Wisdom Of Sumathi Poem by Ch J Satyananda Kumar

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)


(1)
Maataku praanamu satyam
Kotaku braanamu subhakoti dharitrin
Botiki prnam maanamu
Cheetiki braanambu vraaalu siddham sumathi

Truthfulness is life to a word
Legion of soldiers is life to a fortress
A woman’s life is her sexual morality
Signature is indeed life to a letter, Oh man of fair mind

(2)

Laavugala vaani kantenu
Bhavimpaga neetiparudu balavanundou
Graavambanta gajambunu
Maavati vaadekkinatlu mahilo sumathi

More than a mighty man of strength
A righteous man is more powerful
As an ordinary mahout is mightier than
A mountain sized elephant, Oh man of fair mind

(3)

Balavantuda naakemani
Paluvurito vigrahinchi palukuta mela?
Balavantambagu sarpamu
Chali cheemala cheta chikki chaavade sumathi

Is it good to be proud and talk vainly with all, claiming
that no one can do anything to me as I am so powerful?
A mighty serpent dies indeed
when caught by ants in a formicary, oh man of fair mind




(4)

Neere praanadharamu
Nore rasabharitamaina nuduvula kiravun
Naare narulaku ratnamu
Cheere srungaramandru siddhamu sumathi

Water is the source of life
Mouth is the resource of sweet and wise utterances
Woman is the gem of mankind
Sari is so beautiful indeed, oh man of fair mind

(5)

Navvakumee sabha lopala
Navvakumee talli tandri naadhulatodan
Navvakumee para satito
Navvakumee vipravarula nayamidi sumathi

Laugh not loudly in an assembly of people
Don’t make fun of parents and the master
Don’t try to giggle with other man’s wife
It is good not to snicker the priests, oh man of fair mind

(6)

Dhanapathi sakhudaiyundina
Nenayanga sivudu bhiksha mettagavalasen
Danavarikenta kaligina
Dana bhagyame tanaku gaaka tadhyamu sumathi

Though the God of wealth (Kubera) was his close friend
To feed himself, Lord Shiva had to go for begging
Though one’s kith and kin are so flourishing
He should be content with his humble chattels, oh man of fair mind

(7)

Naduvakumee teruvokkata
Guduvakumee satruninta gurimi todan
Muduvakumee para dhanamula
Nuduvakumee yorula manasu novvaka sumathi

Never walk in a lonely path
Never dine with an enemy by showing love
Never covet and steal your neighbor’s money
Never speak hurting your neighbor’s heart, oh man of fair mind

(8)

Tana kalimi indra bhogamu
Tana lemiye sarvaloka daridyambun
Dana chaavi jagatpralayam
Tanu valachinadiye rambha tadhyamu sumathi


His wealth is his heavenly pleasure
His penury, he deems the highest suffering of entire world
His death is world’s deluge
His loved dame is indeed the celestial beauty, oh man of fair mind

(9)
tana kopame tana satruvu
tana santame tanaku raksha, daya chuttambou,
dana santoshame svargamu
tana dukkhame narakamandru tadhyamu sumathi

His anger is his foe
His composure is his safeguard, kindness his kin
His happiness is heaven
His sorrow is indeed hades, oh man of fair mind

(10)

Karanamu saadai yunnanu
Gari madamudiginanu, baamu karavakayunnanu
Dhara delu kutta kunnanu
Karamaruduga lekkagonaru gadara sumathi

If the village head is not hard-hearted,
Elephant loses its strength, snake ceases to bite,
Scorpion fails to sting
People seldom care for them in the world, oh man of fair mind