Upon seeing Poverty

Upon seeing poverty people laugh and jeer, and such was my plight.
But now I hold the powers of creation in the palm of my hand ― all because of Your mercy.

You know I am nothing, O Ram, Destroyer of fear.
All creatures seek Your refuge, O Prabhu, Fulfiller of desires.

Those who find Your refuge suffer no more afflictions.
Because of You, the high and the low ― all have gone across, escaping from the prison of this world.

Ravi Das says, The tale cannot be told, so why speak further?
You are what You are. What metaphor can I possibly use to describe You?

Source: Poetry-Chaikhana/ravidas

In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, was Truth; in the Silver Age of Trayta Yuga, charitable feasts; in the Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga, there was worship. In those three ages, people held to these three ways. But in the Iron Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the Lord is your only Support.

How can I swim across? No one has explained to me, so that I might understand how I can escape reincarnation.
So many forms of religion have been described; the whole world is practicing them. What actions will bring emancipation, and total perfection?

One may distinguish between good and evil actions, and listen to the Vedas and the Puraanas, but doubt still persists. Skepticism continually dwells in the heart, so who can eradicate egotistical pride?

Outwardly, he washes with water, but deep within, his heart is tarnished by all sorts of vices. So how can he become pure? His method of purification is like that of an elephant, covering himself with dust right after his bath!

With the rising of the sun, the night is brought to its end; the whole world knows this. It is believed that with the touch of the Philosopher's Stone, copper is immediately transformed into gold.

When one meets the Supreme Philosopher's Stone, the Guru, if such pre-ordained destiny is written on one's forehead, then the soul blends with the Supreme Soul, and the stubborn doors are opened wide.

Through the way of devotion, the intellect is imbued with Truth; doubts, entanglements and vices are cut away. The mind is restrained, and one attains joy, contemplating the One Lord, who is both with and without qualities.

I have tried many methods, but by turning it away, the noose of doubt is not turned away. Love and devotion have not welled up within me, and so Ravi Das is disillusioned and discouraged.

Source: "Raag Gauree/Raga Gauri," Gauri/Gauree Bairaagan. Sri Guru Granth Sahib. 346.
Translated by Singh Sahib Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa (at Sihks.org).