SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
Kalidasa
Bhartrihari. The Century of Life
On Fate
Brihuspathy1 his path of vantage shows,
The red disastrous thunder leaves his hand
Obedient, the high Gods in burning rows
His battled armies make, high heaven’s his fort,
Iravath swings his huge trunk for his sport,
The Almighty’s guardian favours over him stand; –
That Indra with these strengths, this lordship proud
Is broken by his foes in battle loud.
Come then, bow down to Fate. Alas, the vain
Heroisms, virtues, toils of glorious man!
1 Brihuspathy is counsellor to Indra, the King of Heaven, and spiritual guide of the Gods, Iravath is Indra’s elephant.