Truth

TRUTH is a philosophical poem on the subject of non-dualism as elucidated by Vedanta. First published in 1913, it is the first philosophical English work in poetry. Though it was the normal practice among the ancient and medieval Indian authors to present not only the philosophical thoughts in verses but almost every Sanskrit work had been composed in the form of poetry, but in the English literary tradition versifying philosophies and discourses of academic importance is unheard of. In TRUTH, the Vedantin Parmahangsa Soham Swami for the first time used the poetic form to present the philosophy of Vedanta in English. TRUTH is unique. It does not introduce the reader to the precepts of Vedanta at the onset. The poet clarifies his intention in the initial lines - Truth have I realized so truth shall tell.To free thy mind from superstitious spell;He bewares the reader of the risks entailed in such revelations when he writes -Against my Truth they only may protest, Who think of nothing but self-interest. The greatest obstacle to free thinking is irrational belief. Soham Swami writes - That blind faith checks the free-thoughts of the mind And hinders progress all, of humankind;Through logical arguments the poet clarifies -To manufacture God, it's broadEfficient cause is man, Material's fancy, somewhere fraud, Now realize those who can. When the reader with 'unbiased' mind observes and judges "all in Truth's brilliant light," the reader realizes -Religions, cults and rites, - the gilded gyves, Fetter the people, whereby priesthood thrives;And that Benevolence and science can't allayThe grief, and thirst for more, and death, decay;The reader now desperate to know the truth asks What is creation, and its cause, Who am I, my supreme vocation?This is the right time to introduce the bewildered reader to the philosophy of Vedanta. Once again the poet uses logical arguments to demonstrate the Truth - Brahm thou art, nor portion, nor apart, Realize, restraining mind, that "that…