You are the soul of my soul,
your energy my wisdom and mind;
my body is your abode,
my sensory enjoyment an oblation to you.
My powers and desires join with your will;
my life an instrument of your purpose.
My every word joins hymns to you.
I walk each step as pilgrimage to your shrine.
Errors by my hand or foot,
by my speech, or body,
by my ears, eyes, or thought;
whether by what I’ve done or failed to do,
dear Lord, forgive all these.
O ocean of mercy, God of gods,
bestower of blissful peace,
victory unto you!
Shankara (c. 788-820) is a seminal figure of the Hindu tradition, whose commentaries on the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and other key scriptures revitalized the spiritual heritage of India. This passage is published in Easwaran’s spiritual anthology, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow.” The audio recording is by Eknath Easwaran’s wife, Christine Easwaran.