“Prayer and devotion cleanse the soul.”
This isn't one of Bhartrihari's verses. It is an idea from commentary on them. For his own words, see the verses we've referenced.
About the poet: Bhartrihari
Bhartrihari is the Sanskrit poet to whom the Shatakatraya is attributed: three collections of about 100 verses each, usually dated to around the 5th century CE. They cover worldly conduct (Niti), love (Shringara) and renunciation (Vairagya), often in a wry, sceptical voice.
More from Bhartrihari
- “Renunciation is not loss, but the gain of eternal peace.”
- “Detachment from material possessions brings peace.”
- “Renunciation alone brings fearlessness.”
- “Youth is fleeting; wisdom should be sought instead.”
- “Desires are like a river that cannot be crossed without wisdom.”
- “Pride and arrogance are illusions created by the ego.”