Clouds renounce raindrops
earth renounces vapour
Sun renounces life-giving light
lily renounces fragrance
Trees renounce sap, fruits renounce juices
Herbs renounce curative essences
Mother renounces milk

You are to me rain-giving cloud, vapour-giving earth
Life-radiating sun, fragrance-exuding lily
Sap-surrendering Tree, juice-pouring fruit
Health-rendering herb, milk-streaming Mother

I pray, may my prayer be granted
May I renounce to earth’s lilies, trees, herbs
And to all God’s creatures, in love
Hundredfold what in your gifts
you often renounce to me

Editor’s Note

This is an excerpt from the book – Words Curved, p. 44, by Swami Veda Bharati, published in 2009 by the SRSG Publications.