The rain has returned in haughty splendour
as would a king:
Its mist-laden clouds
are like elephants in rut,
it has for its banner, lightning;
for its drum, the rumble of thunder
and is dear to lovers, darling.
-Rtusamhara II.1 (alphabet accents & line indentations omitted)
Look,
the cloud groans with effort,
unable to hoist up the earth,
lashing it with cords
made from streams of new rain,
falling without cease.
-Gathasaptasati V.36 (alphabet accents & line indentations omitted)
quoted from The Circle of Six Seasons - A Selection from Old Tamil, Prakrit and Sanskrit Poetry.
4 comments:
Nice choice. I feel guilty that I do not comment on your blog. I hope you don't get cross with me! :-(
I have heard that one from Rithusamhara (your spelling was interesting). Some of these old texts carry some very interesting pieces in them. I remember reading one where the skies are adressed in a very loving manner... let me go hunt for that! Glad to find someone who can quote from such esoteric texts...
Dear E: Thank you. Please do not feel guilty. You can comment when you want to and not do so otherwise. I shall read your blog irrespective of whether you read mine!
I used the 'Rtusamhara' spelling that was used in The Circle of Six Seasons. It is a nice collection.
Sometimes, you are moved by the appropriateness of a verse to your context. I read the Rain collection when it was pouring in Chennai a few days back and it was such a moving few moments. Such little pleasures are the ones that make it all worthwhile you know.
I like to read such texts. It is a personal thing that I share with myself. I have these interesting conversations in my head about such verses. Have you read The Heart Aroused: Poetry & Preservation of the Soul at Work? This link leads to a tailored version of the original book. David Whyte has some nice translations as well as original pieces in that collection.
No I haven't read that book. Will check it out asap...
Post a Comment