Quotes of Tyagaraja
manasA!
- mElu mElu, rAma nAma sukhamu, I dharalO;
- niNDu dAhamu konna manujulaku, nIru trAgina sukhambu kaNTE,
- caNDa dAridra manujulaku, dhana bhANDmu abbina sukhambu kaNTE,
- tApamu sairincani janulaku, amRta vApi abbina sukhambu kaNTE,
- dari dApu lEka, bhayamu andu vELala, dhairyamu kalgu sukhambu kaNTE,
- Akali vELala, panca bhakshya, paramAnnamu abbina sukhambu kaNTE,
- SrI rAmuni, manasuna cintincu sukhambu kaNTE,
- sAra hInamau, krOdha samayamuna, SAntamu kalgu sukhambu kaNTE,
- nErani mUDhulaku, sakala vidyA pAramu teliyu sukhambu kaNTE,
- rAmunipa,i nija bhakti kaligi, gAna rasamu telisina sukhambu kaNTE,
- pAmara celimi sEyani vAri, bhAvamu lOni sukhambu kaNTE,
- cEya tagu, vEdAnta vicAraNa, cEyaga kalgu sukhambu kaNTE,
- bAyaka, nirguNa bhAvamu gala, para brahma anubhava sukhambu kaNTE,
- rAjasa, tAmasa guNamu lEni, pUjalu kalgu sukhambu kaNTE,
- rAja SikhA maNi-aina, tyAgarAjuku osangu sukhambu kaNTE,
- mElu mElu, rAma nAma sukhamu, I dharalO.
O My Mind!
- In this World, the comfort of chanting names of SrI rAma is much better -
- than the comfort of drinking water for those who are very thirsty;
- than the comfort of attaining a treasure chest by those who are in utter poverty;
- than the comfort of attaining a nectar lake by those who are unable to endure the heat (of afflictions of Worldly Existence)
- than the comfort of drawing courage when feeling afraid, shelter or refuge-less;
- than the comfort of getting a five-course meal and pAyasa when hungry;
- than the comfort of mental contemplation of Lord SrI rAma;
- than the comfort of becoming serene when feeling futile wrath;
- than the comfort of achieving mastery over all fields of knowledge by unlettered idiots;
- than the comfort of being endowed with true devotion towards Lord SrI rAma and also knowing the taste of music;
- than the behavioural comfort of those who had not acquainted with the wicked;
- than the comfort of participating in a worthy vEdAnta deliberation;
- than the comfort of uninterrupted experience of attribute-less natured Supreme Self;
- than the comfort of performing worship without desires and malevolance; and
- than the comfort conferred on Lord Siva.
(mElu mElu rAma nAma - saurAshTraM)
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O manasA!
- eTula OrtunE? nA manavi cEkonavE
.
- dina-kara kula bhUshaNuni, dInuDavai, bhajana jEsi, dinamu gaDupumu anina, nIvu vinavu adEla?
- kalilO, rAjasa, tAmasa guNamulu kala vAri celimi, kalasi, melasi tirugucu, mari, kAlamu gaDapakanE, sulabhamugA, kaDa tEranu sUcanalanu teliya jEyu, tyAgarAju mATa, vinavu adEla?
O My Mind!
- How shall I tolerate? Accept my appeal.
- Why is it that you wouldn’t listen even when exhorted to spend days by becoming humble and chanting the names of Lord rAma?
- Why is it that you wouldn’t listen to the words of this tyAgarAja who gives you suggestions for being redeemed easily in the kali yuga, instead of wandering here entangled in the company of those endowed with qualities of passion and inertia and thus wasting time?
(manasA eTulOrtunE - malaya mArutaM)
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- dhurINuDau, tyAgarAja nutuDu, enta muddO! enta sogasO!
- evari valla varNimpa tagunE!
- enta vAralu aina kAni, kAma cinta AkrAntulu ainAru;
- atta mIda kanulu, Asaku dAsulai;
- satta bhagavata vEsulairi.
- dutta pAla ruci teliyu sAmyamE!
- How charming and how elegant is He - praised by this tyAgarAja – who bears burden of the Universe!
- Whoever is capable of describing!
- No matter how great people are, they became besieged by thoughts of lust.
- Being slaves to lust, they fear their mothers-in-law;
- yet, they pretend as true devotees of the Lord.
- Much like jug knowing the taste of milk!
(enta muddO - bindu mAlini)
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O parAtpara!
- kathA amRtamu cE, bahu kAlamu, Akali tIri unnAnu;
- dur-Atmulagu, bhU-kirAtakula cEra rAdu anucu, nI parAyaNula celimi rA kOru, tyAgarAja nuta!
O Supreme Lord!
- Having drunk the nectar of Your story for a long time, I am sated.
- I yearn for the company of those dedicated to You because I should not get associated with evil-some savages on the Earth.
(sudhA mAdhurya - sindhu rAmakriya)
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ayyA!
- saMsArulu aitE Emi, Sikhi pincha avataMsuDu eduTanu uNDaga?
- hiMsa Adula ella rOsi, haMsAdula kUDi, praSaMsa jEyucunu,
- E proddu kaMsa arini nammuvAru saMsArulu aitE Emi?
- jnAna, vairAgyamulu hInamaina, aTTi bhava kAnanamuna tirugu mAnavulu,
- sadA, dhyAna, yOga yutulai, nI nAmamu palkucu,
- nAnA karma phalamu dAnamu sEyuvAru, saMsArulu aitE Emi?
- krUrapu yOcanalu dUru jEsi, tana dAra, putrula paricArakula jEsi,
- sAra rUpuni pAda sArasa yugamula, sAre-sAreku, manasAra pUjincuvAru, saMsArulu aitE Emi?
- bhAgavatula kUDi, bhOgamulu ella harikE kAvimpucunu,
- vINA gAnamulatO, Agama caruni, SrI rAgamuna pADucu,
- tyAgarAja nutuni bAguga nammuvAru, saMsArulu aitE Emi?
O Lord!
- How does it matter if people have family, while Lord kRshNa, adorned with peacock feather on the crest, is before them?
- How does it matter, if those,
- who at all times trust the Lord, by singing His praises,
- abhorring cruelty etc., and associating with Self-realised people,
- have family?
- How does it matter, if those,
- who wander in such a jungle of Worldly Existence, which is devoid of true knowledge and indifference to Worldly objects,
- endowed with yOga and meditation, by always chanting Your names,
- become relinquishers of the fruits of various actions,
- have family?
- How does it matter, if those,
- who, ever, whole-heartedly, worship the Feet-Lotus of the Lord,
- rebuking cruel thoughts from the mind, and engaging their wife and children in the service of the Lord,
- have family?
- How does it matter, if those,
- who totally trust the Lord,
- associating with bhAgavatas, surrendering enjoyments etc., to Lord hari Himself, and singing glory of the Lord in the best rAgas, accompanied by vINA music,
- have family?
(saMsArulaitE - sAvEri)
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manasA!
- nA mATa vini, sAreku, mukti kanumI; mancidi anumI;
- palu vidha karmambula andu marmamu telusukO; harini kalusukO;
- lOkulu, tama trOva Ekamu anduru; oppukOkavE; mOsa pOkavE;
- mATi mATiki, nUne rOTi eddulu tirugu; dATi rA; matamu E pATirA?
- A matamula andu, nEmamu, satyamu Emara pOku;
- gati antaramu lEdu; pratyEkamuna jUDu, nityuni;
- toli bhava nATakamula jEyu pApamu tolagunu; sukhamu kalugunu.
O My Mind!
- Always, listening to my words, attain liberation. Say ‘yes’ (to what I say).
- Understand the secret behind various kinds of vEdic actions. Consult Lord hari.
- People will assert that their path is the only one; do not accept. Don’t be deceived.
- Only oil-press bullocks will circle again and again; get out. Of what value these paths are?
- Don't forget self control and truth by getting into those paths.
- There is no other alternative. In each and everything, behold SrI rAma.
- (If You do so,) sins committed earlier, in the drama of (cycle of births and deaths in) Worldly Existence, will come to end. You will attain peace.
(SrI rAma rAmASritulamu - sAvEri)
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- mEnu balamu kulumu Ela?
- rAma bhakti kAraNamu, velayu sakala siddhulu ella veNTa vaccu kAni.
- nITa, kAki, mInu munuga, niratamu udaya snAnamA?
- tETa kanulu, konga kUrca, dhyAnamA?
- patramulanu mEyu mEka, balamaina upAsamA?
- citra pakshulu egaya, sUrya, candrulaku sAmyamA?
- guhala vEsha kOTulu uNTE, guNamu kalgu maunulA?
- gahanamunanu kOtulu uNTE, ghanamau vana vAsamA?
- jangamulu palukaka uNTE, sangatigA maunulA?
- angamu muyyani bAlulu, apuDu, digambarulA?
- valacu, tyAgarAja varadu vara bhaktulu sEyu bhakti, celagu sakala janulaku ella cellina kAsu aunugA.
- Of what avail bodily strength or lineage?
- All siddhis that exist would indeed follow as a result of devotion to Lord rAma.
- If crow and fish take dip in water, is it morning bath?
- If stork focuses its clear eyes (for prey) is it meditation?
- Is leaf grazing goat observing strict fast?
- If variegated birds fly, are they equal to Sun and Moon?
- If there are ochre garbed in the caves, are they (necessarily) virtuous ascetics?
- If there are monkeys in the forests, is it great forest dwelling (in pursuit of austerities according to ASrama dharma)?
- If jangamas remain silent, are they observing group silence?
- Then, are clothe-less children, naked mendicants?
- Loving devotion practiced by great devotees towards Lord rAma – bestower of boons to this tyAgarAja - is indeed valid currency for (redemption of) everyone.
(balamu kulamu - sAvEri)
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nanu kanna talli!
- ella vAri dhanamulu, aSvamulu, mari ekkuvaina gaTTi middelu, anniyu kalla kAni, kanna vArulu kAncu sukhamu sunna anucunu, ullamunanu bAga telusukoNTini;
- UrakE dhanikula sambhAshaNamu nEnu olla;
- mAyalu ani telisi rajju pai uraga buddhi cendanEla?
- paluku manci kAni bAndhavulu, mari, bAva, maradulu,akkalu, anna, tammulu, kalimi jUcu vAru, lEmini kanula kAna rAru, anucunu talacukonna venuka, vAri mAyala tagala jAlanu;
- maru marIcikalanu jUci, nIru ani bhramasi, kandurA?
- kanaka bhUshaNamula peTTi, mariyu, sogasu jEsi, pAlu pOsi, pencina tanuvu satamu kAdu; nirmalatanamu incuka lEdu anucunu, anudinamu onarincu sat-kriyala nIku ani palkiti;
- anniTa nIvu ani erigi, vElpula, vEru ani encudurA?
O Mother who bore me!
- I have clearly understood in my mind that people’s wealth, horses and very strong, storeyed houses – all these - are indeed false, and comfort derived by those who possess these is just nothing.
- It is not without reason that I dislike all the talk about rich people.
- Knowing all these to be grand illusion, why should I entertain the idea of ‘snake on the rope’?
- I have concluded that, ill-speaking distant relatives, and close relatives (brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, elder sisters, elder brothers, younger brothers) who look for wealth, would not notice (when one is in) poverty. Therefore, I shall not get caught in their web.
- Having been confounded by looking at the vanishing mirages as water, is it possible to find (water) really?
- I have realised that this body - groomed by beautifying, adorning golden ornaments and feeding rich food - is not ever lasting, and that there is not even a bit of purity in it (body). Therefore, I have surrendered all pious deeds performed daily to be for Your sake.
- Having realised that You exist in everything, would anyone consider other Gods to be different from You?
(kanna talli - sAvEri)
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- graha balamEmi?
- tejO maya, vigrahamunu dhyAnincu vAriki, nava graha balamEmi?
- graha pIDala, panca pApamulanu, Agrahamulu gala, kAma Adi ripula nigrahamu jEyu harini bhajincu tyAgarAjuniki, rasika agrEsarulaku, graha balamEmi?
- SrI rAma anugraha balamE balamu.
- Of what significance the potency of the planets?
- Of what significance the potency of the nine planets to those who meditate on the radiant, beautiful form of the Lord SrI rAma?
- Of what significance the potency of the planets to this tyAgarAja, as also to those eminent rasikas (of music) who worship Lord hari who quells the afflictions caused by the planets, the five great sins, and the obstinate (six-fold) enemies - desire etc (kAma, krOdha, lObha, mOha, mada, mAtsarya)?
- Only the potency of grace of Lord SrI rAma is the real potency.
(graha balamEmi - rEvagupti)
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manasA!
- SObhillu sapta svara sundarula bhajimpavE.
- nAbhi, hRt, kaNTha, rasana, nAsa Adula andu SObhillu sapta svara sundarula bhajimpavE.
- dhara Rk, sAma AdulalO,
- vara gAyatrI hRdayamua,
- sura, bhU-sura mAnasamuna,
- Subha tyAgarAjuni eDa
- SObhillu sapta svara sundarula bhajimpavE.
O My mind!
- Worship the radiant sapta svara divinities.
- Worship the sapta svara divinities radiant at navel, heart, throat, tongue and nose etc.
- Worship the sapta svara divinities radiant -
- in the vEdas which are support (for the creation);
- in the heart of sacred gAyatrI (mantra) (as OM - nAdOMkAra);
- in the minds of celestials and brAhmaNas; and
- in the person of this fortunate tyAgarAja.
(SObhillu sapta svara - jaganmOhini)
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manasA!
- vinavE;
- mOsa pOku; sat-sahavAsamu viDavakE.
- SrI rAmuni teliyaka, talacaka, mOsa pOku.
- alpa ASrayamuna kalgu vesanamulu, kalpa antaramaina pOdu;
- SEsha talpa Sayanuni nera nammitE, sankalpamu ellanu IDErunu.
- dhana taruNulaku ASincuTella, venuka, tanuvuku alasaTE;
- manasu cEta sEvyuni talacitE, su-mana satvamunu osagunE.
- gaurava hIna dhanikula kAcuTayu, nEramulaku eDamaunu;
- gAravincu, tyAgarAja hRdaya AgAruni.
O My Mind!
- Listen!
- Don’t be deceived! Do not abandon holy company.
- Don’t be deceived by failing to know Lord SrI rAma and without thinking of Him.
- The worries, arising from resorting to petty supports, will not leave even if many aeons pass;
- if you totally trust Him who reclines on the couch of SEsha, all your aspirations would be fulfilled.
- Desiring wealth, women etc. will, later on, result only in weariness for the body;
- if you mentally contemplate on Him, He will indeed bestow mental purity.
- Waiting on self-respect-less rich will give room for mistakes;
- Love Him who abides in the heart of this tyAgarAja;
(mOsa pOku - gauLipantu)
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manasA!
- su-matulau narulanu jEri, nija sukhamu anubhavincuTaku,
- nIku idi samayamu.
- antarangamuna kalugu bhayamuna,
- Antarika bhakti mArgamu telisi,
- SrI tyAgarAja sannutuni jUDa,
- idi samayamu; EmarakE.
O My Mind!
- This is the opportune moment for you -
- to experience true comfort by associating with people who are truly wise.
- With the awe that arises in the mind,
- understanding the path of internal bhakti,
- this is the opportune moment to behold the Lord well-praised by this tyAgarAja.
- Don’t be deceived.
(samayamu EmarakE - kalgaDa)
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O manasA!
- mana sAmarthyamu Emi?
- sAkEta rAju, viSvamu anE rathamuna ekki, tana sAmarthyamucE, tAnE naDipincenE.
O My Mind!
- Of what avail our skills?
- Lord rAma, mounting on the chariot called the Universe, is driving it Himself by His own skill!
(manasA mana - vardhani)
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rAma!
- teliya lEru, bhakti mArgamunu.
- ilanantaTa tirugucunu, kaluvarincEru.
- vEga lEci, nITa munigi, bhUti pUsi, vELLanu enci,
- veliki SlAghanIyulai,
- bAga paikamu Arjana lOlulu airE kAni,
- teliya lEru, bhakti mArgamunu.
O rAma!
- People are not aware of the path of bhakti.
- Roaming all over the Earth, they babble as if in a dream.
- Getting up early in the morning, taking bath, smearing sacred ash on the body, (performing japa by) counting fingers,
- posing as praise-worthy,
- they became totally committed to earning money; but,
- they are not aware of the path of bhakti.
(teliya lEru rAma - dhEnuka)
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rAma!
- evaru teliyanu poyyedaru?
- vivaramu lEni pUjalu jEsedaru.
- parula rUkalaku, para sudatulaku ASinci,
- tA kUDuTaku, udaramu nimpuTa-koraku,
- cAla UranUra tirigedaru Avaraku.
- konna tottula mATa mIra lEka,
- anna tammula talli taNDrula nEramu ennuTE pani kAni,
- sAramaina nI padamu nammedarA?
- Alu biDDalanu nammedaru;
- vAriki ASinci, parula kompalu muncedaru;
- kAluni valla niNDAru kashTamu jendi bhuvini puTTedaru.
- peddalatO kallalu ADi,
- buddhi lEni dhanikula tA vEDi,
- vaddu ana vAritO mODi,
- iTlu proddu pOvuTa kAni, patitula kUDi.
- Isuna mariyAda lEdu;
- niNDu kAsu kalgina vAniki anniTa vAdu;
- Asa nIyeDa kalga pOdu;
- nija dAsulu evarO kana cEta kAdu.
- pannuga manakE Sakti ani,
- anni kallalu anucunu, donga bhakti,
- idi ETi virakti?
- idiyA pEda yukti?
- yOgulu, mEnu eruga lEka,
- tamakE gati ani dhyAninturu.
O Lord rAma!
- Who has understood (what true devotion is)?
- People perform non-descript worships.
- People hanker for others’ wealth and other women;
- in order to secure these, and for the purpose of filling their stomachs,
- they happily wander much from place to place until then.
- People are unable to contravene the words of their wives; therefore,
- they make it their job to take cognizance of faults of their brothers and parents; but
- they never trust Your feet which are of real substance.
- People are born in this World after undergoing considerable suffering in the hands of yama. Yet,
- they believe their wives and children;
- because of love for them, they even ruin others' families.
- People utter falsehood with elders;
- they beseech stupid rich people, and
- they resent those who advise them against such behaviour;
- thus, they spend their time associating with people fallen from virtue.
- Due to envy, people do not have propriety of conduct;
- monied people argue over everything;
- people would not cultivate love towards You;
- they can’t discern who true devotees are.
- People think that they alone have all the powers;
- they pretend devotion by declaring 'all is false'.
- What kind of dispassion is this?
- Is this the method adopted by this poor (tyAgarAja)?
- Ascetics would meditate, bereft of body consciousness,
- considering You only to be their refuge.
(evaru teliyanu poyyedaru - punnAgavarALi)
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SrI rAma!
- inta bhAgyamani nirNayimpa brahmA, indrAdula taramA?
- mati hInulaina,
- nemmati lEni vAraina,
- ati pApa kRtulaina,
- ennaTiki sad-gati rAni vAraina,
- sAreku mAyA saMsAramandu cAla dUrina vAraina,
- kAma Adula pUrita matulaina,
- nIdu marmamu teliyani, karma mArgulaina,
- dharma rahitulaina,
- ninu madi cintincu su-janula pUjincina vAriki,
- ninu sannuti sEyu bhaktula jata kUDina vAriki,
- ninnu manasAra nammina, sudhA pUra cittula, sEva kOrina vAriki,
- nIdu Sarmamu smariyincu nirmala matula Sarmamu encina vAriki,
- inta bhAgyamani nirNayimpa brahmA indrAdula taramA?
O Lord SrI rAma!
- Is it in the capacity of even brahmA, indra and others to determine as to how much fortune is it?
- Whether they are fools, or
- whether they have no peace of mind, or
- whether they are great sinners, or
- whether those who would never attain state of blessedness, or
- whether those ever deeply immersed in the grand illusion called Worldly Existence, or
- whether their minds are replete with desires etc., or
- whether they tread the path of (vEdic) actions without knowing Your secret, or
- whether they are devoid of righteous conduct,
- is it in the capacity of even brahmA, indra and others to determine as to how much fortune is it for them -
- who worship pious people who (always) meditate on You, (and/or)
- who associate with devotees who (always) extol You, (and/or)
- who seek the service of those whose minds are replete with nectar of whole-heartedly trusting You, (and/or)
- who have in mind the happiness of those pure minded who always remember Your name?
(inta bhAgyamani - punnAgavarALi)
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manasA!
- sangIta jnAnamu, bhakti vinA, san-mArgamu kaladE.
- bhRngi, naTESa, samIraja, ghaTaja, matanga, nArada Adulu upAsincE sangIta jnAnamu, bhakti vinA, san-mArgamu kaladE.
- nyAya, anyAyamu telusunu;
- jagamulu mAyAmayamu ani telusunu;
- durguNa, kAyaja Adi shaD-ripula jayincu kAryamu telusunu.
O My Mind!
- Mere knowledge of music bereft of devotion will not lead to the right path (of God realization).
- Music is worshipped by bhRngi (a devotee of Siva), Lord naTarAja, AnjanEya, sage agastya, matanga, nArada and others. Therefore, mere knowledge of music bereft of bhakti will not lead to the right path (of God realization).
- Knowledge of music together with bhakti will lead to the right path (of God realization) through which -
- what is right and what is not (right) can be known;
- the truth that this universe is of the nature of illusion can be known;
- the method of gaining victory over evil-some six (internal) enemies - kAma etc. (kAma, krOdha, lObha, mOha, mada and mAtsarya) can be known.
(sangIta jnAnamu - dhanyAsi)
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rAma!
- gaTTu kAna rAni guNTa; paTTuka, dATa nI pEru teppaNTa;
- kAma-Adi nakra bAdha tIrpa, nI cEti cakramu lEdA?
- cala cittamu anu alalaku, celagu nI vAma hastamu vairi agunu;
- mada, matsaramulu anu gajamulaku, nI pada kamala ankuSa rEkha ankuSamu;
- SOka Adulu anu parvatamulaku, nI kara ankita vajra rEkha, vajaramu;
- aham anu jaDatvamu aNaci brOva, sahajamau nI cEti Saramulu lEvA?
- dush-karmamu anu koNDalu egaya sEya, nish-kalmasha pavanajuDu uNDu;
- janana, maraNamu anu suDini nilpa, ghanamaina nI Ajna kAdanu vaDini?
- jAtiki okaru kUDinAramu; prIti cEta, telusukoNTimi nAma sAramu;
- pannuga bhavamu ati ghOramu; ninnu vinA anya daivamulanu kOramu.
O Lord rAma!
- Worldly Existence is an ocean, the banks of which could not be seen; Your name is said to be the raft to hold and cross the ocean.
- In order relieve the troubles of alligators of desire etc (kAma, krOdha, lObha, mOha, mada, mAtsarya), discus is there in Your hand.
- For the waves called fickle mindedness, Your shining left hand is the enemy.
- For control of the elephants called arrogance and envy etc., the curved line(s) (OR outlines) of Your feet Lotus is the goad (or hook).
- For shattering the mountains called grief etc., the well-marked strong (OR curved/forked) line(s) of Your hand is the thunder-bolt.
- In order to protect us by sub-duing the idiocy called egotism, there are arrows naturally in Your hands.
- In order to fling away the mountains called wicked deeds, blemish-less AnjanEya is there.
- In order to arrest the cycle (or vortex) called birth and death, Your mighty command is there over Time.
- We have assembled together, one from each caste (or creed), and have lovingly understood the essence of Your name.
- The nice looking Ocean of Worldly Existence is indeed very dreadful; we shall not beseech any God other than You.
(SrI rAma dAsa - dhanyAsi)
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SrI rAma!
- guruvu cilla ginja,
- guruvE bhramaramu,
- guruDE bhAskaruDu,
- guruDE bhadruDu,
- guruDE uttama gati;
- guruvu nIvu anukoNTi.
O Lord SrI rAma!
- The preceptor is the clearing nut (to cleanse evils of disciple);
- the preceptor is the wasp (to transform the disciple like himself);
- the preceptor is the illuminator (Sun) (to dispel darkness of avidyA);
- the preceptor is the auspicious one;
- the preceptor is the best refuge.
- I have assumed You to be my preceptor.
(nI cittamu niScalamu - dhanyAsi)
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manasA!
- dhyAnamE varamaina gangA snAnamE;
- vAna nITa munuga munuga, lOni vancana, drOhamanu kara pOnA?
- para dhana, nArImaNulanu dUri, para nindala, para himsala mIri, dharanu velayu, SrI rAmuni kOri,
- tyAgarAju telusukonna, rAma dhyAnamE varamaina gangA snAnamE.
O My Mind!
- Meditation is indeed the sacred dip in the river gangA.
- Can mental stains of deception (or craftiness) and treachery be washed away by drenching much in rain water?
- Spurning others’ wealth and woman, overcoming slandering others and causing injury (or harm) to others, seeking Lord SrI rAma effulgent on this Earth, and
- meditating on Lord SrI rAma, realised by this tyAgarAja, is indeed the sacred dip in the river gangA.
(dhyAnamE - dhanyAsi)
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- eTla kanugondunO SrI harini, nEnu?
- dharalO kalugu sampadala rOsi, tanuvunu maraci, harini kUDu mahArAjulaku gAka, eTla kanugondunO SrI harini?
- malayani madamuna teliyaka uNTini;
- I janmamu, I bhAgyamui, I sommulu ella prayOjanamA?
- How shall I find out Lord SrI hari?
- Excepting for those great personages, who, rejecting possessions existing in this World, and forgetting their bodies, unite with Lord SrI hari, how shall I find out Lord SrI hari?
- I remained without knowing Him because of unremitting arrogance;
- This life, these fortunes and these properties – are all these of any use?
(eTla kanugondunO - ghaNTA)
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O manasA!
- samayamu telisi, puNyamulu Arjincani kumati, uNDiyEmi, pOyiyEmi?
- sAramau kavitala vini, verrivADu santOshapaDiyEmi, paDakEmi?
- cEreDEsi, guDDi kannulu, bAguga teraciyEmi, teravkuNDina Emi?
- turaka vIthilO, vipruniki pAnaka pUja, neraya jEsiyEmi, sEyakuNDi Emi?
- dharanu Ini dhana kOTlaku yajamAnuDu, tA bratikiyEmi, dayyamaina Emi?
- padamu tyAgarAja nutunipai kAnidi, pADiyEmi, pADakuNDina Emi?
- Edanu, SrI rAma bhaktiyu lEni nara janmamu ettiyEmi, ettakuNDina Emi?
O My Mind!
- How does it matter –
- whether that idiot, who would not earn merit, knowing the opportunity (of human birth), is alive or dead?
- whether a mad man, hearing an excellent poetry, enjoys it or not?
- whether large, blind eyes are fully open or not?
- whether, in the Muslims’ street, one performs elaborate ‘pAnaka pUja’ to a brAhmaNa (or wise man) or not?
- whether that owner of great wealth, which is not donated, survives on the Earth or becomes a ghost?
- whether that kRti which is not on SrI rAma - the Lord praised by this tyAgarAja, is sung or not?
- whether such human birth, bereft of devotion to Lord SrI rAma, is taken or not?
(samayamu telisi - asAvEri)
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tyAgajAja arcita pada yuga!
- ninu nammaka nE mOsa pOdunu, aTarA?
- dur-vishayammulu manasuna dUraka cEsE ninu,
- dhana, tanaya, kaLatra Adulu tamadani buddi Iyani ninu,
- indriyammulaku AhlAdamu iccE rUpamu gala ninu,
- bommariNDlu kAni, nera nammaku bhavamunu, anu ninu,
- nemmadi lEni, janana, maraNammula tolagincE ninu,
- nera nammaka nE mOsa pOdunu, aTarA?
O Lord whose feet are worshipped by this tyAgarAja!
- Do You think that I would be deceived without trusting You -
- who prevents entry of evil-some sense objects into one’s mind?
- who has not given me the idea that wealth, children, and wife etc. belong to Self?
- who has such a great form which gives delight to the senses?
- who tells ‘these are but sand castles; do not at all believe Worldly Existence’?
- who banishes the disquieting (cycle of) births and deaths?
- Do You think that I would be deceived without trusting You, totally?
(nammaka nE mOsa - asAvEri)
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- hari anuvAri sari evvarE?
- palu vidhamula talapula rOsi,
- nilavaramagu bhaktiyu jEsi,
- malayani mata bhEdamu kOsi,
- karagucu, madilO kAminci,
- hari caraNamulanu hRdayamuna unci,
- vara Suka mukha dhanamu ani enci
- hari anuvAri sari evvarE?
- I sukhamu erugani jana celimi vAsuki visamE, mari kolimi,
- nija dAsula sambhAshaNa balimi.
- Who is equal to those who chant ‘hari hari’?
- Who is equal to those who chant ‘hari hari’ by -
- abhorring different kinds of thoughts,
- having steadfast devotion to the Lord,
- cutting asunder unbending differentiations between sects,
- fervently desiring the Lord, melting in the mind, and
- establishing the feet of Lord hari in the heart?
- Who is equal to those who chant ‘hari hari’ by considering -
- devotion to be the wealth practised by blessed sage Suka and other important persons (OR)
- devotion to be the wealth obtained from the very mouth of blessed sage Suka,
- association with those who do not realise this comfort (of chanting ‘hari hari’) to be nothing but poison of snake vAsuki, and also (like) a furnace, and
- conversation with true devotees to be the real strength?
(hariyanuvAri - tODi)
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O manasA!
- rUkalu padi vElu unna, cEreDu nUkalu gati kAni;
- kOkalu veyyi unna, kaTTukonuTaku okaTi kAni;
- Uru Elina, tA paNDuTa, mUDu mUra tAvu kAni;
- nUru bhakshaNamulu abbina, entO nOTiki, anta kAni;
- Eru niNDuga pArina, pAtraku tagu nIru vaccu kAni.
- harini, tyAgarAja sannutuni maravakE.
O My Mind!
- Even if one has ten thousand rupees, all that one needs (for a meal) is but a handful of broken rice only;
- even if one has a thousand garments, all that one needs for wearing (at a time) is but one (garment) only;
- even if one rules over entire town, all that one lies down is but three cubits of space only;
- even if one gets a hundred varieties of food-items, all that one can gulp (at a time) is but as much as a mouthful only.
- even if the river flows to the brim, all that water one can fetch is but vessel-full only.
- Therefore, do not forget Lord hari, well-praised by this tyAgarAja.
(rUkalu padi vElu - dESiya tODi)
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O manasA!
- proddu poyyenu;
- SrI rAmuni pUni bhajimpavE.
- niddura cEta konnALLu;
- vishaya buddhula cEta konnALLu;
- prodduna lEci, tri-tApamulanu, narula pogaDi pogaDi konnALLu;
- paTTi eddu rIti, kanna tAvula bhujiyinci, Emi teliyaka konnALLu;
- mudduga tOcu, bhava sAgaramuna, munigi tElucu konnALLu;
- paddu mAlina pAmara janulatO, verri palukulADucu konnALLu;
- mudamuna, dhana, tanaya, AgAramulu jUci, madamu cEta konnALLu;
- andu cedarina, anta SOka arNava gatuDai, jAli jenduTayu konnALLu;
- edaTi pacca jUci, tALa lEka, tAnu ilanu tiruguTa konnALLu;
- mudi, madi tappina vRddha tanamucE, mundu venuka teliyakayE konnALLu;
- yAga Adi karmamu sEyavalenu anu alasaTa cEta konnALLu;
- andu, rAga, lObhamulatOnu aparAdhamula jEsi, rAjasamuna konnALLu;
- bAguga, nAma kIrtanamulu sEyuTE, bhAgyamu anaka konnALLu;
- tyAgarAja nutuDaina, SrI rAmuni tatvamu teliyakayE konnALLu.
- proddu poyyenu;
- SrI rAmuni pUni bhajimpavE.
O My Mind!
- It is getting late.
- Chant the names of Lord SrI rAma with determination.
- You have spent –
- some time sleeping and
- some time with the thoughts of sense enjoyments;
- some time extolling people (every day) since morning for securing welfare in pursuit of three desires – wife, children and wealth;
- some time eating any and everywhere like a stray bull without understanding anything;
- some time sinking and floating in the ocean of Worldly Existence which (for all appearances) looks charming;
- some time indulging in utterly useless talks with wicked people who have deviated from the path of righteous conduct;
- some time with pride looking joyously at wealth, children and houses;
- some time remaining miserable being lost in the sea of utter grief brought about thereof (looking at wealth, children and house with pride);
- some time wandering about in the World unable to tolerate looking at others’ prosperity (envying such comforts);
- some time, finally, with no sense of direction because of loss of mental faculties due to old age;
- some time becoming fatigued with the intent of performing vEdic karmas like sacrificial oblations etc.;
- some time committing offences therein (vEdic karmas) due to possessive nature - attachment, avarice etc.;
- some time without understanding that only singing nicely the glory of the Lord is the real fortune; and
- some time without realising the true nature of Lord SrI rAma - praised by this tyAgarAja.
- It is getting late.
- Chant the names of Lord SrI rAma with determination.
(proddu poyyenu - tODi)
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dASarathI!
- nI RNamu dIrpa nA taramA?
- ASa tIra, dUra dESamulanu prakASimpa jEsina rasika SirOmaNi!
- bhakti lEni, kavi jAla varENyulu, bhAvamu eruga lEru ani, kalilOna jani, bhukti, mukti kalgunu ani, kIrtanamula bOdhincina, tyAgarAja kara arcita!
O dASarathI!
- Is Your debt redeemable by me?
- O Excellent of connoisseurs of music, who to the fulfillment of my desire, made me shine (even) in distant lands!
- O Lord worshipped by the very hands of this tyAgarAja, who -
- realising that those who are excellent in poesy, bereft of devotion, would not understand the emotional state,
- having born in this kali yuga, taught (to the World) compositions (OR chanting of names) singing of which would confer both Worldly enjoyments and also emancipation!
(dASarathI nI RNamu - tODi)
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rAma!
- tappi, bratiki pOva taramA, kalilO?
- muppuna, vishaya taTAkamuna munugaka, dRDha manasai tappi, bratiki pOva taramA?
- kancu modalu, lOha dhana, kanakamulanu jUci, vishamu ancu, mariyu pencika anucu enci aNTani manasai, tappi, bratiki pOva taramA?
- nanga-nAcula mAnagu, anga vastramula bAgagu, mungurulanu kani, antarangamunanu ASincaka, tappi, bratiki pOva taramA?
- jAji, malle, mandAra, sarOjamulanu, manasAra,rAja pathamucE, tyAgarAja nutuni pUjincaka, tappi, bratiki pOva taramA?
O Lord rAma!
- In this kali yuga, is it possible for one to survive escaping (from the ill effects of kali)?
- In this kali yuga, is it possible for one to survive (escaping) –
- without getting drowned in the lake of objects of senses during old-age, by becoming firm-minded? (OR)
- without getting drowned in the perilous lake of objects of senses, by becoming firm-minded?
- unaffected, by considering all kinds of metallic wealth from bronze to gold as poisonous and treating them as pot-shred?
- without desiring even mentally, looking at the niceties of hypocrites and the beauty of garments (OR limbs and garments) and fore-locks of women?
- (from the clutches of death), without worshipping the Lord praised by this tyAgarAja with flowers like jasmine – jAdi variety, jasmine, mandAra and Lotus, whole-heartedly in the royal path of bhakti?
(tappi bratiki - tODi)
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O manasA!
- kOTi nadulu dhanushkOTilOna uNDaga, ETiki tirigedavE!
- sUtiga, SyAma sundara mUrtini, mATi mATiki jUcE mahArAjulaku, kOTi nadulu dhanushkOTilOna uNDaga, ETiki tirigedavE!
- ganga nUpurambunanu janincenu.
- rangani kAvEri kani rAjillenu.
O My Mind!
- There being thousands of rivers at the tip of bow (of Lord rAma), funny that you are roaming about for bath in holy rivers!
- For those great persons who behold, every now and then, directly, the charming dark-blue form (of Lord rAma), there are thousands of rivers at the tip of His bow.
- River ganga took birth at the feet of the Lord.
- River kAvEri attained glory beholding Lord ranga nAtha.
(kOTi nadulu - tODi)
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tyAgaraja sannuta!
- kaddanu vAriki, kaddu kaddani moralaniDu, peddala mATalu, nEDu abaddhamaunO?
- niddura nirAkarinci, mudduga tambura paTTi, Suddhamaina manasucE, su-svaramutO, paddu tappaka bhajiyincu, bhakta pAlanamu sEyu tad-daya-SAlivi nIvu.
O Lord well-praised by this tyAgarAja!
- Can the words of wise, who declared that ‘You surely exist for those who believe in Your existence’, become untrue now?
- You are such a merciful Lord who nourishes those devotees who - by foregoing sleep, attuned nicely to tambura, with a pure mind and along with fine svara - chant Your names without wavering from their vow.
(kaddanu vAriki - tODi)
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manasa!
- tyAgarAju mATa vini, kaDa tEra rAdA?
- eDa lEka bhajana jEsi, nIyeDa kalgu nija dabbarala telisi, kaDa tEra rAdA?
- khala citta, laukikamu anE SRnkhalamandu dagalakanE, ulUkhala baddhuniki nija dAsuDai, velasillu.
O My mind!
- Shall Ye not be redeemed by listening to the words of this tyAgarAja?
- Understand satya and asatya existing in Yourself by incessantly chanting the names of Lord.
- Without getting bound by the fetter of base minded Worldliness, shine forth by becoming a true devotee of the Lord kRshNa – one who was tied to the wooden mortar (by His mother yaSOda).
(kaDa tEra - tODi)
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- SrI rAma svAmi karuNa lEni varu, ilalO, Emi jEsitE Emi?
- kAma mOha dAsulai, SrI rAmuni kaTTu teliya lEni vAru, ilalO Emi jEsitE Emi?
- savamu jEsitE Emi?
- kalimini putra utsavamu kaligitE Emi?
- bhuvilO anya bIja janituni koni Emi?
- mEDa kaTTitE Emi?
- anduna lAndaru jODu kaTTitE Emi?
- cEDiyalanu meppinca telisitE Emi?
- immu kaligitE Emi?
- illAliki sommu peTTitE Emi?
- kamma viltu kELini telisi Emi?
- rAjyamu ElitE Emi?
- bahu janulalO pUjyulaitE Emi?
- Ajya pravAhamutO annamiDitE Emi?
- guruvu tAnaitE Emi?
- kaNTiki mEnu guruvai tOcitE Emi?
- vara mantramu anyulaku upadESincitE Emi?
- vara tyAgarAja nutuni daya lEni vAru, ilalO, Emi jEsitE Emi?
- Whatever one might accomplish in this World, what difference does it make if he does not have the grace of Lord SrI rAma?
- Having become slaves to desire, delusion etc., those who do not know the commandment of SrI rAma, whatever they might accomplish in this World, what difference does it make?
- Of what avail -
- whether one performs daily or sacrificial oblations or
- whether one is blessed with son for inheriting wealth or
- whether one adopts another’s son in this World or
- whether one builds (multi) storeyed house or
- whether, in there, he lights up with a pair of lanterns or
- whether one knows to flatter women or
- whether one attains comforts of this World or
- whether one provides jewellery to his wife or
- whether one knows amorous sports or
- whether one rules a kingdom or
- whether one becomes worthy of worship among a lot of people or
- whether one gives sumptuous feast with abundant flow of ghee or
- whether one becomes a preceptor or
- whether one’s body appears splendid to look at or
- whether one initiates others in sacred syllables?
- Those who do not have the grace of SrI rAma - praised by this tyAgarAja - whatever they might accomplish in this World, what difference does it make?
(Emi jEsitE - tODi)
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O manasa!
- enduku capalamu? vinavE nA manavini.
- mundaTi vale, bhaktula pOshincuTaku, endu dAginADO? IDaku rAnu ennaDu daya vaccunO!
- ala nADu, kanaka kaSipu, niNDAru calamu jEsi, sutuni, sakala bAdhala peTTaga, madini tALaka, niScaluDaina prahlAdu koraku, kambamu lOpala uNDaga lEdA?
- munu, vAri vAha vAhana tanayuDu, madamuna, ravijuni cAla koTTuTa jUci, manasu tALa jAla lEka, prEmamuna pAlanamu sEya, tALa taruvu maruguna, nilvaga lEdA?
- A rIti nEDu endu dAginADO? IDaku rAnu ennaDu daya vaccunO!
- toli janmamula nADu jEsina dush-karmamulanu aNaganu sEya,
- Aru Satrulanu paTTi poDi sEya, adiyu gAka,
- ilanu, cancala virahita, nija bhakta janulanu, tyAgarAjuni rakshimpa,
- nEDu endu dAginADO? IDaku rAnu ennaDu daya vaccunO!
O My Mind!
- Why do you waver? Listen to my appeal.
- As happened earlier, in order to nurture His devotees, who knows where Lord is hiding and when will He have compassion to come here.
- That day, when hiraNya kaSipu, resorting to many trickeries, troubled his son a lot, (the Lord) unable to tolerate, was He not (found) inside a pillar for the sake of unwavering prahlAda?
- Earlier, finding vAli arrogantly thrashing (his brother) sugrIva much, unable to bear the sight, was He not (found) standing behind a palmyra tree in order to lovingly protect sugrIva?
- In the same manner, who knows where He is hiding today and when will He have compassion to come here.
- To subjugate the (results of) wicked deeds committed during our previous births,
- to get hold of the six (internal) enemies (kAma, krOdha, lObha, mOha, mada, mAtsarya) and pound them to pulp, and,
- to protect unwavering true devotees in this World as also this tyAgarAja,
- who knows where He is hiding today and when will He have compassion to come here.
(endu dAginADO - tODi)
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nArAyaNa!
- naSvaramaina dhana aSvamulanu nE viSvasinca.
- kOTISula kani, sATi lEni palku bOTini osagi, mummATiki, vEDanu.
- ASa piSAca AvESamu kalugu dhana IESula kAceDu dESamu Elanu?
- dUreDu panulaku dUredaru; kaDa tEreDu panulanu tErE manasuku.
- toli tA jEsina phalamE kaladu ani ilanu encani martyula celimi enduku?
- nOru eppuDu nI pErE palukani.
- mitra kula ISa caritra (rAmAyaNa) rasika jana mitramu kOrudu.
- nA jUpulu mI nAjUku tanamunE jUDani.
O Lord nArAyaNa!
- I shall not trust wealth and possessions which are transitory; never!
- I shall not seek multi-millionaires and I shall, definitely, not beg by selling the gift of speech (by extolling them).
- Why should I frequent those places where rich people. having greed of fiendish frenzy, are tended?
- People would undertake such tasks which are to be abhorred; they wouldn’t think of such tasks leading to redemption.
- Why associate with those mortals who do not realise that we only reap here results of what we did in the past?
- Let my tongue always utter Your names only.
- I shall seek friendship of those who enjoy rAmAyaNa.
- Let my sight behold Your elegance only.
(nArAyaNa hari - yamunA kalyANi)
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- bhajarE raghuvIraM;
- anniyu paniki odigenA? iTu aTu tirigina telisenA?
- nIvu dur-Asala rOsi, para nindanalanu ellanu bAsi,
- pancEndriyamulanu aNacu; prapanca sukhamu visamanucu,
- vEru panulaku pOka, gO-mukha vyAghramu candamu kAka,
- tappu taNTalanu mAni, bhava taraNamunanu madi pUni,
- karmamu hariki osangi, sat-kAryamulandu uppongi,
- bhakti mArgamunu telisi, nija bhAgavatula jata kalasi,
- mAyA rahituni kolici, nI manasuna rAmuni talaci,
- kAma Adulanu Ekinci, nI kAryamulanu sAdhinci,
- rAja adhipugA velasi tyAgarAja varaduDu ani telisi,
bhajarE raghuvIraM.
- Engage in bhajan of Lord SrI raghuvIra;.
- Is everything useful?
- Even after wandering here and there, did You understand (the truth)?
- Abhor evilsome desires;
- Leave aside (acts like) ill-speaking of others etc;
- Subdue the senses (five organs of perception);
- Consider the comforts of the Universe to be poisonous;
- Do not indulge in other tasks;
- Do not become deceitful like cow-faced tiger;
- Desist from commissions and omissions;
- Resolve ‘fording the ocean of Worldy Existence’ as the aim;
- Surrender all (the results of) actions to Lord hari;
- Pride in (performing) good deeds;
- Understand the path of devotion;
- Associate with true bhAgavatas;
- Worship Him who is beyond Grand Illusion;
- Remember Lord SrI rAma in Your mind;
- Despise desire etc. (kAma, krOdha, lObha, mOha, mada, mAtsarya);
- Accomplish Your tasks; and
- Realise the Lord who embodied as Emperor is the One who answers the prayers of this tyAgarAja.
- Engage in bhajan of Lord SrI raghuvIra.
(bhajarE raghuvIraM - kalyANi)
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manasA!
- aja, rudra Adulaku, bhU-sura Adulaku, arudaina rAma bhajana sEyavE, parama bhaktitO;
- nAda praNava sapta svara, vEda, varNa, SAstra, purANa Adi catush-shashTi kaLala bhEdamu kaligE, mOdakara, SarIramu etti, mukti mArgamunu teliyani vAda tarkamu Ela?
O My Mind!
- With supreme devotion, engage in bhajan of Lord rAma who is rare (to attain) even for brahmA, Lord Siva and others and also brAhmaNas etc.
- Having attained the delightful (human) body from which blossoms sixty-four fine arts - (mastery of) sapta svara emanating from nAdOMkAra, vEdas, language, sciences, epics etc., why (indulge in) disputations and reasoning which do not enlighten the path of liberation?
(bhajana sEyavE - kalyANi)
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manasA!
- nijamuga palku -
- nidhi cAla sukhamA? rAmuni sannidhi sEva sukhamA?
- dadhi navanIta kshIramulu ruciyO? dASarathi dhyAna bhajana sudhA rasamu ruciyO?
- dama Samamu anu gangA snAnamu sukhamA? kardama dur-vishaya kUpa snAnamu sukhamA?
- mamata bandhana yuta nara stuti sukhamA? su-mati tyAgarAja nutuni kIrtana sukhamA?
O My Mind!
- Tell me truthfully -
- Whether wealth is very comforting or the service in the holy presence of Lord SrI rAma comforting?
- Are curd, fresh butter and milk etc. tasty or the nectarine juice of meditation and bhajana of dASarathi tasty?
- Is a bath in the (holy) river ganga called (practice of) self control and tranquility comforting or a bath in the water of well called the filthy, evil natured objects of senses comforting?
- Is extolling humans bound by egotism comforting or singing songs of the pure minded Lord praised by this tyAgarAja comforting?
(nidhi cAla - kalyANi)
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rAma!
- E varamu aDugudurA ninnu?
- I jagatini kala, sukha rAjini, mari nirjara rAja padambula, nEnu, I janmamuna aDuganu;
- tyAgarAjuni madiki, eppuDu, rAja pathamulaitE jayamau kAni.
O Lord rAma!
- What boon shall I ask of You?
- In this birth, I shall not seek either the enjoyments obtained in this World or even the status of indra.
- To the mind of this tyAgarAja, it shall always succeed only if it is the Royal path (of devotion to Your Lotus Feet).
(E varamaDugudu - kalyANi)
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tyAgarAja nuta!
- anurAgamu lEni manasuna su-jnAnamu rAdu;
- ghanulaina antar-jnAnulaku erukE kAni;
- vaga vagagA bhujiyincE vAriki, tRptiyau rIti, saguNa dhyAnamu paini saukhyamu.
O Lord praised by this tyAgarAja!
- Real knowledge will not arise in that mind which does not have supreme love (towards the Lord).
- This is known only to those great personages who have inner wisdom.
- The comfort (experienced) in meditation on Lord with form (qualities) is like satiation experienced by those who taste varieties of food items.
(anurAgamu lEni - sarasvati)
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rAma!
- tuNTa viNTi vAni modalaina, mada Adula koTTi, nEla kUla jEyu, nija baNTu rIti, koluvu iyyavayya, tyAgarAjunikE;
- rOmAncamu anu ghana kancukamu,
- rAma bhaktuDu anu mudra biLLayu,
- rAma nAmamu anu vara khaDgamu ivi rAjillunayya
O Lord rAma!
- Give this tyAgarAja the privilege of being in Your service as a true (royal) guard who would thrash the six interanal enemies – desire, conceit etc., and make them bite dust; these (accoutrement etc.) will shine on his person -
- a heavy armour of horripilation,
- royal badge of being rAma’s devotee, and
- divine sword called rAma’s name.
(baNTu rIti - haMsa nAdaM)
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dharmAtmaka!
- dhana, dhAnya, daivamu nIvai uNDaga, durmArga cara adhamulanu dora nIvu ana jAlara.
- paluku bOTini, sabhalOna, patita mAnavulaku osagu khalulanu eccaTa pogaDani tyAgarAja vinuta!
O Embodiment of Virtue!
- You are the dispenser of wealth and food.
- Therefore, I can’t call those ignoble persons treading the path of vice as my Master (for the sake of reward).
- Neither I, anywhere, extol such vile wretches who barter sarasvati to the morally degraded persons in an assembly (for the sake of reward)!
(durmArga cara - ranjani)
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garuDa gamana!
- jnAnamu osaga rAda?
- nI nAmamu cE nA madi nir-malamu ainadi;
- paramAtmuDu, jIvAtmuDu, padu nAlugu lOkamulu, nara, kinnara, kimpurushulu, nAradAdi munulu, vAramu tAnu anE jnAnamu osaga rAda?
O Lord who rides garuDa!
- Won’t you condescend to bestow on me the true wisdom?
- My mind has become pure by chanting Your name.
- Won’t you condescend to bestow on me the true wisdom that indeed You are ever the Supreme-Self, the Individual-Self, all the fourteen worlds, men, celestial beings (musicians) kinnara, kimpurusha, sages nArada etc?
(jnAnamosaga - pUri kalyANi)
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manasA!
- SrI rAma bhajana, para lOka sAdhanamE;
- smara, lObha, mOha Adi pApulanu smariyincakE;
- janana Adi rOga bhayAdulacE,
- jagamandu kalgu, dur-AsalacE,
- tanaya Adi bAndhavula, bhramacE tagalanu Idu.
O My Mind!
- bhajana of SrI rAma is the sure means for future World (of non-return).
- Do not think of (actions leading to) the enemies like desire, greed, obsession etc.
- It (bhajana) will not allow You to be trapped in (the snare of) -
- the great dreads of (repeated) births, disease etc.,
- the evilsome temptations that exist in the World, and
- the bewilderment caused by relationships like offspring etc.
(para lOka sAdhanamE - pUri kalyANi)
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rAmayya!
- sandEhamunu tIrpumu
- nanda arcita pada yugamulu mElO?
- nAgarIkamagu pAdukA yugambulu mElO?
- vara maunulu ella, caraNambulanu smariyimpa, nIdu padamu osangenE;
- bharata arcanacE, pAdukalu, dhara, ninnu osangE.
O Lord SrI rAma!
- Please clear my doubt.
- Which is superior – whether Your Feet worshiped by sananda (and others) or the elegant pair of sandals of Your Feet?
- Your Feet, meditated by illustrious sages, bestowed Your abode – vaikuNTha; but
- Your sandals, worshipped by bharata, bestowed Yourself - the wearer.
(nI padamu - vaikuNTha)
(sandEhamunu - rAmapriya)
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tyAgarAja vinuta!
- kaDupu korakE, aravai nAlugu kaLala nErcinA, munu jEsinadi gAka Emi?
- kalimi lEmulaku kAraNambu nIvE;
- kOri nUvula koNDa tIsi, singari muni, kUrmi bhujincenA?
- vairi tammuDu, sAramaina rangani illu jErcenA?
O Lord, praised by this tyAgarAja!
- For the sake of livelihood, even if one learnt all the sixty four (fine) arts, what else (can happen) other than (the result of) what one did in the past?
- You are the cause for riches and penury.
- Could sage singari, having sought and obtained a mountain (or sweet-ball) of sesame seeds, eat it happily?
- Could vibhIshaNa reach home the excellent Lord SrI ranganAtha?
(vairi tammuDu - vibhIshaNa)
(kaLala nErcinA - dIpakaM)
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tyAgarAja nuta!
- para lOka bhayamu lEka, bhava pASa baddhulu aiyEru;
- kari, vAji, SRngAra ArAma, Sibika, Adulu ella, manakE kaligenu ani,
- para lOka bhayamu lEka, bhava pASa baddhulu aiyEru;
- konna kAntalanu, kanna biDDalanu, vanne cIralanu, vAna guDiselanu,
- tinnagA kani, daiva lOkamu ani, tannukoLLalO,
- para lOka bhayamu lEka, bhava pASa baddhulu aiyEru.
O Lord praised by this tyAgarAja!
- Without fear of the future World, people became bound in the noose of Worldly Existence.
- Believing that all possessions, like elephants, horses, charming gardens, palanquins etc., are existing for one’s sake only,
without fear of the future World, people became bound in the noose of Worldly Existence.
- Believing their wives, progeny, colourful garments and cottages to be of substance (or veritable),
- treating such an existence as heavenly abode, and because of consequent struggles (to perpetuate them),
- without fear of the future World, people became bound in the noose of Worldly Existence.
(para lOka bhayamu - mandAri)
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O manasA!
- rAma nAmamu sAramE kAni, anya mArga vicAramu ETikE?
- vAru vIru, teliya lEka palku vArtalu, vinanu ElE?
- raghu vIruni nAma sudhA rasamunanu, sAreku pAnamu jEsi,
- 'nArAyaNa nArAyaNa' anucunu, vAramu,
- SrI nArada muni, valmIka jAtuniki, upadESinca lEdA?
- sItA varuni nAma sudhA rasa pAnamu, niratamunanu jEsi,
- 'hari hari hari' anucu santatambunu,
- Suka brahma, parIkshittuku osaga lEdA?
- ati nEmamutO, nAma amRta pAnamu jEsi,
- 'rAma rAma rAma' anucu satatamu,
- SivuDu, A mahimalanu, A rahasyamulanu, gauriki upadESinca lEdA?
O My Mind!
- Only name of Lord SrI rAma is of substance.
- Why should You listen to words uttered ignorantly by anyone else?
- Didn’t sage SrI nArada -
- who, ever drinks the nectarine juice of the name of raghu vIra –
- chanting ever ‘nArAyaNa, nArAyaNa, nArAyaNa’
- lovingly initiate (later sage) vAlmIki in the name ‘rAma’?
- Didn’t sage Suka brahma –
- who ever drinks the nectarine juice of the name ‘rAma’ –
- ceaselessly chanting ‘hari hari hari’,
- narrate the story of Lord hari to King parIkshit?
- Didn’t Lord Siva –
- who, with much self-restraint, drinks the nectar of the name ‘rAma’,
- ceaselessly chanting ‘rAma rAma rAma’
- initiate gauri, in those mights and in those secrets?
(sAramE kAni - pantuvarALi)
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Ori!
- 'Siva Siva Siva' ana rAdA?
- bhava bhaya bAdhalanU aNacukO rAdA?
- kAmA Adula tega kOsi,
- para bhAmala, parula dhanamula rOsi,
- pAmaratvamunU eDabAsi,
- ati nEmamutO, bilvA Arcana jEsi,
- 'Siva Siva Siva' ana rAdA?
- sajjana gaNamula kAnci,
- muj-jagad-ISvarulU ani matinI enci,
- lajjA Adula tolaginci,
- tana hRj-jalajamunanu tA pUjinci,
- 'Siva Siva Siva' ana rAdA?
- Agamamula nutiyinci,
- bahu bAgu lEni bhAshalu cAlinci,
- bhAgavatulatO pOshinci,
- vara tyAgarAja sannutuDu ani enci,
- 'Siva Siva Siva' ana rAdA?
O Fellows!
- Won’t You chant ‘Siva Siva Siva’?
- And, thereby, won’t You subjugate the worries of dread of the Worldly Existence?
- Cutting asunder, the six enemies - kAma etc.
- abhorring other women and others’ wealth,
- leaving aside ignorance (or wickedness or meanness) , and
- worshipping with bilva leaves with complete restraint,
- won’t You chant ‘Siva Siva Siva’?
- Seeking the company of pious people,
- considering in the mind, Lord Siva to be the Lord of the three Worlds,
- casting away shame or shyness (in singing names of Lord) etc, and
- worshipping Lord Siva in Your own heart-Lotus,
- won’t You chant ‘Siva Siva Siva’?
- Extolling the Lord through (by reciting) sacred works,
- putting an end to useless talks,
- cherishing the Lord together with great devotees, and
- considering the sacred Lord as the one well-praised by this tyAgarAja,
- won’t You chant ‘Siva Siva Siva’?
(Siva Siva - pantuvarALi)
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manasA!
- vADErA daivamu!
- ADina mATalu tappaDu anucunu, Acandra arkamuga kIrti kaligina vADErA daivamu!
- daNDi rakkasula madamu aNacanu,
- AkhaNDala Adi sura kOTlanu, bhU maNDala sujanula pAlimpanu,
- kOdaNDa pANi rUpamutO velasina vADErA daivamu!
- dAri teliya lEni ajnuluku, bhava nIradhi dATi, mOkshamu anduTaku,
- nIraja ari dharuDu upadESincE,
- tAraka nAmamutOnu velasina vADErA daivamu!
- dhAtR vinutuDaina,
- tyAgarAjuni cEta pUjalu andi,
- bAguga, pradyOtana anvayamunanu janinci,
- sItA pati ani pEru kaligina vADErA daivamu!
O My Mind!
- He alone is The God –
- who has everlasting fame as ‘One who does not fail in His word’.
- who appeared in the form of wielder of the bow kOdaNDa in order to -
- subdue the arrogance of numerous demons and
- protect indra and other celestials and pious people of this Earth sphere.
- who appeared with the name ‘rAma’ –
- ford for crossing the Ocean of Worldly Existence and attaining liberation,
- in which Lord Siva initiates ignorant people who do not know right path.
- who is praised by Lord brahmA;
- who was worshipped by the very hands of Lord tyAgarAja (Siva);
- who was nicely born in the Solar dynasty, and
- who has the name as ‘Consort of sItA’.
(vADErA daivamu - pantuvarALi)
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raghu vara!
- talli taNDrulu, anna tammulu unnA, polatiki okaDu purushuNDu aunA?
- para daivamulu, bAgu sommulu, mangaLa sUtramulu aunA?
- manasuna, nIkE marulu-konnAnu.
O Lord raghu vara!
- For a woman, even if she has parents and brothers, would one be equal to husband?
- (For a woman), would other Gods and fine ornaments be equal to mangaLa sUtra?
- In my mind, I have fallen in love with You.
(raghu vara nannu - pantuvarALi)
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O Lord rAma!
- vEda, SAstra, purANa vidyalacE, bhEda vAdamulu tIraka, bhramayu vArala jUci...
- bhOgamula koraku, bhuvilO, rAjasammuna, yAgAdulu onarinci alayu vArala jUci...
- I janmamuna, ninnu rAji jEsukona lEka, rAjillaru ani...
- anni kallalu anucu...
- ADi, pADi, vEDi, nE, cinna tanamu nADE, ninnE nera namminAnurA.
O Lord rAma!
- Seeing -
- those who are confounded unable to resolve their arguments about (religious) controversies with their (academic) knowledge of vEda, SAstra and purANa, and
- those who are wandering in this World, performing sacrificial oblations etc, passionately, for the sake of ejoyments,
- realising that, in this life, none can flourish without Your consent,
- considering everything else as untrue,
- right from my childhood days, I have much trusted You alone, beseeching You by dancing and singing.
(ninnE nera - pantuvarALi)
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- rAjillina SrI tyAgarAja sakhuni marmamulanu, I jagatini, vinnavArikE, jayamu jayamu jayamani, nArada muni veDalina, su-guNAtiSayamu vinarE!
- Listen to the grandeur with which sage nArada set out, proclaiming that, in this World, victory is certain for those who listen to the secrets of the effulgent Lord SrI hari - the benefactor of tyAgarAja.
(nArada muni - pantuvarALi)
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- mAyappa rAma bhakti entO gopparA!
- trippaTalanu tIrci, kaNTi reppa valenu kAcu, A mAyappa rAma bhakti entO gopparA!
- lakshmi dEvi valacunA?
- lakshmaNuNDu kolucunA?
- sUkshma buddhi gala bharatuDu jUci jUci solasunA?
- Sabari engili iccunA?
- candra dharuDu meccunA?
- abala svayamprabhaku daivamu acala padavini iccunA?
- kapi vAridhi dATunA?
- kaliki rOTa kaTTunA?
- aparAdhi tyAgarAjuku, Anandamu heccunA?
- Devotion to our father rAma is indeed very best!
- That devotion to our father rAma, which, putting an end to the roaming of mind, protects (so involuntarily) like eye-lids, is indeed very best.
- Had it not been so -
- would lakshmI dEvi so fervently love Him?
- would lakshmaNa serve Him with such dedication?
- would bharata, having such a sharp intellect, feel ecstatic beholding Him again and again?
- would Sabari offer (already) tasted fruits (unfit for offering)?
- would Lord Siva glorify Him?
- would the Lord bestow eternal state to the maid svayamprabha?
- can a monkey leap across the mighty ocean?
- can a woman tie the Lord to mortar? and
- can bliss heighten to this defaulter tyAgarAja?
(appa rAma - pantuvarALi)
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paramAtma!
- pAlumAlina pAmarulanu olla, I lOkamulanu, nI lIlagAnu jUcu, guNa SIlula, nA pala kalga jEsi, pAlimpumayya;
- nara, kinnara, kimpurusha, asura, nirjara rAja, Siva,Adi ramA patula, taru, bhU-dhara, anEka aNDamula, nI lIlagAnu jUcu, guNa SIlula, nA pala kalga jEsi, pAlimpumayya.
O Supreme Lord!
- Please protect me by creating around me (the company of) high minded people who behold these Worlds as Your sport, so that I may shun the company of lethargic idiots.
- Please protect me by creating around me the company of high minded people who behold as Your Sport – the humans, kinnara, kimpurusha, demons, indra, Lords Siva, vishNu and others, trees, mountains and the multitude of Universes.
(lIlagAnu jUcu - divyamaNi)
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O rAma!
- tAmara Aku nIru vidhamu prapancamu; tatvamu kAdu;
- gajja muNDla mIda tagulukonna baTTa, grakkuna tIya vaSamA?
- accuga, bhavamuna tagulukonna madi vaccunA, nI vaddaku?
O Lord rAma!
- Universe is like a water droplet on lotus leaf; it isn’t reality;
- Is it possible to quickly remove a cloth entangled on Fever Nut thorns?
- Exactly, can a mind entangled in the (ocean of) Worldly Existence come to Your proximity so easily?
(SrI rAma jaya rAma - varALi)
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rAma candra!
- nI nAmamandu, nija prEma lEni bratuku Emi?
- santatambu tana antarambuna nI cinta lEni vADu enta?
- doraka rAni nI caraNa bhakti Emarina mAnavuDu asuruDE.
O Lord rAma candra!
- Of what avail such livelihood bereft of true love towards Your name?
- Of what significance is he who does not always have Your thought in his mind?
- That person is indeed a demon who neglects (to develop) devotion, to Your holy feet, which is rare to attain.
(pAhi paramAtma - varALi)
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SrI rAma!
- nOrEmi ninnADa?
- sAre sArekunu, pApa karmamulu salpucunuNDu nAvaNTi vAniki, nOrEmi ninnADa?
- pApulu-Aruguru vaSyulu gAka, paNDlu-igilincucu taruNulakai, nija bhaktiyu teliyani, tyAgarAjuniki, orulakaina, nOrEmi ninnADa?
O Lord SrI rAma!
- How audacious (of them) to blame You?
- To one like me who is always committing sinful acts, how audacious (of him) to blame You?
- Whether for this tyAgarAja or any one else who, unable to bring under control the six sinners, grinning shamelessly for (soliciting) women, and not knowing what true devotion is, how audacious (of them) to blame You?
(nOrEmi SrI rAma - varALi)
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kalyANa sundara rAma!
- karuNa ElAgu aNTE, I vidhamE;
- paramAtmuDu, jIvAtmuDu okaDai paragucu uNDu, bhakta parAdhInuni, karuNa ElAgu aNTE, I vidhamE;
- anRtambu-ADaDu;
- alpula vEDaDu;
- su-nRpula koluvaDu;
- sUryuni maravaDu;
- mAmsamu muTTaDu;
- madhuvunu trAgaDu;
- para-himsala sEyaDu;
- erukanu maravaDu;
- mUDu IshaNamula vADaDu;
- jIvan-muktuDai tirugu mudamunu jUpaDu;
- vancana sEyaDu;
- varulatO bonkaDu;
- cancala cittuDai saukhyamu viDuvaDu;
- sAkshiyani telisi, andu lakshyamu viDuvaDu.
O Most auspicious and Handsome Lord SrI rAma!
- The nature of grace of the Lord is indeed like this.
- The nature of grace of the Lord, ever engaged in (looking after) the welfare of His devotees in whom Supreme-Self and Living-Self are shining as self-same, is indeed like this.
- The nature of grace of the Lord is indeed like this - the devotee would -
- not utter falsehood;
- not beseech petty people;
- not serve even benevolent kings;
- not forget (the worship of) Sun;
- not touch meat;
- not drink intoxicants;
- not cause injury to others;
- not forget what one has learnt;
- not use or enjoy the three kinds of desires - wife, children and wealth;
- not ostentate the delight of being living-free;
- not deceive anyone;
- not speak lies with revered ones (or) with others;
- not abandon the comfort (of self-same nature) by becoming fickle minded; and
- understanding that he is only a witness, would not abandon the set aim (of mOksha).
(karuNayElAgaNTE - varALi)
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- I mEnu kaliginanduku, sItA rAma nAmamE palka valenu;
- kAma Adi dur-guNa stOma pUritamaina, pAmaratvamE kAni, nEmamu lEnaTTi, I mEnu kaliginanduku, sItA rAma nAmamE palka valenu;
- saMsAramunu brOva, dArini para-hiMsa jendu kirAtuDu, haMsa rUpula gatini aDuga, rAma nAma praSaMsa jEsi, upadESinca, dhanyuDu kAdA?
- tApasi SApamu iDagA, jala uraga rUpamu koniyuNDaga, tApamu sairincaka tallaDillaga, Sara cApa dharuni nAma SravaNamu, brOva lEdA?
- kari rAju, teliya lEka, baluDaina makari cEta gAsi jendagA, ara lEka, 'nijamuna Adi mUlamu' anaga, varaduDu vEgamE vacci brOvaga lEdA?
- Agama, vEdamulanu, dAnavuDu kompOvagA, catura AnanuDu, 'tyAgarAja nuta', 'tAraka nAma' ani, bAguga nutimpa, bhayamu tIrpaga lEdA?
- I mEnu kaliginanduku, sItA rAma nAmamE palka valenu.
- For this body having come into being, one should only chant the name of Lord sItA rAma.
- This body is nothing but wretchedness replete with evil-some qualities like desire etc. and having no self-restraint. For such body having come into being, one should only chant the name of Lord sItA rAma.
- A hunter, for his livelihood, was inflicting harm to others on the way (by robbery). When he desired to attain the state of those who identify themselves with Supreme Lord, did he not become blessed as a result of initiation (by sage nArada) by commending the holy name of Lord rAma?
- A celestial damsel, having attained the form of a water-borne creature as a result of curse of an ascetic, was in a pitiable state unable to bear the suffering. Did not mere listening to the name of Lord SrI rAma save her?
- gajEndra was struggling in the hands of a powerful alligator, caught unawares. When he, raising a cry, called ‘O True Primitive Cause (of this Universe)’, did not Lord vishNu save him coming quickly?
- (sOmaka) asura carried away Agamas and vEdas. When brahmA highly extolled as ‘O Lord - praised by tyAgarAja - whose name carries one across of the Ocean of Worldly Existence’, did He not relieve brahmA’s fears (by restoring vEdas)?
- Therefore, for this body having come into being, one should only chant the name of sItA rAma.
(I mEnu kaligina - varALi)
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sItA nAtha!
- snAna Adi, japa, tapa, yOga, dhyAna, samAdhi sukha prada ninnE, bhajana sEyu vADanu.
O Consort of sItA!
- You being the bestower of all the comforts that accrue from (such meritorious acts like) dip in holy waters, repetition of mantra (with rosary), penance and spiritual practices - meditation and identification with object of meditation etc., I chant Your names only.
(ninnE bhajana - nATa)
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- paramAtmuDu veligE muccaTa bAga telusukOrE;
- hariyaTa, haruDaTa, surulaTa, narulaTa, akhila aNDa kOTulaTa - andarilO, paramAtmuDu veligE muccaTa bAga telusukOrE;
- gagana, anila, tEjO-jala, bhU-mayamagu mRga, khaga, naga, taru kOTulalO;
- saguNamulO, viguNamulO;
- sAdhu tyAgarAja Adi, ASritulalO,
- satatamu, paramAtmuDu veligE muccaTa bAga telusukOrE.
- Know unerringly the grandeur with which the Supreme Lord is effulgent!
- Know unerringly the grandeur with which the Supreme Lord is effulgent as vishNu, as Siva, as celestials, as men, and as entire millions of universes – in (and as) all these.
- Know unerringly the grandeur with which the Supreme Lord is ever effulgent –
- in millions of (animate and inanimate) - animals, birds, mountains and trees - made up of (five elements) - the space, air, fire, water and earth;
- with (three) qualities as well as bereft of or beyond qualities;
- (OR in good qualities as well as bad qualities);
- (OR with form as well as without form); and
- in this pious tyAgarAja and others who have sought refuge in Him.
(paramAtmuDu - vAgadhISvari)
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- Subha lakshaNamulu-gala rAmuniki pradakshiNamu onarintumu rArE.
- kukshini brahmANDambulu unnavaTa;
- vicakshuNuDaTa;
- dIkshA guruDaTa;
- lakshaNa lakshyamu-gala Srutulaku pratyakshambu aunaTa;
- Siksha-paDi sabhanu meppincu bhakta rakshakuNDu aunaTa;
- aksharasthulaina bhajana parulakE antaranguDu aunaTa;
- sAkshiyai velayu tyAgarAja pakshakuDu aunaTa.
- muppadi reNDu Subha lakshaNamulu-gala rAmuniki pradakshiNamu onarintumu rArE.
- Come, let us perform circumambulation of Lord SrI rAma - endowed with auspicious characteristics.
- It is said that there are many universes in His stomach;
- He is said to be very discriminating;
- He is said to be the initiating preceptor.
- He is said to become directly perceptible to those well-versed in vEdas, having mahA-vAkyAs as their aim;
- He is said to be the protector of those devotees who bring honour to the assembly by their erudition;
- He is said to be perceivable in oneself only to those dedicated to chanting names (of Lord), being established in Imperishable brahman;
- He, who shines as a mere witness, is said to be the supporter of this tyAgarAja.
- Come, let us perform circumambulation of Lord SrI rAma - who is endowed with thirty-two auspicious physical characteristics.
(lakshaNamulu - Suddha sAvEri)
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O rAma!
- intakanna Anandamu Emi?
- santa janulaku ella sammatiyai uNDu kAni, intakanna Anandamu Emi?
- ADucu, nAdamuna pADucu, eduTa rA vEDucu, manasuna kUDi uNDuTa cAlu; intakanna Anandamu Emi?
- SrI hari kIrtanacE, dEha Adi indriya samUhamula maraci, sOhaM-ainadE cAlu; intakanna Anandamu Emi?
- nI japamula vELanu, I jagamulu, nIvai rAjillunu ayya; intakanna Anandamu Emi?
O Lord SrI rAma!
- What else is greater bliss than this?
- This will indeed be agreed by all venerable people (that there is no greater bliss).
- Dancing and singing to the accompaniment of music, entreating You to come before, and being in union with You in the mind, is enough; what else is greater bliss than this?
- With the (help of) songs in praise of SrI hari, being unaware of the body and senses, ‘me becoming Him’ (sOhaM) is indeed enough; what else is greater bliss than bliss?
- At that time of chanting Your names, these Worlds would become effulgent verily as You; what else is greater bliss than bliss?
(intakannAnanda - bilahari)
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manasA!
- sItA rAma bhaktuni cAritramu vinavE;
- (A)sakti lEka, tA kOrucu, jIvan-muktuDai, Anandamunondu, sItA rAma bhaktuni cAritramu vinavE;
- japa tapamula tA jEsitini ana rAdu;
- kapaTa AtmuDu manamai palka rAdu;
- upama tanaku lEka uNDavalenu ani, UrayUra tirugaga rAdu;
- capala cittuDai Alu sutulapai sAreku bhrama kArAdu;
- bhava vibhavamu nijamu ani encaga rAdu;
- Siva - mAdhava bhEdamu jEyaga rAdu;
- bhuvanamandu, tAnE yOgyuDanu ani bonki, poTTa sAkaga rAdu;
- pavana Atmaja dhRtamau sItA pati pAdamulanu Emara rAdu;
- rajasa, tAmasa guNamulu kArAdu;
- avyAjamunanu rA lEdu ana kArAdu;
- rAja yOga mArgamu, nI cittamu rA jUcuTa, viDavaga rAdu;
- rAja SikhA maNiyaina, tyAgarAja sakhuni marava rAdu -
- anE hari bhaktuni cAritramu vinavE.
O My Mind!
- Listen to the conduct of the devotee of Lord sItA rAma.
- Listen to the conduct of the devotee of Lord sItA rAma, who, devoid of all attachments, seeking the Indwelling Lord, attains bliss by becoming Living Free.
- Listen to the conduct of the devotee of Lord hari who says that -
- one should never boast that “I performed daily prayers and penances”;
- one should not speak cunningly;
- one should not roam about from place to place (exhibiting talents) so that he should be unrivalled;
- one should not, by becoming fickle minded, ever be fascinated by (encumbrances like) wife and children;
- one should not consider the festivities (as seen in the) Ocean of Worldly Existence to be real;
- one should not differentiate (between sects) as ‘Lord Siva’ and ‘Lord vishNu’;
- one should not nourish his stomach by lying that he alone is the most competent in the World;
- one should not forget the Feet of Lord SrI rAma - Consort of sItA - held by AnjanEya;
- one should not have (be under the influence of) qualities of passion and inertia;
- one should not say that (grace of the Lord) did not come of its own (without earning it);
- one’s mind should not give up till the path of rAja yOga is firmly established; and
- one should not forget Lord SrI rAma who is the crown jewel of all Kings and who is the companion of this tyAgarAja.
(bhaktuni cAritramu - bEgaDA)
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O manasA!
- nAdOpAsanacE, Sankara, nArAyaNa, vidhulu velasiri;
- vEda uddhArulu,
- vEda atItulu,
- viSvamella niNDiyuNDE vAralu,
- nAdOpAsanacE, Sankara, nArAyaNa, vidhulu velasiri;
- mantrAtmulu, yantra, tantrAtmulu, mari,
- manvantaramulu ennO kala vAralu,
- tantrI, laya, svara, rAga vilOlulu,
- tyAgarAja vandyulu,
- svatantrulu,
- nAdOpAsanacE, Sankara, nArAyaNa, vidhulu velasiri.
O My Mind!
- Lords Sankara, nArAyaNa and brahmA are effulgent because of worship of (or meditation on) nAdA.
- Lords Sankara, nArAyaNa and brahmA -
- sustainers (or redeemers) of vEdAs,
- who are beyond the ken of vEdAs, and
- who pervade the whole Universe –
- are effulgent because of worship of (or meditation on) nAda.
- Lords Sankara, nArAyaNa, and brahmA -
- the essence of sacred syllables (mantra), mystical diagrams (yantra) and magical and mystical formularies (tantra),
- who exist through many aeons, as also,
- experts in stringed and percussion instruments and (vocal music) svara and rAga,
- those saluted by this tyAgarAja and
- other self-regulated –
- are effulgent because of worship of (or meditation on) nAda.
(nAdOpAsana - bEgaDa)
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O manasA!
- telisi, rAma cintanatO, nAmamu sEyavE
- talapulu anni nilipi, nimishamaina, tAraka rUpuni nija tatvamulanu telisi, rAma cintanatO, nAmamu sEyavE;
- 'rAmA' ana capala akshula pEru; kAma Adula pOru vAru vIru;
- 'rAmA' ana brahmamunaku pEru; A mAnava janana Artulu tIru
- arkamu anucu jilleDu taru pEru; markaTa buddhulu eTTu tIru?
- arkuDu anucu bhAskaruniki pEru; kutarkamu anE andhakAramu tIru;
- ajamu anucu mEshamunaku pEru; nija kOrikalu ElAgu IDEru?
- ajuDu ani vAg-ISvaruniki pEru; vijayamu kalgunu;
- tyAgarAja nutuni telisi, rAma cintanatO, nAmamu sEyavE.
O My Mind!
- Understanding who Lord rAma is, chant His names with His thought only.
- Ceasing all (other) thoughts at least for the duration of winking of eyelids (or for a minute), chant names of Lord rAma, understanding His true significance as the one who carries across the ocean of Worldly Existence.
- Uttering ‘rAmA’ also means ‘woman’; such people (who think of woman when uttering ‘rAmA’) would be struggling with lust or desire etc.
- Uttering ‘rAmA’ also signifies ‘Supreme Lord’; the miseries of birth (and death) of those people (who meditate on Supreme Lord when uttering ‘rAmA’) will come to end.
- 'arka’ also means the 'milk-weed plant’; how will the monkey mentality will come to an end (if milk-weed plant comes to mind when uttering ‘arka’)?
- ‘arka’ also signifies the Sun; the darkness called fallacious arguments (sophistry) will come to an end (if one meditates on the Sun when uttering ‘arka’).
- ‘aja’ also means ‘he-goat’; how true aspirations will fructify (if he-goat comes to mind when uttering ‘aja’)?
- ‘aja’ also signifies Lord brahmA – Consort of sarasvati; one will achieve success (if one meditates on Lord brahmA when uttering ‘aja’).
- Understanding who Lord rAma – praised by tyAgarAja - is, chant His names with His thought only.
(telisi rAma - pUrNa candrika)
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rAma!
- nIkE daya rAka, nE jEyu panulella neravErunA?
- EkOpincaka, 'nEnu nIvu' anu jnAniki, ElAgu sukhamu iccunE?
- manasu nilvani vAru, mAyA jAlamu jEsi, mari, mukti konanaunE;
- kanu samjnaku rAni kAntanu, balimini karamiDa, vaSamaunE;
- vADika lEni vidyala cEta, sabhalOna vAdinca pOnaunE;
- cADi vinna mATa, madini nilva lEni, sarasuni vitamaunE;
- meppulakai, bahu dharmamu jEsitE, migula brOva tagunE.
O Lord SrI rAma!
- Can any task I undertake be accomplished without grace coming of Your own accord?
- How would it give comfort to that (so called) wise man who, without being united with You, (just) utters ‘I am You’?
- Wouldn’t it amount to those with unrestrained minds attaining mukti somehow, by resorting to trickery?
- Wouldn’t it amount to a woman not consenting to eye signal, conceding when molested?
- Wouldn’t it amount to a person not acquainted with a subject arguing it out in an assembly?
- Wouldn’t it be like that gentleman in whose mind, a slander heard by him, would not remain?
- Wouldn’t it qualify for much grace if a huge charity is undertaken for the sake of commendation?
(nIkE daya rAka - nIlAmbari)
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- ennaga manasuku rAni, pannaga SAyi sogasu, pannuga kanukonani kannulu ElE? kannulu ElE? kaNTi minnulu ElE?
- mOhamutO, nIla vAri vAha kAntini kErina SrI harini kaTTukonani dEhamu ElE? dEhamu ElE? I gEhamu ElE?
- sarasija, malle, tuLasi, viruvAji, pArijAtapu virulacE, pUjincani karamulu ElE? karamulu ElE? I kApuramulu ElE?
- mAlimitO tyAgarAjunu Elina rAma mUrtini lAlinci pogaDani nAlika ElE? nAlika ElE? sUtra mAlika ElE?
- What for such eyes which could not behold nicely, the Lord reclining on the couch of SEsha, whose elegance could not be comprehended even when pondered? What for such eyes and what for the sparkle of such eyes?
- What for such a body which could not embrace passionately Lord SrI hari whose body puts to shame the splendour of dark-blue rain cloud? What for such a body and what for even this house?
- What for such hands which could not worship the Lord with lotus, jasmine, double jasmine, pArijAta flowers and sacred tuLasi leaves? What for such hands and what for even this household?
- What for such a tongue which could not extol fondly the Lord SrI rAma who has affectionately governed tyAgarAja? What for such a tongue and what for even this rosary?
(This is the statement of prahlAda despising his condition of not being in the service of the Lord - part of dance-drama 'prahlAda bhakti vijayaM'.)
(ennaga manasuku-nIlAmbari)
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- AkASa SarIramu, brahmamu anE, AtmA rAmuni, tA sari jUcucu,
- lOkAdulu, cinmayamu anu,
- susvara lOluDau, tyAgarAja sannuta, sItA vara!
- gItA Adi, akhila upanishat-sAra, bhUta jIvan-muktuDu aguTaku,
- sangIta jnAnamu, dhAta vrAyavalerA;
- O Consort of sItA – well praised by tyAgarAja, who revels in the melodious sapta svara!
- In order to become living-free - the state which is the essence of (teachings of) all upanishads, bhagavad-gItA etc. - knowledge of music should have been ordained by brahmA.
- tyAgarAja, apprehending the Indwelling Lord rAma as the Supreme Lord having space as His body,
- says that the ‘Universe is of the nature of pure consciousness’.
(sItA vara-dEvagAndhAri)
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manasA!
- maravakarA, nava manmatha rUpuni.
- Ajanmamu, hRd-rAjIvamutO pUjintura, tyAgarAja nutuni.
O My Mind!
- Do not forget the Lord whose form is ever-youthful like cupid.
- I shall worship, throughout my life, the Lord praised by this tyAgarAja, with my heart-lotus.
(maravakarA - dEva gAndhAri)
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- tana lOnE dhyAninci, tanmayamE kAvalerA;
- tana guhalO, tAnu uNDeDu tAvunu teliyaga valerA;
- nI marmamu, A kshaNamE, niScayamai telusunurA;
- Enu anu mAya, A vELanu, E vankO teliyadurA;
- toli karmamE, balamu tOya kUDadu, vidhiki;
- prakRti svabhAvamulu, prajvalincucunu uNDu;
- lakshyamu jEyaru, madilO, laksha antaramulakaina;
- mringina kaLLaku, rucula mElu, kanE vAru evaru?
- bhUtamulu aidunu, nIvu, porala jEyucunnAvu;
- niravadhi Sayyapai, nIvu, nitya Anandamuna unnAvu;
- SrI tyAgarAjuni, cE paTTi rakshincedavu.
- I wish to be totally absorbed in (identical with) You by meditating within myself.
- I wish to know the location where You reside in my body cave.
- At that very instant (of knowing where You reside), Your secrets would be revealed with certainty.
- At that moment, the direction in which the Illusion called ‘I’ (ego) has vanished, would not be known.
- My earlier (results of) actions should not, by themselves, propel me forcibly fate-ward.
- The natural tendencies would be fully functional.
- Yet, one (who is absorbed in meditation) would not be bothered or deterred in his mind even by a hundred-thousand interruptions.
- To the one (absorbed in meditation) whose eyes are half-closed, who is there to perceive the richness of tastes (of sense objects)?
- Because, You are moving all the five Great Elements - (the source and object of senses);
- You are in a state of eternal bliss on the couch of ananta (SEsha);
- You protected tyAgarAja by husbanding him.
(Words of prahlAda addressed to Lord hari)
(tanalOnE dhyAninci - dEva gAndhAri)
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O mansA!
- tyAgarAju manavi vinavE; vivarambuga nE telpeda;
- manasu eringi, ku-mArgamuna mari poralucu ceDa valadE;
- I naDatalu paniki rAdu; ISvara kRpa kaluga pOdu;
- dhyAna bhajana sEyavE.
O My Mind!
- Listen to the appeal of this blessed tyAgarAja; I explain to you in detail.
- You should not be ruined by, knowingly, wallowing again in bad ways.
- These conducts are of no use; Lord’s grace would not come.
- Do perform meditation and chanting of names of the Lord.
(vinavE O manasA - vivardhani)
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- naruDai puTTinanduku, rAma nAma smaraNE sukhamu;
- vara rAja yOga nishThulau vAriki, Anandamu andeTaTTu, rAma nAma smaraNE sukhamu;
- rAma nAma SravaNamu valla, nAma rUpamE hRdayamu niNDi, prEma puTTa sEyaga lEdA?
- nishkAma, tyAgarAju sEyu rAma nAma smaraNE sukhamu.
- For taking birth as a human being, only mental recitation of name of Lord SrI rAma is comforting.
- In the same manner as the joy experienced by those great men who are firmly established in the rAja yOga, for taking birth as a human being, only mental recitation of the name of Lord SrI rAma is comforting;
- Isn’t it that because of listening to the name of SrI rAma, the very form of the name, filling the heart (of the listeners), enabled sprouting of pure love (in them) towards the Lord?
- Therefore, only mental recitation of the name of Lord SrI rAma, as performed by this desire-less tyAgarAja, is comforting.
(smaraNE sukhamu - jana ranjani)
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rAma bhaktuDaina, tyAgarAja vinuta, rAma!
- 'tat-tvaM-asi' anu vAkyArthamu, nIvu anu para tatvamu, eruga taramA?
- tAmasa, rAjasa guNamula tannukOLLu pOdayA;
- vEda, SAstra tatvamu eruga taramA?
O Lord SrI rAma, well praised by this tyAgarAja who is devotee of SrI rAma!
- Is it in one’s capacity to realise the supreme reality that You are indeed the purport of the sacred statement called ‘tat-tvaM-asi’?
- The sufferings caused by inertial and active principles will not cease.
- Is it in one’s capacity to realise the reality as brought out in vEdas and SAstras?
(tatvameruga - garuDa dhvani)
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bhAvinci, rAga, laya Adula bhajiyincE SrI tyAgarAja nuta, rAma!
- akhila naigama ASrita, sangIta jnAnamanu, brahmAnanda sAgaramu Idani dEhamu, bhU bhAramu.
- bhAvinci, rAga, laya Adula bhajiyincE, Ananda sAgaramu Idani dEhamu, bhU bhAramu.
- SrI viSva nAtha, SrI kAnta, vidhulu pAvana mUrtulu upAsinca lEdA!
O Lord SrI rAma, praised by this tyAgarAja who worships music by becoming absorbed in it! !
- That human body, which does not swim the ocean of Supreme Bliss, called the knowledge of music, on which all vEdas are dependent, is indeed a burden to the earth.
- That human body which does not swim the ocean of bliss of worshipping music by becoming absorbed in it, is indeed a burden to the earth.
- Aren’t the Trinity - Lord Siva, vishNu and brahmA, and all the holy personages worshipping music!
(Ananda sAgara - garuDadhvani)
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sItA rAma!
- nIpai tanaku prEma pOdu.
- manasu nI padamulanE jEra, kanulu nI rUpamunE kOra, nI pErulakE nOrUra - tanapai idi nI karuNErA;
- janani, janaka, Aptulu, anyulu, dhana, kanaka, guru, vElpulu, dinamu nIvEyani mATalu - ivi nA bhUshaNamulu;
- bhOga anubhavamulandu, bAguga, buddhi nIyandu;
- tyAgarAjuni hRdayamandu vAg-ISAnandamu andu.
O Lord sItA rAma!
- My Love towards You shall never wane.
- For my mind to reach only Your feet, my eyes to long only for Your form,my tongue to thirst only for chanting Your names - these are nothing but Your grace towards me.
- Utterances that You alone are always my mother, father, friends and relatives, others, wealth, gold, preceptor and Deities - these are indeed my ornaments.
- Even amidst experiences of worldly enjoyments, my intellect nicely dwells in You;
- Bliss supreme is experienced in the heart of this tyAgarAja.
(vAgISAnandamu - brahmAnanda)
(rAma nIpai tanaku - kEdAraM)
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rAma!
- maracE vADanA ninu? nIyokka madini enca valadu.
- kAni mAnavulu, karuNa lEka, nApai lEni nEramulu encina kAni,
- SrI nijamuga nA centa jErinA kAni,
- rAni nI daya maracE vADanA?
O Lord rAma!
- Am I the one to ever forget You? You should not think so in Your mind.
- Even if people who are antagonistic to me, mercilessly, find false faults with me, or
- even if wealth actually reaches me,
- am I the one to ever forget Your hard-to-attain grace?
(maracE vADanA - kEdAraM)
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nIraja aksha!
- ninnu ADanEla?
- kannavAri paini kAka sEyanEla?
- karmamunaku taginaTlu, kAryamulu naDucunu;
- dharmamunaku taginaTlu, daivamu brOcunu;
- cittamunaku taginaTlu, siddhiyu kalgunu;
- vittamunaku taginaTlu, vEDuka naDucunu;
- ninnu sannuti jEsi, tatvamu telisina, tyAgarAjuniki ninnu ADanEla?
O Lotus Eyed!
- Why should You be blamed?
- Why get angry with any and everybody (Or) parents?
- Events happen according to one’s past actions;
- God dispenses (His grace) according to (merits and demerits of) one’s deeds;
- Success results according to one’s will;
- Show runs according to the amount (of money) paid.
- Why should You be blamed by tyAgarAja, who, extolling You well, has understood the reality?
(ninnADanEla - kannaDa)
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rAma!
- sadA nI pada pankajamulanu sammatamuga pUjincu vAriki, idE bhAgyamu gAka, Emi unnadirA?
- hRdaya aravindamuna ninnu unci,
- tAnE brahmAnandamu anubhavinci,
- indu dharu modalu, andarini, sura bRnda, bhU-sura bRndamula, tAnu endu kani,
- Anandamuna nIyandu bhAvana jenducuNDu vAriki, idE bhAgyamu gAka, Emi unnadirA?
- ASa pASamula tega kOsi,
- anniyu madi rOsi,
- karmamu bAsi,
- ninnu karuNA vArASi ani pUja jEsi,
- dus-sangati jEsi mEnu gAsi jendaka,
- ninu kASi ISa nutuDu ani, ASa nIyeDa,
- kISa bhaktiyu jEsina vAriki, idE bhAgyamu gAka, Emi unnadirA?
- nIvE gatiyani paTTi,
- rAgAdula tODa, pUrita bhava sAgaramunu dATi,
- santatamunu, vEda AgamAdula vEga nutiniDu, bhAgavatuDagu, tyAgarAjuniki, idE bhAgyamu gAka, Emi unnadirA?
O Lord rAma!
- For those who always, whole heartedly, worship Your lotus feet, this indeed is a great fortune; otherwise, what else is there better?
- For those who -
- seating You in the lotus of their hearts,
- Self (directly) experiencing the Supreme bliss and,
- perceiving Self everywhere - in all those beginning with Lord Siva, the celestials and brAhmaNas,
- remain blissful absorbed in You, this indeed is a great fortune; otherwise, what else is there better?
- For those who –
- instead of bodily getting distressed due to bad company,
- severing asunder desire, passion etc.,
- abandoning everything even mentally,
- leaving aside all (desire oriented) actions,
- worshipping You as the Ocean of Mercy,
- having love towards You regarding You as the One praised by Lord Siva,
- remain devoted like AnjanEya, this indeed is a great fortune; otherwise, what else is there better?
- For this tyAgarAja – Your true devotee who –
- holding fast to You alone as refuge,
- crossing the brimming Ocean of Worldly existence with the help of music – rAga etc.,
- ever extols You as ardently as vEda, Agama etc., this indeed is a great fortune; otherwise, what else is there better?
(idE bhAgyamu - kannaDa)
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O manasA!
- ranjimpa jEseDu rAgambulu, manjuLamagu avatAramulu etti, manjIramu ghallani naTincu mahima teliyu, tyAgarAja nutuDagu, SrIpa priya sangIta upAsana cEyavE
O My Mind!
- Undertake worship through music which is dear to Lord vishNu - praised by this tyAgarAja who knows the glory of enchanting rAgas, dancing to the jingling of the anklets, taking beautiful forms.
(SrIpa priya - aThANA)
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mAnasa!
- rAma bhajana sEya rAdA?
- bhava sAgaramunanu tarimpa, tyAgarAju manavini vini,
- aja rudrAdulaku satatamu Atma mantramaina,
- tArakmagu, rAma nAma bhajana bAguga sEya rAdA?
- karagu bangAru valva kaTini entO merayaga, ciru navvulu-gala mukhamunu cintinci cintinci,
- aruNa Abha adharamunu, surucira danta AvaLini, merayu kapOla yugamunu, niratamunanu talaci talaci,
- rAma bhajana bAguga sEya rAdA?
O My Mind!
- Why can’t you chant the name of Lord rAma?
- Heeding to the appeal of this tyAgarAja, why can’t you chant well the name of Lord rAma which is -
- the personal mantra even for brahmA, Lord Siva and others, and
- the raft to cross the Ocean of Worldly Existence?
- Contemplating, again and again, on the smiling face of the Lord, while unalloyed golden garments glitter very much in His waist, and
- always thinking, again and again, of the splendorous red lips, the splendid rows of teeth and the shining cheeks,
- why can’t you chant well the name of Lord rAma?
(bhajana sEya rAdA - aThANA)
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nArada gAna lOla!
- nIvu lEka E tanuvulu niratamugA naDucunu?
- nIvu lEka E taruvulu nikkamugA molucunu?
- nIvu lEka E vAnalu nityamugA kuriyunu?
- nIvu lEka tyAgarAju nI guNamulanu eTu pADunu?
O Lord who enjoys the songs of sage nArada!
- Without You which body would ever move about?
- Without You which tree would ever grow so resolutely?
- Without You how rains would fall unfailingly?
- Without You how would this tyAgarAja sing Your praises?
(nArada gAna - aThANA)
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manasA!
- ceDE buddhi mAnurA;
- iDE pAtramu evarO jUDarA;
- bhU-vAsiki tagu phalamu kalgunu ani, budhulu palka vina lEdA?
- SrI vAsudEvas-sarvamu anucunu cintincarA, tyAgarAja vinutuni.
O My Mind!
- Abandon the mentality leading to ruin.
- Look, who the Master here (in the body) is.
- Have you not heard the wise say that, to each earthly being, results shall accrue according to what he deserves?
- Therefore, considering the Indwelling Lord to be everything, reflect on the Lord praised by this tyAgarAja.
(ceDE buddhi - aThANA)
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rAma!
- maTTu mitamu lEnaTTi dEvatA matamulalO jorabaDudAmu aNTE, kaTTu jEsinAvu 'rAma bandu'.
- mA matamulanu, lalATamuna pitAmahuDu vrAya lEdu anucunu, kAma madamulaku hitavu anucu, mari mari nishkAma tyAgarAjuku tOcE, kaTTu jEsinAvu 'rAma bandu'.
O Lord SrI rAma!
- Even if I wanted to venture into (any of the) innumerable paths of (other) Gods, (I could not do so because) You have bound me as the ‘slave of rAma’.
- As brahmA (at the time of birth) has not ordained (that such and such to be) my path, again and again, it occurs to this desire-less tyAgarAja that You have bound me as the ‘slave of rAma’, because those (other) paths are conducive to (harmful tendencies like) desire, arrogance etc.
(kaTTu jEsinAvu - aThANA)
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SrI rAma!
- ninnE nera namminAnu
- kanna kanna vArini vEDukonnAnu; phalamu lEdu ani, ninnE nera namminAnu;
- dAra tanayula udara pUraNamu sEyu koraku, dUra dESamulanu sancAramu jEsi, sAramu intaina lEka, vEsAri, I samsAra pArAvAramandu kalugu phalamu I dAriyani telisi, ninnE nera namminAnu;
- sancita karmamu tolaginci, nannu, E vELa, karuNinci, brOcu daivamu nIvu anucu, yAcinci, koncepu narula nutiyincanu nA vallanu kAdu ancunu, dus-sangati cAlinci, santatamu ninnE nera namminAnu;
- bhU-talamuna, okkari cEti dhanamu apaharincu ghAtakula, para-lOka bhItiyu lEni pAtakula, paTTi , yama dUtalu, koTTeDi vELa, brOtunu ani palkanu evari cEta kAdu ani, ninnE nera namminAnu.
O Lord SrI rAma!
- I have always believed You alone much;
- I had besought all and sundry people, but realised that there is no result;
- I travelled to distant lands for the sake of filling the stomach (needs) of wife and children, but I came to grief as there is not even a little substance in it; I have realised that this is the kind of result that is obtained in this Ocean of Worldly Existence;
- Entreating You as the God who, getting rid of my accumulated results of past actions, protects me, at all times, by showing grace, I have put an end to evil-company, as it is not possible for me to extol petty people;
- I have realised that it would not be possible for anyone to say that he would protect, when messengers of Lord of Death getting hold, thrash (a) those cruel people who, in this Earth, seize another’s wealth, and (b) those great sinners who do not have the fear of the World-beyond.
(ninnE nera namminAnu - Arabhi)
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manasA!
- vEda, purANa, Agama, SAstrAdulaku AdhAramau, tyAgarAju sEvincu, nAda sudhA rasambu, ilanu, nara AkRtiyAyE;
- svaramulu ArunnokaTi ghaNTalu;
- vara rAgamu kOdaNDamu;
- dura, naya, dESyamu tri guNamu;
- nirata gati SaramurA;
- sarasa sangati sandarbhamu gala giramulurA;
dhara bhajana bhAgyamurA.
O My Mind!
- The nectarine juice called nAda, worshipped by this tyAgarAja, which is the prop of vEdas, epics, Agamas and SAstras etc., has assumed a human form here (as SrI rAma).
- Seven svaras are the bells (of the bow kOdaNDa);
- sacred rAga is the bow kOdaNDa;
- dura, naya, and dESya are the three strands of the bow string;
- gati - steady pace (tempo) - is (are) the arrow(s);
- sangati - sweet thematic variations - are the words (spoken by the Lord) appropriate to the occasion;
- chanting the names of the Lord is a fortune.
(nAda sudhA rasam - Arabhi)
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O manasA!
- svara rAga sudhA rasa yuta bhakti, svarga apavargamurA;
- paramAnandamanE kamalamupai baka bhEkamu celagiyEmi?
- mUlAdhAraja nAdamu eruguTE mudamagu mOkshamurA;
- kOlAhala sapta svara gRhamula gurutE mOkshamurA;
- bahu janmamulaku paini jnAniyai paraguTa mOkshamurA;
- sahaja bhaktitO rAga jnAna sahituDu muktuDurA;
- mardala tALa gatulu teliyakanE mardincuTa sukhamA? Suddha manasu lEka pUja jEyuTa sUkara vRttirA;
- rajata giri ISuDu nagajaku telpu svarArNava marmamulu vijayamu gala tyAgarAjuDu erugE;
viSvasinci telusukO.
O My Mind!
- Devotion together with the nectarine juice of svara and rAga, is indeed heaven and also liberation.
- Of what avail a crane (and/or) a frog flourishing on the Lotus called Supreme Bliss (of nAda)?
- Knowing nAda originating from mUlAdhAra is, indeed the blissful liberation;
- Recognising the abodes (in the body) of the splendorous seven svaras is indeed liberation;
- It is also liberation to remain becoming a knower (of truth) after many births; but,
- one endowed with true knowledge (of/and) music together with innate (co-born) devotion is indeed liberated (while still alive);
- Is it enjoyable to thump the percussion instrument without even knowing beat and pace? Similarly, it is a piggish behaviour to perform worship without a pure mind.
- This victorious tyAgrAja knows the secrets of the treatise ‘svarArNava’ which Lord Siva conveys to pArvati;
Understand (what I convey) by trusting (tyAgarAja).
(svara rAga sudhA - SankarAbharaNaM)
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rAma!
- vishayAlu Ela rOyarO eppuDu?
- rAyA I dEhamu?
O Lord rAma!
- Why would people never be disgusted with sense objects?
- Is this body made of stone (to withstand the effects of sense indulgence)?
(rAma sItA rAma - SankarAbharaNaM)
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rAma!
- nI bhakti sadA pAlincunu mOkshamosagu; nI sannidhini pramANamu jEsi palkeda;
- satva guNambunanu upAsanamu onarinciri peddalu; tatvamu telisenu ika bhava taraNOpAyamu nIvani;
- lOkulu nija dAsula kani lOpaDu dur-asUyalatO ninu dUshincina ceDi pOlEru kAni.
O Lord SrI rAma!
- Devotion to You will sustain (devotees) and bestow emancipation; I say this by swearing in Your Holy presence.
- Those great personages performed Your worship endowed with the quality of purity (desirelessness); the truth was revealed that You are the means for fording the Ocean of Worldly Existence.
- Ordinary people, seeing Your true devotees, due to evil-some envy, even if they abuse You, they will not be ruined, indeed.
(rAma ninu vinA - SankarAbharaNaM
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tyAgarAja arcita!
- rAgamu, tALamu, rakti bhakti jnAna yOgamu, anurAgamu lEni bhAgavatulu udara SayanulE kAni.
O Lord worshipped by this tyAgarAja!
- Those (so called) great devotees, not having understanding of music, pursuit of true knowledge together with loving devotion, and Supreme Love towards the Lord, are but subject to cycle of birth and death.
(udara Sayana - subject to cycle of birth and death)
(mariyAda kAdurA - SankarAbharaNaM)
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tyAgarAja vinuta!
- manasu svAdhInamaina A ghanuniki mari mantra tantramulEla?
- tanuvu tAnu kAdani encu vAniki tapasu cEyanEla?
- anni nIvanucu encina vAniki ASrama bhEdamulEla?
- kannu kaTTu mAyalani encu vAniki kAntala bhramalEla?
- Ajanmamu dur-vishaya rahituniki gatAgatamu ika Ela?
O Lord praised by this tyAgarAja!
- To that great person whose mind is under self control, what is further need for sacred prayers or mystical formulae?
- To him who considers that body is not Self, what is the need to undertake penances?
- To him who has considered that everything is but You only, what is the need for differentiation of stages of life?
- To him who considers it to be a fascinating illusion, why perplexity because of women?
- To him who remains devoid of evil-some sense objects throughout life, where is further cycle of birth and death?
(manasu svAdhIna - SankarAbharaNaM)
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bhakta tyAgarAja nuta rAma!
- bhAvukamagu sAtvIka bhakti biccamiyyavE;
- muktiki, akhila Saktiki, trimUrtulaku ati mElmi.
- prANamu lEni vAniki, bangAru pAga cuTTi, ANi vajra bhUshaNamu uramandu peTTu rIti,
- jANalaku purANa Agama SAstra vEda japa prasanga trANa kalgiyEmi?
O Lord rAma praised by this devout tyAgarAja!
- Deign to grant me alms of auspicious, pure desire-less devotion.
- It is much superior to emancipation, all kinds of powers and even the Trinity.
- Of what avail if the capability of chanting (or reciting) and discoursing of/on epics, Agama, SAstras and vEda accrue to clever persons (devoid of devotion)?
- It is like tying a golden turban to a corpse and decorating it with exquisite diamond jewellery on the chest.
(bhakti biccam - SankarAbharaNaM)
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- bhUri vidyala nErcina,
- dhAnya dhanamula cEta dharmamu-entayu jEsina,
- mAnaka, bhAgavatAdi rAmAyaNamulu cadivina,
- yOgamulu-abhyasincina,bhOgamulu-entO kaligina,
buddhi rAdu -
- peddala suddulu vinaka,
- nAnya citta bhaktula vAg-amRta pAnamu sEyaka,
- mAnusha-avatAra carita marmajnula jata kUDaka,
- tyAgarAja nutuDau rAma dAsula celimi sEyaka.
Even if one –
- is skilled in many branches of knowledge,
- undertakes any amount of charitable acts with provisions and money,
- recites or reads unfailingly the epics bhAgavata, rAmAyaNa etc,
- practises yOga and/or one attains much Worldly enjoyments,
wisdom will not dawn –
- without listening to the words of advice of great devotees;
- without partaking the nectar of words of those devotees whose minds are dedicated to the exclusion of everything else than meditation on God;
- without associating with of those who know the secrets of the exploits or story of Lord SrI rAma – the human incarnate;
- without befriending servants of Lord SrI rAma, praised by this tyAgarAja.
(buddhi rAdu - SankarAbharaNaM)
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- manasA!
- aja, rudra, surESulaku, AyA sthAnamosangu, rAma bhajana parulaku,
- Ela, daNDa pANi bhayamu?
- aNDa kOTlu niNDina, kOdaNDa pANi mukhamunu, hRt-puNDarIkamuna jUci, pUja salpucu, niNDu prEmatO karangu, nishkAmulaku,
- vara vEdaNDa pAlu dAsuDaina, tyAgarAju sEyu, rAma bhajana parulaku,
- Ela, daNDa pANi bhayamu?
- O My Mind!
- Why should there be fear of yama to those who are dedicated to chanting of names of Lord SrI rAma -
- wielder of bow kOdaNDa,
- who fills the crores of universes,
- protector of blessed gajEndra, and
- who assigns to brahmA, Siva, indra and others their respective positions?
- Why should there be fear of yama -
- to those bereft of desires who, beholding in their heart-lotus, the face of Lord SrI rAma, melt with overflowing love while performing worship (of the Lord), and
- to those who are dedicated to chanting of names of Lord SrI rAma as done by this tyAgarAja - the servant of Lord SrI rAma?
(bhajana parulakEla - suraTi)
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- O manasA!
- gItA arthamu, sangIta Anandamunu I tAvuna jUDarA;
- sItA pati caraNa aAbjamulu iDukonna vAtAtmajuniki bAga telusurA;
- hari hara bhAskara kAla-Adi karmamulanu matamula marmamulanu eringina, hari vara rUpuDu,sukhirA.
- O My Mind!
- Behold in this place the true meaning of SrImad-bhagavad-gItA and the bliss attained through music;
- These (meaning of gItA and the bliss attained through music) are well known to AnjanEya who is holding in his hands the Feet lotuses of Lord SrI rAma;
- AnjanEya who knows the secrets of the (formal) worship called sects of vishNu, Siva, Sun, Sakti etc., is happy (having known the fact and practising it).
(gItArthamu - suraTi)
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- SAntamu lEka saukhyamu lEdu
- dAntunikaina vEdAntunikaina SAntamu lEka saukhyamu lEdu
- dAra sutulu dhana dhAnyamulu uNDina,
- sAreku japa tapa sampada kalgina,
- Agama SAstramulu anniyu cadivina,
- bhAgavatulu anucu bAguga pEraina
- yAga Adi karmamulu anniyu jEsina
- bAguga sakala hRd-bhAvamu telisina
- SAntamu lEka saukhyamu lEdu
- tanaku upaSAntamu lEka saukhyamu lEdu.
- Without tranquility of mind, there is no comfort.
- To him, whether an ascetic or a vEdAntin, without tranquility of mind, there is no comfort.
- Even if –
- there are wife, children, wealth and provisions (in plenty),
- one always has the fortune of recitation of names of Lord and penances,
- one has erudition in all the Agama SAstras,
- one has high reputation as a great devotee of the Lord,
- one performs all kinds of vEdic actions like sacrificial oblations etc.,
- one knows well the true purport (significance) of all (these sacrifices) -
- without tranquility of mind, there is no comfort.
- Without Self attaining quietitude of mind, there is no comfort.
(SAntamu lEka - SAma)
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- O manasA!
- maTu-mAya bhavamunu manadani encaka, vaTa patra Sayanuni pAda yugamulandu eTulaina bhakti vaccuTakE yatnamu sEyavE.
- vidyA garvamulu-Ela? nIvu avidyA vaSamu kAnEla?
- khadyOta-anvaya tilakuni puramu-Elu buddhi ASuga tOcadEla?
- rAma nAmamu sEya siggA? kArAdEmi? palkavu? puNTi buggA?
- bhAmala kara dATaka-uNTE jagga;
- pAmara! mEnu nammaka; nITi bugga.
- bhOga bhAgyamulandu, nija bhAgavatulukau nI pondu;
- tyAgarAja varaduni nIyandu bAguga dhyAnincu;
- bhava rOga mandu.
- O My Mind!
- Not considering this illusory worldly existence as belonging to us, try to develop devotion by any means towards the Holy feet of the Lord who rests on the leaf of banyan tree.
- Why have pride of erudition?
- Why should you come in the grip of ignorance?
- Why the thought of going to ayOdhyA - the town of Lord SrI rAma - the most distinguished one of the solar race - wouldn’t quickly occur to you?
- Do you feel shy (or ashamed) to chant the name of SrI rAma? Or is it (chanting the name of SrI rAma) prohibited?
- Can’t you speak? Are you ulcer mouthed?
- It would be very nice if you do not trespass into quarters of women.
- O Fool! Do not trust the body; it is (like) a water bubble.
- Even amidst enjoyments and fortunes may your association be with true devotees;
- meditate well in yourself on Lord SrI rAma - the benefactor of this tyAgarAja;
- that is the panacea for the disease called worldly existence.
(eTulaina bhakti - SAma)
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- manasA!
- adi kAdu bhajana;
- edalOna encuTa okaTi, payyeda kalginacO okaTi; adi kAdu bhajana;
- goppa tanamukai Asa; kutsita vishaya pipAsa; meppulakai bahu vEsamiDi ubbatilledaru; adi kAdu bhajana;
- O My mind!
- That is not chanting of names of Lord.
- Thinking something in the mind, and something else happening outside - that is not chanting of names of Lord.
- While nurturing desire for greatness and thirst for despicable sense objects, people ostentate by donning many garbs for the sake of approbation - that is not chanting of names of Lord.
(adi kAdu bhajana - yadukula kAmbhOji)
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- mAkElarA vicAramu SrI rAma candra?
- jata kUrci, nATaka sUtramunu, jagamella meccaga, karamunaniDi, gati tappaka, ADincedavu sumI
- O Lord SrI rAma candra! Why should we worry?
- Having harmonised (various elements of the drama) and holding the strings (of the puppets) of the drama (of Universe) in your hands, to the appreciation of the whole Universe, You make us (Or the Universe) dance without missing even a single beat, isn't it!
(mAkElarA vicAramu - ravi candrika)
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- endukO, I kali mAnavulaku, bAga teliyadu, I tanuvu-asthiramu-ani?
- gaTTiga rALLanu kaTTina gRhamulu,
- maTTu mitamu lEni-aTTi parijanulu,
- cuTTukonna nija cuTTAlaku, orula paTTulaku, athitulaku, peTTa lEka, tama poTTa sAkukonna-aTTi dEhamulu,
- reTTu sanculanu kaTTina, dhanamula peTTela tODanu,
- peTTi poyyE maTTu kanungoni, endukO, I kali mAnavulaku, bAga teliyadu, I tanuvu-asthiramu-ani?
- kallalu-ADi kaDupu pallamu nimpuTaku ellavAri dhanamu-ella jErcukoni,
- pallava-adharulanu-ella kani Sunakapu pillala vale tirigi,
- oLLa rOgamulu koLLagA tagala,
- tolli paikamulu mella jAra,
- janulu ella dUra,
- paramu-ella pAra,
- bhuvi maLLi puTTu phalamu-ella kanungoni, endukO, I kali mAnavulaku, bAga teliyadu, I tanuvu-asthiramu-ani?
- vancakulanu anusarincina alamaTa, incukaina, sairinca lEka,
- tama sancita karmamulu ancu telisi, vEru encu vArala jUci,
- mancu vale prati-phalincu sampadalu-ancu, kOrakanu,
- manci tyAgarAju,ancitamuga, pUjincu, nutincu, prapanca nAthuni bhajincudAmu anucu, endukO, I kali mAnavulaku, bAga teliyadu?
- Why would it not be properly understood by the people of this kali age that this body is evanescent?
- Even after observing limit of (leaving behind at the time of death) -
- houses constructed strongly with stones,
- super abundant relatives and attendants,
- their bellied bodies, well-nourished without sharing and offering to those surrounding true relatives, others’ children and guests, and
- boxes of wealth tied in coarse bags -
- why would it not be properly be understood by the people (that this body is evanescent)?
- Even after observing all the consequences of –
- aggrandising the wealth of others, by telling lies, for the sake of filling one’s stomach pit,
- roaming after, all those women with blossom like lips, like puppies, and (consequently),
- as the body is afflicted by plenty of diseases,
- as the wealth earned previously melts away slowly, (consequently)
- as all the people reproach,
- as all the (goals of) future world slip away, and (finally),
- being born again in this World -
- why would it not be properly understood by the people (that this body is evanescent)?
- Looking at those who -
- being unable to tolerate even a bit the grief of adhering to the deceivers,
- understanding that one's present condition to be the results of accumulated sins -
- think otherwise,
- treating wealth to be impermanent like the reflecting morning dew, and (therefore) not desiring it (wealth),
- why would it not be properly understood by the people that, they also should chant the names of Lord of Universe reverentially worshipped and extolled by this virtuous tyAgarAja?
(endukO bAga - mOhanaM)
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- jarA-Adi rOga yuta tanuvucE, nara-adhamulu-Emi sAdhinciri?
- nirantaramu, sakala vishaya duHkha paramparalacE civukaga,
- madilO, dur-anta, kAma, madamunu bAdhincaga,
- dur-matuDE.
- With the body afflicted by diseases caused by ageing, what did the mean people accomplish?
- As the body emaciates by the series of afflictions consequent on unceasing enjoyment of all sense-objects and
- as evil-ended desires and arrogance etc, affect the mind,
- one ultimately ends up as evil-some.
(vArija turaga - balahaMsa)
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- advaita sAmrAjyamulu abbinaTTu, sad-vairAgyamunu; idiyu sAyujyamE; Agama nigamamulakunu arthamidi.
- Real indifference to Worldly pleasures is like attainment of the empire of non-duality; this too amounts to being united with You. This is the substance of Agamas and vEdas.
(rAma sItA rAma - balahaMsa)
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- tyAgarAja hRd-dhAma! vinu!
- kanulaku caluva, cevulaku amRtamu, rasanaku ruci, manasuku sukhamu, tanuvuku Anandamunu kalga jEsE ninu bAsi eTula undurO nirmalAtmulau janulu!
- O Lord abiding in the heart of this tyAgarAja! Please listen.
- How can the pure hearted people remain separated from You, who causes coolness for the eyes (in beholding You), nectar for the ears (in listening to Your stories), taste for tongue (in chanting Your names), comfort for the mind, and bliss for the body!
(ninu bAsi - balahaMsa)
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- manasA!
- ika kAvalasinadi Emi? sukhamunanu uNDavadEmi?
- akhila aNDa kOTi brahmANDa nAthuDu, antarangamuna nelakoniyuNDaga...
- mundaTi janmamulanu jEsina agha bRnda vipinamulaku Ananda kanduDaina sItA pati nandaka yutuDai uNDaga...
- kAma Adi lObha, mOha, mada stOma tamammulakunu sOma sUrya nEtruDaina SrI rAma candruDE, nIyandu uNDaga...
- kshEma Adi Subhamulanu, tyAgarAja kAmita arthamulanu, nEmamunanu iccu, dayA nidhi, rAma bhadruDu, nIyandu uNDaga...
- ika kAvalasinadi Emi? sukhamunanu uNDavadEmi?
- O My mind!
- What else do You need? Why won’t you remain comfortably?
- When the Lord of the Universe, consisting of entire crores of spheres, is well established in Your interior...
- For (destroying) the forests of multitude of sins committed in earlier births, when Lord rAma, who is the root of bliss, is present (armed) with the sword nandaka...
- For (removing) the darkness of multitude of desires, avarice, delusion, arrogance etc., when Lord SrI rAma candra – having moon and Sun as his eyes – Himself is present in You...
- When the Ocean of Mercy, Lord SrI rAma bhadra, who invariably bestows auspiciousness like comfort etc., as also the objects desired by this tyAgarAja, is present in You...
- what else do You need? Why won’t you remain comfortably?
(ika kAvalasinadEmi - balahaMsa)
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- manasA!
- SrI tyAgarAja nutuni talacaka, manasu vishaya naTa viTulaku-osangitE, mA rAmuni kRpa kalugunO?
- tana talupu-okariNTiki tIsi peTTi tA kukkalu tOlu rIti kAdO?
- taviTiki rankADa pOyi, kUTi tapile kOti konipOyinaTu kAdO?
- ceviTiki-upadESincinaTu kAdO?
- O My Mind!
- Instead of thinking of the Lord praised by this tyAgarAja, if mind is given away to the licentious objects of senses, will the grace of our rAma be attainable?
- Isn’t it like removing one’s own (house) door, fixing it in another’s house, and then, self chasing away the dogs (from entering own open house)?
- Isn’t it similar to (a woman) has gone for committing adultery for bran, and her food vessel is carried away by a monkey?
- Isn’t it similar to initiating a hearing impaired?
(manasu vishaya - nATa kuranji)
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- mullOkamulu-allADina, illE gati kAni;
- ilanantaTa kala vAnaku, jaladhE gati kAni; (AkASAt patitaM tOyaM sAgaraM prati-gacchati)
- guNamulalOna aNigi uNTE, guNiyE gati kAni;
- enni vitamulu unnAnu, ninnE cEravale.(sarva dEva namaskAraM kESavaM prati-gacchati)
- Even if one wanders about all the three Worlds, one's own house alone is one's refuge.
- For the rains that pour everywhere on the Earth, the ocean is the only destination.
- If one remains confined to the three qualities (sattva, rajas, tamas), the Lord alone is the refuge.
- No matter how many methods (of worship) are there, all are bound to lead to You alone.
(raghu nandana - kEdAra gauLa)
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- nijamuga nI mahima telpa lEru;
- bhajana sEyumani palikiri, kAni, aja - gaja, simha - sRgAla, antaramani, nijamuga nI mahima telpa lEru;
- buddhiyanu tallini, vishaya viTulaku prodduna-osagi, paikamulu-ArjincE, 'siddhulu', sujanula sabhaku rA nErani 'peddalu', nijamuga nI mahima telpa lEru
- People cannot truly tell about Your might.
- They ask others to chant names of Lord; but, they cannot truly tell about Your might which is as different as that between a goat and elephant and a lion and jackal.
- The (so called) ‘accomplished persons’ who earn money by offering the mother called 'intellect' to the libertines called 'objects of senses' and
- the (so called) ‘great men’ who do not happen come to the assembly of virtuous people, cannot truly tell about Your might.
(nijamuga nI - SahAna)
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- sArekunu samsAramuna jocci, sAramani encu vAri manasuna, UrakE kalgunA rAmuni bhakti?
- Alu, sutulu, juTTAlu, vara sadanAlu, kAya balAlu, kanaka dhanAlu, kala vibhavamula kani, asthiramulanE, bhAgya-SAlulaku gAka, UrakE kalgunA rAmuni bhakti?
- manci vArini poDagAnci, santatamu sEvinci, manavini Alakinci, Adari sAdhinci, sarvamu hariyancu telisi, bhAvinci, madini pUjincu vAriki gAka, UrakE kalgunA rAmuni bhakti?
- rAjasa guNa yukta pUjalanu onarincaka, tyAgarAjuni jihvapai rAjillu, vara mantra rAjamunu sadA japincu maharAjulaku gAka, UrakE kalgunA rAmuni bhakti?
- Would devotion towards SrI rAma arise spontaneously in the minds of those who, ever being immersed in the Worldly life, consider it to be of substance?
- Would devotion towards SrI rAma arise spontaneously excepting for those fortunate people who, looking at the festivity consisting of wife, children, relations, nice mansions, bodily strength, gold and wealth, consider them evanescent?
- Would devotion towards SrI rAma arise spontaneously excepting for those who beholding virtuous people, ever serving them, listening to their appeal, and accomplishing them respectfully, and worship the Lord in their minds, understanding that everything is but Lord hari only and cognizing as such?
- Would devotion towards SrI rAma arise spontaneously excepting for those great people who, instead of performing desire-oriented worships, ever chant the tAraka nAma – the king of all sacred syllables - shining in the tongue of this tyAgarAja?
(UrakE kalgunA - SahAna)
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- svara, jAti, mUrchana bhEdamul svAntamandu teliyaka uNDina, vara rAga layajnulu tAmanucu vadarErayya
- dEhOdbhavambagu nAdamul, divyamau praNava AkAramanE dAhambu - erugani mAnavul, vara rAga layajnulu tAmanucu
EcEru
- Even though people might not have experienced the differentiations of svara, jAti and mUrchana within themselves, they go about prattling that they are masters of rAga and laya.
- Those who do not know that all nAda emanating from the body are the forms of energy (or thirst) called the divine OMkAra, are indeed deceiving that they are masters of rAga and laya.
(vara rAga - cencu kAmbhOji)
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- manasA!
- oka mATa, oka bANamu, oka patnI vratuDE; oka cittamu-galavADE
- cira jIvitvamu, nirjara vara mOkshamu osangunE
- dhara baragE dEvuDE, tyAgarAja nutuDu
- oka nADunu maravakavE
- O My Mind!
- Lord SrI rAma is vowed to one Word, one arrow and one wife; He has unwavering mind (OR single willed).
- He confers long-life and non-decaying blessed state of emancipation.
- SrI rAma - praised by this tyAgarAja is the God effulgent on this Earth.
- Never forget Him.
(oka mATa - hari kAmbhOji)
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- manasA! ghanuDaina, rAma candruni karuNA antarangamu telisina, nA manavini Alakinca rAdaTE; marmamella telpedanE;
- karma kANDa matAkRshTulai, bhava gahana cArulai, gAsi jendaga kani, mAnava-avatAruDai, kanipincinADE naData.
- O My Mind! Won’t You listen to my appeal who knows the compassionate heart of the great SrI rAmacandra? I am revealing all the secrets.
- Seeing the people suffer as wanderers in the forest of Worldly existence, attracted by the opinions as contained in the Section of Ritualistic Actions of vEdas, the Lord having embodied as a human being, exemplified the right conduct;
(manavinAlakinca - naLina kAnti)
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- manasA!
- mAyA-mayamaina, cAna mEnu jUci mOsa pOkavE; lOni jADalu IlAgu kAdA?
- hInamaina, mala, mUtra, raktamulaku iravancu
- kanulu anETi ampa-kOla cEta gucci, canulu anETi girula Siramununci, panulu cEturaTa;
- tyAgarAja nutuni bAga nIvu bhajana cEsukommi.
- O My Mind!
- Do not be deceived by looking at the delusive-natured body of women; aren’t the internal indications like these?
- It is indeed a firm covering for detestable faeces, urine and blood.
- Piercing with the arrows called eyes, resting the head on the hills called breasts, it is said that people perform amorous acts;
- but, you do nicely perform chanting of the names of the Lord praised by this tyAgarAja.
(mEnu jUci - sarasAngi)
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- karukaina hRd-rOga gahanamunu koTTanu sad-guru lEka eTuvaNTi guNiki teliyaga pOdu
- tanuvu suta dhana dAra dAyAdi bAndhavulu janiyinci cedaru jAlini karuNatO manasuna-aNTaka sEyu mandanucu tatva bOdhana jEsi kApADu tyAgarAja-AptuDagu guru lEka eTuvaNTi guNiki teliyaga pOdu
- No matter how much meritorious or virtuous one is, without a competent preceptor, it would not be possible for him to know (how) to destroy the thorny thicket of affliction of the heart.
- No matter how much meritorious or virtuous one is, it would not be possible for him to know, without a preceptor like (sage nArada) the benefactor of this tyAgarAja, who protects compassionately by imparting knowledge of the reality, which, like a medicine,prevents from touching the mind the grief of (first) being born (and then) dissipation of body, children, wealth, wife, cousin and other relatives.
(guru lEka - gauri manOhari)
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- SrIman-mAnasa kanaka pIThamuna, sakala lIlA vinOduni, parmAtmuni, celaga jEsikoni,
- nAda, svaramu-anE vara nava ratnapu vEdikpai,
- vara, Siva rAma nAma kusumamulacE, SrI rAmuni pAdamulanu pUjincE nara janmamE janmanu, manasA
- O My Mind!
- That human birth alone is the real birth in which one -
- having established the Supreme Lord – one who amuses Himself with all Sports (of Universe)- in the splendid golden pedestal of mind,
- worships the holy feet SrI rAma, on the holy altar of precious jewels called nAda and svara,
- with flowers of best and auspicious names of ‘rAma’
(nAma kusuma - SrI rAgaM)
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- nigama SirOrthamu kalgina, nija vAkkulatO, svara SuddhamutO,
- yati, viSrama, sad-bhakti, virati, drAkshA rasa nava rasa, yuta kRticE,
- sogasugA mRdanga tALamu jata kUrci, ninu sokka jEyu dhIruDevvaDO!
- Whoever is that resolute person who makes You nicely enamoured by songs,
- duly attuned with the beat of mRdanga along with -
- true words bearing the meanings of upanishads, purity of svara,
- yati, viSrama, true devotion, elating nava rasa, and indifference to Worldly objects!
(sogasugA mRdanga - SrI ranjani)
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- lIlA sRshTa, jagatrayamanE kOlAhala, rAma bhakti sAmrAjyamu, E mAnavulakabbEnO!
- A mAnavula sandarSanamatyanta brahmAnandamE;
- IlAgani vivarimpa lEnu; cAla svAnubhava vEdyamE.
- By whomsoever was attained the empire of devotion to SrI rAma who projected sportingly the tumult called the three Worlds!
- Even beholding those persons, is an intense Supreme bliss.
- I am unable to describe it (the empire of devotion) to be of such and such nature; it is knowable only through self experience.
(rAma bhakti - Suddha bangALa)
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- tanuvuku lampaTa tappaganE vaccunA nI kRpa?
- meppulakai koppulu-gala mETi janula jUci bhajana tappaganE vaccunA nI kRpa?
- tyAgarAja nutuni bhajana tappaganE vaccunA nI kRpa?
- Will Your grace come unless I leave off craving for the body?
- Will Your grace come unless I leave off (such ostentatious) chanting of names done for the sake of fame looking at the rich having mansions?
- will Your grace come if I leave off chanting of the names of Lord praised by this tyAgarAja?
(tappaganE - Suddha bangALa)
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- padavi, nI sad-bhaktiyu kalguTE
- cadivi, vEda SAstrOpanishattula satta teliya lEnidi padaviyA?
- dhana dAra sutAgAra sampadalu, dharaNISula celimiyoka padaviyA?
- japa tapAdi aNimAdi siddhulacE, jagamulanEcuTa padaviyA?
- rAga lObha yuta yajnAdulacE, bhOgamulabbuTa padaviyA?
- tyAgarAja nutuDau, SrI rAmuni tatvamu teliyanidoka padaviyA?
- Having true devotion towards You is indeed status.
- Is it a status -
- being erudite, not knowing the Truth of vEda, SAstra and upanishad etc?
- to possess wealth, wife, offspring, house, as also, friendship of kings?
- to deceive the World with aNimA and other siddhis, attained by repetition of mantras and penances?
- to attain enjoyments through sacrificial oblations etc, tainted with desires and covetousness?
- not knowing the true nature of SrI rAma – one praised by this tyAgarAja?
(padavi nI - sALaka bhairavi)
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- gIrvANa, nATakAlankAra, vEda, purAna, yajna, japa, tapAdula phalamulu kshINamai, tiruga janmincE siddhi mAnurA, O manasA
- padilamaina, sat-padamunosangE bATa, tyAgarAja vinutuni bhajanarA
- edi jEsina, jagan-nAthuDu Siramuna, hRdayamuna vahinci, kshINamai, tiruga janmincE siddhi mAnurA
- O My Mind! Refrain from the siddhis which makes the fruits of (knowledge of) literature, music, drama, ornamentation, vEda, purANa and (fruits of) sacrificial oblations, repetition of mantras, penances etc to wither away and cause one to be born again.
- The path that confers the eternal state of liberation is chanting the names of the Lord well-praised of this tyAgarAja;
- whatever the Lord of Universe might do (to You), totally acquiescing intellectually and emotionally, refrain from the siddhis.
(kshINamai - mukhAri)
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- tyAgarAju nErcina, SRngAra rasAdyakhila sAra pUrita, rAma kathAnandAbdhi yuta, sangIta SAstra jnAnamu sArUpya saukhyadamE, manasA
- prEma bhakti, su-jana vAtsalyamu, SrImad ramA vara kaTAkshamu, nEma nishTha yaSO dhanamu osangunE; nErpu kalgu.
- O My Mind! The knowledge of the subject of sangIta, as learnt by this tyAgarAja, together with ocean called 'the bliss of the story of rAma', brimming with the entire essence of (nine) rasas, beginning with SRngAra - bestows the comfort of attaining the same form as that of the Lord.
- Such a knowledge indeed confers the highest form of loving devotion, affection of virtuous people, the grace of vishNu, and the wealth of self control, firmness and renown; one will also attains skills.
(sangIta SAstra - mukhAri)
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- santatamu sujanulella sad-bhajana jEyuTa jUci cintistunnADE yamuDu
- vAridhi SOshimpa jEyu krUra kumbhajuni rIti ghOra narakAdulaNacu tAraka nAmamunu talaci cintistunnADE yamuDu
- dAri teliya lEka tiruguvAralaina cAlunaNTE sAramani tyAgarAju sankIrtanamu pADEranucu cintistunnADE yamuDu
- Looking at all pious people ever engaged in devoutly singing names of Lord, the Lord of Death is worried.
- In the same manner as the ferocious sage agastya who dried up the ocean, thinking of the name 'rAma' – carrier across the Ocean of Worldly Existence - which subdues even the terrible hell etc., the Lord of Death is worried.
- If there are at least those who wander about without knowing the path (of salvation) it is enough (so that he could lay hand on them), taking note that they also are singing the compositions of tyAgarAja considering them to be the essence (of tAraka nAma), the Lord of Death is worried.
(cintistunnADE - mukhAri)
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- nI sEvaku lEka nIdu centaku rAka Asa dAsuDai aTuyiTu tiriguTandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- niratamu nI dRshTi nEnArjincaka orula bhAmalanu Ora jUpulu jUcuTandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- sAreku nAma smaraNamu sEyaka Uri mATalellanUraka vadaruTandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- karamulatO pUja gAvimpaga DAci dharalOna lEni dur-dAnamulaku cAcuTandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- vAramu nI kshEtra varamula juTTaka bhUriki munduga pAri pAri tiruguTandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- nIvADani pErunindu vahincaka nAvADani yamuDu navvucu bAdhincuTandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- rAvayya, ninnu bhAvincaka proddu pAra-goTTukonandukA I tanuvunu pencinadi?
- Instead of being meant for Your worship and (instead of) coming to Your proximity, is it for the purpose of wandering here and there becoming a slave of desires that this body has been reared?
- Instead of earning Your glance ceaselessly, is it for the purpose of looking at others’ wives on the sly that this body has been reared?
- Instead of ever being engaged in remembrance of Your name, is it for the purpose of chattering in vain all sorts of gossips that this body has been reared?
- Withdrawing my hands from performing Your worship, is it for the purpose, of stretching them (hands) for getting such evil-some charities not prescribed in the World, that this body has been reared?
- Instead of daily circumambulating Your sacred holy spots, is it for the purpose of wandering running to be in the front for obtaining charity, that this body has been reared?
- Instead of bearing here the name that ‘I am Yours’, is it for the purpose that, Lord of Death should affect me, declaring derisively that ‘He is my man’, this body has been reared?
- Please come; is it for the purpose of frittering away time without meditating on You, that this body has been reared?
(indukAyI tanuvunu - mukhAri)
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- rAma nAmaM bhajarE, mAnasa, dInuDaina panthAnuDaina, vinumu;
- donga rIti tiruganganEla SrI rangani padamula kaugilincukoni (rAma)
- ekkaDaina hariyokkaDanucu madi cakka tanamu kani sokki santatamu (rAma)
- endu pOka rAkEndu mukhuni tanayandu jUci phalamandu kOri SrI (rAma)
- dEhametti sandEha paDaka vaidEhi bhAgyamA dEhi dEhiyani (rAma)
- sAdhu sajjanula bOdha cEta bhava bAdha mAna vale sAdhakambutO (rAma)
- anurAgamuna mEnosangi SrI (rAma)
- rAga rahita jana bhAgadhEyuni vinA gatiyevvarE (rAma)
- O My Mind! Be You humble or wise, listen! Chant the names of Lord SrI rAma.
- Why should you roam about like a thief? Chant the names of Lord SrI rAma embracing the holy feet of Lord of SrI rangam.
- Perceiving clearly in the mind that it is Lord hari alone everywhere and, (thereby) being enamoured by Him, chant the names of Lord SrI rAma always.
- Instead of going anywhere, beholding Lord SrI rAma in the Self and seeking the end-result (liberation) therein, chant His names.
- For having embodied (as a human being), instead of entertaining any doubts, chant the names of Lord SrI rAma beseeching ‘O Fortune of sIta! do bestow on me Your grace’.
- Adhering to the instructions of pious and virtuous people, You should forbear the troubles of Worldly Existence; with steady, persevering practice chant the names of SrI rAma.
- Engaging the body (in service of the Lord), chant the names of SrI rAma with Supreme love.
- Who is the refuge other than the Lord who is bereft of attachments and who is the dispenser of fortune to people? (OR)
- Who is the refuge other than the Lord who is the dispenser of fortune to the people bereft of attachments? Chant the names of SrI rAma.
(rAma nAmaM bhajarE - madhyamAvati)
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- prANAnala sam-yOgamu valla praNava nAdamu sapta svaramulai paraga
- As the Pranava Nada has differentiated into Sapta Svara due to fusion of prANa with fire (energy)
(mOkshamu galadA - sAramati)
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- vEda SirO mAtRja sapta svara :
- Sapta svara were born from nAdOMkAra - Head of vEdAnta
(sAmaja vara gamana - hindOLaM)
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- santatambu SrI kAnta svAnta siddhAntamaina mArga cinta lEni vAru enta nErcina enta jUcina enta vAralaina kAnta dAsulE:
- Those, who do not always have the thought of the established path of Lord vishNu being one's Indweller, no matter how erudite and how much observed the World, and howsoever high and mighty they may be, are indeed slaves of women.
(enta nErcina - Suddha dhanyAsi)
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- sAkEta rAmuni bhaktiyanE cakkani rAja mArgamuluNDaga sandula dUranEla?
- When there is royal path called devotion to rAma, why enter bylanes (other paths)?
(cakkani rAja - kharahara priya)
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- pUrNuni AtmArAmuni naDaci naDaci jUcEru ayOdhyA nagaramu kAnarE
- In order to behold the Supreme Lord effulgent as Indwelling Lord, people walk all the way to Ayodhya town only not to find Him there.
(naDaci naDaci - kharahara priya)
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- dharma artha kAma mOksha dAnamElanE?
- marmamerugani indra SarmamElanE?
- Why the (four-fold) division of purushArtha – pursuit of righteous action, wealth, desires, deliverance?
- Of what avail the status of even indra which is bereft of understanding of the secret (of devotion to the Lord)?
(pAhi rAmayanucu - kharahara priya)
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- kAmini vEsha dhAriki sAdhvI naDatalu Emaina telusunA?
- A rIti, rAmA nIyeDa prEma rahitulaku nAma ruci telusunA?
- Can anything about the behaviour of a chaste woman be known to an actor donning the robe of a woman?
- In the same manner, O Rama! Can the taste of Your name be known to those devoid of love towards You?
(rAma nIyeDa - kharahara priya)
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(evarani nirNayinciri - dEvANrta varshiNi)
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- manasu nilpa Sakti lEka pOtE madhura ghaNTa virula pUjEmi jEsunu?
- If one does not have the capacity to restrain his mind, what will worship with sweet-sounding bell and flowers accomplish?
(manasu nilpa - AbhOgi)
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- satata yAna suta dhRtamaina sItA pati pAda yugamula satatamu smariyincu ataDE dhanyuDu
- venuka tIka tana manasu ranjillaga ghanamaina nAma kIrtana paruDainaTTi ataDE dhanyuDu
- tumburu vale tana tambura paTTi dayAmbudhi sannidhAnambuna naTiyincu ataDE dhanyuDu
- sAyaku sujanula bAyaka tAnunupAyamunanu proddhu hAyiga gaDipina ataDE dhanyuDu
- ullapu tApamu calla jEsi anni kallalaniyenci sallApamunanuNDu ataDE dhanyuDu
- kari varaduni tatvameruganu marigincu ari shaDvargamulandu parava lEka tirugu ataDE dhanyuDu
- Artini mariyu pravRttini tolagincE kIrti kalgina rAma mUrtini nera nammu ataDE dhanyuDu
- kalagani nija vipra kulamuna janminci niluvaramagu mukti phalamunu jEkonna ataDE dhanyuDu
- karma nishThuDaina dharma SIluDaina Sarma rAma nAma marmamu telisina ataDE dhanyuDu
- kAsu vIsamula kOsamu AsatO vEsamu dharinci mOsamu jendani ataDE dhanyuDu
- andamugA nAmamandaru jEsina sundara rAmuniyandu lakshyamu peTTu ataDE dhanyuDu
- inni pATulaku sarvOnnatamau sukhamu munnayanubhavincukonna vADevaDO ataDE dhanyuDu
- rAjasa janulatO tA jata kUDaka rAjillu SrI tyAgarAja nutuni nammu ataDE dhanyuDu
- He alone is blessed who always meditates on the holy feet of SrI rAma held by AnjanEya.
- He alone is blessed who is ever dedicated to chanting the holy names of Lord, to the exultation of his mind, without retreating (from the aim);
- He alone is blessed who, like tumburu, dances in the Court of the Lord, attuned with his tambura;
- He alone is blessed who has spent his time happily, without leaving the company of virtuous people for help, and himself remaining vigilant (against pitfalls);
- He alone is blessed who, considering all (worldly enjoyments) to be false and having extinguished the afflictions of his mind, remains talking sweetly (about the Lord);
- He alone is blessed who goes about without being involved in the six-fold internal enemies (kAma, krOdha, lObha, mOha, mada, mAtsarya) which screen one from understanding the real nature of the Lord SrI rAma;
- He alone is blessed who believes whole-heartedly the Lord rAma-incarnate, famed as the One who rids of all the griefs and cycle of re-birth.
- He alone is blessed who, having been born in the actual brAhmaNa faimly - which is rare to attain - achieves the ever-lasting end-result called liberation;
- He alone is blessed who knows the secret of the joy of the name of Lord SrI rAma, whether one is grounded in performance of vEdic actions or he is of virtuous (or charitable) disposition;
- He alone is blessed who is not ruined, because of desires, donning garbs for the sake of petty coins;
- He alone is blessed who sets his aim in the charming Lord SrI rAma, who has been worshipped well by all by chanting His names;
- He alone is blessed whoever had earlier (or first) experienced the excellent comfort after this much of effort;
- He alone is blessed who believes in the resplendent Lord SrI rAma - praised by this tyAgarAja - and does not join the company of the people given to the quality of passion.
(ataDE dhanyuDu - kApi)
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- toli karmamu rAka pOnA? bhakti velugucE tIraka pOnA?
- Is it possible that the effect of previous actions would not have effect on one? However, can these remain without being relieved by the light of devotion?
(ennALLu nI trOva - kApi)
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- sadA nI bhakti bhAgya sudhA nidhini IdEdE janmamu; bhU-bhAramu kAni sura bhU surulai janincina; vEdOktambau karmamu veta galgu gatAgatamau
- Always swimming the fortunate nectarine ocean of Your devotion is indeed (the purpose of) human birth. Otherwise, even if one is born as a celestial or brAhmaNa, it is indeed a burden on the Earth. The path of rites as propounded in vEda results in distressing cycle of birth and death.
(nI bhakti - jaya manOhari)
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- jIva-Atma himsa gala yajna-Adulu sukhamu-anuvAriki samulu ajnAlu galarA?
- bahu janmambula vAsana yutulai, ahi visha sama vishaya-AkRshTulai, bahir-Ananulai, tyAgarAju bhajiyincu SrI rAmuni teliyaka, yajna-Adulu...
- Are there ignorant persons equal to those who declare that sacrificial oblations etc., which involve cruelty to living beings etc bring comfort?
- They (a) are possessed of deep ingrained impressions of many births; (b) are drawn to cobra-poison-like sense enjoyments; (c) have focus towards external objects; and (d) do not have understanding of Lord SrI rAma whose name is chanted by tyAgarAja.
(yajnAdulu - jaya manOhari)
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- mata bhEdamanE seganArcaga sammata vAkkulu palkuTa sukhamA? kshitilO sat-sangati saukhyamu.
- Is it comforting to utter agreeable words without (first) extinguishing the flame of differences in modes of worship? In this Earth, company of pious people is comforting.
(vinatA suta vAhana - jayanta sEna)
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- apavarga phala kAmamulanu jUci aDDamai aNimA-Adi siddhula mOsa buccedaru-ayya
- Tempted by the desires resulting from (yOgic concentration for) liberation, people are ruined by supernatural powers - aNimA and the like - which stand on the way (to liberation);
(kRpAlavAla - nAda varAngiNi)
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- tanuvu-okacO manasu-okacO tagina vEshamu-okacO-iDi janulanu-Ecu vAriki jayamaunE
- Is success possible for those-whose body is somewhere and the mind is somewhere else, and who deceive the people by donning appropriate garb elsewhere (to suit the occasion)?
- (Pure and harmonious actions of mind-speech-body (manO-vAk-kAya) - known as 'tri-karaNa Suddhi' - is emphasised.)
(kanugonu - nAyaki)
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- yAga yOga tyAga bhOga phalamsangE rAga sudhA rasa pAnamu jEsi ranjillavE O manasA;
- sadASiva mayamagu nAdOMkAra svara vidulu jIvan-muktulu
- O Mind! Exult by drinking the nectarine juice of music which bestows all the benefits of transcendental bliss that accrue through vEdic sacrifices, through practice of yOga, through renunciation;
- Those well-versed in the sapta svara, emanating from praNava nAda, which is of the nature of the Supreme Lord - parabrahman, are indeed the living-liberated.
rAga sudhA - AndOLika)
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- naLina lOcana ninnu gAka anyula nammi nara janmamIDErunA?
- kongavaNTi dhyAnamu jEsitE tana kOrika kona-sAgunA?
- donga magani bhakti mIra nammitE manci drOva jUpa nErcunA?
- ganga lOni ODanu nammi bhava sAgaramu dATa vaccunA?
- nanga nAcula SaraNamanuTa cEta ananguDu jnAnOpadESamu jEsunA?
- parama vandhyaku pAlu perugu pOsitE caNTi pAlu kaluga nErcunA?
- nera dhanamulu dAyAdulakiccitE nenaru mATa kalgunA?
- eruvu vEsiyUsara bhUmi vittitEnEmaina phalincunA?
- varamaina pEru kalugu ganga-rAviki vandanamonarincitE brOva nErcunA?
- sogasaina bUrugulanu pencitE su-rasa phalamuliccunA?
- bhAgyamu gala tirumanjana vibhavamu paricArakulakabbunA?
- rAga lObhamulatO tapamu jEsitE para gati kaluga nErcunA?
- Is deliverance possible for human birth by believing anyone other than You?
- If one performs crane-like meditation, can his wishes be fulfilled?
- If a (married) woman believes her paramour with much dedication, can he show the right path?
- Can one cross the Ocean of Worldly Existence by trusting a boat in river gangA?
- If one feigningly seeks refuge (in the Lord), will the cupid initiate him in the true wisdom?
- If milk and curd is fed to an utterly barren woman, can she happen to produce breast milk?
- Even if one gives a lot of wealth to one's cousins, will it result in a kind word?
- If one sows seeds in saline soil by manuring it, will anything grow there?
- If one performs worship to the, sacred name bearing, ganga-rAvi tree, can it happen to protect him or her?
- If one rears the beautiful-looking silk-cotton (cotton-wool) tree, will it bear nice juicy fruits?
- Is the fortune-some grandeur of the sacred bath (abhishEka) of the Lord attainable to the attendants (or persons performing it)?
- If one performs penance with attachment and covetousness, can he happen to attain salvation?
(naLina lOcana - madhyamAvati)
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- rAma kathA sudhA rasa pAnamu oka rAjyamu jEsunE, manasA;
- dharma-Adi-akhila phaladamE;
- dhairya-Ananda saukhya nikEtanamE;
- karma bandha jvalana-abdhi nAvamE;
- kali haramE.
- O My Mind! To drink the nectarine juice of story of SrI rAma is equal to (ruling) a kingdom.
- It indeed bestows the fruits of purushArtha;
- It is the veritable abode of courage, bliss and comfort;
- It indeed is the boat which enables one to cross the flaming ocean of Worldly Existence – bound by actions;
- It indeed is the destroyer of the (evil effects of) kali yuga.
(rAma kathA - madhyamAvati)
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- sangIta jnAnamu bhakti vinA sanmArgamu galadE :
- Mere knowledge of music bereft of Bhakti will not lead to right path
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