Indian Antiquary Vol 51

SR No.: 032543
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 374
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 16

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(JANUARY, 1928
K. Be Humble. 1. Instead of making me a golden crown over a temple tower, on which crows sit and drop dirt, make me a leather-shoe to be trod on by the masters. It is said, "Some are followers of karma, and some of knowledge, but we are followers of the shoes of God's devotees." O Kudalasangama Deva, I spread out the ends of my garment8: this is the only boon that I crave from Thee, "O have meroy."
2. I do not want the place of Brahmâ; I do not want the place of Vishnu; I do not want the place of Rudra ; I do not want any such place. O Kudalasangama Deva, favour me with the high place that knows the feet of Thine excellent devotees.
L. Keep Good Company. 1. You are to keep company with the excellent and the good. But ah, do not seek the company of the wicked and the bad. The company of those whose inner heart is impure is like the terrible poison of Singi Kalakața”, O Kudalasangama Deva.
2. Be not a neighbour to lukewarm devotees. Do not go with them. Do not accompany them on the road. Do not talk to them even from a distance. It is far better to be the sláve of him who is dissolved in the Lióga, who is the servant of Kudalasangama Deva.
3. If a blasphemer offer you a whole kingdom, do not desire it, and do not live near him. But if a Mahâr10 be a devotee of God, it is far better to be his slave. The servants of Kudalasangama Deva fetch leaves from the forest fry them in a pan and live upon them.
4. The husband is a devotee of God, but his wife is a devotee of the cholera-goddess and spirits. What the husband takes is the water of his guru's feet and food offered to Sivall, but what the wife takes is wine and flesh. The faith of those who have such an impure receptacle is like washing the outside of a toddy pot, O Kudalasangama Deva.
M. Be Pure in Mind. 1. O my mind, be not like a monkey that has tasted jaggery (i.e., brown sugar) thinking only of what is sweet. Mind, be not like a fox that has tasted sugar cane: do not think of what you have enjoyed. Mind, do not-like a crow that has flown high in the airdo not cry in every direction. But, when you have seen the servants of Kudalasangama Deva, O my mind, do believe them to be the Linga.
2. When you see the masters, O my mind, act not as a thief to them. If you wish to avoid worldly troubles, be strict, be full of fear, be not proud, and then say, 'I submit.' If you wish to show your faith to the servants of Kudalasangama Deva, O mind. be to them as a servant, and so live.
3. O my mind, do not hurt others in speech. Do not be reluctant when you do good. Do not speak unwisely in company. Take care not to say 'No' to those who ask of you. Use no vulgar words, but humbly offer prayers to the servants of Kudalasangama Deva, spreading out the ends of your garment.
4. My skin is clean, but I am not pure in mind. If I wish to worship Thee, touching Thee with my hands, alas, my hands are not clean If I wish to worship Thee, approaching thee with my mind, alas, my mind is not clean! But if my heart is truly clean, then Kudalasangama Deva will certainly take me up, saying, Come here.
5. Alas I my wicked mind torments me. I am like a pot broken upon a stone. I am a madman without sense. I am a poor man with no faith. I am an unlucky man with no thought of Thee. O Kudalasangama Deva, have meroy upon me.
(To be continued.) 7 Servants of Siva' and Masters are used for Vira Saiva asceties.
A gesture of humility, • KAlakata is the name of a dark blue poison produced at the churning of the ocean. 10 Mahars are a class of untouchables found in the Marathe country, 11 That is vegetarian food.