My intention now, leading a life of simplicity

The 2011 Ubud Writers and Readers festival’s theme is Cultivate the Land Within. A line from Bali’s priest and prominent poet Ida Pedanda Made Sidemen.

I went to the Tribute Night, was so glad that I made the decision to go. I copied his Salampah Laku form the committee’s files. I madly respect this man, especially after (because I did not have any idea who he was before the festival) knowing what he has done and his thoughts.

Here I share with you, enjoy!

Ida Pedande Made Sidemen held by one of his students. Photo’s taken from 2011 UWRF Committee

SALAMPAH LAKU

Ida Pedanda Made Sidemen

Behold,
A world swarmed with men
Useless men, indolent men
Who like the birds
Chirping continuously
About things above their heads

Behold,
How in the season of sadness
All take to the air
Abandoning  worldly miseries
Into sunya
Aspiring to be wiser

Back from my  journey
I know nothing
Without knowledge, without words
Ignorant of the divine
Darkness descends on my heart
Obscuring North and South
Lustful thoughts, vain words, injuring actions
Embrace me
I flee to the villages, begging for foods
Beseech for sanctuary
To be a cloud, completely

Then the beautiful lady speaks
My beloved man
I shall fulfill my heart’s promise
Forsaking my parents
Seeking the simplicity of the mind
Although death may be the price
If  I yield and turn back now
Nothing will be gained
Not even a single word
That’s why
A woman is called the great earth

I forget my duty
Because of that I mature unknowingly
On the tip of my clothing
I look at you with a strange feeling
But, I have already uttered that
I desire you
Withholding tears night after night
I long for you
And my tears become rain

Father, mother
Look at me now
I am in anguish
I am dead
In my next life
I want to be born in Sanur again
To serve and love you
Father, Mother
Like a king
With an ungrateful daughter

Ah, indeed I am a selfish person
Enslaved by my desire
A source of constant regret
In meditation, I see the earth below, the sky  above
Keeping me awake
For my mind is untamed
There is always something
To sadden me
Remembering many things
From the mundane to the exotic
Recalling events that were my past

Ah, my beloved woman
Have your heart been opened
To accept insults
Being pelted at outsiders
Like me and my mind
Only   words could purify
fit things to their destiny
Misery would not stand in the way
And your name shall be famous
Yet, it shall be tied with other names

I am with him
The great ascetic
The free soul in the flower garden
Learning by listening
Not by feeling
I kneel before Hyang Ummasruti
Lord of wadhu
Lord of the devout women

now prepare yourself
washing,  cleaning
to cleanse your body
to purify your soul
in the new moon, in the full moon
to recite His name on every night
to invoke the deities of Sanur
fragrant air
fragrant flowers
fragrant incenses
Five Goddesses and devotees of beauty

If I to be born again
I wish to be born in a rich family
With beautiful face
Equal to the royal ladies
A magnificent beauty
With the king as a husband
Engulfed with pleasure
That is the ideal
Famous
Victorious over all women

Like a young prince
Crowned as the grand duke
His feet never touches the ground
Carried here and there on a wooden sedan
My intention now
Leading a life of simplicity
Having no rice field to toil with
I shall cultivate the land within
Skills of the poor
will help many in the villages