Varanasi Ramabrahmam (27-11-1953 / Vegeswarapuram, India)

I) . No reflection is possible in a lake which is not still
Your form can not stay in a disturbed mind
Fill fully in my mind and give me peace of mind
Pillayaya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

II) . Originating calmly in a tiny way in Nasika Thrayambaka
Receiving waters from tributaries and rivulets through Maharashtra and Andhra,
Becoming water to cleanse the Divine Feet of Lord Ramachandra at Bhadradri,
Encircling Lord Veerabhadreswara at Pattiseema,
Turning into a huge river and Annapurna at Rajahmundry,
Then proceeding from there, at a spot, just before Godavari merges her Lord, the Sea
You reside, Grace me with your benevolent looks
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

III) . You, the Lord of Fulfillments and Intellect
Your brother, Lord of Sri Valli and the Divine Army, Devasena
Will be blessing us with good intentions, riches and wealth
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

IV) . For us, the Cart of family responsibilities
Becomes unmanageable in the muddy path of pulls and pushes
And are not able to bear the weight of the yoke
Make our minds disturbance-free and fill them with calmness
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

V) .The coconut tree flourishes continuous with lovely and simultaneous
Presence of leaves, flowers, tiny, tender, and ripe nuts;
And the homes blissful with infants, babies, kids, youth and elders;
And Your face lights up when you Grace us
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

VI) . Continuous flow of thoughts is mind,
Constant presence of sensuous feelings is cupid,
The beloved always recollected in thoughts is love
Your continuous presence in our thoughts and feelings is devotion,
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

VII) . Atheists vouch for your non-existence
And the believers see you everywhere every second
These quarrels exist always
Give me absolute faith in You without even an iota of doubt
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

VIII) . All the globe is presently in turmoil
Innocent human-beings are massacred in the name of religions
Repair the minds of the religions and save us
Pillaraya! The Presiding Deity of Yanam town!

Oh! Beloved Son of Parvathi, whose body is effulgent lightning,
Gracing me you made me compose these verses
Oh! Divine Scribe for Sage Vyasa!
Accept and receive them with love and affection
And bless me Giver of all Knowledge!
Remover of all Obstacles! Illustrious Son of Lord Siva!
The Shower of riches and wealth!
Pillaraya! The Pesiding Deity of Yanam town!

(Pillaraya is regional language name for Lord Ganesha. Yanam is part of Union Territory of Pondicherry which is on the banks of river Godavari and is geographically located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India) .

Telugu Original: 'Pillaarayaastakamu'

Poem and Translation: Varanasi Ramabrahmam