SRI AUROBINDO

Translations

from Sanskrit and Other Languages

Kalidasa

Bhartrihari. The Century of Life

On Wealth

Remonstrance with the Suppliant

What the Creator on thy forehead traced

As on a plate of bronze indelibly,

Expect that much or little, worst or best,

Wherever thou dwell, nobly or wretchedly,

Since thou shalt not have less, though full of pain

In deserts waterless mid savage men

Thou wander sole; nor on Olympus hoar

Ranked amid mighty Gods shalt thou have more.

Therefore be royal-hearted still and bold,

O man, nor thy proud crest in vain abase

Cringing to rich men for their gathered gold.

From the small well or ocean fathomless

The jar draws equally what it can hold.