Living

Verses 360–369

by Vemana dates disputed (placed between the 14th and 17th centuries)

Translated by C. P. Brown (1829) · From Verses of Vemana (Brown, 1829)

Living

360. Among men who are born in the belly that contains urines by the churning which is the lowest and who can be marked as the eminent?

361. The leaf of which cupid has delighted to eat the golden lace that vishnu born from the lotus navel wears round his chest (Lakshmi), the little locket (box) which men ever delight to open and gaze into the hillock that is ever lovingly hidden, the cup from which Brahma daily drinks with thirst, the crystal vase that princes delight to light up, the fair diadem of Siva who seeks alms with a dish under his arm, the box of love powder with which even saints are charmed (or for which they long), it makes the mightiest sing and talk and dance like the fool and sports with them. Can there be any greater assembly of mischievous charms? (a beautiful and easy song)

362. He who serves the semen becomes the seed. He who serveth the holy streams becometh a God. He serves the excellent shall for ever be the deity. (This alludes to shactiyam)

363. Born by copulation and growing up thereby, he lives in coition (lit. becomes it). If thou canst lay aside the practice of this thou shalt attain the pair (Siva & Shacti).

364. He is prisoned in the womb, then gains birth and is wearied through the fluctuations of loss and increase through the Craft of delusion, how can he know either his origin or end)

365. When the day when her breast begin to bud she traps (illegible--JBH) with love. When they become hubbies she causes desire When her breasts dangle, spirits would not covet her.

366. When breasts are budding she is worth three millions; when her breasts are swelled, one million; when her breasts are flabby, she is not worth a farthing,

367. Woman is the mortar in which men pound to wear it out. But they weary themselves and begin to fall over her thighs throughout the world.

368. Him who loses his langoti, they deride as a monkey, drew him mad and hoot him off. Yet will not you loose your langoti in the very presence of your wife?

369. From the juice of food, the juice of the generative drop is produced. From the juice of the generatiyn, seed is formed. To discriminate between the juice and the seed is essential.

MLA

Vemana. “Verses 360–369.” Translated by C. P. Brown. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vemana/36/.

Chicago

Vemana. “Verses 360–369.” Translated by C. P. Brown. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vemana/36/.

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