Slippery, the ways of love
Forever who’s in my thoughts, she
Alas is indifferent to me,
And for someone else longs,
Whose heart elsewhere belongs,
And that someone in turn loves me!
Fie to such devious love indeed,
Scorn to my love’s lover,
And his love, scorn to her,
To Eros, to ways of Cupid,
And oh, shame to me so stupid.
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Translation | | love
Poet’s Note: Bhartruhari was a poet king in central India in the seventh century CE, who when disillusioned in love renounced kingdom and became an ascetic. Neeti Shatakam, a compilation of hundred verses on moral values was written by him along with Shringar Shatakam on romance, and Vairagya Shatakam on dispassion and renunciation. This verse is taken from Neeti Shatakam.
Yam chintayami satatam mayi sa virakta
Sa api anyam icchanti janam sah janah anya-saktah |
Asmat krte cha pari-shushyati kachid anya
Dhik tam cha tam cha madanam cha imam cha mam cha || 1 || Metre: Vasantatilaka
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