A Sinner’s Hope

 

                             

                           

                       

1.       Unrestrained myself, innumerable sins, I commit

Unlimited mercy still You reveal
The pangs of remorse though not I feel

With flower-fresh bosom I dare not kneel

Yet still You feel, my Lord! am I fit

To receive Thy blessings if I do not lead

A virtuous life, without self-destructive speed?

The warning voice of conscience if I do not heed.

 

2.       What is the use of my knowledge deep?

Whatever we learn to imbibe becomes mute,

If it does not restrain our desires and refute;

Like tempting mermaids, they seem so pretty and cute

What use if it allows our discrimination sleep?

If it does not restrain desires unchecked and dire

Sweeping swiftly like raging forest-fire;

As if hurling me down from a rugged hill steep.

 

3.     So impervious our misleading minds

       Even adverse conditions and troubles won’t change

 My attitudes, actions and mental range

 Whatever they do it seems right, so strange

 Who will save us from restless routine grind?

 Even dread of punishment will not reform;

             Bewitched by pleasures we yield to the false charm

             Will worldly things give true joy and unruffled calm?

       

4.     Still your boundless mercy and your promise

 Magnanimous gives us assuring trust

 Whoever chants Thy names will tide over this gust

 Of this maze of whirling passions and thrust

 No matter, of whatever state of degrading sins

 He will never perish and is bound to win

 From this distracting turmoil and dreadful din;

 And rise like a star through this gloomy debris.

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Note:   "Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear." --Bhagavad Gita

    16th June 2025                           Somaseshu Gutala