Poems

AT THE FEET OF JESUS
by Pandita Ramabai

Some wore beads on their neck
Some place the mark of religion on the forehead
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some wear a wire-bar and some a necklace
And some wear just a religious thread
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some besmear their body with holy ashes
Some meditate sitting on deer-skin
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some wear a black shawl or blanket
And some go about naked
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some worship gods and goddesses
Some go and bathe in the Holy Ganges
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some water the Peepal-tree
Some feed the birds and animals
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some wander through forests visiting shrines
Some dedicate their hand or limb dry
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Some make penance going through the five-fire
I abandoned all these falsehoods
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

I found peace and shelter at Jesus’ feet
And I beseech Lord with folded hands, pray hear
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

Oh! Separation from Jesus of us young and old
Means hovering over dream-land in space
But my mind found joy at
The feet of Jesus

LET ME NOT DREAM I DWELL APART
by Narayan Vaman Tilak

Let me not dream I dwell apart
Here on this earth and Thou on high;
Teach me to know that Thou are nigh,
The gracious Tenant of my heart.

Grant, Lord, the prayer that I present:
Whate’er there be of self in me,
Let all be swallowed up in Thee,
Two persons in one spirit blent.

And surely he, to whom is given
Wholly with Christ one soul to be
Hath taste of all felicity
And unto him this earth is heaven.

Christ be my Brother and my Friend,
Guru and King, my Soul, my Life;
Betwixt us may no breath of strife
Find place, all sense of difference end.

Poison and nectar, pain and bliss,
In the world’s cup commingled are;
But oh! than nectar sweeter far
The sweetness of Thy presence is!

(a portion of the Christayana)

AS LYRE AND THE MUSICIAN
by Narayan Vaman Tilak

As lyre and the musician,
As thought and spoken word,
As rose and fragrant odours,
As flute and breath accord;
So deep the bond that binds me
To Christ my Lord.

As mother and her baby,
As traveler lost and guide,
As oil and flickering lamp-flame,
Are each to each allied;
Life of my life, Christ bindeth
Me to His side.

As lake and streaming rainfall,
As fish and water clear,
As sun and gladdening dayspring
In union close appear;
So Christ and I are hidden
In bonds how dear!

(translation by J.C. Winslow)

SPIRITUAL THIRST
by Narayan Vaman Tilak

Not by the well’s water, not by the river’s
Ease my suffering.
Water, water bring.

Holy river after river
Weary my wandering.
Water, water bring.

He who drinketh ne’er more thirsteth
That living water bring.
Water, water bring.

At the feet of Jesus only
Doth that water spring.
Water, water bring.

Life abundant, everlasting
Christ is offering.
Water, water bring

(translation by J.C. Winslow)