O! Ma, what a vainglorious was I that I thought of only “I, I and I”,
Verily the vanity that got washed away when I looked at Thy Eye.

O! Ma, what a dismal child was I that I could dream only terror,
Verily the despondency vanished away with Thy smile so milder.

O! Ma, what a tottering child was I that I could only fall and tremble,
Verily the weakness that’s gone when I sauntered with Thee, an amble.

O! Ma, what a stuttering child was I that I could only mutter “Um, aa, ee …”
Verily, now Thy child sings, rendering a million raagas with the melody.

O! Ma, what a faltering liar was I that I could never know “God exists,”
Verily Thy Love and Presence heals the wound, now I know “God is.”

Wish you a very happy birthday O! AMMA.

— Sridhar