black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

Those from whom we were born have long since departed, and those with whom we grew up exist only in memory. We, too, through the approach of death, become, as it were, trees growing on the sandy bank of a river.

Bhartrhari

Man is but a beast without it: such a glorious god is Learning.
BHARTRHARI

Beast Learning Men
The constant man loses not his virtue in misfortune. A torch may point towards the ground, but its flame will still point upwards.
BHARTRHARI

Flames Men Torch
Knowledge is wonderful and truth serene But man in their service bleeds.
BHARTRHARI

Knowledge Men Wonderful
Kindness can turn the bad man’s heart, and fools convert to wise, Make poison into nectar-juice, and friends of enemies.
BHARTRHARI

Heart Kindness Wise
Even the severed branch grows again, and the sunken moon returns: wise men who ponder this are not troubled in adversity.
BHARTRHARI

Adversity Moon Wise
Neither rings, bright chains, nor bracelets, perfumes, flowers, nor well-trimmed hair, Grace a man like polished language, th’ only jewel he should wear.
BHARTRHARI

Flower Hair Men
Those from whom we were born have long since departed, and those with whom we grew up exist only in memory. We, too, through the approach of death, become, as it were, trees growing on the sandy bank of a river.
BHARTRHARI

Long Memories Rivers
The moth unwitting rushes on the fire, Through ignorance the fish devours the bait, We men know well the foes that lie in wait, Yet cannot shun the meshes of desire.
BHARTRHARI

Ignorance Lying Men
Trees loaded with fruit are bent down; the clouds when charged with fresh rain hang down near the earth: even so good men are not uplifted through prosperity. Such is the natural character of the liberal.
BHARTRHARI

Character Men Rain
Our life is like th’ unstable wave, Our bloom of youth decays. Our joys are brief as lightning flash In summer’s cloudy days, Our riches fleet as swift as thought; Faith in the One Supreme Alone will bear us o’er the gulfs Of Being’s stormy stream.
BHARTRHARI

God Joy Summer
A good man may fall, but he falls like a ball [and rebounds]; the ignoble man falls like a lump of clay.
BHARTRHARI

Fall Good Man Men
Those who possess that treasure which no thief can take away, Which, though on suppliants freely spent, increaseth day by day,
BHARTRHARI

Happiness Kings Yield
The pearl on my beloved’s neck, Afflicted sore the oyster!
BHARTRHARI

Oysters Pearls Sacrifice
Fate’s sentence written on the brow no hand can e’er efface.
BHARTRHARI

Fate Hands
Trees bend low with ripened fruit; clouds hang down with gentle rain; noble people bow graciously. This is the way of generous things.
BHARTRHARI

Clouds People Rain
I’ve wandered over many lands, and reaped withal no fruit, I’ve laid my pride of rank aside, and pressed my baffled suit, At stranger boards, like shameless crow, I’ve eaten bitter bread, But fierce Desire, that raging fire, still clamours to be fed.
BHARTRHARI

Fire Land Pride

Those from whom we were born have long since departed, and those with whom we grew up exist only in memory. We, too, through the approach of death, become, as it were, trees growing on the sandy bank of a river.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

Those from whom we were born have long since departed, and those with whom we grew up exist only in memory. We, too, through the approach of death, become, as it were, trees growing on the sandy bank of a river.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Bhartrhari Quotes