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The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Austerity |
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Verse 261
It is the nature of asceticism to patiently endure
Hardship and not to harm living creatures.
Verse 262
Austerity belongs to the naturally austere.
Others may attempt it, but to no avail.
Verse 263
Is it because they must provide for renunciates
That others forget to do penance?
Verse 264
Should he but wish it, an ascetics' austerities
Will ruin his foes and reward his friends.
Verse 265
In this world men do austerities assiduously,
Assured of the fulfillment of desired desires.
Verse 266
Those who perform austerities are fulfilling their destiny. All others
Are ensnared by desire and unknowingly work their own destruction.
Verse 267
As the intense fire of the furnace refines gold to brilliancy, so does
The burning suffering of austerity purify the soul to resplendence.
Verse 268
He who has realized by himself his souls' Self
Will be worshiped by all other souls.
Verse 269
So potent is the power acquired through austerity
That those who attain it may even stay the moment of death.
Verse 270
Few people perform penance, while the majority do not.
For this reason the needy multitudes suffer deprivation.
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The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Austerity |
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