No Subject

[Guest guest]

I forsook You, O Lord, and came to this world of pain and sorrow. Now I

submit my tale of woe at Your lotus feet.

 

While still in the unbearable fetters of my mother’s womb, I saw You before

me You revealed Yourself but briefly and then abandoned this poor servant of

Yours.

 

At that moment I swore to worship You after taking birth; but birth came,

and with it the network of wordly illusion which robbed me of all good

sense.

 

As a fonded son in the lap of relatives, I passed my time smiling and

laughing. My parents’ affection helped me to forget the pangs of birth, and

I thought the world was very nice.

 

Day by day I grew and soon began playing with other boys. Shortly my powers

of understanding emerged. I read and studied my lessons incessantly.

 

Travelling from place to place, proud of my education, I grew wealthy and

maintained my family with undivided attention. O Lord Hari, I forgot You!

 

Now in old age, Bhaktivinoda is sad. He weeps. I failed to worship You, O

Lord, and instead passed my life in vain. What will be my fate now?

 

---------Saranagathi by Bhakti Vinoda Thakur.