The Disciple and the mad elephant

 

 

Once in Hindustan was a hermitage

With his disciples there lived a wise sage

He taught the highest truth that to always

Keep in mind that God sports in many ways

 

`It?s God only that takes up many shapes

Beasts, plants, humans and as all that exist?

A disciple walking in deep woods gaped

In wonder at God?s forms he was amidst

 

An uproar broke out there in the deep woods

Trees wrenched by roots and a mighty trumpet

A warning voice rang out, `Fast as you could

Run,Run, Run away, mad tusker?s about?

 

`Thou my God? the boy sang before the beast

Was thrown, bones broken, his God cared the least.

 

 

The hurt boy lay more at heart than body

Was sore that elephant God had failed him

I saw God in all but He had his whims

And had hurt me much, ah, God is naughty

 

His good brothers carried him home lightly.

`Why didn?t thou run ??, the wise Guru asked

`I stood praising him, thou said all is God,

He didn?t play his part, hurt me mightily?

 

The good teacher laughed, `the tusker?s indeed God

So was the warning mahout you should know.

His warning too was God?s very own show?

As knowledge flashed the boy did slowly nod

 

So long thou feelest pain heed the mahout

He merges as knowledge dawns, with the behemoth

??? and then later

 

Once this disciple went about the streets

Saw a fat landlord kicking up his keep

Heart shed tears as he saw the boy weep

He intervened and stopped the heavy beats

 

Rage frustrated, the landlord rained his fists

On our holy boy, he fell down senseless

Brothers and teacher heard the news, and themselves

Brought him gently home laid in bed to rest

 

One sprinkled water and he came around

?Nother fed him milk and asked him `Do thou

Recognize him who feedest milk to thou ??

Hear his words with halo shining round

 

He, the Great God, who beat me indeed sits

Lovingly with concern with milk me feeds