SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
Kalidasa
Bhartrihari. The Century of Life
On Fate
When on the desert-bramble’s boughs you find
Leafage nor flower, blame not the bounteous Spring!
Is it the sun’s fault if the owlet blind
Sees not by day so radiant-bright a thing?
Though down the rain-lark’s throat no sweet drops flow,
Yet for his falling showers the high cloud praise.
What Fate has written in power upon the brow,
Where is the hand so mighty it shall rase?