Vemana

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Vemana bigraphy, stories - Telugu poet

Vemana : biography

Kumaragiri Vema Reddy popularly known as Vemana () was a great Telugu philosopher and poet. 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 Yoga, wisdom and morality. He is popularly called Yogi Vemana, in recognition of his success in the path of Yoga.

Poetic style

Many lines of Vemana’s poems are now colloquial phrases of the Telugu language. They end with the signature line Viswadhaabhi Raama, Vinura Vema, literally Beloved of Vishwadha, listen Vema. There are many interpretations of what the last line signifies.

Vemana’s poems were collected and published by C.P.Brown in the 19th century.Brown, C.P. (1829). . His poems are of many kinds, social, moral, satirical and mystic nature. Most of them are in Ataveladi (dancing lady) meter.

Sample poetry

Uppu Kappurambu nokka polika nundu ……….. ఉప్పు కప్పురంబు నొక్క పోలిక నుండు
Chooda chooda ruchulu jaada veru ……………… చూడ చూడ రుచుల జాడ వేరు
Purushulandu Punya purushulu veraya …………. ఫురుషులందు ఫుణ్య పురుషులు వేరయ
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema ……………… విశ్వధాభిరామ, వినుర వేమ
Salt and camphor look similar,
but closer observation shows their taste is different
Among men, virtuous people stand apart
Beloved of the Bounteous, Vema, listen!
Kanaka mrugamu bhuvini kadhu Ledhanakanu………………కనక మృగము భువిని కలదు లేదనకను
Tharuni veedi chaniye DhaasharathuDu…………………….తరుణి వీడి చనియె దాశరధుడు
Budhi Lenivaadu Dhevudetlaayaraa……………………….బుద్ధిలేనివాడు దేవుడెట్లాయెరా?
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema………………………….విశ్వధాభిరామ, వినుర వేమ
Golden animal on earth is imaginary
Son of Dhaasharatha left his wife and chased after it
He was foolish and insane, how can he be a God?
Beloved of the Bounteous, Vema, listen!
Gangi govu paalu garitadainanu chaalu……………….గంగి గోవు పాలు గరిటడైనను చాలు
Kadivedainanemi kharamu paalu……………………….కడివెడైననేమి ఖరము పాలు
Bhakti kalugu koodu pattedainanu chaalu…………….భక్తి కలుగు కూడు పట్టెడైనను చాలు
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema………………………విశ్వధాభిరామ, వినుర వేమ
A ladleful of a Sacred cow’s milk is enough
Of what worth is even a potful of donkey’s milk
Even a little food given with respect is sumptuous
Beloved of the Bounteous, Vema, listen!
Atmasuddhi leni acharamadi ela……………….ఆత్మశుద్ధి లేని అచారమది ఏల
Bhandasuddhi leni pakamadi ela……………….భాండశుద్ధి లేని పాకమేల
Chittasuddi leni sivpujalelara……………………చిత్తశుద్ది లేని శివ పూజలేలర
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema…………….విశ్వధాభిరామ, వినుర వేమ
What is the purpose of custom sans inner purity?
What is the purpose of cooking sans cleanliness of vessels?
What is the purpose of worship of Shiva sans purity of mind?
Beloved of the Bounteous, Vema, listen!
Alpudeppudu palku adamburamu ganu………………….ఆల్పుడెపుడు పల్కు ఆడంబురము గాను
Sajjanundu palku challaganu………………………………సజ్జనుండు పల్కు చల్లగాను
Kanchu moginatlu kanakammu mroguna……………….కంచు మోగినట్లు కనకమ్ము మ్రోగునా
Viswadhaabhiraama, Vinura Vema……………………….విశ్వధాభిరామ, వినుర వేమ