See Not, Sing Not (Thyagaraja) Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

A song not for the Lord,
Or a dance against God,
The Saint hated to hear
Or see anytime, anywhere.

One day, it so happened
That his disciples visited
A marriage dance variety
Of a dancing girl’s party.

When they returned home,
They imitated the same,
As held in the performance
To the Saint’s annoyance.

In anger, he began to shout,
And drove them all out
From his house then,
For their immoral action.

His wife asked for pardon,
Saying, “There’s thorn
In the plant, besides rose,
Still, we go for the rose.”

“Always men are made
Of good and bad mixed,
If they’re told softly,
They’ll hear it surely.”

His anger came down,
And he allowed them in,
When they all realized then,
Their Guru’s good intention.

(He sang in Raga Sama then
Santhamu Leka Sowkyamu Ledhu,
Sarasadhala Nayana)

“Oh Lotus eyed Kanan
If the senses are not won
Also if one is not calm,
Peace will never come.”

“Wealth, wife, children, penance,
Divine Knowledge, sacrifice,
To be a Pundit in Vedas,
All are useless, if there’s no peace.”

“Oh Rama, King of Kings,
The Giver of blessings
To your pious devotees,
Keep them all in peace.”