I Rise

 In my hand with many a rose,

In front of Beloved Swami, I rose,

Placing those beautiful flowers,

I prayed to Him to forgive my flaws.

Holding all the holy water I could,

In front of Beloved Swami, I stood,

Offering these bubbles for a worldly gain,

I prayed to preclude me from physical pain.

As my offered roses lost their fragrance,

And the holy water vaporised as incense,

With Sai's grace, I was free from pain,

But my heart was empty once again!!!

Since I always asked for a worldly dish,

Swami's lovely grace was not my wish,

This is where I went wrong,

Now I tune my old and impure song.

At last with my very heart in hand,

In front of most Beloved Swami, I stand,

I waited in hope, all the while,

Till He blessed me with a gentle smile.

Then lo, fears and flaws have left me forever,

Holiness prevailed in my every endeavour,

My vision guided through His eyes,

And every day in His name, I rise.

~ Raja Sekhar Ganta ~

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")