Ramprasad (1723 – 1803) is a well known poet and a Kali devotee in Bengal. Ramprasad’s songs are the favorites of Sri Ramakrishna.
I came across this name, while I was reading The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. This is how I was blessed to know these 2 great saints and sons of Kali Maa.
Ramprasad is always immersed in meditation and spiritual practice. Among other sadhanas, he was known for standing neck-deep in the Gangai, deeply absorbed in the thought of the Divine Mother and singing songs (Bengali) to Kali. And this would attract the by standers. He also always ends the song with his name added into the song
I would strongly suggest that you buy and read Ramprasad, The Melodious Mystic by Swami Budhananda if you want to know more about this saint.
Below is one of Ramprasad’s poem that has been translated to English.
O mind, you do not know how to farm!
Fallow lies the field of your life.
If you had only worked it well,
How rich a harvest you might reap!
Hedge it about with Kali’s name
If you would keep your harvest safe;
This is the stoutest hedge of all,
For death himself cannot come near it.
Sooner or later will dawn the day
When you must forfeit your precious field;
Gather, O mind, what fruit you may.
Sow for your seed the holy name
Of God that your Guru has given to you,
Faithfully watering it with love;
And if you find your task too hard,
Call upon Ramprasad for help.
/>
I came across this name, while I was reading The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. This is how I was blessed to know these 2 great saints and sons of Kali Maa.
Ramprasad is always immersed in meditation and spiritual practice. Among other sadhanas, he was known for standing neck-deep in the Gangai, deeply absorbed in the thought of the Divine Mother and singing songs (Bengali) to Kali. And this would attract the by standers. He also always ends the song with his name added into the song
I would strongly suggest that you buy and read Ramprasad, The Melodious Mystic by Swami Budhananda if you want to know more about this saint.
Below is one of Ramprasad’s poem that has been translated to English.
O mind, you do not know how to farm!
Fallow lies the field of your life.
If you had only worked it well,
How rich a harvest you might reap!
Hedge it about with Kali’s name
If you would keep your harvest safe;
This is the stoutest hedge of all,
For death himself cannot come near it.
Sooner or later will dawn the day
When you must forfeit your precious field;
Gather, O mind, what fruit you may.
Sow for your seed the holy name
Of God that your Guru has given to you,
Faithfully watering it with love;
And if you find your task too hard,
Call upon Ramprasad for help.
No comments:
Post a Comment