This is an excerpt from the  beautiful book written by Radhanath Swami titled “The Journey Within”. Here, he narrates an anecdote about how he encounters an ascetic devotee of Krishna in Vrindavan, and as they converse, the holy man gazes into his eyes and tells him, “I have something for you. I have carried this for more than forty years. It will inspire you to deepen your love for Krishna, as it inspired me.” As he unfolds the paper, expecting to see some ancient Sanskrit incantation, he sees this prayer… A prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi…

Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine master, grant that I may

Not so much seek to be consoled as to console

To be understood, as to understand.

To be loved, as to love

For it’s in giving that we receive

And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned

And it’s in dying that we are born…

To eternal life.

And Swamiji smiles, marvelling at the mysterious ways of Krishna!!

Wishing my lovely family Happy Makar Sankranti 💖💖!!