Tukaram, Poem 1782

Weak as I am, how can I describe Thy greatness? Thou art a mine of mercy, a sea of compassion. Some birds laid their eggs on the field of Kurukshetra; they built their nest in the grass. Suddenly there was a pillar of war raised thereon; the spot was chosen for a battle. The hosts of the Pandavas and the Kauravas came thither to meet in strife. In that hour the birds remembered Thee; “Help us,” they cried, “O husband of Lakshmi! Elephants, chariots and horses will run about here; the rocks will be crushed to dust. In such a peril how can we be saved? How can we forsake our little ones and flee?” In that hour Thy heart was moved with pity. There was a bell on an elephant’s neck; it fell upon them when they looked not for it! Eighteen days did the battle rage; neither wind nor heat did them any harm. When the battle was over they were pointed out to Arjuna; Thou didst show him the birds, O Narayana! “Lo! I have saved my servants from death! Else how could they have lived through the battle?” Such mercy dost Thou show to Thy worshippers; Thou art indeed our mother, says Tuka.