Living

Epigram XCVI

by Bhartrihari traditionally 5th–7th century AD

Translated by Paul Elmer More (1898) · From A Century of Indian Epigrams (1898)

Living

Who is the Brahmin? — Not the mother's womb
Declares him, nor the robes that all assume;
But the true heart that never greed beguiles,
Nor turbid lust defiles.

Who is the Brahmin? — He who trembleth not
When snaps the cord that bound to human lot,
Who losing all is glad, whose peace is known
Unto himself alone.

MLA

Bhartrihari. “Epigram XCVI.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/91/.

Chicago

Bhartrihari. “Epigram XCVI.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/91/.

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