Taking Refuge

(Continued from P.280, May, 1928.)

[ XIX ]

1. I have surrendered my all at Thy feet;
   I have thrown myself on Thy household.
   Thou, the Supreme Lord, as Thy dog
   May Thou accept me.
2. Chaining me close to Thee Thou wilt maintain me;
   I shall lie at Thy door-step.
   Who is opposed to Thee I will not allow to enter
   I will ever keep him out-side the bounds.
3. What is left over of the favour of the refuse of Thy meals
   After being honoured by Thy own.
   Will be my food every day;
   On it I will feed with the greatest joy.
4. Sitting up or lying down, on Thy feet
   I will meditate without a pause:
   And dancing hie to Thee with joy
   Whenever Thou call’st.
5. I will never think for my own nourishment;
   I will ever cherish love.
   Bhaktivinode elects Thee
   As his Protector.

[ XX ]

1. Thou, Son of the Lord of Braja, art the Sovran paramount over all rulers.
   Creation and dissolution in the world take place in accordance with Thy will.
2. In accordance with Thy will Brahma creates.
   According to Thy will Vishnu maintains.
3. Siva destroys according to Thy will.
   Thy illusory power builds the prison in accordance with Thy will.
4. Thy will is the cause of the birth and death of the Jivas,
   Prosperity and ruin, joy and sorrow.
5. Fettered by Thy illusory power the Jiva vainly turns about in the meshes of hope;
   It can do nothing without Thy will.
6. Thou art, indeed, the Protector and Maintainer of myself.
   I have no other hope except Thy feet.
7. Leaving all dependence on my own strength and contrivance
   I now live in reliance on Thy will.
8. Bhaktivinode is most humble and desires nothing.
   He lives and dies in accordance with Thy will.

(To be continued.)