The teacher said to his disciple,
'How is it that you look so fresh
Even after grazing the cows
in the forest for the entire day?
Have you cheated the calves
Of their milk again? '
The disciple said,
'Yesterday I fed on the cows' milk
After the calves had their fill.
And you forbid me, because
The calves would leave
more milk in the udder
For me to sate my hunger,
And that's violence against them
Enough to stop me from entering
The doors of heaven.
Today I fed on the drops of milk spilled,
while calves had their fill.'
Guru said,
'You did it again!
The calves would spill more milk
For your stomach to fill.
And that is more violence
That would deprive you of your
Right to heaven again! '
'If that is violence, '
Said my daughter,
'What will happen to us
Who killed fowl for our lunch? '
'Nothing, dear!
The sin of killing the bird
Is washed away, as we eat its flesh.'
Thank you Ashika for finding time to read this poem and favouring me with your lovely comments. Thank a lot.
WoW! What a wonderful theme, nicely portrayed. Loved reading this.
ഹായ് ആഷികാ, ഈ കവിതയുടെ അവസാനത്തെ രണ്ടുമൂന്നു വരികൾ കൊന്നാൽ പാപം തിന്നാൽ തീരും എന്ന മലയാളം ചൊല്ലിന്റെ പരിഭാഷയാണെന്ന് മനസ്സിലായല്ലോ, അല്ലേ?
Thank you Ashika. A story line from the epic, I tried to interpret in the current context. The true sense on nonviolence is narrated here. Nonviolence is not just abstaining from inflicting injury to others. Even exploiting the love and sentiments others, including animals, towards one, is equally a violent act. So, nonviolence is abstention from such exploitation too, even if it involuntary. Such great lines of thoughts are the fundamental to Indian philosophy.
Wow! ! ! ! ! Very Powerful! ! ! ! ! And Moving Poem! ! ! ! ! With Very Interesting Beautiful Noting! ! ! ! ! Thank You Ever So Much For Sharing! ! ! ! ! Ever So Many 10S! ! ! ! ! ! ++++++
Hi Becca Thank you for the appreciation and lovely comments. Indian philosophy advocates that non-violence is not just abstaining from any violent act causing injury to others, but is is also abstaining from exploiting the love of other fellow beings including animals and plants towards you, thus depriving them of their food and comforts for your convenience, although they do so voluntarily. Such noble line of thinking....
awesome sir...touched! ! ! very true sir, we talk of non violence n eat non veg...i was a non vegetarian, n after reading our scriptures have developed aversion to it and am a veggie since 6 yrs..when one thinks of the cruel death of those creatures...they will not dare to be a non veggie...I think only a poet can think so...as poetry is something which comes from depths of heart...a feeling of compassion towards other beings...beautiful piece of work sir. this thinking is the need of the hour in this kaliyug! thanks for sharing sir
Hi Edward, Thank you so much for visiting me and posting the comments. Your appreciation means a lot to me.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Very intriguing poem that instigated a very intelligent discussion. That is the purpose of poetry- -to ignite thought, to incite discussion, to create emotion. I cannot add much to this exchange except I believe there will come a time when there will be no death.