Story of Atmananda

Swami Atmananda
an Indian monk
wandered in detachment
from all the social junk

He never stayed longer
than 3 days in a place
On his journeys, people
respected his face

One day he stopped at a
temple to bless people
to a magistrate and wife
his answer was simple

„You prostrated at my feet
next year you’ll have a child“
He knew without any words
what’d been their problem wild

Good news spreaded really fast
and reached Stephen Howard
the Collector of the City,
a Britishman cultured

As the ruler of the city
he quickly got through the crowd,
Atmananda explained to him
his origin was Indian proud

When the holy monk asked him
„Tell me who you are“
Stephen started listing his
identities like a star

Atmananda loudly laughed:
„Ha ha ha ha ha
you still didn’t tell me though
who you really are

You are not your name, surname,
position, qualification,
you are not your relationships
nor colour or your nation

You are much beyond all that
you’re eternal soul!
You’re eternally flowing through
wake-dream-deep sleep- whole.

It is true that you are both
everything and nothing
your whole very existence
is in relation to something“

Stephen realised the truth,
it exploded in his spine
awakening since his birth
shed tears grateful, divine

Atmananda turned towards
those who’d come for blessing
he accepted poor farmers
with love, without classing

He said ignorance is bad
and taught them some virtue
„Apply the knowledge to
respect mother nature

Never surrender to silly
emotions, nor exploitation
share selflessly with others
use wise cultivation

When times are tough then survive
when climate is good then sow
only reap when fruits are ripe
seasons are to follow

Never cut a tree that yet
has not fully grown
worship trees, they are asset
leave forests alone

Co-exist in harmony
with all animals in peace
build houses with matured stones
their stability increase“

Then farmers felt deeply
fulfilment at once
thankful for these words of light
dissolving ignorance

Next, message to the police
officer who was with Stephen
„Non-violence is a virtue
or punishment should be given

Stealers and contaminators,
public property destroyers,
should be punished all at once
train well all the lawyers

Enforce the law with compassion
sensitiveness, dare
helplessness is a crime, too
enforce law with care“

Officer understood words
and bowed humbly down
he melted in gratitude
and went to watch his town

Later Atmananda said
to a prostitute in the crowd
because of your service
lonely men are satisfied

You are like a candle
burning yourself for strangers
because of you many women
walk freely without rape dangers

No woman will want to
be in your helpless shoes
with lifestyle of nobody
that people only accuse

I bow to you, divine woman
while society stress you
your heart brims with kindness
and love, so I bless you“

A business came and he first
tried to bow down at Stephen
even in front of the holy man
he’s acting as businessman

„My beloved watchman
you’re at wrong destination
I don’t have commercial value
you’re wasting your attention“

The businessman felt embarrassed
and prostrated confused
he thought the monk made a mistake
and that’s why he refused

„I am not a mere watchman
I own many luxuries“
Atmananda laughed aloud
at these sceneries

„My friend, I know why you’re here
you’ve no faith in me
my picture of you’s very clear
you’re rich, but not free

Being over-possessive
you treat ones as slaves
although you have abundance
you’re your money’s graves

You think you can pay to God
money for your sins
never, cause you alienated
yourself from God, but God wins

You’re a cup filled up to brim
with ego and attitude
empty yourself to get
wisdom and be renewed

Remember, all that you think
you can’t take to death-bed
greed-driven life will lead you
only to a sad end

Greed, envy and jealousy,
ego are really poisonous
these terrestrial emotions
are utterly disastrous

Beware dear foolish man
you have no true love
people pretend their respect
you’ll lose what you’re proud of

Avoid suffering and shift
to benevolence
and unconditional love
that is life’s essence

I’ve got nothing to give you
even if I want to
because you can’t keep it with you
your greed will finally daunt you

You’ll suffer through family
they squander your wealth
cause you’re selfish, they are, too
they’ll be rejoiced by your death

I can offer you the wealth
that cannot be bought by money
it could save you and others
from your abusing tyranny

Look at this compassionate woman
her heart is rich and divined
she takes care of abandoned baby
she is poor but her heart is kind

And you poured hot water
on the beggars hungry
you let fearsome dogs
on whom you were angry“

After this there was a silence
nobody dared to move
the businessman stunned and shaken
couldn’t his shock remove

He sat there rapt in awe
as if he saw a ghost
stripped completely in front of the crowd
exposed what had been inmost

His ego was annihilated
he fell at the feet of the saint
and wept uncontrollably
initiated, cleansing from constraint

The saint stood up, it was time
to take bath and meditate
he distributed what he’d received
at this compassionate sunset

He went quietly to the river
took his bath, went into the temple
that was a typical Atmananda’s
day, holy, pure and simple

(This poem was inspired by Mohanji's story "Searching for Precious 4"