Vemana 1-3

Vemana padyalu - Yogi Vemana poems - Vemana satakam

About Vemana:

Vemana was a great Telugu poet and a philosopher who most probably lived between fiftheenth and seventeenth centuries.

His poems written in Telugu are known for their use of simple language and native idioms.

His poems discuss the subject of yoga, wisdom and morality.

He is more popularly known as Yogi Vemana

1 Loving What We Do

Verses of Vemana – 9

Gangi govu paalu garitadainanu chaalu
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.

2 Heart: Handle With Care

Verses of Vemana-8

Inumu virigeneni irumaru mummaru
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.

3 Humility: Queen Of Virtues

Verses of Vemana-7

Anuvu gani chota Nadhikulamanaradu
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”.