Precious Pearls — Page 31
33 He was of the Aryan 29 people of noble descent Wise, good mannered, with blessed traits. Only a few years had passed away from his age That he thought about religion in his heart. He occupied himself in this endeavour constantly As to which path could lead him to the whole truth. He did not like the way of the Vedas For he saw a lot of filth in their discourses. When he saw that they were rancid and rotten, His heart began to quiver and quaver. (35) He said, “How can this be the Word of God? Teachings of depravity and improper deeds. ” Seeing this, he became exceedingly sad; He suffered pain and torment in his heart. He remained constantly sad in this grief; The tongue was silent the heart was full of dread. This anxiety was consuming him morn and eve; There was none to share the secret or to talk to. If his father ever happened to look, He would say, “O my dear son, (40) “I am amazed at this condition of yours; “What is the grief that makes you dejected? “Neither your appearance nor your hue is the same; “Pray tell why is your heart so constrained? “Pray explain to me the entire state truthfully “As to why are you in a state of grief, my love. ” He would cry while saying that all is well But in the heart he had the desire to travel. Then finally he went out, like one in frenzy, Not caring for the wilderness or the mountains, (45) Taking the burden of worldly affairs off his shoulders, He took to travelling to satisfy his urge. For the sake of God he became kind-hearted; The paths of comfort did not appeal to him; In search he went, without self-control, without sense; Relying merely on the grace of God. If someone asked him, “Whither do you go? “What is the purpose for which you take this journey?” He would say, crying, “I am searching for the truth; “I offer myself at the path of the Pure Creator. ” (50) On the journey he’d pray while weeping and crying: “O my Creator the Remover-of-Adversities “I am helpless, I am nothing, no better than the dust, “But a slave at the court of the Pure-One. “I offer myself wholeheartedly at Thy path,