Poppadum Verses 3-5

[Guest guest]

om namo bhagavate sri ramanaya

[contd.]

Make poppadum . . .

Mix in the juice of square-stemmed vine,

This is association

With Holy Men. With this combine

Within the preparation

Some cummin-seed of mind-control

And pepper of restraining

The wayward senses, with them roll

That salt which is remaining

Indifferent to the world we see,

With condiment of leanings

Towards a virtuous unity.

These are their different meanings.

Make poppadum . . .

The mixture into dough now blend

And on the stone then place it

Of mind, by tendencies hardened,

And without ceasing baste it

With heavy strokes of the 'I-I'

Delivered with the pestle

Of introverted mind. Slowly

The mind will cease to wrestle.

Then roll out with the pin of peace

Upon the slab of Brahman.

Continue effort without cease

With energetic elan.

Make poppadum . . .

The poppadum or soul's now fit

To put into the fry-pan,

The one infinite symbol it

Of the great Silence, which can

Be first prepared by putting in

Some clarified fresh butter

Of the Supreme. And now begin

To heat it till it sputter,

On Wisdom's self-effulgent flame

Fry poppadum, 'I', as That.

Enjoying all alone the same;

Which bliss we ever aim at.

Make poppadum of self and after eat;

Of Perfect Peace then you will be replete.