Living
Epigram LV
Translated by Paul Elmer More (1898) · From A Century of Indian Epigrams (1898)
Living
Before the Gods we bend in awe,
But lo, they bow to fate's dread law
Honor to Fate, then, austere lord!
But lo, it fashions but our works' reward.
Nay, if past works our present state
Engender, what of gods and fate?
Honor to Works! in them the power
Before whose awful nod even fate must cower.
Cite this poem
MLA
Bhartrihari. “Epigram LV.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/52/.
Chicago
Bhartrihari. “Epigram LV.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/52/.
Read this poem with the Codex →