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The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Ascetic Pretense |
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Verse 271
Undeceived by a deceiver's duplicity,
His own five elements silently mock him.
Verse 272
Of what avail is an outer appearance of saintliness,
If the mind suffers inwardly from knowledge of its iniquity?
Verse 273
He who has not attained the power yet wears the garb of saints
Is like a cow that grazes about wearing a tiger's skin.
Verse 274
He who conceals himself beneath saintly robes and commits sins
Is like the hunter who hides in the bushes to snare unwary birds.
Verse 275
When those who claim dispassion act deceitfully,
The day will come when they exclaim,"Alas! Alas! What have I done?"
Verse 276
None is so heartless as he who, without renunciation in his heart,
Poses as a renunciate and lives fraudulently.
Verse 277
Like the poisonous jequirity seed, with its bright and black sides,
There are outwardly dazzling men whose insides are dark.
Verse 278
Many are the men who piously bath in purifying waters,
While in their dark hearts impure conduct lies concealed.
Verse 279
The arrow is straight but cruel; the lute is crooked but sweet.
Therefore, judge men by their acts, not their appearance.
Verse 280
Neither shaven head nor long locks are required,
Provided one refrains from conduct condemned by the world.
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The Holy Kural
Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar,
translated under the guidance of Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Ascetic Pretense |
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