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.
Of bed difficult to get out,
Function not more sleep without.
Better rising when one thing for,
To think of Supreme Lord more and more.
His names in mantra with faith to say,
And for future clearance in bhakti to pray.
And in writing of Him spirits to surge,
To stay wide awake then the urge.
So every day the same routine make,
Taking full benefit of being awake.
When eyes on new task set,
Very competitive I get.
So as to keep in control my pride,
To one person first I confide.
Just his name simply to say,
Then back into work’s way.
As most glorious Lakshmana my mind to bless,
No matter the outcome, always a success.
Now I finally see what you’ve done,
Left with me friends not a one.
Though quiet endlessly I can talk,
And somehow prevented on this way to walk.
Prefer that my words reserved for you?
No issue, this I can certainly do.
But my constant loneliness you should know,
Nowhere else, only to your lotus feet I go.
O Lord please know that I’m weak,
Material rewards so quickly I seek.
Like your brothers staying strong,
For resolve in devotion I long.
Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna stay,
On righteous path, showing me the way.
To trifles so much importance I give,
Rather for your interest I should live.
With devotees advised to associate,
From saintly men never disassociate.
But if speakers in ignorance what about?
And with common sense and virtue without?
Their company shouldn’t I shun?
Fast from the stupid my instinct to run.
As names of Lord repeated some worth,
Even if in basic knowledge a dearth.
O Lord just look what I do,
So much tolerated just for you [smile].
Why desire to become You?
Rather prefer service to You.
In that work not to stop,
Baton of devotion never to drop.
Your running in Vrindavana mind to see,
With Your friends vision pleasing to me.
To serve You is soul’s business understood,
Devotional principles to bring ultimate good.
But in me selfishness only to preside,
In You my innermost thoughts to confide.
Whether praised by all or none no care.
At your beautiful vision I’ll always stare.
To stop my devotion maybe You will,
But never without fight I’ll stand still.
Shri Lakshmana is my guide,
Undying enthusiasm in him to preside.
You once asked him to stay home,
Request denied, not to leave You alone.
In same way I vow not to rest,
Because I know Your association the best.
With You Sita and Lakshmana come,
Hanuman also, devotee number one.
Decision made, no matter what You say,
By Your side this mind always to stay.
To support you to temples I go,
For importance of your work I know.
There in front of deities taking my seat,
And with practicing devotees I meet.
All well and good but one thing I don’t like,
Useless conversations of tripe.
Would be okay if in judgment they were right,
But sadly in all topics feeble their intellect’s might.
Of politics and finance I don’t want to hear,
Makes me wonder if from temples I should steer clear.
Better if they all just left me alone,
Then to concentrate on Sita and Rama alone.
To stay focused I will continue to try,
And on strength of the saints I will rely.
Bhakti Poems 