మ #ర మకర ద '(క) గ+ ద, -. /,మ# ధ, మ12గవ4567న

Transcription

1 మ #ర మకర ద '(క) గ+ ద, -. /,మ# ధ, మ12గవ4567న!"# గ% ద( )*+! 1

2 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 2

3 ,తన Potana,తన త/0 లక34 బ, త 6( 7శన. 9:; ఓ=గ>? (వర గB) దగCర బDEఱ GHమ+.,తన JKత Lల MH త+.,తన N=OG: P= ఇవR: SమTధయW.,తనG: XYZ[> గ\[>.,తన ]న^ వయ!_ "`ab ద డక+", "dరభద( Kజయ+" అh L9W> 9Hi=. స స 3త "గవlm^ Kవ: ]న n(ధర 9WఖW p చrO[m, s>n "గవత+ ర] t=.,తన Lల+_ uvw>, బxమm!yzpల v{ల అ}చ~య+G ఉ ;. అ rవలన,తన "గవత+ M ట బ6న;. m^ "G> ధల ˆ, 9 m గ గన, Š గన, TరయW> X: t=. "గవత+ అర + Œ! వట+ ty కష+.,తన అ ద:~ అర మ Wట 0Lక, ఇ L చrవO వలh 4 రW+ ర] t=. త=9త వ] న కO> అ ద=, ఈT Šm4 కOల సx ఎ త,తనp అpక:!zన^9. iమpw> s/యక,št,తన పvWల_m పvలp 9{œ ఉ =. అ rకh, "n( žవలw పద Ÿ %=ట[ " అm నర నE ఉ డ డదm MH: ]న,తన మన_h ఉ 6, =. ",త} అస> మర\ కv, మ ట m!!!" (ఆ=ద(). Potana was born to Lakkamaamba (mother) and Kesana (Father). He lived in Bammera village, near present day Warangal. Potana lived around AM. His guru was Ivaturi Somanadhayya. Potana s ancestors were mathematicians/accountants by profession. As a young poet, Potana authored Bogini Dandakamu and Virabadra Vijayamu. He later composed Bhagavatamu in Telugu with the aid of the sanskrit commentary written by Sridhara. During Potana s time there was a lot of turmoil due to wars and raids by the Bahamani Sultans. Potana s Bhagavatamu was buried (literally) and some sections were destroyed. Later, they were rewritten by Gagana, Singana and Narayya. Bhagavatam has deep spiritual content and is difficult to understand. The beauty of Potana s Telugu Bagavatamu is, it entices the readers with its sweetness. Several poets imitated him, including the present poets who writes lyrics for Telugu movies. Even, commoners use phrases from Potana s Andhra Bagavatam, without realizing that they are quoting Potana. Potana prayed I want to find the path to God and wished he would not be reborn. He never died, he is still living with us.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 3

4 9ల 2గవ;) <1=>,?మ7, అమ త, /, CD, E(మ, అ జ( n( మvªగవత }ణ+ n( మx K O అవlర+>, కథ>, మ మల స కలన+. మx "రత+ ర] ]న త=9త ద 9W!{ ఏ² అస ³H µ ఉT^{. ఈ అస త µ Lరణ టm Tరr6m ప( ^ చG, bo K కథ 9Hయమm M¹{. అ ¹{ ద 9W!{ మx "గవlm^ ర] t{. 9W!m వదº, అతm [4={»క మహ:½ s>![m, అ¾మpWm [4= న పYÀÁ మx} Kవ: t{. ఆ ¹{ ÂRà Œ: ఉ³Äక Kన^ మహ=½ల _ Åతక మహ:½ ఒక{. ఒక i: Åతక మహ:½ ÇరÈW+ p ] ÉÊz డG, Ëనక మహ:½, అతm W> రG, 9: "గవత+ Km t{. ఆ పర పర_,తన KT^{. iమpwల న మన[, అద షవ ³లమNట Œత, మన s>n 9: అర మ WyG, అతW త మ ర+G n( మv ధ( "గవత+ ర] t{. ఆ పర పర నiaÅÌ, Íల "గవ³> గ% ద( )*+ Kవ:!zT^=. Sri Madh Bhagavata Purana is a collection of stories and divine powers of Sri Maha Vishnu. Veda Vyasa was not content after the composition of the great epic Maha Bharata. So, he asked Narada the reason for his unhappiness. Narada told him to compose MahA Bhagavatam, the story of Vishnu. So, did Veda Vyasa. His son Suka, learned Maha Bagavatamu and narrated it to Emperor Parikshit (Son of Abhimanyu and Grandson of Arjuna). Many saints and sages gathered around during this narration. One of those sages, Sutaka maharshi later travelled to Naimisa forest and visited Saunaka muni s ashram. Saunaka muni and his disciples were eager to learn Maha Bagavatam and Saunaka muni narrated it to them. The tradition continued and Potana translated it beautifully, in poetic format from Sanskrit to Telugu. Potana s Bagavatam translation is fortuitos for all telugu speaking population and anyone interested in telugu. Our Bala Bagavatas are continuing the same tradition of reciting Gajendra Mokshamu from Bagavatam.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 4

5 G H 'ట ఈ సµక+ సKLల+ శలవల_ ల0లm,Ί,తన పదW+> h}¹లh ఉlÄహ+ Ïద> న ప( (య. ల0ల ఉlÄహ+, h:¹ Œ పvW> :Gš. గ% ద( )*+ కÐ గమన తప¹[ 28 పvW> ఎ Â[T^p. m^ ప(Ñదరణ Ò ;m పvW> వ;/ iనm అm ] ;, ఇ త_h దº9= అM¹ల0 SమTధశరE G= N=µ ŒŠ, M6 Km t=. ఉన^ ఆ= 9}ల_(9}m Ó { i=0) ఇ తక Ô ఎ[3వ ప¹Õక,యp. అD:L_ ఉ డట+వలన ల0ల స+ ఆ గ0+_ అ}w> 9HయవలŠ వ] న;. ఇ; ZtÖp9ద+. s>n ప( పvరº+ X:µG స: పడక,వÂ. s>n lత¹రw+ T[ ]న Ø 9HÇp, అÙక ప(స గ ఉ ;. అ rవలన త ¹ÕమT^ జ:aˆ, అK T. అ³WlÄహ+ ŒŠనK, s/యక ŒŠనK. దº> మm^ ప MHర న. ల0ల[,తన పvW> h:¹!zt^న ఉlÄహ+ šw Šన9= ty మ ; ఉT^=, ఉlÄహప:]న 9= ty మ ; ఉT^=. ఓ కG పvW> }గ uకµ+g Mడట+ h:¹ ]న 9= n(మ గ( Ù ÚW G=. మనవ మనమ}ళ p Ü! వ m వ], 9Wకరణ+ 9HŠన9= n(మ ఉMÝWuల మx లÀE G=. ఎప¹ p Þ,Î![న^ Í ßమE> ల0ల Ü tyh ఉlÄహ+. ఈ స దరª+G, ఈ సµక+_ 9{[T^p. Í G: ప¹[ ŒŠన పm. అ rకm, Í G=, 9: ³H> రమణG=(àన ఉT^=), 9: ఇ ప(క3p yom m^g=, మm^izరm^ త>izp. I collected a few kids during the summer break to introduce Andhra Maha Bhagavatam and Potana s poetic beauty. To aid the poetry recital, I started to create a few handouts and it turned into this book. I selected 28 poems from Gajendra Moksham. The selection of poems was done with an emphasis on retaining the storyline. A couple of popular poems did not make it to the final selection. I had my regrets, but Appalla Somanatha Sarma garu pointed it to me and recited those poems beautifully. Unfortunately, with kids meeting only for six weeks (twice a week), I could not add more poems to this collection. Since these kids were American born, their mastery in English is far superior to their Telugu. So, I had to write the meanings both in Telugu and English. Summary of the poems in Telugu is based on my understanding of the poems. There was also a lot of unnecessary commentary. So, if there were any mistakes made in the summaries or translation, they were purely my mistakes. They are omissions of an over enthusiastic dad playing a teacher s role. I hope the learned elders can forgive me for these errors. As soon as I mentioned that I will be teaching Potana poems to kids, several people extended their help. Several others encouraged this effort. Smt. Grandhi Jyoti helped the kids sing the poems with the proper poetic metre and emotion. She researched and composed tunes for the poems. Smt. Upadhyayula Maha Lakshmi garu was visiting her grand kids and took time to write the grammar for these poems. I always wanted to introduce kids to my collection of Bapu art. This was a wonderful opportunity and I used some of his paintings in this book. I did not get Bapu s permission. Hopefully, Bapu garu, Ramana garu (from the heavens) and their big fat aunty from next door can forgive me.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 5

6 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 6

7 KషయÅ]క Table of Contents 1 స Jáకరణ 8 Notation 2 కÐ స గ(హ+ Short story 3 గ% ద( )*+, Gajendra Moksham 4 స ప(; /ప}మరâ గ( Ð> References 5 Íల "గవ³ల ప:చయ Presenting our young Bhagavatas 60!"# గ% ద( )*+! 7

8 స Jáకరణ Notation "గవత+_m అÝWయ+లm స3 థ+> అ =. "గవత+_ పã^ { స3 థ+> ఉన^K. స3 థ+ల ఱ[ గడ_m కä >. "గవత+ ఱ[ yg యWG ఉ ;. Each chapter in Bagavatam is called Skandamu. There are twelve chapters. Skandamu means the knot in a sugarcane. In between each knot there is sweetness. Bagavatam is sweet like sugarcane. స3 థ+ Chapter పదW+ స ఖW Verse MHస Rhyme 1-1 J. n( žవలw పద Ÿ %=ట[ ] దæ; _క ర ఛ ద!Ä Poetic metre Ç - Çðñల+, sardulamu మ - మˆµభ+, mathebhamu ˆ - ˆటò, tetagithi ó - óస+, sisamu ఉ - ఉత¹ల4ల, utpalamala క - క ద+, kandamu çlర భ[; భకµ Mలన కè స ర భ[æ; vనé ê(కసµ భ[ ; Îë _ల; Kలసద ºGìల స íత; T T క Ñత భ9 డ [ భ[; మxన v గT6 భ[æ య, Kశ(మiîన+ Freindly letters, Pause!"# గ% ద( )*+! 8

9 గ+ ద, -.G కK స గ,హG ( ట పరZత MH త+_ ఒక భయ కర న అడK ఉ ;. అ r_ ôక3 ట Õనm^ ఏpN> గ% rhడh ఒక దº ఏpN, ఒక దº ఆడ ఏpNల N _ Œ:, ఆన ద+G =N³T^š. =N³T^{. ఒక Þట lమర X>, క>వ X> 6న అ ద న, mరeల న సర!Ä ఒక కm ] ;. ఆ_] చ[ అ r_ తన "రWల సx ;a ఆ{ ig{. ఆ ఏpN> Œ అలజ6 సర!Ä_ ఉన^ దº Ïస/ కvm ప+ వ], గ% rhm L> గ G ప Ø న^;. క: (ఏpN), మక: (Ïస/) ఇదºð బలవ ³లమh Òగ= Ø[T^š. b _,}ట+ జ=N³న^; Lబ, Ïస/ ãమe;g ప Ø :a ;, ఏpN అలŠÒš ;. ఏõ చm గ% rh{, ఆఖ: ప(యత^+G n( మx K Om రÀ చమm Ïర Ø[T^{. n( êk xšg గ{ ³న^ n( మx K O ఒక3 ఉrటన Õ] వ], Ïస/m చక(+ ఖ 6 ], గ% rh6m రÀ t{. ఇ; కథ. Lb, ఈ Kషయ+> m^ mజ JKత+_ ÜÅÌ ఉ +. hp బలవ ³6m అp[m, ఒక తప¹ట{N iz+. Šన అ{N Épక[ ö! వÂ, Lb Òగ=,}డl+. ]వ: ఎవ= సxయ+ Œiz} అm ఎr= Üiz+. ఆ ఆపద సమయ+_ యW ; ]న 9 ê+ê. Gajendra Moksham Short story There was a mountain range with three peaks called Trikuta. There was a dense and scary forest with a lot of wild life within that mountain range. There were also countless elephants in that forest. A very large elephant called Gajendra got separated from its own herd and joined a large herd of female elephants. They were very happy and roamed around without fear. They came across a very serene beautiful lake with a lot of lotus and water lilies. Without thinking, Gajendra entered the lake with his wives and splashed around. The commotion disturbed a very large crocodile and it attacked Gajendra. The crocodile had a death grip on its leg. Both the elephant and the crocodile fought fiercely. The fight is in the water, so the crocodile got an upper hand. Gajendra started to think of a savior and prayed to Sri Maha Vishnu. At that moment, the Lord was spending a quiet, happy moment with his wife Sri Devi (Lakshmi Devi). As soon as he heard Gajendra s cries, he got up, ran towards him and slew the crocodile with his Cakra (a saw toothed disc, like a circular saw blade). This is a story. But, we can see this story play around in real life too. One might think s/he is strong and invincible. A wrong step at the wrong time can push us into danger. We can step back, but our egos make us fight the wrong fight. Running out of options, we then think about a savior. Anyone who helps us through that difficulty is a God.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 9

10 1-1-J. n( žవలw పద Ÿ %=ట[ ] దæ; _క ర çlర భ[; భకµ Mలన కè స ర భ[æ; vనé ê(కసµ భ[ ; Îë _ల; Kలసద ºGìల స íత; T T క Ñత భ9 డ [ భ[; మxన v గT6 భ[æ n( žవలw పద Ÿ %=ట[ ] దæ; _క ర»భకర న!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!+ µ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!šø m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Œ=ట[+ ఐ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MH:!zT^p!;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!_Lలm^ m!!!!!!! Ò rట ర[ Auspicious, holy deliverance of soul attain pray; world one with God రçLర భ[ భకµ Mలన కè స ర భ[æ; vనé ర*+ఏక+ఆర భ+[æ!!!!!!!!!!భ[ లp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! M/ Âట, రÀ Âట!!!అh కళయ r!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aరm,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}*!ల రÀ Âట +ఖW న!!!!!!!! గ+ కల9{ స కల¹+ కల9m savior of the world(s) devotees lead, guide, save the art of prompt, brisk; Rakshasas éê(క సµ భ[ ; Îë _ల; Kలసద ºGìల స íత T Kజ భణ+p అడúa Œ 9m ఆటల r!!!!!!!!!!!!kûvల r!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kలసá+ద ü+ñల న!!!!!!!!!! ప(L Œ Ü ల వల p 6 rage, rise, growth! stop, check;! playful!! pleasures;!! the magic woven by! give birth!!!!!!!!!! your brilliant eyes TT క Ñత భ9 డ [ భ[ మxన v గT 6 భ[æ KKధ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!క +Ñత బ(xE డ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![ భ } క/aన 9m!!!!మx+న ద+అ గT!!!!!!!!!!6 భ+[æ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! b _ న; = పదE+ న rm "రW యýద {[, n( క { various hp»భకర న + µ Šµ పదE+p 6 న9{ బ(హE Aquarius Yasoda, Nanada s wife son, Sri Krishna born in the water = lotus, the one born from lotus = Brahma the universe created by Brahma m Ò దట+ ర[ న rm "రW అšన యýద [4={ n( క m MH:!zT^p. దÇవlర+ల _క ర*þ +ఖW న స కల¹+ కల9m MH:!zT^p. కష సమయ+ల_pన^ భ[ లp ఆr నట+_ ÿ దర గల9mm MH:!zT^p. }*!లp }*సతZ+p రగ[ అడúa Œ 9mm MH:!zT^p. ఆట Mటల Kû; Œ! Lక m MH:!zT^p. ఫ(L Œ Ü ల వల b m, ఆ b _ p ] న lమర OZp, ఆ OZ_m ] న బ(హEp, బ(హE ]న బ(xE m^ రÀ Œ 96m MH:!zT^p.,తన 9HŠన ఆ ధ( "గవత+_ 9007 పదW+> ఉన^K. ఈ పదW+ Ïద పదW+. n( K Om MH:ºÅÌ, "గవత+_m KKధ ఘ Øలm ఒక3 పదW+_ ³T^{. భకµ Mలన కè స ర భ[æ అ గ% ద( )*+p త>!zT^{. ఈ పదW+ Çðñల+ ఛ ద!Ä. Çðñల+ అ /. / yg "గవత రచన Ïద> Ø{. For the deliverance of my soul and to attain a blessed state, I pray to Sri Krishna, the son of Yasoda and Nanda. I pray to Sri Vishnu, who protects the worlds with determination, his ten avatars. I pray to Him, who is quick to respond to devotees facing adversity. I pray to the One that stops the growth of rakshasa and their cruelty. I pray to Sri Krishna, the playful one, his play with popikas. The brilliance of your eyes, the magic that you weave with it is the reason for the existence of this universe. From your magic, the there is water, there is a lotus blooming in those waters, the lotus gave birth to Lord Brahma and Brahma created this Universe (Brahmaandam). I pray to you the essence of this universe.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 10

11 Andhra Bhagavatamu written by Potana consists of 9007 poems. This is first poem written by him. In this poem, while praying to Sri Vishnu, he also summarizes the entire Bhagavatamu into one poem (an abstract). Each word, each line describes various episodes of Bhagavatamu. When he says he is praying the God who is quick to respond to devotees facing adversity, he is referring to Gajendra Mokshamu. The poetic meter of this poem is Saardulamu, it means tiger. Potana started to write Bagavatamu like a tiger, with a roar. N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D n(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!š: సµ భ+, సµ భ! క భ+, క బ+, క భ, క బ స T) మxన ద + అ గన = మxన v గన, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù స'సG) క Ñత = b _ న;, పదE+; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 11

12 !!"# గ% ద( )*+! 12

13 1-8-ఉ.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Çరదbరê r ఘనiర ప'ర మ}ళ మ/0L xర ³(ర )న రజlచల Lశ ఫ*శ [ ద మ vర!ýప+ù Šతlమర iమర9 b»" Lరత, ¹ mp^ మ; Gనగ ãన^{ గ>- "రö! Çరదbరద ఇ r ఘనiర ప'ర మ}ళ మ/0Lxర శరÁ ఋ³O_m ఘ+ చ rh{ కð¹ర!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మ ]గ ధ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! హ స!!!!!!!!!!! మô0ల ద డ! sarat rutu!! bright moon! camphor sandal wood paste! swan jasmine garland post monsoon clouds xర ³(ర )న రజlచల Lశ ఫ*శ [ ద మ రజత+అచల=É 6 డ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మ  p= N మ  డ>/ ఖర+> Ó>? OZ> ఆ;/ { అడKమô0 snow foam snow covered peaks white reed Adisesha wild jasmine flowers మ vర!ýప+ù Šతlమర iమర9 b»"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ý+ప+ù!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఎ ¹0 ప(వ Œ న;_ కల¹వ *+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Mల స+ద(+ sల0 lమర OZ ఆLశగ గ_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!»భకర న!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! divine tree that ocean of milk white lotus milky way auspicious fulfils all your wishes benign, compassionate Lరత, ¹ mp^ మ; Gనగ ãన^{ గ>- "రö! ఆLరత ఉ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mp^ మన!Ä_!!!!!!!!!!!!ఎ ¹{!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!క>N³ ;!!!!!!సరసZöêd! appearance, presence you (my) heart when will it happen Saraswati! సరసZö êkm ఎల0 ¹{ sల0m 1ర_, ప(i త ]ö(క:iz=. చల0m L ³ల, Ü ల మన ల/త కళ> ప(i;!z ;. ఇక3డ,తన మ ర న అ vలp, అpí³లp సరసZö êk ప(i; Œ ల/త కళల,> ³T^{. ఈ పదW+, Çరద Ïదల0šW, "ర +N!zన^;. వర½ ఋ³O_m 2> గ: ] వ:½izš, నల0G ఉ š. Çరద bరద అ ˆ శరÁ ఋ³O_m ఘ+>, sల0g ఉ š, ]న^ ]న^ జ>?> [: izš. సరÄZö êk, చల0G ప(i;!z ;. Çరద ఇ r అ శరÁ Lల చ rh{, ఎ[3వ Éన^ల ఉ ;. పదW Ïద _h చక3m పvల అ/0క. Çరద bరద అh 4టp Šm4 కO> స దరª+ Õ[ K:KG 9 i=.,తన, ఇ త మ ] పదW 9HŠ, సరసZö క *+ ఎ ¹{ అm 9,³T^{!!! స స 3త 3ymక Ô అ ద న పదW. य क$%&%'त)ष रह रधवल य श)1व2 व3त य व ण वरद7डम 7डतकर य ;<तप> सन य AB Cय)तशDकरEभ3Gत भदHव सद पJ जत स मL प त) सरMवGत भगवत Gन Oषज डP पह Goddess Saraswati is usually depicted in a white sari with a pleasant disposition. A gentle glow, bestowing us with knowledge in a gentle manner. In this poem, Potana associates the elegance of various fine objects with Goddess Saraswati, the shades of white representing the fine arts. The poem starts with Sarada and ends with Bharati, both words mean Saraswati. Sarada is a beautiful word play, he used it in the context of Sarat Ritu, corresponding to the months of late September to early November. The clouds are lighter (clouds in varsha ritu or monsoon are dark, in sarad ritu they are little fluffier), the showers are gentle. Another word play is Çరదbరê r, the words Çరద ఇ r (sarat chandra) means moon during sarad ritu, it is the brightest and the most beautiful moon. Çరదbరద is the most over used word in telugu film music, mis representing the original meaning. The poet writes a beautiful, lyrical poem, but still wonders when Goddess Saraswati will grant his wishes. Potana also excels in writing a telugu poem more beautiful than the sanskrit sloka that forms the basis for this poem.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 13

14 N7కరణ PQR) స T) రజత+అచల = రజlచల, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù!Ý+ప+Ù =!Ýప+Ù, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù స'సG) Çరద bరద+!= శరÁ Lల+_m ఘ+; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+ ఘనiర ప'ర = కð¹ర!మ ]గ ధ ; దZ దZ స4స+ Šతlమర = sల0 lమర OZ; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+!Ýప+Ù = Mల స+ద(+; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+ రజlచల = É 6 డ; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 14

15 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 15

16 1-10-ఉ.!!! అమEల గన^యమE, +NరమEల3ల టమE, tల 4 దºమE,!}=లమE క{ Mఱ6 O] న యమE, తp^ _ న Eన >¹టమEల మన+Eల p 56 యమE, rరc, 4 యమE, క M6 šâ త మహతµZకKతZ ప తZ స పదB అమEల గన^యమE, +NరమEల 3ల టమE, tల 4దºమE సపµ4³Hక>p!!!! కన^ వ అమE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!+N7= అమEల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అమE వ ;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! మx శ µ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!లàe సరసZ MరZ Saptamatruka s! mother of,!! three mothers!! you are the mother! Maha Sakthi, Seven mothers!!!! Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati!!! prime force of the universe దºమE,!}=లమE క{Mఱ6 O] న యమE, తp^ _ న Eన 8³Wల(}*!ల) త/0 ; క{ + ఆఱ6 (=మ ట)!!!!!క/a ]న అమE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!తనp!!!!మన! _ MH:!zన^ Diti, mother of grieve, lament made her believing her and pray to her daityas(raakshasas) న Eన >¹టమEల మన+Eల p 56 యమE, rరc, 4యమE >¹(=êవతల) + అమEల!!! మన!ల_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఉ 56( = ఉ ) + అమE!!!!r}-êK!!!!!!!!!!!4 = 4 అమE!! mothers of Devatas! hearts!!! residing mother!! Goddess Durga! my mother d యమE, క M6 šâ త మహతµZ కKతZ ప తZ స పదB క ప+అ6 (స+ద(+) ఇOZ! 9ప¹8న!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!కKతZ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!6NO, బల+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఓ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఐ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!n( స పద>!! ocean of grace, kindness! greatest!! poetic!!! vigor!! treasures!!!!! Om!!! Aim!!! Hreem!! Sreem అ4E r}-, bo సపµ 4³HకలN ÍHహE\, ;ష<K, మ=శZ:, ఇ vh\, వ}, >4:, t+ 6 ల[ అమEO. లÀE, సరసZ, MరZ³ల[ అమEవ vనo. poz మx శ µk. ; స lన న 8³Wలh }*!లp చ, ; క{ త క/a ]నvmK. êవతల అమE> mp^ న E Xజ> Œ, 9: మన!ల_ ఉ 6, 9: Ó3> ö vనo. అ4E r}-, poz స+ద(మ త దయ క/aన vనo. అ4E, T[ 9ప¹ ప తZ+ క/aన కKతZ స పదp ప(i; Â. tల 4దºమE అh 4ట[ స స 3త 3ల+ "మx శ µ". ఇక3డ, దºమE అ మన అమE కT^ దº; అh 43> అరø+ ఉT^,?@రø+ మx శ µ అm.,తన ఈ పదW+_ పద { i=0 "అమE" అh పvm^, ఉప+a t{. ]న^ ల0> త/0 N ప Ø m ynœ అ4E, అ4E అm 9ళ [ LవలŠmK ఇŒ vl >iz=. ఇక3డ,,తన 9ప¹ ప తZ+ క/Î కKతZ స పదp ప(i; Œ vl >ÅÌh ఉT^{. పదW+_m ఆఖ: T>- 4ట> ఓ, ఐ, :H, n( అh AÑ*}ల ప}Wయ పv>. ఉMసన Õ[ AÑ*}> పలకట+ కష+.,తన మన ద:~ AÑ*ర+ల ˆ/కG P¹ BలభW+ క/ t{. Goddess Durga, you are the mother of Saptamatrukas - Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheswari, Indrani, Varahi, Kaumari, Chamundi. You are Maha Shakti, the prime force of the universe. You killed Daityas (Rakshasas) and made Diti (the mother of Daityas) grieve. When the mothers of all Devatas pray to you, you stay in their heart and grant them their!"# గ% ద( )*+! 16

17 wishes. My mother, you are an ocean of grace and kindness. Please grant me the ability to write the greatest poetry, with a lot of vigor. tల 4దºమE means aunt (mom s elder sister). But, it is also a literal translation of the sanskrit word Maha Shakti. Potana calls Durga his mother. Like a child tugging on his/her mother s clothes, repeatedly calling mom I need this, I want this, he begs her to grant his wish of writing great poetry. He calls her mother eleven times in this poem, just like a little kid, until s/he gets her/his wish. The last four words are common words that suggest a deeper meaning, referring to Beejaaksharas, or mantras with profound sound. They require a lot of practice to pronounce. Here, Potana creates a beautiful phrase that requires little practice, with all the essence of Bijaaksharaas. N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D స T) క ప+అ6 = క M6, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù స'సG) +NరమEల = లÀE సరసZ MరZ ; బCపద దZ ద స4స+ 3ల టమE = అమE వ ;; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+ అల VరG)!"# గ% ద( )*+! 17

18 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 18

19 1-18-క.!!!! ప/D6; "గవతమట ప/D6; "గవతమట hp ప>[న;, hp P¹; "గవత+ అ ట/అ = What I am going to say is called Bhagavatamu ప/ 6 9{ }మభrH డట, h ప/ న భవహర మNనట ప/Dద E { Gధ ప>కగhy ప/ 6 9{ }మభrH డట, h T ప/ 6 9{ n( }+{, hp The one making may say it is Lord Sri Ram!! (If) I ప/ న భవ హర మNనట ప/ ˆ/ ¹ˆ í_క+_m స iర బ ధన+>!!!!!!! హర+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అNp!!!!!!! ÿలa,op say it worldly relations and problems liberated ప/Dద E { Gధ ప>కగhy (అ r7) ప>[rp! ఇ క!!! పలకట ఎ r[ so, I will tell Bhagavatam,! (Why should I) any other story! say/tell hp ప/7 కథ P= "గవత+. Lb, T "గవత+ ప/ Œ9{ 4త(+ n( }+. "గవత+ ప/ న త 4త(+h í_క _ ఉ కష!F>, స i} Íధ>,š, )*+ ల¾!z ;. ఇ త మ ] "గవత కథ ఉ డG, కథ ప¹టD r[?,తన "గవత M}యణ+ (చదవట+) Œ G ల_ ఒక T{ స XరÈ చ ద( గ(హణ+ వ] న;.,తన ఉ ; ఓ=గ>? దగCర బDEర అh GHమ+. ఆక36 p ] Hర+Gpన^!దవ: Éë i^న+ ŒŠ ఇ!క ã^ల õద = m ÝWన+ Œ![ న^ ¹{, }జ ల*I> క/aన ద ప³> దగCర[ వ], l+ n( }మ చ rh{, ól êk అm ప/, "గవత+ 9Hయమm ప/Lరట.,తన బr> P¹_G అ త}wనమ Wరట. అ ¹{ అ»OG,తన ఈ పvWm^ ¹, "గవత+ s>n_ 9Hయట+ Ïద> Øర ట. The story I am about to tell is called Bhagavatamu, the story of Lord Vishnu. Even though I am telling the story, the inspiration is from Lord Sri Ram. He is the one prompting me to tell the story. Reciting this beautiful story will provide me with eternal happiness. It also liberates me from the problems in this world and helps me attain moksha or eternal bliss. When I have such a beautiful story to tell, why should I tell any other story? Long time ago, Potana was reading Bagavatamu in Sanskrit. One day, there was a complete lunar eclipse. As per the tradition of the day, Potana travelled a long distance from his village Bammera (near Warangal) to Godavari to take a holy dip. After his bath in the river, he sat on the sand dunes and was meditating. Then, a royal couple approached him and said they were Lord Rama and Sita Devi. Lord Rama told Potana to write Bagavatamu in Telugu. Before Potana could reply they disappeared. Then, Potana recited the above poem and started to write Bagavatam in Telugu. N7కరణ PQR) స T) "గవత+ + అట = "గవతమట, ఉLర స Ù ప>కగ + ఏల = ప>కగhల, వ Ù స Ù!"# గ% ద( )*+! 19

20 8-19-క.!!!! b}ట వTట+ల[ J}ట 4? క/K? Ÿ=Lతµ+Œ T}ట D? 4ãp M}టK_m భద( [ జర+న[æ b}ట వTట+ల[ b= + ఆట వన+ + ఆట b _ ఆ{ pన; =Ïస/ వన+_ ఆ{ pన; = గజ+, ఏpN Animal that plays in water = Crocodile Animal that plays in the forest = Elephant J}ట 4? క/K?,}ట+ ఎy క/aన;? How did they start fighting? Ÿ=Lతµ+Œ =ష + ఉతµ+{ = K O The greatest among all men and gods = Lord Vishnu T}ట ఆ}ట+ = స కట+, అలజ6 Distress, trouble M}టK_m D? 4ãp ఎy,šన;? stopped? get out of trouble భద( [ జర+న[æ Mర + అటK + _ ఉతµమ న ఏpN, Mర = భయ కర న!!! భద( గజ+ = దº ఏpN A scary forest»భ స ద}ªల_ ê+6 ఊ a 9 దº ఏpN A big elephant used in parades and auspicious occasions to carry the idols of gods చక3G b _ ఆ{[h Ïస/, అడK_ ఆ{ h ఏpN భయ కర న అడK_ ఎy,?{ T^š? 9,?ట K 3:µ ఎ? ö} {? ఆ భద( గజ+ ఎy రÀ పప6న;? ఆ కథ s>! 9లm ఆ}ట+G ఉ ;. The crocodile plays in the water and the elephant plays in the forest. How did they start fighting in the big forest? How did Lord Vishnu save the big elephant from trouble? I really, really want to hear the story. N7కరణ PQR) స T) Tర + అట = T}ట, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù Mర + అట = O}ట, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù వన + అట = వTట, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù =ష ఉతµ+{ = =Lతµ+{, Nణ స Ù స'సG) భద( [ జర+! = ఉతµమ న ఏpN; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+ =Lతµ+{! = = ల_ ఉతµ+{; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 20

21 అనగనG ( ట పరZత+ అh Þట ఒక భయ కర న అడK ఉ ;. ఆ అడK_ - Once upon a time there was a mountain range called Trikuuta. In that forest క.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¾P0 ¾ల0 >yయక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! భ>?క ఫ\ ఖడC గవయ వ/+ఖ చమY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!QP0 హ: శరభక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మy?rªత Lక Rక మయమN నడKన ¾P0 ¾ల0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>yయక ¾>?> అm ఆడK_ mవš టGళ sగ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! అడKrన^> ¾/0 = ós /., ¾>?{ = / A tribe of people named Bhilla, very fierce warriors!! wild water buffalo భ>?క!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఫ\!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఖడC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గవయ!!!!!!!!!!!!! వ/+ఖ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!చమY ఎ>Nబ?!!!!!!!!M+>!!!!!!!!!!ఖడCమ గ+>!!అడKTrU డ+చ >!!!!!!!!!!!చమర+ bears! snakes! rhinos! wild ox! langur monkey! yak QP0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!హ:!!!!!!!!!!!!శరభక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ఈల 6, ~Â}š Š హ+! ఒ Ô ల0 óమప r> crickets!!! lions! camels! boars, white pigs! మy?rªత!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Lక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Rక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మయమN!!!!!!!!!!నడKన మల0 + అrªత = అrªత న ³>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!L[>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nడ0?బ>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!m {Guన^;!!! అడKన r colorful monkeys!!!! crows!! owls full of! forest! భయ కర న ఆ LరడK_ టGÊ, భయ+ /P రక రLల జ ³O> ఉT^š. భ అh అ*ర+ మన+ ప/7ట ¹{, N 5ల_p ] ప>[l+. భయ+, V ల0ట+ అh 4టల_ మన N 5 mజ+g ఒక ఉ;(కµp Å]!z ;. కK ఈ పదW+ "భ" అh అ*ర+ Ïద>, ఎ[3OG ఖ, ఫ, ఘ, భ, ఝ అ*}ల న6 t{. ల/త పvWÕ Lr, స దGª]త+G ]న^ పvల భయ కర రస+ m 6న చక3m పదW+ 9HŠ Ü t{. ఈ పదW+ _h భ m^ Å] Œ lళ+ ఉ ;. In a dense, dark forest there were fearsome tribes of hunters and animals. Ba is a consonant pronounced from our chest. Saying this letter aloud suggests fear. In Telugu, words indicating fear start with Ba. The poem starts with the letter Ba and the poet weaves hard consonants Ka, Pa, Ga, Ba, Ja with other consonants to create a natural rhythm suggesting fear. The poet is known for beautiful, mellifluous poems. Here he presents a wonderful poem that instills fear with rhythm and meaning. N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D Š హ+!! Š గ+ స T) మల0 + అrªత = మy?rªత, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù స'సG) హ: శరభక = Š హ+ ఒ Ô ల0, దZ దZ స4స+ ¾P0 ¾ల0!!!!= ¾/0, ¾>?{, దZ దZ స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 21

22 ఆ అడK_h In the same forest 8-37-క.!!!! ఎక3డ X]న ôక3[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ã[3వ Y యడK నడ mభzథ+_!!!!!,క3 క:T[ 5డsa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]D3,క క ä K ప గæ ఎక3డ X]న!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ôక3[ ã[3వ Y ఎ ; ÜŠT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ôక3 ట Õనm^ where we see!! (there are) countless!!! ã[3వ Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!యడK నడÂ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mభ!!!!!!!!! Zథ+_!!! అడK_ =Nœ!!! ఏpN(ల)! N!!! forest roaming!!! elephant!! herd!,క3!!! క:!!!! T[!! 5డsa ఒక!!! క: = కర+(Œš) కల;, ఏpN! }!! K6,š! one!!! elephant!!! king!! got away from his parents ]D3,క!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!క ä!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! K ప గన ] 3 ;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ఆడ pnల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!స3హ+!!!!!!!!!!! K!z డG got into a!! female elephants!! herd!! devoted, serve ôక3õనm^ ఏpN> ఆ అడK_ =N³న^K. ty దº;, బలవ త న ఏpN Nన^ ఒక, తన N p 6 K6,š ;. ఒక ఆడ ఏpNల N ఆ గ% rh6m ÜŠ తమ భరµG, } G ózక: ]నK. i4నw+g ఏpN>, మగ ఏpN Nన^లm ఒక వయ! వ] న తర9త తమ N _m ] త: izš. త: యబ6న మగ ఏpN> 5 వయ! బల+, Òగ= ఉ š Lb అK X:µ s/kˆట> కలK Lr. కK }J ఆపదp Å]  m ఈ Kషయ+ s/m{. క m ty మ ; "రW> ఉT^=. గ% rhm "క ä ", అ ty మ ; "రW> ఉT^రm,/క. There were too many (countless) elephants roaming around without fear. One youthful, strong, male jumbo got separated from its herd. But, it immediately got picked up by a large herd of female elephants, loved him and served him. Male elephants are driven away by the parental herd when they reach maturity. This is the natural law of elephant society. The poet mentions this to show that, the young male jumbo is strong, but out of its parental supervision, not fully mature mentally and not ready to make the right decisions. Indicative of things to come. An elephant with too many wives is also a reflection of Lord Krishna.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 22

23 N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D అడK!!! అటK స T) ఎక3డæ + Ü]న! = ఎక3డ X]న, గ,స,డ,ద,వ $శ స Ù క:T { + ఎడsa! = క:T 5డsa, Nణ స Ù ]D3p + ఒక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! = ]D3,క, Nణ స Ù స'సG) క:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!= ÿ డ+ కల;, ఏpN; బCd( స4స+ క:T {!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!= ఏpNల[ } ; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+ క ä!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! = ఏpNల స3హ+, N ; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 23

24 8-42-మ.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అట G గ:*K] { నవ^y? _జకy`ర+æ నట; ; ;ర 9ర+ గమఠ õన GHహ r}zర+æ వట lల రiల iల!మû వP0['öర+ జ _Hbత మ}ళ చక( బక స tర Ÿ Giర+æ అట G గ:* K] { నవ ^y? _జ కy`ర+æ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cతµg!!!!!^ల0 + అ _జ అక3డ! Ü p ఆడ ఏpNల[ భరµ, }! dతన+g! KకŠ ]న కమల+> క>వ> There! saw! female elephants husband,king newly, fresh! lotus blooms!! water lillies నట ; ; ;ర 9ర+ గమఠ õన GHహ r}zర+æ నటÁ!! ఇ ; ;ర+!!! కమఠ!!!!! TటW+ ఆ{³న^ ³DEదల!!!!!!!!!!స3హ+!! leê!!!!! Œప>!!! ÏసÊ p!! L9లp h; dancing!! bees, bumblebees swarm! turtles! fish! crocodiles! irresistible, alluring వట lల రiల iల!మû వP0 [' öర+ మfg!!!!!!!!!l6!!!!!!!!!!!!!4 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! మ;º!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OZల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!లl!!!!!!! ఏpN banyan! palm! mango! sala tree! flowers! vine! elephant! shore జ _Hbత మ}ళ చక( బక స tర Ÿ Giర+æ చ ల + ఉHbత!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Liర+ 3/ గ+G!ఎa!!!హ స>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!చక(9క+>!!! గ>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :Î!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!సర!Ä, లp gliding,flying fast! swans! brahminy ducks cranes! habitat!! lake గ% rhm ఆ భయ కర అడK _ ఒక mరeల న, అ ద న సర!Ä కm ] ;. ఆ సర!Ä_, అ ¹ KకŠ ]న కమల+>, క>వల àన ³DEద> TటW+ Œ!zT^š. b àన ఎN=³న^ హ స>, b õద చక(9క పh>, ఒ{ï సõప+G గ> ఉT^š. ఒ{iన 4 6, మ;º, l, మfg ట0 M, ty రLల Xల? ఉT^š. =NÕm Ó3> క/a Œ Kధ+G ఉన^ ఆ సర!Äj leê, Œప>, ÏసÊ ఉT^š. b _m Ïసళ వలన క/Î ఆపదp ఏpN> గమm చ ÕకÒ š.,తన ³DEద> ఎగర m^ TటW+,y {. అ¾k^న Ç[ తల+_ Lëv! ³DEదల ఝ Lర+p స òత+,y {. చక(9క పh> ఐGM, మధW ఆŠయ p 6 వŒ వలస పh>. అK ఎ ¹0 జ టG కm izš. కO> 9 m Pcమ[ స 7త+>G Ü l=. In that forest, Gajendra (King of elephants) saw a serene lake with bumble bees dancing on fresh lotuses and water lillies. There were swans flying fast in a pattern above the water line, brahminy ducks on the water, cranes close to the shore. There were mango, sal, palm, banyan and flowering trees on the shore. It was irresistible. The lake was also full of turtles, fish and crocodiles. The elephants could not sense the danger lurking below the surface. Potana s metaphor compares the bees buzzing around as dancing. Kalidasa compared the bees buzzing as singing in Abignana Saakuntalam. Two distinct types of poetic beauty from two different poets. Brahminy ducks are always seen in pairs and a symbol of love. They are migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 24 గ?

25 N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D గ!!! బక+ స T) ^ల0 + అ _జ!!! = ^y? _జ, సవరÈ $ర% స Ù స'సG) గ:*K] { = ఏpNల[ భరµ, } ; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+ నవ^y? _జ = KకŠ ]న కమల+>; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+ వట lల రiల iల = మfg, l6, 4 6, మ;º ; బCపద దZ ద స4స+ మ}ళ చక( బక = హ స>, చక(9క+>, గ>, బCపద దZ ద స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 25

26 8-45-క.!!!! ÿ డ Ÿల l: ÂÂ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! గ డ Ÿల జ>? pâ గళగళరవ+B!!!!! D { న వ> దక{ >!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!m డæ ద డ b vhéæ ÿ డ Ÿల!!! l:  ÿ డ+ల_m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!bÊ!m œ elephant trunks!!! filling up with water గ డ Ÿల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!జ>? pâ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గళగళ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!రవ+b ఏpN 3/ చ>?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గళగళ మã!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!శబº+> elephant cheeks!!! spraying,spurting!! making loud gushing! sounds! D { న!!! వ> ద!!! క{ > అ శš ³ డగ, Kజ ¾  KÇల న, ty దº! Òట > excited!!!! big, fat!!! tummies m డæ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ద డ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!b!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!vHÉæ m డగ!!!! ఏpNల స3హ+! b m!! laనk fill!!!! elephant herd!! water!! drank ఆ లp_ ఏpN> ఆ{ igš. ÿ డ+ల b= m m తమ Ïఖ+àన, ఇ క ఏpN àt bê చ>? T^š ( ల0> ఈత లp_ ఆ{ న?G). bê =( hట ¹{ గళ గళ )త ŒÅÌ, క{ m bê lhgš. ఏpN> b _ ;గక+ r mరeల G ఉన^ ఆ సర!Ä, ఏpNల ఆట అల0క_?ల న;. ఇక3డ కK, mజ Jవత+_ ఏpN> Œ i4నw న పmm అ ద+G వ:È t{. h ఏpNల స3హ+ న$ ö}ల_, సర!Äల_ ఈ రక+G ఆడట+ ÜడవÂ. The elephants started playing in that beautiful lake. They filled their trunks with water and splashed the water on their own faces and other elephants faces (like kids in a swimming pool). When they slurped up the water, it made a loud gurgling sound like galla, galla. They filled their large bellies with water. The lake was serene before they entered. Now, with their rough play, the water was agitated and resembled a scene of destruction. The poet describes the normal behavior of the elephants in poetic beauty. Even today, we can see elephants playing at river banks or lakes and splashing water around. N7కరణ PQR) స'సG) గళగళరవ+B = గళగళ మã శబº+>; ðపక స4స+ ద డ = ఏpNల mక3 స3హ+; ష& త³¹=ష స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 26

27 8-51-W.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]గ]Gšతí: ŸrªదచÖటల గద> ;K భ గ Ÿ ôగయ; ]వన భయ కరnl3ర రవ+న Mరనక(GHహ 4గడ; 9లKoప r}zర ఝ pmల వశ+న ఘమఘ4వరµ మడర ; గ_?లÑల స ఘట న Ÿల ద' త=ల3ల Ÿq ధర\?ల; X.!!! సరŠ_p 6 Òడగm స భ( ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!uద: [ ¹ ] ల r ] C క: ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "p గబë ] ప Ø సZ}ªpపa;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,క3 మక rh 6భ},6ŠపÔ ]గ]Gšత í: ŸrªదచÖటల ]గ]గమã6 దº శబº+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ÿrªద + ఛటB + æ = b Ÿడగల స3హ+ల sounds of hard boiling bubbles!! clusters of big bubbles గద> ;K భ గ Ÿ ôగయ; కr>œ!! ఆLశ+న[! Dరట+>! ఎa:ప{³ డG!! moving fast!! towards the sky! waves!! shooting up ]వన భయ కర nl3ర రవ+న í_క9!ల! V క/Î Kధ+G! n n మh శబº+ల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ïస/ చ ¹{ Œయ[ వ!z ;. vm ÇZస n n మ ;) land creatures! fearsome!! hard breath, Phu Phu sounds Mర నక( GHహ 4గడ; భయ+ /P sత> Ïసళ స3హ+ భయపడG!! scary!!! crabs!! crocodiles! swarms! are scared 9ల Koప r}zర ఝ pmల కp!! Ñ6 ÂటŒత!! m9: ప}m! p G/ tail to flap, toss hard unstoppable gusts of wind వశ+న ఘమఘ4 వరµ మడర ; వలన!!! ఘమఘమ ధZpల!!!6N > అ శš చG!! causing!!! roaring sounds!!! whirlpool! surging గ_?ల Ñల స ఘట న Ÿల ద' క_?ల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!త' దº దº అల>!!!!!స3హ+ల!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!l 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఒ{iనగల large waves! groups!!! whipping!!! the shore!"# గ% ద( )*+! 27

28 త=ల 3ల Ÿq ధర\?ల; త=> + అ3ల Ÿq లæ? ల0a పబ6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!hలà!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! /,G!! trees are uprooted!!! on the land! felled సరŠ_!! p 6!!! Òడగm!!! స భ( ] సర!Ä_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!p ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Òడ + కm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aరప6, 3/ గ+G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ñడకm Lake, Pond! from!!! tracked the intruder!! attacked him uద:!!!!!!!!!!!!!![ ¹ ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ల r ]!!!!!!!!!!!C క: ] ఉద:!! K!!! r!! అర] ప+ చ/ ] furiously!! jumped!!! leapt!! grunted "p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గబë ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ప Ø!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!సZ}ªp + పa; Å=Wm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ప Ø[h!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}CO వô Sun!! swallow!!! hold!! Rahu, Hindu mythology says an eclipse is caused by a demon!!!!!!! snake called Rahu, swallowing the Sun,క3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మక rh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!6భ}!!!!!!!!!!!!,6šపô ఒక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ïసళ }!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! గజ } m!!!!!!!!!!!!ఒ{ Gప Ø ãp a!! king of crocodiles! king of elephants! with a firm grip ఆ సర!Ä_h ఒక దº Ïసళ స3హ+ ఉ ;. ఆ Ïసళ } ty బలవ ³{. ఏpN> Œ అల0క_?ym b _ ఉ Ïసళ } స భ(+ Õt{. ÍG మస/ LN³న^ 6 bళ _m ] వŒ ]గ]గ మm శబº+ Œ Ÿడగల, ఆLశ+న[ ఎa:ప ట వ దº దº అల> Œ! R, n n మh దº దº ÇZసల గ% rhm õద[ ల r t{. Ïస/ Œ భయ కర న ÇZసల[ Œప>, sత> ÏదలN జలచ}లb^ భయప iš. ఆ ¹{, Ïస/ క bళ m p6 Âట+ దº దºG ఎగŠ ప అలల Œల Gš, pg/ d]న;, ఘమఘమ మh భయ కర శÍUల!6N > :Gš. ఆ అలల l 6 ఒ{iన ఉన^ దº దº? ళ సx / Â[Ò š. ప+, ఒక3i:G [ ¹ ] ఎa:, Å=W6m }CO ప Ø న^?G, గ% rhm L>m ఒడŠ ప Ø T^{. ]గ]గ మm దº దº ŸడN> }వట+ 6 bళ yg మ!>³న^ Mm^ Å]!z ;. ]G>న అm అ హt³zG అm అర +. ఝ ఝ, n n, ఘమఘమ ÏదలN పv> జ=N³న^ VభlÄm^ Å] Œ శÍU>. స ధGu]త+G 96న చక3m పv>. }CO అh }*స సర¹+ Å=W6m గట+వలన ÅరW గ(హణ+ వ!z దm ఒక Tp6. Å=W6,/క, గ% rh{ ఎ త 9ప¹9v నm కK Å]!zT^{. అ త 9ప¹9m Íధ> తప¹వm, Å=W6 yî గ% rhm గ(హణ+ d{³ దm Å]!zT^{. In that lake there was a float of crocodiles. Their king was very large and strong. The crocodile king got startled with the disturbance and got threatened. Boiling with anger, he shot up creating large bubbles and roaring sounds like a geyser and created huge waves that almost looked like they touched the sky. He breathed hard making rumbling sounds like Phu Phu that scared all the creatures in the water. He splashed his tail hard that created humongous waves and uprooted large trees on the shore. With fury, he leapt and caught hold of the elephant kings leg, like Rahu held the Sun god during eclipse.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 28

29 The words Bhuga Bhuga are used to describe the sounds of hard boiling bubbles in a pot or a geyser. Bhugaluna is a word with the same etymology to describe startled suddenness. The phonology of the sounds Bhuga Bhuga, Jham Jham, Phu Phu, Ghama Ghama suggests a frightening, spine-chilling, blood-curdling scene. There was a perfection in the words the poet used to describe the scene. In Hindu mythology, solar eclipse is caused by a demon snake called Rahu swallowing the Sun. By comparing the troubles of Gajendra with Sun, the poet suggests the greatness of Gajendra. Even the greatest can be humbled once in a while. The eclipse is temporary, maybe Gajendra s troubles are also temporary. N7కరణ PQR) స T) ధర\ + ల = ధర\?ల; గ,స,డ,ద,వ $శ స Ù Òడ + కm = Òడగm; గ,స,డ,ద,వ $శ స Ù స'సG) ]గ]Gšతíర = ]గ]గమã6 దº శబº+ ; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+ nl3ర రవ+ = n n మh శబº+ల ; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+ నక(GHహ = sత>, ÏసÊ ; దZ దZ స4స+ మక rh{ = మకర+ల r /( Ø{; సపµõ త³¹=ష స4స+ అల VరG) "p గబë ] ప Ø సZ}ªpపa;: ఇక3డ కK గ% rh6m Å=W6,> ³T^{, LOన ðపlల Lర+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 29

30 8-54-క.!!!! క: ;N మక: సరŠ!!!!! గ: ద: m మక: ;N గరక: 4రయæ!!!!! గ: మక: మక: గ:!!!!! భర మpÂp నతల [తల భ ల=r పడæ క:!! ;NÂ!!! మక:!!! సరŠ ఏpNp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఈ{ [ R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ïస/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!దగC:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!yNœ/వÅÌ Elephant! dragged!! crocodile!! towards గ:!! ద: m!!! మక:!!! ;NÂ!! గరక:!!! 4రయæ ఏpN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!దగCర[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ïస/m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!yNœ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Òగ=, పగ,?ట!!!!!! Â[ R Elephant! towards!! crocodile!! dragged!! to fight with rage!! growing గ:!! మక:!!! మక:!! గ: ఏpNన[! Ïస/,!!! Ïస/!!! ఏpN to the elephant! crocodile,!! to the crocodile!! elephant భరమpÂp! నతల!!! [తల!!! భ!! ల=rపడæ!! అతల!!!!!!!! అ=r బ=వpÂ! Mlళ_క+,!! í_క+ న[ ;న! d=>!! ఆశ రWపడG is a drag! under world!! earth!!! warriors!! marvelled/astonished Ïస/ ఏpNm b _m yn³న^;, ఏpN Ïస/m b _m ] బయట[ yn³న^;. అK Òగ= Â[ R w}w:g Ò ఆశ రWప{œ ÜడiG=.?{[ న^ ¹{, Mlళ_క+_m d=> Ïస/ K>!z దm, í_క+_m d=> ఏpN K>!z దm,,తన G= ఈ పదW+_ చక3m పద t³రw+ ÜM=. "సరŠన[" అh పద+ "సర!Ä"[ దగCరG ఉన^ పద+. సర!Ä _h,}ట+ జ=N³న^; అm మన[ N=µ యW[ h N=µ Œ!zT^=. అyÎ, అతల+ అ Mlళ+, [తల+ అ í. అతy[తల+ అ త Ø "కరకర"yడటమ, Òగ=, పగ,ట0{ "కరకర"y{ వట+ కm!z ;. Õన త అÙకiîš_ నష Õv KధZ స. స దGª]త+G అm^ అ}w> స:,lš. వట+. పదW+ Ïతµ+ "క: మక:", "మక: క:" అh 4టల 9{క_h The crocodile started to drag the elephant down and the elephant dragged the crocodile towards him. Both of them started to fight with growing anger and disdain. The warriors from the nether world thought the crocodile is winning and the warriors on earth thought the elephant is winning. All of them marveled at the fight. There is a very good word play by the poet in this poem. The word sarassu means lake, the word sarasi means towards or get near. Since the fight is happening in the lake, the poet used the word sarasi in the first line to imply lake, without exactly saying so. The words atala, kutala mean the nether world and the earth. atalakutala means to wreak havoc. Both meanings are very apt here. The word karakara means to fight violently, with rage, with vengeance. The usage of the words kari makari, makari kari through out the poem sets the mood and describes the violence. N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D "ర+ బ=O స'సG) అతల [తల = Mlళ í_క+>; దZ దZస4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 30

31 8-56-క.!!!! జవ+p జల+p బల+p KKధ+>గ J= కర dరత[ ]Kæ ;K మకర õన కర3ట జవ+p జల+p బల+p గ+G, Â=[G చల+pæ êzష+ 6న ప Øదల బల+p mవహ+ jక3టన త(mలయ+ ß xæ Nimble!!! grit, tenacity!! with all his strength KKధ+>గ J= కర dరత[ ]Kæ TT Kధ+లG!!,}{³న^!! ఏpN!!! dరతz+న[!! í õv, various ways!! fight!!! elephant!! bravery!!! on land ;K మకర õన కర3ట ఆLశ+_d!! మకర = Ïస/!! õన = Œప!! కర3ట = sత in the sky!! crocodile = capricorn! fish = pisces!! crab = cancer mవహ+ jక3టన త(mలయ+ ß xæ }!>/}»>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఒక3టన = ఒక3i:గ!!!!!!!!!రK, Å=W6 ఇ _m!!!!!!ప( ]నK heaps/zodiac!! together!!! Sun s abode!! entered గ% rh{ Ïస/ అ Ò N³న^ êzష+, ప Øదల, తన బyన^ l ఉప+a ],}{³T^{. గ% rhm బym, í õద ఉన^ సర!Ä_, ]న^ ]న^ ÏసÊ (మకర), Œప> (õన), sత> (కర3ట) చ],š }!> (N > G) b _ ˆyš. 9 õద!రw రI> ప iš, అ రK ప( t{. అê సమయ+_, ఆLశ+_ రK (Å=W{) మకర } _m, õన } _m, కర3ట } _m ప( Š t{. ఇ; గ% rhp ~{m Å]!zన^;. ]Kæ ;K మకర õన కర3ట mవహ+ jక3టన త(mలయ+ ß x అh పద+ ఒ7i: Ó { చక3m వW స:,³T^š. L}î> s/m{. ఒక గ% rhm బల+, Ó { గ% rhm ~{. ఇక3డ ప¹[ h ¹న పద+ }Š/} ) Gajendra was nimble, tenacious and fought with all his strength. The fight was in the water, all water creatures like little crocodiles (capricorn), fish (Pisces) and crabs (Cancer) went belly up and the sun shone on them. However, in the heavens (sky), the capricorn, pisces and cancer entered the sun (or the sun entered...), very inauspicious sign for Gajendra. In the last two lines of the poem, the poet was able to weave two contradictory meanings into one sentence. First, the strength of Gajendra. Second the stars aligning against him. N7కరణ PQR) స'సG) మకర õన కర3ట = Ïస/, Œప, sత; బCపద దZ దZ స4స+ త(mలయ+ = Å=W6 ఇ>?; K/షణ XరZ పద కరEvరయ స4స+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 31

32 8-69-క.!!!! అలయక yలయక సట అలయక yలయక సట అలŠ,[ డ! Ép$యక!! శ(మ with no fatigue! without retreating!! strength,లయక గ: మక: డ pదº డత } ³H> స ధW> ;వస Ÿ> స/ J Eక3 š స వతÄర+B,లయక గ: మక: డ pదº డత }³H> Ò దక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఏpN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ïస/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఉదº డతæ = öవ(+g!!!!!!!!!}³h> without loosing! elephant!! with crocodile!! fiercely!!! nights! ³H> స ధW> ;వస Ÿ> ÅGWదయ+, Å}Wసµమయ+ dawn and dusk పగÊ days స/ JEక3 š స వతÄర+B ia p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,= + ఒక3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ÉšW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!స వతÄర+> continued! fight for one!! thousand!! years అలŠ,[, ÉpLడ[, శ(మ పడ[, }త(నL, పగలనL, iయ స ÝW అనL గ% rh{ š స వతÄ}> Ïస/,} {. š స వతÄర+లh 4ట అ శ+ µg 96న 4ట. మన+ కష+ల_ ఉన^ ¹{ *ణÏక uగ+g అm!z ;. ఇక3డ కK, ఏpN b _,}డట+వలన ప{³న^ కష+p Kవ:!zT^{. í à ఏpN, b _ Ïస/ బల+ క/aనK. ఏpN శ³H iîవర+_,}{³న^;. అలయక yలయక అh పద+ ఈT ~ 9{క_ ఉన^ పద+. ద ఢతZ, ప Øదలp Å]!z ;. h ~ s>n9=,తన "గవత+_m పv> s/య[ h 9{œ ఉ =. s>n Šb కKతZ+_,తన పv> 9{[T^=, ఇ L 9{[ T^=. Without any fatigue, without retreating, without loosing any strength, the elephant fought the crocodile through the nights, through dawn and dusk, through the days for one thousand years. One thousand years is metaphorical. When we go through tough times, even a second seems like ages. Here the poet describes the difficulty of the elephant fighting in water. On land elephant has a lot of strength, in water the crocodile got a lot of strength. The elephant is fighting in enemy s territory. అలయక yలయక is a phrase quite commonly used for grit and determination, even today. There are several phrases from Potana Bhagavatamu that people use as a matter of fact. Even telugu film songs borrowed heavily and continue to borrow phrases/lines from Potana Bhagavatamu, N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D } (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! } : ;న+ స T) ;వస J= + ఒక3 = JEక3, Nణ స Ù!"# గ% ద( )*+! 32

33 8-71-J.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఏ ðప Ÿన $m K>z? mటõ ê >¹ { ³? ã 9Z: J=r? ãవzరడú క? m 9Z:ప(tGతµ+æ 9: ప దN9ర ôవz ర ల 9WMరM}యäB Õ మ} D3ద ;[34/న Ï/ ప బ( IWతE[B ఏ ðప Ÿన $m K>z? mట õ ê >¹ { ³? ã ఏ రక+G $mm, Ïస/m Kలవగలp? ఇక ఏ ê+6m MH:º t/? How do I this crocodile win over? Now which god should I pray to? ã9z: J=r? ãవzరడú క? m 9Z:ప(tGతµ+æ ఎవ:m ల9/? ఎవ= LM{l= ఇక?!!!!!!!!!!!!ఈ ఇ9Z: + ప(tర + ఉతµమ+!!!!!!!!! ఈ b _ :Î 9 _ 9ప¹; Who should I!! call (for help)?! Who will save me now?!! The greatest creature that swims in these waters 9: ప దN9ర ôవz? ర ల 9WMర M}యäB (Ïస/m)అడúa Âట[, ఆP తaన 9Óవ=? (అ ల)ప(ప చ+_ అm^ పpల_ hర¹=> stop him able who is it? In this universe all affairs (governs) capable (god) Õ? మ} D3ద ;[34/న Ï/ ప బ( IWతE[B ఎవ=? నమస3: Âlp అసxuడp (hp) ఏ{ÅÌ Œ MHర న ప(9ప¹) IW³Eల[ who is it? I salute him (I am) helpless I pray with tears the holiest of all,}ట+ b _ జ=N³న^;. iîన బల+ వలన Ïస/ ప Ø =N³న^;, ఏpN బల+ తN7³న^;. కష సమయ+ Lబ గ% rh{ తన క 9ప¹ 9=, తనp రÀ Œ 9Óవరm ఆ_]!zT^{. ఏ రక+G Ïస/m Kలవగలp? ఇక hp ఏ ê+6m MH:º t/? ఎవ:m ల9/? ఇక నp^ ఎవ= LM{l=? ఈ b _ :Î 9 _ 9ప¹8న Ïస/m అడúa Œ 9Óవ=? అ ల ప(ప చ+_ అm^ పpల_ hర¹=> ఎవ=? ఆ 89m నమస3: Âlp. hp అసxuడp, ;[34/న9డp, ఏ Œ _ చక MH:º!zT^p. m 9Z:ప(tGతµ+æ అh 4ట గ% rh{ b _ Ïస/ 9ప¹తT^m ఒ ¹[ T^{. అ త[ + r 9ప¹ =ష+,} {, ఇ ¹{ రW+ _¹³T^{. The conflict is happening in the water, the natural habitat of the crocodile. Gajendra is loosing strength and the crocodile is gaining strength. Due to this adversity, Gajendra started to think about his savior. How do I vanquish this crocodile? Which God should I pray to? Who should I call for help? Who will save me? Who can stop this great creature that swims in these waters? Who is the most capable God in that governs this universe? I salute hime. I am a helpless creature and I pray to the holiest of all. By saying the word m 9Z:ప(tGతµ+æ, Gajendra acknowledges that the crocodile is the strongest creature in the lake. Previously, he fought with ferocity. Now, he is loosing hope. N7కరణ PQR) ప,క D!!! Pక D ;[3 ;శ స T) ప(tర + ఉతµమ+ = ప(tGతµ+; Nణ స Ù!"# గ% ద( )*+! 33

34 8-73-ఉ.! ఎవZmŒ జm  జగ; DవZm _పల p { Pన ; TవZm య r 6 r ; బర శZ= 5వZ {; 3లLరణ 4వZ ; డT;మధWలu 5వZ {; సరZ+ vనyన9 5వZ {; 9m TతEభO bశz= h శరణ Ÿ 5దæ ఎవZmŒ జm  జగ; DవZm _పల p { Pన ఎవm వలన!!!!!!!!!! Øû!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KశZ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఎవm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!_పల ఉ {û!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!క/š,š Who is the! creator of this! universe!! who is!!! inherent, innate! united TవZm య r 6 r ; బర శZ= 5వZ {; 3లLరణ ఎవm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!వలన!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!లయ+ Ò rû!!సరz/(ష న భగవ ³{!!!!!ఎవv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ప(Ýన Lరణí³{ who it the reason for the rhythm The Supreme Lord who is it? prime motivator 4వZ ; డT;మధWలu 5వZ {; సరZ+ vనyన9 ఎవv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఆ;,మధW+, అ త+ Õm9{!!!!!!!!ఎవv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అm^up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!తh అšన9{ who is it The one with no who is it everything, all, entire presence begining, middel or end 5వZ {; 9m TతEభO bశz= h శరణ Ÿ 5దæ ఎవv!! ఆ!! T ఆతE భగవ ³6m!! hp శరణ+!! Óదp!!!! న r ఉ 56 who is it To Him from my soul The Lord refuge, protection I will seek ఈ KశZ+ ఎవ: వలన న²; ఎవ:_ màపµ ఉన^²; ఎవ: వలన లయ న{!zన^²; ఈ _Lలm^ పర4³E{ ఎవG; ఈ KiZm 3ల Lరణ+ ఎవG; ట ట+, aట డ+; రగట+ వ K Õm95వv; అ వ KశZð న భగవ ³m శరä =³T^p. ఈ పదWÏక అ³W µ. ఆ6aన ప(శ^h మ అ ద:b అ6a అê స4Ýన+ }బట ట+. Lb కÝ స దరª+G ప(+a చట+,తన 9ప¹తన+. The God who created this universe; the God who is innate and united with the universe; the God who is the rhythm for this universe; the God who is the originator of the Universe; the God that doesn t have a beginning. end or rise and fall; the God, I seek refuge and protection from such a God. This poem is a rhetorical statement. The answers to all the questions is the same. The poet posed this question to everyone in the world. The beauty is, he weaved it in to the story line.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 34

35 8-86-క. కల డ r= $pల Tడ గల డ r= పరమ+a గణ+ల Mల గల డ r రm^;శలp గల { కల డã6 9 { గల v Õ v? కల డ r= $pల Tడ భగవ ³{ ఉT^డm అ =; భయప6న9: స+ Everyone says there is a God; fearful, destitute and needy to take care of గల డ r= పరమ+a గణ+ల Mల భగవ ³{ ఉT^డm అ =; 9ప¹ +N>, ఉతµమ న Nణ+> క/aన9:m రÀ Âlడm, everyone says you are there; great yogis, righteous people with (good)character save, protect గల డ rర రm^;శలp ఉT^డm అ = అm^ ;[3ల r గల { కల డ డã6 9 { గల v Õ v? ఉT^{, ఉT^{ అh భగవ ³{, mజ+g ఉT^v Õv? He is there, He is there such a God is he really there or not? $p>, భయప6న9: స+ భగవ ³{ ఉT^డm అ =. పరమ +Nలp, Nణవ ³లm భగవ ³{ రÀizడm, LMడlడm అ =. అm^ ;[3ల r ఉ డm అ =. ఆ వ భగవ ³{ mజ+gh ఉT^v Õv? Ïస/,}ట+_ అలŠ,š, X:µG స³zవ పడగలû Õ²నm, భగవ ³{ ఉT^v Õ² అm అp4న+ వ!zన^;. _¹šన గ% rhm, ఆశ న!zన^;. అస> ఈ ఆపద p ] బయట Everyone says the Lord saves the fearful, the destitute and the needy. Everyone says the Lord protects the great yogis and the righteous. Everyone says the Lord is found in all directions. Is there such a God? In his fight with the crocodile, the elephant lost all his strength and he is starting to lose his will power and hope. Now he is even doubting that, is there really such a God? Or Not?!"# గ% ద( )*+! 35

36 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 36

37 8-90-J.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"yƒ 3 తu Õr; రW+ K_ల బTW; ÍHణ Ÿ>æ tob ద ¹p; 3రÖ వ Ö ; దpOæ డ Äæ; శ(మ బTW6æ; b తప¹ mత పర 4 గ; మm^ ప ద Næ $pmæ; }! శZర! Lవ వరద! స రÀ భvHతEL! yƒ 3 తu Õr; రW+ K_ల బTW; ÍHణ Ÿ>æ yo + ఒ 3 తu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!K_ల Ÿ+అTWæ; బల+ చ+!!!!!!!!!!!Õr;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! రW+ తaC!!!!!!!!!!,š ;;!!!!!!!!!!!MHణ+> not even a bit of strength! I don t have it; courage, will power! I am loosing it;! life tob ద ¹p; 3రÖ వ Ö ; దpOæ డ Äæ; శ(మ బTW6æ; iîన+> త ¹³T^š;!!!!!!!3రÖ వ!zన^;;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!శYర+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అలŠ,š ;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! కష+G ఉన^; is being displaced; I am about to faint; my body is tired; I am in danger; b తప¹ mత పర 4 గ; మm^ ప దNæ $pmæ; poz L[ ఇత పర Ÿ=మ: ఇ క=m!ఎ=గp;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మm^ ప+తNæ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఈ $pm other than You!! no one else!! I know;!! please forgive! forlorn, destitute; }! శZర! Lవ, వరద! స రÀ భvHతEL! ఈశZ} ర+E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! క=\ Â+,!!!!!!!!!!!! వర+లm 69డO!!!!!!!! నp^ LM{!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!»భ+ Œu9! Eswara (God), please come! show mercy,!! The one who grants wishes! Save me!! do divine justice! చ+ బల+ Õr. రW+ తaC,š ;. MHI>,³T^š. 3రÖ వ!zన^;. శYర+అలŠ,š ;. ఇ L బ(తకట+ ty కష+. bo Lక ఇ క=m!ఎ=గp. $pడp, మm^ పతaన9డp. ఈశZ} ర+E, క=\ Â+, వర+లm 69డO!! నp^ LM{. ఓ»"క}. ty బల+ క/aన గ% rhm కష సమయ+_ K O N=µ వt {. మన_, ty బల+ ఉన^9: అ ¹డ ¹{ క(Ø> వÅÌO టš. 9 m v [ R Éè /. కష Lల+_ సxయ+ ŒŠన ప( 9= n( మx K OÕ. ఇ త[ + r పదW+_ గ% rhm K m ఉm õద అp4నÏ] న;. స=º[T^{. ఈ పదW+_ bo తప¹ Óవð నp^ రÀ చÕరm mశ š Â[T^{. ఈ పదW+_m పvలm ఎవ: LవలŠన Ø 9Ê 4= [ T^=. ఇ క: సxయ+ ŒయవలŠ వ] న ¹{ "yభï 3 తu Õr" అm, { పp> Œయ m "y ఒ 3 తu Õr" అm, అ ¹ అడగవలŠ వ] న ¹{ b తప¹ mత పర 4 గ అm. I have lost my strength. I am loosing my will power (to fight this crocodile). I am about to loose my life. I am about to faint. My body is tired. My life is in danger. I know no else, other than you that can save me. Please forgive this forlorn creature. Eswara, please come and save me, show mercy. You grant wishes to everyone. Save me. Oh divine one. Gajendra is a very strong elephant. In adversity he started to think of his savior. Even amongst us, people of strength and power may face adversity once in a while. We should overcome the tough times and move on. When we are facing difficulty, anyone that helps us is a Sri Maha Vishnu. In the previous poem, Gajendra has doubted the existence of Sri Maha Vishnu. In this poem, he got no doubts as to who his savior is.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 37

38 Often, the lines in this poem are mis-quoted by people in the modern world, quite often with a twisted meaning. "yభï 3 తu Õr", a justification for not helping others. "Law ఒ 3 తu Õr", a justification to do any immoral things. b తప¹ mత పర 4 గ as a way to borrow money.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 38

39 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 39

40 8-95-మ.!!! అల ;[ ఠ ర Ÿ_ నగ:_ T 3ల Bధ Ÿ v!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! పల మ vరవt త}మ త సర MH ˆ r L ప_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! త¹ల పరW క ర4Kû; యN Tపన^ ప(సp^ { K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!హZల TÎ ద(+ "M M " యన N W/ ] స ర ¾Y అల ;[ ఠ ర Ÿ_!! నగ:_! T 3ల!! Bధ Ÿ!! vపల అక3డ ;[ ఠ ర (K Om m9స+)!!!!!!! మధW_pన^!!!!! ఆ ప(Ýన, +ఖW న, దº!!! డ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!దగCర!!!!! }జ భవన స+vయ+_ In Vaikuntham, the abode of Vishnu! in the royal esplanade the central!! mansion!!! next to పల మ vరవt త}మ తసర!!!!!!!!!!!MH ˆ rl ప_త¹ల మ vర!!!+ వన+అ తర+అమ త + సరˆ!!!!!!!!!!!! MH త + ఇ rl త + ఉప + ఉత¹ల మ vరxల ట _పల అమ త జల సGవర+, ఆ ప(క3h ఉన^ చ ద(L త మä> 6న అ=N õద, bల (నల0) క>వ> చల0బ6న in the hibiscus garden, a lake with clear water in the vicinity terrace made of opals on blue lilies!!!!!!! (opalescent, opulence), త¹ల పరW క!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ర4Kû; యN!!!!!!Tపన^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ప(సp^ {!!!!!!!!!!K Mp, పఱ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ల EêK ఆన ద+G!!!!!!ఆపన^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అpగ( Â9{!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గ{ ³న^ ¹{!!!!!!!!!!!!క(Øల_pన^9:m!!!!!ఆr[h9{ bed (on floor?)!!! in a romantic mood with the distressed! the savior!!!!! Lakshmi!!!! KహZల TÎ ద(+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "M M " యన!!!!N W/ ]!!!!!!!!!స ర ¾Y భయ+, బల+Õక LŠ Œ³ పmŒయm9{,!దయ ŒŠ రÀ Â, రÀ Â!!Ïఱ Ø G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! స ర ¾ + ఐ Tగ + ఇ ;(య+ = దº శYర+, MHణ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అనG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [+WÏGc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aరప6న9, ÿ దరప6న9 numb with fear, without strength save me, save me cried with pain alert and respond with zeal అక3డ ;[ ఠ ర+_m }జ భవన స+vయ+_ అm^ క దº8న, +ఖW న Bధ+ (!ధ,!న^+ Šన, sల0m డ) ఉ ;. ఆ ప(క3h ఉన^ మ vర Xల ట_ యWm b= గల సర!Ä ఒక ఉ ;. vm ప(క3న చ ద(L త మäల lపడ ŒŠన చ>వ } అ=N õద b/ (నల0) క>వ> చల0బ6 ఉన^K. అక3డ Š ఉన^ Mp¹ àన, ర4 êk (లÀE êk) చల0G, +చ టG 4?{[ R K O ఆన ద+G గ{ ³T^{. అ ¹{ ఎక36p Þ ఒక దº జ ³O భయ+, Íధ bరస+g "రÀ  రÀ Â" అm Ïఱ Ø ఆr[h9 న n( మx K O, É టh ÿ దరM భ[ m సxయ+ Œయ వడ+ Km ] ;. Kనబ6న É టh, క(Øల_ ఉన^9:m m Õt{. చ ద(L త మä> రక రLల ర N> Éదజ>?lš. "చ ద(L త" అనట+_ Éన^ల_ ఉన^ ØG కK క/ t{. ర N> ÉదజÕ0 అ=N õద Mp¹, ఆ àన Éన^ల. పక3న n( êk. ఇ త _గ+ అpభKÅÌ, మధW_ భ[ m ఆyపన KT^{. ఉత¹ల + అ b/ ర N క>వ OZ. నల0 క>వ అm i4నw+g అ =. b/ క>వ OZ> మ ర న!గ Ým^ Éదజ>?lš. ఇ; మనEr6 ప చ ÍIల_ ఆఖ=;. ప(ప చ+_m ప> స స 3³ల_ ప(ణ m స 7త+ (ఈ{Œ, ò([). b/ క>వ OZ> న /ˆ + మ³zG ఉ ;. "b_త¹ల" అh పద+ 4 G/ i తW+_ 9డబ{³ ;, b_త¹ల v! ÏదలN P=0 K:KG ఉ š. b_త¹ల+ Í G?ê, n( ల క êశ+ల Ñöయ ష¹+. ఆ ధ( êశ+_ ఊ: =Oల_ కనప{³ ;.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 40

41 ఈ పదW+ mజ JKత+_m వWlWస+p Ü ³న^;. K O ఒ{iన ఉ 6 అpభK!zన^ "గWవ ³{. గ% rh{ b _ ఉ 6 Íధ> అpభK!zన^ $p{. mజ JKత+_ దº దº డల_ స పదలp అpభKÅÌ,!డ అవతలp ] $p6 Ïఱ Km Õ] É 9Ó దG? In Vaikunta pura, the city and abode of Lord Vishnu, within the royal enclave there was a large white mansion. Next to it there is a garden full of hibiscus shrubs and a pond with very clear sweet water. Next to the pond, there was a marble platform with beautiful inlays of opal gemstones (Pietra Dura). Blue water lilies were sprinkled on the platform. There was a bed on that platform and Vishnu was in a romantic mood with his wife Lakshmi Devi, whispering sweet nothings. Then he heard the feeble cry of a large animal in pain. It was crying for help. Vishnu, always ready to help his devotees, got up in a tizzy. చ ద(L త means opal gemstones. It also means moonlight. So, the poet describes a marble platform with opal inlays and moon light above with one word. Opal gemstones change colors both by reflection and translucent prismatic refraction. A very interesting type of gem. Opulence meaning affluence or wealth. Probably word origin for opulence is opal. ఉత¹ల means blue water lilly. These flowers have a natural intoxicating fragrance. Manmadha or Cupid has five arrows and Blue Water Lilly is his final weapon. All over the world, through the ages Blue Water Lilly is considered to be an aphrodisiac. It is carved in Egyptian temples and part of Greek folklore (nymphs eating water lilies). Blue Water Lilies are also an aphrodisiac used in herbal medicine. The word Nilotpal is part of Bengali culture and there are several Bengalis named Nilotpal. It is the national flower of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and valued very high in gardens in Burma, Thailand, Malaysia. It is also found in ponds in the villages of Andhra Pradesh. This poem shows the contrasts in our lives. Vishnu is enjoying the opulent life, sitting next to the lake and enjoying the riches. Gajendra is in the lake suffering. Even today, the rich can be behind the walls living in opulence and, maybe they can hear the cry for help from the needy. But how many can understand their pain, get up and help?!"# గ% ద( )*+! 41

42 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 42

43 8-96-మ.!!! Š: Žప¹{; శ ఖచక( uగ+ Œ²š స Ù ప ; # ప:9ర Ÿp Jర{ అభ(గప బ%& ప (క*+, తర ధ Eల0+ చక3,తµ{ K9ద,H øత n( [Þ ప: Œy చల న dడ{ గజMHIవûlÄ Y Š: Žప¹{; శ ఖచక( uగ+ Œ²š స Ù ప{ Š:+ æ+ ప¹{!!!!!!!!!!!!శ ఖ+, చక(+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!జ టp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Œ³> Ó య r!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ధ: చ{, ప Ø న{ n( êk, ల E êk ప¹{ Doesn t tell his wife,! Sankha and Chakra! pair!!! hands!!! doesn t hold them Lakshmi!!! conch shell,saw toothed disk ఏ ప:9ర Ÿp Jర{ అభ(గప పm^ ప{ వ[లp!! >వ{!! అభ(గ++ప = పhల[ } =గ=తE ³{! ఎక3{ foot soldiers doesn t call them king of birds, hawk, his vehicle, Garutmantudu doesn t mount ఆ క:ÈL తర ధ Eల0+ చక3,తµ{ K9ద,H øత ఆక:Èక+అ తర!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ø +6m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! స: Œ! [!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! సరvG,+చ టG తగO!!! à ÕÂÂన^ ear lobes, fallen hair bun doesn t correct it playful argument just getting up n( [Þప: Œy చల న dడ{ గజMHIవûlÄ Y ö, వ*సøల క ¹³న^ 1ర N!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! వద/ ట {!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! గజ+MHణ+ఆవన+ఉlÄ +Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! గ% rhm MHణ+లp LM56 ఉlÄహ+కల9 chest covering saree pallu doesn t let it go he heard Gajendra and rushed to save him గ% rh{ $Ty + ఆఖ=G MH: ]న ¹{, n( మx K O n( êk +చ?{œ ]న^ తNO Ø T^{. ఆKడ ]= ప+ Õ] Éళ J³న^ ¹{ N ప Ø[T^{. ఇ త_ గ% rhm $Tyప+ Km ] ;. ఆ ˆ, ఉన^ పళ+G Õ] భ[ 6m రÀ చ m గబగÍ Éళ ig{. n( êk N ప Ø[T^నm, vmm వదyలm చÕr, శ ఖ చక(+లp ధ: tలh ఆ_చన Õr, తన 9హన+ గ={m అÙG tలh ఆ_చన Õr, K తDEల ( ; Ñ=³న^ Ø +6m స: Œ! 9లh ÝWస Õr. ఈ పదW+_,తన అచ న s>n త 6(m Kవ: t{. n( మx K O మpషW సZ"వ+ అ ట గ Ø{. అ r7 ఇ; అతW త మ ర న పదW+. h ~ s>n త {H> ఎవG /tరm, సxయ+ Œ లm హడK6G ప:Kడl Lb, అవసర నK ప Ø[m Éళ =, మర], నm _ప/ బయట[ ప; i=0 =Nl=, ఇ Kషయ+ల_ ÿ దర పడ=.,తన ఎక3డ ఏ పద 9 _, స దరª ప(Lర+ 9 {. Š: అh 4ట n( అh 4ట[ Kక త పద, +rug 9 4ట. ఇక3డ 9:దº= +చ టల_ ఉT^= Lబ Š: అh పద పvWm అ ద+ వ] ;. అyÎ గజMHIవûlÄ Y అ, భ[ ల ఎ త ఇష ÿ దరపడlvనm Kవ: t{. "గవత+ Ïద పదW+_ భకµ Mలన కè స ర భ[æ అన^ 4ట[, ఈ పదW+ ఉvహరణ. 9ప¹ కKతZమ, ¹న అర + క, చ; 9: ఊహల[ J>i MHI> s ¹!z ;. ఇక3డ ఉన^ ]త(+_ ప 3 p ] Ü!zన^ ఇదº= ఆడ9ళ p Üడ 6. 9ప¹ ఇ మm తన "రW 1రp y[3 R ÉÊzT^{. Nస Nసల[ మ ] Kషయ : ;. ఇ;, పదW+_ "గ+ Lr, Lm ÍXm ఊ పŒŠ ;, ఉlÄహప:] ;. పvWm అ vm^ ] ;.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 43

44 When Gajendra had a final gasp of prayer, Sri Vishnu was having a playful argument with his wife, Sri Devi(Lakshmi). Sri Vishnu was tugging her saree pallu and she was about to get up being a bit upset. As soon as he heard Gajendra, he forgot whatever he was doing. He rushed to save Gajendra. He still held his wife s saree, he forgot to get the belongings that he always wears, Sankha and Chakra. He even forgot to get on his ride, Garutmantudu. He didn t even make his hair, didn t even notice his hair bun was drooping over his ear. All because he wanted to save Gajendra, quick to respond to his devotees prayers. In this poem, Potana humanizes Sri Vishnu. He is nothing but a modern day Telugu father, rushing to help others, not caring about his appearance, forgetting things he should take to help others, causing quite of bit of chagrin to his wife. The choices of words is beautiful. Siri is a colloquial form of Sri. Potana choose Siri because Vishnu and Lakshmi are in a playful mood. గజMHIవûlÄ Y is a beautiful description of how quickly Sri Vishnu is responding to the prayers of Gajendra. In the very first poem of Bhagavatam, Potana describes భకµ Mలన కè స ర భ[æ. This poem is an example of that. The beauty of great poetry is, it leaves a lot to your imagination and inspires other artists. Take a look at the picture by Bapu and the two women wondering what is happening. This is prime material for gossip. The richest and most powerful man shamelessly tugging his wife s saree, while he is running. This is not part of the poem, but it has to happen. Clearly, the poem set the imagination for Bapu and inspired him to enhance the beauty of the poem.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 44

45 !"# గ% ద( )*+! 45

46 8-98-మ. తనÉ టæ Š:; ల] É ట నవGధ9Hత+æ; vm É న3p బ rh {; 9m Ò తp ధp >)ద~ శ ఖ చ క(mLయ Ÿp; Tరr {; ధZ{bL ³ { } వ] E యWన ;[ ఠ ర Ÿన గ>N9 }Íల!Mల+æ తనÉ టæ Š:; ల] É ట నవGధ9Hత+æ; vm É అతm (K O) Épక!! n( êk;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ల Eêm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Épక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అవGధ+9Hత+æ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!9:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! అ త ర ós స3హ+p; Following him is Sri Devi; Lakshmi is followed by all the women from the palace; Behind Éన3p బ rh {; 9m Ò తp ధp >)ద~ శ ఖ చ Épక!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!పÀ + ఇ rh{!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అతm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!పక3h!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ధpˆ+>)ద!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!శ ఖ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!పhల[ ఇ rh{, గ={{;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! K>?, >)ద యã6 గద!!!!!!!!!!!!!! them!! King of birds, hawk! him!! next to! Vishnu s bow, mace,! Sankha!! Garuda, Vishnu s ride;! చక( mlయ Ÿp; Tరr {; ధZ{bL ³ { } వ] E చక(+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! స3హ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tరr{;!!!!!!!!ధZ{b( T)+L ³{(ప )!= KషZ7Äp{!!!!!!!!!!!!కలŠ వt = chakra and other belongings; Sage Naragda; his General, Vishwaksena all came EయWన ;[ ఠ ర Ÿన గ>N9 }Íల!Mల+æ ఒయWన = n(ఘ +గ!!!!;[ ఠ ర!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఉ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఆ+Íల+!Mల+ = ఆ ]న^ ల0>, దº9Š, అ దð hurriedly! vaikunta city of! residents! kids, grownups everyone n( మx K O గ% rh6m రÀ చ m ÿ దరM బయÕº:న ¹{, ఏ జ=N³న^²నm ÉpLలh n( êk, ఆ ల E êk ÉpLలh ఇతర అ త ర ós>, 9: Épక K 9హన గ={0, ఆ గ={m M శ ఖ+, చక(+, K>?, గద ÏదలNనd, 9 Épక Tరr{, Tప అšన KషZ7Äp0, ;[ ఠ+ _m ల0>, దº9Ê ప:9ర+ అ దð వt =. ఈ సm^ శ+ h mజ+. dù_ ఏదT^ గల" జ=N³న^ ¹{, Üడ m + r త 6( ప:Kడl{, త=9త ఇ ఇy?> ప:K{³ ;, ఆ త=9త ల0>, ఇ? [క3 ఉ అ; ప:K{³ ;. K 3:µ ఆuధ+> 1)ధp!Ä ÇఙC+ 2)గద >)ద 3)శ ఖ+ M చజనW+ 4)చక(+!దరâన+ 5)క µ న దక+. ఈ పదW+_ చమl3ర+ Tప KషZ7âp{ అ ద:క Épక }వడ+. బCÇ,తన Lల+_,P!> అ ద:క ఆలసW+G వŒ 9 )? When Sri Maha Vishnu rushed to save Gajendra, everyone in Vaikunta puram (city of Vaikunta) worndered why he is in such a rush. So, they followed him. First was Vishnu. He was followed by his wife Sri Devi (Lakshmi). She was followed by all the women in the palace. They were followed by Vishnu s mount/ride, a big hawk named Garuda. Next to Garuda were Sankha (Conch shell used to announce or challenge someone to a battle) and Chakra (the saw toothed disc) and other belongings of Vishnu. They were followed by the sage Narada, followed by Vishnu s war general Vishwaksena. Kids, grownups everyone rushed to see what was happening.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 46

47 This scene also describes an unusual day in modern life. If there is something happening on the street, the dad rushes first, followed by the wife, followed by the kids, maybe followed by a dog. Within a few minutes everyone is checking the commotion across the street. The five belongings of Vishnu that are always with him are 1) Sagnam, a bow 2) Koumodaki, a mace 3)Panchajanyam, Sankha, conch shell used to announce or challenge someone to a battle 4) Sudarsanam, Chakra, a saw toothed disc to slay the evil 5)Nandakam, a sword. The joke in this poem is the war general or the police captain is the last one to respond. Maybe during Potana s time also cops took their time to respond.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 47

48 8-103-క.!!!! అ6Kద నm క{వ6 జp!!!!! న6aన దp మNడ p{గ డm నడ u{næ!!!!! ÉడÉడ Š6+6 తడ బడ!!!!! న{ a{; న{aడr జ6మ న{ a{ãడలæ అ6Kద!!! నm!! క{వ6! జp (ÿ దరM Kషయ ) అ{Nvమm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గబగÍ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ÉÊz ; Ask why he is rushing!!! quick steps! she approaches him న6aన!! దp!! మNడ!! p{గ డm!! నడ!! u{næ అ6aనప¹ m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అతp(n( మxK ) :a జ9Ÿ!!!!!!!!! ప¹డm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!నడÂట!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఉ{Np = Kర Âp even if I ask!! he!! may not answer! back!!! walk!! stops ÉడÉడ!!! Š6+6! తడ బడ +G, మ rog!!!!!!!!!1l[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!తడబ{œ (అ{Nv4 వvU అm) a bit, moderately, gently! upset, chagrined! hesitatingly న{ a{;!! న{aడr!!! జ6మ!!! న{a{ãడలæ అ{N+ఇ{æ!! అ{Næ + ఇడr!!! జడతZ+!! అ{Næ + ఇ{ + ఎడలæ అ{N up!! అ{N + r[ యr!!!!! అ{Nలp 6 సమయ+ల_ steps ahead!! but then steps back!! slow, heavy!! when she is walking n( మx K O n( êk ఏL త+G ఉ ;. ఎ ¹0 బయట పpల :Î K O y త Kష Õ) M¹లp[ ;, 4?డvమm అp[ న^;. ఇ త_ గ% rh{ /t{, K O ఉన^ పళ G Õ] ÉÊzT^{. ఎ r[ ÉÊzT^v ప¹Õr. ఈ ÿ దరM Lరణ+ ఎ అrNvమm + r[ T>N అ{N> గబగÍ!z ;, ఈ ÿ దర_ అ6aT ప¹డm అ{N Éనక!z ;. +G ]}[ ప{œ, తడబ{œ మ ఒక అ{N + r[!z ;. మ ఏ భ[ { ఆపద_ ఉT^v, ఇ; అ6Î సమయ+ Lదm బ=OG Éనక{N!z ;. ఇ త[ + r పదW+_ n( మx K O s>n త 6( అšˆ, ఈ పదW+_ n( êk s>n త/0. ఇ Kష > 4?{[ vమ బయట పpల హ K6G :Î భరµ. ]}[, ]= ప+. అšT +ఖW న పp> యm అ{iపడr. ఈ Kషయ+ మన+ GX ÜÅÌh ఉ +.,తన 9HŠన ఆ= వ దల స వతÄ}ల త=9త, మనమ దర+ గమm Œ, అpభK Œ సm^ శ+. ఆ r7,తన 9ప¹ కK. ఇ; సరZల క ద+. అ ఈ పదW+_ వ³z> Lb, $} > Lb ÕO. ఇ; ఒక K]త( పదW ప( (య. s>n i తW+_, సరZ ల క ద పదW ఇ క ఉ ² Õ²? s>n_ గడ6డ, హ K6, 9డవ, ఆగడ+, అడú;డú+ అh 4ట> ప(i తత 6న ¹{ 9 4ట>. d _ +ఖW న అ*ర+ "డ". ;[ ఠ ర _m ప(i తత గ% rhm $Tyప+ 6,šన;. అ r7 పదWమ l "డ"ల న6] ;. 23 "డ">, 3 "ద"> ఉT^š. Sri Devi (Lakshmi) is enjoying a private conversation with Sri Maha Vishnu, who is always busy with world affairs. She is about to talk to him about something personal, domestic stuff. At this moment Gajendra called on Vishnu to help him. Without saying a word to Sri Devi, Vishnu rushed out.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 48

49 She wanted to find out. She approaches him quickly. Then she realizes he might not answer back even if she asks him and steps back. She gets a bit upset and steps forward again. Then she hesitates, may be he has to take care of some important stuff, this is not the time to ask questions. So, she steps back with a heavy foot. In the previous poem Sri Maha Vishnu is a Telugu father. In this poem Sri Devi (Lakshmi) is a Telugu mother. She wants to tell her husband all the domestic stuff, but the dad is always busy and running around to help others. She gets a bit upset, agitated and worked up. But, she doesn t stop her husband realizing that whatever it is, could be important. This is a situation that exists in a Telugu family and all of us have experienced it or observed it. Potana wrote this poem six hundred years ago and is a prevailing situation today, a timeless entity. That is the reason Potana is a great poet. This poem is called a sarva laghu kandam. It means there are no long vowels or conjoined consonants. It is poetic gymnastics, in context, in a beautiful way. When a calm, peaceful situation is disturbed, quite a few words in Telugu consist of the hard sound Da. The calm situation in Vaikunta (the abode of Sri Maha Vishnu) is disturbed by the prayers of Gajendra. That is the reason this poem consists of 23 డ s and 3 ద s.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 49

50 Íల రiల iల నవ పల0వ మల LవW కనWకæ ళల ] యప¹{ { ]{ Âట క Ô సత3OB x/[qన h గహT తర óమల క ద3ల> vu/[qన h mజ vర! దర,షIరø Íల రiల iల నవ పల0వ మల LవW కనWకæ ]న^ రi>, 4 6 ప {? మ;º Ø cతµg ]a: ]న మ r;న, అ ద న LవWమh కనW, ë Lm ప{ juicy mangoes Termolina tree young leaves delicately beautful poetry a young girl ళల ] యప¹{ { ]{ Âట క Ô సత3OB క => ఇ] ఆ + ప{ అన^+ నట+ క మ ] కO> అ+E[ వ] న డŸuల cruel (man) give money from selling it food eat good poets x/[qనh గహT తర óమల క ద3ల> x/[> + అšన + ఏ గహన + అ తర క ద, 3ల కషప6 Òల+ rp^[h ³ల ˆ ఏ ఆడK, ర }m; కm Œ ప(êశ+ల_ క ద r ప,]లగడ r ప plough the fields/farm, toil hard hidden and easily seen places yam, sweet potatoes ఔvU/[qనh mజ vర! దర,షIరø ఔvUలక> + అšన + ఏ mజ+g "రW!త + ఉదర,  వ m ట ˆã త(Î9ళ ˆ ఏ ల0ల Òట > drinking wild honey truly wife kids tummies feeding them,తన Lల+_ పvW>, L9W> 9HŠ } ల[, iమ ³ల[ అ త+ ఇవZట+, డŸu>  వట+ జ=Nœ ఉ ;.,తన[ n(t డh Íవమ:; ఉ 9{ (కKiరZ మ n(t { Lr). Âట + Ü G,తన ఇ వt {.,తన ]న^ ³, కషప6 వWవiయ+ Œ![h9{. n(t { ö:కg అ=N õద = m, కషప,తనm ÜŠ, ఇ త దº LవW+ 9H!zT^O కv, అ; సరZజá Š గ ím>డh } ] డŸu> sâ [m ఘన G బ(త  కv అm M¹{. అ ¹{,తన ఈ పదW+ M¹{. hp 9H "గవత+, T ³=. 4 6 పÊ yg యWG ఉ ;. మ;º Ø ]Nళ yగ సన^గ, చక3G, ఎ= 3న ŸగCల ఉ ఈ LవW కనWp, క ={, అk^p{ అšన సరZ గ ím>డh } [ అ త వZp. అ వ పm, కన^ ³=m అ+E[m, అy వ] న డŸuల 9ప¹ _జన+ నటమ త Mప+. ఆ పm క, T y మ ] కO>, కషప6 Òల+ rp^[ R వWవiయ+ ŒŠ, వ] న; నట+ మ ] పm. న m రకm G న, కనపడm క ద 3yలm తOZ[, ˆã గ> [ T, ప Ø ˆã sâ m lhnlp. ఇక3డ, Íల రiల, ]న^ రi>. ఇK 4 6 పళ _ ఒక రక+, ty యWG ఉ š. అyÎ,,తన "Š: ప¹{" అh పదW+ Km, n(t { "Í9, uvum É 9Óవ T అuÝ> ö! [ Éళ ట+ జ=N³ v? Ò{[న^9{ Õ] ప:K6ˆ uద + ఎ? Œiz{? ఇê పదW+, అసÕõ Í!Õr" అm అవ=ళన ŒÇ{. అ ¹{,తన œన+g ఉ 6, Ó డవ G న,తన ఒక బ డ }šm ÍK_ Š, "Í9, b {[ ÍK_ ప6, {, వ] రÀ Â" అm అరవట+ Ïద> Ø{. n(t {, ఉన^ పళ+G Õ], గబ గÍ ప:K³z[m ÍK దగCర[ వt {. అ ¹{,తన, "Í9, y?6m రÀ tల, ఒక lడt^ ö![m }9/ కv, Lb poz ఒ Œ³ల ఎy వt O అm అ6G{". n(t {, " {[!"# గ% ద( )*+! 50

51 ÍK_ ప iడh క G=_ ప:K³z[m వt p", అm M¹{.,తన, "Í9, ÍK_ hh బ డ š Çp, poz ఏ Œizé ÜvUమm. poz b {[ స+ ఎ త ÿ దర ప6 అb^ మ:, é, n( మx K O భ[ m రÀ చ m అ త క G=G ప:Kడl{" అm M¹{. During Potana s time (1400 AD), most poet s used to dedicate their works to the king or other rich people and enjoy the rewards. Potana was a farmer who believed in making a living by working hard in his small plot. He did not want to earn money by selling his poetry. Once, Potana s brother-in-law, Srinadhudu (he is not the same as kavi sarvabhauma Srinadhudu) visited him and made fun of his hard toil in the farm. He suggested that Potana should dedicated hi Bagavatamu to Sarvagna Singa Bhoopala, the king and get some money. In response, Potana recited the above poem. This literary work called Bagavatam is like my daughter. She is sweet like a ripe mango. She is delicate, slender and beautiful like the young leaves of the Sal tree. How can I give my daughter to a cruel, illiterate and uncouth king? Doing so is the same as selling your daughter and celebrating with a feast. This is the lowest of lowest despicalble acts. I would rather plough the fields and enjoy the fruits of my sweat and toil. If that doesn t work, I will dig up roots (kanda and sweet potato) or collect wild honey (even if the bees sting me) to feed my wife and kids. Bala rasalu means a variety of small juice mangoes, very sweet. Another day, Srinadhudu made fun of Potana s Sirkin ceppadu poem. You wrote that Vishnu just got up from his bed and ran to save Gajendra. Even if Vishnu started to run without saying goodbye to his wife, he should have at least grabbed his weapons. This is not good poetry. Potana stayed quiet. Next day, Potana took a big rock and threw it in the well next to his house (There is no plumbing those days, you had to have your own well and draw water every day). He yelled, Brother-in-law, your son fell in the well, come save him. Srinadhudu came running. Potana quizzed him Did you bring a rope or any other tool to save your kid? Looks like you came empty handed Srindhudu replied, no, hearing the big splash and your yelling, I just rushed here and did not bring any tools. Potana told Srinadhudu, Dear Brother-in-law, I threw a rock in the well to trick you. You came empty handed to save your child, Vishnu did it the same way, he treats all his devotees like his children and rushes to save them. 9Wకరణ K/(> ప,క D!!! Pక D LవW+ కబu+!"# గ% ద( )*+! 51

52 8-109-మ!!! క=IŠ { Ë: 9:చర+æ ఖ 6 ప G బ స తµZ:lక త í చక(+ మ దW;Z!ž/ గచÖ ప:íl బర»క(+æ బCKధ బ(xE డ" డచÖ తరmరZక(+ Í/l ల!Ý ధశ క(+ జక(+æ క=I Š { Ë: 9: చర+æ ఖ 6 ప G బ స ద స+rH{!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!K O!!!!!!!!!!! b _ :Î;, Ïస/!!!!!!!నర[ట[, స హ: చ m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ప p An ocean of kindness! Vishnu!! water creature, crocodile to chop!!!! sent సతµZ:l క త í చక(+ మ దW;Z!ž/ గచÖ 3/ గ+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!క Âœ!!!!!!!!!! í!èm^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మx+ఉదwá+k!ž/ గ+ఛ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ty ఎ[3వG, అÙక+G; Kర{మEబ6న;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అa^కణ+ల, än=>; స3హ+లŒ, N Œత very fast!! sending tremors on earth!! zillions of sparks ప:íl బర»క(+æ బC Kధ బ(xE డ " డ చÖ ప:íత+అ బర!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!»[c6m!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TT రక+>G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!KశZ+, ప(ప చ+ల స3హ+ అవ4నపరచబ6న ఆLశ+న ద/ insulting to the planet in the sky!! Venus!! in many ways! universes, galaxies తరmరZక(+ Í/l ల!Ý ధశ క(+ జక(+æ అ తర+mరZక(+æ!!! M/త+అ ల!!!ధ + అ ధ +చక(+!! చక(+p స rల_m ] అ{iÕm8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LM{న; అ ద:m!!!!!!!!!!!!చ rhm Nc6ú 9mG!!!!!!!! Œ త త É>N in between!!!! savior of all!! blinding the moon!! Vishnu chakra స+ద(మ త దయ గల 9డN n( మx K O, తన భ[ న గ% rh6m ప s{!zన^ Ïస/m +క3>G నరక!దరâనమh చLHuధ+p ప(+a t{. ఆ!దరâన చక(+ ty గ+, tల ఎ[3వG అa^ కI> Kర{+E[ R వÅÌ í_lm^ క ప ŒŠ ;. ఆLశ+_ p ] KKధ KశZ+>, న*త(+ల స rల_m ] వÅÌ, v:_»[c6 పక3p ], అవ4నప:Œy»క( గమTm^ v [m, 3/ L»[c{ Õక»క( గ(హ+ vనoల[ N=O (êవతల N=O బ హస¹ m, చ rh6m N6ú 9mm Œ yg వ] న;., Õక N= గ(హ+).»[c6 9హన+ Ïస/. అ r7 పక3p ]!దరâన చక(+ ÉÊzన^ ¹{»[c6 అవ4న+.»[c6 K O అ ;ర+.»[c6 త/0 ఉÇన êవతలp s6!zన^ }*!ల[ ఆశ(య ] న;. K O ఆ }*!లp చ పJˆ ఉÇన అ{iప6న;. అ ¹{ ఉÇనp K O చ M{. మ 9మTవlర+ _ బ/ 9మp6 3{ అ{N> vన+ ఇÅÌ కమ డల+ _m bê జల0, {.»[c{ బ/ చక(వ:µ }J ఆపద N:µ ] కమ డల+ jm 4జ +న[ అ{iG m/t{. K O ఒక ల0 4జ +p Ò6]న ¹{,»[c6 ఒక కp^_ Nc [m, ఆ కp^ N6úదšW ;. అ r[» (6 K O అ Sri Maha Vishnu, an ocean of kindness threw his saw tooth disc named Sudarsana to chop the crocodile and save his devotee Gajendra. From the heavens, Sudarsana cakra travelled very fast, spewing zillions of sparks. through the universe, through the galaxies, between the stars. It overtook the planet Venus, as if insulting him. The brightness of Sudarsana blinded the moon. ప+.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 52

53 Sukra or Sukra graha (planet Venus) is the guru for Rakshasas, the demon kings (Brihaspati or Jupiter is the teacher for Devatas). Sukra s ride is a crocodile. Hence, Vishnu Cakra going past Sukra, to kill a crocodile is an insult to Sukra. In the past, Vishnu was about to kill some Danavas (Rakshasas or Demons) and Sukra s mother Usana provided shelter to them. Vishnu tracked the Danavas, killed them. He also killed Usana. This is also another for the enimity between Sukra and Vishnu. In another story, Vishnu in Vamnavatara requested King Bali to donate him three feet of Land. Sukra, sensing some devious scheme from Vishnu, hid in the spout of Bali s kamandalam and blocked it. Bali decided to grant Vaamana s wishes and to fulfil the wish, he had to sprinkle some water from his kamandala as per the custom. Sukra, with his magical powers, shrunk to a tiny form and blocked the spout of the kamandalam. Vishnu took a twig and poked the spout of kamandala and blinded Sukra in one of his eyes. This is another reason for the enimity between Sukra and Vishnu.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 53

54 8-114-క.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!మకర Ïక రK Ÿ p; మకర+ మfmక ధనr 4 న Kæ; మక}లయ+న ;:K { మకర Ÿ> రE} మ Oన క:Kæ మకర Ïక రK Ÿ p; Ïస/ ఒక Å=W6m ÜŠ ;(చ] Éల0 y? ప6 ˆ/ˆ vm õద ఎ డ ప6 ;) మకర } ఒక Å=W6 iîన+_ Œ: ; Crocodile a Sun(light) started to shine Capricon (Zodiac) one Sun entered మకర+ మfmక ధనr 4 న Kæ; మకర+ అh రత^ ఒక [e=m ధన }Š_ va ; black antimony gem one Kubera treasures of hide మక}లయ+న ;:K { మకర + ఆలయ+ _ = స+ద(+_ :Î crocodiles residence = ocean roaming మకర Ÿ> రE} మ Oన క:Kæ ÏసÊ ఆ; రE t ప:Klzš crocodiles primal turtle behind ran away ఒక మకర+ మర\ ] Éల0 y ప6 à ˆ/ ;. vm õద!రw రI> ప iš. ఆyÎ మకర } రK_ Œ: ;. Jవ+ Õm మకర+ అh మ\ (ఒక నల0 మ\) భయ+ Š [e=m ధన } _ v[న^; ([ ={ అ XరZ Lల+_ అ ధనవ ³ న ఒక } ). స+ద(+_ ఉన^ Ïసళ b^, ఆ; రE+ ÉనLల v[3న^k. ఆ; రEమ Ô, స+ద(+_ ఉ 6 í +ma,[ తన d õద ) ఒక దº le>. న*త( }»> కదలO, మన+ à ÜŠన ¹{ Å=W{ 4త( కr>³న^ Ø కm iz{. ఇక3డ,తన చమl3ర+G మకర } కద/ Å=W6_ Œ:న Ø ³T^{. Ïస/ చ],š ; Lబ ఏpNలm^»భ ;న. Å=W{ మకర } Œ:న ¹{ మన[ మకర స LH. ty»భ న G, s>n 9: అ దº8న ప {గ. మన[ ప ట> Œ వ] ఇ>? m {G ఉ ;, అ దð ఆన ; Œ ళ. మ: Ïస/ స గ ఏ? అ; ŒŠన త ¹ ఏ? తన iît^m^, తన 9:m LM{ వ m7 కv అ; గ% rhm uధ + ŒŠన;?,తన త=9త పvWల_ Ïస/ XరZ జనE_ CO{ అh గ ధ=Z{ అm Kవ:iz{. అతp êవê{ అh ఒక +mm అవ4m చట+వలన, +m Çప+ Ïస/ yg JKత+ గ{ ³T^{. K O Ïస/m వÙ చట+ వలన Çప K+[ మ గ ధరZ ðప+ Ò ;, n( మx K O నమస3: t{. గ% rh{ XరZ జనE_ ద(Kడ êశ+p M/ Œ ఇ ద(దW+pడh }. మలయ పరZత MH త+_ K ÝWన+_ ఉ డG, మ}Wద యWÕదm అగసµW మహ:½ Çప+ గ% rh6g జmE t{. "మలయ" అ డ అm, చల0m G/ అm అ}w> ఉT^š. n( ఖ ;(, చ దనa:, చ దTచల+, అT^మq అm P=0 ఉT^š. అక3 అగసµWమq,, (త ళ+) అh!"# గ% ద( )*+! 54

55 డ> ఉన^K. అక3డ ఈ T ప(క రమ*యత దట న అడO> మధW, జలMl>, ల =>, సర!Ä> ఉT^š. ఏpN> ty ఉT^š. మలయ పరZత+> అవట+ వలన, మల ళ+ అh పద+ అక36p Œ ఉత¹ µ అšనê)? మ: ఈ i: శలవ_ Kxర త([ అక36 Éè /. A crocodile died and went belly up, the sun shone on him or the constellation Capricorn entered the house of Sun. Even a gemstone called Makaram (black antimony) got scared and hid in the treasures of Kubera (Kubera is an ancient king, very rich, his treasury had a lot of gem stones). All the crocodiles in the ocean, hid behind the primal turtle, that holds the earth on its back. The constellations are stationary and the Sun moves across various Zodiac signs. Here, the poet had a word play, the crocodile (or the capricorn) is moving across Sun (or the Sun is stationary and the Capricorn moved). When Sun enters Capricorn, it is Makara Sankranti a very auspicious day for Hindus. Here the crocodile died and entered Sun, so it is auspicious for all the elephants and all the creatures. Makara Sankranti is traditionally a harvest festival, a time of plenty and joy, the most important festival. A time for celebration. So, what about the crocodile? Isn t it injustice to kill a creature that is defending its territory against intruders? In a latter part of the Bhagavatam, Potana explains that the crocodile is actually a Gandharva named HuuHuvu (a demi god, good at singing). He was cursed by a sage called Devala to be born as a crocodile, as he insulted the sage. With Vishnu slaying him, he regained his original form. He bowed to Vishnu for delivering him from his life as a crocodile. Gajendra was a king named Indradyamuna in a previous life. He was in meditation, praying to Vishnu at the Malaya hills. When Agastya maharshi approached him, Indradyamuna did not extend any courtesies. Agastya got upset and cursed Indradyamuna to be born as an Elephant. Malaya means mountatins or a gentle, cool breeze. These mountains are called Sri Khandadri, Candanagiri, Candanacalam or Annamalai. There is also a mountain called Agasthyamalai or Pothigai in the same range. Even today, these mountains have very dense forests, a rich bio-diversity, stunning views filled with waterfalls, streams, rapids and lakes. There are also plenty of wild elephants. So, go there for your next vacation.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 55

56 8-135-W.!!!! నరTథ! b[p TŒత Kవ: ప!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!బ6న క ( p"వ న!!!!! గజ}జ)*ణకథ Kp9:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!యశ+ / p గలE(పహ Ÿ;!!!!! rసäzప^ Tశ Ÿ r ఖ స xర Ÿ ;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ßHrUన y3 ] Xతవ µ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mతw Ÿ బ š  mరey³e[qన!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!k Hల[p బCKభవ మమ=; X.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!స పద> గ>- ; Aడ> Ç ß r;!ఖ+ Š; Â; వ:ø>? ýభన+>; )* మఱŒ 8 u {; +ద+ Œ= నp K { s(³ న నరTథ!!!! b[p!! TŒత!! Kవ: ప బ6న ఓ పYÀ³z మx }Ñ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!b[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!T వలన!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kవర+G s>పబ6న Oh, Parikshi Maharaja!! to you!! by me!! the narrated story in detail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!బ6న!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!క ( p"వ న!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ఈ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! క ష< +అp"వ+æ+ ఐన = n(క m mక3 ప("వ+ s> న;అšన!!! this!! the story that describes the glory of Sri Krishna గజ}జ!!!! )*ణ!!! కథ!!! Kp9: గ% rhm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)*+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!కథp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kh9: Gajendra!!! deliverance, rescue! story!!! the listeners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!యశ+ / p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గలe(పహ Ÿ;!!!!!!!!!!!యశ+>+ఇ p = ~=µలp ఇ p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!కలeష+అపహ Ÿæ = ప:హ: Âp! give them honor and reputation!!! removes bad spirits rసäzప^!!! Tశ Ÿ!! r ఖ!!! స xర Ÿ ; r+సzప^= డúకలలp!! ÿలa Âp!! r ఖ+p!! Tశన+Œup bad dreams!!! get rid off!! grief!!! destroys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ßhruన!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! y3 ]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Xతవ µ! ఉదయ!! mద(õ]!!! పKత( న Kధ+గ;! dawn!!! wake up! in a pious manner!"# గ% ద( )*+! 56

57 mతw Ÿ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!బ š Â!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mరEy³E[qన ప( ;న+!!! ప š  = చ;É6! mరeల+ఆతe[> = mరeల న మన!>గల9= every day!!! read!!! pure souls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!k Hల[p!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!బCKభవమమ=;!!!!!!!!!!!ÍHహEäల [; చrO[న^ 9:Dవ:žT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!బC+ Kభవ++అమ= = అhక న ;భవ+> సమ = p Brahamins; learned people many types of grandeur స పద> గ>- ; Aడ> Ç ß r; ఐశZరW+>!! ల¾ Âp!! sడ>=íధ> ÿలa,š Ç Œ =³ ; wealth granted with Pains will go away peace obtain!ఖ+ Š; Â; వ:ø>? ýభన+>; ఆన ద+, ఆGగW+, oమ+ క>Np!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! వ ; rp, =Np!!!!!!!!!»భ+> happiness obtained grow, thrive good happenings )* మఱŒ 8 u {; +ద+ Œ= + µ డ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!అర Œ _!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ఉ {;!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! స ష+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!సమ =p heaven, beatitude! palm of your hand! will in your!! happiness!!! obtain నp K { s(³ న అm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n( మx K O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! s(³ {+ఐ = ఇష+!!!!!!!ఆన + ఇ = వర+ ఇ p say, tell!!! Sri Maha Vishnu! with pleasure!! will grant you»క మహ:½ పYÀ³z మx} గ% ద( )*+ కథ ¹న త=9త, ఆ కÐ మహతW+p ఈ Kధ+G Kవ: ³T^{. ఈ కథ n( మx K Om అవlర న క pm ప("9m^ s> ³న^;. ఈ కథ Kన^9: 9ప¹ ~:µ ల¾!z ;, ²ష+> ఏమT^ ఉ, అK ÿలaòlš. డú కల> }O, r ఖ+,³ ;. ÒHrUh^ Õ], mరeల న మన!Ä గ% ద( )*+ చrO[h KvWవ ³ల[, అm^ రక+qన ఐసZరW+> క>Nlš, Ç m Ò rl=. sడ> ÿలa,lš.»భ+> జ=Nlš,!ఖ+ Ò rl=. )*+ క/Î 4రC+ ˆ/కG ల¾!z ;. స ష+ క>N³ ; అm n( మx K O ఆన ఇt {. }Iల_m కథ> ¹న ¹{ మ గళ ప>కట+ ఒక ఆన9šö. మ గళ+ అ చ; 9:, Kh9: మ ] జరGలm = వట+. Suka maharshi narrated Gajendra Mokshamu story to Maharaja Pariksith and explained that this story tells the virtue and significance of Sri Krishna, an avatar of SrI Maha Vishnu and decreed: The readers and listeners of this story will get a lot of recognition. If there are bad omens, they will be driven away. Bad dreams will not occur. Anyone who wakes up early in the morning and reads this story with peace in their heart, will get all kinds of riches. Good things will happen to them. They will be happy. Even, the path to oneness with God will be easy.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 57

58 8-137-క.!!!! గజ}జ)*ణ Ÿp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mజ+గ బ š Âన mయl³eల[æ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!గజ}జ వరr 6Â p!!!!! గజ ³రగ సW దన+> వలW Ÿæ గజ}జ!!! )*ణ Ÿp గ% rhm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)*+p Gajendra! deliverance (the story of) mజ+గ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!బ š Âన!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mయl³Eల[æ శ(ద!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ప š Â+అ =చrO[h9:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mయత+ఆ³eb+[æ=mయమ+ గల9: with care and attention! read!!!!! regularly గజ}జ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!వరr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6Â p గ% rhm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!వర+లm] న 9 న n( మx K O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ఇiz{ Gajendra!! one who granted wishes/boons/saved = Vishnu will give గజ!!! ³రగ!!! సW దన+>!! వలW Ÿæ ఏpNలp!! Nఱg+లp!! రథ+లp!! Yవల7G=7వల+ lh హ:యNట, )*+ elephants,!! horses!!! chariots!!! and heaven, oneness with God ఇ L, గ% ద( )*+ కథ శ(ద, mయమ+ తప¹[ చrO[న^ 9:, గ% rh6 వర ] న^ 0, n( మx K O, Kన^9ర ద:~, ఏpNలp, Nఱg+లp, రథ+లp + µ 4}-m^ ఇiz{. Any one who reads Gajedra Mokshamu story every day with attention and devotion with be awarded elephants, horses and chariots by Sri Maha Vishnu.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 58

59 స ప(; /ప}మరâ గ( Ð> References 1. n( మx "గవత+, ÿ Eదవ +ద(ణ, Ò n( }+> s>n KశZ KvWలయ+ lళపత( గ( ధ+లp 6, మ: ÿ E; MH1న గ( ధ+ల p 6 ప:ష3: ] ప(Â: ]న,తన "గవత పvWల స కలన+. త=9త ప(Â: ]న అm^ "గవత సµLల[ MH4\క PJల చదవదaన s క. స MదకవరC }య,H>!Íu}O, ;9కర0 Éక వÝm, ls ధ}E}O, $Mల చ యW శŠS, K. }మ } G=0. 2. n( మÝ ద( మx "గవత+, ఆవ చ సతWT}యన G=, ;Zöయ +ద(ణ, Kక Y ప60ష Ä. àన s/ న గ( Ým L, lత¹రw+ ðò ; ]న 9=. 3. గ% ద( )*+, జ పm P: ÇŠS, n( లÑ ప60ష Ä 4. అ త}ìల _ ప(Â: ]న స XరÈ, L, lత¹రw స త ఆ ధ( మx "Gవత గ( ధ+. గణTÝWš ఊలప/0 i బ వ}O G: అrªత క l}3ణ+. n( žవలw పvWm ఇ] న Kవవరణ ty ÍN ;. 5. సమగ( ఆ ధ( i తW,ఆ=ద(, Ïద స, PJ> , s>n అL5õ.,తన కKతZ+, ఆయన Lల+_m }జ~య 9lవరణ+, ఇతర కOల ప("వ+?: న మ ] KమరâTతEక 9Wస+. 6. మ vర మకర v>, Š. T}యణ Ó6ú, ê ప(Âరణ 7.,తన "గవత రl^>, Ç n( ßతÄ కK, G * ప60ష Ä 8. H. Š ªధ:, హ:హ ప, Tరµæ Ÿü ట, PJ 129. మలయ పరZత+, ఇతర t:త(క!ëక ప:ýధన>.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 59

60 Íల "గవ³ల ప:చయ Presenting our young Bhagavatas అపZల[ <1=> Amador Valley High School _10వ తరగ చదవJ³న^;. Biology, Chemistry అ ఇష+, Bio-Medical _ ప:ýధన Œizన న^;. శ కర hlhలయ, /వ 3 H Ô B, మనబ6, Summit _ సZచÖ ద వ Œ!zన^;. క}^ట స òత+, ]X6, ÍPO«న తW iధన ŒÅÌ, Å3B choir _ M{³న^;. Scuba diving, Sky diving, Dolphins ఈత ట ట+ అh :క>T^š. Miss America G,' పడvమp[ న^;. అపZల[?మ7 Pleasanton Mohr Elementary _ ఐదవ తరగ చదవJ³న^;. ]X6, ]త(కళ, Gymnastics iధన ŒSz ;. భKషW³z _ Mt. Everest ఎL3లm, Snorkelling Wలm అp[ న^;. New York y దº నగ}ల_ Kxర త( అ ఇష+. భKషW³z_ Police Detective అOvమp న^;. ప(!zత+, California p ] Hawaii vl ఈత record స Âvమm ఆ_]!zన^;. V<ల ఆ జ( Challenger School _ ఎm దవ తరగ చదవJ³న^;. క}^ట స òత, భరత TటW అభWŠ!zన^;. Abstract Art ]lh>!z ;. Pediatrician అOvమp[ న^;. ప(!zత+ శలవ_? Flying Car ఎy త = Wy అm ఆ_]!zన^;.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 60

61 గ, _ /, CD, Mission Valley Elementary School _ ఒకటవ తరగ చదవJ³న^;. క}^ట స òత h= [ న^;, ]X6 h= 9లm :క. Painting, Arts & Crafts అ ఇష+. భKషW³z_ Teacher Lb, Astronaut Lb అOvమp న^;. ]H^ E(మ Hopkins Middle School _ ఏడవ తరగ చదవJ³న^;. Saxophone, Piano h= [ న^;. Alaska, Africa, Galapagos _m ప» ప Wrలm Ü లm అp[ న^;. భKషW³z_ జ ³ స ర*ణ[ M పడlన న^;. ఈ తర 9Ê Kxర త(ల[ í õê =N³T^=, గ(xల õద[ Kxర త(ల[ ఎ r[ Éళ డr అm ఆ_]!zన^;. V<ల అమ త Challenger School _ ఆరవ తరగ చదవJ³న^;. క}^ట స òత, భరత TటW అభWŠ!zన^;. Badminton ఆ{³ ;. Science Research అ ఇష+. Pediatrician అOvమp[ న^;. Space suits Õ[ Astronauts ఎ r[ Éళ డH అm అ_]!zన^;.!"# గ% ద( )*+! 61