Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Search the Poetry Chaikhana site:


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Forum | Video Channel
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com

| View All Poems by Basava | Next Poem >>

Does it matter how long

Basava, Basava poetry, Yoga / Hindu, Yoga / Hindu poetry, Shaivite (Shiva) poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry by Basava
(1134 - 1196) Timeline

English version by
A. K. Ramanujan

Original Language
Kannada
Yoga / Hindu : Shaivite (Shiva)
12th Century

Does it matter how long
a rock soaks in the water:
will it ever grow soft?

Does it matter how long
I've spent in worship,
when the heart is fickle?

Futile as a ghost
I stand guard over hidden gold,

O lord of the meeting rivers.

 

 

-- from Speaking of Siva, by A K Ramanujan

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Garden
  Heart
  Water
 
 


Recommended Books


Speaking of Siva, by A K Ramanujan
The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice, by Georg Feuerstein

 

| View More Poems by Basava | Next Poem >>

 

 


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Forum | Twitter
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com
Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.