978. Amma, Are You A Business Minded Mother? Poem by Raman Savithiri

Amma, Are You a business minded mother?

Why does a camel eat the thorny cactus,
In spite of its mouth bleeding, while chewing?
Since it is not given any chance to relish,
Soft and green plants! No amma?

Though I know for certain,
Delight in enjoyments, lead to trouble,
I’m unable to find other way!
Why do I feed myself on earthly food?
Since You are not ready to give me divine food.

As soon I was born,
You left me in a wild jungle,
And returned to Your glorious fort.
I was fed by wild wolf;
Brought up by the hands of untamed animals;
It is really a miracle that I was not devoured by the forest!

As I grow, every day,
I realize that my home is not here;
I really want to come to You;
But is that easy to cut the ties
With the maternal harsh earth –
Which, I still feel, is more compassionate than You!

Why do, always, my five senses drift after worldly pleasures?
Since as a business minded mother You never care for me!
You are always busy with Your great children -
Yogis, rishis, great aspirants, and others!
You are so impatient to bring up a new born!

If not,
Why don’t You come near me with a mother’s fragrance?
Why don’t You show my eyes Your enchanting form?
Why don’t You sing lullaby to my thirsty ears?
Why don’t You lift me to Your bosom?
Why don’t You feed me Your holy milk?
Why? Amma, Why?
Don’t say I am not deserved!
Is Your love too conditional, like the world’s?