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Sarvajña (Sanskrit for "all-knowing", Kannada: ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ), was a poet in the Kannada language. He is famous for his pithy three-lined poems which are called tripadis, "with three padas, three-liners", a form of Vachanas. He is also referred as Sarvagna in modern translation.
The period of Sarvajña's life has not been determined accurately, and very little is known about him. Based on studies of his literary style and the references of later writers, historians estimate that he may have lived during the first half of the 16th century. Some references in his works indicate that his real name was Puṣpadatta - Sarvajña appears to have been his pseudonym. His father was a Shaivaite Brahmin and his mother was a Shudra widow named Mali. His father met his mother at a place in present day Dharwar district in Karnataka on his way to Benares on a pilgrimage. Sarvagna grew up as a wandering monk
In all, about 2000 three-liners are attributed to Sarvajna. It is possible that some of these were written by later authors. Popular because of their alliterative structure and simplicity, they deal mainly with social, ethical and religious issues. A number of riddles are also attributed to Sarvajna.
Channappa Uttangi was awarded the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana prize in 1949 for his groundbreaking work on Sarvajna.
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[edit] Some examples
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Being a monk, he says how he became an "all-knower" in one of his tripadi.
- Sarvajna-nembuvanu garvadind-adanvane
- Sarvarolagondu nudi-galitu vidyeya-
- parvatave aad noda Sarvajna
- "All-knower has not become All-knower merely out of vanity
- he learnt one bit of information from everyone
- and became a veritable mountain of knowledge"
- chittavillade guDiya suttidare falavEnu? : ಚಿತ್ತವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಗುಡಿಯ ಸುತ್ತಿದರೆ ಫಲವೇನು?
- ettu gANavanu hottu tA nityadali : ಎತ್ತು ಗಾಣವ ಹೊತ್ತು ನಿತ್ಯದಲಿ
- sutti baMdaMte sarvajna : ಸುತ್ತಿ ಬಂದಂತೆ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ
- Meaning : Circling around the temple without devotion without dedication is as useless as an ox circling around a mill.
- Elu kotiye koti, Elu lakshave laksha ಏಳು ಕೋಟಿಯೆ ಕೋಟಿ, ಏಳು ಲಕ್ಷವೆ ಲಕ್ಷ
- Elu savirada Eppattu vachanagala ಏಳು ಸಾವಿರದ ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತು ವಚನಗಳ
- Helidanu kela Sarvajna ಹೇಳಿದನು ಕೇಳ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ
- " Over all meaning is Saravajna has said 70707070 vachanas (Tripadi)"
- Majjige illada oota ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಊಟ
- lajjegetta hennanthe Sarvajna ಲಜ್ಜೆಗೆಟ್ಟ ಹೆಣ್ಣಂತೆ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ
- " Dinner without butter milk is like a lady without shy".
- saalavanu koMbaaga haalOgaruMDaMte, - ಸಾಲವನು ಕೊಂಬಾಗ ಹಾಲೋಗರುಂಡಂತೆ
- saaliganu baMdu eLevaaga - ಸಾಲಿಗನು ಬಂದು ಎಳೆವಾಗ
- kibbadiya keelu muridaMte sarvjna - ಕಿಬ್ಬದಿಯ ಕೀಲು ಮುರಿದಂತೆ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ
- "Sweet as milk and nectar it is to get a loan
- ..but when the creditor comes after you,
- ..its painful as a broken ribcage"
- "A drunkard is like a pig.
- The poor pig, however, is helpful.
- The drunk is worse and useless."
- "Wearing marks of ash,
- if one goes to heaven,
- a donkey (that rolls in ash) sure goes."
[edit] References
- Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology By K. Ayyappapanicker, Sahitya Akademi
- Gandham Appa Rao, Vemana and Sarvajña, Progressive Literature (1982).
- Anthology of Sarvajna's sayings, Kannada Sahitya Parishat (1978).
- K. B Prabhu Prasad, Sarvajna, Sahitya Akademi (1987), reprint 1994 ISBN 817201404X.
See also
External links
- Sarvajna's three-liners (Kannada page)
- Sarvajna's three-liners (with English translations)
- Picture of Sarvjna's Manuscript
- Sarvajna's vachana in Kannada
SARVAGNA KAVI: Biographical notes
The time of Sarvagna cannot be placed definitively. Research based on the early references to his work and his usage of script some of which became extinct later, one can place him to be in the early seventeenth century. According to Sarvagna (which is a pen name), his real name was Pushpadatta. His father was a Shaivaite Brahmin and his mother was a Shudra widow named Mali. His father met his mother at a place in present day Dharwar district in Karnataka on his way to Benares on a pilgrimage. Sarvagna grew up as a wandering monk. About a thousand verses are attributed to him, all in the meter Tripadi or three line stanzas. His poems deal with religion, morals, customs, astrology, weather-lores and even riddles. His Vachanas or sayings are often quoted by scholars and common folks alike. No two books of his work are alike and it is probable that several verses attributed to him were composed by imitators.
Stanza 1: Sarvagna was made of the same stuff as everyone. However, by learning one word of wisdom from each, he became a mountain of knowledge.
Stanza 2: While borrowing it is like eating a meal of milk and honey. When the loan is due to be paid, it feels as if the bones in the body are broken (This is a warning to credit card debts in particular!)
Stanza 3: A drunkard is like a pig. The poor pig, however, is helpful. The drunk is worse and useless.
Stanza 4: What is the use of circling round the temple without any feeling? It is like the ox which circles round the oil crusher. (Note: In old times oil was extracted in little ox pulled crushers).
Stanza 5: What use is giving advice to a fool a hundred times? It is like raining on a rock for hundred years. Will it ever soak in?
Stanza 6:One who has control over his pants, hand and mouth is like Vishnu and Brahma. He has nothing to worry. (Note: control over sexual conduct, behaviour and speech is what Sarvagna is talking about)
Stanza 7: If fools claim that they jumped over six mountains, agree to it. It is not worth fighting over.
Stanza 8: For one who knows how to speak, it is like water pouring out of Eta from a well. For one who does not know, it is just the rope hanging down. (Note: Eta is a device to draw water from a well. It is a pot tied to a rope).
Stanza 9:Learn somethings from those who know; Watch somethings from those who do; Learn otherthings by self experience.
Stanza 10: Offering food (to the hungry), telling the truth and putting others above oneself is a happy way to heaven.
Stanza 11: A wife who keeps the home warm, watches expenses, knows what is on your mind and acts accordingly is everything. Who cares if the heavens catch fire!
Stanza 12: One who gives (alms) without advertising is superior. One who gives and talks about it is medium. Only a knave talks much and gives nothing.
Stanza 13: The company of good men (women also) is like enjoying sweet honey. The company of evil men is like the stinking stuff in the sewer.
Stanza 14: By wearing a mark of ash (Note: orthodox Hindus wear such marks on their forehead and other parts of the body during religious rituals.) one were to reach heaven, a donkey (that rolls in ash) should reach there surely.
Stanza 15: By dipping in the river everyday ( Note: baths in holy rivers are parts of Hindu rituals.) a Brahmin were to jump to heaven, the frog which is born and lives in water should surely go to heaven.
Stanza 16: By dabbing sandalwood paste on the forehead one were to reach heaven, the stone used to grind the paste should be first to go there.
Stanza 17: No one knows everything. The learned are few. There is no guarantee that the smart bring wisdom. Knowledge is not available for all.
Stanza 18: A service without flowers, the king without a horse and friendship with one who does not know the language (one who cannot carry an intelligent conversation) are a waste.
Wise sayings of Sarvadnya
Sarvadnya or Sarvagna a Kannada saint-poet lived in 16th century and his contribution to Kannada literature is in valuable his Shubhashitas or VachanagaLu as they’re called in Kannada are in the form of triads or three lined quotes have an indelible effect on the minds of people and also teach some valuable lessons of life.
Birth: Sarvagna’s original name is ‘Pushpa-datta’ his father was a Shaivate Brahmin and his mother was a Shudra widow. His birth and life are not correctly recorded but many scholars think he might have lived in 16th century.
Contributions: His contribution to mankind is invaluable, in the form of ‘tripadi’ his vachanas have had a profound effect on people and their life-style. He was also a reformist (?) He spent most of his life roaming around different places, the peculiarity of his writing style is that he includes his own name in all the tripadis as though he is educating himself -all his vachanas end with ‘KeLu Sarvadnya’- Listen Sarvadnya!
Another poet who wrote in same style was ‘Vemana’ who wrote in Telugu.
Sarvadnya has more than 2000 Vachanas to his credits but again whether all these are his? Is a question according to many researchers.
Through his vachanas he touched many serious social issues including religious and moral ones ….
more follows
Filed under: Literature, Shubhashita | Tagged: kannada, sarvadnya, sarvagna, Shubhashita, tripadi, vachanagalu
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