Wisdom Of Sumathi (6) Poem by Ch J Satyananda Kumar

Telugu original: Baddena
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar

(1)

Vari panta lEni yUrunu
Dora yundani yUru, tOdu dorakani teruvun
Dharanu bati lEni gruhamunu,
narayamgA rudrabhUmi yanadagu Sumathi

A village with out paddy fields,
A town where the ruler not resides, a journey without the company of some one,
A house sans the presence of husband
Can be equated to a burial ground, oh man of fair mind.

(2)

Varapaina cHenu dunnaku
Karavainanu bandhu janula kada kEgakumi
Parulaku marmamu seppaku
Pirikiki dalavAyi tanamu bettaku Sumathi

Don’t plough a field in drought
Don’t approach relatives even while starving in famine
Don’t reveal the secrets to others
Don’t commission a coward as a commander, oh man of fair mind


Glossary: (1) Vari pairu = Paddy field, Teruvu = journey, Rudrabhumi = Burrial ground

(2) Varapu = drought, Dunnaku = Don’t plough
Marmamu = Secret, Piriki = Coward,
Dalavayi = Commander