Tasin of Gautama

Ancient wine and youthful beloved are-nothing; for men of true vision the houris of Paradise are-nothing.

Whatever you know as firm and enduring passes away, mountain and desert, land, sea and shore are-nothing.

The science of the Westerners, the philosophy of the Easterners are all idol-houses, and the visiting of idols yields-nothing

Think upon Self, and pass not fearfully through this desert, for you are, while the substance of both worlds is – nothing

On the road which I hewed out with the point of my eyelash station and caravan and shifting sands are-nothing.

Transcend the unseen, for this doubt and surmise are nothing; to be in the world and to escape from the world-that is. Something!

The Paradise that some God grants unto you is nothing; when Paradise is the reward of your labours-that is something.

Do you seek repose for your soul? The soul’s repose is nothing; the tear shed in sorrow for your companions-that is something.

The wine-drenched eye, the temptress glance and the song are all fair, but sweeter than these-there is something.

The cheek’s beauty lives for a moment, in a moment is no more; the beauty of action and fine ideals-that is something.

Give not occasion for conturbation to this restless heart; add one or two curls more to my twisted tress.

In my breast is such a lightning-flash of revelation from you, I have yielded the bitterness of expectation to the moon and the sun.

The joy of God’s presence founded in this world idolatry’s wont; love ever eludes the soul that is full of hope.

So that with carefree heart I may play a new melody give back again to the meadow the true bird of the meadow.

You have granted me a lofty nature; release the shackle from my foot that I may bestow a prince’s robe upon your sackcloth

If the axe struck against the stone, what cause of talk is that? Love can carry upon its back a whole mountain-range!