vemana satakam in english
Loving What We Do
Verses of Vemana – 9
Gangi govu paalu garitadainanu chaalu
Kadivedainanemi kharamu paalu
Bhakti kalugu koodu pattedainanu chaalu
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Kadivedainanemi kharamu paalu
Bhakti kalugu koodu pattedainanu chaalu
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: This
verse of Vemana finds a fine example in Mother Teresa. She spoke the same idiom
when she said: “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.
It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving!” The value
of what we do is directly proportional to the amount of ‘heart’ we put into it. Vemana presents the idea
succinctly. He declares that a ladleful of milk of a holy cow is more valuable
than a potful of donkey’s milk. That says it all.
Heart: Handle With Care
Verses of Vemana-8
Inumu virigeneni irumaru mummaru
Kaci atakavaccu kramanuganu
Manasu virigeneni mari chercharadaya
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Kaci atakavaccu kramanuganu
Manasu virigeneni mari chercharadaya
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Commentary: Though
time is the greatest healer, even it cannot completely erase the hurt that has
been inflicted on the heart. We only come to terms with it and get on with our
lives. An article made of iron, though it breaks many times can be melted or
welded and restored to its original shape. This does not, however, happen with
the heart that has been struck with a poisonous arrow.
So, due care should be
taken when dealing with the tender human emotions lest one should cause undue
pain to those we love the most. It is best to follow the adage: Help
ever, Hurt never.
Humility: Queen Of Virtues
Verses of Vemana-7
Anuvu gani chota Nadhikulamanaradu
Kochmayina nadiyu kodava gadu
Konda addamandu knochami undada
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Kochmayina nadiyu kodava gadu
Konda addamandu knochami undada
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: One should not to vaunt
one’s own exploits, or sound one’s own praises in a hostile place or at an
unfavorable time. If we do not speak about ourselves and our own abilities and
achievements, it will not in any way affect our true worth. It is far better to
let others speak about our greatness. This is accomplished by being humble.
Vemana takes the example
of the mighty mountain. It looks small in the mirror. That ‘smallness’ does not in any way have
an effect on the bearing of the mountain. Norman Vincent Peale says, “Be
humble, be big in mind and soul, be kindly; you will like yourself that way and
so will other people”.
A Fool In Power
Verses of Vemana-6
Alpa buddivanikadikara michhina
Doddavarinella tolagagottu
Cheppu tinedi kukka cheruku tepi eruguna
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Doddavarinella tolagagottu
Cheppu tinedi kukka cheruku tepi eruguna
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Commentary: Lord
Acton’s epic warning that power
tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely sounds like a page
from the hoary verses of Vemana. While Acton’s warning is only
half-truth, Vemana presents the complete truth.
Vemana says that when an
imbecile gains power he lets loose a reign of terror on the meek and drives
away the good.This since it is in the nature of the evil to cloud the good. And
in a style, uniquely his own Vemana declares that the nincompoop is like the
dog that gnaws at a leather slipper. It does not know the sweetness of
sugarcane. Who would not understand an example as simple as this?
The Illusion Of Appearance
Verses of Vemana-5
Uppu Kappurambu nokka polika nundu
Chooda chooda ruchulu jaada veru
Purushulandu Punya purushulu veraya
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Chooda chooda ruchulu jaada veru
Purushulandu Punya purushulu veraya
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Salt and camphor appear
to be same. But on close examination, we discover that their tastes and their
qualities are different. Human beings too are superficially similar. Externally
they look alike. But on association, we find out that there is a lot of
difference between just another human being and a great human being.
The idea conveyed here is
that appearances are deceptive and so we should not be misled by our first
impressions. We should exercise care in our dealings with people. In
Shakespeare’s words, “one may smile, and smile, and be a villain.
Honour Your Parents
Verses of Vemana-4
Talli tandrulumeda daya leni putrundu
Puttanemi vadu gitta nemi
Puttaloni cadalu puttava gittava
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Puttanemi vadu gitta nemi
Puttaloni cadalu puttava gittava
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Commentary: Familial
relationships are of primordial importance in the Indian culture especially the
tradition of love and compassion, of respect towards one’s parents.
Jandyaala Papayya Sastri,
popularly called Karunasree, the famous modern Telugu poet, author of Telugu
Bala, wrote: Kashta pettaboku
kanna talli manasu/ Nasta pettaboku nanna panulu/ Talli tandrulanna daiva
sannibhulu ra/ Lalita suguna jala telugu bala.
Vemana isn’t as soft as
Karunasree when it comes to presenting truths. He is bitingly trenchant. He
compares children who are uncompassionate towards their parents to the termites
in the anthill. They are as good as dead.
The Greatest Three
Verses of Vemana-3
Anni danamulanu anna daname goppa
kanna vari kante ghanulu leru
Enna guruni kanna nekkuva leraya
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
kanna vari kante ghanulu leru
Enna guruni kanna nekkuva leraya
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Commentary: Three
significant precepts close to the heart of the Indian tradition are presented
in this verse. First, that giving food as charity is greater than all other
forms of charity. Indian tradition is replete with men and women who put
charity above self-interest. It is called Nara Yajna – Sacrifice for the Poor
and Hungry. Second, that none are greater than one’s parents.
The story of Pundalik wonderfully
illustrates this maxim. His worship of his parents is exemplary. This is what
he says: ‘the real God for me is my parents and not Panduranga… Therefore, I
worship them.’ Third, that there is none greater than the Guru-Preceptor.
This does not contradict the second precept. It is nothing but extension to it.
The Power of a True Guru
Verses of Vemana-2
Guruni siksha leni gurutelu kaluguno
Ajunikaina vani yabba kaina
Talapu jevi leka talupetuluduno
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Ajunikaina vani yabba kaina
Talapu jevi leka talupetuluduno
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Commentary: ‘Guru’
and Acharya though used synonymously are not synonyms. Etymologically Guru
means ‘giver of light’. Advayataraka Upanishad( 14–18, verse 5) states that the
syllable ‘gu’ means darkness and the syllable ‘ru’ means he who dispels it. The
guru is so named because of his power to dispel darkness.
Thus the Guru outshines
all the lesser representatives of knowledge and wisdom. Knowing the need of a
true guru in one’s divine quest Vemana says that none- not even Brahma or His
begetter – come to the Supreme Wisdom without being under the training of the
Guru. His analogy is simple: how can a door be unlocked without a key? Such is
the power of a true Guru.
Invocation to
Lord Vinayaka
Verses
of Vemana-1
Vignamula kadikarta
vignapati
viswa sakshiga nenchuta vinati yugunu
sudda cinmatcudani yenci nokkavalayu
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
viswa sakshiga nenchuta vinati yugunu
sudda cinmatcudani yenci nokkavalayu
Viswadabirama Vinura Vema.
Know then that Vinayaka,
the Primal Conqueror and Destroyer of obstacles, is all pervading, and worship
Him as the embodiment of Pure Bliss.
The Secret of Work
Verses
of Vemana-19
chittasudhi
kaligi chesina punyambu
konchemaina nadiyu koduva gadu
vittanambu marri vurshambunaku nenta
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
konchemaina nadiyu koduva gadu
vittanambu marri vurshambunaku nenta
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: In the ninth
chapter of the Gita, verse 26 unveils ‘The Secret of Work’. Bhagavan Krishna
says that he will accept a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, offered purely with
love and devotion.
The size of the offering does not
matter but the way in which it is offered. And the operating word is purity.
Vemana’s analogy reflects the spirit of
Gita’s message. He says that the seed of the mighty banyan tree is small but
the tree that grows out of it is gigantic. This is similar to a small good deed
done with a pure heart.
As Hosea Ballou puts it purity in
person and in morals is true godliness
The Company of Evil
Verses
of Vemana-18
Verupurgu
cheri vrukshambu jedagottu
Cheedapurugu cheri cheruchu
Kutsitundu cheri gunavantu cheruchu ra
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Cheedapurugu cheri cheruchu
Kutsitundu cheri gunavantu cheruchu ra
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Paramahansa
Yogananda, the great Indian sage, made a simple yet remarkably profound
statement: Environment is stronger than willpower.
If you surround yourself with good,
cheerful, positive people, you will be a good, cheerful and positive person. If
you associate with negative people and situations, you will, surely, in time,
feel negative.
Vemana’s advice is rustic but
realistic. He says that just as the rootworm befriends the roots and destroys
the tree, just as the pest keeps company with the crop, and damages it, the
company of the wicked corrupts even the virtuous.
For this reason, there is the need for Satsanga- association with the
wise.
On Lending Money
Verses
of Vemana-17
Kanivani
cheta gasuvesambichi
Venta diruguvade verrivadu
Pilli tinna kodi pilichina palukuna
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Venta diruguvade verrivadu
Pilli tinna kodi pilichina palukuna
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Vemana’s verses
encompass the whole gamut of human dealings. Here is a verse that deals with
prudence in general and lending money in particular.
He says that that man is a fool who
lends money to an untrustworthy man and runs behind him. Getting money from him
is as impossible as getting an answer from a fowl eaten by a cat. A strikingly
singular analogy!
Shakespeare’s principle of economy
-husbandry- however, extends to both the lender and the borrower, for loan oft
loses both itself and the friend (Hamlet, Act I – Sc.
III),
trustworthy or otherwise.
As
such, it is happier to be neither.
The Principle of Love
Verses
of Vemana-16
Champadaginatti
satruvu tana cheta
Chikkina keedu cheyaradu
Posaga melu chesi pommanute melu
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Chikkina keedu cheyaradu
Posaga melu chesi pommanute melu
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: The Ramayana urges
the need for exercising compassion even towards those who enjoy injuring others
or those of cruel deeds when they are actually committing them(Ramayana,
Yuddha Kanda ).
Vemana too echoes the idea in this verse.
He advocates that when an enemy worthy of death falls into your hands do not
harm him; rather do good to him and let him go. In fact, it is simple common
sense.
The law of retaliation, of an eye for
eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound
for wound, stripe for stripe (Exodus 21: 24,25) will make the whole
world maimed.
Returning good for evil is the sure
sign of a noble soul, a soul governed by the highest principle, the principle
of love.
Purity of Heart
Verses
of Vemana-15
Atmasuddhi
leni acharamadi ela
Bhandasuddhi leni pakamadi ela
Chittasuddi leni sivpujalelara
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Bhandasuddhi leni pakamadi ela
Chittasuddi leni sivpujalelara
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Vemana strikes out at
the hollowness of external practices. A practice or a custom, a rule or a
fashion, a mode, a course of conduct or religious observance, what avail are
they without sincerity, without purity of heart? A mind or intellect that
is not unpolluted is no fit altar to worship the divine. But purity of heart is
a very big thing.
Lord Krishna says, “To achieve purity
of heart, one must observe cleanliness…be compassionate towards all beings, and
perform the appropriate duties of life.” Yet, how often we miss the point and
metaphorically partake food prepared in an unclean vessel.
Faultfinder: The
Moral Scavenger
Verses
of Vemana-14
Tappulennuvaru
Tandopatandambu
Lurvi janulakella nundu tappu
Tappu lennuvaru tamatappu lerugaru
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Lurvi janulakella nundu tappu
Tappu lennuvaru tamatappu lerugaru
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Vemana says that the
world is replete with people who are busy finding fault with others. Their
searchlight is always directed towards others. They fail to understand that everyone
has faults. That man is neither flawless nor immaculate. But ironically, those
who readily notice the slightest shade of blemish turn a blind eye to the
stains in themselves.
“Happy are those who find fault with
themselves instead of finding fault with others” so goes a Sufi proverb.
The Speech of the Noble and
the Ignoble
Verses
of Vemana-13
Alpudepudu
palku aadambaramuganu
Sajjanundu paluku challaganu
Kanchu mrogunattu kanakambu mroguna
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Sajjanundu paluku challaganu
Kanchu mrogunattu kanakambu mroguna
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Of the many
distinctions between a man of lowly character –‘Pasu’- and one of noble
disposition-‘Pasupathi’- the most clearly
discernible is speech, for, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks
(Luke 6:45). The former is ostentatious like the
sound made by bell metal while the latter is gentle like the one made by gold.
Words, thus, mirror the workings of the
heart. Sai Baba of Shirdi puts it brilliantly. He says that speech is the
armament of man; other animals have fleetness of foot, sharpness of claw, fang,
horn, tusk, beak and talon. But man has sweetness of speech, which can disarm
all opposition and defeat all the designs of hatred. Sweetness makes you
Divine; harshness makes you bestial. It is no small
matter when one realizes that wars have been fought over one warped word!
The Nature of the Coward
Verses
of Vemana-12
Medi
pandu chooda melimai undunu
Potta vippichuda purugulundu
Pirikivani madini binka meeladura
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Potta vippichuda purugulundu
Pirikivani madini binka meeladura
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Courage is not the
absence of fear but as Nelson Mandela put it, courage is
the triumph over it. He goes on to add that the brave man is not he who does
not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. The coward on the other hand
gives in to the temptation of fear and misses the magnitude of life.
The irony is that the coward does not
have the nerve to acknowledge his trepidation and hides behind the hollow
façade of courage, hoping against hope that his pretense will not be
discovered. It does not take long for a discerning man to find out the truth.
Vemana’s analogy is simply superb. He
compares the coward to a fig, which glitters on the surface, but whose pulpy
inside hides worms. More than three hundred centuries later, Alfred
Adlera the Austrian medical doctor and
psychologist, founder of the school of individual psychology, spoke of this
affectation when he said that superiority complex was a cover up for an
inferiority complex.
Ancient
Indian wisdom in a new bottle!
Sadhana! Practice!
Verses
of Vemana-11
Anagananaga
raga matisayilluchunundu
tinaga tinaga vemu tiyyanundu
sadhanamuna panulu samakuru dharalona
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
tinaga tinaga vemu tiyyanundu
sadhanamuna panulu samakuru dharalona
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Sadhana! Practice!
What a grand idea! Martha Graham, the great American dancer, understood it. She
says, “Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all
obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of
inviting the perfection desired.” Vemana illustrates this with two
examples: one, that we improve our singing ability with repeated practice of a
raga; two, that neem leaves eaten regularly over a period lose its bitter
taste. This then is the transforming power of practice. ‘Everything is possible with practice and it is amazing
what we can train ourselves to do, so it becomes “natural” in time’.
Poetry Without Soul
Verses
of Vemana – 10
Nikka
maina manchi nelamokkati chalu
Taluku beluku rallu tattedela
Chatu padyamulanu chalada okkati
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema.
Taluku beluku rallu tattedela
Chatu padyamulanu chalada okkati
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema.
Commentary: In the Dhammapada, the Buddha says that
a single line of verse that brings peace is better than thousand verses
composed of meaningless lines. Vemana echoes the wisdom of the two-millennium
old words of the Enlightened One in this verse. In his classic inimitable
manner, his, Vemana states that one real sapphire is infinitely more precious
than a basketful of glassy stones. Who would want to trade a genuine gem for a
spurious one? In a world of verses that are produced by the second, of poetry
without soul, without purpose, a jewel of a poem, one soulful verse, suffices.
Sowing the Seeds
of Fortune
Verses of Vemana-30
purvajanmamandu punyambu cheyani
papi ta dhanambu badayaledu
vittamarachi koya vedakina chandambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
papi ta dhanambu badayaledu
vittamarachi koya vedakina chandambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The
oft-used analogy for what we get in life has been the one from the farmer’s
world: the act of sowing and reaping. This is universally understood.Our
harvest is relative to the hard work.
Vemana does not question
or elucidate it. His contention is different. He wonders how one can become
prosperous in this birth if one has not done any good deeds in one’s last
birth.
The idea is that the rich
and the poor are reaping the fruits of their merit or the lack of it. The
unfortunate has only himself to blame for not sowing the seeds of fortune. For,
how can anyone, having forgotten to sow the seeds, expect to reap a golden
harvest?
The Power of Satsanga
Verses of Vemana-29
nichagunamulella nirmulamaipovu
koduvaledu sujana gosti valana
gandhamalada menikampa daginayatlu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
koduvaledu sujana gosti valana
gandhamalada menikampa daginayatlu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Jagatguru Adi Sankaracharya
in his hymn, Bhaja Govindam sings:
Satsangatve nissangatvam,
nissangatve nirmohatvam,
nirmohatve nischalatatvam,
nischalatatve jevanmuktih.
nissangatve nirmohatvam,
nirmohatve nischalatatvam,
nischalatatve jevanmuktih.
It means that through the
company of the good, there arises non-attachment; through non-attachment, there
arises freedom from delusion; through delusionless-ness, there arises
steadfastness; through steadfastness, there arises liberation in life.
Such then is the power of Satsanga.
Vemana puts it in
layman’s language. He says that even as sandal paste applied to the body
removes all bad odors, association and interaction with the saintly dispels the
evil qualities in one.
Who can miss the wisdom presented in so simple
an analogy?
The Good See Only Good
Verses of Vemana-28
guvva koraku menu kosi ya sibiraju
varta viduvaka raka kirtikekke
ogunenchaboba rupakari nenturu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
varta viduvaka raka kirtikekke
ogunenchaboba rupakari nenturu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The
story of King Sibi is a tale of selfless sacrifice. It is found in the
Mahabharata, Aranya Parva.
To test Sibi, Indira the
king of gods, assumed the form of a hawk and chased a dove. It flew to the king
and sought his protection. The king gave his word. The hawk protested that it
was seeking its natural food and agreed to spare the dove if the king would offer
his flesh equal in weight to the dove. The king agreed and cut his flesh to
save the life of the dove. His noble act immortalized him.
Vemana says that he who is charitable does not
give any thought to the evil in others. He sees only good.
The Three Great Sins
Verses of Vemana-27
tallinedurukonuta tandrinedurukonuta
annanedurukonuta yanedimudu
patakamulanerigi vartimpavale
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
annanedurukonuta yanedimudu
patakamulanerigi vartimpavale
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: This is
what Lord Buddha had to say about parents: ‘Brethren, one can never repay two
persons, I declare. What two? Mother and father. Even if one should carry about
his mother on one shoulder and his father on the other, and so doing should
live a hundred years…even so he cannot repay his parents.’
Vemana suggests a similar
idea. He speaks of three grave crimes, sins that lead to one’s fall: disrespect
to one’s mother; disrespect to one’s father and disrespect to one’s elder
brother.
Confucius, famous
Chinese thinker and social philosopher, says that proper behavior towards
parents and elder brothers is the trunk of Goodness.
Character, The Crown Jewel
Verses of Vemana-26
gunamu kalgiyunna kulasatinevvaru
ninda cheyaleru nitijuchi
gunamu lekunna gulahinuralaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
ninda cheyaleru nitijuchi
gunamu lekunna gulahinuralaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana declares that woman
is well regarded only if she has good qualities. Else, she is ridiculed and
mocked. Not all her high class or caste will be able to defend her from the
poisonous darts of derision. She will be labeled ‘tainted’ and
looked down upon.
Chastity outshines caste-ity. This is equally
true even in the case of a man!
Evil Nature Resists Change
Verses of Vemana-25
yentia chaduvu chadivi yenna nerchinagani
hinudava gunambu manaledu
boggu pala gaduga bovuna malinambu
viswadhabhi rama vinura vema
hinudava gunambu manaledu
boggu pala gaduga bovuna malinambu
viswadhabhi rama vinura vema
Commentary: Academics, Vemana says, cannot change the nature of man. For nature is born, character is built, and personality is developed.
An evil man educated is
only an educated evil man. His evil nature remains. A piece of coal, though it
is washed in milk does not turn white. Neither can a dog be made into a horse
nor can a cat be made into a cow.
Sadi,
the Sufi mystic says,
‘The kitten in the end proves to be a kitten. Even if it were kept on the
queen’s sofa, petted and kissed and loved and cared for, when the mouse came it
would show that it was a cat.’
Such is the tenacity of
human nature.
The Secret of a Happy Life
Verses of Vemana-23
kanivani toda galasi melagina
hani vachu nentavadikaina
kaki gudi hamsa kastambu pondada
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
hani vachu nentavadikaina
kaki gudi hamsa kastambu pondada
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: “I’m blind, my eyes are
destroyed. I have stumbled on a wilderness track. Even if I must crawl, I’ll go
on, but not with an evil companion,” so says Buddha to a disciple.
Company. Company.
Company. It is the whole secret of a happy life. The willing aspirant of
happiness should seek admirable companionship. If we aspire for the highest,
then we must enter intoassociation with those who represent the highest.
Vemana says, harm will
surely befall one who befriends the base. Consider the swan that joins the
company of crows. It will certainly face troubles.
The Stubbornness Of The Stupid
Verses of Vemana-22
vidyaleni vadu vidwamsu cheruva
nundagane panditudu kadu
kolani hamsala kada gokkeralunnatlu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
nundagane panditudu kadu
kolani hamsala kada gokkeralunnatlu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Though company is
stronger than will, the intrinsic nature is stronger than environment! No man
can be changed unless he is disposed to do so. A thousand Krishnas or
Christs or Ramas cannot alter the attitude of an unwilling individual.
Vemana presents it in a
manner so simple that its import readily seeps into the neurons. He says that
though a crane is in the company of swans, it remains a crane. Its association
does not change it at all. So is the ignoramus[1]. The company of the
enlightened does not effect a lasting change in him.
Where There is Light
Verses of Vemana-21
vyadhi kaligeneni vaidhyuni chetanu
mandu tinaka kani manadendu
chenta deepamidaka chikati payuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
mandu tinaka kani manadendu
chenta deepamidaka chikati payuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Paramahansa Yogananda
says that the darkness of a million years will disappear when light is brought
in. In much the same way, the disease of ignorance can be healed in no other
way than by gaining wisdom.
Vemana speaks in the same
vein when he says that taking medicines prescribed by doctor cures illness and
bringing in light dispels darkness. There is no other method. The sooner one
realizes this, the better.
Merit, A Matter of Character
Not Caste or Color
Verses of Vemana-20
kasturinata chuda kanti nallanganundu
Parimalinchu dani parimalambu
Guruvulaina vari gunamelagura
Viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Parimalinchu dani parimalambu
Guruvulaina vari gunamelagura
Viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Lord Krishna says: “Chaaturvarnym mayaa sristam gunkarma vibhagasah” (Gita
IV.13) i.e. four
orders of society created by Me according to their Guna (qualities/behaviour)
and Karma (profession/work/efforts).
Vemana was perhaps
harping on this when he sings that we should not judge others by the color of
their skin but by the content of their character (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “I Have a Dream” speech).
To illustrate this he
gives the example of kasturi – musk
– which is black (Good musk is of a dark
purplish color) in colour yet whose sweet fragrance spreads in all directions.
He goes on to say that the true Guru is like the musk and as such, one should
not judge him by his external appearance but rather by his inner value.
The Misery of the Miser
Verses of Vemana – 40
dhanamu kudabetti dharmambuseyaka
tanu tinaka lessa dachugaka
tenetiga gurchi teruvari kiyyada
viswadhabhi rama vinura vema
tanu tinaka lessa dachugaka
tenetiga gurchi teruvari kiyyada
viswadhabhi rama vinura vema
Commentary:This verse of Vemana is a mirror image of
verse 15, chapter III of the Uddhava Gita.
The miser hoards a large
quantity of money with great struggle and pain. He neither shares it with
others nor enjoys it himself. No matter how carefully he hides his hard-earned
wealth or tries to protect it, in time it will fall into the hands of
others[1].
The greedy man is like
the bee that labours to gather a large quantity of honey[2] without even
relishing it. It eventually falls into the hands of the honey-gatherer.
Vemana presents the
misery of the miser graphically.
[1] The poet Bhartrihari
says that wealth can be spent in three ways: by oneself, in charity or be
stolen by robbers!
[2] Bees may travel as
far as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough
nectar to make just a pound of honey.
Pandering to the Sense
of Taste
Verses of Vemana – 39
jihwalampatambu jivanambaiyundu
jihwalampatambe jivaposha
jihwacheta narulu chikaku padaraya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
jihwalampatambe jivaposha
jihwacheta narulu chikaku padaraya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: In this verse Vemana
points out to the danger of pandering to the sense of taste. He says that
inordinate liking for taste is the root of life. It is the reason for making a
living. Indeed, it is the cause of all troubles.
In the Uddhava Gita, Lord Krishna tells Uddhava of a
dialogue between Yadu and an Avaduta[1]. The young Brahmin Avaduta speaks of
the 24 teachers who helped him gain transcendental understanding. One of the
teachers is the fish.
He says that just as a
fish, incited by the desire to enjoy taste, is fatally trapped on the
fisherman’s hook, similarly, a foolish person is infatuated with delicacies by
the over-greedy urges of the tongue and thus is ruined. He continues that when
the organ of taste is controlled, everything is controlled.
Thought provoking, isn’t it?
Change Begins With Me
Verses of Vemana – 38
evvari gunambulu yemanna manavu
chakka cheyaradu kukka toka
gadusuralu magani gampa bettammara
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
chakka cheyaradu kukka toka
gadusuralu magani gampa bettammara
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana sings about the
difficulty of change in this verse. He chants that no man can alter another’s
qualities just as a dog’s tail, no matter what is done, cannot be straightened.
The stubborn woman, he hums, will listen to no one. She will even put her
husband in a basket and sell him. How very true!
Change is a pill so bitter
that people cannot be forced to swallow it. Change is a voluntary process. It
begins with the desire to change. And the best way to rouse that desire in
others is to be the change you
want to see in them.
Change begins with me. As
Paramahansa Yogananda said, Reform yourself and you will reform thousands.
The Man of Character
Verses of Vemana – 37
kaipu vastuvulanu kanchinchi sevempa
kani panulonarchu menerugaka
atlu punuvari nadhamulanduru
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
kani panulonarchu menerugaka
atlu punuvari nadhamulanduru
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Intoxicants,
whatever they are – addictive or non-addictive- have always been a bane for mankind. Flowing in the path of least
resistance, they find followers freely. Drugs lay their icy hands on those
whose character hides chinks. Then there are those who take intoxicants
and commit crimes under
the state of mental excitement or emotional
frenzy.
Vemana calls them the
meanest of the mean, the lowest of the low, the basest of the base. However,
for the man of character, the intoxication of character alone suffices. His is
the Earth and everything that’s in it, and–which is more–he’ll be a Man, my son!
The Nature of Desire
Verses of Vemana – 36
jihwa ruchulu goru jivinchnantaku
satiyu batiyu goru sutula dhanamu
havyavahudu chudanandara gorunu
viswadhabhirama viniua vema
satiyu batiyu goru sutula dhanamu
havyavahudu chudanandara gorunu
viswadhabhirama viniua vema
Commentary: Vemana says that it is in the nature of the tongue to yearn for taste,
the wife and husband to long for sons and wealth just as it is the nature of
fire to desire to consume all. It must be understood that the nature of desire per se is not wrong.
In fact, our Sanatana Dharma has
always exhorted men to realize the four Purusharthas or
values of Life, namely Dharma (righteousness)Artha (wealth) Kama (desire) and Moksha (liberation). It has insisted that wealth and desire be based on Dharma and
aim at Moksha.
Non-Attachment in
Daily Life
Verses of Vemana – 35
yekkadi sutulekkadi Satu
lekkadi bandhuvulu sakhulu nekkadi bhrutul
dokku padipovu velala
jakkatikini nevaru varu sahajamu vema
lekkadi bandhuvulu sakhulu nekkadi bhrutul
dokku padipovu velala
jakkatikini nevaru varu sahajamu vema
Commentary: Death is a solitary
journey. None accompany us: neither the children nor the spouse, neither the
relatives nor the friends, neither the master nor the servants, nay not even
the most adored of all possessions, the body. Why then this attachment?
Vemana, like all realized
masters, reminds man of the transience of life and the certainty of death. He
says that one should reflect on this truth. This however does not mean that one
should become a cynic but rather should not be so attached to anything as to
cause agony on separation.
Non-attachment is
possible through Nishkam Karma Yoga-the Yoga of Selfless Action.
Respect Has to be Earned
Verses of Vemana – 34
vunna ghanatanu batti manninture kani
pinna peddatanamu nennaboru
vasudevu vidichi vasudevu nentura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
pinna peddatanamu nennaboru
vasudevu vidichi vasudevu nentura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Respect
for elders because they are ahead of us in age is a sure sign of one’s own
upbringing. Yet, it is an acquired quality. But respect on its own has nothing
to do with age. It
is a matter of honoring or holding in esteem an individual, of regarding an
individual as a person of value and virtue.
Such esteem is
spontaneous in the face of true greatness irrespective of the age of the object
of reverence. Vemana says, is not Vaasudeva – Krishna- more venerated
than Vasudeva – Krihsna’s father?
Verity simplified!
Tolerance: The Sign
of Greatness
Verses of Vemana-33
bahula kavyamulanu parimpagavachu
bahula sabdha chayamu baluka vachu
sahanamokkatabba chala kastambura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
bahula sabdha chayamu baluka vachu
sahanamokkatabba chala kastambura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Sahanam is the
key to the inner door of greatness. What does it mean? It stands for patience, endurance, forbearance, and tolerance. It is
the opposite of anger, of hatred, and malice. It is the strength of mind and
heart. It enables us to face the
challenges and difficulties of life without losing our composure and inner
tranquility.
How does one develop this
noble trait? Patiently, through love. For, of what use is tolerance when the
heart is simmering with hatred. Great patience means great love, to be loving
and compassionate in the face of criticism, misunderstanding, or aggression.
Vemana says that it is
easier to study very great number of verses, it is easier still to master many
languages than to cultivate tolerance. True indeed!
One Man of Excellence
Verses of Vemana-32
pandipillalenu padiyu naidintini
kunjarambu lenu kodama nokati
yuttama purushundu yokkadu chalada
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
kunjarambu lenu kodama nokati
yuttama purushundu yokkadu chalada
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The history of the world
is the history of a few great men, not of the multitudes of weaklings. One man
of excellence out weighs an entire generation of mediocre mentalities. One
Vivekanada or one Vemana would outshine a whole host of pedestrian
personalities.
A pig, Vemana scoffs,
produces a litter of piglets between five and ten. But of what avail? An elephant,
on the other hand, gives birth to only one calf. Greatness, it must be
remembered, is not patented. It is within each one of us to be great. It just
is, metaphorically speaking, a matter of longer gestation[1] period.
Perhaps it is gross injustice to the pig to
compare it with the elephant!
Discipline With Love
Verses of Vemana-31
chakali kokaludiki chikaku padachesi
mailadesi lessa madachinatlu
budhi cheppuvadu gudditenemaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
mailadesi lessa madachinatlu
budhi cheppuvadu gudditenemaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Physical
discipline has always been a contentious issue. The child, who faces
it, dislikes it. But surprisingly the child on growing old meets it out on his
children without any remorse or recollection of the pain that was inflicted on
him.
Vemana draws attention to
physical discipline in correcting the erring loved ones. He says that there is
nothing wrong in using it with care and love.
He bolsters his point
with the analogy of a washer man washing clothes. The washer man beats the
laundry against stone slabs. He scrubs them, rinses them, squeezes them, dries
them and irons them. He does all this with the good intention of cleaning the
clothes.
Physical discipline is
just the same. Perhaps one should understand the demarcating line between
physical discipline and physical abuse: the former deals with love, the latter
strikes with anger. Imagine the washer man washing angrily. The laundry will
surely be damaged, wont it?
The Ignorant is Dangerous
Verses
of Vemana – 50
mrugamu
mrugamanuchunu mrugamuna dushintru
mrugamu kanna jedda murghudunu
mrugamu kanna gunamu murghunakedaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
mrugamu kanna jedda murghudunu
mrugamu kanna gunamu murghunakedaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Beddana in one of the verses
says: ‘Talunundu vishamu phaniki, Velayanga tokanundu vrichikamunakum, Tala
toka yanaka yundunu, Khalunaku niluvella vishamu kadara sumati.’ The serpent
has venom in the head; the scorpion has venom in the tail, but the wicked man
is full of the poison of malice.
Vemana echoes a similar thought. He
says man disparages animals as inferior creatures, as harmful and dangerous.
But he does realize that the blockhead is more dangerous than an animal. Hence,
one should deal with an ignoramus with caution.
When Time is on Our Side
Verses
of Vemana – 49
talliyunnayapude
tanadu garabamu
lamepovadannu narayadevaru
manchikalamapude maryada narjimpu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
lamepovadannu narayadevaru
manchikalamapude maryada narjimpu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: All the love and
caresses and the indulgence, the excessive fondness, the spoiling, the
pampering is fine as long as the mother showers them. Once she is gone, who
will show that affection or that fondness?
Similarly, Vemana says, when time flows
in one’s favor, when time is on our side, we should make every effort to
acquire respectfulness. We should fly one’s kite when the wind is blowing. For,
once it is airborne, it flies easily.
God is One
Verses
of Vemana – 48
pasuvula
vanneveru paleka varnama
bushpahjativeru pujayokati
darsanambu veru daivambu okatira
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
bushpahjativeru pujayokati
darsanambu veru daivambu okatira
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Adi
Sankaracharya says:
Talk as much philosophy as you like, worship as many gods as you please,
observe ceremonies and sing devotional hymns, but liberation will never come,
even after a hundred aeons, without realizing the Oneness.
Vemana refers to this Oneness in this
verse. He sings: varied are the hues of cows but the colour of milk is
the same; diverse are the kinds of flowers but the piety of worship is the
same; different are the manifestations of the divine, but God is the one.
Therefore, the first thing, the last
thing and the only thing to know about God is that God is one.
Anger Is One’s Own Enemy
Verses
of Vemana – 47
Kopamunanu
ghanata konchamaipovunu
Komamuna gunamu korata padunu
Kopamunanu bratuku konchamaipovunu
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Komamuna gunamu korata padunu
Kopamunanu bratuku konchamaipovunu
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema
Commentary: Anger needs no
introduction. Every enlightened soul has spoken about this destructive trait.
Baddena, author of Sumati
Satakam, is at his best when he says: “Tana kompame tana
satruvu” – anger is one’s own enemy! And like an enemy, anger first attacks our
good image and tarnishes it. It then infects our discrimination and causes our ‘quality
system’ to
crash. The final casuality is life itself.
It is no wonder that the Gita calls
anger the gate to hell. Those who master anger, master the world.
Speaking on Anger, Gandhi said,
“I have learned through bitter experience the one supreme lesson – to conserve
my anger; and asheat conserved is
transmuted into energy, even so our anger
controlled can be transmuted into a power, which can move the
world!”
The Three Fools
Verses
of Vemana – 46
bhoomi
nadi yanina bhumi phakkuna navvu
danahinu chuchi dhanamu navvu
kadana bhitu juchi kaludu navvunu
viswadhadhirama vinura vema
danahinu chuchi dhanamu navvu
kadana bhitu juchi kaludu navvunu
viswadhadhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana says that
three people will be laughed at.
The first is the one who declares that
he owns a piece of land. Mother Earth goes into peels of laughter on hearing
this. We do not own anything, not even our body. Nothing belongs to us, but we
think “Aham mameti, this is mine, this
is mine, this is mine.”
The second is the one who hoards wealth
without giving in charity even a paisa. Goddess Lakshmi
laughs at his folly. The wealth of a miser is as useless as a pebble[1]. It
might as well not exist.
The third kind is the coward who flees
from the battlefield. He believes he is fleeing death. Looking at him, Yama,
the god of Death, laughs. Who can escape the inevitable?
Man-Making And
Character-Building Education
Verses
of Vemana – 45
chaduvu
chadu vakunna soukhyambulunu levu
chaduvu chadiveneni sarasumdagunu
chaduvu marmamerigi chaduvaga chudadadamu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
chaduvu chadiveneni sarasumdagunu
chaduvu marmamerigi chaduvaga chudadadamu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Nothing is more
important than education: man-making and character-building education. All men
of realization understood that education is a worthy tool for eradicating
ignorance and attaining excellence.
Vemana says that the uneducated have no
comfort while he who is educated is a man of good taste, a connoisseur. But one
does not become wise by filling the mind with facts. It requires pursuing
education with the sole intention of savoring its fruit: culture, which is ‘the
knowledge of the world and ourselves’.
The Stupid Cannot
Be Taught
Verses
of Vemana – 44
edde
delpavachu nedadikainanu
mouni delpavachu masamunane
moppe delparadu muppadendlakunaina
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
mouni delpavachu masamunane
moppe delparadu muppadendlakunaina
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The difficulty of
educating an obstinate blockhead is excellently brought out in this verse. In
addition, Vemana also throws light in who can be taught easily.
Vemana says that the one who does not
know anything can be taught in a year’s time. An empty cup can, in due time, be
filled. He who is silent (an anagram of listen) can be taught in a month’s
time. But even thirty years of teaching a fool are in vain. He remains the same
– a dolt.
Determination
is Omnipotent
Verses
of Vemana – 43
pattupattaradu
pattu viduvaradu
patteneni bigiya batta valayu
batti viduchutakanna baraga jachuta melu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
patteneni bigiya batta valayu
batti viduchutakanna baraga jachuta melu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: This is an inspiring
verse on determination. Vemana urges that we should think carefully before
taking up any course of action. If we are not sure about accomplishing it, it
is better that we do not start it!
But once the mind is made up to do it,
we have to use dynamic will power to follow through and no matter what the
circumstances are, no matter what reverses come we should keep on with rugged
determination until the goal is reached. Far better it is to let go life than
to let go the will.
So
just, press on[1].
When Character is Lost, All
is Lost
Verses
of Vemana – 42
pujakanna
nencha budhi nidanambu
matakanna nencha manasu dhrudamu
kulamu kanna nencha gunamu pradhanambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
matakanna nencha manasu dhrudamu
kulamu kanna nencha gunamu pradhanambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The inner being of
man is more important than the external paraphernalia. In fact, the outside is
the inside turned out. Empty within is empty without[1].
Vemana says that a steadfast intellect
is better than worship; a firm mind is superior to the spoken word. Similarly,
virtue is more important than caste[2].
Did not Lord Krishna say in the Gita
that we are the sum total of our qualities?
The Nature of Good
Verses
of Vemana – 41
miremu
ginja chuda mida llagundu
koriki chuda lona juruku manunu
sajjanulagu vari saramitlundura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
koriki chuda lona juruku manunu
sajjanulagu vari saramitlundura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: It is the nature of a
good man not to flaunt his goodness. He holds it in his heart and expresses it
silently in his actions. Only when one knows him intimately, does one realize
his virtuous nature. To the ordinary eye, he is just another person. To the
discerning, he is a veritable god.
Vemana compares the nature of a good
man to the black pepper seed. On the surface, it brownish-black in color but is
hot and biting to taste. As the Tibetan proverb says, goodness speaks in a whisper, evil shouts.
Wealth Brings Honour
Verses
of Vemana – 59
karnudokade
kani ghanudevvadunu ledu
danasiludanchu dalapabadenu
talapa dhanamu karnu data jesenu sumi
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
danasiludanchu dalapabadenu
talapa dhanamu karnu data jesenu sumi
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Wealth by itself is
not evil. Hoarding it is evil. Misusing it is evil. Funding it to
propagate hatred is evil. Yet, the same wealth when offered spontaneously to
those who are in need brings honour. It earns name[1] and fame. Vemana cites
the example of the illustrious Karna. He is honoured to be more generous than
anyone else in the three worlds. Was not this distinction only due to wealth?
On Misers
Verses
of Vemana – 40
dhanamu
kudabetti dharmambuseyaka
tanu tinaka lessa dachugaka
tenetiga gurchi teruvari kiyyada
viswadhabhi rama vinura vema
tanu tinaka lessa dachugaka
tenetiga gurchi teruvari kiyyada
viswadhabhi rama vinura vema
Commentary: This verse of Vemana
is a mirror image of verse 15, chapter III of the Uddhava Gita. The miser
hoards a large quantity of money with great struggle and pain. He neither
shares it with others nor enjoys it himself. No matter how carefully he hides
his hard-earned wealth or tries to protect it, in time it will fall into the
hands of others[1]. The greedy man is like the bee that labours to gather a
large quantity of honey[2] without even relishing it. It eventually falls into
the hands of the honey-gatherer.
The True Measure Of Man
Verses
of Vemana – 58
koti
danamichi kopambu ponducho
batiseya ratani brajalu mechi
satvika gunamula sajjanudagunaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
batiseya ratani brajalu mechi
satvika gunamula sajjanudagunaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: A man is known by
what he is and not just by what he gives. He may give ten millions in charity
but if he does not have charity in his heart and is irascible he will not be
respected. That man is esteemed who is satvic: pure, whose
thoughts, words and deeds synchronize, who can cause only good to the
world.
Do Not Delay Doing Good
Verses
of Vemana – 57
kura
yudaku venuka kuduna kasaveru
yerukagalgi munupe yeravalayu
sthalamu tappu venuka dharamambu puttuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
yerukagalgi munupe yeravalayu
sthalamu tappu venuka dharamambu puttuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana says that
vegetables should be cleaned before cooking. There is no way one can wash them
after preparing the dish. Similarly, once the thought of doing good
materializes in the mind, it should be put into action. Else, it slips into
oblivion.
Someone said ‘I expect to pass through
this world but once; any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness
that I can show for any fellow creature let me do it now. Let me not defer or
neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.’ How true!
The Qualities of the Great
Verses
of Vemana – 56
anyulaku
vachu napada tanadiga
nennuvadu bhuvini nunnavadu
enneidanilona yehaparambulu lessa
gannavadu migula ghanudu vema
nennuvadu bhuvini nunnavadu
enneidanilona yehaparambulu lessa
gannavadu migula ghanudu vema
Commentary: In this verse, Vemana
presents the qualities of two souls: the noble and the enlightened. The
noble one feels for others’ calamity or misfortune, adversity or danger as he
would for himself. The Gita[1] calls him the supreme yogi. Lord Krishna says, O
Arjuna, the best type of yogi is he who feels for others, whether in grief or
pleasure, even as he feels for himself.
The enlightened one, on the other hand,
has realized the nature of the world: the corporeal and the incorporeal. Both
are exalted beings.
The Futility of
Pseudo Education
Verses
of Vemana – 55
orpuleni
bharya yunna phalamemi?
Budhileni bidda puttiyemi?
Sadgunambuleni chaduvadi yelara
Viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Budhileni bidda puttiyemi?
Sadgunambuleni chaduvadi yelara
Viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana’s comparisons
are at once commonplace and striking. They are trenchant and illuminating.
In this verse, he speaks of the
futility of an education that fails to inculcate good qualities. To hit this
point home he asks of what consequence is a wife who lacks patience? Of what
use is a son who is not endowed with intelligence? So, with an education that does not teach us to discriminate between
good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew the other.
The Glory of truth
Verses
of Vemana – 54
asuvinasamaina
nananda sukhakeli
satyanistaparuni santarinchu
satyanista juda sajjana bhavambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
satyanistaparuni santarinchu
satyanista juda sajjana bhavambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana here speaks of
the glory of truth. The ardent follower of Satya, he says, will readily give up
his life than give up truth. The quest of Truth for him is like tapas and he happily accepts suffering, even
death than stray from his chosen path. Such a man of truth is a noble soul. He
is worthy of worship. He is worthy of remembering always.
There is no better example for this
than the truthful king Harishchandra.
The Egg Ridiculing
the Chick
Verses
of Vemana – 53
gruddu
vachi pilla goradaladina
vidhamuga nerugaka verri janulu
jnanulainavari garhintiruraka
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
vidhamuga nerugaka verri janulu
jnanulainavari garhintiruraka
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vivekananda says that
‘each work has to pass through these stages-ridicule, opposition, and then
acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood’.
And the first one to throw the stones of ridicule is the ignoramus. They
readily censure the wise.
Vemana uses a classical Telugu
idiomatic expression to speak for this mentality: Guudu vachhi
pillani vekkirinchinatlu[1]. Literally, it means the egg ridiculing the chick. What
could be more absurd than that the foolish denouncing the wise?
None Can Enlighten
The Ignorant
Verses
of Vemana – 52
kharamu
palu dechi kachi chakkeraveya
bhakshyamagune yenna bhrastdatlae
yenta cheppi chivara nesagina bosagune
viswadhabhirama vinuravema
bhakshyamagune yenna bhrastdatlae
yenta cheppi chivara nesagina bosagune
viswadhabhirama vinuravema
Commentary: Many of Vemana’s
verses revolve around the futility of convincing the ignorant to open their
eyes to the light of knowledge. He uses different analogies to drive home this
point.
In this verse, he is at his caustic
best. This is what he has to say: the milk of a donkey even if boiled and
sweetened with sugar would still be unpalatable; so is the ignorant. No matter
how much one tries to enlighten him, he is of the same opinion still. He is
irredeemable.
The Quest for Wisdom
Verses
of Vemana – 51
kasuvunu
dinuvadu ghana phalambu ruchi
ganaledu gade vani yetlu
china chaduvulakunu minna jnanamu radu
iswadhabhi rama vinura vema
ganaledu gade vani yetlu
china chaduvulakunu minna jnanamu radu
iswadhabhi rama vinura vema
Commentary: The Ocean of
knowledge cannot be contained in a cup unless the cup is larger than the ocean.
Similarly, the man who is content with a little learning cannot acquire great
wisdom unless one has an equally great quest for wisdom.
Vemana says that he, who relishes hay,
will not know of the taste of delicious fruits.
The Blessedness Of Peace
Verses of Vemana – 69
santame janulanu jayamu nondinchunu
santamunane guruni jaadateluyu
santabhavamahima jarchimpalemaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
santamunane guruni jaadateluyu
santabhavamahima jarchimpalemaya
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The great musician-saint
Tyagaraja sings in Telugu: ‘Santamu leka saukhyamu ledu saarasa dala nayana,
Daantunikaina vedantunikaina[1]…’ Without peace, there is no happiness. One may
be an ascetic, a knower of the Vedas, have all the material comforts of a
family, wealth and food, be a master of the sastras, perform all the scriptural
injunctions, become famous as a devotee of the Lord yet peace of mind may still
elude him. Such is the blessedness of peace! Vemana says that a peaceful man
gains victory in any situation. The guru is known through peace alone. In
truth, no tongue can describe the glories of peace.
[1] ‘Santamu leka
saukhyamu ledu saarasa dala nayana, Daantunikaina vedantunikaina,daara sutulu
dhana dhaanyamulundina, Saareku japa tapa sampada galgina, Aagama
sastramulanniyu jadivina, Baaguga sakala hrud bhaavamu delisina, Yaagaadi
karmamulanniyu jesina, Bhaagavatulanuchu baaguga peraina, Rajaadhi raja sri
raaghava, Tyagaraja vinuta saadhu rakshaka tanakupa’
Charity is a
Cardinal Virtue
Verses of Vemana – 68
sudhi dhrustileka sukrunantativadu
pattaleka manasu paravidichi
kannupova bidapa gaki chandambuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
pattaleka manasu paravidichi
kannupova bidapa gaki chandambuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The Gita mentions twenty six ennobling qualities[1], attributes of
the soul. Charity is the fourth of these cardinal virtues.Charity or almsgiving
is meritorious. It cleanses the heart and restores it to its native purity.
India’s glorious epics
are filled with men who were epitomes of generosity. One such noble soul is the
great demon king Bali. Lord Vishnu comes to him as a midget, Vamana, asking for
three paces of land in alms. Bali agreed. Sukracharya, Mahabali’s guru,
realized the midget was none other than Lord Vishnu and warned Mahabali. But
Bali stood by him word. As he took the earthen pot and prepared to grant the
request by pouring water on the palm of Vamana to signify the donation
Sukracharya took the form of a bee and blocked its snout. Lord Vishnu, the
all-knowing, cleared the snout using a blade of sacred grass that blinded
Sukracharya in one eye.
Vemana says that Sukracharya’s blind eye
reminds one of the crows which is blind in one eye[2]. A fit reminder to one
who is not openhanded!
The Company We Keep
Verses of Vemana – 67
kanulupovuvadu kallupoyenavadu
ubhayularayagudi yundunatlu
peda peda guudi penagoniyundunu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
ubhayularayagudi yundunatlu
peda peda guudi penagoniyundunu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: The human magnet is, in
one sense, diametrically opposed to the ordinary magnet. While in the latter
like poles repel, in the former like-minded attract one another. Good draws
good and evil, evil. Vemana says that this is similar to the blind associating
with the blind, the lame with the lame and the poor with the poor. The
underlying message is that if one is willing to change oneself, all one has to
do is to change one’s company: the company of men and more importantly the company
of thoughts. It is that simple.
On Conquering Cruelty
October 16, 2009
Verses of Vemana – 66
champagudadetti jantuvunai
champavalayu loka satrugunamu
telukondi gotta delemicheyura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
champavalayu loka satrugunamu
telukondi gotta delemicheyura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana
advocates against cruelty towards the dumb creatures. He speaks about the need
to cultivate compassion. He says that we should give up the quality of violence
in all its forms and specially killing of animals. We should rather slay the
deadly beasts of ignorance roaming in the jungles of our mind[1]. A scorpion
whose telson is removed, of what harm will it be? Similarly, we should cut out
the stinger of evil nature in us and foster good behaviour. Else, it will be
like the story of the Frog and the Scorpion.
The Plague of Perfidy
Verses of Vemana – 65
cherukulona baini cheddagunambunna
tipiveyakunna dinaga bosaga
dantipurapu druhi yatadetlundura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
tipiveyakunna dinaga bosaga
dantipurapu druhi yatadetlundura
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana presents in this verse a bane as hazardous to the nation as is
cancer to the body: treason. He says that the traitor in one’s kingdom, on
discovery, should immediately be removed, just as the outer bark of the
sugarcane is to be peeled to eat it. Else, the consequences will be grave.
What is true of a nation
is true of an organization. It ‘can survive its fools, but it cannot survive
treason from within. An enemy outside is less formidable, for he is known and
carries out his plans openly. But the traitor in an organization moves freely
and works secretly to undermine its pillars. He infects the administration so
that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the
plague[1].’
The Seer
Verses of Vemana – 64
chimakutteneni chivukanipinchunu
chima yenta.dani shrusti yenta
chimavanti vani shrustilonerugumu
visdhabhirama vinura vema
chima yenta.dani shrusti yenta
chimavanti vani shrustilonerugumu
visdhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana speaks about the
wonder that is creation. Consider, how small the ant is! Yet, when it bites[1],
it hurts badly. Everything, from the infinitesimal amoeba to the inestimable
cosmos, has a role to play in the divine schema. The ignorant, himself out of
tune with God’s beautiful plan, fails to understand the significance of this
and shows scant respect to life. The ‘seer’, quite like the lover, sees ‘Him’
everywhere. In an ant as well as in an anteater!
Only the Virtuous
Know Virtue
Verses of Vemana – 63
dhaarmikunaku gani dharmabu kanaradu
kastajiviketlu kanabadunu
niru chorami lotu nijamuga deleyadu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
kastajiviketlu kanabadunu
niru chorami lotu nijamuga deleyadu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: To appreciate something
one must go through it. Only the tongue that tastes an orange knows it flavour.
Not all the description in the world will ever convey the tang. It is the same
with righteousness. Vemana says that none but the virtuous know the sweetness
of virtue. What will the wicked man know of the charm of uprightness? To know
the depth of water, one should enter it. Standing on the bank will tell us
nothing. Mere vicarious understanding cannot take the place of experience. He
who knows, he knows. None else knows[1]!
[1] Cosmic chants,
Paramahansa Yogananda (Kolkata: Yogada Satanga Society of India, 1993) p46
The Power of the
Spoken Word
Verses of Vemana – 62
vakkuvalana galugu paramagu mokhambu
vakkuvalana galugu varalu ghanata
vakkuvalana galugu nekkudaiswaryambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
vakkuvalana galugu varalu ghanata
vakkuvalana galugu nekkudaiswaryambu
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: A word is a world of
emotion. Has it not been in one’s experience that one word rightly chosen made
a friend and wrongly chosen made a foe? Vemana here harps on the infinite
potency of the spoken word. He says that the proper usage of words confers moksha, liberation. Words
bestow great honour on the one who employs them with discretion. And boundless
wealth is his whose tongue dances to the dictates of decorum. Word power works
wonders!
Experience Is a Private Affair
Verses of Vemana – 61
Tanadu bhratalella danambu cheyaga
danaku phalamatanchu minukaradu
tanaku kalugoya tana tammudedchuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
danaku phalamatanchu minukaradu
tanaku kalugoya tana tammudedchuna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Man may be a social
animal but is a solitary soul for every experience is a private affair. No one else
can ever feel another person’s agony or ecstasy, no matter how close he is to
him or how well he knows him. He is entitled to enjoy the sweet or bitter
fruits of his actions only not of others. So, is good or evil enjoyed or
suffered by one. Vemana here expounds the Law of Cause and Effect in common
parlance. He says the doer of the action will reap the result of the action. It
is his sole property. It belongs to no one. No one can trespass it. He cannot,
for instance, reap the outcome of a good deed done by his brother. Will he feel
the same pain of his brother’s severed leg?
Brain Drain or Human
Capital Flight
Verses of Vemana – 60
tamu tirugu bhumi khamapiditamaina
porigi desamunaku jarugavalayu
kolanatendipova kokkeralunduna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
porigi desamunaku jarugavalayu
kolanatendipova kokkeralunduna
viswadhabhirama vinura vema
Commentary: Vemana, in this verse,
presents a simple but sensible truth. He says that when the country you are in
is in the grip of famine, it is advisable to leave one’s nation and migrate to
greener pastures. This is prudent. Don’t the cranes desert a dried pond?
Vemana’s maxim holds true to drought of every kind, be it a lack of jobs or a
dearth of opportunities at home. Brain drain or human capital flight[1] as it
is today called, is no new concept!
