Kalidasa - Exhortation of the Dawn
Exhortation of the Dawn
by Kalidasa
English version by W. S. Merwin & J. Moussaieff Masson
Original Language Sanskrit
Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn!
Look to this Day!
For it is Life, the very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the
Verities and Realities of your Existence.
The Bliss of Growth,
The Glory of Action,
The Splendor of Beauty;
For Yesterday is but a Dream,
And To-morrow is only a Vision;
But To-day well lived makes
Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,
And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.
Look well therefore to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!
-- from Sanskrit Love Poetry, Translated by W. S. Merwin / Translated by J. Moussaieff Masson
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Poetry Chaikhana | Kalidasa - Exhortation of the Dawn
This preparation for the day has been a favorite of mine for mine. I first read it 33 years ago in a book of meditations for members of AA. The first and lines were missing and it was presented as a "Sanskrit proverb."
It is nice to learn that its writer was the 4th Century Hindu poet, Kalidasa. Some of my favorite poets were devotees of the manifestation/goddess, Kali; i have no idea why.
by Kalidasa
English version by W. S. Merwin & J. Moussaieff Masson
Original Language Sanskrit
Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn!
Look to this Day!
For it is Life, the very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the
Verities and Realities of your Existence.
The Bliss of Growth,
The Glory of Action,
The Splendor of Beauty;
For Yesterday is but a Dream,
And To-morrow is only a Vision;
But To-day well lived makes
Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,
And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.
Look well therefore to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!
-- from Sanskrit Love Poetry, Translated by W. S. Merwin / Translated by J. Moussaieff Masson
<
Poetry Chaikhana | Kalidasa - Exhortation of the Dawn
This preparation for the day has been a favorite of mine for mine. I first read it 33 years ago in a book of meditations for members of AA. The first and lines were missing and it was presented as a "Sanskrit proverb."
It is nice to learn that its writer was the 4th Century Hindu poet, Kalidasa. Some of my favorite poets were devotees of the manifestation/goddess, Kali; i have no idea why.