In the original Autobiography of a Yogi (1946), this song is designated as being among “a number of my compositions.” This must have been the editor’s handiwork, as Yogananda wouldn’t have claimed it to be his own. In later editions, in fact, this statement was taken out. The modern Cosmic Chants book accurately explains that it is a song by the famous Nobel prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore (“Satya mangala” or “Shata mangala”) and it is well-known. The English words are Yogananda’s translation, as is the adapted Western melody.
Yogananda prayed: “We are restless when we are concerned with the world of matter, but are peaceful when with Thee. In ecstatic communion we are all one with Thee. Thou art our life and our love and all the sweetness that we seek. With all our deepest devotion we bow to Thee. Thou art the Master of our hearts.”
LYRICS:
Thou art my life, Thou art my love,
Thou art the sweetness which I do seek.
In the thought by my love brought;
In the thought by my love brought,
I taste Thy name so sweet, so sweet…
Devotee knows how sweet you are.
Devotee knows how sweet you are.
He knows whom You let know.
WHEN TO USE THIS SONG:
To sweeten a sour disposition.
SING ALONG:
Swami Kriyananada, who frequently visited India and chanted in Bengali there, recorded this song in Bengali and English in 1960.