The Art of Poetry

1. Poetry is like a garland of flowers made of meaningful words that have a special fragrance. Like the bees that enjoy the flowers, the saints remain joyful hearing meaningful words.
2. Such a garland is threaded by the inner-mind, then laid as an offering of worship at the feet of Rama, and the continuous sound of AUM (OM) resounds without interruption.
3. Poetry should be composed for the sake of helping others. I will now tell the signs of such poetry.
4. Poetic skill should be developed so that the poetry that is composed draws the listener towards devotion for God, and inspires an increased sense of detachment.
5. If there is only word knowledge without the experience gained from spiritual practice, it will not be considered acceptable by virtuous and wise people. Therefore, please God first by abandoning the attachment to worldliness and objectivity.
6. When God is pleased like this, all of one's speech becomes praiseworthy. Such speech is a called inspired and is a blessing to mankind.
7. There are three types of writings. The first is spontaneous which occurs effortlessly without forethought. The second is based upon memory and what one has learned in the past. The third type of poetry inspired by the blessings of God. These are the three main types of poetry that are being spoken about. Now, I shall briefly describe them.
8. Spontaneous means that whatever surges up and comes into one’s mind is boldly expressed in the composition. This is called spontaneous writing.
9. Learned writing is when one recites what one has learned by heart. This type of writing is a product of what one has seen in many texts and is an imitation of that style.
10. When poetry is composed very quickly on the spot describing whatever is seen with the eyes, yet is done without devotion, is called spontaneous writing.
11. The poems that are sensual, romantic, passionate, amorous, courageous, humorous, jovial, as well as poems about repentance and appreciation, and many other varieties all fall under the name of spontaneous poetry.
12. With this type of poetry, the mind becomes passionate towards objects, and this is reflected in the words being used. With this type of spontaneous writing there is no possibility of going beyond the worldly life.
13. If one writes poetry to make a living, and compositions are made in praise of various people, that is a type of spontaneous poetry.
14. Poetry should not just be a crude expression about appearances. Poetry should not take a lot of effort, nor should it be arrogant and heretical.
15. Poetry should not contain arguments, or contradiction of moods, or become boring because of a lack of examples.
16. Poetry should not ramble on or be frivolous, and it should not be harsh towards others.
17. A poetry composition should not be of low quality, and there should not be repetition of what has already been said. Proper poetry should follow the accepted styles and the author's name should be mentioned at the end.
18. Poetry should have authority in knowledge, logic, and an artistic sense with proper wording about Devotion (Bhakti), Knowledge (Jnana), and Detachment (Vairagya).
19. Understand that poetry that is without devotion is the dullest expression of the opinion of the intellect. Speech that is without delight and joy is only boring.
20. The composition that is written without devotion is like a big joke. Without any delight in God, how can meaningful dialogue take place?
21. This is enough now about the characteristics of spontaneous writing. It is written out of the madness of attachment and pride. Now, I shall tell about inspired poetry that is a blessing.
22. It begins to make one feel that prosperity, woman, and wealth want to make him vomit, and he begins to turn his attention inward towards the contemplation of God.
23. For one who has appreciation for God from moment to moment, it makes his fondness for singing the praises of God increase.
24. It inspires one to not let go of devotion and praising God for even a moment. It immerses one's awareness in the richness and color of devotion at all times.
25. When God dwells peacefully within, whatever is naturally spoken about is the explanation of Brahman.
26. When God dwells within, one has a liking for devotion to be enhanced. Such a one does not speak of anything else other than devotion to God.
27. When one develops the habit of delighting in God within, one's words and speech reflect that appreciation. With a deep feeling of compassion one gives the explanations about God, and dances and sings God's praises out of overwhelming love.
28. When the mind becomes filled with God, there is no remembrance or impression of body awareness. Doubts and feelings of shame become shy and run off far away.
29. Such a one is immersed in the splendor of divine love, and is energized with intoxicating devotion. The feeling of being a separate individual gets crushed underfoot.
30. Such a one continues to sing and dance free of doubt and hesitation. How can he see any other people around him when his vision remains filled only with God?
31. Like this, he is immersed in God, and does not require anything else. Out of his own wish and inspiration, he begins to describe the delight in meditation, and the greatness and glory of God.
32. There are many representations and images symbolizing the greatness and glory of God. Compared to that, praising the greatness and fame of human beings is petty and insignificant.
33. Let this be as it is. A devotee of God who is detached from worldly life is considered by the sages to be liberated.
34. The poetry that comes from the deep appreciation of devotion is called poetry that is inspired by the blessings of God. Such a one effortlessly speaks about what is revealed through the power of discrimination.
35. Listen to the signs of good poetry. The explanation will be given in such a way that the inner-mind of the listeners will be pacified.
36. Poetry should be clear, simple and direct, with various thoughts presented in proper sequence for clarity.
37. Poetry should have devotional content and be full of deep meaning, and free of egotism.
38. Poetry should depict the glory of God in pleasing and sweet ways. It should be full of content in the glory of God.
39. The poetry should be simple, brief and easy in compositional style and meter.
40. The poetry should be soft, melodious, appeasing, grand, marvelous, wide in perspective, proper in composition, interesting, and filled with the sweetness of devotion.
41. Poetry should use beautiful words, sentences and phrases with clever constructions, and skill in using various types of meters and incorporating many types of expressions.
42. This type of poetry should be skillful in many ways of explaining to the intellect, should have artistic construction, and should show an extraordinary skill in substantiating main principles with the utilization of many easy examples written in poetic style.
43. This poetry should have many examples from various literary works, and give logical explanations with details and particulars. It should include reference to stories and episodes to help explain the primary premise that is presented in the Vedas as well as present the principle of the "final conclusion" (siddhanta).
44. It uses various ways to express scholastic knowledge with many intellectual expressions full of inspiration, and addresses common suppositions with courage. This is what is called good poetry.
45. It addresses all doubts, objections, and skepticism with the support of examples from many poems. It is supported by spiritual science and it breaks down all doubts to their dissolution with determination.
46. This poetry addresses various situations and their associated concepts, gives explanations about yoga, and discusses the principle elements as well as Essence in many ways. This is what is called good poetry.
47. It explains many types of spiritual practice, the repetition of mantra, the significance of austerities and pilgrimages, and clears many doubts.
48. This poetry inspires a turning away from worldliness where one feels ashamed to be entangled in worldly matters, and gives rise to Knowledge.
49. This poetry strengthens Knowledge, dispels attitudes and states of mind, and properly explains the path of devotion.
50. With this poetry, the body-consciousness is snapped off, the ocean of worldliness dries up, and God is revealed.
51. With this poetry one gains rightmindedness, and this poetry has the power to destroy heretical opinions by arousing the power of discrimination.
52. Through this poetry, the Supreme Reality is revealed, Illusion disappears, and all distinctions are destroyed.
53. With this poetry one becomes content. It breaks the bondage of worldly life and is respected by the wise.
54. This is the description of good poetry. It is difficult to tell everything about it, but it has been explained to some extent for the purpose of understanding.