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What can I hurt now by Devara Dasimayya (10th Century) Timeline English version by A. K. Ramanujan Original Language Kannada Yoga / Hindu : Shaivite (Shiva) 10th Century The five elements have become one. The sun and the moon, O Rider of the Bull, aren't they really your body? I stand, look on, you're filled with the worlds. What can I hurt now after this, Ramanatha?     -- from Speaking of Siva, by A K Ramanujan Amazon.com	Themes   Moon   Sun       Recommended Books Speaking of Siva, by A K Ramanujan
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

The five elements mentioned in the beginning line are earth, water, fire, air, and ether. When they alchemically "become one" all aspects of the body and mind have become one and the individual as microcosm has become unified with God as the macrocosm.

The final lines have a double meaning. The more surface meaning is saying that after enlightenment, after recognizing how everything is filled with God, he is no longer willing to harm or kill anything. To do so would be to harm an aspect of God.

On a more esoteric level, he is saying that, since nothing has existence other than as a reflection of God, he is saying that nothing can be hurt by him. In fact, you can read it as saying that nothing exists in order to be hurt.

What can I hurt now
after this, Ramanatha?

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
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