English Translation of "Buddhi Raadu" Kirtana

One will not get wisdom

(One learns not)

Without listening to elders’ good words (Refrain)

Wisdom will not dawn on (you)

Even after learning many great disciplines

(Even after mastering many skills)

However munificent one may be

With umpteen charities of 

Monies and food grains

Without tasting the ambrosia-filled-morsels of knowledge

From the sole-minded devotees

Even if one studies

Ramayana and Srimad-Bhagavatam (ceaselessly)

Without courting the friendship

Of wise people

Who understand the secrets, subtleties,

And profound truths behind

The human manifestation (avatara)

[Of a divine purpose – e.g. Rama, Krishna] 

(Of Sri Rama, the embodiment of 

A perfect human avatara)

Even after practicing Yoga(s)

Even after experiencing many luxuries

Without the friendship of

Rama's devotees

One does not become wise (enlightened)

Tyagaraja created several thousands of lyrical compositions. This song has a unique place among his vast creative output. Normally each carefully crafted lyric encapsulates the essence of life, conveying meaning and apt solution to a given situation. The present song appears to further distill the essence of devotion and jnana by many orders – it is like a blob of honey (or the white Indian sugar crystal); its profound meaning appears to be a concentration of all the essential knowledge. It delicately hangs like a honey droplet. Copyright 2021 by the author