Smartas to rules giving respect,
Elevation through rituals to expect.
For them possible highest destination,
Heaven and beyond then liberation.
But devotion practice most resplendent,
On rules and regulations never dependent.
This truth wives of the brahmanas showing,
Feeding Krishna and brother, etiquette foregoing.
By the magic of bhakti struck,
But in house of non-devoted stuck.
Hesitation then found in you,
Not sure of what to do.
Strength from the brahmanas’ wives take,
Who to Krishna went, their husbands to forsake.
Not by rituals and regulations precluded,
That devotion to Lord highest dharma concluded.
Let not your eyes deceive,
In power of deity believe.
Steel, wood or brass though,
God present in archa form know.
From devotion the potency coming,
Through authority worshipable becoming.
Like a meeting between two separated long,
One glance alone to make lifelong bond.
From ecstatic kirtans to hear,
Murtis affectionately shedding tear.
From the mind is this made,
In illusion, by the eyes betrayed?
No, to happen one can certainly believe,
Deities always happy for devotion to receive.
Know that efforts for Krishna wasted not,
Sometimes even tears from Him to drop.
How to explain in way to know for sure,
Devotion to Supreme Lord, spotless and pure?
From ancient Ramayana one way take,
Comparison that Shri Lakshmana to make.
Fish taken out of the water like,
When God no more in their sights.
Feeling of beloved wife Sita too,
From being away just a moments few.
Bhakti Poems 