Poetic RenderingDoes the elephant fear the mahout’s goad?No though mighty, it bears him lightlyand obeys without trembling.But before the lion, it quakes.So too, O Kudalasangamadeva:I do not fear the king,nor…

Poetic RenderingLike one who scratches his cheekwith the poisoned fang of a serpent,like one who tries to loosen tangled hairusing a glowing ember,like the fool who reaches for the living…

Poetic RenderingIf a man, seeing the snake-pit,slithers as though he were truly a serpentwhat is such acting worth?If another, watching water,mimics the glide of a water-snakecan such borrowed movement please…

Poetic RenderingCan a serpent be killedby beating the ground around its hole?What use are fierce austeritieswhen the mind still wanders impure?When inner faith breaks,every effort falls to dust.Kudalasangamadevawithout purity in…

Poetic RenderingFor my own inner fulfilment I offer dāsoha;seeing the universal Liṅga shining in another,I bow my head in reverence.But if one who wears the Liṅgastands apart from its truth,then,…

Poetic RenderingThe morning sun warms the skinthe noon sun scorches it.So it is with devotion, O Lord:worship of the Linga begins soft and sweet,but service to the jangamaburns away every…

Poetic RenderingLike a washerman thrashing clotheshe cannot keep,so I once lashed at life’s illusionsbeauty, wealth, the lure of land and soil.Blind to You, O Koodalasangamadeva,I fed upon shadows.Only in You…

Poetic RenderingLet me see myself as foe or friend  whichever truth You show me.If I stand against Your sharanas,let that be my undoing;if old, stubborn thoughts cling to me,burn them…

Poetic RenderingThey raised me high with their flowery wordsbut every blossom hid a thorn.Their praises were knives of gold,glittering, yet cutting deep.They crowned me with applause,clapped their hands around meand…