by Damodara Rao Dasu

Tyagaraja in this kriti asks whether he belongs to Rama. He feels inseperable from Rama and says that he is Rama's servant.

P	nee vADanE gAna nikhila lOka nidAna nimisha mOrvagalana ||	Am I not yours? O Rama the root cause of this Universe can I bear separation even for minute.
AP	dEvAdi dEva bhoodEva vara paksha rA jeevAksha sAdhu jana jeevana sanAtana ||	You are the lord of celestial beings, brahmanas and the saints. You are Sanatana (Eternal).
C	satyambu nityambu samaramuna Sauryambu atyanta roopambu amita balamu nityotsavambu gala neeku nija dAsuDani tathyambu balku Sree tyAgarAjArchita ||	You are the embodiment of truth. You are eternal, brave, magnificent, mighty and ever auspicious. I am your own servant. Say 'Yes' Oh Lord of Tyagaraja.

In this krithi Tyagaraja prays to the supreme Mother Narayanee to protect him like his mother.

P	nannu kanna talli nA bhagyamA nArAyaNi dharmAmbikE ||	You are my mother, You are my fortune You are Narayanee and you are Dharmambika, the protector of Dharma.
AP	kanakAngi ramA pati sOdari karuNimpa vE nA kAtyAyani ||	You are kanakangi and sister of Vishnu Pity me Oh Katyayani!
C	kAvu kAvu maninE mora beTTa gA karaga dEmi madi kamala lOchani neevu brOvakA yevaru brOturu sa dA vara mosagE tyAgarAja nutE ||	When I am in distress, why is your heart not touched? Oh lotus eyed Mother, if you do not protect me who else will?

In this keertana, Narada's great qualities like chanting the name Narayana with a golden Veena in his hand and also his philosophic nature and love for all are described.

P	narada muni veDalina suguNAti sayamu vinarE ||	Hear Sage Narada's great qualities.
AP	sAreku Sree hari pada sArasamula dhyaninchuchu nArAyaNa nAmamulanu pArAyaNa monarinchuchu ||	He keeps his mind always on the lotus feet of Srihari, chanting the names of Narayana.
C	bhEdhA bhEdha rahita magu vEdAnta rasa bharitu DA hlAdamu meeraga prahlAdunaku Subhamu delupanu ||	He is not attached to anyone. He is the essence of Vedanta (philosophy). He came to give good news to Prahlada.
C	kaDu tella dEhamuna basiDi veeNe merayaga dA neDa bAyani prEmatO naDugaDuguku vAyinchuchu ||	With the golden Veena shining on his fair body, and incessant love for all, he played Veena.
C	rAjillina Sree tyAgarAja sakhuni marmamulanu ee jagatini vinna vAri kE jayamu jayamani ||	Victory to the listeners of Srihari's mystical stories. He is intimate to Tyagaraja.

In this krithi Tyagaraja requests Rama not to leave him even for a minute because Rama was like a pearl obtained from Ocean after a great struggle.

P	nannu viDachi kadalaku rA rAmayya ninnu bAsi ara nimisha mOrva nurA ||	Do not leave me and go Oh Ramaiah. I cannot be without you even for half a minute.
AP	abdhilO munigi SwAsanu baTTi ANi mutyamu gannaTlAye Sree ramaNa ||	Oh Sriramana, seeing you is like finding a precious pearl after diving in deep ocean holding the breath.
C	taramu gAni yenDa vELa kalpa taru neeDa doriki naTlA ye neevELa ||	It is like finding cool shade under kalpa taru (wish fulfilling tree) after suffering unbearable heat of the Sun.
C	vasudhanu khananamu chEya dhana bhAnDa mabbina reeti ganu gonTi DAsi || vaDalu tagiliyunna vELa goppa vaDaganDlu gurisinaTlAye ee vELa||	It is like finding treasure pot unexpectedly while digging ground. I experience the joy of a hail storm on a scorching day.
C	bAguga nannElu kOrA alla tyAgarAjanuta tanuvu nee dErA ||	Take care of me well, This body is yours. Oh Lord of Tyagaraja!

On the occassion of the marriage of Tyagaraja's daughter, some of his disciples presented a picture of Kodanda Rama. Then Tyagaraja sang in ecstasy describing Rama and Sita. He says that Rama knew the secret of his mind and came to his home.

P	nanu pAlimpa naDachi vachchitivO nA prANa nAdha ||	Oh my Lord, You have come walking to take care of me.
AP	vanaja nayana mOmunu joochuTa jee vana mani nenaruna manasu marmamu delasi ||	Knowing my heart, knowing that my life's purpose is to gaze at your lotus eyed face, You have come.
C	Sura pati neela maNi nibha tanuvu tO uramuna mutyapu sarula chayamu tO karamuna Sara kOdanDa kAntitO dharaNi tanaya tO tyAgarAjArchita ||	Your body is shining like blue sapphire and you are adorned with a number of pearl garlands on your chest You are shining with bow and arrow in your arms. You have come with Goddess Sita the daughter of the Earth. You are the lord of Tyagaraja.

In this keertana Tyagaraja compares the happiness in possessing wealth to the devotion to Rama. He gives many examples to explain this.

P	nidhi chAla sukha mO rAmuni sa nnidhi sEva sukhamO nijamuga balku manasA ||	Are you happy with your treasure or are you happy with the pleasant service to Rama, Oh my heart. tell me the truth.
AP	dadhi nava neeta ksheeramulu ruchO dASarathi dhyAna bhajana sudhArasamu ruchO ||	Are curds (yogurt) butter and milk tasty or is the nectar of meditating and singing the praise of Rama happy ?
C	Sama dama manu gangA snAnamu sukhamO ka rdama durvishaya koopa snAnamu sukhamO mamatA bandhana yuta nara stuti sukhamO sumati tyAgarAja nutuni keertana sukhamO ||	Is the experience of equanimity and control of the senses which is like a holy bath in Ganga river pleasant? Or is indulging in deplorable mire of earthly pleasures which is like a bath in well water pleasant ? Is praising men for worldly bonds happy or is singing the praise of Lord Tyagaraja happy?

Tyagaraja expresses his devotion for Rama in a sircastic manner. He says that Rama's brothers, Anjaneya, and Sita are there to praise him and that He does not require Tyagaraja's prayers.

P	nE pogada kunTE nee kEmi koduvA nee manasu telisE kadarA O rAmA ||	What is lacking to you, if I do not praise you. I know your mind, Oh Rama.
AP	prApugala suka sanaka prahlAda nArada para mESa rudrAdi bhaktu larchimpaga ||	The famous Suka, Sanaka, Prahlada, Narada, Rudras and other devotees are praying to you.
C	bhujimpa beTTe sati budhulu sAmAjikulu bhajiyimpa sOdarulu pavana soonu DajabiDoujAdi suralA ptulainAru nee raja nayaNa Sree tyAgaraja nuta bAluDagu ||	Your wife and many learned people offer you food. Anjaneya, Brahma, Indra and the other Gods are dear to you. After all, I am an insignificant boy before them, Oh lord of Tyagaraja.

In this keertana, TyagarAja says that he is not able to see the ever smiling face of Rama because of his pitiable condition and requests him to protect. He says that the God protected Gajendra without any delay and questions him why he is delaying in his case.

P	nagu mOmu gana lEni nA jAli delisi nanu brOva rArAdA Sree raghuvara nee ||	I am not able to see your smiling face. You know my pitiable state. Why don't you come to protect me Oh Raghuvara.
AP	naga rAja dhara needu pari varu lella vogi bOdhana chEsE vArulu gArE aTulunDa durA nee ||	You lifted (Govardhana) mountain. Your kinsmen may not advise you to be unhelpful to me.
C	khaga rAju nee Anati vini vEga chana lEdO gaganAniki ilaku bahu doorambani nADO jaga mElE para mAtmA yavari tO mora liDu du vaga choopaku tALanu nannElu kOrA tyAgarAja nuta nee ||	Garuda the king of birds obeyed your orders and flew at once. Did he say that sky is too far from the earth. Oh the protector of the world, who else can I approach. Do not ignore me. I cannot bear. Protect me, Oh Lord of Tyagaraja.

In this kruti Tyagaraja implores Narada to show mercy without any hesitation. He praised Narada for providing foundation of all Sastras and Epics to enlighten and uplift the mankind.

P	nArada guru sAmee ika naina na nnAdarincha vEmi ee kara vEmi||	Oh Narada, the teacher par excellence, why don't you show your kindness? Why am I deprived?
AP	sAreku sangeeta yOga naigama pArangatuDaina parama pAvana ||	You are the master of music, yoga and other sastras. You are absolutely pious.
C	itihAsa purANAgama charitamu levari valla kalige patini dAna mivva buddhi satya bhAma keTula kalige dyuti jita Saradabhra ninu vinA, muni yatula kevaru salige kshitini tyAgarAja vinuta nammiti chinta deerchi prahlAduni brOchina ||	Who is that great soul that enlightened the mankind with epics and other mythological stories? How did Satyabhama get the idea of giving her spouse as charity? You have the radiance of autumn moon. Who else is there in this world to enlighten and guide the sages and yogis. Oh Lord of Tyagaraja, you dispelled all fears by protecting Prahalada. I have implicit faith in you.

In this song Tyagaraja requests Rama not to make delay in showing kindness to him.He adds that Rama's greatness will not be reduced if He pities Tyagaraja.

P	nee daya rAda rama ||	Why don't you show mercy?
AP	kAdane vAreva ru kalyANa rAma ||	Who will object,Oh Kalyana Rama?
C	nanu brOchE vADani nADE teliya ina vamSa tilaka inta tAmasamA ||	I know that you are my savior even long before. Oh star of Sun dynasty, why this delay?
C	anniTiki adhikAri vani nE bogaDiti manninchitE needu mahima ku dakkuvA ||	I praised you as my sole master. If you are kind to me ,will your greatness lessen?
C	rAma rAma rAma tyAgarAja hritsadana nA madi talla Dilla gA nyAyamA vEgamE ||	I chant your name incessantly,Oh Rama my heart is in deed your abode. My mind is agitated, is it fair? Hasten.

In this kruti Tyagaraja says that Rama alone is his guru (teacher) He says that guru is the purifier, is as bright as the sun, and is the ultimate resort to all.

P	nee chittamu nirmalamu niSchalamani ninnE nammi nAnu ||	I have faith in you alone because your mind is pure and tranquil.
AP	nA chittamu vanchana chanchala mani nannu viDa nADakumee Sree rAma ||	Oh Rama, don't leave me doubting that my mind is deceitful and wavering.
C	gurvu chilla ginja guruvE bhramaramu guruDe bhAskaruDu guruDe bhadruDagu guruvu nee vanu konTi dharanu dAsuni brOvu tyAgarAja nuta ||	Guru is like a seed used to separate mud from muddy water. Guru is like a honey bee. Guru is the sun himself. Guru is the savior. I consider you as my Guru, Oh lord of Tyagaraja, protect me.

In this kruti, Tyagaraja tells us that the divine trinity, namely Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara shine by nadopasana (absorb in the divine sound of music) and that they can be worshipped by nadopasana.

P	nAdO pAsana jEsE Sankara nArAyaNa vidhulu velasiri O manasa ||	The divine trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Sankara radiate splendor by Nadopasana (absorb in the divine sound of music). Oh my heart.
AP	vEdoddharulu vEdA teetulu viSwa mella ninDi yunDeDi vAralu ||	They uphold Vedas. They are even above the Vedas. They pervade the whole universe.
C	mantrAtmulu yantra tantrAtmulu mari mantramulanniyu kala vAralu tantree laya swara rAga vilOlu ru tyAga rAja vandyulu swatantrulu ||	They are adored by the mantras (incantations). They are worshipped for occult powers by some. They existed in all the divine eras (manvantram). They get immersed in the musical sound of the swaras and ragas in rhythm by stringed instruments and voice. They are free from all bondages. They are worshipped by Tyagaraja.

In this kruti Tyagaraja extols the spiritual nature of music which bestows us supreme bliss.He says that even celestial beings absorb themselves in music.

P	nAda lOlu Dai brahmA nanda mondavE manasa ||	Oh my Lord, attain supreme bliss by immersing in the sublime Omkara nadam.
AP	swAdu phala prada sapta swara rAga nichaya sahita ||	The seven musical notes and Raagas produce music as tasty as fruits.
C	hari harAtma bhoosurapati Sara janma ganESAdi vara mounulu pAsincharE dhara tyAga rAju teliyu ||	Vishnu, Siva, Brahma,Indra,Subrahmanya,Ganesa and other blessed sages absorb themselves in the sound of sublime music. Tyagaraja knows that in this world.

In this kruti Tyagaraja says that he keeps immense faith in Rama. He laments that Rama, who blessed Sugreeva and Vibheeshana, is not listening to his prayers.

P	nA morAla kimpa vEmi Sree rAma ||	Why don't you listen to my prayers?
AP	oka vana charu DalanADu sahO daru bAdhalu tA LAka mora liDa brOchitivi tanaku sugreevamu kAdA nee mahimalu vini vini nE nentO nera nammiti ||	I heard of your great powers and kept immense faith in you. Once you protected Sugreeva from his evil brother Vali who stole his kingdom and wife. Is it not a pride for you?
C	oka niSi charuDanna mATa lOrvaka Sara NanagA Suka vachanamulO nAdu paluku lanni vibheeShaNa mA ||	You gave refuge to Vibheeshana when his brother Ravana insulted him. Is that not a great gesture (Vibheeshanamu)? I told you about me very clearly and prayed. I have all hopes in you. You know that Tyagaraja is your servant.
C	poosalu guchchina yaTu vale pooni bhajinchaga Asalu gala gala tyAga rAju dAsu Danuchu telisi ||	I told you about me very clearly and prayed. I have all hopes in you. You know that Tyagaraja is your servant.

In this kruti Tyagaraja picturises the nectar of music as the form of Kodanda Rama.All the aspects of karnatik music are compared to Rama and his bow.

P	nAda sudhA rasam bilanu narAkruta yA manasa ||	Oh my heart, the nectar of sublime music (pranava nadam)has taken the form of a man in this world.
AP	vEda purANA gama SAstrAdula kAdhAramou ||	Nadam is the basis for the Vedas,the epics and all knowledge.
C	swaramulu Aroka ghanTalu vara rAgamu kOdanDamu dura naya dESyamu triguNamu nirata gati Saramu rA sarasa sangati sandarbhamu gala giramulurA dhara bhajanE bhAgyamurA tyAgarAju sEvinchu ||	The seven bells of Rama's bow are seven musical notes.Rama's bow is Ragam.The three kinds of Ragas namely Ghana,Naya and Desa are like the shower of arrows.The neravus and sangatis are like Rama's words.Chanting the name of Rama is our fortune.Tyagaraja serves Him.

In this kriti Tyagaraja surrenders at the feet of Sri Rama stating that physical existence is full of sins and is temporal.

P	needu charaNamulE gati nerata nammina vADanu rA oh rAma ||	Oh Rama My ultimate refuge is your lotus feet. I have unwavering faith in you only.
AP	vEda vEdanta vidutunDani velayu Sree sarvESa rAma ||	Oh Rama the lord of humanity, You descended in this world as preceptor of the Vedas. You are steeped in spiritual wisdom.
C	papa karmapu kunDa rA ( tanuvu rA) indu bAdhapaDa nE jAlarA rAma E pagidi naina nannElu kO tyAgarAja nuta ||	This body is temporal like a pot and is full of sins. Oh Rama, enough is this misery in this world. Protect me somehow or other. Oh Rama you are worshipped by Tyagaraja.

In this kruti Tyagaraja expresses that there is no use in spending one’s time in debates on various types of religion. He adds that those who engross in devotional songs of Rama attain salvation.

P	nee bhajana gAna rasikula nE nendu gAnarA rAmA ||	Oh Rama, where can I find Rasikas engrossed in you, singing devotional music?
AP	Sree bhava sarOjAsanAdi Sachee manO ramaNa vandya ||	Lakshmi, Brahma, Saraswati, and Indra bow to you.
C	saguNa nirguNapu nija dabbara lanu shaN matamula marma mashTasiddhula vagalu choopa santa silli ganTini varAnana tyAgarAja vinuta ||	Idol worshippers, meditators of formless god and achievers of eight occult powers belonging to all six schools of religion need not spend all their time in debates and discussions. I found that absorbing in the devotional music of Rama is the best means to attain salvation, Oh lord of Tyagaraja.

Tyagaraja, in this Kruti extols the greatness of devotion to Rama which he says imparts the real meaning of all the vedic karmas (rituals).

P	nee bhakti bhAgya sudhA nidhi needE janmamu ||	Blessed are the persons who have the fortune of swimming the nectar like ocean of devotion to Rama.
AP	bhoo bhAramu gAni sura bhoosurulai janminchina ||	Even the birth of celestial gods and learned persons without devotion to God is only a heavy burden on this earth.
C	vEdOktambou karmamu veta kalgu gatAgata mou nAdAtmaka tyAgarAja nAdhA pramEya sadA ||	Devotion gives the real meaning to all rituals and oblations prescribed by the Vedas which otherwise result in rebirth only. Tyagaraja with divine music (nada) as his soul has faith in this always.