Learn From me, Son of Kunti

 

Learn from me, Son of Kunti! also this,

How one, attaining perfect peace, attains

Brahm, the supreme, the highest height of all!

Devoted-with a heart grown pure, restrained

In lordly self-control, foregoing wiles

Of song and senses, freed from love and hate,

Dwelling ‘mid solitudes, in diet spare,

With body, speech, and will tamed to obey,

Ever to holy meditation vowed,

From passions liberate, quit of the Self,

Of arrogance, impatience, anger, pride;

Freed from surroundings, quiet, lacking nought

Such an one grows to oneness with the Brahm;

Such an one, growing one with Brahm, serene,

Sorrows no more, desires no more; his soul,

Equally loving all that lives, loves well Me,

Who have made them, and attains to Me.

By this same love and worship doth he know

Me as I am, how high and wonderful,

And knowing, straightway enters into Me.

And whatsoever deeds he doeth-fixed

In Me, as in his refuge – he hath won

For ever and for ever by My grace Th’ Eternal Rest!
So win thou! In thy thoughts

Do all thou dost for Me! Renounce for Me!

Sacrifice heart and mind and will to Me!

Live in the faith of Me!

In faith of Me All dangers thou shalt vanquish, by My grace,

But, trusting to thyself and heeding not,

Thou can’st but perish!

If this day thou say’st

Relying on thyself, “I will not fight!”

Vain will the purpose prove! thy qualities

Would spur thee to the war.

What thou dost shun,

Misled by fair illusions, thou wouldst seek

Against thy will, when the task comes to thee

Waking the promptings in thy nature set.

There lives a Master in the hearts of men

Maketh their deeds, by subtle pulling-strings,

Dance to what tune He will.

With all thy soul Trust Him, and take

Him for thy succor, Prince! So-only so,

Arjuna!-shall thou gain

By grace of Him-the uttermost repose,

The Eternal Place!

 

From: The Bhagavad Gita (translated by E.Arnold)

 

Source: Poetry For The Spirit;  Ed Alan Jacobs