Blessed with some magical touch,

Of bhakti I have written so much.

Fast typing my only real qualification,

And somehow that used for God’s glorification.

But philosophy to me now seems dry,

With endless explanations why should I try?

Preference really in holy names so sweet,

Maha-mantra to play in my mind on repeat.

With fellow devotees preferring to sit,

Sankirtana-yajna my spirits to uplift.

True power in Lord’s name this means,

Hearing which creates scripture’s scenes.

In this way Ramayana and Gita I always see,

This chanting brings so much pleasure to me.

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.

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.

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.