Punyakoti Govina Haadu (ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ಗೋವಿನ ಹಾಡು)

Poetry in Kannada has a vast spectrum of genre. From Dalit poetry to folk songs,

every poem has some sort of traditional history attached to it. One such poem is Punyakoti

Govina Haadu, a folk song that every child in a Kannada medium school has, as a part of

their elementary school curriculum. Although no one knows who the original poet of this

song is, well-known Kannada and Sanskrit Scholar Prof DL Narasimhachar was the first to

translate this ancient verse from the Sanskrit Epic Ithihasa-Samuchchya into a Kannada fable.

Punya stands for ‘virtues’ and koti means ‘a crore’, Govina is ‘cow’ and Haadu means

‘song’. Punyakoti Govina Haadu loosely translates to a ‘The fable of a cow with a million

virtues.’ It is a touching story about a cow named Punyakoti and a tiger called Arbhudha, a

moral story of sorts that talks about honesty, integrity and virtue.

Why is this poem so significant to the tradition and history of Kannadiga poetry?

Panchatantra stories first came into existence, so that teachers, back in the day could teach

lessons of morality and social norms by narrating stories of animals to slow and hyperactive

princes. And to this day, Panchatantra is still used to inculcate moral lessons to children.

Punyakoti, the cow is a symbol of truth and moral values. A cow that keeps its word and

doesn’t break a promise. It’s a story that resonates within kids and might even bring tears to

sensitive children. What is extra ordinary about this story is, that has been used as a blueprint

for truth and virtuousness for kids since ages. This Epic song has also been immortalized into

various movies, songs, plays, paintings and dance. One such movie is the adaptation by the

noted Kannada Novelist Sri SL Bhyrappa’s 1968 novel “Tabbali Neenade Magane” (Son,
you have been orphaned). And that is why the story of Punyakoti is considered to be one of

the most iconic tales in the history of Kannadiga poetry.

Transcreation:

Once upon a time, in a little village in Karnataka, there lived a herder named Kalinga.

He would take his cows out to graze on the fresh green grass near the banks of a river in the

afternoon. The river was located near a dense forest. While the cows were grazing, Kalinga

would call upon them by playing his flute, he would then milk them one by one. Among all

these cows, Punyakoti was the most gentle and beautiful of them all. She had also recently

given birth to a calf.

One such evening, after the cows were all done grazing, Arbhuda, a very hungry tiger

spotted them and decided to hunt one down. Arbhuda walked towards them and roared. All

the cows ran, but Punyakoti was left behind because she was lost in thought, she was fondly

thinking of her new born calf and about feeding it. Arbhuda took advantage of this and tried

to pounce on Punyakoti. Punyakoti realised her folly and ran for a life but, she was too slow

for Arbhuda. Arbhuda ended up cornering her and slowly sauntered towards her. He was

prepared to rip her into pieces when Punyakoti spoke, “Sire, please do not kill me. I have a

little calf back at the farm, please let me go feed it. It must be hungry. Please let me say

goodbye for one final time.” Arbhuda laughed, “Do you take me for a fool, you stupid cow? I

know if I let you go; you will never come back.”

Punyakoti begged and begged and promised to come back as soon as she was done

feeding her calf. After a lot of pleading Arbhuda decided to let Punyakoti go, as long as she

came back to him. Punyakoti ran back to her shed towards her calf with a heavy heart. Once

she reached the shed, she told her calf about her encounter with Arbhuda. Hearing about it the
calf started wailing, “Who will take care of me when you’re gone mom? Who will I feed

from when you’re gone? Who do I have to call as my own when you’re gone?”. Punyakoti

comforted her calf and fed it, but she was very scared for her life as well as her calf’s. So, she

asked the other cows to care of her calf when she’s gone. She said, “Please take care of my

child. Please don’t hit my child if it comes towards you, please don’t kick my child when its

walking behind you. Please take care of my child as your own.” All the cows burst into tears

and everyone bid Punyakoti a sorrowful adieu.

Punyakoti slowly made her way to Arbhuda. Arbhuda, at his cave was cursing himself

for letting Punyakoti go. He thought himself a fool for giving up a good piece of meat. At the

same moment he noticed Punyakoti walking towards the entrance of his cave. Arbhuta

couldn’t believe his eyes! Punyakoti kneeled down, “I’m back sire. I have fed my calf for one

last time and have said my goodbyes. You can now choose me to eat as you like. Rip my

head off or bite into me. My life is yours to take as you wish.”

Arbhuda was shocked, speechless. Punyakoti’s strength and honesty moved him.

Punyakoti’s behaviour humbled him. Arbhuda said, “How could I eat such a pious and

virtuous cow as yourself? I would rather die than eat someone as truthful as you.” Saying so,

Arbhuta ran to the end of the nearest cliff and jumped to his death. Punyakoti was relieved to

be spared and ran back to the cow shed to her little calf, who was overjoyed to see her, and

the two lived happily ever after.

Original Text:

ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ಗೋವಿನ ಹಾಡು

ಧರಣಿ ಮಂಡಲ ಮಧ್ಯದೊಳಗೆ 

ಮೆರೆಯುತಿಹ ಕರ್ಣಾಟ ದೇಶದೊಳಿರುವ 
ಕಾಳಿಂಗನೆಂಬ ಗೊಲ್ಲನ ಪರಿಯನೆಂತು ಪೇಳ್ವೆನು 
ಉದಯ ಕಾಲದೊಳೆದ್ದು ಗೊಲ್ಲನು 
ನದಿಯ ಸ್ನಾನವ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು 
ಮುದದಿ ತಿಲಕವ ಹಣೆಯೊಳಿಟ್ಟು
ಚತುರ ಶಿಖೆಯನು ಹಾಕಿದ

ಎಳೆಯ ಮಾವಿನ ಮರದ ಕೆಳಗೆ 

ಕೊಳಲನೂದುತ ಗೊಲ್ಲ ಗೌಡನು 
ಬಳಸಿ ನಿಂದ ತುರುಗಳನ್ನು 
ಬಳಿಗೆ ಕರೆದನು ಹರುಷದಿ 

ಗಂಗೆ ಬಾರೆ ಗೌರಿ ಬಾರೆ 

ತುಂಗಭದ್ರೆ ತಾಯಿ ಬಾರೆ 
ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ನೀನು ಬಾರೇ 
ಎಂದು ಗೊಲ್ಲನು ಕರೆದನು 

ಗೊಲ್ಲ ಕರೆದ ಧ್ವನಿಯ ಕೇಳಿ 

ಎಲ್ಲ ಹಸುಗಳು ಬಂದು ನಿಂತು 
ಚೆಲ್ಲಿ ಸೂಸಿ ಹಾಲು ಕರೆಯಲು 
ಅಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಿತು ಬಿಂದಿಗೆ 

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ಭಗವಂತನೆಂಬ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯ ಕಥೆಯಿದು 

ಹಬ್ಬಿದ ಮಲೆ ಮಧ್ಯದೊಳಗೆ 

ಅರ್ಭುತಾನೆಂದೆಂಬ ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರನು 
ಅಬ್ಬರಿಸಿ ಹಸಿಹಸಿದು ಬೆಟ್ಟದ 
ಕಿಬ್ಬಿಯೊಳು ತಾನಿದ್ದನು 

ಸಿಡಿದು ರೋಷದಿ ಮೊರೆಯುತಾ ಹುಲಿ 

ಘುಡುಘುಡಿಸಿ ಭೋರಿಡುತ ಛಂಗನೆ 
ತುಡುಕಲೆರಗಿದ ರಭಸಕಂಜಿ 
ಚೆದರಿ ಹೋದವು ಹಸುಗಳು 
ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿ ಎಂಬ ಹಸುವು 
ತನ್ನ ಕಂದನ ನೆನೆದುಕೊಂಡು 
ಮುನ್ನ ಹಾಲನು ಕೊಡುವೆನೆನುತ 
ಚೆಂದದಿ ತಾ ಬರುತಿರೆ 

ಇಂದೆನಗೆ ಆಹಾರ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು 

ಎಂದು ಬೇಗನೆ ದುಷ್ಟ ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರನು 
ಬಂದು ಬಳಸಿ ಅಡ್ಡಗಟ್ಟಿ 
ನಿಂದನಾ ಹುಲಿರಾಯನು

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ಭಗವಂತನೆಂಬ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯ ಕಥೆಯಿದು 

ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದು ನಿನ್ನನೀಗಲೆ 

ಬೀಳಹೊಯ್ವೆನು ನಿನ್ನ ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಯ 
ಸೀಳಿಬಿಡುವೆನು ಎನುತ ಕೋಪದಿ
ಖೂಳ ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರನು ಕೂಗಲು 

ಒಂದು ಬಿನ್ನಹ ಹುಲಿಯೆ ಕೇಳು 

ಕಂದನಿರುವನು ದೊಡ್ಡಿಯೊಳಗೆ 
ಒಂದು ನಿಮಿಷದಿ ಮೊಲೆಯ ಕೊಟ್ಟು 
ಬಂದು ಸೇರುವೆನಿಲ್ಲಿಗೆ 

ಹಸಿದ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದೊಡವೆಯ 

ವಶವ ಮಾಡದೆ ಬಿಡಲು ನೀನು 
ನುಸುಳಿ ಹೋಗುವೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬರುವೆಯ 
ಹುಸಿಯನಾಡುವೆ ಎಂದಿತು 

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ನಮ್ಮ ತಾಯಿ ತಂದೆ 

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಬಂಧು ಬಳಗ 
ಸತ್ಯ ವಾಕ್ಯಕೆ ತಪ್ಪಿ ನಡೆದರೆ 
ಮೆಚ್ಚನಾ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನು

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ಭಗವಂತನೆಂಬ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯ ಕಥೆಯಿದು 

ಕೊಂದು ತಿನ್ನುವೆನೆಂಬ ಹುಲಿಗೆ 

ಚೆಂದದಿಂದ ಭಾಷೆ ಇತ್ತು 
ಕಂದ ನಿನ್ನನು ನೋಡಿ ಹೋಗುವೆ 
ನೆಂದು ಬಂದೆನು ದೊಡ್ಡಿಗೆ 

ಆರ ಮೊಲೆಯನು ಕುಡಿಯಲಮ್ಮ?
ಆರ ಸೇರಿ ಬದುಕಲಮ್ಮ? 
ಆರ ಬಳಿಯಲಿ ಮಲಗಲಮ್ಮ?
ಆರು ನನಗೆ ಹಿತವರು? 
ಅಮ್ಮಗಳಿರಾ ಅಕ್ಕಗಳಿರಾ 
ನಮ್ಮ ತಾಯೊಡಹುಟ್ಟುಗಳಿರಾ 
ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕಂದನೆಂದು ಕಾಣಿರಿ 
ತಬ್ಬಲಿಯನೀ ಕರುವನು 

ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದರೆ ಹಾಯಬೇಡಿ 

ಹಿಂದೆ ಬಂದರೆ ಒದೆಯಬೇಡಿ 
ಕಂದ ನಿಮ್ಮವನೆಂದು ಕಾಣಿರಿ 
ತಬ್ಬಲಿಯನೀ ಕರುವನು

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ಭಗವಂತನೆಂಬ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯ ಕಥೆಯಿದು 

ತಬ್ಬಲಿಯು ನೀನಾದೆ ಮಗನೆ

ಹೆಬ್ಬುಲಿಯ ಬಾಯನ್ನು ಹೊಗುವೆನು 
ಇಬ್ಬರ ಋಣ ತೀರಿತೆಂದು 
ತಬ್ಬಿಕೊಂಡಿತು ಕಂದನ 

ಗೋವು ಕರುವನು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಬಂದು 

ಸಾವಕಾಶವ ಮಾಡದಂತೆ 
ಗವಿಯ ಬಾಗಿಲ ಸೇರಿ ನಿಂತು 
ತವಕದಲಿ ಹುಲಿಗೆಂದಿತು 

ಖಂಡವಿದೆಕೋ ಮಾಂಸವಿದೆಕೋ 
ಗುಂಡಿಗೆಯ ಬಿಸಿ ರಕ್ತವಿದೆಕೋ 
ಚಂಡ ವ್ಯಾಘ್ರನೆ ನೀನಿದೆಲ್ಲವ 
ನುಂಡು ಸಂತಸದಿಂದಿರು 

ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯ ಮಾತ ಕೇಳಿ 

ಕಣ್ಣ ನೀರನು ಸುರಿಸಿ ನೊಂದು 
ಕನ್ನೆಯಿವಳನು ಕೊಂದು ತಿಂದರೆ 
ಮೆಚ್ಚನಾ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನು 

ಎನ್ನ ಒಡಹುಟ್ಟಕ್ಕ ನೀನು 

ನಿನ್ನ ಕೊಂದು ಏನ ಪಡೆವೆನು? 
ಎನ್ನುತ ಹುಲಿ ಹಾರಿ ನೆಗೆದು 
ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಾಣವ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿತು

ಸತ್ಯವೇ ಭಗವಂತನೆಂಬ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯ ಕಥೆಯಿದು 

ಪುಣ್ಯಕೋಟಿಯು ನಲಿದು ಕರುವಿಗೆ 

ಉಣ್ಣಿಸಿತು ಮೊಲೆಯ ಬೇಗದಿ 
ಚೆನ್ನ ಗೊಲ್ಲನ ಕರೆದು ತಾನು
ಮುನ್ನ ತಾನಿಂತೆಂದಿತು 

ಎನ್ನ ವಂಶದ ಗೋವ್ಗಳ ೊಳಗೆ 

ನಿನ್ನ ವಂಶದ ಗೊಲ್ಲರೊಳಗೆ 
ಮುನ್ನ ಪ್ರತಿ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯೊಳಗೆ 
ಚೆನ್ನ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಭಜಿಸಿರೈ 

ಈವನು ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯ ಸಂಪದ 

ಭಾವಜಪಿತ ಕೃಷ್ಣನು

I decided on this fable because of how close it is to my heart. I grew up listening to it

as a bed time story. Although reading the Kannada script doesn’t some natural to me because

I never got the chance to learn it, I received a lot of help from my mother. I made her sit with

me through line-by-line translation of the folk song. It was a bit challenging; I admit but very

insightful. I decided to do a transcreation of the poem because the essence of the story would

be lost otherwise. While researching, I learnt a lot about Kannadiga poetry and the song’s

significance through various blogs and posts. People commented about their experience by-

hearting the poetry as kids and how it impacted their soft hearts at a very tender age. This

paper helped me as well as my mom learn new Kannada words and the depth behind it. It

also made me realise how vast the spectrum for Kannadiga poetry is.