Poetic RenderingA body unaware of the Linga withinIs but lifeless flesh, an empty shell.Without awareness of the inner Lord,How can one be a true bhakta?Without awareness of the sacred Self,How…

Poetic RenderingThe alms of a devotionless mantrue devotees cannot taste them.Like bitter neem sweet only to the crow,never to the cuckoo,so is the speech of those without the bond of…

Poetic RenderingCan an elephant’s shadowmake another an elephant?Can the ant-hill that mimics a serpent’s formbecome the serpent itself?So too, O Kudalasangamadevathough I move among Your devotees,will their greatness make me…

Poetic RenderingWhen two dry sticks strike each other,fire awakens  and burns the very wood that bore it.So too, in the company of noble souls,the fire of knowledge arises,consuming all faults…

Poetic RenderingThis world, O Lord, is Your workshopthe great forge of creation.Those who fit rightly herewill fit rightly there as well;those who falter here,shall falter there too, O Koodalasangama. In…

Poetic RenderingOf what use is a swordwhose edge has grown dull?Of what strength is a serpentwhen its venom runs dry?Of what worth is a devoteewhose word wavers from truth,whose vowonce…

Poetic RenderingThey promise worshipby slaughtering goats, lambs,and gentle creaturescalling blood a holy gift.But when the sheep dies,what remains?When life falls,who is nourished?What offering reaches Youthrough the cry of another?No sacrifice,no…

Poetic RenderingWhat is the use of dancing,or singing,or reading aloudif the heart holds no dasoha:service, sharing, surrender?The peacock may dance,the lute may sing,the parrot may recite its wordsbut without true…

Poetic RenderingTo worship the Lingato sing, to play,to keep its presence in the heartis easy.But when the Jangama comes,hungry, weary,and stands before youthat is the true moment of worship.Fail then,and…

Poetic RenderingLike a dog that licks from a cooking pot but cannot lift it back to its place,so am II may recite the Shatsthala, but what have I truly done?My…