Telugu original: Baddena (1220-1280) <br />English translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar <br /> <br />(1) <br /> <br />VeyyAru nadulu jalanidhi <br />Tiyyaka nanisambu galaya tiyyana galadA <br />Kuyyidu vaniki jnAnamu <br />Veyyi vidhambulanu delupa vrudharA sumathi <br /> <br />Even if thousands of rivers incessantly flow down <br />in to the ocean, will its waters turn sweet? <br />Even when wisdom is imparted in thousand ways <br />To a wicked, it is futile to reform him, oh man of fair mind <br /> <br />(2) <br /> <br />Videmu seyani norunu <br />jEdela yadharamruthambu jendani norun <br />pAdanga rAni nOrunu <br />bUdida kiruvaina pAdu bondara Sumathi <br /> <br />A mouth that does not chew betel leaves <br />A mouth that does not relish the nectar of women’s lower lips <br />A mouth that is not adept at singing <br />Is worth a disused ditch filled with thrown out cinders, oh man of fair mind <br /> <br />Glossary: <br /> <br />(1) Veyyaru = thousands of, Jalanidhi = Ocean, Kuyyidu = Wicked (Telugu colloquial usage ‘kuyya gadu’ derived from it) <br />(2) Videmu = betel leaves (Sweet paan) Chedelu = women, Adharamrutambu = nectar of lower lip <br />Budida = ashes/cinders, Padu bonda = disused ditch (Dust Bin)<br /><br />Ch J Satyananda Kumar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/more-wisdom-of-sumathi/
