PRAISE THE LIGHT OF DAY The Light of Asia: the Great Renunciation, a narrative poem by Edwin Arnold was published in 1879, endeavored to describe the life and time of Prince Gautama Siddhartha, who after attaining enlightenment became “Buddha”, the Awakened One. Free adaptation of Lalitavistara, it was one of the first successful attempts to popularize Buddhism for the Western world where very little was known about the Buddha and Buddhism in that time. Translated into several languages including Burmese by Sayar Maung Thar Noe, and a film adaptation Prem Sanyas directed by Franz Osten and Himansu Rai was made in 1928. Lo! the Dawn sprang with Buddhas Victory! Lo! in the East flamed the first fires of beauteous day, poured forth through fleeting folds of Nights black drapery. High in the widening blue the herald-star faded to paler silver as there shot brighter and brightest bars of rosy gleam across the grey. Far off the shadowy hills saw the great Sun, before the world was ware, and donned their crowns of crimson; flower by flower felt the warm breath of Mom and gan unfold their tender lids. Over the spangled grass swept the swift footsteps of the lovely Light, turning the tears of Night to joyous gems, decking the earth with radiance broidering. The sinking storm-clouds with a golden fringe, gilding the feathers of the palms, which waved glad salutation; darting beams of gold into the glades; touching with magic wand the stream to rippled ruby; in the brake finding the mild eyes of the antelopes and saying it is day; in nested sleep touching the small heads under many a wing and whispering, Children, praise the light of day!
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 01:38:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015