THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/songsofsoulOOswam SONGS OF THE SOUL By SWAMI YOGANANDA, A.B. Of India Founder of Ranchi and Pari Brahmacharya Residential Schools in India Sal Sanga (Fellowship with Truth) , Boston Sat Sanga Summer School, Waltham Vice-President: SADHU SABHA, India Delegate from India to International Congress of Religions Boston, 1920 Author of "Science of Religion," etc. PUBLISHED BY SAT SANGA 30 HUNTINGTON AVENUE, BOSTON 1923 CopyrigMcd, 1923, by Swami Yogananda, Boston. Mass. Everett Printing Service, Boston CONTENTS PART I Consecration 7 Soul Is Marching On 8 They Are Thine 10 Thou in Me 11 Thy Call 12 One That 's Everywhere 14 Whispers 15 In Me 16 Too Near 18 Evasion 19 Thy Cruel Silence 20 / Am Here 21 Where I Am 23 One Friend 25 Flower Offering 26 The Tattered Dress 27 Thy Secret Throne 28 Methought I Heard a Voice 30 A Milk-White Sail 32 The Harvest 33 The Splinters of Thy Love 34 For Thee and Thine 35 PART II Wake, Wake, My Sleeping Hunger, Wake . . 39 Eternity 41 Vanishing Bubbles 42 513893 UB SETS CONTENTS Variety 44 The Blood of Rose 47 At the Roots of Eternity 48 Undying Beauty 49 The Noble New 51 Protecting Thorns 52 Tattered Garment 53 In Stillness Dark 54 Nature's Nature 56 My Kinsmen 61 Om 64 Mystery 66 Silence 68 It's All Unknown 70 At the Fountain of Song 72 The Ever- New 74 The Ever-Trodden Path 76 The Human Mind 77 The Cup of Eternity 79 A Mirror New 81 The Spell 82 PART III My Native Land 85 On Coming to the New-Old Land of America 87 The Toiler's Lay 89 City Drum 91 PART IV Foreword 95 Vision of Visions 97 PART I CONSECRATION At Thy feet I come to shower All my full heart's rhyming flower, Of Thy breath born. By Thy love grown. With my lonely seeking found. By hands Thou gavest picked and bound; — For Thee the sheaves Within these leaves: — Of my life's season The choicest flowers, With petals soulful spread. Their humble perfume shed; — Hands folded now I come to give What's Thine — receive! [7] SONGS OF THE SOUL SOUL IS MARCHING ON The shining stars are sunk in darkness, The weary sun is dead at night, The moon's soft smile doth fade anon, — But still my soul is marching on. The grinding wheel of Time has crushed Full many a life of moon and stars And many a brightly smiling morn; — But still my soul is marching on. The flowers bloomed, then hid in gloom. The bounty of the trees did cease. Colossal men have come and gone; — But still my soul is marching on. The aeons one by one are flying, — The arrows one by one are lost. Dimly, slowly life is fading, — But still my soul is marching on. [8] SONGS OF THE SOUL Darkness, death, and failures vied, — To block my path they fiercely tried; My fight with jealous Nature's strong; — But still my soul is marching on. [9] SONGS OF THE SOUL THEY ARE THINE I have nothing to offer Thee, For all things are Thine; I grieve not that I can not give, For nothing is mine, for nothing is mine: Here I lay at Thy feet My limbs, my life, my thoughts and speech. For they are Thine, for they are Thine. [10] SONGS OF THE SOUL THOU IN ME When I smile Thou dost smile through me; When I cry In me Thou dost weep, When I wake Thou greetest me. When I walk Thou art with me. Thou dost smile and weep, Thou dost wake and walk Like me; my Likeness Thou: But when I dream, Thou art awake; When I stumble. Thou art sure; When I die Thou art my life. [ 11 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL THY CALL When lost I roam I hear Thy call to home — In whistling breeze Or rustling leaves of trees. When drunk in folly I wander gaily By the sandy shore, — Who wakes me with a sudden roar? When clouds do spread •& veil My precious joy to steal, — Who tears the sheet away To burst in redd'ning ray? When dark night blinds, And my movements binds, — Who shows my path and th' dark beguiles With mildly mocking moonlit smiles? [12] SONGS OF THE SOUL The million starry stares. The waking sunny glares, The river's ever-murmuring air Thy sure and silent call declare. [13] SONGS OF THE SOUL ONE THAT'S EVERYWHERE The tree sighs. The wind plays, The sun smiles. The river moves; Feigning dread the sky is blushing red At the creeping sun's gentle tread. The earth changes robes Of black and star-lit night For dazzling silver light. Dame Nature loves herself t' array In changing seasons' colors gay; The murmuring brook e'er tries to tell In lisping sounds so well Of the hidden thought By inner spirit brought. The birds aspire to sing Of things unknown that swell within. But man first speaks in language true Both loud and clear, with meaning new. Of what all else before Had failed to full declare: — Of One That's everywhere. [14] SONGS OF THE SOUL WHISPERS Leaves do sigh, They can not speak Of One That 's high. The birds do scream, They can not sing What in their bosom springs. The beasts do howl In sadness foul, They can never say as nigh As doth in their feelings lie. Since I can sing or say or cry I will mighty try To pour out whispers Thine, — one and each That to heart doth softly reach. [ 15] SONGS OF THE SOUL IN ME Hello, Yonder Tree! Thou dost breathe in me, in me; Fast-footed River! Thy shining meandering quiver Declares itself Through myself; Thou dost shine through me, in me. Huge Himalaya With snowy sovereign white regalia! In my mind doth rest thy throne — Thy home In me, in me. O Ocean! endless to the eye In boundless stretches thou dost lie; But to me thou art small: A tiny drop upon a ball, — Thou art in me, in me. Endless Sky! So vast to eye, — In some brighter age or day When I'll cast my cares away [ 16] SONGS OF THE SOUL On thee will sail my better boat, bright and gay, On to thy shore To find, I'm sure, Thy border land — in me. O Distant Heav'ns! O Secret One and Angels Seven! In my sphere you all I see. In me, in me, in me! [17] SONGS OF THE SOUL TOO NEAR I stood in silence To worship Thee In the temple large With blue etheric dome, Lighted by the spangling stars. Shining with the lustrous moon. Tapestried with the golden clouds, Where reigns no dogma loud. I prayed and waited For Thee to come. I cried, — Thou didst not come. I will wait no more, Nor send my feeble prayer Footsteps Thine to hear, — They are not heard without. In me Thou art, — too near. [18] SONGS OF THE SOUL EVASION When I do almost see Thee Thou dost suddenly vanish; When Thou art almost trapped in me I find Thee gone. When I think I have seized Thee Thou dost most escape. How long this hide and seek, and play? I am weary with the toil of the day; Still I may brook this evasion Thine If 'tis for a tiny flash of time, That in the end I may see Thy face with doubled joy and mind more free. [19] SONGS OF THE SOUL THY CRUEL SILENCE I prayed to Thee But Thou wert mute, At Thy door I knocked, Thou answered'st not, I gave my tears To soft'n Thy heart; In cruel silence Didst Thou watch. But now I learn The way to earn Attention Thine: I'll weep and pray Unceasingly — In cruel silence — Till time is old. And earth grows cold, Till life doth fail, Till body fall; Then if Thou speak'st And dost wish me peace; — Still I will pray and weep In cruel silence deep. [20] SONGS OF THE SOUL I AM HERE I roamed alone by ocean's shore And watched : the wrestling, brawling waves did roar Alive with Thy own restless Life. Thy angry mood and ripply quiver. Thy wrathful vastness made me shiver; I turned away from heated strife. — A kindly waving tree Caught my roving eye so free To comfort me with gentler look sublime That I did feel was Thine. — I saw the gaugeless mystic sky, And down its valley dark I ran to pry At Thee, and play with Thee ; — I failed to find Thy hiding Body, Yet I felt everywhere That Thou wert always near, Playing at hide and seek with me, — Receding when I almost touched Thee As to find Thee I groped blindfold — In ignorant darkness old. [continued] [21 1 SONGS OF THE SOUL I left my search in dim despair; Thou Royal, Sly Eluder! — In haste I hied away from Thee And I retired within me: When lo! some Unseen Hand Did quickly snatch away the all-black band That did my eyes enfold That were so numb and cold. And in troth I felt quite keen: Someone beside me stood unseen And whispered to me, cool and clear, "Hello, playmate, I am here!" [22] SONGS OF THE SOUL WHERE I AM Not the lordly domes on high With tall heads daring clouds and sky, Nor alabaster shining floors, Nor the rich organ's awesome roar, Nor rainbowed windows' beauty quaint With colossal chronicles told in paint, Nor torch nor incense' curling soar. Nor gay-dressed children of the choir, Nor well-planned sermon. Nor loud-tongued prayer Can call Me there. The richly carven door, Through which all pomp and pride pour, I deign not through to go; — But still I come Incognito. The stony, polished altar Or narrow builded sermon seat Too narrow seems to hold My large, large Body for retreat. A humble magnet-call. ]23] SONGS OF THE SOUL A whisper by the broo k On grassy altar small — There I have my nook: — A crumbling temple shrine, A little place unseen, Unwatched, unhedged, Is where I humbly rest and lean : A sacred heart Tear washed and true Doth draw me with its rue. I take no bribe Of strength or wealth Of caste or church or scribe. Of fame or faith or festive breath. But wail for truth; And e'er the broken distant heart Doth draw Me e'en to heathen lands. And My help in silence I impart. [24] SONGS OF THE SOUL ONE FRIEND Many clouds do race to hide Thee — Of friends and wealth and fame — And yet through mist of tears I see Appear Thy Golden Name. Each time my father, mother, friends Do loudly claim they did me tend, I wake from sleep to sweetly hear That Thou alone didst help me here. [25] SONGS OF THE SOUL FLOWER OFFERING A goblet of my folly-blood Is humbly set beneath Thy Petal Feet, — 0, Lotus Sweet! I've stood with tears seeking Thine angry thirst to quench, — With sandal sweet, with motely cos- tumed flowers. With devotion's perfume from my heart of heart. With myrrh of constancy my soul imparts — To worship Thee. Unheard is my lay, — And for naught I pray, — But with sleepless care I '11 lay my flower there. [26] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE TATTERED DRESS I see Thy Magic Hands of Death Snatch away in stealth And change the tattered dress. Which fondly men caress With blind attachment. Into soul-sheen habiliment, — This newly given robe — That shines with all the beauties of Thy globe. [27] SONGS OF THE SOUL THY SECRET THRONE Behind the screen Of all things seen How dost Thou hide, — Elude the tide Of marching human eyes, That 'round Thee rushing hies? 'Twill not be long Ere will be known Thy hiding place By children with Thine eyes and grace. Sage science splits ^ Each atom knit By Thee, to find apace Thy hiding place. Is heart of atom, — electron, Thy secret throne? Deep we bore To find Thy art, and lore Of doings all sublime; E'er hidden betimes. [28] SONGS OF THE SOUL Yet Thy abode Seems far remote; 'Tis still to fmd With deeper mind. [29] SONGS OF THE SOUL METHOUGHT I HEARD A VOICE Singing by the rill My voice doth thrill With echoes of my thought By fancies brought. I wandered in my play On faerie fields away; I stopped to muse, rejoice; — Methought I heard a voice! The flowers of that field Of wondrous hues, — perfumed With essence of the heart — did yield Delicious joys undreamed. Behind the thin bright veil Of scented feelings I saw some fitful flash : Some Glistening Presence rush. [30] SONGS OF THE SOUL I tiptoe stood, Listening, watching; I poured my heart, Listening, watching. [31 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL A MILK-WHITE SAIL A milk white, tiny sail Skims fast across my sea; I wail The threatening storms to see; — But my bark glides free toward the lee, So near the shore And safe from the angry roar. [32 SONGS OF THE SOUL THE HARVEST Drawn by joy sublime I watch each harvest time, When the sky glows red with ripe sunbeams; Oh, ne'er before had I found Thy ploughing teams. The oriole's painted, glowing breast is shown, Yet Thy brush, Painter, ne'er is known. The north star timely leaps. And its nocturnal watch unfailing keeps; The sun and seasons Thy house supervise. Yet Thou, Master, seemest not to rise! [33 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE SPLINTERS OF THY LOVE The splinters of Thy love Lie strewn in many a heart: The little fragments of Thy love, Descended from far above, I find spread here and there, and charm'd I start To seize all and with care collect. I feel as I reflect That I have certes seen somewhere Thy whole unbroken love that's everywhere; And with devotion strong I weld my varied collection Of tiny bits of parental, friendly love in one To match it with Thy own. [34] SONGS OF THE SOUL FOR THEE AND THINE I love to seek What's mine. I think, I act — I work with tact To gain what's mine. I pass by th' river In joyous quiver To soothe this mind of mine. I smell the flowers To cheer the hours, — I love to have what's mine. I sip the gold sunshine To warm this flesh of mine. I drink the fresh and flowing air, For me I lift my prayer, I try to rake The world to take All things for me and mine. — [continued] [35] SONGS OF THE SOUL Those dark days are gone, — The old time 's flown, So lived for me and mine; — In new-born light I see what's right, — To live for Thee and Thine. [36] PART II I. WAKE, WAKE MY SLEEPING HUNGER, WAKE! When tables large of earth and moon and meteors, Of brooks and rills, of shining ether ore Are laid with wondrous One Nectar, Stolen from nature's nooks by lars, — Do thou thy sullen sleep forsake; — Wake, wake my sleeping Hunger, wake! Through diverse paths of aeons thou hast cried, For a morsel of manna begged and tried; But now thou sleepest, dazed and tired, on leer Undried lie drops of fresh-wept tears While nectar touches thy lips, — partake, — Wake, wake my sleeping Hunger, wake! This unquenched hunger old of mine Did eat all food and yet did pine, — Was starved with surfeit and it sought How might its yearn'd-for food be got. [continued] [39] SONGS OF THE SOUL The food for which thou wept'st awaits, — par- take!— Wake, wake my sleeping Hunger, wake! Friends and wealth and fancy's rarest treat, Posthumous wishes sprung from deathless roots so sweet Did fail to feed thy heart's true crave And burned with thousand flaming waves The nectar sought for seeks thee now; — par- take, — Wake, wake my sleeping Hunger, wake! My hunger burned and wept to drink The mysteries by life's bare brink, — Ambrosial fount that sleep beneath The mystery caves on soil of truth: Weep more drops, nay streams — oceans — of tears, Thy duty is for peace to weep; thy only care To seek thy work; and all thy food Be what doth nourish thy mood; Thy work is done, thy nectar's here, — Quench, quench the eternal ache! — Wake, wake my sleeping Hunger, wake! [40] SONGS OF THE SOUL ETERNITY Oh, will that day arrive When I shall ceaselessly ask, and drive Eternal questions Into Thine ear, Eternity, and await solution As to how weak weeds do grow and stand unbent, Unshak'n beneath the trampling current; How the storm did wreck titanic things, rooted trees. And quick disturbed the mighty seas; How the first spark blinked, and the first tree, The first goldfish, the first blue bird so free And the first crooning baby In this wonder house made their visit and entry. They come, I see; Their growth alone I watch; Thy Cosmic Moulding Hand That secret works on land and seas I wish to seize, Eternity! [41 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL VANISHING BUBBLES Many unknown bubbles float and flow, Many ripples dance by me And melt away in sea. I like to know, ah, whence they come or whither go— The rain drops and dies, My thoughts play wild and vanish quick, The red clouds melt in skies; I stake my purse or slave all life their motive still to seek. Some friends, though not their love. Some dearest thoughts I ne'er would lose, I said. And last night's surest stars, seen just above, — All, all are fled. The crowds of lilies, the linnet. Perfumed blossoms, honey-mad bees. Did meet on yonder bowered trees; Now the lonesome field alone is left. [42] SONGS OF THE SOUL The bubbles, lilies, friends, dramatic thoughts — They all their part did play and entertain. And now beneath the grassy screen, to change their displayed coats. They quiet, concealed remain. [43] SONGS OF THE SOUL VARIETY I sought for twins I could not find; I search my mind. No twins have seen. They seem alike, Man and man, beast and brute. Yet no faces two are like; Ne'er the same song sang the lute. Ne'er two hearts are same. I bow to each new form and name — Variety complete. Through forms infinite. I wish that I were you and he. And all at once what I would be; Oh, could I wear at will all terrene minds. Like robes of newer kinds ! [44] SONGS OF THE SOUL Then would I flash forth varied smiles, Or languorous walk in sorrow robed, Or charm with sparkling wiles And time beguile; Or march with martial songs. To right all wordly wrongs; Or wear a powerful prophet mind And into dust earth's sorrows grind; Or wear the youthful hermit's heart, To scatter love and strength impart. I'd wear each heart And don each will and smiles and spend my pelf To try all noble minds and thoughts And take what suits myself. With brain-born nixes. With marsh-marauding hopes and pixies. With every elfm thought that timid trod on mind I'd friendship find. [45] SONGS OF THE SOUL To soul of the New in things My spirit homage sings. I would not taste the same nectar, Nor twice drink from th' Immortals' Thy presence, Eternity, Show Thou in endless variety; Yet change not me, Though various my costumes be. [46] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE BLOOD OF ROSE I tore the rose, I bled its slender stem, Its petals quivered And I shivered; Yet I dared to rob its smell! My heart did break and tell, "Thy hands are soiled," and mute I stood, Thus self-condemned and stained with rose's blood. But I know now, I love the rose More than its wealth, and vow Ne'er its love to desecrate or lose. [47] SONGS OF THE SOUL AT THE ROOTS OF ETERNITY With sailing clouds and plunging breeze. With swaying trees and youthful, stormy seas. With whirling planets I wildly play In some absorbing way But not alway; — At close of day Hay My eager hands at the roots of Eternity To seize and own its nectar free. [48] SONGS OF THE SOUL UNDYING BEAUTY They did their best And they are blest, — The sap, the shoots, The little leaves and roots; The benign breath, The touch of light, — All worked in amity To grow the rose's beauty. Watch its splendor, Its undying grandeur, The Infinite Face That peeps through its little case; — Watch not in grief Its falling petals or its brief Sojourn here; — For its career Done, its duty ends; Toward the Immortals' home it tends. The sap dried. The summer petals fled. [49] SONGS OF THE SOUL Its body pines; Yet its death 's divine; Through death and spurns Its deathless glory won: The rose is dead, — Its beauty lives instead. [50] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE NOBLE NEW Sing songs that none have sung, Think thoughts that in brain have never rung, Walk in paths that none have trod, Weep tears as none have shed for Lord, Love all with love that none have felt, and brave The battle of life with strength unchained, Give peace to all to whom none other gave, Claim him your own who is e'er disclaimed. [51 1 SONGS OF THE SOUL PROTECTING THORNS The charm of the blushing rose Hides its stinging thorns beneath; Yet without the wounds from those Thou could 'st not snatch its wealth with stealth, — The rose with thorns unstained with blood, The rose that sprang from earthly sod. In her defense the thorns do sting. To keep thee out by thorny ring; Yet the perfumed petals' show Thy drowsing soul doth wake and draw: If thou dost love the beauty alone Why would'st thou rush to bleed from prickly thorns? [52] SONGS OF THE SOUL TATTERED GARMENT Oh, sing no plaintive lay When at last my earthly raiment dies, Nor let ashes tell thy tears where it lies; Oh, blow my tattered garment's dust away ! The dust clean washed, The hidden gold beneath will show Itself anew all bright and brushed, And shine somewhere aglow, — And wait with luring lustre For some home-lorn soul To show the path with lightening glimmer From darkness on to goal. [53] SONGS OF THE SOUL IN STILLNESS DARK Hark! In stillness dark, When noisy dreams have slept, The house is gone to rest, And busy life Doth cease from strife, — The soul in pity soft doth kiss The truant flesh to soothe, and speak With mind-transcending grace Its soundless voice of peace. Through transient fissures deep In walls of sleep Take thou a gentle peep; Nor droop, nor stare, But watch with care The sacred glare, Ablaze and clear. [54] SONGS OF THE SOUL In golden glee Flash past thee So nigh. Ashamed, Apollo droops in dread To see that lustre spread Through boundless reach of sky. 55 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL NATURE'S NATURE Away, ye muses, all away, Away with songs of finch and fay, Away the jaundiced sight That conflagrates the firefly's light To bonfire, — That sets ablaze at once Your musing's burning lamps; That ornaments with rhymes The penury-stricken looks betimes; That over-clothes the Logic lord With fancy-swollen words. Away, the partial love That 'boldens nature to sit above Her Maker ! This day I fasten eye-lid doors. With absence wax my ears. With langour all congeal my tongue, my touch, my tears. That I myself may pore [56] SONGS OF THE SOUL Upon the things behind, ahead Of the darkness 'round me spread. I lock Dame Nature out With all her fickle rout: Somewhere here In the darkness drear I myself with cheer My course will steer In the path E'er sought by all: Its magnet-call I hear. Not here, not here Apollo would his burning chariot steer; Nor Dian dares to peep Into the sacred silence deep. Not here, not here The mounts nor rebel waves, nor far or near. Can make me full of fear, nor evermore Their dreadful grandeur adore. [continued] [57] SONGS OF THE SOUL Not here, not here The soft capricious wiles of flowers, Nor swarming storm clouds' sweeping terror, Nor doomsday's thunder drear Dismantling earth and stars. The cosmic beauties all to mar; Dishevelling of trees And light-haired skies, Nor nature's murderous mutiny Nor man's all-powerful destiny Can touch me here. Not here, not here — Through mind's strong iron bars No gods nor goblins, no men nor nature Without my pass dare enter. I look behind, ahead. And on naught but darkness tread. In wrath I strike, and set it ablaze With the immortal spark of thought. By the friction process brought [58] SONGS OF THE SOUL Of concentration And distraction; — The darkness burns With a million tongues, And now I spy All past, all distant things as nigh. I smile serene As I expose to gaze In wisdom's brilliant blaze All charms of the Hidden Home Unseen: The Home of Nature's birth, The planets' moulding hearth. The factory whence all forms or fairies start, The bards, colossal minds and hearts, The gods and all. And all, and all! Away, Away With all the lightsome lays; — Oh, I '11 now portray In humble way, [continued] [59] SONGS OF THE SOUL And try to lisp half-truths Of wordless charms of Thee Unseen To whom Nature her nature owes, and sheen. [60] SONGS OF THE SOUL MY KINSMEN In spacious hall of trance I spied — Aglow with million dazzling lights, Tapestried with the snowy cloud — My kinsmen all, lowly, proud; The banquet great with music rolls, The drum of Om* in measure falls, The hosts, in many ways arrayed, Some plain, some gorgeous dress displayed. Around the various tables large Of earth and moon and sun and stars. The countless mute, and noisy guests Observed Dame Nature's feast with zest. The tiny-eyed and shiny sands. Thirsty, drank of ocean's life: I well remember once I brawled For a sip of sea, with kinsmen sands. * Cosmic vibration. [61 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL Yes, I know those old dame rocks Who rocked me on their stony laps When I a tiny baby tree Did chafe to run with winds so free. The green-attired friends I know, With rose and lily buds aglow; I once adorned a kingly breast. Lost life, returned to mother dust. I know the ruby redbreast dear. My blood in it once flowed so clear; I smiled in diamonds, gleaming bright, I danced in Roentgen rays of light. A ray of friendship from my heart In diamond and ruby joy did start. The bright ones smiled, the ruby wept To meet their long-lost friend at last. The soul of gold in yellow gown. The soul of silver whitely shone, — Bestowed on me maternal smiles That told they knew me long erewhile. [62] SONGS OF THE SOUL The lark, the cuckoo, the pheasant sweet, The deer, the lamb, the lion great. The shark and monsters of the sea ! In love and peace all greeted me. The leafy fingers, arms outspread, Caressed me when a tiny bird, And fed me with ambrosial fruit That drew its life from immortal root. When atoms and the star-dust sprang, When Vedas, Bible, Koran sang, — I joined each choir; their long-past thrilling songs Still echo in my soul in accents strong. [63] SONGS OF THE SOUL OM Whence, Oh, this soundless roar doth come When drowseth matter's dreary drum? — The booming Om* on bliss' shore breaks; All heaven, all earth, all body shakes. Cords bound to flesh are broken all, Vibrations vile do fly and fall; The hustling heart, the boasting breath No more disturb the yogi's health. The house is lulled in darkness soft, Dim, shiny light is seen aloft, Subconscious dreams have gone to bed. 'Tis then that one doth hear Om's tread. The bumble bee doth hum along, Baby Om, hark! sings his song; Krishna's flute is sounding sweet, 'Tis time the watery God to meet. * Cosmic vibration. [64] SONGS OF THE SOUL God of fire is now singing, Om, — Om — his harp is ringing; God of pranaf is now sounding, Wondrous bell of soul resounding. Upward climb the living tree, J Hear the sound of ethereal sea; Marching mind doth homeward hie To join the Christmas Symphony. t Vibration of life energy. t Spinal cord [65] SONGS OF THE SOUL MYSTERY Burst, inky cloud, do burst. Fling open thy fathomless gloom! In Thy dark chamber must A million mysteries loom. Heartless, staring sky! Make quick reply To aching query of my straining eye. Show what thou hidest and why; — The ceaseless surging thoughts Go mocking, dancing by, I deign to know their lot. Someone did throw me free To battle all alone in this rough sea. Rudderless I drift. Stranded on shoals my boat couldn't shift. ril burst the clouds, I'll clean the shoals, I'll rip the sky in twain, [66] SONGS OF THE SOUL I'll break my heart, With question crush my brain — I'll ask and pray, Will beg or steal To find the friends long stolen away. To know their woe or weal. This wondrous day. Stage set for play By Unseen Hand, — The players drop From no-man's land, Then vanish away or stop With changing scenes of birth and death. The drama's on The actors play anon Yet know not why they play This glorious day ! [67] SONGS OF THE SOUL SILENCE The earth, the planets play In and through the sun-born rays In majesty profound. Umpire Time In silence sublime Doth watch This cosmic match. The Author of the great game Assumes no spoken name; — With boundless poise He doth His will without a noise. Ungrateful moods ignoring, Unkindness all forgiving. Truth clearly speaks to all, But speaks not loud; They hear its call Who noises enthrall. [68] SONGS OF THE SOUL The voice in threatening silence speaks To those who error's path do seek. The tiger may be tamed, Failures' talons can be maimed. All friends forsaking reason's way be gained, Unruly nature trained By powerful silence o' unspoken words, If in Truth maintained. [691 SONGS OF THE SOUL IT'S ALL UNKNOWN Each rose-bud dawning day, In hourly opening petal-rays Doth fair display Its hidden beauty. The petal-hours, unfolding smile, My drooping, lagging heart beguile. Day spreads its petals all Of novel hopes and joys withal. The rose-buds' there, — "Today" is here; In time the rose-bud blooms, — While lazy day often glooms. Forsake thy sleep O, Lazy Day, Open Thou with thy full-bloom ray To chase my gathered gloom away! The rose-bud opened. The day now smiled In fullness fine; [70] SONGS OF THE SOUL Still I opine 'Tis all unknown Just why the rose was blown, And the day was drowned in night Then raised again to light Of glorious dawn, So swiftly marching o'er the lawn! [71 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL AT THE FOUNTAIN OF SONG Dig, dig, yet deeper dig In the stony earth for fount of song Dig, dig, yet deeper dig In soil of muse's heart along. Some sparkle is seen. Some bubble is heard: 'T is then unseen, — The bubble is dead. The watery sheen Again doth show; Dig, dig, still deeper e'en Till the bubble song again would grow. I hear the song, I see its body bright, — Yet cannot touch — I long To seize it now and drink its liquid light. [72] SONGS OF THE SOUL Bleed, O my Soul, do amply bleed To dig yet deeper, — dig! I touch the holy fount, — rejoice; I drink its bubble voice My throat's ablaze, — I want to drink and drink always; The sphere's aflame With my thirst as I came: So dig, dig, yet deeper dig Though it seems thou canst not dig! I thought with heart aglow All, all, I had drunk this day. And idly looked for more, deep, deep, below, — But lo! undrunk, untouched. There the fountain lay. [73] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE EVER NEW Newer joys adorn the day, Brighter burn through livelong night The stars with purer light, Brighter thoughts do brace my voice. Newer words await my choice, With heart of th' new I '11 sing my lay. Wings of thoughts would ceaseless beat The sky of time, and race to meet Thy distant throne That somewhere is alone. Each and every day Men choir some song Not with thoughts the same but a changing throng Of newer ones that make Thy greater lay. The bubbling joy Of each little boy. Each brew of friendship still I steal, and with them fill [74] SONGS OF THE SOUL Mine cup of aged heart With ceaseless thrills to start. Morrow each and each today With newer love I will sing my lay. The voices same do sing the lay In temple church and fane: But I deign ne'er to hear The strains all stained with age-old tear; My fountain flows anew today, With newer tears will flow my lay. In the same old church I'll newly sing and search, In the same old sermon For unending truths and newer reason; In the same old organ will I seek The newer hopes of new-born week. Every day, oh, every day The bell will ring a new Sunday, And bathed in Thy beaming ray With newer thoughts I'll sing my lay. [75] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE EVER-TRODDEN PATH This ever-trodden path Where travelers all of earth Do walk in joyous haste Or slothful sorrow's state I walk and wonder, — In truth or blunder. The path is cleft To right and left. In front, behind ; — The diverse ways' I find, Rewildered am I — As baffling mazes do they lie; Still, they say There's a royal way For all — the right, the error-wed,— 'Tis the sub-way path of ruby Which far beneath lies hid For eager eyes to lead Straight on the feet To where all paths do meet. [76] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE HUMAN MIND I love to roam alone, unseen, In cities of the human mind, Untrodden by the crooked thoughts Vile-born, — unkind. Incognito I wish to wander, To living lanes my thoughts surrender With simple wish to know and learn The straight nice paths and danger turns. I wish to roam in mazy lanes Of dark and brighter thoughts. With love to all and harm to none. With better message fraught. I'd love to broaden narrow lanes Of selfish crooked thoughts With my love's true-building brain That I 've within me got. [77] SONGS OF THE SOUL I long to soar so high That I at once may spy The narrow alleys, broader roads Of human thoughtful moods. [78] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE CUP OF ETERNITY The traveler of the endless track All weary, thirsty, sore doth seek To quench the quenchless mortal thirst. The wordless worry of his heart. He spies a cup — a little orb. He tries to drink with joyful sob. He stands aback, the cup sets down, — On the contents scant his heart did frown. Yet up he lifts the cup again, But fears his baneful thirst to flame. When, hark! a voice of counsel deep Forbids him this to soil with lip. The cup so small to mortal eye, — The cup whose depth the wise can spy Dries up, alas! if mortals drink; Perennial fount, the soulful think. [79] SONGS OF THE SOUL Now, in the little cup he'll see The unsounded deep of eternity; For ageless hours and endless days The ambrosial drink he'll taste and praise. The deathly thirst so fleshly born Ne'er shall parch his soul again; The cup he'll drink, but not the bane. To quench his thirst, and bliss attain. And vain would mighty north winds try Compassion's gathered tears to dry. [80 1 SONGS OF THE SOUL A MIRROR NEW I bring to you A mirror new — A glass of introspection clear, That illusions shows and sooty fear That spots thy mind. Thou wilt fmd This mirror new Would also show all true The "Inner You," That's veiled in flesh And doth ne'er appear. Each night consult afresh Thy mirror friend and clear away The dust that gathers each day. [81] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE SPELL Ah, this old, old nectar of night Brewed below by Sun God bright! — Let every little fleshly cell That's tired and thirsty drink it well. By soothing spell of sleep eject All aches that heart and brain infect! The spell quick marching on Fails on me now so warm, And robs my mind Of hnked thoughts, to bind Me prisoner in its charm. [82] PART III SONGS OF THE SOUL MY NATIVE LAND The friendly sky, Inviting shades of banian tree. The holy Ganges flowing by, — How can I forget thee! I love the waving corn Of India's fields so bright. Oh, better than those Heav'nly grown By deathless gods of might. My soul's broad love so grand Was born here first below, — In my own native land. On India's sunny soil aglow I love thy breeze, I love thy moon, I love thy hills and seas, In thee I wish to cease, or swoon. [continued] [85] SONGS OF THE SOUL Thou taught'st me first to love Thy sky, the stars, the God above; So my first homage meets, India, at thy feet! From thee I now have learn' d to see. To love all lands alike as thee; 1 bow to thee, my native land. The Mother of my love so grand. [86] SONGS OF THE SOUL ON COMING TO THE NEW- OLD LAND- AMERICA Sleeping memories Of friends once more to be Did greet me — sailing o'er the sea, — Sensing my coming The Pilgrim Land to adore. The distant sleeping shore Lay in the twinkling night, Dim through the vanished light, • The breeze wafted strong Strange thoughts That my brain did throng, Hopes sweet and richly wrought. The raven-winged gloom did perch On the portals of my mind and search My soul, my strength to awe; Yet crowds with joy oh, then, I saw [continued] [87] SONGS OF THE SOUL Of phantom friends, Now come to lend Their cheer, And end my fear! [88] SONGS OF THE SOUL THE TOILER'S LAY From school of life, From bossy duty's binding day, From hours of dollar-strife I wish I were a run-away! From chasing worry hound I'll fly one day, From crowds and throngs around I wish I were a run-away! From greedy food That steals its way, From luring dainties' tempting mood I wish I were a run-away! From homely cups and chairs and couch The call of grassy-bed today My heart doth snatch; — I wish I were a run-away! [continued] [89 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL From nature's given cup, My hollow hands, I'll drink At the streamlet's bounteous brink; With finger forks I'll eat the meat Of fresh plucked fruits from trees, my seat All snug beneath the shady trees, Enliv'n'd by birds and bumble bees. Fanned by mothering air, — From warmth and tear I'll bathe my weary mind In new-made joyous day: Away dish-washing, cups and saucers, all away! For just a day I wish I were a run-away! [90] SONGS OF THE SOUL CITY DRUM 'Tis morn The rolling wheels are on Of a marching world So strong. I love to be roused From a silent sleep By the early hum Of the active city drum. The drum beats To loudly greet All those heroes true That would die or do, — To meet the morning's foe Of worry or of woe With a dauntless smile. And thus success beguile [continued] [91 ]• SONGS OF THE SOUL Unto the happy camp Where peace e'er burns its lamp. The city's drum With its noisy hum Announces true and strong The world is marching on. [92] SONGS OF THE SOUL MOHAWK TRAIL Welcomed by a fresh and smiling day, Usher'd by trees benign that lay To shade our bodies from the jealous sun, With rubber shoes pressing on asphalt road, With softly humming noise we rode Through Mohawk Trail where Adam lies. Unlike all other joyful rides When mind with sameness was dulled sometimes and did abide The time and common scenes in passive mood. My mind was now so full, bright and good. A strange, unknown, unthought, new thrill Did steal o'er me in soothing sweep so still. I raced with wind and scattered smiles That played with sunshine, spread for miles. My secret hoarded joy in vault of soul I extravagantly did spend withal To buy new nature's gaudy scenes That one hasty, racing peddler brought me in. [continued] [93] SONGS OF THE SOUL My spirit hemm'd in city's narrow walls Was free once more; all nature sent a joyous call: The waving leaves of trees, the babbling rill, The impatient wind, sober skies and hill. [94] PART III FOREWORD The eleventh chapter of the Bhagavadgita, of which "Vision of Visions" is a lyrical rendition interwoven with an interpretation of its spiritual significance, is the consumma- tion of the teachings of the Book. It describes how the Lord Krishna, the Warrior-Prophet, blessed Arjuna, his devotee, with the great yogic vision of the cosmic drama of life and death, enacted on the Infinite Body of the Lord by Himself. Arjuna, still human, was perplexed, being unable to reconcile the benign aspect of the Lord with His destructive aspect: doing good to men and the world as a whole on the one hand, and bringing death and destruction to countless creatures and worlds on the other. It has been shown here that life and death are both momentary scenes in the cosmic drama, meant not to hurt or please anybody, but designed to afford infinite opportunities to the Lord's children for the attainment of higher and higher states of evolution through apparently unpleasant disturbances caused by great changes. The relative value of life and death in this Drama, which is a dream in comparison with the Reality of the Lord, is the same. This vision represents the great Cosmic Law, as seen not from the point of view of finite creatures, but from that of the Lord Himself. Hence this allows no room for the finite questioning of Arjuna as to whether the Lord is benign or destructive. To Him, to destroy life is not an absence of benignity, nor to give life a presence of it, as is the case with us. The Lord views life and death as forms of change only. [97] SONGS OF THE SOUL according to His Cosmic Law. A law is law. It has been His nature, and always will be. There is no question about benignity or otherwise. Nevertheless, it describes the Lord as leading this Cosmos with all its individuals to higher and higher stages of unfold- ment. Every individual is expected to do his duty unattached, with the consciousness of an intelligent agent merely, that he can reach those higher stages easily, and finally be in tune with that Great Being. [98 SONGS OF THE SOUL VISION OF VISIONS Beloved Lord, Adored of gods, Behold, behold Thy body holds All fleshly tenants, seers fine, The diverse saints divine. . Indwelling mystery cave, The Serpent Nature's forceful crave. Though fierce and subtle, now is tanie. Forgetful of her deadly game; And Sovran Brahma, God of gods. On lotus seat is snug secured. Cosmic-Bodied Lord of worlds. Oh, I behold, again behold Thee all and everywhere Thy countless arms and trunks and eyes! Yet, drooping dark my knowledge lies About Thy birth and reign and presence here. [continued] [99] SONGS OF THE SOUL This day, Blazing, Furious Flame, O Blinding Ray, Thy focussed power's aglow: Thy Name Spreads everywhere To dark'st abysmal lair. Thou, gilded with a crown of stars. And wielding mace of sovereign power, Thou whirlest forth, Burning Phoebus, Thy evolution's circling discus. Immortal Brahma, all Supreme, Thou Cosmic Shelter, Wisdom's Theme, Eternal *Dharma's guardian true. Thou diest not I ever knew! Birthless, Fleshless, Deathless One, Unseen, thy endless, working arms. Thy Ever-Watching Eyes! The suns and moons and staring skies, Thy Selfborn Lustre shields from harm, And the distant creation warms, Sovereign Soul, this earth and gods' *Religion. [100] SONGS OF THE SOUL All high-abode and all encircling spheres, Directions all, and earthly sods. By Thee pervaded, far and near. The worldly beings, struck by fear. Thy wondrous form adore. In Thee the gods their entry make With folded hands, afraid, some pray to shelter take In Thee. The seers great, on Heaven's path successful ones, With superb hymns of peace do worship Thee and Thee alone. The eleven lamps of Heaven, The twelve bright suns, The grizzly Eight, The starry lustres great. Aspiring hermits, gods. The agents of the Cosmic Lord, The twin-born princes strong, Of valor known so long, Two-score and nine noil breezes' force, [continued] [101 ] SONGS OF THE SOUL That binds the atoms close, The long-passed guardian spirits all, The demi-goblins, gods, and dembns tall. Mighty ones in Spirit's path. In wonder all behold Thy blazoned worth. Colossal arms, Thy countless cheeks. Thy starry eyes. Thy endless hands, and legs adorned With lotus feet, Thy chasmed mouth, with doomsday's teeth Doth yawn to swallow swooning worlds around. And leaves a distilled joyous awe in me. Thy grandeur I and all are wonder-struck to see; The bowels of the void deep are filled with Thee Thy diverse hues and gaping mouths and lustre- smeared body, *Vishnu of the flaming sight. Directions lost. Thou now awest me, my peace dost fright. Ferocious teeth and deadly fire do howl In mouths of Thine which at me scowl. ♦The principle of preservation. [102] SONGS OF THE SOUL Directions lost and gone, I find no peace alone. Cosmic Guardian, Lord of gods, Be pleased t' accept my pleading words. The Ego, Karma, Senses great abide And wait to leap upon our Wisdom's chiefs. And yet they both do ride The race of death, to fall and hide For e'er in Thy devouring mouth. Adorned with crushing cruel teeth uncouth. The victor and the vanquished must, Thy offsprings both, the righteous and ungodly ones, Thy love still claim, yet all some day shall kiss, the dust. And sleep on common floor of earth. The shattered skulls of some are seen, As caught Thy greedy teeth between. As diverse, restless, watery waves Of river branches all do crave To force through crowded wavelets' way, [continued] [103] SONGS OF THE SOUL And meet where Neptune's home long lay, So the heroic streams of life Do plunge to meet in maddest strife At Thy foaming mouth of sea, Where sparkling lives do dance so free: As insects lost in beauty's game All swiftly, thoughtless rush to flame, So fog-born passion's fires pretend To glow like Heav'nly light of Thine, And draw on mortals to attend The trumpet call to deathly line. Thy mouth ablaze Doth bring to gaze Its leaping tongues to lick The angry blood of strong and weak. Thou Gourmand God dost eat With hunger Infinite; Vishnu, Thou dost scorch The worlds with All-pervading fiery torch. Be pleased, Prime of gods; 1 ache to know Thee, Primeval Lord. [104] SONGS OF THE SOUL tell, Thou, Fiery Mood, Who art yet so good, — Thy Royal Will, 1 know not still. The Lord sang: "Am Endless Doom, All bent to room In burning maw Of mine the weaklings' awe And all the mortal meat Of weary worlds of deathly change, and treat Them with my nectar life To new and fearless, better strife. E'en if thou dost not slay These wicked warriors all in war array. They surely certain have to fall, Ah, in my teeth-of-law, withal. Arise, awake! Arise, awake! Oh, dash to war thy foe, the flesh a captive make. And seize the victor's fame. With battle-hunted game, [continued] I 105] SONGS OF THE SOUL Wealth of the King Of Peace, and Heaven's Kingdom bring. I know right now the happenings all Which mystic future forth doth call, And thus thy foes and warriors true, Long, long ago I slew Ere thy agent-hand, That I would wield to land Thy foes on death's dim shore, could understand. My agent thou, Oh, this is how I work my plans in universe Through instruments diverse; 'Tis I who slew and yet will slay the senses' train Through thee, as through both past and future ones, my soldiers sane." [ 106 ] TEACHING BY CORRESPONDENCE Lessons by Mail may be Taken in the Following Courses "Yogoda" — or Muscle-Will System of Physical Perfection. Highest Technique of Concentration. Write for Terms. Books by Swami Yogananda Science of Religion. The true psychological account of inner culture, concentration, and religion. Know about your ideal from this book. Cloth bound, price $1.00. Paper, $0.75. Songs of the Soul. Exquisite poems of deepest significance, in charming English, including "Vision of Visions," from Bhagavad Gita, a lyrical rendition and spiritual interpretation of Chapter XI. Boards, full orange cloth. Price, $1.25. Psychological Chart. (In the press.) A complete and concise analysis of human nature. Helps to analyze one's own states. Highly recommended by Harvard and Calcutta University professors. Price, $0.50. Yogoda — or Muscle-Will System of Physical Perfection. Paper, price, 10 cents. (Postage extra.) For above Lessons or Books apply to SWAMI DHIRANANDA, A. M., Associate SAT SANGA 30 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Mass. University of California Library Los Angeles s mjE (^%e Jagt jditte .sapped below. ^: THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IjOS ANGELES 3 1158 00991 2873