📜 Sumati Satakam

The Sumati Satakam is one of the best-loved works in Telugu — a collection of short verses of practical wisdom, attributed to Baddena (13th century).

Every verse ends with the word "Sumatee!" — "O wise one!" The poet is not lecturing; he is speaking to your good sense.

Telugu children have memorised these for eight centuries.

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📖 Verses

Verses 1–5

Wisdom for Daily Life

1
Appichchu vaadu, vaidyudu,
Neppudu nedategaka paaru neru, dvijundun |
Choppadina yooranundumu,
Choppadakunnatti yooru chorakumu sumatee!
Meaning: Live only in a town that has: someone who will lend you money, a good doctor, a river that never runs dry, and a learned person. If a town lacks these — do not even set foot in it.
Note: Baddena, 13th century. Sound practical advice, 800 years old: credit, healthcare, water, and education. A town without these cannot support a life.
2
Tana kopame tana shatruvu
Tana shaantame tanaku raksha, tana kopame |
Tana shatruvu chetu cheyunu,
Tanashaantame tanaku raksha yagunu sumatee!
Meaning: Your own anger is your enemy. Your own calm is your protection. Your anger will destroy you; your calm will save you.
Note: The most famous verse in the Sumati Satakam.

The enemy is not outside. It is your own temper. And the protection is not outside either — it is your own composure.
3
Uppuku poru nichchina
Ruppatiki bratikina naadu chumee sumatee!
Meaning: The one who cannot even afford salt but still lives with dignity — he is the truly worthy man.
Note: Poverty is not shameful. Living without honour is.
4
Alpudepudu palku aadambaramuganu
Sajjanundu palku challagaanu |
Kanchu mroguna tlu kanakambu mroguna,
Vishwadaabhiraama vinura vema!
Meaning: A shallow man speaks loudly and with show. A good man speaks softly. Brass rattles noisily — but does gold make such a sound?
Note: (This verse is from Vemana, quoted here for its kinship with Sumati's teaching.)

Bronze clatters. Gold is quiet. The loudest voice in the room is rarely the wisest.
5
Manchi vaani chuchhi mai maruvaku sumatee!
Meaning: Having seen a good person, do not forget them.
Note: Gratitude. A short line, but it holds a whole ethic.
📚 Source: Sumati Satakam, attributed to Baddena. Transliteration and translation in our own words.