A Rapture of Devotion

Translated from the Tamil of Sri Kulasekhara Alar

PURASU BALAKRISHNAN

I care not for human birth
if forgetful of the Lord­–
let me born as a crane
so may I dwell in the pond
of Venkata Hill.*

I care not for divine birth
with denizens of the sky–
­let me be born as a fish
so may I swim in the tarn
of Venkata Hill.

Lord, high in Heaven,
dwelling in Your grace for us
here onthe earth, grant me birth
as a menial in Your temple
in holy Venkata Hill.

Little care I for kingly joys
atop a throne or the royal elephant­–
grant me Your grace to be
but a shrub on the bounteous
Venkata Hill.

The beauty and song and dance
of dazzling damsels of Heaven
are not for me - grant me to be
a peak alive with the bee
in holy Venkata Hill.

I care not to be sole king
of the earth like the moon over the night –
­let me be but a hidden rill
in the redolent bosom
of Venkata Hill.

Lord that cuts the knot of sins!
Most High! Lord ofthe Hill! Let me lie
under the treading feet of devotees
in Your Presence, a step in Your temple
onholy Venkata Hill!

I care not to be monarch
ofthe triple world
with heavenly damsels at my call–
­let me be but anything
in holy Venkata Hill!

* The famous Venkatachalapati or Tirupati shrine