XXII: Poem : Quality & strength not the size is Important !!

 XXII :Poem

Lavana menta dani Labhambu gana nenta 

Koddi Danuchu nenna Goodanayya

Bhogimetiki Nupayogambe lekkagu

Viswadha Abhirama Vinura Vema.

Telugu Version :

లవణమెంత దాని లాభంబు గాన నెంత ,

కొద్దీ దంచు నిన్న గుడనేయ్య ,

భోగిమేటికి నుపయోగంబె లెక్కగు 

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ 

Meaning : This poem explains the importance of utility and purpose of anyone's existence in life. usually, people are judged by appearances rather than their qualities. Take the example of Salt: The size of each salt granule is so tiny but it adds flavor to our food and food without salt is tasteless. Likewise, the poet is advising us not to judge anyone or anything by seeing outward appearances but to be careful in jumping to conclusions in underestimating the power of trustworthy people.

Story : Once there lived a King who had three beautiful daughters.Once the king called his daughters to find out how much they value him. The Eldest Princess said," Your Highness,I value you as this kingdom"You are so important to me".Kind felt very elated on listening to it. The second Princess was summoned when she answered that she values the King more than the Gold and riches of the kingdom" which made king all the more delighted. Then he summoned the third daughter and asked the same question "How much do you value me in your life" The third Princess humbly said "Your Highness I value you as the salt in my life " On hearing this answer the King was aghast and turned furious and felt insulted for being compared to or valued as salt which is so small. So he ordered his soldiers to expel his third daughter from the kingdom. The sad princess left the kingdom all alone leaving all the wealth and comforts behind.

After a few months, the king went out in the forest for hunting and he was terribly tired and also lost his way in the forest and was separated from his soldiers and started wandering the forest. Suddenly he found a small hut. As he was too tired and thirsty wanted to borrow some water from there and entered the hut. He was aghast to see his third daughter in that hut. Princess too felt quite happy to see her father. Firstly she offered him some water and then served him food. The moment the King tasted the food he grew furious once again for serving tasteless food without salt.On hearing her father's infuriated words the Princess explained " Your Highness! Now did you understand the utility and importance of salt in the food? and in our lives " I meant the same! As food without salt can't be tasteful my life without you is also tasteless"!I value you as salt because I consider salt to be the most valuable thing in our lives".On listening to the words of his third daughter King had realized his mistake and apologized to her and took her back to the kingdom along with him and loved her and respected her throughout his life and considered her to be the most precious jewel in his life.

XXIII: Poem : Knowledge is Power

Mataladagalugu marmamulerigina

Pinna Peddatanamu Lenna valadu.

Pinna Cheti Divve Peddaga Velugada

Viswadha Abhirama Vinura Vema.

Telugu Version :

మాటలాడగలుగు  మర్మములెరిగిన ,

పిన్న పెద్ద తనము లేన్న వద్దు ,

పిన్న చేతి దివ్వె పెద్దగా వెలుగదా ,

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ 

Meaning:  We should respect the knowledge and managerial skills of any person despite his age. We should not underestimate the young people even amidst the wise old people. Knowledge and administrative ability are not associated with age. A torch spreads the same light whether in the hands of a young or old one. Hence a knowledgeable person should be honored forever despite his age and experience.

Story : There is a beautiful story related to this poem.Prahlada is the son of Hiranyakasipa who was a demon king, who acquired the power of immortality through intense Tapas and bestowed a boon by Brahma that neither a human being nor an animal can kill him. Once he was bestowed with this boon, he started degrading Vishnu in many ways. Apart from this he became quite arrogant and treated others very rudely.

Hiranyakasipa had a son namely Prahalada who turned out to be a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu which enraged Hiranyaksha. He never paid any heed to the words of Prahallada and ignored his wise words to plead to Lord Vishnu for his kindness. Hiranyakasipa tried punishing Prahlada and finally went to an extent of ordering his soldiers to kill him yet every time the devotion of Prahlada towards Lord Vishnu saved him miraculously which was not accepted by his father. He kept on cursing Lord Vishnu in front of Prahlada. Finally in heated combat between the father and son: Hiranyakasipu asked Prahlada "when you say Vishnu is Omni Present and Omni Potent, Can you show your Lord Vishnu in this rock pillar?" Prahlada's staunch devotion made him pray to Lord Vishnu which impressed Lord Vishnu and he came in the form of a Half-human and Half Lion from the rock pillar and like a ferocious Lion killed Hiranykasipu.

If Hiranyakasipu would have paid heed to Prahalada's words and understood the ultimate power of God he would have lived happily. Thus we can never underestimate youngsters and demean them.

XXI: Poem : Be Humble !!

Alpudepudu Baluku aadambaramuganu 

Sajjanundu Paluku Challaganu

Kanchu mogunatlu Kanakambu Moguna

Viswadha Abhirama Vinura vema.

Telugu Version :

అల్పుడెపుడు బల్కు ఆడంబరముగాను ,

సజ్జనుండు పలుకు చల్లగాను ,

కంచు మొగునట్లు కనకంబు మోగునా ?

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ 

Meaning :  A foolish or a moron would continuously blow his trumpet and speaks high about his actions without even doing any good to anyone.Where as a noble person speaks softly maintaining a low profile and being humble .One needs to understand the  difference between the sounds made by Bronze and Gold.Will Gold make the sound of a Bronze object ? tough it is costlier than Bronze? Like wise we should be  humble and modest rather than feeling proud and being arrogant.

Story : When Ravana ,the demon king abducted Seeta and took her to Lanka,the sorrowful Rama along with Lakshmana started searching for Seeta and in that process reached Kishkinda ,made friends with Sugriva and empowered hanuman who was a famous devotee of Rama ,to go to Lanka to enquire the welfare of Sita.Hanuman  the Vayuputra is known for his bravery and courage ,yet very humble (though some call it diffidence)In the process of searching for sita in Lanka he humbly pleaded Sita to accept him as the devotee of Rama and expressed his loyalty and reverence towards Rama .Though capable ,he agreed to fo back to Rama to inform and bring him back with the troops to wage war against Ravana.

On contrary,Ravana, is so proud of his wealth,bravery and power that he demeaned everyone including his own brother.When he got to know about Hanuman's unauthorised entry into Lanka he was very furious and wanted  to show his power by killing Hanuman.He summoned Hanuman to his court and insulted im,yet Hanuman kept quiet   .

This story tells us to be humble and speak softly with others .

XX : Poem : Effective communication is important.Walk the Talk !!

XX : Poem

Maataladavacchu Manasu Telapagaledu

Telupavachu dannu Teliya ledu 

SuriyaBatta vacchu Soorudu Kaledu

Viswadha Abhirama Vinura Vema.

Telugu Version:

మాటలాడవచ్చు మనసు తెలపగలేడు ,

తెలుపవచ్చు దన్ను తెలియ లేడు .

సూర్య బట్ట  వచ్చు సూరీడు కాలేడు 

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ 

Meaning: A Talkative Person without the clarity of thought may speak well but can't communicate his intentions clearly. He may advise others superficially about the gospels yet can never control his mind . All men who hold swords can't become brave warriors, Likewise, all People who talk Gospels and advise others to correct themselves  need not have to follow what they say.

Story : Drona Charya being a teacher advised many students to develop good qualities like not to be judgemental about anyone and treat all students alike but in practice, he didn't; Ex : He was biased towards Arjuna, As he never wanted anyone to be more dexterous than Arjuna, he refused to teach archery to Ekalavya with a pretext that Ekalavya wasn't a Kshatriya and thus he sent a wrong signal as a teacher failing to understand that the true purpose of  Education is equity despite the era one lives in!.he also ruthlessly demanded Ekalavya's thumb as a Guru Dakshina thus he elevated Arjuna to be the greatest archer in the World.

This story tells that one shouldn't be biased and  a Guru requires transparency and good intention to be called as Guru. This quality of Drona Charya made him remain as simple Guru to impart skills to his students as he forgot the true meaning of Acharya who had to focus on Spiritual growth of students and accept everyone alike. Hence people who simply impart skills will not get respect but a true teacher is to accept all follow equity.

XIX : Poem : Education is for living and Life

 XIX : Poem :

Vidya Lekayunna Vittamu lekunna

Moodhudaina tudaku Moogayaina

Nisthabandhudaina Kastame Kalugunu

Viswadha abhirama Vinura Vema.

Telugu Version :

విద్య లేకున్నా విత్తము లేకున్న,

మూడు డైన  తుదకు మూగయైన ,

నిష్ఠ బంధుడైన తుదకు కష్టమే కలుగును 

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ 

Meaning : The universal fact is spoken through this poem. One needs education as well as money to lead a happy life. A Person who is educated and rich can lead a comfortable life despite his foolishness or any physical disabilities. Where as a well mannered and righteous person can never lead a happy and comfortable life without education and money. So Education for living is equally important as the education for life. So one has to be more practical in understanding the materialistic world in order to lead a respectable life.

Story : Sudama the close friend of Krishna neither had education nor money due to his poor financial background. Hence though he was very sincere and honest along with righteousness he led an uncomfortable life filled with poverty. He was unable to feed his family .

How did it happen and why he remained poor?

Krishna and Sudama once went to the forest to gather brushwood. They stayed in forest for long, walking and chatting with each other, while also enjoying the beauty of their environment. It started getting quite late and Krishna got hungry. Sudama, in the meantime, had some beaten rice (atukulu) with him, which was given by Sandipan's wife before they leave and she asked to share the food with Krishna. However, Sudama didn't offer this food to his friend. Krishna kept telling him how hungry he was and asked his friend if he had anything at all to eat. Sudama denied taking along anything to eat. A while later Krishna laid down on Sudama's lap, after which Sudama took the beaten rice and started eating. Lord Krishna though his eyes are closed, he knew what's going on and asked Sudama what was he eating. Sudama said, "nothing, it was due to cold you hear my teeth biting". Then Krishna tells Sudama a story in which there were two friends and one of them ate food without offering to other. When the friend asked what was he eating, he says "what is there to eat, except mud". Then the friend says " Tadhastu ( Let it happen that way)". Krishna adds, the friend in this story is greedy and not as good as you. So it happens to you only if you are greedy too. This explains why Sudama experienced extreme poverty and he gained wealth only after offering Lord Krishna's share of beaten rice. The moral of the story is to offer food to hungry people or animals ( Seeing God in all creatures) around you before you eat.

After they returned to Gurukul, when guru mata asked about the indecent Krishna told that he not even got a single bite, guru mata angrily told sudama that you will be poor for your entire life and this sin will not be cured until you will face this for decades.

Thats why Krishna was help less due to guru Matas words for sudama, and he was not able to help him.when Krsihna and Sudama returned to ashram after the incident, Krishna told him that sudama owe this to Krishna. That he has to return it some day. Sudama spent all of his time and effort in religious efforts befitting a true Brahmin which explained why he was financially not well off. These included teaching religion and moral duties, spreading spirituality through society etc.

XVIII ;Poem : Patience is the key to success.

 XVIII Poem : 

Bahula Kavyamulanu barikimpaga vachu

Bahula Shabdha Chayamu Paluka Vachu

Sahana Mokkatabba Chaala Kastamura

Viswadha Abirama Vinura Vema.

Telugu :

బహుళ కార్యంబు లను బలికింపంపగ వచ్చు ,

బహుళ శబ్ద చయము బలు క వచ్చు 

సహన మొక్కటబ్బచాల కష్టమురా 

విశ్వదాభిరామ వినురవేమ 

Meaning : A Highly learned person may be able to study Puranas and Kavyas of high magnitude. A Knowledgeable person may be able to communicate exceptionally well and convey his thoughts and ideas inspiringly to others but the most crucial skill and quality one needs to develop is "PATIENCE"!As  this quality of Patience is very essential to achieve success and to be termed as a wise man.

Story: Maharshi Viswa Mitra was the most venerated Rishis mentioned in Puranas as well as Valmiki Ramayana.Despite all the wisdom and compassion, he had short temper, whether it is during the time of taking Rama and Lakshmana from Ayodhya to safeguard the Yagya that's planned by Rishis which was being interrupted by Maricha and Subahu, or an encounter with Vashista where Vashista destroys Vishvamitra's entire army by the simple use of his great mystic and spiritual powers, breathing the Om syllable. Vishvamitra then undertakes a Tapasya for several years to please Shiva, who bestows upon him the knowledge of celestial weaponry. He proudly goes to Vaśiștha's ashram again and uses all kinds of powerful weapons to destroy Vashista and his hermitage. He succeeded in the killings of Vashista's thousand sons but not Vashista himself.An enraged Vashista brings out his brahmadanda, a wooden stick imbued with the power of Brahma.It consumes Vishvamitra's most powerful weapons, including the brahmastra. Vashista then attempts to attack Vishvamitra, but his anger is allayed by Devas.Vishvamitra is left humiliated while Vashista restores his hermitage.^[

In both cases though they were called Rishis due to the power of knowledge ,they lacked patience and they worshipped in return of some power or materialistic possessions.Viswamitra lost his patience and concentration and falls prey to Indra's temptations in the form of Menaka and again got back to a life of a grihasta.He took many years to over come his pride and anger and to calm down.Thus his story is the best example to know that Patience is the toughest quality to develop but once you develop success will be yours.

XVII : Poem : Beware of People who blow their own trumpet.

XVII : Poem :

Vinna Suddhi Konta Vinani Suddhulu konni

VintaSuddhu lenno vinaga Jeppu

Danu Ganna Yatte Dhambhikudu eppudu

Viswadha Ahirama Vinura Vema.

Telugu Version :

విన్న శుద్ధి  కొంత వినని సుద్దులు కొన్ని ,

వింత శుద్ధు లెన్నో వినగా జెప్పు 

దాను గన్న ఎత్తే డాం భికుడు ఎప్పుడు ,

విశ్వదాభిరామ  వినురవేమ 

Meaning : A cunning person  captivates an innocent man with his innate skills through his Talkative nature.He indulges into speaking on various topics few heard and few cooked up sweet sayings ,and thus hide  his falsehood but we need to be wise enough to assess the people before falling prey to their cunningness.Don't believe people who blow their own trumpets.

Story : Uttarakumara the son of Virata from Mastya Kingdom.This is the kingdom where Pandavas had stayed in disguise of servants in various capacities to complete their agyatavasa.Kauravas ,after the death of Kichaka the brother-in-law of Virata suspected that Pandavas had hidden in Virata's court so they raised a battle against matsya kingdom.Uttarakumara who was not so strong  and courageous would always blows his trumpet and boasts about his abilities , had declared that he would blow away the whole Kaurava army single handedly and bring the tip of the  crown.He proudly ordered Arjuna in disguise of Brihannala,the dance teacher of Uttara his sister,to be the charioteer in the battle field.Yet the moment he saw the large troops of Kauravas ran away from the battle field.Finally Arjuna had to reveal his original identity and fight the battle with Kauravas.

Till this incident everyone felt that Uttara Kumara was a brave warrior.