You must accept those who surrender to you

by Janabai

English version by Sarah Sellergren
Original Language Marathi

If the Ganga flows to the ocean
and the ocean turns her away,
tell me, O Vitthal,
who would hear her complaint?

Can the river reject its fish?
Can the mother spurn her child?

Jan says,
Lord,
you must accept those
who surrender to you.

-- from Images of Women in Maharashtrian Literature and Religion, Edited by Anne Feldhaus

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