Adam+S

SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/Empire/Users/smitha5/Desktop/poetry%20wikispace.doc Valmiki

Maharishi Valmiki was born into a shudra family. His name by birth was Ratnakara. His family was very poor, and he had to steal to make a living. He earned his name Valmiki after meeting Narada Muni. Valmiki had stolen from Narada, and was asked why he was doing this and if he was alone. Valmiki talked to his family and found out that he was alone in this sin. Valmiki then went through a long stage of repenting his sins, until a divine light shined upon him and said that he was to be called Valmiki. Valmiki in Sanskrit means ‘one who sits in an anthill.’ Valmiki’s most famous work is the **Ramanaya**. This epic was written sometime between 500 BC and 100 BC. The epic was about the ideal man. Valmiki was inspired to write this after seeing a Crane being shot with an arrow during mating. Valmiki said, “ You will find no rest for the long years of Eternity, for you killed a bird in love and unsuspecting,” This is thought to be the first sloka in Sanskrit literature. With the blessings of Lord Brahma, Valmiki became revered as the first poet in Hindu literature. The purpose of the **Ramanaya** was to show people how to be better. The fact that Valmiki was once a thief shows that anyone can repent their sins. Valmiki was writing to those who needed motivation to be better people. Although the epic was about a prince that was striving to be an ideal man, anyone could strive towards that idea. Culturally, Valmiki became an icon and a role model. He is still considered one to be the best and first poets in India.

Work Cited

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Bibhishan's Warning
Twenty warriors armed and girded in the Council Hall arose,

Thirsting for a war of vengeance, hurling challenge on the foes,

But Bibhishan deep in wisdom-Ravan's youngest brother he,-

Spake the word of solemn warning, for his eye could farthest see:

'Pardon, king and honoured elder, if Bibhishan lifts his voice

'Gainst the wishes of the warriors and the monarch's fatal choice,

Firm in faith and strong in forces Rama comes with conqu'ring might,

Vain against a righteous warrior would unrighteous Ravan fight!

Think him not a common Vanar who transpassed the ocean wave,

Wrecked thy city tower and temple and a sign and warning gave,

Think him not a common hermit who Ayodhya ruled of yore,

Crossing India's streams and mountains, thunders now on Lanka's shore!

What dark deed of crime or folly hath the righteous Rama done,

That you stole his faithful consort unprotected and alone,

What offence or nameless insult hath the saintly Sita given,

She who chained in Lanka's prison pleads in piteous tear to Heaven?

Take my counsel, king and elder, Sita to her lord restore,

Wipe this deed of wrong and outrage, Rama's righteous grace implore,

Take my counsel, Raksha monarch, vain against him is thy might,

Doubly arméd is the hero,-he who battles for the right!

Render Sita to her Rama ere with vengeance swift and dire,

He despoils our peopled Lanka with his bow and brand and fire,

Render wife unto her husband ere in battle's dread array,

Rama swoops upon thy empire like a falcon on its prey,

Render to the lord his consort ere with blood of Rakshas slain,

Rama soaks the land of Lanka to the margin of the main!

Listen to my friendly counsel,-though it be I stand alone,-

Faithful friend but fiery foeman is this Dasa-ratha's son,

Listen to my voice of warning,-Rama's shafts are true and keen,

Flaming like the with'ring sunbeams on the summer's parchéd green,

Listen to my soft entreaty,-righteousness becomes the brave,

Cherish peace and cherish virtue and thy sons and daughters save!'

Literary Techniques >
 * 1) Personification- giving something non-human, human characteristics. “Summer’s parched green”.
 * 2) Metaphor- Using a comparison- “Doubly arméd is the hero,-he who battles for the right!”
 * 3) Imagery- Putting a picture into the reader’s mind. – “Flaming like the with'ring sunbeams on the summer's parchéd green,”

Friends In Misfortune
Long and loud lamented Rama by his lonesome cottage door,

Janasthana's woodlands answered, Panchavati's echoing shore,

Long he searched in wood and jungle, mountain crest and pathless plain,

Till he reached the Malya mountains stretching to the southern main.

There Sugriva king of Vanars, Hanuman his henchman brave,

Banished from their home and empire lived within the forest cave,

To the exiled king Sugriva, Hanuman his purpose told,

As he marked the pensive Rama wand'ring with his brother bold:

'Mark the sons of Dasa-ratha banished from their royal home,

Duteous to their father's mandate in these pathless forests roam,

Great was monarch Dasa-ratha famed for sacrifice divine,

Raja-suya, Aswa-medha, and for gift of gold and kine,

By a monarch's stainless duty people's love the monarch won,

By a woman's false contrivance banished he his eldest son!

True to duty, true to virtue, Rama passed his forest life,

Till a false perfidious Raksha stole his fair and faithful wife,

And the anguish-stricken husband seeks thy friendship and thy aid,

Mutual sorrow blends your fortunes, be ye friends in mutual need! '

Bold Sugriva heard the counsel, and to righteous Rama hied,

And the princes of Ayodhya with his greetings gratified:

'Well I know thee, righteous Rama, soul of piety and love,

And thy duty to thy father and thy faith in God above,

Fortune favours poor Sugriva, Rama courts his humble aid,

In our deepest direst danger he our truest friendship made!

Equal is our fateful fortune,-I have lost a queenly wife,

Banished from, Kishkindha's empire here I lead a forest life,

Pledge of love and true alliance, Rama, take this proffered hand,

Banded by a common sorrow we shall fall or stoutly stand.! '

Rama grasped the hand lie offered, and the tear was in his eye,

And they swore undying friendship o'er the altar blazing high,

Hanuman with fragrant blossoms sanctified the sacred rite,

And the comrades linked by sorrow walked around the altar's light,

And their word and troth they plighted: 'In our happiness and woe

We are friends in thought and action, we will f ace our common foe! '

And they broke a leafy Sal tree, spread it underneath their feet,

Rama and his friend Sugriva sat upon the common seat,

And a branch of scented Chandan with its tender blossoms graced,

Hanuman as seat of honour for the faithful Lakshman placed.

'Listen, Rama,' spake Sugriva, 'reft of kingdom, reft of wife,

Fleeing to these rugged mountains I endure a forest life,

For my tyrant brother Bali rules Kishkindha all alone,

Forced my wife from my embraces, drove me from my father's throne,

Trembling in my fear and anguish I endure a life of woe,

Render me my wife and empire from my brother and my foe! '

'Not in vain they seek my succour,' so the gallant Rama said,

'Who with love and offered friendship seek my counsel and my aid,

Not in vain these glistening arrows in my ample quiver shine,

Bali dies the death of tyrants, wife and empire shall be thine!

Quick as INDRA'S forkéd lightning are these arrows feather-plumed,

Deadly as the hissing serpent are these darts with points illumed,

And this day shall not be ended ere it sees thy brotherfall,

As by lurid lightning severed sinks the crest of mountain tall! '

Literary Techniques
 * 1) Personification- Giving something non-human, human characteristics: “Panchavati’s echoing shore.
 * 2) Alliteration- repeating sounds in the beginning of words- “Deepest, direst, danger.”
 * 3) Simile- Comparing something using like or as- “Deadly as the hissing serpent are these darts with points illumed”

Celestial Arms And Chariot
Not in dastard terror havan sought his safety in his flight,

But to seek fresh steeds of battle ere he faced his foeman's might,

Harnessing his gallant coursers to a new and glorious car,

Sunlike in its radiant splendour, Ravan came once more to war.

Gods in wonder watched the contest of the more than mortal foes,

Ravan mighty in his vengeance, Rama lofty in his woes,

Gods in wonder marked the heroes, lion-like in jungle wood,

INDRA sent his arms and chariot where the human warrior stood!

'Speed, Matali,' thus spake INDRA, 'speed thee with my heavenly car,

Where on foot the righteous Rama meets his mounted foe in war,

Speed, for Ravan's days are ended, and his moments brief and few,

Rama strives for right and virtue,-Gods assist the brave and true!'

Brave Matali drove the chariot drawn by steeds like solar ray,

Where the true and righteous Rama sought his foe in fatal fray,

Shining arms and heavenly weapons he to lofty Rama gave,-

When the righteous strive and struggle, Gods assist the true and brave!

'Take this car,' so said Matali, 'which the helping Gods provide,

Rama, take these steeds celestial, INDRA'S golden chariot ride,

Take this royal bow and quiver, wear this falchion dread and dire,

VISWA-KARMAN forged this armour in the flames of heavenly fire,

I shall be thy chariot driver and shall speed the thund'ring car,

Slay the sin-polluted Ravan in this last and fatal war!'

Rama mounted on the chariot clad in arms of heavenly sheen,

And he mingled in a contest mortal eyes have never seen! Valmiki

Literary Techniques
 * 1) 1. Hyperbole- a large exaggeration-“ Rama mounted on the chariot clad in arms of heavenly sheen, and he mingled in a contest mortal eyes have never seen!  “
 * 2) 2. Simile- Comparison using like or as- “ Brave Matali drove the chariot drawn by steeds like solar ray,”
 * 3) 3. Metaphor-Using a comparison. “Brave Matali drove the chariot drawn by steeds like solar ray,”

Comparisons to songs 1. Metaphor-“Doubly arméd is the hero,-he who battles for the right!” “I’m walking with a heart of lion.” Kid Cudi-Heart of a Lion.
 * 1)  Hyperbole: “-“ Rama mounted on the chariot clad in arms of heavenly sheen, and he mingled in a contest mortal eyes have never seen! “ “Or do you not think so far ahead, because I’ve been thinking about forever.” –Frank Ocean, Thinkin Bout You.
 * 2)  Alliteration-“Deepest, direst, danger.” “Harder, better, faster, stronger.” – Kanye West, Stronger.

King Solomon



Solomon was a famous biblical king of Israel. He was the song of King David (as in David and Goliath), and Bathsheba. He was responsible for building the Holy Temple. King Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. His most famous works are the **Song of Songs**, the book of Proverbs, and the book of Ecclesiastes. King Solomon is very famous for his love poems and his dedication to God. However, King Solomon was not the best ruler of Israel. He taxed the citizens very heavily and forced them to join the army. He ruled for 40 years and he passed on the throne to his son. The **Song of Sons** is all about love. It is a compilation of many different songs and it contains many poetic lines like I have compared thee, “ O my love,to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels.” King Solomon wasn’t a very great ruler, and he focused more greatly on his poetry. Part of his purpose may have been to seem more likeable through his poetry. His audience was mainly his citizens and he could appeal to them mostly through his poetry. King Solomon also wrote two books in the bible. Since the Bible has been translated all over the world, this is the most famous of his works. It has also made the longest historical impact since the Bible is still being read today. Religion has formed a big part of culture and many of the laws and guidelines in the bible have shaped it.

Work Cited: [] http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Solomon.html

The Song of Songs
The Bride and the Daughters of Jerusalem

The Song of songs, which is Solomon's.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:

for thy love is better than wine.

Because of the savor of thy good ointments

thy name is as ointment poured forth,

therefore do the virgins love thee.

Draw me, we will run after thee:

the King hath brought me into his chambers:

we will be glad and rejoice in thee,

we will remember thy love more than wine:

the upright love thee.

I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,

as the tents of Kedar,

as the curtains of Solomon.

Look not upon me, because I am black,

because the sun hath looked upon me:

my mother's children were angry with me;

they made me the keeper of the vineyards;

but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest,

where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon:

for why should I be as one that turneth aside

by the flocks of thy companions?

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,

go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock,

and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. Literary Techniques 1.Metaphor- making a comparison- “Thy love is better than wine.” 2. Hyperbole- An exaggeration- “ If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,

go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, ” 3. Personification- giving something non-human, human characteristics- “The sun hath looked upon me.

The Bride and the Bridegroom

I have compared thee, O my love,

to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels,

thy neck with chains of gold.

We will make thee borders of gold

with studs of silver.

While the King sitteth at his table,

my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me;

he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire

in the vineyards of Enge'di.

Behold, thou art fair, my love;

behold, thou art fair;

thou hast doves' eyes.

Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant:

also our bed is green.

The beams of our house are cedar,

and our rafters of fir.

I am the rose of Sharon,

and the lily of the valleys.

As the lily among thorns,

so is my love among the daughters.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,

so is my beloved among the sons.

I sat down under his shadow with great delight,

and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house,

and his banner over me was love.

Stay me with flagons,

comfort me with apples:

for I am sick of love.

His left hand is under my head,

and his right hand doth embrace me.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,

by the roes, and by the hinds of the field,

that ye stir not up, nor awake my love,

till he please.

The voice of my beloved!

Behold, he cometh

leaping upon the mountains,

skipping upon the hills.

My beloved is like a roe or a young hart:

behold, he standeth behind our wall,

he looketh forth at the windows,

showing himself through the lattice.

My beloved spake, and said unto me,

Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For, lo, the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone;

the flowers appear on the earth;

the time of the singing of birds is come,

and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

the fig tree putteth forth her green figs,

and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock,

in the secret places of the stairs,

let me see thy countenance,

let me hear thy voice;

for sweet is thy voice,

and thy countenance is comely.

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines:

for our vines have tender grapes.

My beloved is mine, and I am his:

he feedeth among the lilies.

Until the day break,

and the shadows flee away,

turn, my beloved,

and be thou like a roe or a young hart

upon the mountains of Bether.

Literary Techniques > to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. ”
 * 1) Metaphor- making a comparison- “ I have compared thee, O my love,
 * 1) Simile- A comparison using like or as- “ My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphirein the vineyards of Enge'di. ”
 * 2) Hyperbole- An exaggeration- “ The voice of my beloved! Behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. ”

The Wedding Procession

Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,

perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,

with all powders of the merchant?

Behold his bed, which is Solomon's;

threescore valiant men are about it,

of the valiant of Israel.

They all hold swords,

being expert in war:

every man hath his sword upon his thigh

because of fear in the night.

King Solomon made himself a chariot

of the wood of Lebanon.

He made the pillars thereof of silver,

the bottom thereof of gold,

the covering of it of purple,

the midst thereof being paved with love,

for the daughters of Jerusalem.

Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon

with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him

in the day of his espousals,

and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

Literary Techniques
 * 1)  Simile- Comparison using like or as- “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,”
 * 2)  Personification- Giving something non-human, human characteristics- “The gladness of his heart.”
 * 3)  Hyperbole- An exaggeration- “King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars there of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, “

Comparisons to Songs 1. Metaphor: “I have compared thee, O my love,to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. ” “Baby you’re a firework.” –Katy Perry, Firework. 2.Simile: “Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,” “I love you like a love song baby”, -Selena Gomez 3.Hyperbole- “King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars there of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, ” “This world is mine for the taking, make me king” – Eminem, Lose Yourself.

Firdawsi



Not much is known about Firdawsi, even his real name. The word “Firdawsi”, means paradisal, so it was mainly thought to be his pen name. However, he is called the father of Persian poetry. Firdawsi is most known for creating the epic called the //Shah-namah//, or “The Book of Kings”. Firdawsi had originally presented this to the Sultan of Ghazni, for money. However, he was at first given an very small amount of money, and he was insulted to the point where he gave the money away to a bath attendant and a beer seller. Although later he was given a more respectable amount of money. The epic //Shahnama// focuses mainly on the struggle between good vs. evil. It also focused on themes that included consequences of deeds and actions. This epic is actually surprisingly similar to Star Wars. The epic mainly focuses on a battle between the younger Faraydun and the sorcerer- king Zahhak. This is compared to the battle between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Although the epic was written about a millennium ago. The epic contains about 60,000 verses, many of them were couplets. Firdawsi lived during a transitional time. During his lifetime Iran was still Persia and there was many bad rulers. Firdawsi through his epic tried to appeal more to the rulers and create a better land. The epic has inspired many leaders throughout history. Work Cited: [] http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/shahnama/firdawsi.asp

The Greaness of Gaiumart and the Envy of Ahriman
What saith the rustic bard? Who first designed

To gain the crown of power among mankind?

Who placed the diadem upon his brow?

The record of those days hath perished now

Unless one, having borne in memory

Tales told by sire to son, declare to thee

Who was the first to use the royal style

And stood the head of all the mighty file.

He who compiled the ancient legendary,

And tales of paladins, saith Gaiumart

Invented crown and throne, and was a Shah.

This order, Grace, and lustre came to earth

When Sol was dominant in Aries

And shone so brightly that the world grew young.

Its lord was Gaiumart, who dwelt at first

Upon a mountain; thence his throne and fortune

Rose. He and all his troop wore leopard-skins,

And under him the arts of life began,

For food and dress were in their infancy.

He reigned o'er all the earth for thirty years,

In goodness like a sun upon the throne,

And as a full moon o'er a lofty cypress

So shone he from the seat of king of kings.

The cattle and the divers beasts of prey

Grew tame before him; men stood not erect

Before his throne but bent, as though in prayer,

Awed by the splendour of his high estate,

And thence received their Faith.

He had a son

Named Siyamak, ambitious like his sire,

A youth well favoured, skilled, and fortunate,

His father's Life, whose joy was gazing on him,

That fruitful offshoot of the ancient stem.

That Life the father cherished tenderly,

And wept for love, consumed by dread of parting.

Thus time passed onward and the kingdom prospered,

For Gaiumart had not an enemy

Except, in secret, wicked Ahriman,

Who led by envy sought the upper hand.

He had a son too, like a savage wolf

Grown fearless, and a host of warriors.

The son assembled these and sought his sire,

Resolved to win the great Shah's throne and crown,

Whose fortune joined with that of Siyamak

Made the world black to him. He told his purpose

To every one and filled the world with clamour;

But who told Gaiumart about the foe?

The blest Surush appeared in fairy-form,

Bedight with leopard-skin, and told the king

The projects that his foes were harbouring.

Literary Techniques
 * 1) Simile- “In goodness like a sun upon the throne.”
 * 2) Hyperbole- “Who first designed to gain the crown of power among mankind.”
 * 3) Imagery- “The blest Surush appeared in fairy-form, bed light with leopard-skin.”

His reign was thirty years, and o'er the earth

He spread the blessings of paternal sway;

Wild animals, obsequious to his will,

Assembled round his throne, and did him homage.

He had a son named Saiamuk, a youth

Of lovely form and countenance, in war

Brave and accomplished, and the dear delight

Of his fond father, who adored the boy,

And only dreaded to be parted from him.

So is it ever with the world--the parent

Still doating on his offspring. Kaiumers

Had not a foe, save one, a hideous Demon,

Who viewed his power with envy, and aspired

To work his ruin. He, too, had a son,

Fierce as a wolf, whose days were dark and bitter,

Because the favouring heavens in kinder mood

Smiled on the monarch and his gallant heir.

--When Saiamuk first heard the Demon's aim

Was to o'erthrow his father and himself,

Surprise and indignation filled his heart,

And speedily a martial force he raised,

To punish the invader. Proudly garbed

In leopard's skin, he hastened to the war;

But when the combatants, with eager mien,

Impatient met upon the battle-field.

And both together tried their utmost strength,

Down from his enemy's dragon-grasp soon fell

The luckless son of royal Kaiumers,

Vanquished and lifeless. Sad, unhappy fate!

Literary Terms
 * 1) Simile-“He too had a son, fierce as a wolf.”
 * 2) Metaphor-“Had not a foe, save one, a hideous demon.”
 * 3) Personification- “Whose days were dark and bitter.”

Hushang possessed a wise and noble son

Hight Tahmuras - the Binder of the Div -

Who took the throne and girt his loins to rule,

Then called the archmages and in gracious words

Said: "Throne and palace, crown and mace and cap

Are mine to-day, and when my rede hath purged

The world a mountain-top shall be my footstool.

I will restrain the Div, will reign supreme,

And use the useful for the common gold."

He sheared the flocks, and men began to spin;

He thus invented clothes and draperies.

He chose the swiftest quadrupeds and made them

To feed on barley, grass, and hay; he noted

The shyest of the beasts of prey, and chose

The jackal and the cheetah, luring them

From hill and plain, and taught them to obey him.

Among the well-armed birds he chose the hawk

And noble falcon, and began to tame them

While men looked on amazed. His orders were

To rear the birds and speak to them with kindness.

He brought the cocks and hens to crow at drumbeat,

And turned all hidden properties to use.

He said: "Address your prayers and praise to Him

Who made the world, and us to rule the beasts

Praise be to Him, for He directed us."

He had a famed and honest minister

By name Shidasp, an upright man who took

No step unless toward justice. Through the day

He fasted, through the night he prayed, and lived

In charity with all. The Shah's good fortune

Was his sole wealth, ill doers he restrained

And taught the Shah all good, acknowledging

No rank but excellence till Tahmuras,

Purged of his faults and glorious with the Grace,

Bound Ahriman with spells and rode him horsewise

At whiles around the world. Thereat the divs

Rebelled and held a conclave, for their throne

Of gold was void. When Tahmuras was ware

He was enraged and spoiled their trafficking,

Girt him with Grace and took his massive mace.

Then all the divs and warlocks sallied forth -

A huge magician host. The Black Div led them

And vapoured, while their shouts affronted heaven.

It darkened, earth turned sable and all eyes

Grew dim. The illustrious worldlord Tahmuras

Advanced girt up for battle and revenge.

There were the roar of flame and reek of divs,

Here were the warriors of the lord of earth,

Who ranked his troops and speedily prevailed,

For of the foe he bound the most by spells

And quelled the others with his massive mace.

The captives bound and stricken begged their lives.

"Destroy us not," they said, "and we will teach thee

A new and fruitful art."

He gave them quarter

To learn their secret. When they were released

They had to serve him, lit his mind with knowledge

And taught him how to write some thirty scripts

Such as the Ruman, Persian, Arabic,

Sughdi, Chini, and Pahlavi, and thus

Delineate sounds. How many better arts

Explored he in a reign of thirty years,

Yet passed away! His time of life was spent

And all his toils became his monument.

O world! caress not those whom thou wilt soon

Cut off, for such caressing is no boon;

Thou raisest one to very heaven on high,

Then biddest him in sorry dust to lie.

Literary Techniques
 * 1) Metaphor- “His time of life was spent and all his toils became his monument.”
 * 2) Personification-“Earth turned sable.”
 * 3) Hyperbole- “While their shouts affronted heaven.”

Song Comparisons

3. Simile- “In goodness like a sun upon the throne.” “The treat you like a slave.” Lupe Fiasco, The Show Goes On.
 * 1) Hyperbole- “While their shouts affronted heaven.” “The world is yours.” –Nas, The World is Yours.
 * 2) Metaphor- “His time of life was spent and all his toils became his monument.” “I’m a rocket man.” –Elton John, Rocket Man.