Meaning of "Podaganti mayya" Song

Meaning of "Podaganti mayya" Song

(A classic Annamacharya Kirtana)

poDaganTi mi = We’ve witnessed, we’ve discovered, we saw you, we came across you; ayya = Sir; mimmu = you; purushottama = the best among all the people, the supreme being; mammu = us [memu = plural of I. mammu = accusative case of ‘we’];( n)eDayakavu = not separate, desert, or leave; ayya = please sir; koneTi rayaDu = Lord Venkateswara, the Lord who dwells adjacent to the tank of sacred waters on the seven hills.

kori = voluntarily, by choice, desiring; mammu = us; (n)elinatti = guarding, ruling with compassion; kula-daivama = are you our family’s favorite god? chala = greatly; nerichi = with cleverness, gathered with skill; pedda-licchina = gifted by the elders; nidhanama = precious accumulated wealth, hidden treasure, secretly buried wealth;

garavinchi = with respect, invite (the guest, stranger) with honors; dappi + tirchu = quench the (desperate) thirst; kala meghama = cool dark hued cloud, [a large dark cloud holds lot of water. Approximately a big cloud can equal in weight a herd of ten elephants. We are talking here 100 tons of water!] maku = for us; cheruva = in close proximity, nearby; (ji) chittamuloni = in(our) heart; Srinivasuda (?) = the Lord who always has Lakshmi with Him.

bhavimpa = upon pondering; kaivasamaina = fully accessible, readily available, within reach without any effort; parijathama = a tree in the gardens of Indra, a tree which fulfills people’s (and gods’) wishes spontaneously – just upon thinking, also known as kalpa-vriksha; mammu = us; chEvadEra = quintessential, concentrated, powerful; gachinaTTi = looked after, cared for; chintamani = the celestial precious stone (it fulfills ones wishes instantly), wishing stone; kavinchi = creates on the spot, produces material wealth; korikalicche = showers boons, fulfills desires; kamadhenuva = (is it?) the holy cow, usually stays with Indra;

tavai = as the surrounding oxygen gas with perfume; rakshimcheTi = that protects; dharaNidhara = king, ruler, Vishnu, mountain. (Perhaps there are some unique mountains or hills with special healing properties. The classic ‘Sanjivini Mount’ of Ramayana comes to mind. Just a whiff of perfume from such a mountain can have extraordinary Ayurvedic (life enhancing) power over a person. Even in ordinary instances we come across such relief from pain and extreme bodily exhaustion. For example, on a hot summer day we get temporary respite when we sit on the banks of Godavari, Krishna, or the Ganges. Similarly on a sweltering day one gets peace and rest upon reaching the Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks.)

cheDanika = preventing from degradation, destruction; bratikinche = making (someone) alive, bringing back to life; siddha  mantrama = a sacred chant gifted (offered) by a very devout yogi or holy person (such as Sri Ganapathi Muni, Sarada Mata, Sri Seshadri Swami, and others); roga-ladachi = that which suppresses diseases; rakshinche = protective,  efficacious;

divyaushadhama = very precious medicine; baDi = along with, accompanying; payaka = constantly, without break, without interruption; tirige = accompanying, walking with; praNa bandhuDa (?) = a close buddy, most intimate friend, truly a trusting close relative; mammu = us; gaDinchu = gaDiyinchu = earn, create; (In a way we are all created by Lord Srinivasa. We are created and sustained by Him) aTTi = such; Sri = auspicious, Lakshmi; Venkata-nadhuDa = the Lord who gets rid of our insurmountable difficulties (the Lord of Seven Hills).

[I came to know about Annamayya rather late. Of course my own interests and pursuits with Carnatic music started belatedly and haphazardly – with impromptu singings at temples, friends’ gatherings, or local festival programs. I came across one Annamayya kirtana (విన్నపాలు వినవలె)  by Bhanumati in an old Telugu movie (అనురాగం) – that was the beginning of my acquaintance with this extraordinary composer. Did I hear జో అచ్యుతానంద as a lullaby as a child? Later I used to hear many such songs on the radio by celebrated artists like Srirangam Gopalaratnam. Several legendary artists like  Dr. Balamurali, Sri Balakrishna Prasad and others imparted indelible musical stamp on many Annamayya’s songs. 

If I may, add an observation here: Tyagaraja, Ramadasu, and a number of great composers made musical compositions with their views on life, faith, nature, beauty, and romance. Yet no one can match Annamacharya in vivid picturization of romantic feeling, life's hardest travails, or sublime spiritual thoughts. If you have to know what is sheer poetry or beauty, you got to know Annamayya's songs; and know them well, their profound inner meaning (అంతర్గత ధ్వని).  

I humbly dedicate this little article to my mother who was a prodigious vocal artist in her own right. Perhaps I may slowly discharge my triple debts (ఋణ త్రయము) this way!] Copyright by the author 2018