Rude gods and goddesses smeared with
vermilion,—who could worship such masters?
They cry out for their bellies’ needs, and
demand a handful of sin. They worry others like
beggars, for their own sakes; what can they give
to men? I have known what it is to wait on them;
it is in truth a base and vile inclination. A slave can
only promise hospitality, but a master will offer it
with his own hand. Words of compassion, designed
for the moment, are all an empty show. How
much water can there be in a rivulet?—not enough
to wet the lips or satisfy the desires. It is all
weariness, from beginning to end, even if it ripens
through long penances to fruit. They keep their
faces covered with red paint, and wear a heavy
garment upon them; they punish themselves
with cracks; only beggars call such things gods.
Such is not Narayana, nor Janardana, who pervades
the world. Tuka says, Meditate on that God, all
others come to worship.
vermilion,—who could worship such masters?
They cry out for their bellies’ needs, and
demand a handful of sin. They worry others like
beggars, for their own sakes; what can they give
to men? I have known what it is to wait on them;
it is in truth a base and vile inclination. A slave can
only promise hospitality, but a master will offer it
with his own hand. Words of compassion, designed
for the moment, are all an empty show. How
much water can there be in a rivulet?—not enough
to wet the lips or satisfy the desires. It is all
weariness, from beginning to end, even if it ripens
through long penances to fruit. They keep their
faces covered with red paint, and wear a heavy
garment upon them; they punish themselves
with cracks; only beggars call such things gods.
Such is not Narayana, nor Janardana, who pervades
the world. Tuka says, Meditate on that God, all
others come to worship.