Purandara Dasa is called the great grand father (Pitamaha) of Carnatic Classical Music. He has written beautiful poems in Kannada ending each praising his diety Purandara Vittala. He got the title Purandara Dasa (servant of Purandara) due to his verses. He was originally called Srinivasa Nayaka. He defined the rules for a student learning this form of music in the 16th century and it is this that is taught even today in all music classes in South India.
This poem of his touched my heart and I thought I will put my translation here. Naturally any mistake is mine.
Yaaru Hitavaru Ninage ee moovarolage
Naariyo Dharunio baluhitada siriyo
Who is the better among these three for you
Is it Woman, Land or wealth of unaccountable riches.
Anyarali janisidda anganeya karetandu
Tanna maneyavala yejamaniyenisi
Binnavilladalardha dehavenisuva satiya
Kanninali nodalemmalu kalavashadi
You bring a girl born to others
And make her the owner of your house
The wife who you call the half of your combined being
Will not see you (or your tears) when fate takes over (either her or you).
Munna Shatakoti Rayarugalida nelava
Tannadendu Shasanava baresi
Binnanada mane katti kote kottalavikki
Channiganu asuvaliye horage hakuvaru
On the land that has been ruled by thousands and thousands of kings in the past
You write your inscriptions calling it yours
Build a showy house and secure it with forts and moats
When the good (looking) king (being) breaths last they just throw him out
Shokeyanu gaiyuvaru satisutaru Bhandavaru
Jooke tappida balika Arthavyartha
Lokadolu galisirga punya paapagalerade
Saakaravaagi sangada baahudallade
The show (wealth/riches) will be enjoyed by wife, children and relatives
But when the balance tilts it is all useless
It is only the good and the bad that is earned
That comes all the way till the end and nothing else
Astidehavidannu nechinambirabeda
Swapnadali nene kandya haripadava
Chittadali (to complete) Purandara Vittalana
Uttamottamanendu nene manava
Don’t trust and love this body of bones of yours beyond a point
In your dreams think of Lord Hari’s feet
In the thoughts think (to complete) Lord Purandara Vittala
as the supreme and the ultimate decider O human
