TS Eliott's Dry Salvages

Here is a translation of an extract from The Dry Salvages by TS Eliott

Thanks to Nagaraju Pappu for the introduction to this poem, the core idea of which (these lines) is not aligned with my own natural disposition. However the poem is amenable to a nice translation I felt. Thanks also to Suresh Kolichala for making an apt amendment in the last line and thus bringing the translation much closer to the poet's original thought.

స్వానుభవమయిన సంకటోత్పన్నమయిన వేదన పదపడి నలియగును
నాటి జ్ఞాపకములు నేటి కార్యంబులధాటికి సడలుచు తరుగునట్లు
పరులకు జనియించు ప్రాణగొడ్డంబులు మనలోనపుట్టించు మనికితమ్ము
చెరుగక నిలుచును చిరకాలముగ చెంత, తనదికాని వెతకు తరుగులేదు

Now, we come to discover that the moments of agony
are likewise permanent
With such permanence as time has. We appreciate this better
In the agony of others, nearly experienced,
Involving ourselves, than in our own.
For our own past is covered by the currents of action,
But the torment of others remains an experience
Unqualified, unworn by subsequent attrition.
People change, and smile: but the agony abides.

Potana's Balichakravarty poem

Padyam to poem #6

Potana in his Srimadandhra Bhagavatam wrote many great poems of which one that has an Ozymandian ring is the below beautiful gem.

“కారే రాజులు? రాజ్యముల్‌ కలుగవే? గర్వోన్నతిన్‌ బొందరే?
వారేరీ? సిరి మూట కట్టుకొని పోవంజాలిరే? భూమిపై
పేరైనం గలదే? శిబి ప్రముఖులున్‌ ప్రీతిన్‌ యశఃకాములై
ఈరే కోర్కెలు? వారలన్‌ మరచిరే ఇక్కాలమున్‌ భార్గవా!

Here is my translation

The situation is Vaamana coming to Bali chakravarty asking for a boon. Sukracharya, the Guru of Asuras, warns him. Then Bali responds

Weren't there many kings,  O Bhrigu's son?
Glowing with pride and impertinence they thrived on
Lording over vast lands, outshining everyone
Did that save them from sinking, into an oblivion

All that they achieved when they were alive
The riches they accumulated from their victories
Do those, after they passed on, eternally thrive?
Do their names even live in people's minds at least?

And then, think of those like Sibi and others
The Greats of yore, who strived for unending glory
Through good deeds, that doesn't in time disperse
Stayed with us, till now from times bygone hoary

Isn't a life that keeps your name alive in your death
A truer one, than that kills you even before your last breath?