The Pariah - Legend

WATER-FETCHING goes the noble
Brahmin's wife, so pure and lovely;
He is honour'd, void of blemish.
And of justice rigid, stern.
Daily from the sacred river
Brings she back refreshments precious;--
But where is the pail and pitcher?
She of neither stands in need.
For with pure heart, hands unsullied,
She the water lifts, and rolls it
To a wondrous ball of crystal
This she bears with gladsome bosom,
Modestly, with graceful motion,
To her husband in the house.

She to-day at dawn of morning
Praying comes to Ganges' waters,
Bends her o'er the glassy surface--
Sudden, in the waves reflected,
Flying swiftly far above her,
From the highest heavens descending,
She discerns the beauteous form
Of a youth divine, created
By the God's primeval wisdom
In his own eternal breast.

When she sees him, straightway feels she
Wondrous, new, confused sensations
In her inmost, deepest being;
Fain she'd linger o'er the vision,
Then repels it,--it returneth,--
And, perplex'd, she bends her flood-wards
With uncertain hands to draw it;
But, alas, she draws no more!
For the water's sacred billows
Seem to fly, to hasten from her;
She but sees the fearful chasm
Of a whirlpool black disclosed.

Arms drop down, and footsteps stumble,
Can this be the pathway homewards?
Shall she fly, or shall she tarry?
Can she think, when thought and counsel,
When assistance all are lost?
So before her spouse appears she--
On her looks he--look is judgment--
Proudly on the sword he seizes,
To the hill of death he drags her,
Where delinquents' blood pays forfeit.
What resistance could she offer?
What excuses could she proffer,
Guilty, knowing not her guilt?

And with bloody sword returns he,
Musing, to his silent dwelling,
When his son before him stands:
"Whose this blood? Oh, father! father!"
"The delinquent woman's!"--"Never!
For upon the sword it dries not,
Like the blood of the delinquent;
Fresh it flows, as from the wound.
Mother! mother! hither hasten!
Unjust never was my father,
Tell me what he now hath done."--
"Silence! silence! hers the blood is!"
"Whose, my father?"--"Silence! Silence!"
"What! oh what! my mother's blood!
What her crime? What did she? Answer!
Now, the sword! the sword now hold I;
Thou thy wife perchance might'st slaughter,
But my mother might'st not slay!
Through the flames the wife is able
Her beloved spouse to follow,
And his dear and only mother
Through the sword her faithful son."
"Stay! oh stay!" exclaim'd the father:
"Yet 'tis time, so hasten, hasten!
Join the head upon the body,
With the sword then touch the figure,
And, alive she'll follow thee."

Hastening, he, with breathless wonder,
Sees the bodies of two women
Lying crosswise, and their heads too;
Oh, what horror! which to choose!
Then his mother's head he seizes,--
Does not kiss it, deadly pale 'tis,--
On the nearest headless body
Puts it quickly, and then blesses
With the sword the pious work.
Then the giant form uprises,--
From the dear lips of his mother,
Lips all god-like--changeless--blissful,
Sound these words with horror fraught:
"Son, oh son! what overhast'ning!
Yonder is thy mother's body,
Near it lies the impious head
Of the woman who hath fallen
Victim to the judgment-sword!
To her body I am grafted
By thy hand for endless ages;
Wise in counsel, wild in action,
I shall be amongst the gods.
E'en the heav'nly boy's own image,
Though in eye and brow so lovely,
Sinking downwards to the bosom
Mad and raging lust will stir.

"'Twill return again for ever,
Ever rising, ever sinking,
Now obscured, and now transfigur'd,--
So great Brama hath ordain'd.
He 'twas sent the beauteous pinions,
Radiant face and slender members
Of the only God-begotten,
That I might be proved and tempted;
For from high descends temptation,
When the gods ordain it so.
And so I, the Brahmin woman,
With my head in Heaven reclining,
Must experience, as a Pariah,
The debasing power of earth.

Son, I send thee to thy father!
Comfort him! Let no sad penance,
Weak delay, or thought of merit,
Hold thee in the desert fast
Wander on through ev'ry nation,
Roam abroad throughout all ages,
And proclaim to e'en the meanest,
That great Brama hears his cry!

"None is in his eyes the meanest--
He whose limbs are lame and palsied,
He whose soul is wildly riven,
Worn with sorrow, hopeless, helpless,
Be he Brahmin, be he Pariah,
If tow'rd heaven he turns his gaze,
Will perceive, will learn to know it:
Thousand eyes are glowing yonder,
Thousand ears are calmly list'ning,
From which nought below is hid.

"If I to his throne soar upward,
If he sees my fearful figure
By his might transform'd to horror,
He for ever will lament it,--
May it to your good be found!
And I now will kindly warn him,
And I now will madly tell him
Whatsoe'er my mind conceiveth,
What within my bosom heaveth.
But my thoughts, my inmost feelings--
Those a secret shall remain."

poem by Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Related quotes

Four kinds of trait

Assets
Brahmin: Brain
Kshatrya: Ego
Vysya: Desire
Sudhra: Skill

Tools
Brahmin: Knowledge
Kshatrya: Valour
Vysya: Risk
Sudhra: Labour

End
Brahmin: Position
Kshatrya: Power
Vysya: Wealth
Sudhra: Acceptance

Yoga
Brahmin: Jnana
Kshatrya: Raja
Vysya: Bhakthi
Suhra: Karma

Sex
Brahmin: Procreation
Kshatrya: Entertainment
Vysya: Lust
Sudhra: Accident

Weakness
Brahmin: Selfishness
Kshatrya: Error of judgment
Vysya: Sin of pursuit
Sudhra: Slip of impulse

Goal
Brahmin: Security
Kshatrya: Authority
Vysya: comfort
Sudhra: Recognition

Value
Brahmin: Eternal
Kshatrya: Justice
Vysya: Dharma
Sudhra: Dedication

Prohibition
Brahmin: Craving
Kshatrya: Treachery
Vysya: Misery
Sudhra: Rivalry

Analogy (animals)
Brahmin: Fox (cunning)
Kshatrya: Lion (commanding)
Vysya: Rat (hoarding)
Sudhra: Ass (labouring)

Analogy (human)
Brahmin: Head
Kshatrya: Heart
Vysya: Senses
Sudhra: Limbs

Analogy (chariot)
Sudhra: horses
Vysya: Wheels
Kshatrya: Whips
Brahmin: Charioteer.

Strains of the traits
Residually still remain
17.10.99
[Hindus used to live as four different sects]

poem by Rm. Shanmugam ChettiarReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Stop These Honour Killings

those who kill in the name of honour
what honour are they talking about?
who are you to take so precious a life
who are you to bring justice about

love conquers all so we are told
but here love has bought only death and hate
redeem your twisted sense of justice
take guard before its just too late

to kill to maim, is not humane
to play God is more insane
oh twisted sense of justice, stop
stop causing so much shock and pain

who are you to kill in the name of honour
what honour are u talking about
leave justice to the one above
forget this violence, just cast it out,

live and let live is what should be
look within and always learn to see
you are not perfect, far from it,
cast out cruelty and tyranny

youre full of lies, ego, false pride,
you think others will look up to you
look within my friend and see yourself
youre not a hero, but the hated few

honour is sacred, burning bright
belongs to men that stand up and fight
men who value life for all
men of honour stand out tall

stop these killings once for all
you think youre high but you'll take a fall
play not the judge, just live your own
before bad karma seeds be sown

poem by Arti ChopraReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Sonnet: The River

Without the River-water, can men live?
It satisfies man's thirst and helps crops grow;
To keep it pure for long, let man thought give;
Alas! 'Tis polluted in ways galore.

Carcasses, corpses, stay afloat on it;
Men bathe their body's dirt and empty sins:
Their 'sacred-ashes' are immersed by bit;
They wash their dirty linen and then rinse.

But why allow effluents to pollute?
Dead flora and fauna and excrement;
The River bears the ignominy brute,
It floods or dries in weather inclement.


0 sacred River, bear with men insane,
Who ages still profane thee without gain.

poem by John CelesReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Lost In My Dreams

Oh, what a summer!
My precious love where are you?
I wanted you and i needed you to come back to me;
But life is not fair when you are gone forever!
I am still lost in my dreams,
Thinking of you daily without a clue;
My precious love where are you?
The weather is too cold and i need you,
Like the dream of the changing seasons;
Oh, what a winter!
My precious love where are you?
It is time to move on to crown my day without you.
How much i needed you in my arms,
How much i wanted you in my arms,
For you are very excellent in love my sweet one;
Like a plant planted by the river side.

My precious love where are you?
The sun is heating on me without you;
My precious love where are you?
The snow is falling on me without you;
My precious one where are you?
I am still in lost in my dreams and i need you.
The vegetation is green and i need you around,
But life is not so fair when you are gone forever!
I am lost in my dreams and i need you.
My precious love when will you come back to me?
I know how much i needed you;
My precious love where are you?
I know how much you wanted me;
Come back to me oh my sweet one;
For i am lost in my dreams without you.

poem by Edward Kofi LouisReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Swift Kill Biting Mosquitoes

goldfish are a sacred species
cats are a sacred species
all life is a sacred species
somewhere to their devotees...

already a few honour all species
already a few honour all life
Buddhists honour all life sacred
most swift kill biting mosquitoes...

poem by Terence George CraddockReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Brook Of Gaiety

Woman is endowed with beauty;
Is a lovely beautiful Deity.
Innocent woman is a brook of Delight;
Her love is a brook of gaiety.

Woman tolerates worries anxieties delightfully;
In a lovely family lives gaily.
As a river she is chaste, endowed with sacrifice;
Is adorned with simplicity, Divine Bliss.

Providing water, electricity the river smiles gaily;
Providing love, affection, kiss, embracement smiles delightfully.
Is a mother tolerating pain patiently;
In a lovely society lives peacefully.

With waste products the river is transparent, pure;
Contents all creatures’ thirst and desire.
The river is pure with the touch of sun ray;
In plants, animals and people provides gay.

Woman garlanded with jasmine is a Beauty;
Is a fairy from Heaven is a Deity.
The silvery face allures lover day and night;
Is a fairy of Indra’s paradise provides delight.

poem by Vavroovahana PatraReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Silence is Magic

Silence has a rigid magic
The obvious one
With red and blue and green
In lights
In darkness is the black
And I for one am silent over everything.

I have deep feelings about the silent mind,
Once it defends itself and bereavement is absent
From the soul. When you demand a soul,
And his or her body is intact.
My silence deserves extra praise,
Like a godly help would receive a living honour.
The honour of silence is sacred.

poem by Naveed AkramReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Ocean of Purity Vavroovahana Patra

Beautiful Mahanadee flows with gaiety;
In all creatures plays waves of delight.
The vast river mingles in the Ocean;
She magnifies the beauty of creation.

All creatures quench thirst drinking water;
Bathing in the river derive purity, pleasure.
The river smiles in the lap of Nature;
Attracts all creatures, pure for ever.

Hindus, Muslims, Christians bathe in the same water;
All are sisters and brothers.
She penetrates rays of purity in all people of Earth;
The lovely river is an Ocean of mirth.

Sun beam kisses the river, magnifies her beauty;
Her lap is a perennial brook of delight.
Lovers enjoy on the cosy sandy lap of rivers;
Solitude, peace, love reigns for ever.

Poets depict poems, derive inspiration;
She is a fairy, Beauty of God’s creation.
Weary travellers rest a while for peace and pleasure.
The lovely bride contents their desire.

poem by Vavroovahana PatraReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

The River

In my first sleep
I came to the river
And looked down
Through the clear water -
Only in dream
Water so pure,
Laced and undulant
Lines of flow
On its rocky bed
Water of life
Streaming for ever.

A house was there
Beside the river
And I, arrived,
An expected guest
About to explore
Old gardens and libraries -
But the car was waiting
To drive me away.

One last look
Into that bright stream -
Trout there were
And clear on the bottom
Monster form
Of the great crayfish
That crawls to the moon.
On its rocky bed
Living water
In whorls and ripples
Flowing unbended.

There was the car
To drive me away.
We crossed the river
Of living water -
I might not stay,
But must return
By the road too short
To the waiting day.

In my second dream
Pure I was and free
By the rapid stream,
My crystal house the sky,
The pure crystalline sky.

Into the stream I flung
A bottle of clear glass
That twirled and tossed and spun
In the water's race
Flashing the morning sun.

Down that swift river
I saw it borne away,
My empty crystal form,
Exultant saw it caught
Into the current's spin,
The flashing water's run.

poem by Kathleen Jessie RaineReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Sonnet: My Father- a Noble Soul!

Oh, what a lovely father, we have had!
He raised a family of children ten
In honest ways, God-fearing, never sad,
And put each one on road towards Heaven.

He kissed the sacred ground while entering church;
He taught his pupils scholarly and well;
Of social justice, his mind was in search;
He prayed by heart so fervently, I tell.

He left us education as our wealth;
He spoke to God in silence every night;
His earnings went to keep us in good health;
The world was wrong but he was always right!

Eternal Light shines on his soul today!
The noble path he trod is now our way.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-23-2006
Written ahead, on behalf of his wife and children,
In memory of his death anniversary, June fifth,

poem by John CelesReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Mystery Of Indravati

MR VAVROO VAHANA PATRA., nabarang pur Odisha, india
MYSTERY OF INDRAVATI
Man may come and man may go
But Indrā vati goes on for ever
From time immemorial she flows,
A lovely river in the lap in nature.
She comes from hills with transparent,
Pure, celestial, dazzling water;
With the touch of morning sunshine
The wavy water gleams and glimmers.
With the touch of setting sun-beams
Slivery turns the transparent water.
Later, the moons glimmering beams
Create a mysterious splendour;
The serpent-like curvy river
Is lovely with magnificent luster.
The nearby crematorium calls
All human beings to the lap of fire;
The cremation ground sings of
The eternal truth and terror.
Human soul, heart and mind
Is filled with dread and fear.
When man dies, for supreme bliss
Searches the soul and upward veers
Leaving nature and lovely creation
And all his near and dear.
By: v v patra, cell number: +91 9853390060

poem by Vavroovahana PatraReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Mahanadi Poet Vavroovahana Patra

Mahanadi Flows from time immemorial on Earth;
Pure water attracts people with mirth.
Mom's fun mirrors on the water;
Beholding, devotees desire pleasure.

Sun god lessees the river in mom;
The purple beam plays on the water in dawn.
The river is miraculous, mysterious.
Allures all lovers with pleasure.

The lap of Nature in ever enchanting;
The river is ever delighting.
Cosy pebbles, sands allure travelers;
Lovers sit on cosy sands with pleasure.

Brudhalinga on the river allures the poet;
Poet surrenders on the feet of got with delight.
God is adomed with fragrant flower;
Allures all devotees with pleasure.

The pure water bathes the feet of Almighty;
The river is proud with gaiety.
Fragrance of flowers enhances devotion;
Devotees enjoy the beauty of god's creation.

poem by Vavroovahana PatraReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Living Life

i let things
come as they are
like the rain
that falls
and the river
that brings the
water out to sea

i take life
like how love flows
negotiates
its way over
every of the
piano keys
to make it to
your heart

i take life
like how
your deft
fingers go
never question
how each dribbles
over the keys
to bring out the
sweet notes of our life

i let troubles
come and go
like the rain fall
and the river that brings
the water out to sea

poem by John Tiong ChunghooReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Well and river, inequitable.

A bath in a river is soothing to your skin.
But the river cannot replace the well.
From well water, you sooth your throat.
So the well has no reason to fear the river.

The one who swims in a river
Returns home with renewed vigour.
His desire to swim in the river
Is not his hate to draw from the well.

No grace will the well lose
Because his master visited the river.
No shame does the river has
Because her visitor is not her master.

One will not desert one’s wife
Because the one courted a tart.
24.03.2001, Pmdi

poem by Rm. Shanmugam ChettiarReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

My Lovely Lady

By: jimmy buffett
1973
When I pay my bills
Gonna leave these tennessee hills
Take my lady to the sea
Thats where we both come from
Thats where we both belong
Think Ill go back to the keys
Chorus:
cause I dont want the fame that brings confusion
Where people recognize you on a plane
All I wants the quiet and the comforts
That livin with my lovely lady brings
Somehow we survived the double talk and jive
Things are looking better all the time
I owe her all I can cause she made me understand
The simple way that we should live our lives
Chorus:
And I dont want the fame that brings confusion
Where people recognize you on a plane
All I wants the quiet and the comforts
That livin with my lovely lady brings
Let me tell you now she can eat her own weight up in crab meat
And theres plenty of that down there by the sea
Well were sailin in those warm december breezes
Sendin picture postcards back to tennessee
Chorus:
Yes and I dont want the fame that brings confusion
Where people recognize you on a plane
All I wants the quiet and the comforts
That livin with my lovely lady brings
Yeah that livin with my lovely lady brings

song performed by by Jimmy BuffettReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Mercy And Justice

Of Mercy and Justice,
And like the refining pot for silver!
But your love is sweet to my soul and health to my bones,
And like the furnace for gold.
Eloquent speech does not become a fool,
Much less lying lips a prince;
For a gift is like a precious jewel to him or her who receives it,
And Mercy and Justice are much needed in our daily lives.

poem by Edward Kofi LouisReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Edge of the Water

On the edge of the water
Worrying more than ought to
river reflects back up at me
the water is cool and calm
a peaceful stream
enters my mind
takes over the steering for me
the river floats around a bend
I'm on the mend
with a tree overlooking the river's curve
two birds make a squawk
skim the river's surface together
river boat bells play to set the mood

poem by Ludvig Von HimmelsteinReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

This Land Of Souls

The soul of Britain is upon our saying,
It determines the citizenry, the values;
For we have loved humanity, and fevers
Mark the occasion for some more leading.

There is human sense, justice is not bewitching,
For witches are the craft of their destiny
As far as magic exists.
The land so grave is a sea so strong.

My genuine love has a honour, and its love
Is purer than the bodies of men that hurl
Their strength at the beloved boulders and rocks.
The rock and cave is fetching a new inhabitant.

poem by Naveed AkramReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Electric Eel Song

Ay! me one child Ay-eeee!
Ay! me one daughter
Take out you’ foot
From the black river water
Haul out you’ hand
Out the slow river water
Stay ‘pon the bank
Of the cold river water
Ay! me one daughter
Ay! me one child! Ay-eeee!

Electric eel
Is the eel in the river
Shadow ‘pon the bottom
Is the eel in the river
Something like you’ hand
Is the eel in the river
Swimming like you’ foot
Is the eel in the river

Ay! me one child Ay-eeee!
Ay! me one daughter
Foot after foot
Though the black river water
She can’t touch the bottom
Out the slow river water
Shirt like umbrella
In the cold river water
Ay! me one daughter
Ay! me one child! Ay-eeee!

Electric eel
Is the eel in the river
Cutlass shape
Is the eel in the river
Black blade or brown
Is the eel in the river
Dozing so quiet
Is the eel in the river

Ay! me one child Ay-eeee!
Ay! me one daughter
Slap of a tail
Through the black river water
Shiver like ague
Out the slow river water
As if she take cramp
Of the cold river water
Ay! me one daughter
Ay! me one child! Ay-eeee!

Electric eel
Is the eel in the river
No blood, just a thrill
Is the eel in the river
Lightning bold
Is the eel in the river
And she Drown now, she chilly
Is the eel in the river

Ay! me one daughter
Ay! me one child! Ay-eeee!

poem by Slade HopkinsonReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

The marriage day

Marriage in human life
Brings a man a wife
And a woman a husband
Who make their lives grand

It adds honour to one’s personality
And brings clarity to our duty
It brings joy to the bride, groom
And to every body in the betrothal room

It is not to unite two bodies
But to ignite two souls
It may give the couple a son
Who shines as bright as the sun

It may give them a daughter
Who is as useful as water
And makes their lives better
Why don’t we celebrate it on twitter?

We may celebrate it in peculiar ways
In different countries
The rituals may be variant
But the bond should be permanent

Marriage makes the two people one
And makes their life a fun
It makes the civilization run
Why don’t we publicize it as much as we can?

poem by Venkata Lakshmi NarasimharaoReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share