SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
Kalidasa
Bhartrihari. The Century of Life
On the Wicked
Greed if thou hast, thou art of sin secure:
Being treacherous, of what heinous fault hast need?
No distant temple wants whose soul is pure:
Heart’s truth is more than penance, vow or creed.
With natural goodness, why mere virtues pile?
The soul being great, a royal crown were poor;
Good books thou hast, rubies were surplus vile;
When shame has pierced the heart, can death do more?