Mountain Rocks
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
黄昏到寺蝙蝠飞。
升堂坐阶新雨足，
芭蕉叶大栀子肥。
僧言古壁佛画好，
以火来照所见稀。
铺床拂席置羹饭，
疏粝亦足饱我饥。
夜深静卧百虫绝，
清月出岭光入扉。
天明独去无道路，
出入高下穷烟霏。
山红涧碧纷烂漫，
时见松枥皆十围。
当流赤足踏涧石，
水声激激风吹衣。
人生如此自可乐，
岂必局束为人鞿？
嗟哉吾党二三子，
安得至老不更归。
English translation
The mountain rocks are jagged, the path faint; at dusk I reach the temple, and bats are flying.
I mount the hall, sit on the steps — the fresh rain has been plentiful; the plantain leaves are large, the gardenias fat.
The monk says the Buddha paintings on the old wall are fine, and brings a torch to look — but little can be made out.
He spreads the bed, dusts the mat, sets out broth and rice; coarse fare, yet enough to fill my hunger.
Deep in the night I lie still, the hundred insects fallen silent; a clear moon rises over the ridge, its light entering my door.
At daybreak I go off alone, there is no road; in and out, up and down, I wander through all the misty haze.
Hills red, streams green, in dazzling confusion; now and then I see pines and oaks ten armfuls round.
Facing the current I bare my feet and tread the stones of the torrent; the water clatters, the wind blows my clothes.
A life like this is joy enough in itself — why must one be bitted and reined by others?
Alas, my two or three companions — how could we not come back here when we are old?
Meaning
The mountain rocks are jagged and steep, the path narrow as a sheep's gut; at dusk, when bats flit about, I come to this temple.
I climb to the hall and sit upon the steps; a soaking rain has just fallen. Washed by rain, the banana stems are thick and the leaves broad; the mountain gardenias grow fat and strong.
The monk tells me the Buddhist paintings on the old wall are truly magnificent; I look by torchlight, but all is blurred and unclear.
He spreads a mat for me, and prepares rice and soup; the food is coarse, yet enough to fill my hungry belly.
Late at night it is quiet and good for sleeping; the hundred insects have ceased their noise. The bright moon climbs over the hilltop, its clear light pouring in at door and window.
At dawn I go away alone, unable to make out the way; in and out of the mist I grope up and down, stumbling as I go.
The mountain flowers are scarlet, the ravine water emerald, glossy and profuse; here and there are pines and oaks ten arm-spans round, dense and dark.
Where a stream crosses the path, I bare my feet and tread the stones; the water gurgles, the wind drifts, lifting up my clothes.
Man
Background
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The date of "Mountain Rocks" has long been debated. Scholars generally hold that it was written in the seventh month of 801 (the seventeenth year of the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of Tang), while Han Yu was traveling from Xuzhou to Luoyang. The temple he visited was Huilin Temple north of Luoyang, and his companions were Li Jingxing, Hou Xi, and Yuchi Fen.