Verses of
Yogi Vemana
Translated from the Telugu by
C.P. Brown
[1829]
YOGI VEMANA
Translated from the Telugu VersesTo the sainted Bards, to the nine poets, to the Siva creed, to his essence, and to the boon-granting Gem, to those who attend in the heaven of Siva, to the god himself and to thy teacher--pray for aid of Vema.
1
The unborn (see 556) the slayer of sharabha endowed with the qualities of Siva and the lord of a thousand millions of demigods; the servants of Siva who sitteth at the root of the sacred Banyan, He that is endowed with the mind of Siva, the sage Somasekhara is my teacher.[He who is exalted above mortality, the vanquisher of the Chinmaya full of blessedness, Lord of ten thousand millions of saints who is also devoted to Siva, this is he who dwelleth under the sacred Fig tree whose heart is enwrapt in bliss, the crescent crowned Teacher, that is, the Deity alone was my instructor].
2
Who ever learneth the verses uttered by the sainted, this man shall attain to that object which is emphatically Incomprehensible.p. 8
3
Shall not they who read the thousand verses uttered by the venerable Vemana (who is full of the divine nature) relinquish all filthy lure whether of mind or body. (For 
I have substituted 
the name given by Jangams to all persons and things that are not consecrated to the Jangam creed.)4
He that will become a sage, and with pure faith learn these thousand verses without quitting them surely the place of beatitude is put into the palm of his hand.5
That wise man who will even learn only the number of hundred verses, his appetites shall be at an end--and he by the four paths shall verily attain the abode of the Deity.6
Know that the mind is the universal cause. By viewing and meditating on this, a man shall himself become spirit wherever he dwelleth all his days--know well the truth of this Vema!p. 9
7
Is it in the hand of any one to attain beatitude except that perfected saint who has himself become a portion of the universe? Though those roam the whole earth, the caverns, the mountains or the waters of the great deep?8
The learned Brahmins who read all that is to be read, cannot yet attain heaven and the chief God. If you remain still without moving thy lips, this shall thee within thy mind, the glory of the perfected saint.9
Perfect that the prime root is the first of beings whom it is out of our power to make known. If with our secret soul and the thought of our mind we meditate upon this perfect, then in the end of thine shall our whole living spirits attain beatitude. Therefore will Vemana even in his songs sings the preaches of this blessed power whose form he beholdeth in the chamber of his heart.p. 10
10
These worlds are all like leaves veiling the branch which is hidden from the view even of Brahma. He alone who can perceive the branch can sing its praises.11
Though called yet remain silent; Though even again called yet maintain silence, whatever they think, or any one say, let the wise smile as though it was not intended for them; let them meditate in their souls on the supreme, hereby becoming themselves Eternal. The hermit that thus persistingly learneth shall like Vemana for ever attain the form of God.12
One man became diseased, one became a donor every where, another became a possessor--such a man became a true saint. One himself became a libertine. But nowhere shall we see a mighty sage like to thee O Vemana--truly all these various forms pertain to thee O brother.13
Agreeably to the character of an ascetic relinquish all the objects of carnality (or passion). Touch not carnal objects after the manner of a magnanimous sage on earth, consider them the offspring of carnality. Vema hath learned, to subdue all carnality.p. 11
14
Vemana openeth not his mouth to say no to anyone's assertion. Thus he seems like to a mad man. He can explain every mystery of that Vedantam which destroys all distinctions and differences. From this knowledge his apathy arises.15
The worshipful teacher who by the due performances of worship hath attained merit. He by that worship shall see (i.e., obtain). Never shall he be changed.16
By freely bestowing gifts you on one hand attain heaven but if you trust to your own mind delusion enters. Trust to the light of wisdom to destroy all that is inimical.17
He whom in this world knows wisdom to him, there was no next world (he is as if in heaven). He shall not lose his soul even in the death of Brahma, In that he shall be absorbed in the divine mind.p. 12
18
Is he whom you call God in another land? With Devee (the Goddess) he is in the body. Mounting his vehicles (the senses), he rapidly drives his chariots.19
Until you find the thing you have lost, you require a light--only so long--after finding it why keep the light? After becoming God why retain the body.20
If thou fall at the feet of the teacher will the dog of passion seize ye thee? If you leave the teacher's feet, those dogs will seize thee. Indeed the dog's disposition does not attach to the teacher.21
By knowledge of the great spirit he himself became all things. By the knowledge of life he became living. Let us first attain the destruction of love and opinion?p. 13
22
Why should ye in so many ways take care of (afford nourishment) this body? Will it not perish (go)? If knowing futurity ye purge away your impurities putting an end to destructions ye shall attain beatitude.28
The cat having caught a muskrat delights not in it; but pursues the fowl to seize it. Without relinquishing the delights (possession) will love cease?24
The only god is Eternal; to him who knows that all things curiously compounded are in truth the unity and afflictions are as a lie and to him beatitude is easy of attainment.25
Again by perfection ghee is produced from curds, fire in trees, fragrance from fine flowers and oil in seeds; thus shineth forth god the soul of intellect.p. 14
26
By friction and friction fire is produced in a tree. By continual agitation ghee is produced in curd. Thus by perpetual meditation shall divine wisdom be produced in our body.27
Until he explores his own soul, a man acts (or roams) in ignorance of God (or illusion caused by God). If by meditation you comprehend that God is a spirit by understanding the beatitude shall be clearly manifested to thee O Vemana.28
This ignorant soul (living creature) after living so long imagines that to die and be reproduced is the course of nature. To know that heaven where we shall be so far advanced as to forget instruction this is spirituality. (Brahman)29
Fire can even exist in a tree. But a tree has no power to remain where fire is. Like to fire in a tree, is the worldly state, It contains hidden the seeds of flame,p. 15
30
If a cloud intervenes in a way destroys the sun. if your inclinations intervene they destroy your firmness. If forgetfulness takes place it destroys beatitude itself31
Consider the soul in its fourth state (the turyavastha or death); view it minute as a mote (cucumber-prickle). Hereby cut off all attachment to earthly desires. He who comprehendeth the essence (or savour) of wisdom, go to, he is Divinity.32
Though he searches, he cannot see the teacher of wisdom (vedanta). There is none in the world who can discover truth, even he be found he will not look to any other object.83
He that cloth not wallow in nor seek the enjoyments of sensual objects, who (in the earth) sees the path of obtaining those objects who yet calls all those deceptive pleasures which proceed from sensual objects sensuality, they are the wise. They enjoy this world declaring they enjoy it not.p. 16
34
The great teacher is concealed in the word. The teacher is the Essence of the word. The teacher is hidden in darkness. The teacher is the support of all.35
Action and inaction are the same to him who sports with his acts and to him who is mighty in tatwa. If thou understand it from a determination of what is right (dharmam) and what the contrary and with pure mind truly set it forth.36
They who are not able to free them from the trio of attachment (to sons, wife and wealth) shall remain plunged in the multitude of desires. How shall they attain the bliss of beatitude?37
The senseless body (lit. animal) continueth for a while dies, and is reproduced in the course of nature. So know that mansion of absorption where thou shall forget knowledge. This is Divinity.p. 17
38
It is the favour of the excellent teacher and through much study that is illumed with knowledge and (good conduct) ethics, that shall put thee into right path. Teach men that the excellent teacher is himself a part of the Divinity.39
If thou have not lost shame thou shall not attain the delight of god; unless thou humble and incline thyself shame will not leave thee. He who hath given all shame shall live a lengthened age (i.e., a man to be perfect must be independent of opinions).40
(My humble salutations to Sreeman Brahmasri C P Brown for the collection)
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