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diff --git a/2388-h/2388-h.htm b/2388-h/2388-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1488efd --- /dev/null +++ b/2388-h/2388-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4419 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en"> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> + +<title> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of The Bhagavad-Gita +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +body { color: black; + background: white; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +p {text-indent: 4% } + +p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +p.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 200%; + text-align: center } + +p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center } + +p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center } + +p.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +p.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 60%; + text-align: center } + +h1 { text-align: center } +h2 { text-align: center } +h3 { text-align: center } +h4 { text-align: center } +h5 { text-align: center } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; } + +p.thought {text-indent: 0% ; + letter-spacing: 4em ; + text-align: center } + +p.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +p.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bhagavad-Gita, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bhagavad-Gita + +Author: Anonymous + +Translator: Sir Edwin Arnold + +Posting Date: June 23, 2013 [EBook #2388] +Release Date: November, 2000 +First Posted: January 26, 2000 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BHAGAVAD-GITA *** + + + + +Produced by J. C. Byers. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> +<br /><br /> + +</h1> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<h1> + The<br /> + Song Celestial.<br /> + or<br /> + Bhagavad-Gita<br /> + (From the Mahabharata)<br /> +</h1> + +<p class="t3"> + Being a Discourse Between Arjuna,<br /> + Prince of India, and the Supreme Being<br /> + Under the Form of Krishna<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> + Translated from the Sanskrit Text<br /> + by<br /> + Sir Edwin Arnold,<br /> + M.A., K.C.I.E., C.S.I.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="t3"> + New York<br /> + Truslove, Hanson & Comba, Ltd.<br /> + 67 Fifth Avenue<br /> + 1900<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +Dedication +</p> + +<p class="t3b"> +TO INDIA +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + So have I read this wonderful and spirit-thrilling speech,<br /> + By Krishna and Prince Arjun held, discoursing each with each;<br /> + So have I writ its wisdom here,--its hidden mystery,<br /> + For England; O our India! as dear to me as She!<br /> +<br /> +EDWIN ARNOLD +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +PREFACE +</h3> + +<p> +This famous and marvellous Sanskrit poem occurs as an episode of the +Mahabharata, in the sixth--or "Bhishma"--Parva of the great Hindoo +epic. It enjoys immense popularity and authority in India, where it is +reckoned as one of the ``Five Jewels,"--pancharatnani--of Devanagiri +literature. In plain but noble language it unfolds a philosophical system +which remains to this day the prevailing Brahmanic belief, blending as it +does the doctrines of Kapila, Patanjali, and the Vedas. So lofty are many +of its declarations, so sublime its aspirations, so pure and tender its +piety, that Schlegel, after his study of the poem, breaks forth into this +outburst of delight and praise towards its unknown author: +"Magistrorum reverentia a Brachmanis inter sanctissima pietatis officia +refertur. Ergo te primum, Vates sanctissime, Numinisque hypopheta! +quisquis tandem inter mortales dictus tu fueris, carminis bujus auctor,, +cujus oraculis mens ad excelsa quaeque,quaeque,, aeterna atque divina, +cum inenarraoih quddam delectatione rapitur-te primum, inquam, +salvere jubeo, et vestigia tua semper adore." Lassen re-echoes this +splendid tribute; and indeed, so striking are some of the moralities here +inculcated, and so close the parallelism--ofttimes actually verbal-- +between its teachings and those of the New Testament, that a +controversy has arisen between Pandits and Missionaries on the point +whether the author borrowed from Christian sources, or the Evangelists +and Apostles from him. +</p> + +<p> +This raises the question of its date, which cannot be positively settled. It +must have been inlaid into the ancient epic at a period later than that of +the original Mahabharata, but Mr Kasinath Telang has offered some fair +arguments to prove it anterior to the Christian era. The weight of +evidence, however, tends to place its composition at about the third +century after Christ; and perhaps there are really echoes in this +Brahmanic poem of the lessons of Galilee, and of the Syrian incarnation. +</p> + +<p> +Its scene is the level country between the Jumna and the Sarsooti +rivers-now Kurnul and Jheend. Its simple plot consists of a dialogue held +by Prince Arjuna, the brother of King Yudhisthira, with Krishna, the +Supreme Deity, wearing the disguise of a charioteer. A great battle is +impending between the armies of the Kauravas and Pandavas, and this +conversation is maintained in a war-chariot drawn up between the +opposing hosts. +</p> + +<p> +The poem has been turned into French by Burnouf, into Latin by Lassen, +into Italian by Stanislav Gatti, into Greek by Galanos, and into English +by Mr. Thomson and Mr Davies, the prose transcript of the last-named +being truly beyond praise for its fidelity and clearness. Mr Telang has +also published at Bombay a version in colloquial rhythm, eminently +learned and intelligent, but not conveying the dignity or grace of the +original. If I venture to offer a translation of the wonderful poem after +so many superior scholars, it is in grateful recognition of the help +derived from their labours, and because English literature would +certainly be incomplete without possessing in popular form a poetical +and philosophical work so dear to India. +</p> + +<p> +There is little else to say which the "Song Celestial" does not explain for +itself. The Sanskrit original is written in the Anushtubh metre, which +cannot be successfully reproduced for Western ears. I have therefore +cast it into our flexible blank verse, changing into lyrical measures +where the text itself similarly breaks. For the most part, I believe the +sense to be faithfully preserved in the following pages; but Schlegel +himself had to say: "In reconditioribus me semper poetafoster mentem +recte divinasse affirmare non ausim." Those who would read more upon +the philosophy of the poem may find an admirable introduction in the +volume of Mr Davies, printed by Messrs Trubner & Co. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +EDWIN ARNOLD, C.S.I. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3b"> +CONTENTS +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + I. <a href="#chap01">THE DISTRESS OF ARJUNA</a><br /> + II. <a href="#chap02">THE BOOK OF DOCTRINES</a><br /> + III. <a href="#chap03">VIRTUE IN WORK</a><br /> + IV. <a href="#chap04">THE RELIGION OF KNOWLEDGE</a><br /> + V. <a href="#chap05">RELIGION OF RENOUNCING WORKS</a><br /> + VI. <a href="#chap06">RELIGION BY SELF-RESTRAINT</a><br /> + VII. <a href="#chap07">RELIGION BY DISCERNMENT</a><br /> + VIII. <a href="#chap08">RELIGION BY SERVICE OF THE SUPREME</a><br /> + IX. <a href="#chap09">RELIGION BY THE KINGLY KNOWLEDGE AND THE KINGLY MYSTERY</a><br /> + X. <a href="#chap10">RELIGION BY THE HEAVENLY PERFECTIONS</a><br /> + XI. <a href="#chap11">THE MANIFESTING OF THE ONE AND MANIFOLD</a><br /> + XII. <a href="#chap12">RELIGION OF FAITH</a><br /> + XIII. <a href="#chap13">RELIGION BY SEPARATION OF MATTER AND SPIRIT</a><br /> + XIV. <a href="#chap14">RELIGION BY SEPARATION FROM THE QUALITIES</a><br /> + XV. <a href="#chap15">RELIGION BY ATTAINING THE SUPREME</a><br /> + XVI. <a href="#chap16">THE SEPARATENESS OF THE DIVINE AND UNDIVINE</a><br /> + XVII. <a href="#chap17">RELIGION BY THE THREEFOLD FAITH</a><br /> + XVIII. <a href="#chap18">RELIGION BY DELIVERANCE AND RENUNCIATION</a><br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap01"></a> +CHAPTER I +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Dhritirashtra:<br /> + Ranged thus for battle on the sacred plain--<br /> + On Kurukshetra--say, Sanjaya! say<br /> + What wrought my people, and the Pandavas?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya:<br /> + When he beheld the host of Pandavas,<br /> + Raja Duryodhana to Drona drew,<br /> + And spake these words: "Ah, Guru! see this line,<br /> + How vast it is of Pandu fighting-men,<br /> + Embattled by the son of Drupada,<br /> + Thy scholar in the war! Therein stand ranked<br /> + Chiefs like Arjuna, like to Bhima chiefs,<br /> + Benders of bows; Virata, Yuyudhan,<br /> + Drupada, eminent upon his car,<br /> + Dhrishtaket, Chekitan, Kasi's stout lord,<br /> + Purujit, Kuntibhoj, and Saivya,<br /> + With Yudhamanyu, and Uttamauj<br /> + Subhadra's child; and Drupadi's;-all famed!<br /> + All mounted on their shining chariots!<br /> + On our side, too,--thou best of Brahmans! see<br /> + Excellent chiefs, commanders of my line,<br /> + Whose names I joy to count: thyself the first,<br /> + Then Bhishma, Karna, Kripa fierce in fight,<br /> + Vikarna, Aswatthaman; next to these<br /> + Strong Saumadatti, with full many more<br /> + Valiant and tried, ready this day to die<br /> + For me their king, each with his weapon grasped,<br /> + Each skilful in the field. Weakest-meseems-<br /> + Our battle shows where Bhishma holds command,<br /> + And Bhima, fronting him, something too strong!<br /> + Have care our captains nigh to Bhishma's ranks<br /> + Prepare what help they may! Now, blow my shell!"<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Then, at the signal of the aged king,<br /> + With blare to wake the blood, rolling around<br /> + Like to a lion's roar, the trumpeter<br /> + Blew the great Conch; and, at the noise of it,<br /> + Trumpets and drums, cymbals and gongs and horns<br /> + Burst into sudden clamour; as the blasts<br /> + Of loosened tempest, such the tumult seemed!<br /> + Then might be seen, upon their car of gold<br /> + Yoked with white steeds, blowing their battle-shells,<br /> + Krishna the God, Arjuna at his side:<br /> + Krishna, with knotted locks, blew his great conch<br /> + Carved of the "Giant's bone;" Arjuna blew<br /> + Indra's loud gift; Bhima the terrible--<br /> + Wolf-bellied Bhima-blew a long reed-conch;<br /> + And Yudhisthira, Kunti's blameless son,<br /> + Winded a mighty shell, "Victory's Voice;"<br /> + And Nakula blew shrill upon his conch<br /> + Named the "Sweet-sounding," Sahadev on his<br /> + Called"Gem-bedecked," and Kasi's Prince on his.<br /> + Sikhandi on his car, Dhrishtadyumn,<br /> + Virata, Satyaki the Unsubdued,<br /> + Drupada, with his sons, (O Lord of Earth!)<br /> + Long-armed Subhadra's children, all blew loud,<br /> + So that the clangour shook their foemen's hearts,<br /> + With quaking earth and thundering heav'n.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Then 'twas-<br /> + Beholding Dhritirashtra's battle set,<br /> + Weapons unsheathing, bows drawn forth, the war<br /> + Instant to break-Arjun, whose ensign-badge<br /> + Was Hanuman the monkey, spake this thing<br /> + To Krishna the Divine, his charioteer:<br /> + "Drive, Dauntless One! to yonder open ground<br /> + Betwixt the armies; I would see more nigh<br /> + These who will fight with us, those we must slay<br /> + To-day, in war's arbitrament; for, sure,<br /> + On bloodshed all are bent who throng this plain,<br /> + Obeying Dhritirashtra's sinful son."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thus, by Arjuna prayed, (O Bharata!)<br /> + Between the hosts that heavenly Charioteer<br /> + Drove the bright car, reining its milk-white steeds<br /> + Where Bhishma led,and Drona,and their Lords.<br /> + "See!" spake he to Arjuna, "where they stand,<br /> + Thy kindred of the Kurus:" and the Prince<br /> + Marked on each hand the kinsmen of his house,<br /> + Grandsires and sires, uncles and brothers and sons,<br /> + Cousins and sons-in-law and nephews, mixed<br /> + With friends and honoured elders; some this side,<br /> + Some that side ranged: and, seeing those opposed,<br /> + Such kith grown enemies-Arjuna's heart<br /> + Melted with pity, while he uttered this:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Krishna! as I behold, come here to shed<br /> + Their common blood, yon concourse of our kin,<br /> + My members fail, my tongue dries in my mouth,<br /> + A shudder thrills my body, and my hair<br /> + Bristles with horror; from my weak hand slips<br /> + Gandiv, the goodly bow; a fever burns<br /> + My skin to parching; hardly may I stand;<br /> + The life within me seems to swim and faint;<br /> + Nothing do I foresee save woe and wail!<br /> + It is not good, O Keshav! nought of good<br /> + Can spring from mutual slaughter! Lo, I hate<br /> + Triumph and domination, wealth and ease,<br /> + Thus sadly won! Aho! what victory<br /> + Can bring delight, Govinda! what rich spoils<br /> + Could profit; what rule recompense; what span<br /> + Of life itself seem sweet, bought with such blood?<br /> + Seeing that these stand here, ready to die,<br /> + For whose sake life was fair, and pleasure pleased,<br /> + And power grew precious:-grandsires, sires, and sons,<br /> + Brothers, and fathers-in-law, and sons-in-law,<br /> + Elders and friends! Shall I deal death on these<br /> + Even though they seek to slay us? Not one blow,<br /> + O Madhusudan! will I strike to gain<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The rule of all Three Worlds; then, how much less<br /> + To seize an earthly kingdom! Killing these<br /> + Must breed but anguish, Krishna! If they be<br /> + Guilty, we shall grow guilty by their deaths;<br /> + Their sins will light on us, if we shall slay<br /> + Those sons of Dhritirashtra, and our kin;<br /> + What peace could come of that, O Madhava?<br /> + For if indeed, blinded by lust and wrath,<br /> + These cannot see, or will not see, the sin<br /> + Of kingly lines o'erthrown and kinsmen slain,<br /> + How should not we, who see, shun such a crime--<br /> + We who perceive the guilt and feel the shame--<br /> + O thou Delight of Men, Janardana?<br /> + By overthrow of houses perisheth<br /> + Their sweet continuous household piety,<br /> + And-rites neglected, piety extinct--<br /> + Enters impiety upon that home;<br /> + Its women grow unwomaned, whence there spring<br /> + Mad passions, and the mingling-up of castes,<br /> + Sending a Hell-ward road that family,<br /> + And whoso wrought its doom by wicked wrath.<br /> + Nay, and the souls of honoured ancestors<br /> + Fall from their place of peace, being bereft<br /> + Of funeral-cakes and the wan death-water.[FN#1]<br /> + So teach our holy hymns. Thus, if we slay<br /> + Kinsfolk and friends for love of earthly power,<br /> + Ahovat! what an evil fault it were!<br /> + Better I deem it, if my kinsmen strike,<br /> + To face them weaponless, and bare my breast<br /> + To shaft and spear, than answer blow with blow.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + So speaking, in the face of those two hosts,<br /> + Arjuna sank upon his chariot-seat,<br /> + And let fall bow and arrows, sick at heart.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER I. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Arjun-Vishad,"<br /> + Or "The Book of the Distress of Arjuna."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap02"></a> + CHAPTER II<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya.<br /> + Him, filled with such compassion and such grief,<br /> + With eyes tear-dimmed, despondent, in stern words<br /> + The Driver, Madhusudan, thus addressed:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + How hath this weakness taken thee? Whence springs<br /> + The inglorious trouble, shameful to the brave,<br /> + Barring the path of virtue? Nay, Arjun!<br /> + Forbid thyself to feebleness! it mars<br /> + Thy warrior-name! cast off the coward-fit!<br /> + Wake! Be thyself! Arise, Scourge of thy Foes!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + How can I, in the battle, shoot with shafts<br /> + On Bhishma, or on Drona-O thou Chief!--<br /> + Both worshipful, both honourable men?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Better to live on beggar's bread<br /> + With those we love alive,<br /> + Than taste their blood in rich feasts spread,<br /> + And guiltily survive!<br /> + Ah! were it worse-who knows?--to be<br /> + Victor or vanquished here,<br /> + When those confront us angrily<br /> + Whose death leaves living drear?<br /> + In pity lost, by doubtings tossed,<br /> + My thoughts-distracted-turn<br /> + To Thee, the Guide I reverence most,<br /> + That I may counsel learn:<br /> + I know not what would heal the grief<br /> + Burned into soul and sense,<br /> + If I were earth's unchallenged chief--<br /> + A god--and these gone thence!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya.<br /> + So spake Arjuna to the Lord of Hearts,<br /> + And sighing,"I will not fight!" held silence then.<br /> + To whom, with tender smile, (O Bharata! )<br /> + While the Prince wept despairing 'twixt those hosts,<br /> + Krishna made answer in divinest verse:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Thou grievest where no grief should be! thou speak'st<br /> + Words lacking wisdom! for the wise in heart<br /> + Mourn not for those that live, nor those that die.<br /> + Nor I, nor thou, nor any one of these,<br /> + Ever was not, nor ever will not be,<br /> + For ever and for ever afterwards.<br /> + All, that doth live, lives always! To man's frame<br /> + As there come infancy and youth and age,<br /> + So come there raisings-up and layings-down<br /> + Of other and of other life-abodes,<br /> + Which the wise know, and fear not. This that irks--<br /> + Thy sense-life, thrilling to the elements--<br /> + Bringing thee heat and cold, sorrows and joys,<br /> + 'Tis brief and mutable! Bear with it, Prince!<br /> + As the wise bear. The soul which is not moved,<br /> + The soul that with a strong and constant calm<br /> + Takes sorrow and takes joy indifferently,<br /> + Lives in the life undying! That which is<br /> + Can never cease to be; that which is not<br /> + Will not exist. To see this truth of both<br /> + Is theirs who part essence from accident,<br /> + Substance from shadow. Indestructible,<br /> + Learn thou! the Life is, spreading life through all;<br /> + It cannot anywhere, by any means,<br /> + Be anywise diminished, stayed, or changed.<br /> + But for these fleeting frames which it informs<br /> + With spirit deathless, endless, infinite,<br /> + They perish. Let them perish, Prince! and fight!<br /> + He who shall say, "Lo! I have slain a man!"<br /> + He who shall think, "Lo! I am slain!" those both<br /> + Know naught! Life cannot slay. Life is not slain!<br /> + Never the spirit was born; the spirit shall cease to be never;<br /> + Never was time it was not; End and Beginning are dreams!<br /> + Birthless and deathless and changeless remaineth the spirit for ever;<br /> + Death hath not touched it at all, dead though the house of it seems!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who knoweth it exhaustless, self-sustained,<br /> + Immortal, indestructible,--shall such<br /> + Say, "I have killed a man, or caused to kill?"<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Nay, but as when one layeth<br /> + His worn-out robes away,<br /> + And taking new ones, sayeth,<br /> + "These will I wear to-day!"<br /> + So putteth by the spirit<br /> + Lightly its garb of flesh,<br /> + And passeth to inherit<br /> + A residence afresh.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + I say to thee weapons reach not the Life;<br /> + Flame burns it not, waters cannot o'erwhelm,<br /> + Nor dry winds wither it. Impenetrable,<br /> + Unentered, unassailed, unharmed, untouched,<br /> + Immortal, all-arriving, stable, sure,<br /> + Invisible, ineffable, by word<br /> + And thought uncompassed, ever all itself,<br /> + Thus is the Soul declared! How wilt thou, then,--<br /> + Knowing it so,--grieve when thou shouldst not grieve?<br /> + How, if thou hearest that the man new-dead<br /> + Is, like the man new-born, still living man--<br /> + One same, existent Spirit--wilt thou weep?<br /> + The end of birth is death; the end of death<br /> + Is birth: this is ordained! and mournest thou,<br /> + Chief of the stalwart arm! for what befalls<br /> + Which could not otherwise befall? The birth<br /> + Of living things comes unperceived; the death<br /> + Comes unperceived; between them, beings perceive:<br /> + What is there sorrowful herein, dear Prince?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Wonderful, wistful, to contemplate!<br /> + Difficult, doubtful, to speak upon!<br /> + Strange and great for tongue to relate,<br /> + Mystical hearing for every one!<br /> + Nor wotteth man this, what a marvel it is,<br /> + When seeing, and saying, and hearing are done!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + This Life within all living things, my Prince!<br /> + Hides beyond harm; scorn thou to suffer, then,<br /> + For that which cannot suffer. Do thy part!<br /> + Be mindful of thy name, and tremble not!<br /> + Nought better can betide a martial soul<br /> + Than lawful war; happy the warrior<br /> + To whom comes joy of battle--comes, as now,<br /> + Glorious and fair, unsought; opening for him<br /> + A gateway unto Heav'n. But, if thou shunn'st<br /> + This honourable field--a Kshattriya--<br /> + If, knowing thy duty and thy task, thou bidd'st<br /> + Duty and task go by--that shall be sin!<br /> + And those to come shall speak thee infamy<br /> + From age to age; but infamy is worse<br /> + For men of noble blood to bear than death!<br /> + The chiefs upon their battle-chariots<br /> + Will deem 'twas fear that drove thee from the fray.<br /> + Of those who held thee mighty-souled the scorn<br /> + Thou must abide, while all thine enemies<br /> + Will scatter bitter speech of thee, to mock<br /> + The valour which thou hadst; what fate could fall<br /> + More grievously than this? Either--being killed--<br /> + Thou wilt win Swarga's safety, or--alive<br /> + And victor--thou wilt reign an earthly king.<br /> + Therefore, arise, thou Son of Kunti! brace<br /> + Thine arm for conflict, nerve thy heart to meet--<br /> + As things alike to thee--pleasure or pain,<br /> + Profit or ruin, victory or defeat:<br /> + So minded, gird thee to the fight, for so<br /> + Thou shalt not sin!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thus far I speak to thee<br /> + As from the "Sankhya"--unspiritually--<br /> + Hear now the deeper teaching of the Yog,<br /> + Which holding, understanding, thou shalt burst<br /> + Thy Karmabandh, the bondage of wrought deeds.<br /> + Here shall no end be hindered, no hope marred,<br /> + No loss be feared: faith--yea, a little faith--<br /> + Shall save thee from the anguish of thy dread.<br /> + Here, Glory of the Kurus! shines one rule--<br /> + One steadfast rule--while shifting souls have laws<br /> + Many and hard. Specious, but wrongful deem<br /> + The speech of those ill-taught ones who extol<br /> + The letter of their Vedas, saying, "This<br /> + Is all we have, or need;" being weak at heart<br /> + With wants, seekers of Heaven: which comes--they say--<br /> + As "fruit of good deeds done;" promising men<br /> + Much profit in new births for works of faith;<br /> + In various rites abounding; following whereon<br /> + Large merit shall accrue towards wealth and power;<br /> + Albeit, who wealth and power do most desire<br /> + Least fixity of soul have such, least hold<br /> + On heavenly meditation. Much these teach,<br /> + From Veds, concerning the "three qualities;"<br /> + But thou, be free of the "three qualities,"<br /> + Free of the "pairs of opposites,"[FN#2] and free<br /> + From that sad righteousness which calculates;<br /> + Self-ruled, Arjuna! simple, satisfied![FN#3]<br /> + Look! like as when a tank pours water forth<br /> + To suit all needs, so do these Brahmans draw<br /> + Text for all wants from tank of Holy Writ.<br /> + But thou, want not! ask not! Find full reward<br /> + Of doing right in right! Let right deeds be<br /> + Thy motive, not the fruit which comes from them.<br /> + And live in action! Labour! Make thine acts<br /> + Thy piety, casting all self aside,<br /> + Contemning gain and merit; equable<br /> + In good or evil: equability<br /> + Is Yog, is piety!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yet, the right act<br /> + Is less, far less, than the right-thinking mind.<br /> + Seek refuge in thy soul; have there thy heaven!<br /> + Scorn them that follow virtue for her gifts!<br /> + The mind of pure devotion--even here--<br /> + Casts equally aside good deeds and bad,<br /> + Passing above them. Unto pure devotion<br /> + Devote thyself: with perfect meditation<br /> + Comes perfect act, and the right-hearted rise--<br /> + More certainly because they seek no gain--<br /> + Forth from the bands of body, step by step,<br /> + To highest seats of bliss. When thy firm soul<br /> + Hath shaken off those tangled oracles<br /> + Which ignorantly guide, then shall it soar<br /> + To high neglect of what's denied or said,<br /> + This way or that way, in doctrinal writ.<br /> + Troubled no longer by the priestly lore,<br /> + Safe shall it live, and sure; steadfastly bent<br /> + On meditation. This is Yog--and Peace!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + What is his mark who hath that steadfast heart,<br /> + Confirmed in holy meditation? How<br /> + Know we his speech, Kesava? Sits he, moves he<br /> + Like other men?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + When one, O Pritha's Son!<br /> + Abandoning desires which shake the mind--<br /> + Finds in his soul full comfort for his soul,<br /> + He hath attained the Yog--that man is such!<br /> + In sorrows not dejected, and in joys<br /> + Not overjoyed; dwelling outside the stress<br /> + Of passion, fear, and anger; fixed in calms<br /> + Of lofty contemplation;--such an one<br /> + Is Muni, is the Sage, the true Recluse!<br /> + He who to none and nowhere overbound<br /> + By ties of flesh, takes evil things and good<br /> + Neither desponding nor exulting, such<br /> + Bears wisdom's plainest mark! He who shall draw<br /> + As the wise tortoise draws its four feet safe<br /> + Under its shield, his five frail senses back<br /> + Under the spirit's buckler from the world<br /> + Which else assails them, such an one, my Prince!<br /> + Hath wisdom's mark! Things that solicit sense<br /> + Hold off from the self-governed; nay, it comes,<br /> + The appetites of him who lives beyond<br /> + Depart,--aroused no more. Yet may it chance,<br /> + O Son of Kunti! that a governed mind<br /> + Shall some time feel the sense-storms sweep, and wrest<br /> + Strong self-control by the roots. Let him regain<br /> + His kingdom! let him conquer this, and sit<br /> + On Me intent. That man alone is wise<br /> + Who keeps the mastery of himself! If one<br /> + Ponders on objects of the sense, there springs<br /> + Attraction; from attraction grows desire,<br /> + Desire flames to fierce passion, passion breeds<br /> + Recklessness; then the memory--all betrayed--<br /> + Lets noble purpose go, and saps the mind,<br /> + Till purpose, mind, and man are all undone.<br /> + But, if one deals with objects of the sense<br /> + Not loving and not hating, making them<br /> + Serve his free soul, which rests serenely lord,<br /> + Lo! such a man comes to tranquillity;<br /> + And out of that tranquillity shall rise<br /> + The end and healing of his earthly pains,<br /> + Since the will governed sets the soul at peace.<br /> + The soul of the ungoverned is not his,<br /> + Nor hath he knowledge of himself; which lacked,<br /> + How grows serenity? and, wanting that,<br /> + Whence shall he hope for happiness?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The mind<br /> + That gives itself to follow shows of sense<br /> + Seeth its helm of wisdom rent away,<br /> + And, like a ship in waves of whirlwind, drives<br /> + To wreck and death. Only with him, great Prince!<br /> + Whose senses are not swayed by things of sense--<br /> + Only with him who holds his mastery,<br /> + Shows wisdom perfect. What is midnight-gloom<br /> + To unenlightened souls shines wakeful day<br /> + To his clear gaze; what seems as wakeful day<br /> + Is known for night, thick night of ignorance,<br /> + To his true-seeing eyes. Such is the Saint!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + And like the ocean, day by day receiving<br /> + Floods from all lands, which never overflows<br /> + Its boundary-line not leaping, and not leaving,<br /> + Fed by the rivers, but unswelled by those;--<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + So is the perfect one! to his soul's ocean<br /> + The world of sense pours streams of witchery;<br /> + They leave him as they find, without commotion,<br /> + Taking their tribute, but remaining sea.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yea! whoso, shaking off the yoke of flesh<br /> + Lives lord, not servant, of his lusts; set free<br /> + From pride, from passion, from the sin of "Self,"<br /> + Toucheth tranquillity! O Pritha's Son!<br /> + That is the state of Brahm! There rests no dread<br /> + When that last step is reached! Live where he will,<br /> + Die when he may, such passeth from all 'plaining,<br /> + To blest Nirvana, with the Gods, attaining.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER II. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Sankhya-Yog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Doctrines."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap03"></a> + CHAPTER III<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Thou whom all mortals praise, Janardana!<br /> + If meditation be a nobler thing<br /> + Than action, wherefore, then, great Kesava!<br /> + Dost thou impel me to this dreadful fight?<br /> + Now am I by thy doubtful speech disturbed!<br /> + Tell me one thing, and tell me certainly;<br /> + By what road shall I find the better end?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + I told thee, blameless Lord! there be two paths<br /> + Shown to this world; two schools of wisdom.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + First<br /> + The Sankhya's, which doth save in way of works<br /> + Prescribed[FN#4] by reason; next, the Yog, which bids<br /> + Attain by meditation, spiritually:<br /> + Yet these are one! No man shall 'scape from act<br /> + By shunning action; nay, and none shall come<br /> + By mere renouncements unto perfectness.<br /> + Nay, and no jot of time, at any time,<br /> + Rests any actionless; his nature's law<br /> + Compels him, even unwilling, into act;<br /> + [For thought is act in fancy]. He who sits<br /> + Suppressing all the instruments of flesh,<br /> + Yet in his idle heart thinking on them,<br /> + Plays the inept and guilty hypocrite:<br /> + But he who, with strong body serving mind,<br /> + Gives up his mortal powers to worthy work,<br /> + Not seeking gain, Arjuna! such an one<br /> + Is honourable. Do thine allotted task!<br /> + Work is more excellent than idleness;<br /> + The body's life proceeds not, lacking work.<br /> + There is a task of holiness to do,<br /> + Unlike world-binding toil, which bindeth not<br /> + The faithful soul; such earthly duty do<br /> + Free from desire, and thou shalt well perform<br /> + Thy heavenly purpose. Spake Prajapati--<br /> + In the beginning, when all men were made,<br /> + And, with mankind, the sacrifice-- "Do this!<br /> + Work! sacrifice! Increase and multiply<br /> + With sacrifice! This shall be Kamaduk,<br /> + Your 'Cow of Plenty,' giving back her milk<br /> + Of all abundance. Worship the gods thereby;<br /> + The gods shall yield thee grace. Those meats ye crave<br /> + The gods will grant to Labour, when it pays<br /> + Tithes in the altar-flame. But if one eats<br /> + Fruits of the earth, rendering to kindly Heaven<br /> + No gift of toil, that thief steals from his world."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who eat of food after their sacrifice<br /> + Are quit of fault, but they that spread a feast<br /> + All for themselves, eat sin and drink of sin.<br /> + By food the living live; food comes of rain,<br /> + And rain comes by the pious sacrifice,<br /> + And sacrifice is paid with tithes of toil;<br /> + Thus action is of Brahma, who is One,<br /> + The Only, All-pervading; at all times<br /> + Present in sacrifice. He that abstains<br /> + To help the rolling wheels of this great world,<br /> + Glutting his idle sense, lives a lost life,<br /> + Shameful and vain. Existing for himself,<br /> + Self-concentrated, serving self alone,<br /> + No part hath he in aught; nothing achieved,<br /> + Nought wrought or unwrought toucheth him; no hope<br /> + Of help for all the living things of earth<br /> + Depends from him.[FN#5] Therefore, thy task prescribed<br /> + With spirit unattached gladly perform,<br /> + Since in performance of plain duty man<br /> + Mounts to his highest bliss. By works alone<br /> + Janak and ancient saints reached blessedness!<br /> + Moreover, for the upholding of thy kind,<br /> + Action thou should'st embrace. What the wise choose<br /> + The unwise people take; what best men do<br /> + The multitude will follow. Look on me,<br /> + Thou Son of Pritha! in the three wide worlds<br /> + I am not bound to any toil, no height<br /> + Awaits to scale, no gift remains to gain,<br /> + Yet I act here! and, if I acted not--<br /> + Earnest and watchful--those that look to me<br /> + For guidance, sinking back to sloth again<br /> + Because I slumbered, would decline from good,<br /> + And I should break earth's order and commit<br /> + Her offspring unto ruin, Bharata!<br /> + Even as the unknowing toil, wedded to sense,<br /> + So let the enlightened toil, sense-freed, but set<br /> + To bring the world deliverance, and its bliss;<br /> + Not sowing in those simple, busy hearts<br /> + Seed of despair. Yea! let each play his part<br /> + In all he finds to do, with unyoked soul.<br /> + All things are everywhere by Nature wrought<br /> + In interaction of the qualities.<br /> + The fool, cheated by self, thinks, "This I did"<br /> + And "That I wrought; "but--ah, thou strong-armed Prince!--<br /> + A better-lessoned mind, knowing the play<br /> + Of visible things within the world of sense,<br /> + And how the qualities must qualify,<br /> + Standeth aloof even from his acts. Th' untaught<br /> + Live mixed with them, knowing not Nature's way,<br /> + Of highest aims unwitting, slow and dull.<br /> + Those make thou not to stumble, having the light;<br /> + But all thy dues discharging, for My sake,<br /> + With meditation centred inwardly,<br /> + Seeking no profit, satisfied, serene,<br /> + Heedless of issue--fight! They who shall keep<br /> + My ordinance thus, the wise and willing hearts,<br /> + Have quittance from all issue of their acts;<br /> + But those who disregard My ordinance,<br /> + Thinking they know, know nought, and fall to loss,<br /> + Confused and foolish. 'Sooth, the instructed one<br /> + Doth of his kind, following what fits him most:<br /> + And lower creatures of their kind; in vain<br /> + Contending 'gainst the law. Needs must it be<br /> + The objects of the sense will stir the sense<br /> + To like and dislike, yet th' enlightened man<br /> + Yields not to these, knowing them enemies.<br /> + Finally, this is better, that one do<br /> + His own task as he may, even though he fail,<br /> + Than take tasks not his own, though they seem good.<br /> + To die performing duty is no ill;<br /> + But who seeks other roads shall wander still.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Yet tell me, Teacher! by what force doth man<br /> + Go to his ill, unwilling; as if one<br /> + Pushed him that evil path?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Kama it is!<br /> + Passion it is! born of the Darknesses,<br /> + Which pusheth him. Mighty of appetite,<br /> + Sinful, and strong is this!--man's enemy!<br /> + As smoke blots the white fire, as clinging rust<br /> + Mars the bright mirror, as the womb surrounds<br /> + The babe unborn, so is the world of things<br /> + Foiled, soiled, enclosed in this desire of flesh.<br /> + The wise fall, caught in it; the unresting foe<br /> + It is of wisdom, wearing countless forms,<br /> + Fair but deceitful, subtle as a flame.<br /> + Sense, mind, and reason--these, O Kunti's Son!<br /> + Are booty for it; in its play with these<br /> + It maddens man, beguiling, blinding him.<br /> + Therefore, thou noblest child of Bharata!<br /> + Govern thy heart! Constrain th' entangled sense!<br /> + Resist the false, soft sinfulness which saps<br /> + Knowledge and judgment! Yea, the world is strong,<br /> + But what discerns it stronger, and the mind<br /> + Strongest; and high o'er all the ruling Soul.<br /> + Wherefore, perceiving Him who reigns supreme,<br /> + Put forth full force of Soul in thy own soul!<br /> + Fight! vanquish foes and doubts, dear Hero! slay<br /> + What haunts thee in fond shapes, and would betray!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER III. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Karma-Yog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Virtue in Work."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap04"></a> + CHAPTER IV<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + This deathless Yoga, this deep union,<br /> + I taught Vivaswata,[FN#6] the Lord of Light;<br /> + Vivaswata to Manu gave it; he<br /> + To Ikshwaku; so passed it down the line<br /> + Of all my royal Rishis. Then, with years,<br /> + The truth grew dim and perished, noble Prince!<br /> + Now once again to thee it is declared--<br /> + This ancient lore, this mystery supreme--<br /> + Seeing I find thee votary and friend.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Thy birth, dear Lord, was in these later days,<br /> + And bright Vivaswata's preceded time!<br /> + How shall I comprehend this thing thou sayest,<br /> + "From the beginning it was I who taught?"<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Manifold the renewals of my birth<br /> + Have been, Arjuna! and of thy births, too!<br /> + But mine I know, and thine thou knowest not,<br /> + O Slayer of thy Foes! Albeit I be<br /> + Unborn, undying, indestructible,<br /> + The Lord of all things living; not the less--<br /> + By Maya, by my magic which I stamp<br /> + On floating Nature-forms, the primal vast--<br /> + I come, and go, and come. When Righteousness<br /> + Declines, O Bharata! when Wickedness<br /> + Is strong, I rise, from age to age, and take<br /> + Visible shape, and move a man with men,<br /> + Succouring the good, thrusting the evil back,<br /> + And setting Virtue on her seat again.<br /> + Who knows the truth touching my births on earth<br /> + And my divine work, when he quits the flesh<br /> + Puts on its load no more, falls no more down<br /> + To earthly birth: to Me he comes, dear Prince!<br /> + Many there be who come! from fear set free,<br /> + From anger, from desire; keeping their hearts<br /> + Fixed upon me--my Faithful--purified<br /> + By sacred flame of Knowledge. Such as these<br /> + Mix with my being. Whoso worship me,<br /> + Them I exalt; but all men everywhere<br /> + Shall fall into my path; albeit, those souls<br /> + Which seek reward for works, make sacrifice<br /> + Now, to the lower gods. I say to thee<br /> + Here have they their reward. But I am He<br /> + Made the Four Castes, and portioned them a place<br /> + After their qualities and gifts. Yea, I<br /> + Created, the Reposeful; I that live<br /> + Immortally, made all those mortal births:<br /> + For works soil not my essence, being works<br /> + Wrought uninvolved.[FN#7] Who knows me acting thus<br /> + Unchained by action, action binds not him;<br /> + And, so perceiving, all those saints of old<br /> + Worked, seeking for deliverance. Work thou<br /> + As, in the days gone by, thy fathers did.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thou sayst, perplexed, It hath been asked before<br /> + By singers and by sages, "What is act,<br /> + And what inaction? "I will teach thee this,<br /> + And, knowing, thou shalt learn which work doth save<br /> + Needs must one rightly meditate those three--<br /> + Doing,--not doing,--and undoing. Here<br /> + Thorny and dark the path is! He who sees<br /> + How action may be rest, rest action--he<br /> + Is wisest 'mid his kind; he hath the truth!<br /> + He doeth well, acting or resting. Freed<br /> + In all his works from prickings of desire,<br /> + Burned clean in act by the white fire of truth,<br /> + The wise call that man wise; and such an one,<br /> + Renouncing fruit of deeds, always content.<br /> + Always self-satisfying, if he works,<br /> + Doth nothing that shall stain his separate soul,<br /> + Which--quit of fear and hope--subduing self--<br /> + Rejecting outward impulse--yielding up<br /> + To body's need nothing save body, dwells<br /> + Sinless amid all sin, with equal calm<br /> + Taking what may befall, by grief unmoved,<br /> + Unmoved by joy, unenvyingly; the same<br /> + In good and evil fortunes; nowise bound<br /> + By bond of deeds. Nay, but of such an one,<br /> + Whose crave is gone, whose soul is liberate,<br /> + Whose heart is set on truth--of such an one<br /> + What work he does is work of sacrifice,<br /> + Which passeth purely into ash and smoke<br /> + Consumed upon the altar! All's then God!<br /> + The sacrifice is Brahm, the ghee and grain<br /> + Are Brahm, the fire is Brahm, the flesh it eats<br /> + Is Brahm, and unto Brahm attaineth he<br /> + Who, in such office, meditates on Brahm.<br /> + Some votaries there be who serve the gods<br /> + With flesh and altar-smoke; but other some<br /> + Who, lighting subtler fires, make purer rite<br /> + With will of worship. Of the which be they<br /> + Who, in white flame of continence, consume<br /> + Joys of the sense, delights of eye and ear,<br /> + Forgoing tender speech and sound of song:<br /> + And they who, kindling fires with torch of Truth,<br /> + Burn on a hidden altar-stone the bliss<br /> + Of youth and love, renouncing happiness:<br /> + And they who lay for offering there their wealth,<br /> + Their penance, meditation, piety,<br /> + Their steadfast reading of the scrolls, their lore<br /> + Painfully gained with long austerities:<br /> + And they who, making silent sacrifice,<br /> + Draw in their breath to feed the flame of thought,<br /> + And breathe it forth to waft the heart on high,<br /> + Governing the ventage of each entering air<br /> + Lest one sigh pass which helpeth not the soul:<br /> + And they who, day by day denying needs,<br /> + Lay life itself upon the altar-flame,<br /> + Burning the body wan. Lo! all these keep<br /> + The rite of offering, as if they slew<br /> + Victims; and all thereby efface much sin.<br /> + Yea! and who feed on the immortal food<br /> + Left of such sacrifice, to Brahma pass,<br /> + To The Unending. But for him that makes<br /> + No sacrifice, he hath nor part nor lot<br /> + Even in the present world. How should he share<br /> + Another, O thou Glory of thy Line?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + In sight of Brahma all these offerings<br /> + Are spread and are accepted! Comprehend<br /> + That all proceed by act; for knowing this,<br /> + Thou shalt be quit of doubt. The sacrifice<br /> + Which Knowledge pays is better than great gifts<br /> + Offered by wealth, since gifts' worth--O my Prince!<br /> + Lies in the mind which gives, the will that serves:<br /> + And these are gained by reverence, by strong search,<br /> + By humble heed of those who see the Truth<br /> + And teach it. Knowing Truth, thy heart no more<br /> + Will ache with error, for the Truth shall show<br /> + All things subdued to thee, as thou to Me.<br /> + Moreover, Son of Pandu! wert thou worst<br /> + Of all wrong-doers, this fair ship of Truth<br /> + Should bear thee safe and dry across the sea<br /> + Of thy transgressions. As the kindled flame<br /> + Feeds on the fuel till it sinks to ash,<br /> + So unto ash, Arjuna! unto nought<br /> + The flame of Knowledge wastes works' dross away!<br /> + There is no purifier like thereto<br /> + In all this world, and he who seeketh it<br /> + Shall find it--being grown perfect--in himself.<br /> + Believing, he receives it when the soul<br /> + Masters itself, and cleaves to Truth, and comes--<br /> + Possessing knowledge--to the higher peace,<br /> + The uttermost repose. But those untaught,<br /> + And those without full faith, and those who fear<br /> + Are shent; no peace is here or other where,<br /> + No hope, nor happiness for whoso doubts.<br /> + He that, being self-contained, hath vanquished doubt,<br /> + Disparting self from service, soul from works,<br /> + Enlightened and emancipate, my Prince!<br /> + Works fetter him no more! Cut then atwain<br /> + With sword of wisdom, Son of Bharata!<br /> + This doubt that binds thy heart-beats! cleave the bond<br /> + Born of thy ignorance! Be bold and wise!<br /> + Give thyself to the field with me! Arise!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER IV. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Jnana Yog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of the Religion of Knowledge,"<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap05"></a> + CHAPTER V<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Yet, Krishna! at the one time thou dost laud<br /> + Surcease of works, and, at another time,<br /> + Service through work. Of these twain plainly tell<br /> + Which is the better way?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + To cease from works<br /> + Is well, and to do works in holiness<br /> + Is well; and both conduct to bliss supreme;<br /> + But of these twain the better way is his<br /> + Who working piously refraineth not.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + That is the true Renouncer, firm and fixed,<br /> + Who--seeking nought, rejecting nought--dwells proof<br /> + Against the "opposites."[FN#8] O valiant Prince!<br /> + In doing, such breaks lightly from all deed:<br /> + 'Tis the new scholar talks as they were two,<br /> + This Sankhya and this Yoga: wise men know<br /> + Who husbands one plucks golden fruit of both!<br /> + The region of high rest which Sankhyans reach<br /> + Yogins attain. Who sees these twain as one<br /> + Sees with clear eyes! Yet such abstraction, Chief!<br /> + Is hard to win without much holiness.<br /> + Whoso is fixed in holiness, self-ruled,<br /> + Pure-hearted, lord of senses and of self,<br /> + Lost in the common life of all which lives--<br /> + A "Yogayukt"--he is a Saint who wends<br /> + Straightway to Brahm. Such an one is not touched<br /> + By taint of deeds. "Nought of myself I do!"<br /> + Thus will he think-who holds the truth of truths--<br /> + In seeing, hearing, touching, smelling; when<br /> + He eats, or goes, or breathes; slumbers or talks,<br /> + Holds fast or loosens, opes his eyes or shuts;<br /> + Always assured "This is the sense-world plays<br /> + With senses."He that acts in thought of Brahm,<br /> + Detaching end from act, with act content,<br /> + The world of sense can no more stain his soul<br /> + Than waters mar th' enamelled lotus-leaf.<br /> + With life, with heart, with mind,-nay, with the help<br /> + Of all five senses--letting selfhood go--<br /> + Yogins toil ever towards their souls' release.<br /> + Such votaries, renouncing fruit of deeds,<br /> + Gain endless peace: the unvowed, the passion-bound,<br /> + Seeking a fruit from works, are fastened down.<br /> + The embodied sage, withdrawn within his soul,<br /> + At every act sits godlike in "the town<br /> + Which hath nine gateways,"[FN#9] neither doing aught<br /> + Nor causing any deed. This world's Lord makes<br /> + Neither the work, nor passion for the work,<br /> + Nor lust for fruit of work; the man's own self<br /> + Pushes to these! The Master of this World<br /> + Takes on himself the good or evil deeds<br /> + Of no man--dwelling beyond! Mankind errs here<br /> + By folly, darkening knowledge. But, for whom<br /> + That darkness of the soul is chased by light,<br /> + Splendid and clear shines manifest the Truth<br /> + As if a Sun of Wisdom sprang to shed<br /> + Its beams of dawn. Him meditating still,<br /> + Him seeking, with Him blended, stayed on Him,<br /> + The souls illuminated take that road<br /> + Which hath no turning back--their sins flung off<br /> + By strength of faith. [Who will may have this Light;<br /> + Who hath it sees.] To him who wisely sees,<br /> + The Brahman with his scrolls and sanctities,<br /> + The cow, the elephant, the unclean dog,<br /> + The Outcast gorging dog's meat, are all one.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The world is overcome--aye! even here!<br /> + By such as fix their faith on Unity.<br /> + The sinless Brahma dwells in Unity,<br /> + And they in Brahma. Be not over-glad<br /> + Attaining joy, and be not over-sad<br /> + Encountering grief, but, stayed on Brahma, still<br /> + Constant let each abide! The sage whose soul<br /> + Holds off from outer contacts, in himself<br /> + Finds bliss; to Brahma joined by piety,<br /> + His spirit tastes eternal peace. The joys<br /> + Springing from sense-life are but quickening wombs<br /> + Which breed sure griefs: those joys begin and end!<br /> + The wise mind takes no pleasure, Kunti's Son!<br /> + In such as those! But if a man shall learn,<br /> + Even while he lives and bears his body's chain,<br /> + To master lust and anger, he is blest!<br /> + He is the Yukta; he hath happiness,<br /> + Contentment, light, within: his life is merged<br /> + In Brahma's life; he doth Nirvana touch!<br /> + Thus go the Rishis unto rest, who dwell<br /> + With sins effaced, with doubts at end, with hearts<br /> + Governed and calm. Glad in all good they live,<br /> + Nigh to the peace of God; and all those live<br /> + Who pass their days exempt from greed and wrath,<br /> + Subduing self and senses, knowing the Soul!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The Saint who shuts outside his placid soul<br /> + All touch of sense, letting no contact through;<br /> + Whose quiet eyes gaze straight from fixed brows,<br /> + Whose outward breath and inward breath are drawn<br /> + Equal and slow through nostrils still and close;<br /> + That one-with organs, heart, and mind constrained,<br /> + Bent on deliverance, having put away<br /> + Passion, and fear, and rage;--hath, even now,<br /> + Obtained deliverance, ever and ever freed.<br /> + Yea! for he knows Me Who am He that heeds<br /> + The sacrifice and worship, God revealed;<br /> + And He who heeds not, being Lord of Worlds,<br /> + Lover of all that lives, God unrevealed,<br /> + Wherein who will shall find surety and shield!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDS CHAPTER V. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Karmasanyasayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by Renouncing Fruit of Works."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap06"></a> + CHAPTER VI<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Therefore, who doeth work rightful to do,<br /> + Not seeking gain from work, that man, O Prince!<br /> + Is Sanyasi and Yogi--both in one<br /> + And he is neither who lights not the flame<br /> + Of sacrifice, nor setteth hand to task.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Regard as true Renouncer him that makes<br /> + Worship by work, for who renounceth not<br /> + Works not as Yogin. So is that well said:<br /> + "By works the votary doth rise to faith,<br /> + And saintship is the ceasing from all works;<br /> + Because the perfect Yogin acts--but acts<br /> + Unmoved by passions and unbound by deeds,<br /> + Setting result aside.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Let each man raise<br /> + The Self by Soul, not trample down his Self,<br /> + Since Soul that is Self's friend may grow Self's foe.<br /> + Soul is Self's friend when Self doth rule o'er Self,<br /> + But Self turns enemy if Soul's own self<br /> + Hates Self as not itself.[FN#10]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The sovereign soul<br /> + Of him who lives self-governed and at peace<br /> + Is centred in itself, taking alike<br /> + Pleasure and pain; heat, cold; glory and shame.<br /> + He is the Yogi, he is Yukta, glad<br /> + With joy of light and truth; dwelling apart<br /> + Upon a peak, with senses subjugate<br /> + Whereto the clod, the rock, the glistering gold<br /> + Show all as one. By this sign is he known<br /> + Being of equal grace to comrades, friends,<br /> + Chance-comers, strangers, lovers, enemies,<br /> + Aliens and kinsmen; loving all alike,<br /> + Evil or good.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sequestered should he sit,<br /> + Steadfastly meditating, solitary,<br /> + His thoughts controlled, his passions laid away,<br /> + Quit of belongings. In a fair, still spot<br /> + Having his fixed abode,--not too much raised,<br /> + Nor yet too low,--let him abide, his goods<br /> + A cloth, a deerskin, and the Kusa-grass.<br /> + There, setting hard his mind upon The One,<br /> + Restraining heart and senses, silent, calm,<br /> + Let him accomplish Yoga, and achieve<br /> + Pureness of soul, holding immovable<br /> + Body and neck and head, his gaze absorbed<br /> + Upon his nose-end,[FN#11] rapt from all around,<br /> + Tranquil in spirit, free of fear, intent<br /> + Upon his Brahmacharya vow, devout,<br /> + Musing on Me, lost in the thought of Me.<br /> + That Yojin, so devoted, so controlled,<br /> + Comes to the peace beyond,--My peace, the peace<br /> + Of high Nirvana!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + But for earthly needs<br /> + Religion is not his who too much fasts<br /> + Or too much feasts, nor his who sleeps away<br /> + An idle mind; nor his who wears to waste<br /> + His strength in vigils. Nay, Arjuna! call<br /> + That the true piety which most removes<br /> + Earth-aches and ills, where one is moderate<br /> + In eating and in resting, and in sport;<br /> + Measured in wish and act; sleeping betimes,<br /> + Waking betimes for duty.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + When the man,<br /> + So living, centres on his soul the thought<br /> + Straitly restrained--untouched internally<br /> + By stress of sense--then is he Yukta. See!<br /> + Steadfast a lamp burns sheltered from the wind;<br /> + Such is the likeness of the Yogi's mind<br /> + Shut from sense-storms and burning bright to Heaven.<br /> + When mind broods placid, soothed with holy wont;<br /> + When Self contemplates self, and in itself<br /> + Hath comfort; when it knows the nameless joy<br /> + Beyond all scope of sense, revealed to soul--<br /> + Only to soul! and, knowing, wavers not,<br /> + True to the farther Truth; when, holding this,<br /> + It deems no other treasure comparable,<br /> + But, harboured there, cannot be stirred or shook<br /> + By any gravest grief, call that state "peace,"<br /> + That happy severance Yoga; call that man<br /> + The perfect Yogin!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Steadfastly the will<br /> + Must toil thereto, till efforts end in ease,<br /> + And thought has passed from thinking. Shaking off<br /> + All longings bred by dreams of fame and gain,<br /> + Shutting the doorways of the senses close<br /> + With watchful ward; so, step by step, it comes<br /> + To gift of peace assured and heart assuaged,<br /> + When the mind dwells self-wrapped, and the soul broods<br /> + Cumberless. But, as often as the heart<br /> + Breaks--wild and wavering--from control, so oft<br /> + Let him re-curb it, let him rein it back<br /> + To the soul's governance; for perfect bliss<br /> + Grows only in the bosom tranquillised,<br /> + The spirit passionless, purged from offence,<br /> + Vowed to the Infinite. He who thus vows<br /> + His soul to the Supreme Soul, quitting sin,<br /> + Passes unhindered to the endless bliss<br /> + Of unity with Brahma. He so vowed,<br /> + So blended, sees the Life-Soul resident<br /> + In all things living, and all living things<br /> + In that Life-Soul contained. And whoso thus<br /> + Discerneth Me in all, and all in Me,<br /> + I never let him go; nor looseneth he<br /> + Hold upon Me; but, dwell he where he may,<br /> + Whate'er his life, in Me he dwells and lives,<br /> + Because he knows and worships Me, Who dwell<br /> + In all which lives, and cleaves to Me in all.<br /> + Arjuna! if a man sees everywhere--<br /> + Taught by his own similitude--one Life,<br /> + One Essence in the Evil and the Good,<br /> + Hold him a Yogi, yea! well-perfected!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Slayer of Madhu! yet again, this Yog,<br /> + This Peace, derived from equanimity,<br /> + Made known by thee--I see no fixity<br /> + Therein, no rest, because the heart of men<br /> + Is unfixed, Krishna! rash, tumultuous,<br /> + Wilful and strong. It were all one, I think,<br /> + To hold the wayward wind, as tame man's heart.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Hero long-armed! beyond denial, hard<br /> + Man's heart is to restrain, and wavering;<br /> + Yet may it grow restrained by habit, Prince!<br /> + By wont of self-command. This Yog, I say,<br /> + Cometh not lightly to th' ungoverned ones;<br /> + But he who will be master of himself<br /> + Shall win it, if he stoutly strive thereto.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + And what road goeth he who, having faith,<br /> + Fails, Krishna! in the striving; falling back<br /> + From holiness, missing the perfect rule?<br /> + Is he not lost, straying from Brahma's light,<br /> + Like the vain cloud, which floats 'twixt earth and heaven<br /> + When lightning splits it, and it vanisheth?<br /> + Fain would I hear thee answer me herein,<br /> + Since, Krishna! none save thou can clear the doubt.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + He is not lost, thou Son of Pritha! No!<br /> + Nor earth, nor heaven is forfeit, even for him,<br /> + Because no heart that holds one right desire<br /> + Treadeth the road of loss! He who should fail,<br /> + Desiring righteousness, cometh at death<br /> + Unto the Region of the Just; dwells there<br /> + Measureless years, and being born anew,<br /> + Beginneth life again in some fair home<br /> + Amid the mild and happy. It may chance<br /> + He doth descend into a Yogin house<br /> + On Virtue's breast; but that is rare! Such birth<br /> + Is hard to be obtained on this earth, Chief!<br /> + So hath he back again what heights of heart<br /> + He did achieve, and so he strives anew<br /> + To perfectness, with better hope, dear Prince!<br /> + For by the old desire he is drawn on<br /> + Unwittingly; and only to desire<br /> + The purity of Yog is to pass<br /> + Beyond the Sabdabrahm, the spoken Ved.<br /> + But, being Yogi, striving strong and long,<br /> + Purged from transgressions, perfected by births<br /> + Following on births, he plants his feet at last<br /> + Upon the farther path. Such as one ranks<br /> + Above ascetics, higher than the wise,<br /> + Beyond achievers of vast deeds! Be thou<br /> + Yogi Arjuna! And of such believe,<br /> + Truest and best is he who worships Me<br /> + With inmost soul, stayed on My Mystery!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER VI. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Atmasanyamayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by Self-Restraint."<br /> +</p> + +<h3><a id="chap07"></a> + CHAPTER VII<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Learn now, dear Prince! how, if thy soul be set<br /> + Ever on Me--still exercising Yog,<br /> + Still making Me thy Refuge--thou shalt come<br /> + Most surely unto perfect hold of Me.<br /> + I will declare to thee that utmost lore,<br /> + Whole and particular, which, when thou knowest,<br /> + Leaveth no more to know here in this world.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of many thousand mortals, one, perchance,<br /> + Striveth for Truth; and of those few that strive--<br /> + Nay, and rise high--one only--here and there--<br /> + Knoweth Me, as I am, the very Truth.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Earth, water, flame, air, ether, life, and mind,<br /> + And individuality--those eight<br /> + Make up the showing of Me, Manifest.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + These be my lower Nature; learn the higher,<br /> + Whereby, thou Valiant One! this Universe<br /> + Is, by its principle of life, produced;<br /> + Whereby the worlds of visible things are born<br /> + As from a Yoni. Know! I am that womb:<br /> + I make and I unmake this Universe:<br /> + Than me there is no other Master, Prince!<br /> + No other Maker! All these hang on me<br /> + As hangs a row of pearls upon its string.<br /> + I am the fresh taste of the water; I<br /> + The silver of the moon, the gold o' the sun,<br /> + The word of worship in the Veds, the thrill<br /> + That passeth in the ether, and the strength<br /> + Of man's shed seed. I am the good sweet smell<br /> + Of the moistened earth, I am the fire's red light,<br /> + The vital air moving in all which moves,<br /> + The holiness of hallowed souls, the root<br /> + Undying, whence hath sprung whatever is;<br /> + The wisdom of the wise, the intellect<br /> + Of the informed, the greatness of the great.<br /> + The splendour of the splendid. Kunti's Son!<br /> + These am I, free from passion and desire;<br /> + Yet am I right desire in all who yearn,<br /> + Chief of the Bharatas! for all those moods,<br /> + Soothfast, or passionate, or ignorant,<br /> + Which Nature frames, deduce from me; but all<br /> + Are merged in me--not I in them! The world--<br /> + Deceived by those three qualities of being--<br /> + Wotteth not Me Who am outside them all,<br /> + Above them all, Eternal! Hard it is<br /> + To pierce that veil divine of various shows<br /> + Which hideth Me; yet they who worship Me<br /> + Pierce it and pass beyond.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + I am not known<br /> + To evil-doers, nor to foolish ones,<br /> + Nor to the base and churlish; nor to those<br /> + Whose mind is cheated by the show of things,<br /> + Nor those that take the way of Asuras.[FN#12]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Four sorts of mortals know me: he who weeps,<br /> + Arjuna! and the man who yearns to know;<br /> + And he who toils to help; and he who sits<br /> + Certain of me, enlightened.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of these four,<br /> + O Prince of India! highest, nearest, best<br /> + That last is, the devout soul, wise, intent<br /> + Upon "The One." Dear, above all, am I<br /> + To him; and he is dearest unto me!<br /> + All four are good, and seek me; but mine own,<br /> + The true of heart, the faithful--stayed on me,<br /> + Taking me as their utmost blessedness,<br /> + They are not "mine,"but I--even I myself!<br /> + At end of many births to Me they come!<br /> + Yet hard the wise Mahatma is to find,<br /> + That man who sayeth, "All is Vasudev!"[FN#13]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + There be those, too, whose knowledge, turned aside<br /> + By this desire or that, gives them to serve<br /> + Some lower gods, with various rites, constrained<br /> + By that which mouldeth them. Unto all such--<br /> + Worship what shrine they will, what shapes, in faith--<br /> + 'Tis I who give them faith! I am content!<br /> + The heart thus asking favour from its God,<br /> + Darkened but ardent, hath the end it craves,<br /> + The lesser blessing--but 'tis I who give!<br /> + Yet soon is withered what small fruit they reap:<br /> + Those men of little minds, who worship so,<br /> + Go where they worship, passing with their gods.<br /> + But Mine come unto me! Blind are the eyes<br /> + Which deem th' Unmanifested manifest,<br /> + Not comprehending Me in my true Self!<br /> + Imperishable, viewless, undeclared,<br /> + Hidden behind my magic veil of shows,<br /> + I am not seen by all; I am not known--<br /> + Unborn and changeless--to the idle world.<br /> + But I, Arjuna! know all things which were,<br /> + And all which are, and all which are to be,<br /> + Albeit not one among them knoweth Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + By passion for the "pairs of opposites,"<br /> + By those twain snares of Like and Dislike, Prince!<br /> + All creatures live bewildered, save some few<br /> + Who, quit of sins, holy in act, informed,<br /> + Freed from the "opposites,"and fixed in faith,<br /> + Cleave unto Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who cleave, who seek in Me<br /> + Refuge from birth[FN#14] and death, those have the Truth!<br /> + Those know Me BRAHMA; know Me Soul of Souls,<br /> + The ADHYATMAN; know KARMA, my work;<br /> + Know I am ADHIBHUTA, Lord of Life,<br /> + And ADHIDAIVA, Lord of all the Gods,<br /> + And ADHIYAJNA, Lord of Sacrifice;<br /> + Worship Me well, with hearts of love and faith,<br /> + And find and hold me in the hour of death.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER VII. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Vijnanayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by Discernment."<br /> +</p> + +<h3><a id="chap08"></a> + CHAPTER VIII<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Who is that BRAHMA? What that Soul of Souls,<br /> + The ADHYATMAN? What, Thou Best of All!<br /> + Thy work, the KARMA? Tell me what it is<br /> + Thou namest ADHIBHUTA? What again<br /> + Means ADHIDAIVA? Yea, and how it comes<br /> + Thou canst be ADHIYAJNA in thy flesh?<br /> + Slayer of Madhu! Further, make me know<br /> + How good men find thee in the hour of death?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + I BRAHMA am! the One Eternal GOD,<br /> + And ADHYATMAN is My Being's name,<br /> + The Soul of Souls! What goeth forth from Me,<br /> + Causing all life to live, is KARMA called:<br /> + And, Manifested in divided forms,<br /> + I am the ADHIBHUTA, Lord of Lives;<br /> + And ADHIDAIVA, Lord of all the Gods,<br /> + Because I am PURUSHA, who begets.<br /> + And ADHIYAJNA, Lord of Sacrifice,<br /> + I--speaking with thee in this body here--<br /> + Am, thou embodied one! (for all the shrines<br /> + Flame unto Me!) And, at the hour of death,<br /> + He that hath meditated Me alone,<br /> + In putting off his flesh, comes forth to Me,<br /> + Enters into My Being--doubt thou not!<br /> + But, if he meditated otherwise<br /> + At hour of death, in putting off the flesh,<br /> + He goes to what he looked for, Kunti's Son!<br /> + Because the Soul is fashioned to its like.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Have Me, then, in thy heart always! and fight!<br /> + Thou too, when heart and mind are fixed on Me,<br /> + Shalt surely come to Me! All come who cleave<br /> + With never-wavering will of firmest faith,<br /> + Owning none other Gods: all come to Me,<br /> + The Uttermost, Purusha, Holiest!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Whoso hath known Me, Lord of sage and singer,<br /> + Ancient of days; of all the Three Worlds Stay,<br /> + Boundless,--but unto every atom Bringer<br /> + Of that which quickens it: whoso, I say,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Hath known My form, which passeth mortal knowing;<br /> + Seen my effulgence--which no eye hath seen--<br /> + Than the sun's burning gold more brightly glowing,<br /> + Dispersing darkness,--unto him hath been<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Right life! And, in the hour when life is ending,<br /> + With mind set fast and trustful piety,<br /> + Drawing still breath beneath calm brows unbending,<br /> + In happy peace that faithful one doth die,--<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + In glad peace passeth to Purusha's heaven.<br /> + The place which they who read the Vedas name<br /> + AKSHARAM, "Ultimate;" whereto have striven<br /> + Saints and ascetics--their road is the same.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + That way--the highest way--goes he who shuts<br /> + The gates of all his senses, locks desire<br /> + Safe in his heart, centres the vital airs<br /> + Upon his parting thought, steadfastly set;<br /> + And, murmuring OM, the sacred syllable--<br /> + Emblem of BRAHM--dies, meditating Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + For who, none other Gods regarding, looks<br /> + Ever to Me, easily am I gained<br /> + By such a Yogi; and, attaining Me,<br /> + They fall not--those Mahatmas--back to birth,<br /> + To life, which is the place of pain, which ends,<br /> + But take the way of utmost blessedness.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The worlds, Arjuna!--even Brahma's world--<br /> + Roll back again from Death to Life's unrest;<br /> + But they, O Kunti's Son! that reach to Me,<br /> + Taste birth no more. If ye know Brahma's Day<br /> + Which is a thousand Yugas; if ye know<br /> + The thousand Yugas making Brahma's Night,<br /> + Then know ye Day and Night as He doth know!<br /> + When that vast Dawn doth break, th' Invisible<br /> + Is brought anew into the Visible;<br /> + When that deep Night doth darken, all which is<br /> + Fades back again to Him Who sent it forth;<br /> + Yea! this vast company of living things--<br /> + Again and yet again produced--expires<br /> + At Brahma's Nightfall; and, at Brahma's Dawn,<br /> + Riseth, without its will, to life new-born.<br /> + But--higher, deeper, innermost--abides<br /> + Another Life, not like the life of sense,<br /> + Escaping sight, unchanging. This endures<br /> + When all created things have passed away:<br /> + This is that Life named the Unmanifest,<br /> + The Infinite! the All! the Uttermost.<br /> + Thither arriving none return. That Life<br /> + Is Mine, and I am there! And, Prince! by faith<br /> + Which wanders not, there is a way to come<br /> + Thither. I, the PURUSHA, I Who spread<br /> + The Universe around me--in Whom dwell<br /> + All living Things--may so be reached and seen!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [FN#14]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Richer than holy fruit on Vedas growing,<br /> + Greater than gifts, better than prayer or fast,<br /> + Such wisdom is! The Yogi, this way knowing,<br /> + Comes to the Utmost Perfect Peace at last.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER VIII. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Aksharaparabrahmayog,"<br /> + Or "The book of Religion by Devotion to the One Supreme God."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap09"></a> + CHAPTER IX<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Now will I open unto thee--whose heart<br /> + Rejects not--that last lore, deepest-concealed,<br /> + That farthest secret of My Heavens and Earths,<br /> + Which but to know shall set thee free from ills,--<br /> + A royal lore! a Kingly mystery!<br /> + Yea! for the soul such light as purgeth it<br /> + From every sin; a light of holiness<br /> + With inmost splendour shining; plain to see;<br /> + Easy to walk by, inexhaustible!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + They that receive not this, failing in faith<br /> + To grasp the greater wisdom, reach not Me,<br /> + Destroyer of thy foes! They sink anew<br /> + Into the realm of Flesh, where all things change!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + By Me the whole vast Universe of things<br /> + Is spread abroad;--by Me, the Unmanifest!<br /> + In Me are all existences contained;<br /> + Not I in them!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yet they are not contained,<br /> + Those visible things! Receive and strive to embrace<br /> + The mystery majestical! My Being--<br /> + Creating all, sustaining all--still dwells<br /> + Outside of all!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + See! as the shoreless airs<br /> + Move in the measureless space, but are not space,<br /> + [And space were space without the moving airs];<br /> + So all things are in Me, but are not I.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + At closing of each Kalpa, Indian Prince!<br /> + All things which be back to My Being come:<br /> + At the beginning of each Kalpa, all<br /> + Issue new-born from Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + By Energy<br /> + And help of Prakriti my outer Self,<br /> + Again, and yet again, I make go forth<br /> + The realms of visible things--without their will--<br /> + All of them--by the power of Prakriti.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yet these great makings, Prince! involve Me not<br /> + Enchain Me not! I sit apart from them,<br /> + Other, and Higher, and Free; nowise attached!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thus doth the stuff of worlds, moulded by Me,<br /> + Bring forth all that which is, moving or still,<br /> + Living or lifeless! Thus the worlds go on!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The minds untaught mistake Me, veiled in form;--<br /> + Naught see they of My secret Presence, nought<br /> + Of My hid Nature, ruling all which lives.<br /> + Vain hopes pursuing, vain deeds doing; fed<br /> + On vainest knowledge, senselessly they seek<br /> + An evil way, the way of brutes and fiends.<br /> + But My Mahatmas, those of noble soul<br /> + Who tread the path celestial, worship Me<br /> + With hearts unwandering,--knowing Me the Source,<br /> + Th' Eternal Source, of Life. Unendingly<br /> + They glorify Me; seek Me; keep their vows<br /> + Of reverence and love, with changeless faith<br /> + Adoring Me. Yea, and those too adore,<br /> + Who, offering sacrifice of wakened hearts,<br /> + Have sense of one pervading Spirit's stress,<br /> + One Force in every place, though manifold!<br /> + I am the Sacrifice! I am the Prayer!<br /> + I am the Funeral-Cake set for the dead!<br /> + I am the healing herb! I am the ghee,<br /> + The Mantra, and the flame, and that which burns!<br /> + I am-of all this boundless Universe-<br /> + The Father, Mother, Ancestor, and Guard!<br /> + The end of Learning! That which purifies<br /> + In lustral water! I am OM! I am<br /> + Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Ved;<br /> + The Way, the Fosterer, the Lord, the Judge,<br /> + The Witness; the Abode, the Refuge-House,<br /> + The Friend, the Fountain and the Sea of Life<br /> + Which sends, and swallows up; Treasure of Worlds<br /> + And Treasure-Chamber! Seed and Seed-Sower,<br /> + Whence endless harvests spring! Sun's heat is mine;<br /> + Heaven's rain is mine to grant or to withhold;<br /> + Death am I, and Immortal Life I am,<br /> + Arjuna! SAT and ASAT, Visible Life,<br /> + And Life Invisible!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yea! those who learn<br /> + The threefold Veds, who drink the Soma-wine,<br /> + Purge sins, pay sacrifice--from Me they earn<br /> + Passage to Swarga; where the meats divine<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of great gods feed them in high Indra's heaven.<br /> + Yet they, when that prodigious joy is o'er,<br /> + Paradise spent, and wage for merits given,<br /> + Come to the world of death and change once more.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + They had their recompense! they stored their treasure,<br /> + Following the threefold Scripture and its writ;<br /> + Who seeketh such gaineth the fleeting pleasure<br /> + Of joy which comes and goes! I grant them it!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + But to those blessed ones who worship Me,<br /> + Turning not otherwhere, with minds set fast,<br /> + I bring assurance of full bliss beyond.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Nay, and of hearts which follow other gods<br /> + In simple faith, their prayers arise to me,<br /> + O Kunti's Son! though they pray wrongfully;<br /> + For I am the Receiver and the Lord<br /> + Of every sacrifice, which these know not<br /> + Rightfully; so they fall to earth again!<br /> + Who follow gods go to their gods; who vow<br /> + Their souls to Pitris go to Pitris; minds<br /> + To evil Bhuts given o'er sink to the Bhuts;<br /> + And whoso loveth Me cometh to Me.<br /> + Whoso shall offer Me in faith and love<br /> + A leaf, a flower, a fruit, water poured forth,<br /> + That offering I accept, lovingly made<br /> + With pious will. Whate'er thou doest, Prince!<br /> + Eating or sacrificing, giving gifts,<br /> + Praying or fasting, let it all be done<br /> + For Me, as Mine. So shalt thou free thyself<br /> + From Karmabandh, the chain which holdeth men<br /> + To good and evil issue, so shalt come<br /> + Safe unto Me-when thou art quit of flesh--<br /> + By faith and abdication joined to Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + I am alike for all! I know not hate,<br /> + I know not favour! What is made is Mine!<br /> + But them that worship Me with love, I love;<br /> + They are in Me, and I in them!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Nay, Prince!<br /> + If one of evil life turn in his thought<br /> + Straightly to Me, count him amidst the good;<br /> + He hath the high way chosen; he shall grow<br /> + Righteous ere long; he shall attain that peace<br /> + Which changes not. Thou Prince of India!<br /> + Be certain none can perish, trusting Me!<br /> + O Pritha's Son! whoso will turn to Me,<br /> + Though they be born from the very womb of Sin,<br /> + Woman or man; sprung of the Vaisya caste<br /> + Or lowly disregarded Sudra,--all<br /> + Plant foot upon the highest path; how then<br /> + The holy Brahmans and My Royal Saints?<br /> + Ah! ye who into this ill world are come--<br /> + Fleeting and false--set your faith fast on Me!<br /> + Fix heart and thought on Me! Adore Me! Bring<br /> + Offerings to Me! Make Me prostrations! Make<br /> + Me your supremest joy! and, undivided,<br /> + Unto My rest your spirits shall be guided.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDS CHAPTER IX. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Rajavidyarajaguhyayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by the Kingly Knowledge and the Kingly<br /> + Mystery."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap10"></a> + CHAPTER X<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.[FN#l6]<br /> + Hear farther yet, thou Long-Armed Lord! these latest words I say--<br /> + Uttered to bring thee bliss and peace, who lovest Me alway--<br /> + Not the great company of gods nor kingly Rishis know<br /> + My Nature, Who have made the gods and Rishis long ago;<br /> + He only knoweth-only he is free of sin, and wise,<br /> + Who seeth Me, Lord of the Worlds, with faith-enlightened eyes,<br /> + Unborn, undying, unbegun. Whatever Natures be<br /> + To mortal men distributed, those natures spring from Me!<br /> + Intellect, skill, enlightenment, endurance, self-control,<br /> + Truthfulness, equability, and grief or joy of soul,<br /> + And birth and death, and fearfulness, and fearlessness, and shame,<br /> + And honour, and sweet harmlessness,[FN#17] and peace which is the<br /> + same<br /> + Whate'er befalls, and mirth, and tears, and piety, and thrift,<br /> + And wish to give, and will to help,--all cometh of My gift!<br /> + The Seven Chief Saints, the Elders Four, the Lordly Manus set--<br /> + Sharing My work--to rule the worlds, these too did I beget;<br /> + And Rishis, Pitris, Manus, all, by one thought of My mind;<br /> + Thence did arise, to fill this world, the races of mankind;<br /> + Wherefrom who comprehends My Reign of mystic Majesty--<br /> + That truth of truths--is thenceforth linked in faultless faith to Me:<br /> + Yea! knowing Me the source of all, by Me all creatures wrought,<br /> + The wise in spirit cleave to Me, into My Being brought;<br /> + Hearts fixed on Me; breaths breathed to Me; praising Me, each to each,<br /> + So have they happiness and peace, with pious thought and speech;<br /> + And unto these--thus serving well, thus loving ceaselessly--<br /> + I give a mind of perfect mood, whereby they draw to Me;<br /> + And, all for love of them, within their darkened souls I dwell,<br /> + And, with bright rays of wisdom's lamp, their ignorance dispel.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Yes! Thou art Parabrahm! The High Abode!<br /> + The Great Purification! Thou art God<br /> + Eternal, All-creating, Holy, First,<br /> + Without beginning! Lord of Lords and Gods!<br /> + Declared by all the Saints--by Narada,<br /> + Vyasa Asita, and Devalas;<br /> + And here Thyself declaring unto me!<br /> + What Thou hast said now know I to be truth,<br /> + O Kesava! that neither gods nor men<br /> + Nor demons comprehend Thy mystery<br /> + Made manifest, Divinest! Thou Thyself<br /> + Thyself alone dost know, Maker Supreme!<br /> + Master of all the living! Lord of Gods!<br /> + King of the Universe! To Thee alone<br /> + Belongs to tell the heavenly excellence<br /> + Of those perfections wherewith Thou dost fill<br /> + These worlds of Thine; Pervading, Immanent!<br /> + How shall I learn, Supremest Mystery!<br /> + To know Thee, though I muse continually?<br /> + Under what form of Thine unnumbered forms<br /> + Mayst Thou be grasped? Ah! yet again recount,<br /> + Clear and complete, Thy great appearances,<br /> + The secrets of Thy Majesty and Might,<br /> + Thou High Delight of Men! Never enough<br /> + Can mine ears drink the Amrit[FN#18] of such words!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Hanta! So be it! Kuru Prince! I will to thee unfold<br /> + Some portions of My Majesty, whose powers are manifold!<br /> + I am the Spirit seated deep in every creature's heart;<br /> + From Me they come; by Me they live; at My word they depart!<br /> + Vishnu of the Adityas I am, those Lords of Light;<br /> + Maritchi of the Maruts, the Kings of Storm and Blight;<br /> + By day I gleam, the golden Sun of burning cloudless Noon;<br /> + By Night, amid the asterisms I glide, the dappled Moon!<br /> + Of Vedas I am Sama-Ved, of gods in Indra's Heaven<br /> + Vasava; of the faculties to living beings given<br /> + The mind which apprehends and thinks; of Rudras Sankara;<br /> + Of Yakshas and of Rakshasas, Vittesh; and Pavaka<br /> + Of Vasus, and of mountain-peaks Meru; Vrihaspati<br /> + Know Me 'mid planetary Powers; 'mid Warriors heavenly<br /> + Skanda; of all the water-floods the Sea which drinketh each,<br /> + And Bhrigu of the holy Saints, and OM of sacred speech;<br /> + Of prayers the prayer ye whisper;[FN#19] of hills Himala's snow,<br /> + And Aswattha, the fig-tree, of all the trees that grow;<br /> + Of the Devarshis, Narada; and Chitrarath of them<br /> + That sing in Heaven, and Kapila of Munis, and the gem<br /> + Of flying steeds, Uchchaisravas, from Amrit-wave which burst;<br /> + Of elephants Airavata; of males the Best and First;<br /> + Of weapons Heav'n's hot thunderbolt; of cows white Kamadhuk,<br /> + From whose great milky udder-teats all hearts' desires are strook;<br /> + Vasuki of the serpent-tribes, round Mandara entwined;<br /> + And thousand-fanged Ananta, on whose broad coils reclined<br /> + Leans Vishnu; and of water-things Varuna; Aryam<br /> + Of Pitris, and, of those that judge, Yama the Judge I am;<br /> + Of Daityas dread Prahlada; of what metes days and years,<br /> + Time's self I am; of woodland-beasts-buffaloes, deers, and bears-<br /> + The lordly-painted tiger; of birds the vast Garud,<br /> + The whirlwind 'mid the winds; 'mid chiefs Rama with blood imbrued,<br /> + Makar 'mid fishes of the sea, and Ganges 'mid the streams;<br /> + Yea! First, and Last, and Centre of all which is or seems<br /> + I am, Arjuna! Wisdom Supreme of what is wise,<br /> + Words on the uttering lips I am, and eyesight of the eyes,<br /> + And "A" of written characters, Dwandwa[FN#20] of knitted speech,<br /> + And Endless Life, and boundless Love, whose power sustaineth each;<br /> + And bitter Death which seizes all, and joyous sudden Birth,<br /> + Which brings to light all beings that are to be on earth;<br /> + And of the viewless virtues, Fame, Fortune, Song am I,<br /> + And Memory, and Patience; and Craft, and Constancy:<br /> + Of Vedic hymns the Vrihatsam, of metres Gayatri,<br /> + Of months the Margasirsha, of all the seasons three<br /> + The flower-wreathed Spring; in dicer's-play the conquering<br /> + Double-Eight;<br /> + The splendour of the splendid, and the greatness of the great,<br /> + Victory I am, and Action! and the goodness of the good,<br /> + And Vasudev of Vrishni's race, and of this Pandu brood<br /> + Thyself!--Yea, my Arjuna! thyself; for thou art Mine!<br /> + Of poets Usana, of saints Vyasa, sage divine;<br /> + The policy of conquerors, the potency of kings,<br /> + The great unbroken silence in learning's secret things;<br /> + The lore of all the learned, the seed of all which springs.<br /> + Living or lifeless, still or stirred, whatever beings be,<br /> + None of them is in all the worlds, but it exists by Me!<br /> + Nor tongue can tell, Arjuna! nor end of telling come<br /> + Of these My boundless glories, whereof I teach thee some;<br /> + For wheresoe'er is wondrous work, and majesty, and might,<br /> + From Me hath all proceeded. Receive thou this aright!<br /> + Yet how shouldst thou receive, O Prince! the vastness of this word?<br /> + I, who am all, and made it all, abide its separate Lord!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER X. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Vibhuti Yog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by the Heavenly Perfections."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap11"></a> + CHAPTER XI<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + This, for my soul's peace, have I heard from Thee,<br /> + The unfolding of the Mystery Supreme<br /> + Named Adhyatman; comprehending which,<br /> + My darkness is dispelled; for now I know--<br /> + O Lotus-eyed![FN#21]--whence is the birth of men,<br /> + And whence their death, and what the majesties<br /> + Of Thine immortal rule. Fain would I see,<br /> + As thou Thyself declar'st it, Sovereign Lord!<br /> + The likeness of that glory of Thy Form<br /> + Wholly revealed. O Thou Divinest One!<br /> + If this can be, if I may bear the sight,<br /> + Make Thyself visible, Lord of all prayers!<br /> + Show me Thy very self, the Eternal God!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Gaze, then, thou Son of Pritha! I manifest for thee<br /> + Those hundred thousand thousand shapes that clothe my Mystery:<br /> + I show thee all my semblances, infinite, rich, divine,<br /> + My changeful hues, my countless forms. See! in this face of mine,<br /> + Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aswins, and Maruts; see<br /> + Wonders unnumbered, Indian Prince! revealed to none save thee.<br /> + Behold! this is the Universe!--Look! what is live and dead<br /> + I gather all in one--in Me! Gaze, as thy lips have said,<br /> + On GOD ETERNAL, VERY GOD! See Me! see what thou prayest!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thou canst not!--nor, with human eyes, Arjuna! ever mayest!<br /> + Therefore I give thee sense divine. Have other eyes, new light!<br /> + And, look! This is My glory, unveiled to mortal sight!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya.<br /> + Then, O King! the God, so saying,<br /> + Stood, to Pritha's Son displaying<br /> + All the splendour, wonder, dread<br /> + Of His vast Almighty-head.<br /> + Out of countless eyes beholding,<br /> + Out of countless mouths commanding,<br /> + Countless mystic forms enfolding<br /> + In one Form: supremely standing<br /> + Countless radiant glories wearing,<br /> + Countless heavenly weapons bearing,<br /> + Crowned with garlands of star-clusters,<br /> + Robed in garb of woven lustres,<br /> + Breathing from His perfect Presence<br /> + Breaths of every subtle essence<br /> + Of all heavenly odours; shedding<br /> + Blinding brilliance; overspreading--<br /> + Boundless, beautiful--all spaces<br /> + With His all-regarding faces;<br /> + So He showed! If there should rise<br /> + Suddenly within the skies<br /> + Sunburst of a thousand suns<br /> + Flooding earth with beams undeemed-of,<br /> + Then might be that Holy One's<br /> + Majesty and radiance dreamed of!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + So did Pandu's Son behold<br /> + All this universe enfold<br /> + All its huge diversity<br /> + Into one vast shape, and be<br /> + Visible, and viewed, and blended<br /> + In one Body--subtle, splendid,<br /> + Nameless--th' All-comprehending<br /> + God of Gods, the Never-Ending<br /> + Deity!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + But, sore amazed,<br /> + Thrilled, o'erfilled, dazzled, and dazed,<br /> + Arjuna knelt; and bowed his head,<br /> + And clasped his palms; and cried, and said:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Yea! I have seen! I see!<br /> + Lord! all is wrapped in Thee!<br /> + The gods are in Thy glorious frame! the creatures<br /> + Of earth, and heaven, and hell<br /> + In Thy Divine form dwell,<br /> + And in Thy countenance shine all the features<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of Brahma, sitting lone<br /> + Upon His lotus-throne;<br /> + Of saints and sages, and the serpent races<br /> + Ananta, Vasuki;<br /> + Yea! mightiest Lord! I see<br /> + Thy thousand thousand arms, and breasts, and faces,<br /> + And eyes,--on every side<br /> + Perfect, diversified;<br /> + And nowhere end of Thee, nowhere beginning,<br /> + Nowhere a centre! Shifts--<br /> + Wherever soul's gaze lifts--<br /> + Thy central Self, all-wielding, and all-winning!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Infinite King! I see<br /> + The anadem on Thee,<br /> + The club, the shell, the discus; see Thee burning<br /> + In beams insufferable,<br /> + Lighting earth, heaven, and hell<br /> + With brilliance blazing, glowing, flashing; turning<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Darkness to dazzling day,<br /> + Look I whichever way;<br /> + Ah, Lord! I worship Thee, the Undivided,<br /> + The Uttermost of thought,<br /> + The Treasure-Palace wrought<br /> + To hold the wealth of the worlds; the Shield provided<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + To shelter Virtue's laws;<br /> + The Fount whence Life's stream draws<br /> + All waters of all rivers of all being:<br /> + The One Unborn, Unending:<br /> + Unchanging and Unblending!<br /> + With might and majesty, past thought, past seeing!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Silver of moon and gold<br /> + Of sun are glories rolled<br /> + From Thy great eyes; Thy visage, beaming tender<br /> + Throughout the stars and skies,<br /> + Doth to warm life surprise<br /> + Thy Universe. The worlds are filled with wonder<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of Thy perfections! Space<br /> + Star-sprinkled, and void place<br /> + From pole to pole of the Blue, from bound to bound,<br /> + Hath Thee in every spot,<br /> + Thee, Thee!--Where Thou art not,<br /> + O Holy, Marvellous Form! is nowhere found!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + O Mystic, Awful One!<br /> + At sight of Thee, made known,<br /> + The Three Worlds quake; the lower gods draw nigh Thee;<br /> + They fold their palms, and bow<br /> + Body, and breast, and brow,<br /> + And, whispering worship, laud and magnify Thee!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Rishis and Siddhas cry<br /> + "Hail! Highest Majesty!"<br /> + From sage and singer breaks the hymn of glory<br /> + In dulcet harmony,<br /> + Sounding the praise of Thee;<br /> + While countless companies take up the story,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Rudras, who ride the storms,<br /> + Th' Adityas' shining forms,<br /> + Vasus and Sadhyas, Viswas, Ushmapas;<br /> + Maruts, and those great Twins<br /> + The heavenly, fair, Aswins,<br /> + Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Siddhas, and Asuras,[FN#22]--<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + These see Thee, and revere<br /> + In sudden-stricken fear;<br /> + Yea! the Worlds,--seeing Thee with form stupendous,<br /> + With faces manifold,<br /> + With eyes which all behold,<br /> + Unnumbered eyes, vast arms, members tremendous,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Flanks, lit with sun and star,<br /> + Feet planted near and far,<br /> + Tushes of terror, mouths wrathful and tender;--<br /> + The Three wide Worlds before Thee<br /> + Adore, as I adore Thee,<br /> + Quake, as I quake, to witness so much splendour!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + I mark Thee strike the skies<br /> + With front, in wondrous wise<br /> + Huge, rainbow-painted, glittering; and thy mouth<br /> + Opened, and orbs which see<br /> + All things, whatever be<br /> + In all Thy worlds, east, west, and north and south.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + O Eyes of God! O Head!<br /> + My strength of soul is fled,<br /> + Gone is heart's force, rebuked is mind's desire!<br /> + When I behold Thee so,<br /> + With awful brows a-glow,<br /> + With burning glance, and lips lighted by fire<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Fierce as those flames which shall<br /> + Consume, at close of all,<br /> + Earth, Heaven! Ah me! I see no Earth and Heaven!<br /> + Thee, Lord of Lords! I see,<br /> + Thee only-only Thee!<br /> + Now let Thy mercy unto me be given,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thou Refuge of the World!<br /> + Lo! to the cavern hurled<br /> + Of Thy wide-opened throat, and lips white-tushed,<br /> + I see our noblest ones,<br /> + Great Dhritarashtra's sons,<br /> + Bhishma, Drona, and Karna, caught and crushed!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The Kings and Chiefs drawn in,<br /> + That gaping gorge within;<br /> + The best of both these armies torn and riven!<br /> + Between Thy jaws they lie<br /> + Mangled full bloodily,<br /> + Ground into dust and death! Like streams down-driven<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + With helpless haste, which go<br /> + In headlong furious flow<br /> + Straight to the gulfing deeps of th' unfilled ocean,<br /> + So to that flaming cave<br /> + Those heroes great and brave<br /> + Pour, in unending streams, with helpless motion!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Like moths which in the night<br /> + Flutter towards a light,<br /> + Drawn to their fiery doom, flying and dying,<br /> + So to their death still throng,<br /> + Blind, dazzled, borne along<br /> + Ceaselessly, all those multitudes, wild flying!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thou, that hast fashioned men,<br /> + Devourest them again,<br /> + One with another, great and small, alike!<br /> + The creatures whom Thou mak'st,<br /> + With flaming jaws Thou tak'st,<br /> + Lapping them up! Lord God! Thy terrors strike<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + From end to end of earth,<br /> + Filling life full, from birth<br /> + To death, with deadly, burning, lurid dread!<br /> + Ah, Vishnu! make me know<br /> + Why is Thy visage so?<br /> + Who art Thou, feasting thus upon Thy dead?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who? awful Deity!<br /> + I bow myself to Thee,<br /> + Namostu Te, Devavara! Prasid![FN#23]<br /> + O Mightiest Lord! rehearse<br /> + Why hast Thou face so fierce?<br /> + Whence doth this aspect horrible proceed?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Thou seest Me as Time who kills,<br /> + Time who brings all to doom,<br /> + The Slayer Time, Ancient of Days, come hither to consume;<br /> + Excepting thee, of all these hosts of hostile chiefs arrayed,<br /> + There stands not one shall leave alive the battlefield! Dismayed<br /> + No longer be! Arise! obtain renown! destroy thy foes!<br /> + Fight for the kingdom waiting thee when thou hast vanquished those.<br /> + By Me they fall--not thee! the stroke of death is dealt them now,<br /> + Even as they show thus gallantly; My instrument art thou!<br /> + Strike, strong-armed Prince, at Drona! at Bhishma strike! deal death<br /> + On Karna, Jyadratha; stay all their warlike breath!<br /> + 'Tis I who bid them perish! Thou wilt but slay the slain;<br /> + Fight! they must fall, and thou must live, victor upon this plain!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya.<br /> + Hearing mighty Keshav's word,<br /> + Tremblingly that helmed Lord<br /> + Clasped his lifted palms, and--praying<br /> + Grace of Krishna--stood there, saying,<br /> + With bowed brow and accents broken,<br /> + These words, timorously spoken:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Worthily, Lord of Might!<br /> + The whole world hath delight<br /> + In Thy surpassing power, obeying Thee;<br /> + The Rakshasas, in dread<br /> + At sight of Thee, are sped<br /> + To all four quarters; and the company<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of Siddhas sound Thy name.<br /> + How should they not proclaim<br /> + Thy Majesties, Divinest, Mightiest?<br /> + Thou Brahm, than Brahma greater!<br /> + Thou Infinite Creator!<br /> + Thou God of gods, Life's Dwelling-place and Rest!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thou, of all souls the Soul!<br /> + The Comprehending Whole!<br /> + Of being formed, and formless being the Framer;<br /> + O Utmost One! O Lord!<br /> + Older than eld, Who stored<br /> + The worlds with wealth of life! O Treasure-Claimer,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who wottest all, and art<br /> + Wisdom Thyself! O Part<br /> + In all, and All; for all from Thee have risen<br /> + Numberless now I see<br /> + The aspects are of Thee!<br /> + Vayu[FN#24] Thou art, and He who keeps the prison<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of Narak, Yama dark;<br /> + And Agni's shining spark;<br /> + Varuna's waves are Thy waves. Moon and starlight<br /> + Are Thine! Prajapati<br /> + Art Thou, and 'tis to Thee<br /> + They knelt in worshipping the old world's far light,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The first of mortal men.<br /> + Again, Thou God! again<br /> + A thousand thousand times be magnified!<br /> + Honour and worship be--<br /> + Glory and praise,--to Thee<br /> + Namo, Namaste, cried on every side;<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Cried here, above, below,<br /> + Uttered when Thou dost go,<br /> + Uttered where Thou dost come! Namo! we call;<br /> + Namostu! God adored!<br /> + Namostu! Nameless Lord!<br /> + Hail to Thee! Praise to Thee! Thou One in all;<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + For Thou art All! Yea, Thou!<br /> + Ah! if in anger now<br /> + Thou shouldst remember I did think Thee Friend,<br /> + Speaking with easy speech,<br /> + As men use each to each;<br /> + Did call Thee "Krishna," "Prince," nor comprehend<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thy hidden majesty,<br /> + The might, the awe of Thee;<br /> + Did, in my heedlessness, or in my love,<br /> + On journey, or in jest,<br /> + Or when we lay at rest,<br /> + Sitting at council, straying in the grove,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Alone, or in the throng,<br /> + Do Thee, most Holy! wrong,<br /> + Be Thy grace granted for that witless sin!<br /> + For Thou art, now I know,<br /> + Father of all below,<br /> + Of all above, of all the worlds within<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Guru of Gurus; more<br /> + To reverence and adore<br /> + Than all which is adorable and high!<br /> + How, in the wide worlds three<br /> + Should any equal be?<br /> + Should any other share Thy Majesty?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Therefore, with body bent<br /> + And reverent intent,<br /> + I praise, and serve, and seek Thee, asking grace.<br /> + As father to a son,<br /> + As friend to friend, as one<br /> + Who loveth to his lover, turn Thy face<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + In gentleness on me!<br /> + Good is it I did see<br /> + This unknown marvel of Thy Form! But fear<br /> + Mingles with joy! Retake,<br /> + Dear Lord! for pity's sake<br /> + Thine earthly shape, which earthly eyes may bear!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Be merciful, and show<br /> + The visage that I know;<br /> + Let me regard Thee, as of yore, arrayed<br /> + With disc and forehead-gem,<br /> + With mace and anadem,<br /> + Thou that sustainest all things! Undismayed<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Let me once more behold<br /> + The form I loved of old,<br /> + Thou of the thousand arms and countless eyes!<br /> + This frightened heart is fain<br /> + To see restored again<br /> + My Charioteer, in Krishna's kind disguise.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Yea! thou hast seen, Arjuna! because I loved thee well,<br /> + The secret countenance of Me, revealed by mystic spell,<br /> + Shining, and wonderful, and vast, majestic, manifold,<br /> + Which none save thou in all the years had favour to behold;<br /> + For not by Vedas cometh this, nor sacrifice, nor alms,<br /> + Nor works well-done, nor penance long, nor prayers, nor chaunted<br /> + psalms,<br /> + That mortal eyes should bear to view the Immortal Soul unclad,<br /> + Prince of the Kurus! This was kept for thee alone! Be glad!<br /> + Let no more trouble shake thy heart, because thine eyes have seen<br /> + My terror with My glory. As I before have been<br /> + So will I be again for thee; with lightened heart behold!<br /> + Once more I am thy Krishna, the form thou knew'st of old!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya.<br /> + These words to Arjuna spake<br /> + Vasudev, and straight did take<br /> + Back again the semblance dear<br /> + Of the well-loved charioteer;<br /> + Peace and joy it did restore<br /> + When the Prince beheld once more<br /> + Mighty BRAHMA's form and face<br /> + Clothed in Krishna's gentle grace.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Now that I see come back, Janardana!<br /> + This friendly human frame, my mind can think<br /> + Calm thoughts once more; my heart beats still again!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Yea! it was wonderful and terrible<br /> + To view me as thou didst, dear Prince! The gods<br /> + Dread and desire continually to view!<br /> + Yet not by Vedas, nor from sacrifice,<br /> + Nor penance, nor gift-giving, nor with prayer<br /> + Shall any so behold, as thou hast seen!<br /> + Only by fullest service, perfect faith,<br /> + And uttermost surrender am I known<br /> + And seen, and entered into, Indian Prince!<br /> + Who doeth all for Me; who findeth Me<br /> + In all; adoreth always; loveth all<br /> + Which I have made, and Me, for Love's sole end<br /> + That man, Arjuna! unto Me doth wend.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER XI. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Viswarupadarsanam,"<br /> + Or "The Book of the Manifesting of the One and Manifold."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap12"></a> + CHAPTER XII<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Lord! of the men who serve Thee--true in heart--<br /> + As God revealed; and of the men who serve,<br /> + Worshipping Thee Unrevealed, Unbodied, Far,<br /> + Which take the better way of faith and life?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Whoever serve Me--as I show Myself--<br /> + Constantly true, in full devotion fixed,<br /> + Those hold I very holy. But who serve--<br /> + Worshipping Me The One, The Invisible,<br /> + The Unrevealed, Unnamed, Unthinkable,<br /> + Uttermost, All-pervading, Highest, Sure--<br /> + Who thus adore Me, mastering their sense,<br /> + Of one set mind to all, glad in all good,<br /> + These blessed souls come unto Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yet, hard<br /> + The travail is for such as bend their minds<br /> + To reach th' Unmanifest That viewless path<br /> + Shall scarce be trod by man bearing the flesh!<br /> + But whereso any doeth all his deeds<br /> + Renouncing self for Me, full of Me, fixed<br /> + To serve only the Highest, night and day<br /> + Musing on Me--him will I swiftly lift<br /> + Forth from life's ocean of distress and death,<br /> + Whose soul clings fast to Me. Cling thou to Me!<br /> + Clasp Me with heart and mind! so shalt thou dwell<br /> + Surely with Me on high. But if thy thought<br /> + Droops from such height; if thou be'st weak to set<br /> + Body and soul upon Me constantly,<br /> + Despair not! give Me lower service! seek<br /> + To reach Me, worshipping with steadfast will;<br /> + And, if thou canst not worship steadfastly,<br /> + Work for Me, toil in works pleasing to Me!<br /> + For he that laboureth right for love of Me<br /> + Shall finally attain! But, if in this<br /> + Thy faint heart fails, bring Me thy failure! find<br /> + Refuge in Me! let fruits of labour go,<br /> + Renouncing hope for Me, with lowliest heart,<br /> + So shalt thou come; for, though to know is more<br /> + Than diligence, yet worship better is<br /> + Than knowing, and renouncing better still.<br /> + Near to renunciation--very near--<br /> + Dwelleth Eternal Peace!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who hateth nought<br /> + Of all which lives, living himself benign,<br /> + Compassionate, from arrogance exempt,<br /> + Exempt from love of self, unchangeable<br /> + By good or ill; patient, contented, firm<br /> + In faith, mastering himself, true to his word,<br /> + Seeking Me, heart and soul; vowed unto Me,--<br /> + That man I love! Who troubleth not his kind,<br /> + And is not troubled by them; clear of wrath,<br /> + Living too high for gladness, grief, or fear,<br /> + That man I love! Who, dwelling quiet-eyed,[FN#25]<br /> + Stainless, serene, well-balanced, unperplexed,<br /> + Working with Me, yet from all works detached,<br /> + That man I love! Who, fixed in faith on Me,<br /> + Dotes upon none, scorns none; rejoices not,<br /> + And grieves not, letting good or evil hap<br /> + Light when it will, and when it will depart,<br /> + That man I love! Who, unto friend and foe<br /> + Keeping an equal heart, with equal mind<br /> + Bears shame and glory; with an equal peace<br /> + Takes heat and cold, pleasure and pain; abides<br /> + Quit of desires, hears praise or calumny<br /> + In passionless restraint, unmoved by each;<br /> + Linked by no ties to earth, steadfast in Me,<br /> + That man I love! But most of all I love<br /> + Those happy ones to whom 'tis life to live<br /> + In single fervid faith and love unseeing,<br /> + Drinking the blessed Amrit of my Being!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER XII. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Bhaktiyog,"<br /> + Or"The Book of the Religion of Faith."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap13"></a> + CHAPTER XIII<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Now would I hear, O gracious Kesava![FN#26]<br /> + Of Life which seems, and Soul beyond, which sees,<br /> + And what it is we know-or think to know.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Yea! Son of Kunti! for this flesh ye see<br /> + Is Kshetra, is the field where Life disports;<br /> + And that which views and knows it is the Soul,<br /> + Kshetrajna. In all "fields," thou Indian prince!<br /> + I am Kshetrajna. I am what surveys!<br /> + Only that knowledge knows which knows the known<br /> + By the knower![FN#27] What it is, that "field" of life,<br /> + What qualities it hath, and whence it is,<br /> + And why it changeth, and the faculty<br /> + That wotteth it, the mightiness of this,<br /> + And how it wotteth-hear these things from Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + . . . . . . . . . . . .[FN#28]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The elements, the conscious life, the mind,<br /> + The unseen vital force, the nine strange gates<br /> + Of the body, and the five domains of sense;<br /> + Desire, dislike, pleasure and pain, and thought<br /> + Deep-woven, and persistency of being;<br /> + These all are wrought on Matter by the Soul!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Humbleness, truthfulness, and harmlessness,<br /> + Patience and honour, reverence for the wise.<br /> + Purity, constancy, control of self,<br /> + Contempt of sense-delights, self-sacrifice,<br /> + Perception of the certitude of ill<br /> + In birth, death, age, disease, suffering, and sin;<br /> + Detachment, lightly holding unto home,<br /> + Children, and wife, and all that bindeth men;<br /> + An ever-tranquil heart in fortunes good<br /> + And fortunes evil, with a will set firm<br /> + To worship Me--Me only! ceasing not;<br /> + Loving all solitudes, and shunning noise<br /> + Of foolish crowds; endeavours resolute<br /> + To reach perception of the Utmost Soul,<br /> + And grace to understand what gain it were<br /> + So to attain,--this is true Wisdom, Prince!<br /> + And what is otherwise is ignorance!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Now will I speak of knowledge best to know-<br /> + That Truth which giveth man Amrit to drink,<br /> + The Truth of HIM, the Para-Brahm, the All,<br /> + The Uncreated;; not Asat, not Sat,<br /> + Not Form, nor the Unformed; yet both, and more;--<br /> + Whose hands are everywhere, and everywhere<br /> + Planted His feet, and everywhere His eyes<br /> + Beholding, and His ears in every place<br /> + Hearing, and all His faces everywhere<br /> + Enlightening and encompassing His worlds.<br /> + Glorified in the senses He hath given,<br /> + Yet beyond sense He is; sustaining all,<br /> + Yet dwells He unattached: of forms and modes<br /> + Master, yet neither form nor mode hath He;<br /> + He is within all beings--and without--<br /> + Motionless, yet still moving; not discerned<br /> + For subtlety of instant presence; close<br /> + To all, to each; yet measurelessly far!<br /> + Not manifold, and yet subsisting still<br /> + In all which lives; for ever to be known<br /> + As the Sustainer, yet, at the End of Times,<br /> + He maketh all to end--and re-creates.<br /> + The Light of Lights He is, in the heart of the Dark<br /> + Shining eternally. Wisdom He is<br /> + And Wisdom's way, and Guide of all the wise,<br /> + Planted in every heart.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + So have I told<br /> + Of Life's stuff, and the moulding, and the lore<br /> + To comprehend. Whoso, adoring Me,<br /> + Perceiveth this, shall surely come to Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Know thou that Nature and the Spirit both<br /> + Have no beginning! Know that qualities<br /> + And changes of them are by Nature wrought;<br /> + That Nature puts to work the acting frame,<br /> + But Spirit doth inform it, and so cause<br /> + Feeling of pain and pleasure. Spirit, linked<br /> + To moulded matter, entereth into bond<br /> + With qualities by Nature framed, and, thus<br /> + Married to matter, breeds the birth again<br /> + In good or evil yonis.[FN#29]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yet is this<br /> + Yea! in its bodily prison!--Spirit pure,<br /> + Spirit supreme; surveying, governing,<br /> + Guarding, possessing; Lord and Master still<br /> + PURUSHA, Ultimate, One Soul with Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Whoso thus knows himself, and knows his soul<br /> + PURUSHA, working through the qualities<br /> + With Nature's modes, the light hath come for him!<br /> + Whatever flesh he bears, never again<br /> + Shall he take on its load. Some few there be<br /> + By meditation find the Soul in Self<br /> + Self-schooled; and some by long philosophy<br /> + And holy life reach thither; some by works:<br /> + Some, never so attaining, hear of light<br /> + From other lips, and seize, and cleave to it<br /> + Worshipping; yea! and those--to teaching true--<br /> + Overpass Death!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Wherever, Indian Prince!<br /> + Life is--of moving things, or things unmoved,<br /> + Plant or still seed--know, what is there hath grown<br /> + By bond of Matter and of Spirit: Know<br /> + He sees indeed who sees in all alike<br /> + The living, lordly Soul; the Soul Supreme,<br /> + Imperishable amid the Perishing:<br /> + For, whoso thus beholds, in every place,<br /> + In every form, the same, one, Living Life,<br /> + Doth no more wrongfulness unto himself,<br /> + But goes the highest road which brings to bliss.<br /> + Seeing, he sees, indeed, who sees that works<br /> + Are Nature's wont, for Soul to practise by<br /> + Acting, yet not the agent; sees the mass<br /> + Of separate living things--each of its kind--<br /> + Issue from One, and blend again to One:<br /> + Then hath he BRAHMA, he attains!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + O Prince!<br /> + That Ultimate, High Spirit, Uncreate,<br /> + Unqualified, even when it entereth flesh<br /> + Taketh no stain of acts, worketh in nought!<br /> + Like to the ethereal air, pervading all,<br /> + Which, for sheer subtlety, avoideth taint,<br /> + The subtle Soul sits everywhere, unstained:<br /> + Like to the light of the all-piercing sun<br /> + [Which is not changed by aught it shines upon,]<br /> + The Soul's light shineth pure in every place;<br /> + And they who, by such eye of wisdom, see<br /> + How Matter, and what deals with it, divide;<br /> + And how the Spirit and the flesh have strife,<br /> + Those wise ones go the way which leads to Life!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDS CHAPTER XIII. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Kshetrakshetrajnavibhagayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by Separation of Matter and Spirit."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap14"></a> + CHAPTER XIV<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Yet farther will I open unto thee<br /> + This wisdom of all wisdoms, uttermost,<br /> + The which possessing, all My saints have passed<br /> + To perfectness. On such high verities<br /> + Reliant, rising into fellowship<br /> + With Me, they are not born again at birth<br /> + Of Kalpas, nor at Pralyas suffer change!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + This Universe the womb is where I plant<br /> + Seed of all lives! Thence, Prince of India, comes<br /> + Birth to all beings! Whoso, Kunti's Son!<br /> + Mothers each mortal form, Brahma conceives,<br /> + And I am He that fathers, sending seed!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sattwan, Rajas, and Tamas, so are named<br /> + The qualities of Nature, "Soothfastness,"<br /> + "Passion," and "Ignorance." These three bind down<br /> + The changeless Spirit in the changeful flesh.<br /> + Whereof sweet "Soothfastness," by purity<br /> + Living unsullied and enlightened, binds<br /> + The sinless Soul to happiness and truth;<br /> + And Passion, being kin to appetite,<br /> + And breeding impulse and propensity,<br /> + Binds the embodied Soul, O Kunti's Son!<br /> + By tie of works. But Ignorance, begot<br /> + Of Darkness, blinding mortal men, binds down<br /> + Their souls to stupor, sloth, and drowsiness.<br /> + Yea, Prince of India! Soothfastness binds souls<br /> + In pleasant wise to flesh; and Passion binds<br /> + By toilsome strain; but Ignorance, which blots<br /> + The beams of wisdom, binds the soul to sloth.<br /> + Passion and Ignorance, once overcome,<br /> + Leave Soothfastness, O Bharata! Where this<br /> + With Ignorance are absent, Passion rules;<br /> + And Ignorance in hearts not good nor quick.<br /> + When at all gateways of the Body shines<br /> + The Lamp of Knowledge, then may one see well<br /> + Soothfastness settled in that city reigns;<br /> + Where longing is, and ardour, and unrest,<br /> + Impulse to strive and gain, and avarice,<br /> + Those spring from Passion--Prince!--engrained; and where<br /> + Darkness and dulness, sloth and stupor are,<br /> + 'Tis Ignorance hath caused them, Kuru Chief!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Moreover, when a soul departeth, fixed<br /> + In Soothfastness, it goeth to the place--<br /> + Perfect and pure--of those that know all Truth.<br /> + If it departeth in set habitude<br /> + Of Impulse, it shall pass into the world<br /> + Of spirits tied to works; and, if it dies<br /> + In hardened Ignorance, that blinded soul<br /> + Is born anew in some unlighted womb.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The fruit of Soothfastness is true and sweet;<br /> + The fruit of lusts is pain and toil; the fruit<br /> + Of Ignorance is deeper darkness. Yea!<br /> + For Light brings light, and Passion ache to have;<br /> + And gloom, bewilderments, and ignorance<br /> + Grow forth from Ignorance. Those of the first<br /> + Rise ever higher; those of the second mode<br /> + Take a mid place; the darkened souls sink back<br /> + To lower deeps, loaded with witlessness!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + When, watching life, the living man perceives<br /> + The only actors are the Qualities,<br /> + And knows what rules beyond the Qualities,<br /> + Then is he come nigh unto Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The Soul,<br /> + Thus passing forth from the Three Qualities--<br /> + Whereby arise all bodies--overcomes<br /> + Birth, Death, Sorrow, and Age; and drinketh deep<br /> + The undying wine of Amrit.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Oh, my Lord!<br /> + Which be the signs to know him that hath gone<br /> + Past the Three Modes? How liveth he? What way<br /> + Leadeth him safe beyond the threefold Modes?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + He who with equanimity surveys<br /> + Lustre of goodness, strife of passion, sloth<br /> + Of ignorance, not angry if they are,<br /> + Not wishful when they are not: he who sits<br /> + A sojourner and stranger in their midst<br /> + Unruffled, standing off, saying--serene--<br /> + When troubles break, "These be the Qualities!"<br /> + He unto whom--self-centred--grief and joy<br /> + Sound as one word; to whose deep-seeing eyes<br /> + The clod, the marble, and the gold are one;<br /> + Whose equal heart holds the same gentleness<br /> + For lovely and unlovely things, firm-set,<br /> + Well-pleased in praise and dispraise; satisfied<br /> + With honour or dishonour; unto friends<br /> + And unto foes alike in tolerance;<br /> + Detached from undertakings,--he is named<br /> + Surmounter of the Qualities!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + And such--<br /> + With single, fervent faith adoring Me,<br /> + Passing beyond the Qualities, conforms<br /> + To Brahma, and attains Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + For I am<br /> + That whereof Brahma is the likeness! Mine<br /> + The Amrit is; and Immortality<br /> + Is mine; and mine perfect Felicity!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDS CHAPTER XIV. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA<br /> + Entitled "Gunatrayavibhagayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by Separation from the Qualities."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap15"></a> + CHAPTER XV<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Men call the Aswattha,--the Banyan-tree,--<br /> + Which hath its boughs beneath, its roots above,--<br /> + The ever-holy tree. Yea! for its leaves<br /> + Are green and waving hymns which whisper Truth!<br /> + Who knows the Aswattha, knows Veds, and all.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Its branches shoot to heaven and sink to earth,[FN#30]<br /> + Even as the deeds of men, which take their birth<br /> + From qualities: its silver sprays and blooms,<br /> + And all the eager verdure of its girth,<br /> + Leap to quick life at kiss of sun and air,<br /> + As men's lives quicken to the temptings fair<br /> + Of wooing sense: its hanging rootlets seek<br /> + The soil beneath, helping to hold it there,<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + As actions wrought amid this world of men<br /> + Bind them by ever-tightening bonds again.<br /> + If ye knew well the teaching of the Tree,<br /> + What its shape saith; and whence it springs; and, then<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + How it must end, and all the ills of it,<br /> + The axe of sharp Detachment ye would whet,<br /> + And cleave the clinging snaky roots, and lay<br /> + This Aswattha of sense-life low,--to set<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + New growths upspringing to that happier sky,--<br /> + Which they who reach shall have no day to die,<br /> + Nor fade away, nor fall--to Him, I mean,<br /> + FATHER and FIRST, Who made the mystery<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Of old Creation; for to Him come they<br /> + From passion and from dreams who break away;<br /> + Who part the bonds constraining them to flesh,<br /> + And,--Him, the Highest, worshipping alway--<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + No longer grow at mercy of what breeze<br /> + Of summer pleasure stirs the sleeping trees,<br /> + What blast of tempest tears them, bough and stem<br /> + To the eternal world pass such as these!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Another Sun gleams there! another Moon!<br /> + Another Light,--not Dusk, nor Dawn, nor Noon--<br /> + Which they who once behold return no more;<br /> + They have attained My rest, life's Utmost boon!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + When, in this world of manifested life,<br /> + The undying Spirit, setting forth from Me,<br /> + Taketh on form, it draweth to itself<br /> + From Being's storehouse,--which containeth all,--<br /> + Senses and intellect. The Sovereign Soul<br /> + Thus entering the flesh, or quitting it,<br /> + Gathers these up, as the wind gathers scents,<br /> + Blowing above the flower-beds. Ear and Eye,<br /> + And Touch and Taste, and Smelling, these it takes,--<br /> + Yea, and a sentient mind;--linking itself<br /> + To sense-things so.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The unenlightened ones<br /> + Mark not that Spirit when he goes or comes,<br /> + Nor when he takes his pleasure in the form,<br /> + Conjoined with qualities; but those see plain<br /> + Who have the eyes to see. Holy souls see<br /> + Which strive thereto. Enlightened, they perceive<br /> + That Spirit in themselves; but foolish ones,<br /> + Even though they strive, discern not, having hearts<br /> + Unkindled, ill-informed!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Know, too, from Me<br /> + Shineth the gathered glory of the suns<br /> + Which lighten all the world: from Me the moons<br /> + Draw silvery beams, and fire fierce loveliness.<br /> + I penetrate the clay, and lend all shapes<br /> + Their living force; I glide into the plant--<br /> + Root, leaf, and bloom--to make the woodlands green<br /> + With springing sap. Becoming vital warmth,<br /> + I glow in glad, respiring frames, and pass,<br /> + With outward and with inward breath, to feed<br /> + The body by all meats.[FN#31]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + For in this world<br /> + Being is twofold: the Divided, one;<br /> + The Undivided, one. All things that live<br /> + Are "the Divided." That which sits apart,<br /> + "The Undivided."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Higher still is He,<br /> + The Highest, holding all, whose Name is LORD,<br /> + The Eternal, Sovereign, First! Who fills all worlds,<br /> + Sustaining them. And--dwelling thus beyond<br /> + Divided Being and Undivided--I<br /> + Am called of men and Vedas, Life Supreme,<br /> + The PURUSHOTTAMA.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Who knows Me thus,<br /> + With mind unclouded, knoweth all, dear Prince!<br /> + And with his whole soul ever worshippeth Me.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Now is the sacred, secret Mystery<br /> + Declared to thee! Who comprehendeth this<br /> + Hath wisdom! He is quit of works in bliss!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDS CHAPTER XV. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA<br /> + Entitled "Purushottamapraptiyog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by attaining the Supreme."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap16"></a> + CHAPTER XVI<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Fearlessness, singleness of soul, the will<br /> + Always to strive for wisdom; opened hand<br /> + And governed appetites; and piety,<br /> + And love of lonely study; humbleness,<br /> + Uprightness, heed to injure nought which lives,<br /> + Truthfulness, slowness unto wrath, a mind<br /> + That lightly letteth go what others prize;<br /> + And equanimity, and charity<br /> + Which spieth no man's faults; and tenderness<br /> + Towards all that suffer; a contented heart,<br /> + Fluttered by no desires; a bearing mild,<br /> + Modest, and grave, with manhood nobly mixed,<br /> + With patience, fortitude, and purity;<br /> + An unrevengeful spirit, never given<br /> + To rate itself too high;--such be the signs,<br /> + O Indian Prince! of him whose feet are set<br /> + On that fair path which leads to heavenly birth!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Deceitfulness, and arrogance, and pride,<br /> + Quickness to anger, harsh and evil speech,<br /> + And ignorance, to its own darkness blind,--<br /> + These be the signs, My Prince! of him whose birth<br /> + Is fated for the regions of the vile.[FN#32]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The Heavenly Birth brings to deliverance,<br /> + So should'st thou know! The birth with Asuras<br /> + Brings into bondage. Be thou joyous, Prince!<br /> + Whose lot is set apart for heavenly Birth.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Two stamps there are marked on all living men,<br /> + Divine and Undivine; I spake to thee<br /> + By what marks thou shouldst know the Heavenly Man,<br /> + Hear from me now of the Unheavenly!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + They comprehend not, the Unheavenly,<br /> + How Souls go forth from Me; nor how they come<br /> + Back unto Me: nor is there Truth in these,<br /> + Nor purity, nor rule of Life. "This world<br /> + Hath not a Law, nor Order, nor a Lord,"<br /> + So say they: "nor hath risen up by Cause<br /> + Following on Cause, in perfect purposing,<br /> + But is none other than a House of Lust."<br /> + And, this thing thinking, all those ruined ones--<br /> + Of little wit, dark-minded--give themselves<br /> + To evil deeds, the curses of their kind.<br /> + Surrendered to desires insatiable,<br /> + Full of deceitfulness, folly, and pride,<br /> + In blindness cleaving to their errors, caught<br /> + Into the sinful course, they trust this lie<br /> + As it were true--this lie which leads to death--<br /> + Finding in Pleasure all the good which is,<br /> + And crying "Here it finisheth!"<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Ensnared<br /> + In nooses of a hundred idle hopes,<br /> + Slaves to their passion and their wrath, they buy<br /> + Wealth with base deeds, to glut hot appetites;<br /> + "Thus much, to-day," they say, "we gained! thereby<br /> + Such and such wish of heart shall have its fill;<br /> + And this is ours! and th' other shall be ours!<br /> + To-day we slew a foe, and we will slay<br /> + Our other enemy to-morrow! Look!<br /> + Are we not lords? Make we not goodly cheer?<br /> + Is not our fortune famous, brave, and great?<br /> + Rich are we, proudly born! What other men<br /> + Live like to us? Kill, then, for sacrifice!<br /> + Cast largesse, and be merry!" So they speak<br /> + Darkened by ignorance; and so they fall--<br /> + Tossed to and fro with projects, tricked, and bound<br /> + In net of black delusion, lost in lusts--<br /> + Down to foul Naraka. Conceited, fond,<br /> + Stubborn and proud, dead-drunken with the wine<br /> + Of wealth, and reckless, all their offerings<br /> + Have but a show of reverence, being not made<br /> + In piety of ancient faith. Thus vowed<br /> + To self-hood, force, insolence, feasting, wrath,<br /> + These My blasphemers, in the forms they wear<br /> + And in the forms they breed, my foemen are,<br /> + Hateful and hating; cruel, evil, vile,<br /> + Lowest and least of men, whom I cast down<br /> + Again, and yet again, at end of lives,<br /> + Into some devilish womb, whence--birth by birth--<br /> + The devilish wombs re-spawn them, all beguiled;<br /> + And, till they find and worship Me, sweet Prince!<br /> + Tread they that Nether Road.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The Doors of Hell<br /> + Are threefold, whereby men to ruin pass,--<br /> + The door of Lust, the door of Wrath, the door<br /> + Of Avarice. Let a man shun those three!<br /> + He who shall turn aside from entering<br /> + All those three gates of Narak, wendeth straight<br /> + To find his peace, and comes to Swarga's gate.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + . . . . . . . . . . . .[FN#33]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER XVI. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Daivasarasaupadwibhagayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of the Separateness of the Divine and Undivine."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap17"></a> + CHAPTER XVII<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + If men forsake the holy ordinance,<br /> + Heedless of Shastras, yet keep faith at heart<br /> + And worship, what shall be the state of those,<br /> + Great Krishna! Sattwan, Rajas, Tamas? Say!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + Threefold the faith is of mankind and springs<br /> + From those three qualities,--becoming "true,"<br /> + Or "passion-stained," or "dark," as thou shalt hear!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The faith of each believer, Indian Prince!<br /> + Conforms itself to what he truly is.<br /> + Where thou shalt see a worshipper, that one<br /> + To what he worships lives assimilate,<br /> + [Such as the shrine, so is the votary,]<br /> + The "soothfast" souls adore true gods; the souls<br /> + Obeying Rajas worship Rakshasas[FN#34]<br /> + Or Yakshas; and the men of Darkness pray<br /> + To Pretas and to Bhutas.[FN#35] Yea, and those<br /> + Who practise bitter penance, not enjoined<br /> + By rightful rule--penance which hath its root<br /> + In self-sufficient, proud hypocrisies--<br /> + Those men, passion-beset, violent, wild,<br /> + Torturing--the witless ones--My elements<br /> + Shut in fair company within their flesh,<br /> + (Nay, Me myself, present within the flesh!)<br /> + Know them to devils devoted, not to Heaven!<br /> + For like as foods are threefold for mankind<br /> + In nourishing, so is there threefold way<br /> + Of worship, abstinence, and almsgiving!<br /> + Hear this of Me! there is a food which brings<br /> + Force, substance, strength, and health, and joy to live,<br /> + Being well-seasoned, cordial, comforting,<br /> + The "Soothfast" meat. And there be foods which bring<br /> + Aches and unrests, and burning blood, and grief,<br /> + Being too biting, heating, salt, and sharp,<br /> + And therefore craved by too strong appetite.<br /> + And there is foul food--kept from over-night,[FN#36]<br /> + Savourless, filthy, which the foul will eat,<br /> + A feast of rottenness, meet for the lips<br /> + Of such as love the "Darkness."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thus with rites;--<br /> + A sacrifice not for rewardment made,<br /> + Offered in rightful wise, when he who vows<br /> + Sayeth, with heart devout, "This I should do!"<br /> + Is "Soothfast" rite. But sacrifice for gain,<br /> + Offered for good repute, be sure that this,<br /> + O Best of Bharatas! is Rajas-rite,<br /> + With stamp of "passion." And a sacrifice<br /> + Offered against the laws, with no due dole<br /> + Of food-giving, with no accompaniment<br /> + Of hallowed hymn, nor largesse to the priests,<br /> + In faithless celebration, call it vile,<br /> + The deed of "Darkness!"--lost!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Worship of gods<br /> + Meriting worship; lowly reverence<br /> + Of Twice-borns, Teachers, Elders; Purity,<br /> + Rectitude, and the Brahmacharya's vow,<br /> + And not to injure any helpless thing,--<br /> + These make a true religiousness of Act.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Words causing no man woe, words ever true,<br /> + Gentle and pleasing words, and those ye say<br /> + In murmured reading of a Sacred Writ,--<br /> + These make the true religiousness of Speech.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Serenity of soul, benignity,<br /> + Sway of the silent Spirit, constant stress<br /> + To sanctify the Nature,--these things make<br /> + Good rite, and true religiousness of Mind.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Such threefold faith, in highest piety<br /> + Kept, with no hope of gain, by hearts devote,<br /> + Is perfect work of Sattwan, true belief.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Religion shown in act of proud display<br /> + To win good entertainment, worship, fame,<br /> + Such--say I--is of Rajas, rash and vain.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Religion followed by a witless will<br /> + To torture self, or come at power to hurt<br /> + Another,--'tis of Tamas, dark and ill.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The gift lovingly given, when one shall say<br /> + "Now must I gladly give!" when he who takes<br /> + Can render nothing back; made in due place,<br /> + Due time, and to a meet recipient,<br /> + Is gift of Sattwan, fair and profitable.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The gift selfishly given, where to receive<br /> + Is hoped again, or when some end is sought,<br /> + Or where the gift is proffered with a grudge,<br /> + This is of Rajas, stained with impulse, ill.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The gift churlishly flung, at evil time,<br /> + In wrongful place, to base recipient,<br /> + Made in disdain or harsh unkindliness,<br /> + Is gift of Tamas, dark; it doth not bless![FN#37]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDETH CHAPTER XVII. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,<br /> + Entitled "Sraddhatrayavibhagayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by the Threefold Kinds of Faith."<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3><a id="chap18"></a> + CHAPTER XVIII<br /> +</h3> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Fain would I better know, Thou Glorious One!<br /> + The very truth--Heart's Lord!--of Sannyas,<br /> + Abstention; and enunciation, Lord!<br /> + Tyaga; and what separates these twain!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Krishna.<br /> + The poets rightly teach that Sannyas<br /> + Is the foregoing of all acts which spring<br /> + Out of desire; and their wisest say<br /> + Tyaga is renouncing fruit of acts.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + There be among the saints some who have held<br /> + All action sinful, and to be renounced;<br /> + And some who answer, "Nay! the goodly acts--<br /> + As worship, penance, alms--must be performed!"<br /> + Hear now My sentence, Best of Bharatas!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + 'Tis well set forth, O Chaser of thy Foes!<br /> + Renunciation is of threefold form,<br /> + And Worship, Penance, Alms, not to be stayed;<br /> + Nay, to be gladly done; for all those three<br /> + Are purifying waters for true souls!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Yet must be practised even those high works<br /> + In yielding up attachment, and all fruit<br /> + Produced by works. This is My judgment, Prince!<br /> + This My insuperable and fixed decree!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Abstaining from a work by right prescribed<br /> + Never is meet! So to abstain doth spring<br /> + From "Darkness," and Delusion teacheth it.<br /> + Abstaining from a work grievous to flesh,<br /> + When one saith "'Tis unpleasing!" this is null!<br /> + Such an one acts from "passion;" nought of gain<br /> + Wins his Renunciation! But, Arjun!<br /> + Abstaining from attachment to the work,<br /> + Abstaining from rewardment in the work,<br /> + While yet one doeth it full faithfully,<br /> + Saying, "Tis right to do!" that is "true " act<br /> + And abstinence! Who doeth duties so,<br /> + Unvexed if his work fail, if it succeed<br /> + Unflattered, in his own heart justified,<br /> + Quit of debates and doubts, his is "true" act:<br /> + For, being in the body, none may stand<br /> + Wholly aloof from act; yet, who abstains<br /> + From profit of his acts is abstinent.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The fruit of labours, in the lives to come,<br /> + Is threefold for all men,--Desirable,<br /> + And Undesirable, and mixed of both;<br /> + But no fruit is at all where no work was.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Hear from me, Long-armed Lord! the makings five<br /> + Which go to every act, in Sankhya taught<br /> + As necessary. First the force; and then<br /> + The agent; next, the various instruments;<br /> + Fourth, the especial effort; fifth, the God.<br /> + What work soever any mortal doth<br /> + Of body, mind, or speech, evil or good,<br /> + By these five doth he that. Which being thus,<br /> + Whoso, for lack of knowledge, seeth himself<br /> + As the sole actor, knoweth nought at all<br /> + And seeth nought. Therefore, I say, if one--<br /> + Holding aloof from self--with unstained mind<br /> + Should slay all yonder host, being bid to slay,<br /> + He doth not slay; he is not bound thereby!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Knowledge, the thing known, and the mind which knows,<br /> + These make the threefold starting-ground of act.<br /> + The act, the actor, and the instrument,<br /> + These make the threefold total of the deed.<br /> + But knowledge, agent, act, are differenced<br /> + By three dividing qualities. Hear now<br /> + Which be the qualities dividing them.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + There is "true" Knowledge. Learn thou it is this:<br /> + To see one changeless Life in all the Lives,<br /> + And in the Separate, One Inseparable.<br /> + There is imperfect Knowledge: that which sees<br /> + The separate existences apart,<br /> + And, being separated, holds them real.<br /> + There is false Knowledge: that which blindly clings<br /> + To one as if 'twere all, seeking no Cause,<br /> + Deprived of light, narrow, and dull, and "dark."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + There is "right" Action: that which being enjoined--<br /> + Is wrought without attachment, passionlessly,<br /> + For duty, not for love, nor hate, nor gain.<br /> + There is "vain" Action: that which men pursue<br /> + Aching to satisfy desires, impelled<br /> + By sense of self, with all-absorbing stress:<br /> + This is of Rajas--passionate and vain.<br /> + There is "dark" Action: when one doth a thing<br /> + Heedless of issues, heedless of the hurt<br /> + Or wrong for others, heedless if he harm<br /> + His own soul--'tis of Tamas, black and bad!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + There is the "rightful"doer. He who acts<br /> + Free from self-seeking, humble, resolute,<br /> + Steadfast, in good or evil hap the same,<br /> + Content to do aright-he "truly" acts.<br /> + There is th' "impassioned" doer. He that works<br /> + From impulse, seeking profit, rude and bold<br /> + To overcome, unchastened; slave by turns<br /> + Of sorrow and of joy: of Rajas he!<br /> + And there be evil doers; loose of heart,<br /> + Low-minded, stubborn, fraudulent, remiss,<br /> + Dull, slow, despondent--children of the "dark."<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Hear, too, of Intellect and Steadfastness<br /> + The threefold separation, Conqueror-Prince!<br /> + How these are set apart by Qualities.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Good is the Intellect which comprehends<br /> + The coming forth and going back of life,<br /> + What must be done, and what must not be done,<br /> + What should be feared, and what should not be feared,<br /> + What binds and what emancipates the soul:<br /> + That is of Sattwan, Prince! of "soothfastness."<br /> + Marred is the Intellect which, knowing right<br /> + And knowing wrong, and what is well to do<br /> + And what must not be done, yet understands<br /> + Nought with firm mind, nor as the calm truth is:<br /> + This is of Rajas, Prince! and "passionate!"<br /> + Evil is Intellect which, wrapped in gloom,<br /> + Looks upon wrong as right, and sees all things<br /> + Contrariwise of Truth. O Pritha's Son!<br /> + That is of Tamas, "dark" and desperate!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Good is the steadfastness whereby a man<br /> + Masters his beats of heart, his very breath<br /> + Of life, the action of his senses; fixed<br /> + In never-shaken faith and piety:<br /> + That is of Sattwan, Prince! "soothfast" and fair!<br /> + Stained is the steadfastness whereby a man<br /> + Holds to his duty, purpose, effort, end,<br /> + For life's sake, and the love of goods to gain,<br /> + Arjuna! 'tis of Rajas, passion-stamped!<br /> + Sad is the steadfastness wherewith the fool<br /> + Cleaves to his sloth, his sorrow, and his fears,<br /> + His folly and despair. This--Pritha's Son!--<br /> + Is born of Tamas, "dark" and miserable!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Hear further, Chief of Bharatas! from Me<br /> + The threefold kinds of Pleasure which there be.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Good Pleasure is the pleasure that endures,<br /> + Banishing pain for aye; bitter at first<br /> + As poison to the soul, but afterward<br /> + Sweet as the taste of Amrit. Drink of that!<br /> + It springeth in the Spirit's deep content.<br /> + And painful Pleasure springeth from the bond<br /> + Between the senses and the sense-world. Sweet<br /> + As Amrit is its first taste, but its last<br /> + Bitter as poison. 'Tis of Rajas, Prince!<br /> + And foul and "dark" the Pleasure is which springs<br /> + From sloth and sin and foolishness; at first<br /> + And at the last, and all the way of life<br /> + The soul bewildering. 'Tis of Tamas, Prince!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + For nothing lives on earth, nor 'midst the gods<br /> + In utmost heaven, but hath its being bound<br /> + With these three Qualities, by Nature framed.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + The work of Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas,<br /> + And Sudras, O thou Slayer of thy Foes!<br /> + Is fixed by reason of the Qualities<br /> + Planted in each:<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + A Brahman's virtues, Prince!<br /> + Born of his nature, are serenity,<br /> + Self-mastery, religion, purity,<br /> + Patience, uprightness, learning, and to know<br /> + The truth of things which be. A Kshatriya's pride,<br /> + Born of his nature, lives in valour, fire,<br /> + Constancy, skilfulness, spirit in fight,<br /> + And open-handedness and noble mien,<br /> + As of a lord of men. A Vaisya's task,<br /> + Born with his nature, is to till the ground,<br /> + Tend cattle, venture trade. A Sudra's state,<br /> + Suiting his nature, is to minister.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Whoso performeth--diligent, content--<br /> + The work allotted him, whate'er it be,<br /> + Lays hold of perfectness! Hear how a man<br /> + Findeth perfection, being so content:<br /> + He findeth it through worship--wrought by work--<br /> + Of Him that is the Source of all which lives,<br /> + Of HIM by Whom the universe was stretched.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Better thine own work is, though done with fault,<br /> + Than doing others' work, ev'n excellently.<br /> + He shall not fall in sin who fronts the task<br /> + Set him by Nature's hand! Let no man leave<br /> + His natural duty, Prince! though it bear blame!<br /> + For every work hath blame, as every flame<br /> + Is wrapped in smoke! Only that man attains<br /> + Perfect surcease of work whose work was wrought<br /> + With mind unfettered, soul wholly subdued,<br /> + Desires for ever dead, results renounced.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Learn from me, Son of Kunti! also this,<br /> + How one, attaining perfect peace, attains<br /> + BRAHM, the supreme, the highest height of all!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Devoted--with a heart grown pure, restrained<br /> + In lordly self-control, forgoing wiles<br /> + Of song and senses, freed from love and hate,<br /> + Dwelling 'mid solitudes, in diet spare,<br /> + With body, speech, and will tamed to obey,<br /> + Ever to holy meditation vowed,<br /> + From passions liberate, quit of the Self,<br /> + Of arrogance, impatience, anger, pride;<br /> + Freed from surroundings, quiet, lacking nought--<br /> + Such an one grows to oneness with the BRAHM;<br /> + Such an one, growing one with BRAHM, serene,<br /> + Sorrows no more, desires no more; his soul,<br /> + Equally loving all that lives, loves well<br /> + Me, Who have made them, and attains to Me.<br /> + By this same love and worship doth he know<br /> + Me as I am, how high and wonderful,<br /> + And knowing, straightway enters into Me.<br /> + And whatsoever deeds he doeth--fixed<br /> + In Me, as in his refuge--he hath won<br /> + For ever and for ever by My grace<br /> + Th' Eternal Rest! So win thou! In thy thoughts<br /> + Do all thou dost for Me! Renounce for Me!<br /> + Sacrifice heart and mind and will to Me!<br /> + Live in the faith of Me! In faith of Me<br /> + All dangers thou shalt vanquish, by My grace;<br /> + But, trusting to thyself and heeding not,<br /> + Thou can'st but perish! If this day thou say'st,<br /> + Relying on thyself, "I will not fight!"<br /> + Vain will the purpose prove! thy qualities<br /> + Would spur thee to the war. What thou dost shun,<br /> + Misled by fair illusions, thou wouldst seek<br /> + Against thy will, when the task comes to thee<br /> + Waking the promptings in thy nature set.<br /> + There lives a Master in the hearts of men<br /> + Maketh their deeds, by subtle pulling--strings,<br /> + Dance to what tune HE will. With all thy soul<br /> + Trust Him, and take Him for thy succour, Prince!<br /> + So--only so, Arjuna!--shalt thou gain--<br /> + By grace of Him--the uttermost repose,<br /> + The Eternal Place!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thus hath been opened thee<br /> + This Truth of Truths, the Mystery more hid<br /> + Than any secret mystery. Meditate!<br /> + And--as thou wilt--then act!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Nay! but once more<br /> + Take My last word, My utmost meaning have!<br /> + Precious thou art to Me; right well-beloved!<br /> + Listen! I tell thee for thy comfort this.<br /> + Give Me thy heart! adore Me! serve Me! cling<br /> + In faith and love and reverence to Me!<br /> + So shalt thou come to Me! I promise true,<br /> + For thou art sweet to Me!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + And let go those--<br /> + Rites and writ duties! Fly to Me alone!<br /> + Make Me thy single refuge! I will free<br /> + Thy soul from all its sins! Be of good cheer!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + [Hide, the holy Krishna saith,<br /> + This from him that hath no faith,<br /> + Him that worships not, nor seeks<br /> + Wisdom's teaching when she speaks:<br /> + Hide it from all men who mock;<br /> + But, wherever, 'mid the flock<br /> + Of My lovers, one shall teach<br /> + This divinest, wisest, speech--<br /> + Teaching in the faith to bring<br /> + Truth to them, and offering<br /> + Of all honour unto Me--<br /> + Unto Brahma cometh he!<br /> + Nay, and nowhere shall ye find<br /> + Any man of all mankind<br /> + Doing dearer deed for Me;<br /> + Nor shall any dearer be<br /> + In My earth. Yea, furthermore,<br /> + Whoso reads this converse o'er,<br /> + Held by Us upon the plain,<br /> + Pondering piously and fain,<br /> + He hath paid Me sacrifice!<br /> + (Krishna speaketh in this wise!)<br /> + Yea, and whoso, full of faith,<br /> + Heareth wisely what it saith,<br /> + Heareth meekly,--when he dies,<br /> + Surely shall his spirit rise<br /> + To those regions where the Blest,<br /> + Free of flesh, in joyance rest.]<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Hath this been heard by thee, O Indian Prince!<br /> + With mind intent? hath all the ignorance--<br /> + Which bred thy trouble--vanished, My Arjun?<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Arjuna.<br /> + Trouble and ignorance are gone! the Light<br /> + Hath come unto me, by Thy favour, Lord!<br /> + Now am I fixed! my doubt is fled away!<br /> + According to Thy word, so will I do!<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Sanjaya.<br /> + Thus gathered I the gracious speech of Krishna, O my King!<br /> + Thus have I told, with heart a-thrill, this wise and wondrous thing<br /> + By great Vyasa's learning writ, how Krishna's self made known<br /> + The Yoga, being Yoga's Lord. So is the high truth shown!<br /> + And aye, when I remember, O Lord my King, again<br /> + Arjuna and the God in talk, and all this holy strain,<br /> + Great is my gladness: when I muse that splendour, passing speech,<br /> + Of Hari, visible and plain, there is no tongue to reach<br /> + My marvel and my love and bliss. O Archer-Prince! all hail!<br /> + O Krishna, Lord of Yoga! surely there shall not fail<br /> + Blessing, and victory, and power, for Thy most mighty sake,<br /> + Where this song comes of Arjun, and how with God he spake.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + HERE ENDS, WITH CHAPTER XVIII.,<br /> + Entitled "Mokshasanyasayog,"<br /> + Or "The Book of Religion by Deliverance and Renunciation,"<br /> + THE BHAGAVAD-GITA.<br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#1] Some repetitionary lines are here omitted. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#2] Technical phrases of Vedic religion. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#3] The whole of this passage is highly involved and difficult to +render. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#4] I feel convinced sankhyanan and yoginan must be transposed +here in sense. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#5] I am doubtful of accuracy here. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#6] A name of the sun. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#7] Without desire of fruit. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#8] That is,"joy and sorrow, success and failure, heat and cold,"&c. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#9] i.e., the body. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#10] The Sanskrit has this play on the double meaning of Atman. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#11] So in original. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#12] Beings of low and devilish nature. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#13] Krishna. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#14] I read here janma, "birth;" not jara,"age" +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#15] I have discarded ten lines of Sanskrit text here as an +undoubted interpolation by some Vedantist +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#16] The Sanskrit poem here rises to an elevation of style and +manner which I have endeavoured to mark by change of metre. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#17] Ahinsa. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#18] The nectar of immortality. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#19] Called "The Jap." +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#20] The compound form of Sanskrit words. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#21] "Kamalapatraksha" +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#22] These are all divine or deified orders of the Hindoo Pantheon. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#23] "Hail to Thee, God of Gods! Be favourable!" +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#24] The wind. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#25] "Not peering about,"anapeksha. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#26] The Calcutta edition of the Mahabharata has these three +opening lines. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#27] This is the nearest possible version of +Kshetrakshetrajnayojnanan yat tajnan matan mama. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#28] I omit two lines of the Sanskrit here, evidently interpolated by +some Vedantist. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#29] Wombs. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#30] I do not consider the Sanskrit verses here-which are somewhat +freely rendered--"an attack on the authority of the Vedas," with Mr +Davies, but a beautiful lyrical episode, a new "Parable of the fig-tree." +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#31] I omit a verse here, evidently interpolated. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#32] "Of the Asuras," lit. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#33] I omit the ten concluding shlokas, with Mr Davis. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#34] Rakshasas and Yakshas are unembodied but capricious beings +of great power, gifts, and beauty, same times also of benignity. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#35] These are spirits of evil wandering ghosts. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#36] Yatayaman, food which has remained after the watches of the +night. In India this would probably "go bad." +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +[FN#37] I omit the concluding shlokas, as of very doubtful authenticity. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bhagavad-Gita, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BHAGAVAD-GITA *** + +***** This file should be named 2388-h.htm or 2388-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/8/2388/ + +Produced by J. C. Byers. HTML version by Al Haines. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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