Week End Poem

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Best wishes for a happy and auspicious week end to all.

 

 

The Necklet of Nine Gems

by Ramana Maharshi

 

 

1.

In the court, Siva,

though motionless,

dances

before Shakti

in stillness.

 

In Arunachala,

in solemnity,

He stands.

 

She withdraws

there

into His still Self.

 

2.

'A,' 'Ru,' and 'Na'

Sat, Chit, and Ananda --

the Supreme Self,

the individual self --

their union is Absolute;

 

Thus, the great saying--

'You are That.'

 

'Achala' bespeaks

perfection.

 

Worship Arunachala

shining, golden;

simply remembering

unlocks the door.

 

3.

Touching

the lotus feet

of the Lord of Arunachala,

 

freed from attachment to

wealth,

family,

place,

 

ever purer,

seeking Grace --

darkness recedes.

 

In the rising sun,

golden,

steady,

full of grace,

there abide,

joyously

sunk in the Sea of Bliss.

 

4.

Annamalai!

Don't let me pine

forgetful.

Don't crush me to dust

leaving me

confused

between body and Self.

 

Turn Your restoring glance

upon me,

eye of my eyes!

 

You

Who are all Consciousness,

You

Who are neither male nor female,

don't fail me!

 

Seat Yourself

in my heart.

 

5.

You

Who are all Consciousness,

ruling over sublime Shonagiri,

forgive the stumblings

of this little one.

 

Rain Cloud,

shower me

with Your gracious glance.

Save me from being lost

once more

in the dreary waste.

I cannot ford the grim stream

of manifestation.

 

Mother,

what can match Your care?

 

6.

'Killer of Kama,

Destroyer of Desire,'

tied to You

we know Your name.

 

A question, though,

if the title fits:

 

How can mighty Kama

continue,

bold and conquering?

How can he creep

unseen

upon one sheltered

beneath Your feet?

 

Tell me,

You Who killed him?

 

7.

Arunachala!

As soon as You claimed me,

I was Yours,

body and soul.

 

What is left

to want?

 

You are success

and You are failure

both,

Oh my life!

 

They are

meaningless

without You.

 

Beloved,

do as You will

with me,

but promise me

ever greater desire

for Your Feet!

 

8.

To rescue me --

born of virtuous

Sundara and Sundari

in holy Tiruchuli,

seat of Bhuminatheshware --

from the pain of the world,

He raised me

to his seat,

 

His heart rejoices.

Siva shines

forth.

 

And the Self

flowers.

 

Such is Arunachala,

known

across the universe!

 

9.

Bearing me in the world

as my father and mother,

You hid in my mind.

 

Before I drowned

in the deep

illusion,

You drew me,

 

Arunachala,

You Who are All Consciousness,

such is the wonder

of Your Grace!

 

-- from The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi, Edited by Arthur Osborne