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“OH RANGA SAYI" (Kambhóji)
Oh Rangasayi! When I implore you to come to me,
why should you not? Has not Siva become Kailásapati at
your instance ? If you (forgetful of other things) give yourself
up to enjoyment in the company of Lakshmi, taking
Srirangam to be Vaikuntam on earth, when is there to be an
end to my worries and concerns ? I have suffered much,
living in the midst of envious people who cannot stand to
see others prosper and have come to you to have darsanam
of your divine rüpam bedecked with garlands of pearls.
c
Oh Tripurasundari ! Pray, find me out in the crowd and
bless me! Don't ignore me because it is all. crowded here.
Why don't you show compassion ?
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“DARIN! TELUSUKONTI” (Suddha SAvéri)
Oh Merciful Goddess! Sister of my Sri Rama! I have
now known the way to salvation and have sought refuge in
youalone. [have learnt the path by following which Brahma,
Indra and other Gods and devotees have reached the ocean
of eternal bliss and swam in it, and I have found in you the
104 TYAGABAJA KIRTANAS
protector of the distressed and the fulfiller of the desires of
those who have faith in you
You are the mother that confers inestimable prosperity
and wealth, that protects devotees, destroying the wilder-
ness of their past karma. I have now understood how great
sages of the world, by the glory of your grace, have freed
themselves from the bondage of worldiness and attained
eternal bliss.
That I have been privileged to witness the Friday
worship of yours is due to my past lives’ merits.
I have learnt why great men consider that your japam
alone throughout one's life is the way to salvation.
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Sadbhakti-Sangita-prasamsd 105
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“RAGA RATNA MALIKA" ‘{Ritigowla)
Sri Hari is resplendently shining with the garland of
songs in hundred gems of Ragas, composed by Tyigarija
for his salvaticn from Samsára. Come, we shall sing well
and attain all the blessings. These songs contain the signi-
ficance of the Vedas, the six Sástras, Puranas and Ágamas.
They show the path by which the great Yogis attain bliss.
The songs are sung by eminent Bhágavatars in congregation.
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“NAMA KUSUMAMULACHE'" (Sri Ragam)
Oh Mind! That human life is a really blessed life in
which the Lord is installed on the golden throne of thought
108 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
and worshipped with flowers of His Holy names like Siva
and Rama.
Place Him, the reveller in the sport of Universe, the
ornament of Tyágarája's heart, on the gem-bedecked seat
of Swaras born out of Nida and worship His holy feet with
the flowers of His Names.
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"SOGASUGÁ MRIDANGA" (Sriranjani)
Where is that great man who, to the accompaniment
of Mridanga and Tala, makes you delight and adores you with
the songs which have words that convey the true spirit of
the Upanishads, have correctness of the notes, rhythmic
pauses, true devotion, dispassion, simplicity and elegance
and the nine Rasas ? Is it possible for Tyágarája to do it ?
Sadbhakti-Sangita-prasamsd 107
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"SANGITA SASTRA GNÀNAMU" (SAlagabhairavi)
Music, as learnt and practised by discriminating Tyaga=
raja, when it has the blisstul ocean of Ramakatha full of all
rasas for its subject, is capable of securing for one the
bliss of 'Sárüpya, affection, devotion, attachment to good
men, the Lord's grace, austerities, meditation, glory and
wealth.
108 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
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"CHINTISTUNNADE" (Mukhari)
Seeing all the good men doing bhajana all the time,
Yama has become anxious.
Looking at his emissaries armed with tfridents: and
nooses, Yama has begun to think that the time has come for
their enthusiasm to subside.
As people have taken to the Tarakanama that destroys
the terrible hell, even as formidable Agastya dried up the
ocean, Yama has become anxious.
Yama has become anxious that even those, who wander
without knowing the true path and would thereby come to
him, are (now) singing the meritorious songs of Tyagaraja.
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" SWARARAGASUDHA”
109
Devotion associated with the ambrosia of Swara and
Riga is verily paradise and salvation, O Mind! What is the
110 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
good of a crane and a frog trying to frolick over the lotus of
Brahmánandam! To know and realize the nature of Nada,
originating from Mul&dhara, is itself bliss and salvation.
Likewise is a knowledge of the various resonant sthanas
(parts of the body) from which emanate the glorious Sapta-
swaras. One attains salvation when he becomes a Jnáni
after several births; but he who has knowledge of ráAgas
along with natural devotion is indeed a liberated soul.
Can happiness be had merely by thumping without the
least knowledge of mridangam, talam, and gati? Similarly
a man doing worship without purity of mind is no better
than a pig.
A deep knowledge of the secrets of the Swarárnava,
imparted to Párvati by Lord Siva is possessed by blessed
Tyágaráje. Learn them from him, Oh Mind! by approach-
ing him with faith.
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"SANGITA GNANAMU” (Dhanydsi)
Knowledge of Sangita (Music), bereft of devotion, is
valueless and cannot secure salvation. The music practised
by Bhaktas like Bhringi, Natesa, Anjaneya, Agastya, Matanga
and Narada can alone secure it.
Tyagaraja, who is able to distinguish between Nyàya and
Any&ye, who knows that the world is Maya and who knows
also how to conquer the six inward enemies of man, Kama
etc., knows this matter well.
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112 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
“MARIYADA GADURA" (Sankarábharanam).
Oh Merciful Lord ! It is not becoming of you to treat alike
all and sundry. Bhágavatas who have no knowledge of
music (RAga-Tàla) no real devotion and love, no Jnana
Yoga or sympathy live only an animal life !
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SITAVARA SANGITA” (Devagaándhari)
Oh the Great One, adored by Tyágaràja who revels in
*suswara' and has direct vision of Atmarama who is none
other than Brahman with his body of Akasa, and who realises
that the Universe is Spirit! To be qualified to be a jivan-
mukta, which is the teaching of the Gita and all Upanishads,
one must be blessed by Brahma with the gift of Sangita Jnana.
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KADDANUVARIKI” (Tódi)
They proclaim that for those who consider that He is,
He is; will the words of the great become false now ?
Why don't you come before us who desire to see your
beautiful face with cheeks shining like mirror ?
You are the compassionate Lord that protects those
devotees who sing of you, casting off their sleep, taking a
beautiful Tambura, with pure mind, with correct intonation
of the swaras and without swerving from the path of
tradition.
114 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
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BHAKTI YOGA
Bhakti-mahima-prasamsá
“TAPPI BRATIKI" (Todi)
Is it possible in this Kali, Oh Rama! to escape, with a
firm mind, from getting immersed in the dangerous tank of
the senses, and survive ?
Is it possible to have a mind that can regard valuable
metals as poison and potsherd ?
Is it possible to remain firm and unattracted at the sight
of wily and beautiful women well dressed and with the
charm of curly hair ?
Bhakti-mahimü—Samsüra-dosha-niváraka 115
Without adopting the right royal way and worship-
ping sincerely the Lord adored by Ty&gar&ja with jasmine
and other flowers, is it possible to escape getting immer:
sed in the dangerous pond of the senses and survive in
this Kali?
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“ENTA NERCHINA ENTA JÜCHINA " (Udayaravichandrika)
One, who has not bestowed constant thought on the
right path that is after the heart of the Lord of Lakshmi,
however learned, however extensive his Kshetratanam
(pilgrimage), and however great he may be, is bound io
become a slave to women. Such a one is also liable to
become addicted to vices like cruelty to others, coveting
other's women and wealth, slandering others, living upon
others and uttering lies.
116 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
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“SAMSARULAITE” (Saveri)
It matters little ii people are samsarikas, ( leading
family lives )
if they come to feel the presence of the Lord,
Bhakti-mahimá— Samsàára-dósha-niváraka 117
if they constantly believe in the Lord, refrain from (evils
like) harming others, delight in the company of Sadhus and
spend their time in praising the Lord,
if, even being in the world, which discounts Jnana and
Vairágya, they take to Dhyana yoga and chant the Lord's
holy name, surrendering the fruits of all their karmas,
if they ceaselessly worship whole-heartedly the holy
feet of the Blessed Lord, driving away all evil thoughts and
making the members of their families do service to Him,
if they, with firm faithin the Lord, join the company
of devotees, surrendering all pleasures as offering to Hari
alone, and sing His praise with Srirága on the Vina.
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“KADATERA RADA” (Tédi)
Oh Mind! Why do you not listen to the appeal of
Tyágarája, the true devotee of Sri Krishna and get emanci-
pated from the bonds of vicious worldliness by doing
118 TYAGABAJA KIRTANAS
incessant Bhajana and by using your knowledge in discrimi-
nating between the permanent and the impermanent (Satya
and Asatya)?
Bhakti Màhátmya.
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"CHAKKANI RAJAMARGAMU" (Kharaharapriyà)
Oh Mind! While a good, royal road is available, why
take to bylanes ? When good milk with cream is available,
why should one go in for toddy ?
Devotion to Sri Ramachandra of Ayódhyà whose bewit-
ching beauty is a feast for the eyes, whose blessed name
Bhakti-máhütmya 119
ison the lipsof Lord Siva and who has taken his abode
in the house of Tyágarája,—when there is this royal road
to salvation, why take to bylanes?
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" ANURAGAMU LENI” (Saraswati)
The mind that is bereft of love (devotion) will not be
blessed with the divine Jnana. This maxim is well known.
to enlightened souls, Like unto the satisfaction of one who
is served with a variety of dishes is the happiness of one
who meditates on the Lord with attributes (Saguna Dhyana).
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"EMIJÉSITENEMI" (1599
Of what availis anything done by people who have
not been blessed with the Grace of Sri Rama and by people
who, being slaves to lust and other passions, are incapable
of knowing and understanding the sastraic commandments
of Sri Ráma ?
What if they have house, properties and loaded their
wives with jewels and what if they are adepts in sexual
science, if they have not the Grace of the lotus-eyed one?
What if they perform Yàgas, what if they beget sons to
inherit their property, what if they adopt others’ sons for
that purpose, if they have not the Grace of the auspicious
Sri Rama ?
What if they build palatial houses and fit them up with
rows of lights; what if they know the art of pleasing women,
if they fail to get the Grace of the incomparable Sri Rama?
What if they rule over kingdoms and command the
respect and regard of the public, what if they feed people
with rich and sumptuous meals, if they do not get the
Grace of the worshipful Sri Rama ?
What if they attain the status of Gurus, what if, for the
look, they appear grand and big, what if they initiate
others in mantras, if they are not blessed with the Grace of
Sri Rama ?
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“IKA GAVALASINA DEMI”
TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
(Balahamsa)
Oh mind ! What more is wanted ? | Why should you not
be happy when the Lord of the whole Universe has firmly
taken his abode in you, when Sit&pati, the root of all bliss, is
ready with his sword to destroy the forest of your sins com-
mitted in previous births,
when Sri Ramachandra himselt
is by you with the sun and the moon as his eyes to dispel
Bhakti-mühátmya 123
the darkness of your Kama, Kródha. Lóbha, Moha, Mada and
other inward enemies, when the all-merciful Ramabhadra
is with you unfailingly to give you prosperity and look after
your welfare and fulfil your desires ?
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"RAMABHAKTI SAMRAIYAME” (Suddhabangala)
The sight of those great souls who have been blessed
with the kingdom of Ramabhakti itself confers supreme
Brahmánandam. This bliss does not admit of any descrip-
tion in words; it can only be realised by self-experience.
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“APPA RAMABHAKTI" (Pantuvarali)
How great and grand is Ramabhakti, devotion to our
beloved father Rama! It stops the wanderings of the mind
and protects one as eyelids do the eye (involuntarily).
Otherwise, will Lakshmi Devi come down on earth as ‘Sita
to love Rama? Will Lakshmana serve him? Will sharp-wit:
ted Bharata long to be seeing him and get enraptured?
Will Sabari offer leavings to Him? Will Lord Siva praise
Bhakti-mühütmya 125
him? Will the Lord bestow everlasting high status on
Swayamprabh4 ? Can a monkey cross the ocean? Will a
woman tie the Lord to a mortar ? Will a defaulter like Tyaga-
raja get increasing bliss ?
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“IDE BHAGYAMU" (Kannada)
This alone is the real blessedness to be coveted—to
worship incessantly your lotus feet with the whole heart;
to cast aside the bonds of desire, keeping the mind
free from everything, giving up (fruits of) Karma and to
worship you as the ocean of mercy ;
to be firmly and lovingly devoted to you, as one adored
even by Lord Siva, without impairing health by associating
with wicked people ;
to install you in the lotus of the heart, fix the entire
mind on you tothe exclusion of other gods of earth and
Heaven and to enjoy the supreme bliss (Brahmánandam)!
to take you as the sole refuge, pray to you as the
Vedas and Agamas do and thereby cross the ocean of
Samsara which is beset with passions and desires.
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PÁHIMAM HARE” (Sowrashira)
Oh Raghava! Oh Mahánubháva! I have worshipped
you day and night, loved you as my wealth, and incessantly
128 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
sought you. I have secured the precious pearl of Rama
Nama. I was born uttering Rama Nama and have stead-
fastly kept on to ite 1 have reposed my faith in your holy
feet with a devout mind and sung their glory; desiring
Paramapada, I have meditated on you and have become
your devotee.
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“IMENU GALGINANDUKU” (Varsli)
Having taken this human body, which is prone to a life
of indiscipline and rank material outlook, through the
operation of lust, greed and other evil propensities, one
should make proper use of it by taking to the chanting of
the holy name of Sri Rama (to save himself). When the
hunter Valmiki, who had been tormenting cruelly people
on the way, prayed to the enlightened for being shown the
right path, was he not initiated with Rama Nama and did
he not become blessed ?
Was not the Apsaras who as the result of the curse of
the Rishi had the form of a crocodile and was undergoing
unbearable suffering, saved by Anjaneya through the chan-
ting of Rama N&ma ?
When Gajendra was caught by the crocodile and cried
to the Lord for help, addressing him as Adi Milam (the
Prime Source of all) did He not come to his succour at once
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190 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
and protect him? When the Rakshasa carried away the
Vedas and when Brahma appealed to the Lord for help, by
praising the Tárakanàma, was not his fear dispelled ?
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" RAMINCHUVAREVARU " (Supdshini)
Oh Raghüttama! Who is there among the beings in the
whole Universe who can transport one to transcendental joy
but you? Even the shining Devas could not know the
secret significance of your holy name, nor secure the wealth
of bliss which it brings.
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“INTA SOWKHYAMANI" (Kap!)
It is not possible for me to describe the Anandam one
derives from the chanting of the Rama Namam. Who knows
its measure and quality? Only great and true devotees
know ite Lord Sankara, who delights in drinking the nectar
of music with the sugar-candy of Rama Namam mixed,
knows it well.
132 TYAGARAJA KIRTANAS
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