LXV. THE END
Tārā, do you remember any more? Mother, as I have lived happy, is there happiness hereafter? Had Śiva's words[209] been true, I should not [69]be beseeching you. After passing through delusion on delusion, I feel my right eyelid throbbing.[210] Had there been any other place, I should not have besought you. But now, Mother, having given me hope, you have cut my bonds, you have lifted me to the tree's top.[211] Rāmprasād says: My mind is firm, and my gift to the priest[212] well made. Mother, my Mother, my all is finished.[213] I have offered my gift.[214] Traditionally, his last song. The text is even unusually doubtful and varying. FOOTNOTES: [209] The Tantric teaching of the efficacy of ceremonies and pilgrimage. [210] When the right eyelid throbs, some ensuing gain is indicated; the throbbing of the left eyelid indicates loss to come. [211] To a position of isolation and great peril. The next step will be into emptiness. Kālī has taken away his ladder of belief in ceremonial, and she must now save him. [212] The gift (in this case apparently, Rāmprasād's gift of his life-long devotion) when worship is ended. This gift is called prasād, so that Rāmprasād is punning to the last. 'Prasād has offered his prasād. ' The prasād is sometimes kept by the priest, and sometimes distributed among the worshippers. [213] Literally my claims are settled (adversely), dismissed. I have nothing; but in that nothing I have all I need. [214] 'I have offered my cock to Aesculapius.'
[70] ASCRIBED TO RĀMPRASĀD SEN
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