642. Daily Query After A Pilgrimage Poem by Raman Savithiri

Badly wanted darshans of Mahathmas and mantra Mountains
Went for a pilgrimage in spiritually radiating Southern India
Spent few days in fulfilling my wishes

Had wonderful darshan and well wishes
From dear Amma Amritanandamayi Devi

Then on another day went for Girivalam
Rounding the sacred Mountain at midnight
Though mind chattered, Keeping mouth shut tight
Sat for sometime in the holy hall of Sri Ramana
To dive deep in Silence but pulled reverse
To the ruffling surface by family and relatives

One more day was usefully gone in Isha
Twice sat inside meditating caves
Touched by powerful energy waves

So happy that all the three dear gurus’ grace
Descended on me in few days,
I returned the arduous path with delight, but
Dashed on stinging nettles and scratched on thorny bushes

I mean the inevitable meetings with human relations
To whom all these are waste save money and possessions
Happened to use my sharp tongue to defend

Now at home surrounded by the vast silence of desert
A suitable place where meditation is a possibility
But I wonder which is more powerful
The grace of my dear gurus or the stinging nettles
The itching and scratching still come as surging thoughts

When will my mind become quiet?
Can’t I redeem myself from my caste character?
When will this fighting nature disappear?
Can a dog get rid of barking and howling?
Was that not true that a hunter turned into Valmiki a great saint?
Was that not true that a hunter turned into Kannappar a great devotee?
Won’t I become a true devotee to keep God in my heart and nothing else?

Why so many unwanted things in heart to sting me forever?
Aim of travel is lost in competing for food, clothe and shelter!
What and all one should do to live in this world?
How time can be spared to catch and hold God?

Days are lost and now counting down started!
To search unstable things all my life is gone?
When will I reach the source of stable joy? 150111