Cmp 41. The Devotee, Shridhar Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU

The Lord was in a happy mood.
"Bring Shridhar here, " He said,
"He's thinking of me always.
You'll find him in our outskirts."

Honest person Shridhar was,
Selling banana products,
Half of his income, he spent
To glorify Mother Ganga's feet.

He used to chant entire nights,
That disturbed his neighbors,
Despite their repeated complaints
He never stopped his practice.

To see the Lord, Shridhar came.
The Lord said, "Come, come,
I know, for several lifetimes
You're chanting my name."

"I've eaten your bananas,
Many times, with your hands, "
Shridhar was taken aback
When it gave him a shock.

He gave the Lord dishes
Prepared from his gifts
Free of cost, almost daily,
The Lord ate them happily.

When Sridhar lifted his head,
In many forms, he saw the Lord,
Like Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva,
And behind them Ananta Shesha.

It was a wonder of wonders.
He fell down unconscious.
He rose up slowly on his feet.
And fell at the Lord's lotus feet.

He told Him, "I'm an illiterate.
To glorify you, I'm not intelligent.'
But with the grace of the Lord,
The power of speech, he received.

Then he offered nice prayers,
Glorifying the Lord in words,
That was impossible otherwise,
But for the Lord's orders.