1. Clad in the white robe of purity
And eager to attain thy glimpse
The Himalayas raise their heads to the skies.
All the currents of their heart
They let flow at Thy Feet,
As their humble daily offering.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
2. Like love-lorn nymphs
Who know no rest nor peace
Till they hie at night
To their secret lovers’ homes—
The rivers rush in torrents
To be locked in close embrace
And lost in Thee,
Oh! Ocean of Love and Sweetness.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
3. The Earth bedecks Herself
In a silken saree of emerald green
Embroidered with pretty designs
Of various shapes and tints
And rivals the grace of Laxmi, The Beloved,
To captivate Thy heart
And enjoy communion.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
4. A smile from Thy lips:
And creepers and shrubs are thrilled
And buds blossom into flowers!
In deep gratefulness
They offer their delicious scents
At Thy Holy Feet, my Lord.
An birds soar in the sky
Singing merrily their songs
Of Thy adoration.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
5. With all its glorious expanse
The sky gives but a faint glimmer
Of Thy infinite vastness.
The twilight hours of Dawn and Dusk
Ever struggle in vain
With their celestial brush and tint
To draw on the canvass of Space
Frescoes of Thy countless forms.
Do what they may, and summon
All their skill of hand and heart,
Yet they fail miserably.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
6. To see Thee in their innermost hearts
Yogis court all pains and troubles;
They slough all their desires
As does the cobra its coil.
With a mind lost in thought of Thee
With humility as low as a worm
And discrimination of head and heart
Sharp as a razor’s edge
They ever search for Thee.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
7. Some snap all their ties of blood
And with hearts, as tho’ of steel
Forsake their dearest.
They prefer the begging bowl, the pilgrim’s staff
The ochre robe and heaven’s dome
To the pleasures of palaces—
All to be lost in Thee.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
8. Those who burn their boats,
Renouncing all desires
Of Here and Hereafter;
And dedicate to Thy Holy Feet,
The treasure of their hearts—
Their concentrated love;
They always get Thy help
Whenever they call for it.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
9. Like pearl-divers, bold and strong,
They wreck their lives as naught
And plunge into the ocean of the Self
Whose depths they cannot reach;
But them you save and give
All riches untold.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
10. Thou art the sole surviving Love
Of those who wrench themselves
From “Maya’s” enchanting web;
They think and think of Thee
Who art their sole possession left.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
11. The sheep that strayed from Thee
Though it happen to be
Sunk in the mud of sin,
If, with love and longing
Intense and ever burning
It bleats to Thee for help.
Forgiving all its freaks
Thou rushest to its rescue
And not a tinge, not a shade
Of sin remains.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.
12. Thou alone dost never look
To birth or lineage, wealth or fame;
The blind, the deaf, the sick, the lame;
The rustic, lonely and out-caste
Are all thy special charge.
Let them call out to Thee
With real faith and love,
And they are saved.
That is thy promise given
Through all Thy holy books.
To That Lord of my Heart, I Bow.