

Feed the hungry, share your meal,

In this act, true baths reveal.

Hold to God's feet, firm and bright,

This is bathing in His light.

Leave the fools, the evil crew,

Closer to the kind and true.

Thank Shri Purandara Vittala's grace,

This bath purifies heart and space.

Pouring water, getting wet,

Without devotion, no bath met.

(A hymn by Shri Purandaradasa)

Patience, the highest gain

Patience is the highest gain,

In patience, wisdom will remain.

When taunts and jests are aimed at you,

Be patient, firm, and strong in view.

In troubles that you did not seek,

Be patient, strong, and never weak.

Wait for the seed to sprout and grow,

With patience, time will surely show.

What you prepare, you’ll surely eat,

Be patient till the task's complete.

Be calm when harsh words come your way,

In patience, let your spirit stay.

Through trials, let your heart be still,

With Krishna's strength, embrace His will.

Surrounded by those mocking near,

Be patient, calm, and do not fear.

When anger's poured and grudges cast,

Be patient, let your calmness last.

Like water cooling milk that's hot,

Be patient, peaceful in your thought.

Think of Hayavadana’s grace,

And live content in every place.

(A hymn by Shri Vadiraja)

Don’t Be Anxious, Oh Mind

Don’t be anxious, oh mind, stay calm,

The Almighty’s care is our soothing balm.

Who waters the tree on the cliff so high?

The Omnipotent, with His watchful eye.

Who feeds the beasts and birds so deep?

God’s care is constant, like a mother’s keep.

Who paints the peacock with patterns so bright?

Who gives the flowers their red delight?

Who shades the parakeet in green,

With sweet songs pure and serene?

Who feeds the frogs in hidden nests,

With love that never rests?

It's Adi Keshava's divine grace,

His magic hand in every place.

Oh mind, let go of your worry and fear,

The Almighty’s love is always near.

(A hymn by Shri Kanakadasa)