VEMANA’S WISDOM
Kumaragiri Vemareddy (1352-1430) popularly known as Vemana was a 14th century Telugu poet and social reformer. His poems were written in the popular vernacular of Telugu, and are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. His poems discuss the subjects of wisdom and morality. He is popularly called Yogi Vemana, in recognition of his success in the path of Yoga. The following are the English translations of few of his Telugu poems)
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(The famous song ‘paadavoyi bharateeyuda’ from the Telugu movie ‘Velugu Needalu’ was written by Sri Sri and was rendered by Ghantasala and P. Suseela)
Telugu original:
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Telugu original: Baddena (1220-1280)
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
(1)
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(Cheemala baaru)
Telugu original: Potlapalli Rama Rao
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
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This patriotic song was written by Sankarambadi Sundarachari in 1942 and it was rendered and popularized by Tanguturi Surya Kumari. Her uncle and the first Chief Minister of AP Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu garu gave it recognition as state anthem of Andhra Pradesh.
(About 10 Crore Telugu speaking Indians are living in Andhra Pradesh their home state in India which was formed on 1st November,1956. Today is the formation day of Andhra Pradesh)
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(The popular song ‘mounam gane edagamani’ from Telugu film ‘Naa Autograph’ was written by Chandra Bose. Composed by M M Keeravani and rendered by Chitra, this song has given inspiration to many. Its optimistic message induced an Orphanage in Hyderabad to adopt it as its prayer song. My thanks are to Latha Ganti who has sent me the Telugu content of this song and encouraged me to translate it into English)
Telugu Original:
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When a popular leader demised
His fans and admirers amongst the common men lamented grief stricken
They could not forget his help
The ration cards
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(Nireekshana)
Telugu original: Veerachari
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
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(I intend to introduce Telugu Haiku to members of PH. In Telugu, Hiaku denotes both Haiku and Senryu. While writing Telugu Haiku, poets attached more importance to the expression of thought than the prescribed technicalities like conforming to kigo and writing the verse in present tense etc. Telugu Haiku is a budding literary form and here I endeavour to translate some of the verses of the active Telugu Haiku writers)
(1)
KonEru KaMta
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Telugu original: B Vijaya koteswara Rao
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
(Akshramlo antarleenam)
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Telugu original: Dr Bezwada Gopala Reddy
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
(1)
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(Chalu)
Telugu original: Srikanth
English translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
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NiSi rAtri varshamlA
Karaganee sangeetaanni
Naalugu bhujAloo kalavanee
Ooganee ee chetlannee
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(This translation of the lyric is from the Telugu movie ‘Anand’. Written by Veturi Sundara Rama Murthy, it was rendered by Hariharan and Chitra)
Telugu original:
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Wisdom of Sumathi
(Telugu poems from Sumathi satakam)
(The following are the English Translations of Telugu poems written by 13th century poet Baddena (1220-1280) which are popularly known as Sumathi Sataka padhyalu. Like Vemana, Baddena’s poems also deal with wisdom, morals and ethics in a simple style)
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Telugu original: Baddena (1220-1280)
English translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
(1)
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(Translation of this poem ‘Ninna raatri varshamlo’ is from the 1971 Central Sahitya Academy award winning Telugu poetic compilation ‘Amrutam Kurisina Raatri’ (The night when nectar rained) of eminent Telugu poet and short story writer Devarakonda Bala Gangadhara Tilak (1921-1966) . His collection of short stories include Sundari-SubbaRavu, Vuri Chivara Illu and Tilak Kadhalu.)
Telugu original: Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak
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(Mee kOsam nEnu padhyam raastaanu)
Telugu original: ‘Koumudi’
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
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Telugu original: Vemana
English translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
(1)
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Telugu original: Vemana
English translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar
(1)
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I am God fearing Christian. Have a very deep faith in Jesus. I like literature. My daughter initiated me into English poetry. I also do a bit of social work in the fields of consumer awareness, social issues, fighting for the under-dog. Interested in preaching. Also share the word of God with christian congregations. My wife and I live at Visakhapatnam, AP, India. We are blessed with a daughter, who is a post-graduate in English literature.)
Vemana's Wisdom
VEMANA’S WISDOM
Kumaragiri Vemareddy (1352-1430) popularly known as Vemana was a 14th century Telugu poet and social reformer. His poems were written in the popular vernacular of Telugu, and are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. His poems discuss the subjects of wisdom and morality. He is popularly called Yogi Vemana, in recognition of his success in the path of Yoga. The following are the English translations of few of his Telugu poems)
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(1)
Kallalaadu vani gramakarta yerugu
Satyamaadu vani swamy yerugu
Bedda tindibotu bendlaamenrungura
Viswadaabhirama vinuravema
Village head knows the ways of a liar
God identifies the man who is truthful and fair
Glutton’s wife can alone gauge her hubby’s appetite
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing
(2)
Anni daanamula kanna anna daaname goppa
Kanna talli kanna ghanamu ledu
Yenna guruni kanna yekkuva ledayaa
Viswadabhi rama vinura vema
Among all generous things giving food to the starved is great
None is greater than the mother who gives birth
When compared no one can be found above the teacher
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing everything
(3) Champa dagina yatti shatruvu tana cheta
jikkinemi geedu seyaradu
posaga melu chesi pommanute chalu
viswadabhirama vinura vema
When an enemy is captured who deserves to be killed
Let him not be harmed
It is better to do him good and let him go
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing everything
(4)
Vittamu gala vani veepuna pundaina
Vasudhalona jaala varta tecchu
Bedavaani inta bendlayina nerugaru
Viswadabhi rama vinura vema
A mere wound on a wealthy man’s shoulder
Becomes a great news in the world
But even a marriage in a poor man’s house goes un-noticed
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing everything
(5)
Cheppulona rayi, cheviloni joreega,
Kantiloni nalusu, gali mullu
Nintiloni poru nintanta gaadaya
Viswadabhi rama vinura vema
A piece of stone in sandal, disturbance of gad-fly in ear,
A speck of dust in eye, thorn in the foot
Discord with spouse at home are indescribable woes
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing everything
(6)
Tirumalaku bova duraka dasari kaadu
Kasi kega bandi gajamu gaadu
Kukka singamagune godavariki bova
Viswadabhirama vinura vema
Going to Tirumala, a muslim can’t become a Vishnu devotee
When gone to Kasi, a pig can’t become an elephant
Will a dog become a lion when it visits Godavary river?
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(7)
Paraga rati gundu bagula gottaga vacchu
Gondalanni pindi gottavacchu
Kathina chittu manasu karaginchagaa raadu
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema
Even a hard rock can be broken
Hills also can be pound into dust
But, a hard hearted man can’t be mellowed down
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(8)
aapadala vela narasi bandhula joodu
bhayamu vela joodu bantutanamu
pedavela joodu pendlaamu gunamu
viswadaabhiraama vinura vema
In the times of distress and need, see the real affection of relative
In the times of danger, one’s real valour can be found
In the times of penury, wife’s real love can be found
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(9)
mrucchu gudiki boyi mudivippune gaani
posaga swamy joochi mrokka datadu
kukka illu jocchi kundalu vedukada?
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema
When a thief goes to a temple, he plunders the offering box
But he does not worship the God with devotion
When a street dog enters a house, it just searches the pots for food
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(10)
antarangamandu naparadhamulu sesi
manchivaani valene manujudundu
itarulerugakunna neeswaruderugadaa?
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema
Committing sins and transgressions in heart
A man pretends to be a good man
If others fail to realize it, won’t God realize it?
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
Vemana’s Wisdom (3)
(11)
gaaju kuppelona gadavaka deepambu
dettulundu gnana mattulundu
telisinatti vaari dehambulanduna
viswadabhi rama vinuravema
As the flame burns steadily in the glass dome of a lantern
Wisdom and knowledge also indwells placidly
In the flesh and soul of wise men
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(12)
Talliyunnappude tanadu gaaraaabamu
Lame povadannu narayurevaru
Manchi kaalamapude maryaada naarjimpu
Viswadaabhiraama vinura vema
When mother is alive the child gets love and affection
When she dies no one caresses him
When good times exist one should earn respect
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(13)
Adugakardhamicchunatadu brahma gnaani
Aduga nardhamicchunatadu tyagi
Aduganeeyaleni yatadu penu lobhi
Viswadaabhiramma vinura vema
One who gives largesse even before one requests, is divinely wise
One who helps others in response to a request is generous
One who does not heed to the request of needy is a great miser
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(14)
Appu leni vaadu adhika sampannudu
Tappuneni vaadu dharani leru
Goppa leni buddhi konchemai povura
Viswadabhi rama vinura vema
One who has no debts is the wealthiest
One who errs not, does not exist in the world
Thoughts that are not lofty, makes one ignoble
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
(15)
Bahula kaavyamulanu barikimpagaa vaacchu
Bahula sabdha chayam balukavacchu
Sahana mokkoatabba jaala kashtamburaa
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema
It may be easy to read many literary texts
It also may be easy to speak many things
But it is not so easy to acquire forbearance
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing worldly lusts
m so honoured at your observation sir, . i continue to strive more inordinary way.i wait ofor ack from senior as well as junior frinends