Some may believe in Jesus, some in Mohammed or whatever,
Some don’t believe in anything, just to spite them all.
There is a good belief in India, and it is rather clever:
That when we kick the bucket we don’t pass away for all.

To rise to heaven you may strive:
You’ll have a dream when born again,
But if you’ve lived a piggy’s life,
piggy you’ll remain.

If people look askance at you, take all reproaches easy,
Don’t worry, you’ll be born again a man with a mordant tongue,
And if you’ve seen the death of a foe, there’s every reason
To think that after death you will be born a keen-eyed man.

So keep on living, and have fun,
Be happy and don’t bother,
Maybe, your soul will settle down
In some big boss’s body.

If you are engaged in sweeping streets, you’ll be an engineer,
And maybe slowly grow into a minister in time.
But if you’re dull and stupid, you’ll be born a baobab-tree an’
Will remain one for a thousand years or more, until you die.

It’s bad to live a parrot’s life,
Or be a snake-like demon,
Hadn’t one better live a life
Of just a decent human?

Well, who is who and who was who, to this there is no answer,
Geneticists are off their nuts o’er chromosomes and genes.
Perhaps that shabby looking cat at one time was a rascal,
And this good natured person was a friendly dog, it seems.

I jump for joy, just like a kid,
And I avoid all hindrance,
very good belief indeed
Has been thought up by Indians!