Assembled together seated on the ground,

Fellow devotees so nice to be around.

I know for consciousness this to help me advance,

In making most of this human chance.

But more happiness in solitude for me,

For alone Sita and Rama I wish to see.

In my preferred method I trust.

Since to forge personal relationship a must,

So amidst chanting and joyful cries,

Closed I keep my eyes.

To see beloved Sita and Rama my way,

While holy names aloud to say.

Daily troubles, by responsibilities bothered,

Nothing goes my way, in tragedy smothered.

Just this one thing for happiness I think,

When it fails, into further despair I sink.

For my troubles are all else to blame?

Their fault is my dwelling in failure’s shame?

My misfortune to help if one thing understood,

To be humbled into willful submission to Him is good.

O mind, know that Shri Rama your only true friend,

Always there to give shade, your wounds to mend.

Tulsi, Hanuman, Sita and so many others already know,

In devotional service, their love for Him only to grow.

Why then on this matter remaining obstinate?

To have even heard of Rama makes you fortunate.

Your thoughts, words and deeds of this life to Him give,

And try no more your soul, in peacefulness live.

Circumstances of your birth were great,

Parentage, family, home – all of ideal state.

Mother always Tulsidas to quote,

Revered Ramacharitamanasa he wrote,

Blessing from above the elder brother,

Greatest well-wisher and steady protector.

Younger siblings to you ever so dear,

With such fortune why then the constant fear?

Sita and Rama daily you get to see,

Glorifying them happy you should be.

The most of this wonderful opportunity take,

Waste not a moment, fruitful this life make.

Painful poverty and disease you did avoid,

With difficult religious paths you never toyed.

Path of chanting holy names to you shown,

Choice is yours now, destiny you own.

From clutches of maya I was shook,

And then slowly my friends You took.

At work lost in bhakti’s bliss,

That surroundings changed went unnoticed.

The more and more Your name I say,

The more old friends and family go away.

But now where am I to go for friendship?

For pleasing is safety of comradeship.

Outcomes not in my control, alas,

My fate only in Your complete grasp.

On the steady course I’ll stay,

And Your names with pleasure I’ll say.

Particular benefit you have in mind,

Capable priest then must find.

Ritual performance he to do,

So that reward can come to you.

But what about on another day?

To God should you not always pray?

My preferred place where holy names heard,

So my heart with devotion to be stirred.

Religion is both philosophy and sentiment,

Worshiping and thinking time to be spent.

Possible to occur at any time and place,

So to love God in day always there is space.

Worship God every day why not?

To lose what have you got?

Think that fun you will go without?

That on life’s pleasures to miss out?

Not to my liking is just once a week,

Daily divine presence I selfishly seek.

Thus chant the holy names do I,

To please my beloved I humbly try.

Of my efforts He may be pleased or not,

But in loving Him I will not ever stop.

Find something that you like,

Can’t get enough of its sight.

At night it will keep you awake,

In morning to see it can’t wait.

But as soon as it comes you should know,

Again it will move, away from you to go.

Family, friends, experiences quickly are gone,

Then only with the memories to dwell upon.

Shri Hari’s presence not like this,

Eternal friend when intensely to miss.

If reluctant for my word to believe,

Chant His names and for yourself see.

How else still could ancient stories be told,

Where dazzling brilliance listener to behold?

But choice is for you to make,

Whether or not His friendship to take.

In bhakti not ever to leave your side,

Know in your heart He’s there to reside.