'Sing Nikhilananda 28/10/2009 Poem by Margaret Alice

Oh dear, the only advantage I derived
from looking through this book is the
lovely sing-song name of Nikhilananda
but as to the story of creation, it comes
too late for me

It has been destroyed by authors who saw
modern wonders in the Mabharata, atomic
bombs; as for purification and ethics, I have
seen enough in religion and humanism, be-
lieving in freedom first

Everything else is based on freedom’s glory,
once we realize the extent of our freedom and
know we are controlled by belief in determinism,
we can live as exalted beings; I wander far and
wide, trying every system

Just to find that every path is right, also the way
of Brahma, our culture and choices determine
our spiritual home; I shall leave Hinduism in
its traditional niche, seeking enlightenment
in things I can identify!

Swami Nikhilananda “The Upanishads”
Phoenix House,1957