This gallery contains poetry written by Yogini Tejaswini Shankara, a.k.a. Teja Shankara.

Fresh poetry will be added as it arises, so check here regularly.

This set of poems came through me January – April, 2010:

the bird of awakening’s call
pierces through my dreams
i rise for another day
of worshipping God.

the sparkle radiance
swirling in the golden egg
releases
and the snake
slithers away.

sister rocks
smile upon
simple intentions –
with Gratitude
and openness
to receive,
i laughed down
the Mountain.

Once, a long, long, long time
in the heart of now,
in the center of a galaxy
far, far away….
there lives a space yogi being
named Charam.

Tejaswini says he is welcome
to bring Love gifts
for the Highest Good.

Fire burns
to drum beat
of strong hands –
ancient masculine
beckons
eternal feminine.

Tejaswini says this dance
forever stirs the core.

Raven magic
carries fire energies
through ajna
to green heart center.

Tejaswini says this golden sun
will burn through all the fears.

Gratitude
and
Grace
weave
the tapestry
of life.

When will Lalla help me
shed these earthboy garments
and rest only
in my Shiva Cloak?

letting the curly locks
fall away,
i rest within Shiva,
the very Bliss
at my core.

Tejaswini says this buzz cut
brings the blessing
of Remembrance.

This series of poems emerged during a period of intense heartbreak, Summer 2009.
"Tejaswini" is the name that Amma gave me - it means full of effulgence, full of light, radiant, and bright....

the bird of sorrow
struggles in the cage
of my heart.
when she breaks
free,
unknown strength and brightness
will fly out of there
like fire sparks.
Tejaswini says that Kali Ma
will burn this attachment
to ashes.

the lion roar
inside my heart
is deafening
to the bird of sorrow.
sound vibrations
trump emotions.
Tejaswini says that singing Ma Kali Durge
will burn this grief to ashes.
Wake up, Tejaswini!

the longing to merge
in Rama-Sita union
burns like raging wildfire
in this yogini.
Tejaswini says that in a millisecond Kali Ma
will reduce the whole wildfire to ashes,
and Saraswati Devi will pour urns of snowmelt
into this crown.

the birds of sorrow
will awaken singing songs of bliss
sooner than you realize.
Tejaswini says that the yellow robe
is already dancing in ecstasy
knowing that this yogini will soon enter it.

when the bird of sorrow breaks free,
the heart misses the longing state.
Does this yogini want freedom, or not?
life is full of ironies.
Tejaswini says that the biggest irony
is the relief felt
at realizing
she cannot have
the one she desired.

the knot behind the heart
is woven with metallic rope
that clangs against
the bird of sorrow's cage.
Tejaswini says that Kali Ma
will release them both
at the appointed time.

my heart softens
in the pinkness of sweet pea blossoms.
what is the point of longing
for the one who has rejected me?
Tejaswini says that Kali Ma
will not accept defeat -
She will overcome this pain-body.

i have held a fresh mango in my hand
and watched it rot.
the rancid stench tightens my gut.
Tejaswini says it is time to put her trust and adoration
into only the FruitMaker,
and the sooner the better.


Bird photo by Mike Baird - CC license

The following three poems are excerpted from
The Rita Lila: A Western Yogini’s Journey to Bliss, by Rita Ann Shankara:

Dear Karl,
tangerines bursting
and sandalwood scent
come to mind tonight
when I think of you.

I am alone
on a sandy desert
the wind is blowing
sand in my eyes
I am choking
on my tears
the air is sultry.

I have been
waiting for you to come
but alas
you are not coming
again
this has happened
before
do you remember?
we’ve had broken promises
and impossible appointments
before
and I’m only just
tasting a glimpse of them now

not that they matter
anymore
the longing is the same
only the scenery changes

the ocean breeze
greeted my tears
with recognition
but the desert wind
fights my tears
with rage

here in this place
surrender is wicked
I fight God
I fight myself
I fight you,
the you of my dreams.
The you I remember
and long to forget.

I am choking on sand –
thirsty for you –
for the endless beauty
of your blue ocean eyes,
for your tenderness,
and now the pain
of its withdrawal

I spin in the chaos,
waiting and wondering,
Rita




With immense reverence for Time,
I went out into the starry night.
Under a waning moon,
I pulled a few weeds from my vegetable garden.

With gusto and gratitude,
I embraced the whole process
of the ongoing journey home
to my Self.

With earth in my fingernails,
I bowed to what Is
as I offered this prayer
to Heaven:

May all beings find themselves
free
and full of bliss
in moments of time.
And may all beings know
how truly Connected
we all Are.




I cannot choose between the red and yellow roses

I cannot choose between my sons –
How, then, could I choose between Shiva and Krishna?

I cannot choose between my brothers –
How, then, could I choose between Sita and Radha?

I cannot choose between my parents –
How, then, could I choose between Hanuman and Rama?

I cannot choose between the sun and the moon –
both are shining always within and without.

Nothing is separate
All is One –
my nature, the greater Nature, God,
and all the emblems of the Divine.

This Oneness is always within and without –
How then, could I align with only one?

How can you ask me, great teacher,
to choose between my fingers?

How can I choose only one chamber of my heart?

With much weeping and delusion and doubt,
I tried to close down the open chambers,
but they refused to close!

My Heart dances in many directions
with enough love for All –

I fall back into my Self
and listen within

I look out at Ramana
and breathe in his gentle guidance –
to remember –
to return to stillness –

And, there, the love for Shiva and Krishna
blooms quietly
like the red and yellow roses.

The following three poems are excerpted from
Love Soups: A Vegetarian Soup Cookbook Inspired by the Soup Devas, by Rita Ann Shankara:

the bell dongs!
in the long wooden hall
where curried lentils
fill the monks’ bowls…
again I awoke having dreamt
of another time and place…



the distinct taste
of caraway –
such a singularity
in this vast universe!



how can i turn my back
on spring blossoms
while plopping dates
into the dal?