Devaki’s children to die no more,
Prophecy now to even the score.
Supreme Lord in prison to appear,
In form of youth to remove parents’ fear.
As the clock struck midnight,
Lord Narayana seen in brilliant light.
After at divine vision having a look,
His son to Gokula Vasudeva took.
Kamsa’s reign of terror soon to end,
His due punishment Shri Krishna to send.
Watching Olympic athletes terrific,
Each has their traits specific.
Gymnasts expert on the rings,
To field muscular arms they bring.
To swim the race fast and clean,
Swimmers have bodies that are lean.
In spiritual life same features that distinguish,
Qualities to arise when desires extinguished.
With consciousness clean and neat,
No need for drinking or meat to eat.
When with Supreme Lord you connect,
Needless behavior easier to detect.
In a mood of honesty here I sit,
So one thing I’m forced to admit.
As so many days of life have faded,
My outlook now has become jaded.
Same allurements don’t do it for me,
A pattern of boring repetition is all I see.
True towards all with one exception,
For him mind gives warmest reception.
By his name and words seeing,
Apathy then quickly retreating.
Hanuman this heart into happiness sends,
Vows to think of him daily, from start to end.
Seems Shri Rama has made a mistake grave,
That to such fool some writing ability He gave.
Know that all bad qualities exist in me,
Not a hint of piety or goodness to see.
Ability to type is my gift lone,
Knowledge from guru and Lord, not my own.
Nothing else in life I really know,
So glorifying Rama and bhakti I go.
Of my true character I’ll never tell,
Not even if before me Rama to yell.
In anonymity to glorify, that is the deal,
Only then extreme guilt not to feel.
From hearing every single appeal,
Then mounts the pressure I feel.
Asked to wear so many hats,
To please this person and that.
Now away from it all I want to run,
Time for worship of Sita and Rama has come.
With outside distractions gone,
Their glories easier to dwell upon.
Finding safety in this strangest of way,
Restless mind with Sita and Rama will stay.
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.
Who husband of Janaka’s daughter to be?
This all townspeople waiting to see.
Dasharatha’s eldest son, it would be Him,
In lifting Shiva’s bow contest would win.
By beloved Janaki Rama garlanded the victor,
First father’s consent, ceremony waiting for later.
Then the bride and groom seated for marriage to start,
Most delightful scene, brought warmth to the heart.
For all couples Sita and Rama show the way,
With fidelity and virtue honor to them pay.
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.
Shri Hanuman is very brave,
With speed the day he comes to save.
Of Sita and Rama very well he knows,
Whether chanting or fighting, full devotion he shows.
An ideal example to devotees gives,
On how their lives should be lived.
God’s power no excuse for you to rest,
With action put your devotion to the test.
For resting on laurels Hanuman would not be faulted,
For from efforts in Lanka he is most exalted.
But humility in him that is clear,
To devotee’s makes him more dear.
To serve Sita and Rama he’s always ready,
On that beloved Hanuman keep your mind steady.
Bhakti Poems 