More Of Vemana's Wisdom Poem by Ch J Satyananda Kumar

Telugu original: Baddena (1220-1280)
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar

(1)
Aatma shuddhi leni yaacharamadiyela?
Bhanda shuddhilEni paaka mEla?
Chittashuddhi lEni shva puja lElaya?
Viswadaabhirama vinura vema?

Why to follow traditions without purity of self?
Why to cook cuisine with out cleanliness of utensils?
Why to worship God without purity of heart?
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(2)
Gangi govu palu gantedainanu chaalu
Kadavadaina nEmi kharama paalu
Bhakti kalugu koodu pattedainanu chaalu
Viswadaabhiraama vinura vema?

Even a spoonful of milch-cow’s milk is sufficient
What is the use of a pot full of donkey’s milk
Even a morsel of food is enough if given with love and devotion
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(3)
Alpudepudu palku aadambaramu gaanu
Sajjanundu palku jalla gaanu
Kanchu mrogunatlu kanakambu mrOgunaa
Viswa daabhi rama vinura vema

Lowly person always boasts ostensibly
Good man speaks in a pleasing manner
Will gold gong like brass
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(4)
Veru purugu chEri vrukshambu cherachunu
Cheeda purugu chEri chettu cheruku
Gutsitundu chEri gunavantu cherukuraa
Viswadaabi rama vinura vema

Root rot infests and kills an old tree
Pest infests and kills the plant
Bad man reaches to spoil a good man
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing


(5)
Alpa buddhi vani kadhikaramicchina
Doddavari nella dolaga gottu
Jeppu dinedi kukka cheraku teeperugunaa
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

If a mean minded man is given power to rule
He will remove all good men
How can a sandal chewing dog know the sweetness of sugar cane?
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing


(6)
Yeddukaina gaani yEdaadi telipina
Maata delisi naduchu marmamerigi
Moppe teliyalEdu muppadEndlaku naina
Viswa daabhi rama vinura vema

If a bull is given training for an year
It will understand the word and act accordingly
But a fool fails to obey, even after thirty years of training
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(7)
Yeluka tholu tecchi yEdaadi yutikina
Nalupu nalupE gaani telupu raadu
Koyya bommanu tecchi kottinaa balukunaa
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

If a rat’s skin is brought and wash for any time
It will remain just black, but can’t become white
If a wooden doll is brought and beaten, will it say anything
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(8)
Paala neediginta groluchu nundena
Manujulella goodi madhyamandru
Nluva dagani chOta niluva nindalu vacchu
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

If one drinks milk sitting at arrack-seller’s house
People will gather and accuse him of drinking liquor
If one stands in a wrong place, he will face all blames
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(9)
NeellalOna mosali nigidi yEnugu battu
Bayata gukka chEta bhanga padunu
Sthaana balame gaani tana balimi kaadaya
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

When in water, crocodile goes ahead and catches an elephant
When it comes out, it will be charged even by a dog
It is the strength of place, but not of self,
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(10)
Kulamu lEni vaadu kalimichE velayunu
Kalimi lEnivaadu kalimi digunu
Kulamuganna bhuvini kalimi yekkuvaraa
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

One who is low in caste, shines with his wealth
One’s caste too lessens him, when he lacks wealth
More than the caste, wealth counts more in the world
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(11)
Uppu kappurambu nokka polika nundu
Chooda chooda ruchula jaada vEru
Purushulandu punya purushulu veraya
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

Salt and camphor look alike to see
When carefully tested their tastes differ
Among the men great men are different
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(12)
Alanu bugga puttinappudE kshayamounu
Kalanu gaanchu lakshmi kallayagunu
Ilanu bhOgabhaagya mee teeru kaadokO
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

A water bubble on a wave withers sooner it is formed
Wealth seen in a dream disappears in sleep
The way of wealth and affluence in this world is the same
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(13)
Tappulennu vaaru tandopatandambu
Lurvi janulakella nundu tappu
Tappulennu vaaru tama tappu lerugaru
Viswadaabhi rama vinura vema

Who find faults with others are aplenty
In the world faults lie with every one
Those who find other’s fault, fail to realize their own faults
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing

(14)
Anaga nanaga raga matisayinchu nundu
Dinagadinaga vEmu teeyagundu
Saadhanamula panulu samakooru dharalOna
Viswadabhi rama vinura vema

By rehearsing more and more a tune becomes melodious
By chewing more and more, neem leaves become sweet
By practicing more and more, it becomes easy to do things
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing


(15)

Anuvukaani chota adhikula manaraadu
Konchaina nadiyu koduva kaadu
Konda addamandu konchemai yundadaa
Viswadaabhi rma vinura vema


Don’t claim greatness in an un-favorable place
To remain humble never belittles
Doesn’t a mountain appear little in a mirror
Listen Vema, who attained bliss by renouncing every thing