Beyond the Marketplace

Poetic RenderingPot-god, tree-god, street-stone god,banana-bunch god, three-leafed-twig godand look, even the measuring cup becomes a god!Everywhere I turn, gods multiply like waresin a crowded marketplacewhere there is no room leftto…

Eagle’s Gaze

Poetic RenderingThe mind is a serpent,the body its bamboo basket.To live beside such a serpentis to live in vigilance.Do not ask when it will strike,nor when it will swallow you…

Unwashable Stain

Poetic RenderingCan a cloth stained through and throughbecome white againhowever hard you wash or beat it clean?So too the deed you have doneit never leaves your side.Even if you heap…

Spiritual Pawnshop

Poetic RenderingThe image of Marikavve,cast in precious metal,is worn proudly on the neckyet when debt tightens,they sell her.When money presses hard,they pawn her at the lender’s door,trading sanctity for silver.But…

The True Giver

Poetic RenderingSome gods guard the doors of men’s houses,barking like dogs when called.Some gods speak only when prompted,powerless without offerings.But what can such gods give, O Lord?Only You, Koodalasangamadeva, are…