A Poem

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LADY SHANTI*

 

Lustrous Padam, the lotus feet of Sri Bhagavan Ramana,

Revels in union with that auspicious lady praised in Jnana

As Shanti.

 

That deep peace is endowed with a presence that can transform

A sandy desert into an ocean of ambient ambrosia,

Enjoy that supreme felicitous bliss of peace, which like a swarm

Of creamy butterflies delights the heart and sight with euphoria.

 

Bathe in that blessed balm of peace by just remaining still:

May you who’ve wedded delightful Shanti, my jewel decked child,

Flourish in endless enjoyment and never ever suffer ill;

All praise to beloved Shanti, Queen of Peace, so meek and mild.

 

To attain that bliss unite with her in the cave of your Heart,

Regarding her as your dearest companion for ever more,

Enjoying the hold of her tight embrace, perfect love she'll impart,

Then forget all else, you’ve heard, tasted, sensed or ever saw.

 

-oOo-

 

 

*Bhagavan likens Peace to Lady Shanti. In this poetic passage in Padamalai P.198

71-6, Muruganar has quoted Ramana’s poetic utterances in Tamil. These verses

have been translated into English prose by David Godman, Robert Butler and

Dr.T.V.Venkatasubramanian. This is a free versification in English prosody to

capture the rasa implicit in Bhagavan’s metaphor. The eulogy continues for

another ten verses on p.289 but I have left these as they are largely

repetetive. A.J.