To My Children

Jaya Surya

GOLDEN sun of victory, born

In my life's unclouded morn,

In my lambent sky of love,

May your growing glory prove

Sacred to your consecration,

To my heart and to my nation.

Sun of victory, may you be

Sun of song and liberty.

Padmaja

Lotus-maiden, you who claim

All the sweetness of your name,

Lakshmi, fortune's queen, defend you,

Lotus-born like you, and send you

Balmy moons of love to bless you,

Gentle joy-winds to caress you.

Lotus-maiden, may you be

Fragrant of all ecstasy.

Ranadheera

Little lord of battle, hail

In your newly-tempered mail!

Learn to conquer, learn to fight

In the foremost flanks of right,

Like Valmiki's heroes bold,

Rubies girt in epic gold.

Lord of battle, may you be,

Lord of love and chivalry.

Lilamani

Limpid jewel of delight

Severed from the tender night

Of your sheltering mother-mine,

Leap and sparkle, dance and shine,

Blithely and securely set

In love's magic coronet.

Living jewel, may you be

Laughter-bound and sorrow-free.