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OCTOBER, 1902.] SOME MILE STONES IN TELUGU LITERATURE.
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I append some verses, universally attributed to Vemana, from a translation by C. P. Brown, to give the reader a tolerably fair idea of his writings : -
Specimens of Vemana's Verse. 1. Observances void of purity of heart I to what end are they? to what end is the preparation of food without cleansing the vessel ? Void of parity of mind, to what end is the worship of God ?
2. One real and good sapphire is enough, why collect a basketful of glittering sparkling stones ? Consider, then, is not one verse, if worth reading, sufficient ?
3. A false teacher restrains us in all our acts. The middling, ordinary teacher makes a multitude of senseless spells. Bnt the good one combines the whole power of excellence.
4. Whatever he may read who is devoid of understanding, his virtue continues only so long as he is reading ; even as a frog is dignified only so long as it is seated on a lotus leaf.
5. At the sight of women, the cupidinous man quits his meal, being stricken with the pain of desire ; even as the grasshopper delights in viewing the fire that will destroy it.
6. If a corpse leave a miser's house, when he has given the money for the shroud and bier, "alas for the fees" cries he, sobbing and sobbing as he weeps!
7. He that, relying on the prince, ruins the land, the sorrows of the people shall reach him, and at last be sball fall. How long shall the bounding ball retain its elevation ?
8. Though iron break twice or thrice, the smith knows how to heat and weld it. If the spirit break, who shall restore it?
9. He who keeps himself afar from another's wife; who desireth not another's wealth, but is benevolent; who, though others be enraged, is not wroth; and who lives in the esteem of others, is the wise man.
10. By the groaning of buffalo-hide bellows (in the world) the five metals are calcined: when good men grieve, will not a great flame arise to heaven?
11. If thou wilt work for hire, and slave, and gain, and give it to thy wife, she knows to applaud thee: but a thousand-fold will she revile her husband, if he falls into poverty.
12. Were the earth void of the excellently virtacas, how should the world stand nor bn burnt with fire? They are not so very frequent : but only here and there.
13. When his passions are redoubled, a man is seizer with madness and roams the earth. Cupidity makes a man as restless as a dog.
14. The house of a virtuous young woman is orderly, she is like a light shining in a dark room. The house in which a first wedded wife dwells is like the place of divine worship.
15. A medicine may always be found somewhere in the world to heal wounds received in front, Bat hath any remedy been found to heal the wounds of slanderous words ?
16. Though a vessel be broken, a new one is easily procured. Is it then marvellous that after a man's death he should acquire a new body?
17. Meditation is of superior merit to the bestowing of gifts, as understanding is superior to meditation, and to cut off our lusts is superior even to our understanding.
18. Know that sin is the cause of drooping the head ; that all trae good originates in the spirit, but to comprehend this requires much firmness.
19. By talking and conversing, affection increases, as you continue to eat even the bitter margosa leaf, it becomes sweet; so by practice may we succeed in any art whatever.
