This poem was written shortly after we came to know Rama. Shakuntala read it and gave us the letter and poem that Rama had written about Krishna (also called Shyam) which is to the right.

 

Rama! Rama! Rama!

 

In younger days I was often sad,

Though pleasantries came I did not stay glad.

 

Desires fulfilled, happiness not there,

Then the name Rama filled the air!

 

The living Truth in human form,

He is on the earth, my soul is warm.

 

Life and its meaning now coming in view,

Love and Knowledge arrive in flashes of Blue.

 

Divine regions, seemingly unknown before,

By His loving Grace I now explore.

 

Let all tests and struggles now come,

Give me the strength to see His Will done.

 

May Love and Devotion for Rama increase,

For only this way brings the lasting peace.

 

Divine Love please open this heart wide,

Prepare the place for Him inside.

 

Peace for this soul can only begin,

The moment Rama, my Lord, enters within!

 

RAA

To Mr. Robert and Sharon:

 

This poem is addressed to Lord Krishna, whose color resembles that of a dark cloud. The devotee prays to Him to make his heart His Abode, which then becomes the Abode of Happiness. The name of Lord Krishna here is Ghanashyam.

 

Shakuntala Bodas 9-23-03

 

Shyam

 

Oh lotus-eyed dark colored Shyam,

You reside in the devotees heart.

And thus it has become the Abode of Happiness.

 

You are the protector of those who surrender to You, and You are the fulfiller of all their desires.

 

You reveal/manifest Yourself,

On the stage of this world,

For giving relief to people

Afflicted by pain and misery.

 

You bring cheerfulness to people’s mind.

You are the remover of their worldly fears.

You lead them to the ocean of Milk,

Where they get the real rest.

 

You are ageless, indestructible, imperishable

And You have no beginning.

To You Rama offers his salutations.

 

RAMA

The poem below is the Shyam poem, handwritten by Rama in Marathi,

that was translated into English by Shakuntala