Wednesday, June 28, 2017

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?

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