by Damodara Rao Dasu

In this Kruti, Tyagaraja expresses that many singers and actors are after materialistic things instead of immersing themselves in enjoying Rama's divine beauty.

P	enta muddo enta sogasO evari valla varNimpa tagunE ||	How lovely ! How Beautiful ! Who can describe ?
AP	enta vAralaina gAni kAma chintA krantulainAru||	Regardless of stature everyone is craving to satiate his desires only.
C	atta meeda kanulAsaku dAsulu satta bhagavata vEsulairi dutta pAlaruchi teliyu sAmyamE dhureeNuDou tyAgarAja nutuDu ||	All the bhagavatas (singers and actors praising God) have become slaves of money and do not enjoy the real beauty of Rama. Oh great lord of Tyagaraja, it is like a pot not knowing the taste of milk.

Tyagaraja admires the fortunate Sabari in this song. Though she only gave tasted fruits to Rama, she was bestowed with Salvation which even philosophers could not attain.

P	entani nE varNintunu Sabari bhagya||	How can I describe the fortune of Sabari ?
AP	dAntulu vara kAntalu jagamanta ninDi yunDaga ||	The world has many philosophers and holy women.
C	kanulAra sEvinchi kammani phalamula nosagi tanuvu pulaka rincha pAda yugamulaku mrokki inakula pati samukhambuna punarAvritti rahita pada munu pondina tyAgaraja nuturAli puNyambunu ||	Her eyes were filled with affection while she served delicious fruits to Rama. Her body was full of ecstasy when she touched his feet. She was the holy woman that attained Salvation in the presence of the King of Inakula (Sun) dynasty. How can I describe the piety of Sabari the devotee of Tyagaraja's Lord?

In this keertana Tyagaraja points out that even the greatest men are slaves to women. He adds that greed, lust and cruelty make everyone ignore the righteous path of Sri Hari.

P	enta nErchina enta joochina enta vAralaina kAnta dAsulE||	However learned a person is, who ever it be I observed that they are slaves to women
AP	santatambu Sree kanta swAnta siddhAnta maina mArga chinta lEni vA ||	They always ignore Sreekantha's (Vishnu's) path of philosophy.
C	para himsa para bhAmAnya dhana para manavApavAda para jeeva nAdula kanrutamE bhAshin chErayya tyAgaraAja nuta ||	They hurt others. They desire women and wealth of others. They lie and blame others. Tyagaraja worships you.

In this krithi, Tyagaraja repents for the abhorable life he lead in his past and wonders how his compassionate Rama would forgive him.

P	eTula brOtuvO teliya EkAnta rAmayya ||	How will you protect me Oh my Rama
AP	kaTa kaTa nA charitamu karNa kaThOra mayya ||	What a shame? It is very painful to hear about my character.
C	vaTTi goDDU reeti bhakshinchi tirigiti puTTu lObhula nella poTTa kai pogaDiti dushTulatO gooDi dush krithyamulu salpi raTTu chEsina tyAgarajuni dayatO ||	I ate like an animal and roamed about. I praised the worst misers to fill my stomach. I did evil deeds and joined bad company. I confess everything. Be kind to Tyagaraja.

In this kruthi Tyagaraja asks Rama where He actually dwells and in which form He is.

P	E tAvuna rA nilakaDa neeku. Enchi chooDa naga paDavu ||	Which is the place you dwell in always? I search for you but you are not to be seen.
AP	seetA gowri vAgeeswari yanu stree roopamu landA govindA ||	Are you in the feminine form of Seeta, Parvathi or Saraswati? Oh Govinda!
C	bhoo kamalArkAnila nabha mandA lOka kOTulandA Sree karuDagu tyAgarAja karArchita Siva mAdhava brahmAdula yandA ||	Are you on the earth, in the water, in the Sun, in the Air, in the Sky or in the millions of creatures? Oh Rama the bestower of prosperity, are you in Siva, in Vishnu, in Brahma or in other Gods ? Tyagaraja worships you.

In this keertana Tyagaraja humbly requests Rama not to be indifferent to him. He says that Rama is all merciful, the essence of Vedas and is worshipped by the Sages. He adds that Rama is the protector of Viswamitra's Yaga and that he is eternal.

P	Ela needaya rAdu parAku jEsE vELa samayamu kAdu ||	Why don't you show kindness? It is not time for indifference.
AP	bAla kanaka maya chEla sujana pari pAla Sree ramAlOla vidhruta Sara jAla subhada karuNAla vAla ghana neela navya vana mAlikA bharaNa ||	You are the boy with golden dress. You are the ruler of good people. You are loved by Ramaa. You are skillful archer. Your complexion is blue. You are merciful. And you have Tulasi garland as ornament.
C1	rA rA dEvAdi dEva rA rA mahAnubhAva rA rA rAjeeva nEtra raghu vara putra sAra tara sudhApoora hridaya pari vAra jaladhi gambheera danuja sam hAra daSaratha kumAra budha jana vi hAra sakala Sruti sAra nAdu pai ||	Come Oh lord of gods. Come Oh Great Rama. Come lotus eyed Rama, the blessed son of Raghu Dynasty. Your heart is full of nectar and you are profound like ocean. You are the tormentor of demons. You are the essence of the Vedas. You moved among the learned persons. You are the son of Dasaratha.
C2	rAjadhi rAja muni poojita pada ravi rAja lOchana SaraNya ati lAvanya rAja dhara nuta virAja turaga sura rAja vandita padAja janaka dina rAja kOTi sama tEja tanuja gaja rAja nichaya mruga rAja jalaja mukha ||	You are the king of kings and worshipped by sages. Your eyes are like the Sun and the Moon. You are very handsome. All the kings praised you. Garuda bird is your vehicle. And the kings of heaven bow to you. You shine with the brilliance of a million suns. You are the destroyer of the demon Gajasura. You are the savior of Gajendra, the king of elephants Your face is as beautiful as lotus.
C3	yAga rakshaNa parama bhAgavtArchita yogeendra suhrud bhAvita Adyanta rahita nAga Sayana vara nAga varada pu nnAga suma dhara sadAgha mochana sa dA gatija dhruta pada gamAnta chara rAga rahita Sree tyAgarAja nuta ||	You are the protector of Viswamitra's Yaga. Great devotees worship you. You are the greatest Yogi. Yet you are very friendly. You are eternal. You recline on Sesha serpent. You blessed the serpent Vasuki. You are adored with Punnaga flowers. You are the destroyer of sins. Anjaneya the son of Vayu ( Wind God) is at your feet. You are not attached to anyone. Oh Rama,Tyagaraja worships you..

In this kruti, Tyagaraja expresses his distress in babbling about Sastras without any depth. He prays to Rama to bestow him the wisdom of the elders to enjoy real peace and bliss.

P	enduku peddalavale buddheeyavu endu pOdunayya rAmayya||	Why don't you bless me with wisdom that you bestowed to other eminent elders? Where should I go (in pursuit of it), oh Ramaiah?
AP	andari vale dATi dATi vadariti andarAni panDAye kadarA ||	I talked loosely without clear understanding, now that fruit (wisdom) is beyond my reach.
C	vEda SAstra tatvArthamulu telasi bEdha rahita vEdAntamulu telisi nAda vidya marmambulanu telisi nAdha tyAgarAja nuta nijamuga ||	I acquired the knowledge of the Vedas and their philosophic content. I learnt the unity of all the philosophic thoughts. I learnt the intricate truths of the nadavidya (knowledge of music). But, Oh Lord of Tyagaraja, enlighten me with the actual truth.

In this kruti, Tyagaraja implores his lord Rama to reveal the crime he committed that made Rama neglect him. He says that Rama who is praised by all the sages as the savior should come to his succor also immediately.

P	Emi nEramO nannu brOva enta bhAramO nA valla ||	What is my crime that distanced you from protecting me? How burdensome did I become to you?
AP	sAmaja rAja varaduDani munula lO sat keerti kalgalEda nApai ||	The sages praise your fame as the savior of the King of elephants, Gajendra. Don't you have good impression of me?
C	deena bandhuvani dEva dEvuDani mAna ghanu Dani dharmAtmu Danuchunu jnAna ghanulu guNa gAnamu sEya bi rAna chooDavO tyAgarAjArchita ||	When the intellectual giants sing of your exemplary qualities saying that you are the succor for the desolate, that you are the Lord of all devatas, that your reputation for self respect is great, and that you are the embodiment of righteousness, why don't you see me expeditiously? Oh lord, Tyagaraja worships you.

In this mind-boggling philosophic kruti, Tyagaraja discusses the two great Hindu philosophic paths namely Advaita (nondualism) and Dvaita (dualism) and wants Rama to show him the right path (for salvation). In this connection, Sri Kanchi Sankaracharya's opinion is worth noting: Deha budhyat dasoham. Jeeva budhyat amsakaha. Atma budyat twamevaham. With body consciousness, I am servant of God. With consciousness of life force, I am part of God. With soul consciousness, I identify myself with God.

P	E dAri sancharinturA ika balku rA ||	Which path of faith should I take, Oh lord, reveal
AP	Sree dAdi madhyAnta rahita seetA samEta guNa kara nE ||	You are the bestower of prosperity. You have neither beginning nor middle nor end. You are along with Sita. You are the repository of virtues.
C	anni tAnanu mArgamu nanu chanitE nannu veeDenu bhAramani yanEvu tannu brOvarA sadA yanTe dvaitu DanEvu tyAgarAja nuta ||	If I take the path of nondualism (Advaita), you may say that you are no more my protector because I am not separate from you. If I seek your protection always, you may say that I am believer in dualism (Dwaita), which means I want to be separate from you. Oh lord, Tyagaraja worships you.

In this kruti, Tyagaraja comments on the silence of Rama in a satirical way, saying that Rama was not replying to him because of some advice given by others.

P	evvari mATa vinnA vO rAvO indu lEvO bhaLi bhaLi ||	It is incomprehensible to know whose advice you have listened to, or are you not here? Won't you come to me, Oh my Lord?
AP	avanilO ArshEya powrushEya mandi chOdya meruga lEnayya ||	In spite of my knowledge of scriptures revealed by the sages, I wonder how I cannot know your mind.
C	bhakta parAdheenu Danuchu parama bhAgavutula vyakta roopuDai palikina muchchaTa yukta manuchu nunTi Sakti gala mahAdEvuDu neevani santOshamuna nunTi satta chittuDagu tyAgarAjanuta satya sandhuDanu konTi nilalO ||	I heard many interesting stories about your service to your devotees. You even appeared to them and talked to them. I was also happy to know that you are the omnipotent (all mighty), Great Lord. I have immense faith in your dedication for truth. You are existence. You are consciousness. Oh Lord, Tyagaraja worships you.

In this kruti, Tyagaraja desperately says to Rama that there is none else to protect him. He requests Rama in many ways to save him expeditiously.

P	evarurA ninu vinA gati mAku ||	Who else is there for us to seek solace from?
AP	savana rakshaka nityOtsava seetApati ||	You are the protector of Yajnas (austerities). Oh lord of Sita, there is festive grandeur around you always.
C1	rAdA nAdupai nee daya balka rAdA idi maryAdA nAtO vadamA nE bhedamA mAku ||	Why don't you shower your kindness? Is this fair? Why debate? Am I a stranger to you?
C2	rAka nannEcha nyAyamA parAkA nEnanTE hEyamA rAmA rAkA SaSi mukha nee kAsinchiti sAkumA puNya slOkamA mAku ||	Is it proper for you to keep me waiting? Why are you indifferent towards me? Do you dislike me, oh Rama? I yearn to see your moon-like face. Protect me, Oh Rama. You are our holy hymn.
C3	SreeSArigaNA rAti vinA dASA teliyaka pOtivi Apa gESArchita pAlitESA , nava kASamA swaprakASamA mAku ||	Oh Lord of Lakshmi, you are the tormentor of foes. You have not understood my desire. You are worshipped by Siva. Please spare some time to protect me. You are self effulgent.
C4	rAjA bigu nee kEla rA tyAgarAjArchita tAla jAla rA ee jAla mu sEya rAjA brOva sankOchamA sura bhoojamA mAku ||	Why are you so stiff and reserved? I cannot bear this delay. Why hesitation to protect me? You are our kalpataru (wish-fulfilling tree). Oh Rama,Tyagaraja worships you..

In this kruti Tyagaraja expresses his desire to know from eminent persons whether Rama is the embodiment of Siva, Madhava, or Brahma.

P	evvarani nirNa yinchirirA, ninneTlA rAdhArinchiri ra naravaru ||	How did they decide who you are? How did they worship you, Oh Rama, the noblest of men.
AP	sivu DanO madhavu DanO kamala bhavu Dano param brahma manO ||	Are you Siva? Are you Vishnu? Are you Bramha? Are you the Supreme soul?
C	siva mantramunaku 'mA' jeevamu mA dhava mantramu naku 'rA' jeevamu ee vivaramu telasina ghanulaku mrokkenu vitaraNa guNa tyAgarAja vinuta nee ||	The letter 'ma' is the lifeline of Siva mantram. (Namah sivaya) The letter 'ra' is the lifeline of Narayana mantram. I will prostrate before the eminent persons who know this truth well. Oh Rama, Tyagaraja worships you.

In this kruti Tyagaraja asks Rama the cause for his incarnation. He praises Rama saying that Rama is above the Vedas and that he is sage as well as king.

P	evvari kai avatAra mettiti vO ipuDaina telpa vayyA rAmayya nee ||	Oh Rama, for whose benefit is your incarnation? Please reveal to me now.
AP	avaniki rammani pilichina maharA javaDO vAniki mrokkEnu rAma ||	Who is that great personality that invited you to the earth? I bow to him.
C	vEda varNaneeyamou nAmamu tO vidhi rudrulaku mElmi yagu roopamutO mOda sadana magu paTU charitamu tO muni rAja vEshiyau tyAgarAja nuta ||	Your name infuses great meaning to the Vedas. You are the supreme soul that created Brahma and Rudra. You have fascinating appearance. Your story is eternal. You are a king as well as a sage.Oh Rama, Tyagaraja worships you.

In this keertana, Tyagaraja expresses his intense longing to see the most beautiful face of Rama.

P	ennADu jootunO inakula tilakuni ||	When will I be able to see you? Oh jewel of the Sun dynasty.
AP	pannaga SayanA bhakta janAvana punnama chanduru bOlu mukhammunu ||	You recline on the serpent Adisesha,. You are the prop for your devotees. Your face is as beautiful as the full moon.
C	dharaNija soumitri bharata ripughna vA nara yoodhapati varuDAnjanEyuDu karuNanu okaru okaru varNimpa nA daraNanu bilichE ninu tyAgarAjArchita ||	Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrughna and Anjaneya, the commander of the army of monkeys, extol your greatness in their own right. You call them with compassion. Tyagaraja worships you.

In this kruti, Tyagaraja asks Sri Rama not to belittle the purpose for which Tyagaraja was born. He says that devotion of other sages will not satisfy him unless he himself sings and worships Rama.

P	EpanikO janminchiti nani nee vencha valadu Sree rAma nE ||	Oh Sri Rama, please don't consider that I am born for some insignificant purpose.
AP	Sree pati Sree rAma chandra nee chittaniki teliya dAnE ||	Oh Lord of Lakshmi, Oh Sri Ramachandra, don't you know why I was born?
C	vAlmee kAdi munulu narulu ninnu varNinchina nA yASa deerunA mElmi yai yunDu sadbhaktulu mechchudurE tyAgarAja nuta nE ||	If great sages like Valmiki and if other great men describe and praise your greatness, will it satisfy my heart? Only seeing others' devotion, do the genuine devotees derive happiness? Oh Lord Tygaraja worships you.

In this kruti Tyagaraja Sarcatistically questions Rama, Why he along with his family takes the trouble of enacting the worldly drama to rescue his devotees.

P	EtAvuna nErchitivO rAma endukinta gAsi ||	Oh Rama, where did you learn? Why so much trouble for you?
AP	seetA lakshmaNa bharata ripughna vAtAtmajAdulatO nADE nATaka ||	You enact this worldly drama along with Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrughna and Anjaneya.
C	Alu vajrAla sommu laDigirO anujulu tali danDru lanna maDigirO Seelu laina vara bhaktulu pilachirO chira kAlamu tyAgarAja nuta nee ||	Did your wife ask for diamond ornaments? Did your brothers and parents ask for food? When your sincere devotees call you for help, you take the trouble of coming to their rescue. You are worshipped by Tyagaraja.