Lays of Ancient India: Selections from Indian Poetry Rendered Into English Verse

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Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner, 1894 - 224 pages
 

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Page 51 - In the whole world there is no study, except that of the originals, so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. It has been the solace of my life, it will be the solace of my death.
Page 51 - From every sentence deep, original, and sublime thoughts arise, and the whole is pervaded by a high and holy and earnest spirit.
Page 89 - if a man's fame can be measured by the number of hearts who revere his memory, by the number of lips who have mentioned and still mention him with honour, Asoka is more famous than Charlemagne or Caesar.
Page 83 - Thus in many lands they wandered, Buddha and his faithful friend, Teaching truth to many nations, Till his life approached its end. And they say, along the pathway, As the saintly Master went, Fruit trees blossomed out of season And a lovely fragrance lent! And that flowers and sandal-powder Gently fell on him from high, And came strains of heavenly music Gently wafted from the sky! II But the saintly Master whispered To his friend beloved and blest, Tis not thus, O friend Ananda! That the Buddha's...
Page xiii - Rigveda consists of 1,028 hymns, comprising over ten thousand verses. The hymns are generally simple, and betray a childlike and simple faith in the gods, to whom sacrifices are offered and libations of the Soma juice are poured, and who are asked for increase of progeny, cattle, and wealth, and implored to help the Aryans in their ftill doubtful Struggle againsl: the black aborigines of the Punjab.
Page 91 - Royal highways in my empire Are by mangoes shaded, Wells and inns refresh and cheer The thirsty and the jaded. But a mission greater, holier, — To refresh the soul ! To relieve the thirsty heart, And comfort bring to all ! * The name assumed by Asoka in all his inscriptions.
Page 92 - Would'st thou know that pious way, That righteous path of peace — It is the way that leads to joy, To joy and holy bliss ! Religion ! — 'tis another name For Truth and Charity, Religious rite and sacrifice Is Kindness, Purity!
Page 83 - But the saintly Master whispered To his friend beloved and blest, 'Tis not thus, O friend Ananda ! That the Buddha's honoured best. Not by flowers or sandal-powder, Not by music's heavenly strain, Is the soul's true worship rendered, Useless are these things and vain ! But the brother and the sister, Man devout and woman holy, — Pure in life, in duty faithful, — They perform the worship truly...
Page 84 - Night came on, and saintly Buddha Slept in suffering, sick and wan, When a Brahman, seeking wisdom, Came to see the holy man. Anxiously Ananda stopped him, But spoke Buddha, though in pain, ' He who comes to seek for wisdom Shall not come to me in vain!
Page 12 - the name of the Arctic regions rests on a misunderstanding of a name framed thousands of years ago in Central Asia, and the surprise with which many a thoughtful observer has looked at these seven bright stars, wondering why they were ever called the Bear, is removed by a reference to the early annals of human speech.

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