Yogi Vemana spoke in rural Telugu, accessible to common people. His verses attacked: • caste pride • priestly hypocrisy • social injustice Vemana’s style is sharp, direct, uncompromising. Vemana on Caste as Ignorance Telugu కులమందు గర్వముచే కొట్టుకొనెదరు కులము లేనివాడు కులవంతుడు. ఆత్మజ్ఞానమున్న యెడల అదే కులము విశ్వదాభిరామ వినుర వేమా॥ Meaning “People fight with pride over caste. The one without caste is truly noble. Only Self-knowledge is the real caste. Listen, O Vishwadabhirama!” Commentary: Atma Jnana is the Only Nobility Vemana declares: • caste is external • wisdom is internal • realization alone makes one “high” This is spiritual democracy. Vemana: A Brahmin Without Virtue is Empty Telugu బ్రాహ్మణుడనుచు జన్మంబు చాలదు గుణము లేకుంటే గొప్పతనమేమి? మల్లెపువ్వు వాసనతోనే విలువ విశ్వదాభిరామ వినుర వేమా॥ Meaning “Being born a Brahmin is not enough. Without virtue, what greatness is there? A jasmine flower is valued for fragrance, not name.” Commentary: Character Over Category Just as jasmine is prized for scent… A human is valued for virtue, not birth label.