Gandhi, My Teacher

The entire world at large was dear home for him
All the grass, plants and worms formed his family
Sacrifice was gain, modesty his distinct hallmark.
Give him a garland, cover his body with dirty mud
With neither union nor rift, he would treat it same
His broad mind was as indifferent as the vast sky.
A treasure which need no protection from snakes
A cool moonlight which produced no sad shadow.

The innate habit of renunciation of Jesus Christ,
The calm righteous dutifulness of Lord Krishna,
Nonviolence of Buddha, intelligence of Sankara,
Truth of Harishchandra, generosity of Randidev,
Hard rock like constancy of Prophet Mohammed,
You would have seen all these virtues in one man
If you had the great fortune to meet my teacher
Or you will find yourself if you read his history.

The birthplace of Gita alone could conceive such-
A unique sage who acted out Karma all his life,
Only in the country of Himalayas, could be seen
Such a lion who has made peace his watchword,
Only in the land on the shores of Ganges will grow-
Such a wish-fulfilling divine and ever fruitful tree.
Let me bow before you, bold and irresistible one
My salutations to that great teacher to this world.