Today's Beautiful Gem: `Some straw and lots of
sorrow' by Haala from
"gaathasaptas'ati" (also called Gahakoso), translated
by A. L. Basham.
| "bhanDantIa
taNAiM sottuM diNNAi jAi pahiassa tAi ccea pahAe ajjA AaDDhai ruantI" |
| "Last night
with scorn the lady gave | the wanderer straw for his bed; | This morning she gathers | it together, weeping." |
Note: Gahakoso is a collection of 700 verses in Prakrit. These
are said to be exquisitely beautiful and charming. The above
poem,
according to literary critics, is one of the best love poems ever
written. Prakrit is the language of the common man in ancient
India.
In fact, Buddhism was easily accepted because its tenets were
preached in the tongue understood by people. The feelings of
ordinary men and women are reflected in these poems. The
situation
in the above poem is obvious. As Valentine's Day draws near, let
me satisfy the appetite of the readers with love poems from all
over the world.
om s'aantih: Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao
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