SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
Kalidasa
Bhartrihari. The Century of Life
On Virtue
Behold the water’s way,– on iron red
When it falls hissing, not a trace remains,
Yet ’tis the same that on the lotus shines,
A dewy thing like pearls,– yea, pearl indeed
Turns when the oyster-shell receives and heaven
To those rain-bringing stars their hour has given.
High virtue, vice or inconspicuous mean
’Tis company that moulds in things or men.