Bhartrhari Poems : The Path of Altruism

Trees are bowed down with weight of fruit,
Clouds big with rain hang low,
So good men humbly bear success,
Nor overweening grow.

No earrings deck the good man's ears, which still on scripture feed;
His hands, still open to the poor, no golden bracelets need;
The perfume of his kindly acts, like flowers in leaves concealed,
Exceeds the fragrant scent which nard and sandal unguents yield.

He brings thee joy, thy foes dismays,
Thy secrets hides, proclaims thy praise,
With timely gifts relieves thy need,
Thus may'st thou know the "friend indeed."

The sun awakes the lotus-bower,
The moon cheers up her favourite flower,
The cloud unasked its rain bestows,
Self-moved the good man's bounty flows.

Some generous souls forbear their own, and seek another's gain;
Most men, neglecting not their own, their neighbour's cause maintain;
Those are mere demons who would build their wealth on other's loss,
But what are those who profitless their neighbour's interest cross?

Milk to the water with it mixed its native virtues gave,
Which, pitying sore its tortured friend, rushed on a flaming grave;
The milk, unwilling to be left, must share its fellow's fate--
True friendship envy cannot reach, nor fiery pains abate!

Here Vishnu sleeps, and there his foes,
Yonder the suppliant hills repose,
Here lurk the quenchless fires of doom--
Ocean's broad breast for all hath room.

Subdue desire, and vanquish pride,
Bear scorn, in wrong take no delight,
Speak truth, for sages' wants provide,
And follow still the path of right.

Honour the worthy, love thy foes,
Hide thy own virtues, cheer the faint,
Pursue renown till life doth close,
Such conduct marks the perfect saint.

How few there are in mind and speech and body free from stain,
Who fill with linked benefits earth, heaven, and Pluto's reign,
Who, telling others' virtuous acts, small grains to hills increase,
In whose unruffled soul expands the flower of sinless peace!

Nor Meru nor Himâdri's heights adore,
Where trees are simply trees and nothing more,
For Malaya's nobler mount thy praises keep,
Whose woods sweet gums and odorous balsams weep.

Submited by

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 22:52

Poesia Consagrada :

No votes yet

Bhartrhari

Bhartrhari's picture
Offline
Title: Membro
Last seen: 12 years 48 weeks ago
Joined: 04/25/2011
Posts:
Points: 66

Add comment

Login to post comments

other contents of Bhartrhari

Topic Title Replies Views Last Postsort icon Language
Poesia Consagrada/Biography Bhartrhari Biography 0 785 04/27/2011 - 23:13 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Time 0 437 04/27/2011 - 23:06 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Praise of Works 0 442 04/27/2011 - 23:04 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Praise of the Wise Man 0 438 04/27/2011 - 23:03 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Praise of Self-respect and Valour 0 438 04/27/2011 - 23:02 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Praise of the Good Man 0 437 04/27/2011 - 23:00 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Praise of Firmness 0 447 04/27/2011 - 22:59 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Praise of Destiny 0 443 04/27/2011 - 22:53 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Path of Altruism 0 442 04/27/2011 - 22:52 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : On Wealth 0 441 04/27/2011 - 22:51 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : On the Terrors that beset the Path of Pleasure 0 436 04/27/2011 - 22:47 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : On the Proud Man 0 438 04/27/2011 - 22:45 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : On Self-renunciation 0 439 04/27/2011 - 22:43 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : On Fools 0 483 04/27/2011 - 22:42 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Of Worldly Enjoyments 0 438 04/27/2011 - 22:41 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Of Time the Destroyer 0 439 04/27/2011 - 22:39 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Of Indifference to Worldly Things 0 437 04/27/2011 - 22:35 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Of Evil Men and Oppressors 0 498 04/27/2011 - 22:35 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Misery of a Courtier's Life 0 443 04/27/2011 - 22:34 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : The Description of the Wicked Man 0 438 04/27/2011 - 22:33 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Against the Love of Beauty 0 440 04/27/2011 - 22:32 English
Poesia Consagrada/General Bhartrhari Poems : Against the Desire of Worldly Things 0 439 04/27/2011 - 22:31 English