#19 (Thyagaraja) Gifts From The King Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

While the Saint was singing,
The King was listening
Secretly somewhere hiding.
This way he was enjoying.

Once the Saint told someone,
“If a small shed is given,
That’ll help my students
In learning the musical arts.”

When the Saint went out,
Some men, the King sent,
Who built up the shed,
Overnight, where he wanted.

On his return, he was surprised,
To see near his house a big shed.
The king tried his best
To help this Saint.

One day, with his disciples,
He went on street rounds,
Singing Songs in chorus
On the Lord’s deeds and plays.

The King sent his men
To dropp gold coins
In the alms vessels
Carried by his disciples.

He didn’t notice this,
But when the disciples
Shook their vessels,
He heard metallic sounds.

He threw away the gold coins,
Along with the alms grains,
Even the grains got polluted
With the touch of gold.

He emptied the vessels,
And chided the disciples.
What a contented man he was!
For wealth, he was so averse!