Poetry

Saluva Timma, Mahamandaleshwara

Saluva Timma, Mahamandaleshwara

Shall I tell the story of how you came to be

Blind beggar at the shrine of Venkateshwara?

When your dying king bid you blind his young brother

You deceived him with goat’s eyes, what vile treachery!

Saluva Timma, Mahamandaleshwara!

You who crowned Krishnadevaraya emperor

With all the Coromandel as your demesne

Blind beggar at the shrine of Venkateshwara!

The king’s son was poisoned; he charged you for murder.

He put out your eyes and granted you no mercy –

Saluva Timma, Mahamandaleshwara!

The truth was discovered, you regained your honour

He sought to atone and restore you to glory –

Blind beggar at the shrine of Venkateshwara.

Beware a kings’ whims and all his behaviour:

Let that be what we learn from this tragic story.

Saluva Timma, Mahamandaleshwara

Blind beggar at the shrine of Venkateshwara.

                                                                        ~ Raamesh Gowri Raghavan

                                                                       Mumbai, India

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