📜 Vemana Satakam

Vemana (17th century) is perhaps the most quoted poet in the Telugu language.

He wrote in the ordinary speech of ordinary people — no Sanskrit ornament, no flattery of kings. He attacked hypocrisy, caste pride and empty ritual.

Every verse ends with his signature: "Vishwadabhirama, vinura Vema" — "Listen, Vema."

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📖 Verses

Verses 1–5

On Character & Truth

1
Uppu kappurambu nokka polikanundu
Chooda chooda ruchula jaada veru |
Purushulandu punya purushulu veruyaa,
Vishwadaabhiraama vinura vema!
Meaning: Salt and camphor look alike — but taste them, and they are utterly different. So too among men: the noble ones are a different kind altogether.
Note: Vemana, 17th century. Every verse ends with 'Vishwadabhirama, vinura Vema' — his signature.

You cannot tell a person's worth by looking. Only by tasting — that is, by their conduct.
2
Alpudepudu palku aadambaramuganu
Sajjanundu palku challagaanu |
Kanchu mroguna tlu kanakambu mroguna,
Vishwadaabhiraama vinura vema!
Meaning: A shallow man speaks loudly, with display. A good man speaks quietly. Brass clatters — but does gold rattle?
Note: Bronze is loud. Gold is silent.

One of the most quoted lines in the Telugu language.
3
Anagananaga raaga matishayillunuchunnu
Tinagatinaga vemu tiyyanunnu |
Saadhanamuna panulu samakooru dharalona,
Vishwadaabhiraama vinura vema!
Meaning: Sing a raga again and again, and it grows sweeter. Eat neem again and again, and even it turns sweet. In this world, work is accomplished through practice.
Note: Vemana's verse on persistence. Even bitterness becomes bearable with repetition. Whatever you practise, you become.
4
Chippalonabadda chinuku muttyambaye
Neeta baddha chinuku neeta kalise |
Braapti galuguchota falamu gaanoppunu,
Vishwadaabhiraama vinura vema!
Meaning: A raindrop that falls into an oyster becomes a pearl. A raindrop that falls into water simply merges with the water. The same drop — the outcome depends on where it lands.
Note: One of the most beautiful verses in Telugu.

The same effort, the same person — the company you keep decides what you become.
5
Mediphandu chooda melimai yundunu
Poluchoodda lona purugulundu |
Piriki vaani madini bhiti golpuchunundu,
Vishwadaabhiraama vinura vema!
Meaning: The fig looks beautiful from outside — but split it open, and it is full of worms.
Note: Appearance and reality. Vemana was a plain-spoken man, and he said uncomfortable things about hypocrisy — which is why he is still read.
📚 Source: Vemana Satakam (Telugu original). Transliteration and translation in our own words.