________________
VERSES
POEMS
CIDANANDA
[ Cidananda, one of the saint-poets of the Jainas, was born in the middle of the 19th century. His real name was Karpura Candra. We do not know much about his life or activities, but it is said that once he went on pilgrimage with a Jaina devotee from Bhavnagar in Saurashtra to Girnar and from there he disappeared. After that he rarely came to human locality. He died at Pareshnath Hills. His verses reveal his deep knowledge not only of religion and philosophy of the Jainas, but also of other Faiths more particularly of the Yogic School. Besides theoretical knowledge, it appears that he had intuitive knowledge and supernatural power of a yogi. His verses are direct, full or rhythm and excel in poetic vision and beauty.)
17
Ye have wasted your life Oh fool! Ye have wasted your life. By becoming the slave of Pleasant pleasures Ye have lost your capital Which is pure state of consciousness. By adopting five falsehoods Ye have not been able to discern yet What is real. And ye have become Fond of money and women. And so ye are roaming As if ye have lost your gold. And thus ye are roaming for eternity Suffering the pain of Birth, death and old age And know ye not when it will end. Ye have moved through Eightyfour lacs of species Always changing your shape anew But who will count them unless ye taste The juice of equanimity.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
