Appendix

Hymns from Mira

Herein I have suffered a lot, drive away my sorrow and scepticism. Now I am in search of Thee, oh Lord! Take me beyond the bounds of affliction, the whole world is flooding adown the current of births and deaths. Oh Lord of Mira – Girdhar Nagar! Rescue her from the giant wheel of births.

*****

I know no peace without seeing Thee, for I know the deep anguish in my heart, over and over again I go to the house-top to see if Thou art coming; and my eyes have swollen red with weeping. The whole world is false and transitory, and so all the friends and relations; with folded hands I pray that Thou may hear me. This mind of mine, a great scoundrel, is ever out like an elephant run amuck. The Master having explained the secret, has taken me in His fold and I am at rest. Oh Girdhar Nagar – the Lord of Mira! I am now, fully absorbed in contemplation of Thee, every moment I feel Thy immanence everywhere and seeing Thee I feel blessed.

*****

My friends have turned enemies and hate me one and all, but Thou alone art my well-wisher, my boat is marooned on the high sea, and I feel restless all the day and get no sleep at night. By constant waiting and watching, I have grown lean like a thorn, the arrows of Love have pieced my heart and I cannot even for a moment, forget the love-pangs. Thou regained the accursed Ahilya, from a stone in the wilderness, oh what grouse there be against Mira – oh tell to me of that. The Perfect Guru, Ravi Das, came from the Supreme Abode to my rescue, and he opened out the Way for me, and I became One with the Lord.

*****

I am being swept down in a fearful current, save me oh Lord, if Thou wilt, oh! none is my own in this world, but Thou alone art mine. All friends and relations: one and all, all are attached to me through selfish ends. Let the Lord of Mira listen to her supplications, grant her the boon of Thy feet, if Thou wilt.