Thirty-Three

Joyful news I bring.… Paradox, but, truth!
Ageless has an age! … Birthless has a day of birth!
In human form, in leela mood, It came.

Seeking you and me, fainting, faltering, weak,
And, standing at our door, He knocks!
Tell everyone, O brother dear, the blessing One has come!
He has come! And moved from flute to reins, cowherd to charioteer.

Yea, and blessed with Godly vision full tens of thousands now,
As per earth’s reckoning, He is thirty-two today, the birthday, thirty-third,
Start this day, O aimless wanderer, on ancient pilgrim route.

And He will be your guide, whomsoever you may choose!
In storm and rain, in fog and snow, have faith in Him.

Bhagavan is He the Lord Himself.
Adore Him in your heart, aspire and pray,
“Bless me, with faith, and hope and strength,”
And all will be light, where all was dark.

~N. Kasturi
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, Nov. 1958