Tirumantiram - TANTRA ONE - 5 TRANSITORINESS OF LIFE

Tirumantiram

English translation of the Tamil Spiritual Classic by Saint Tirumular

 

TANTRA ONE

5 TRANSITORINESS OF LIFE

 

187: The Bud Blossoms and Fades; So is Human Life

 

They see the sprouting wanton buds on tender twigs

They see how soon they flash their beauty and die;

Yet they seek not the Holy Feet;

Alas they know not when the sure call comes from High.

 

 

188: When Death's Summons Come, the Five Senses Desert the Body

 

One field lay ready and ripe for the Five senses to work,

The Five, that one field watched and tilled;

But when the grim summons came from the Lord of the Five,

All the Five for ever fled and quitted the field.

 

 

189: Life's Drum Shatters to Pieces

 

One this body-drum, two the rhythms keeping time,

Five the masters who, inside, make display;

But when the great king, indwelling, departed,

The drum lay shattered, a heap of inert clay.

 

 

190: Body is an Empty Vessel

 

The Lord of this body frail that to ashes turns, the Lord of Vedanta dance

Nandi He is, who in this crumbling frame disports

They, who know not what an empty vessel this body is,

They know not what the life sustains and supports.

 

 

191: Our Days are Numbered

 

The sun's rays visit all the quarters ten,

But men measuring with their little sense know this not;

They ponder not nor on the deep mystery muse,

These men on earth--their minds in low passions caught.

 

 

192: Birth and Death are Two Faces of the Coin

 

The deed is drawn, the terms clear specified,

Yet torn to shreds it is--of this men think not much;

The shining dark tresses to full grey turn,

Even so birth and death are one--not two.

 

 

193: Give in Charity Now and Here

 

Same the rice of life that in all body-pots boil;

The Five are the fuel that feeds and kindles the burning Three,

Gifts of rice in charity give, lest birth flame anew,

The days missed of such deeds are for ever lost to Thee.

 

 

194: Lord is the Light Beyond Visible Reach

 

The bee, that nectar seeks, flies high for its flower on top

And there, alone, it sucks the fragrant juice;

Even so, they who seek the blessed grace divine,

Aspire for the Light beyond visible reach of eyes.

 

 

195: Pray and Perform Noble Deeds-This is the Law of Life Eternal

 

Perform thou noble deeds, good Karma to shape,

Praise thou the Holy One, the Holy Land to reach;

This is the law we need, this the law for men

ho, blessed with earthly life, seek the Life eternal.

 

 

196: Share With Others Before You Eat

 

Speak not in envy, stray not from the Dharmic way,

Covet not other's riches with lustful greedy glances;

With heart to pity attuned, as you sit down to eat,

Share with others before the feast commences.