The Simpleton’s Song

Witness the drama on the universal stage
With countless actors acting countless roles
Without a script, or a beginning, or an end
Within the viewers, the actors – Mankuthimma

In the crowded city, in search of an honest man
In broad daylight he went, lighted lantern in hand
In disgust of the public, in a dustbin he dwelt
Intellectual Diogenes – Mankuthimma

Have a smile on the face, but never let it be heard
Have good in your speech, but never ignore justice
Have moderation in thought, in desire, in pleasure
Have excess in nothing – Mankuthimma                         

Belly filled with hunger, mind filled with desire
Bearings and hinges are these, in the structure of creation
Building up every empire, pulling down the planets,
Bending and warping you – Mankuthimma

Somehow or other life’s tale will come to a close
Some day or other this existence will see its end
Some veil of oblivion will completely obscure all
Some reason to rejoice, this! – Mankuthimma

Who first saw in the raw foodstuff the cooked?
Who first envisioned the written character?
Who now can even name these benefactors of man?
What, then, of your vanity? – Mankuthimma           

No drums beat to announce the sprouting of the seed
No trumpets blare to proclaim the ripening of the fruit
No clamor when sun or moon radiates life-giving light
No murmur then, from you! – Mankuthimma

Did you avert deafness by wearing diamond earrings?
Don’t you court a potbelly when you stuff yourself with rich food?
Destitute and wealthy are equal in the last analysis
Death is the leveler – Mankuthimma

Let what’s to come, come, fret not about it today
Let the event arrive, then there’s time enough to fret
Leave it to the Master to look after the future
Live each day in itself – Mankuthimma

Surrender to the secret of life, to its essence
Surrender to the effort to make life a flower
Surrender to the sober serenity of the inner soul          
Surrender to the World-soul – Mankuthimma