Every now and then I look back at my posts and find a few good ones that I can re-read.
Sarvajña is one of them.
His tripadis are witty, and profound at the same time. They are in Kannada, and while there are a few translations here and there, I can’t seem to find an exhaustive list.
Would anyone be able to help? Do let me know!
For now, savor Sarvajña…
ಒಲೆಗುಂಡನೊಬ್ಬನೇ ಮೆಲಬಹುದು ಎಂದಿಹರೆ
ಮೆಲಬಹುದು ಎಂಬವನೆ ಜಾಣ , ಮೂರ್ಖನ
ಗೆಲುವಾಗದಯ್ಯ
Olegundanobbanaee maelabahudhu yendhihare
Maelabahudhu yembavane jaana,
Murkhana geluvaagadheyaa, Sarvagna
Arguing with a fool is a foolish act in itself. If a fool says that iron can be chewed, one must reply – yes, it can be chewed, and allow the fool to win!
ಇಂದ್ರನಾನೆಯ ನೇರಿ ಒಂದನೂ ಕೊಡಲರಿಯ
ಚಂದ್ರಶೇಕರನು ಮುದಿ ಎತ್ತನೇರಿ
ಬೇಕೆಂದುದನು ಕೊಡುವೆ
Indranaaneya Neri ondhano Kodalariya
Chandrashekarano mudhi ethaneri
Baekendhudhanu koduva Sarvagna
The great Lord Indra rides a majestic elephant, yet does not know to give, while Chandrashekhara (Lord Shiva) rides an old bull, yet gives everything to a devotee who asks him with a pure heart.
ಹೇಳದೆ ಕೊಡುವವನು ಉತ್ತಮನು
ಹೇಳಿ ಕೊಡುವವನು ಮಧ್ಯಮನು
ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ ಹೇಳಿ ಕೊಡದಿರುವಂತವನೆ ಅಧಮನು
Aada-dhele koduvavanu roodi-yolagutthamanu
aadi koduvavanu madhyamanu
adhama thaanadi kodadhavanu Sarvagna
He who does not speak of his charity is superior, he who speaks and donates, is normal, but he who speaks and doesn’t give, is inferior.
ಮೂರ್ಖನಿಗೆ ಬುದ್ಧಿಯನು ಎಷ್ಟೇ ಕಾಲ ಹೇಳಿದರು
ಒಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಕಲ್ಲಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಳೆ ಸುರಿದಂತೆ
ಎಷ್ಟು ಸುರಿದರು ಆ ಕಲ್ಲು ನೀರು ಕುಡಿಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲ
Murkha-nige Budhi-yanu noor-kala paellidharu
gorkalla-mel malle garedhare
Aa-kallu neeru-kudivudhe Sarvagna
Advising a fool for a hundred years, is like heavy rain on a stone; the stone will never drink the water, so says Sarvagna.
ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞನೆಂಬುವನು ಗರ್ವದಿಂದಾದವನೇ?
ಸರ್ವರೊಳು ಒಂದೊಂದು ನುಡಿಗಲಿತು, ವಿದ್ಯೆಯ
ಪರ್ವತವೆ ಆದ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ.
Sarvajnanembuvanu garvadindaadavane?
Sarvarolu ondondu nudigalitu arithu, Vidhyeya
parvatave aada Sarvajna
Sarvajna did not become wise by his pride. By learning one word of wisdom from each person, he became a mountain of knowledge.
ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಹುಟ್ಟಲಿಲ್ಲ, ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ಪೂಜಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ,
ಸಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವನ ಬೈದರೆ
ಶಿವ ತಾನು ರೊಟ್ಟಿ, ಕೊಡುವನೆ
Koṭṭu huṭṭalilla, muṭṭi pūjisalilla,
Siṭṭinalli śivana baidare
Śiva tānu roṭṭi, koḍuvane Sarvagna
Neither did you care to give, nor did you pray with a pure heart…and now you scolding God for being indifferent to you, doesn’t make him serve you pancakes…so saysSarvajña.
ಕಣ್ಣು , ನಾಲಿಗೆ , ಮನವು ತನದಂದನ್ನಬೇಡ
ಅನ್ಯರನು ಕೊಂದರೆನಬೇಡ ,
ಇವು ಮೂರು ತನ್ನನ್ನೇ ಕೊಲ್ಲವುವು
Kaṇṇu, nālige, manavu tanadandannabēḍa
An’yaranu kondarenabēḍa,
Ivu mūru tannannē kollavuvu Sarvagna
Don’t always believe your eyes, tongue or the mind. Others are not responsible for our problems, it is sometimes these three that will kill you…so says Sarvagna