Sarvajna
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Sarvajna (Kannada: ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ ), was a poet in the Kannada language. He is famous for his pithy three-lined poems which are called tripadis, a form of Vachanas. (Three-lined poems are called as tripadis).
The period of Sarvajna'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 17th century. Some references in his works indicate that his real name was Pushpadatta - Sarvajna appears to have been his pseudonym.
The meaning of Sarvajna is " Who knows everything! " Being a monk, he says how he became Sarvajna in one of his tripadi. He had written around 70707070 tripadi's. We can get this number from one of his tripadi. See below...
Some people have supposedly written their own Vachanas in the name of Sarvajna. One can verify/identify since they are not following kannada grammar rules/formulas used for writing tripadis, though some time it is difficult to find some of them as they follow the rules.
In all, about 1000 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.
[edit] Some examples
" Sarvajna-nembuvanu garvadind-adanvane
Sarvarolagondu nudi-galitu vidyeya-
parvatave aad noda Sarvajna "
Translation: Sarvajna has not become "SARVAJNA (who knows everything)" because of Pride, he is because he learned one thing from every one.
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
Translation: Over all meaning is Saravajna has said 70707070 vachanas (Tripadi)
Majjige illada oota ಮಜ್ಜಿಗೆ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಊಟ
lajjegetta hennanthe Sarvajna ಲಜ್ಜೆಗೆಟ್ಟ ಹೆಣ್ಣಂತೆ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ
Translation: Dinner without butter milk is like a lady without shy".
"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."
"Circling around the temple
without dedication is useless,
like an ox circling around mill."
