Lyrics of "gange jaya tunga" Song

గఙ్గే - జయ తుఙ్గతరఙ్గే

1. కమల భవాణ్డ కరణ్డ పవిత్రే

బహువిధ బన్ధ చ్ఛేద లవిత్రే || జయ||

2. దూరీకృత జన పాప సమూహే

పూరిత కచ్ఛప గుచ్ఛ గ్రాహే|| జయ||

3. పరమహంస గురు భణిత చరిత్రే

బ్రహ్మవిష్ణుశఙ్కర నుతిపాత్రే|| జయ||

రాగం: సురటి    తాళం: ఆది 

ga~mgae - jaya tu~mgatara~mgae

1. kamala bhavaaNDa karaNDa pavitrae
bahuvidha bandha chChaeda lavitrae || jaya||

2. dooreekRta jana paapa samoohae
poorita kachChapa guchCha graahae|| jaya||

3. paramahaMsa guru bhaNita charitrae
brahmavishNuSa~mkara nutipaatrae|| jaya||

गाङ्गे - जय तुङ्ग तरङ्गे 

कमल भवाण्ड करण्ड पवित्रे 

बहु विध बन्ध च्छेद लवित्रे 

दूरीक्रुत पाप समूहे 

पूरित कच्छप गुच्छ ग्राहे 

परमहंस भणित चरित्रे 

ब्रह्मा विष्णु शंकर नुत पात्रे 

lavitre = sickle

This is a marvelous song on the sacred river Ganges. It describes the holy river in all its glory. Ganges is revered and held in high esteem in the hearts of many. Great civilizations sprouted on the banks of rivers - as water is essential for all living entities man, animal, and plants. Hindus right from little children to the elderly call the river lovingly as "Ganga mai". In Kasi it is a routine to take fresh flowers, turmeric, sindoor, and few coins and offer them to the river. Earlier the flowers and turmeric used to get quickly washed away by the rapid currents of full throated river. And thus no serious pollution would mar the sweet waters of Ganga. Now daily a mechanical skimmer collects all the flowers. 

The Ganges like Niagara Falls needs plenty of snow, rain from above (the skies) to keep it flowing. The Ganges is also a perennial river. In summer the melting snow from Himalayas keeps the river in full spate. In the first stanza, the poet speaks about the origins of Ganga. It started from the holy pitcher of Brahma (the Creator). The river waters are so powerful that they can cut through all the "bindings" (or Karmic entanglements) - all such knotty ropes are cut with a sharp sickle like water wave. One can write volumes about the Ganges or Niagara Falls; but to get a real feel about such marvelous natural bounties one must visit and touch the water. And one has to absorb the enormity of  life giving pure water. Without water (for that matter all the five primal elements like water, air, earth, fire, and sky) life cannot survive on this planet. Many historical famous personalities had (still have) close association with this river - like Trilinga Swamy, Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu, Uma Charan, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Tulasi Das, Dikshitar, and many others. 

"You put away or discard all the accumulated sins of people. Yet you hold the groups of 'turtles' like a flower bouquet." Here the turtle may also refer to Vishnu's avatar (కూర్మా వతారము).   

"Your stories and history is aptly uttered (narrated) by (my) Guru Parama (hamsa) Sivendra. Even the Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu, and Sankara praise you; certainly you deserve the praise of Trimurti." Here is a link to the rendition by Dr. Balamuralikrishna in his unique vibrant voice: Tunga tarange by Dr. Balamurali  Copyright 2024 by the author.

A Translation of "mivalla guna" Song

Translation of "mivalla guna"

Is there any flaw (defect)

In your (personality) qualities? 

(Is there any defect, any imperfection

that can be ascribed to you, Sri Rama?)

Whatever defects (or deficiencies) there are -

They are all solely due to me, (O) Lotus petal eyed One!

If the gold does not reach 24 carat purity

(If the gold cannot be refined to maximum purity)

What’s the point in wailing and complaining

To the goldsmith?

If the mother can’t bear the labor pains

Of her daughter, why get angry at her 

Errant son-in-law?

Perhaps, in some earlier birth

I did not give (donate) to deserving person(s)

(Did not indulge in generous charitable acts)

Forgot to pray, then what’s the point in complaining 

To the gods now?

Luminous (shining)

You, whose feet are praised by Tyagaraja -

You have helped my love and mind

Remain steady and grow 

(You have helped my bhakti stay firm)

[I dedicate this translation to Dr. Balamuralikrishna. For many singers and music connoisseurs (particularly of Carnatic style), he was the guru in absentia. He taught us the emotional touch in vocal music, precision with diction, and how to convey the real meaning behind each word and phrase. That our birth places are separated by a mere distance of 36 miles, just half-an-hour's drive is something I would cherish forever. Foolishly I dream like the  (proximate) wild creeper on a Sandalwood tree, that perhaps I too can sing as sweetly as the great genius and child prodigy. I have seen many articles written on him including several pieces in the Telugu newspapers. Here I will add only two sentences: He was a versatile consummate artist reaching extraordinary heights in literature, music composition, and singing. Truly the legendary musician can only be compared with the Trinity in Carnatic music. He was a rare phenomenon, that occurs only once in several centuries. We will definitely remember him fondly through his works and new ragas. How lucky is our generation! We got to see and know (about) the great ones in Indian philosophy, Hindu (Sanatana) Dharma, Indian music, literature, and dance. Copyright 2024 by the author]  

Lyrics of "dhirunaku vanadhi" Song

సాహిత్యము: భక్త రామదాసు  (1620 -1688)

ధీరునకు వనధి గంభీరునకు దుష్ట సంహారునకు 

ఘనమణీ హారునకును 

హర కర్పూర నీహార హీరా పటీర తారాళి కీర్తి విస్తారునకును  

జయ మంగళం - సదా (నిత్య) శుభ మంగళం 

మంగళము రామునకు మహిత శుభ నామునకు 

మంగళము సీతా సమేతునకును  

మంగళము సుర మకుట మణి లలిత పాదునకు

మంగళము క్షీరాబ్ధి  మందిరునకు

ఆద్యునకు బ్రహ్మాది వేద్యునకు  దుర్మద భేద్యునకు భవరోగ వైద్యునకు 

సద్యః ఫల ప్రదునకాద్యంత రహితునకు విద్యా వివేక జన హృద్యునకును 

జయ మంగళం - నిత్య శుభ మంగళం 

జైత్రునకు సౌమిత్రి మిత్రునకు  భక్త వన చైత్రునకు నవ పద్మ నేత్రునకును 

మిత్ర వంశాబ్ధి సన్మిత్రునకు 

సుర వినుత  పాత్రునకు జగద వని సూత్రునకును 

జయ మంగళం - సదా శుభ మంగళం 

dheerunaku vanadhi gaMbheerunaku dushTa saMhaarunaku ghanamaNee haarunakunu hara karpoora neehaara heeraa paTeera taaraaLi keerti vistaarunakunu jaya maMgaLaM - sadaa (nitya) Subha maMgaLaM maMgaLamu raamunaku mahita Subha naamunaku maMgaLamu seetaa samaetunakunu maMgaLamu sura makuTa maNi lalita paadunaku maMgaLamu ksheeraabdhi maMdirunaku aadyunaku brahmaadi vaedyunaku durmada bhaedyunaku bhavarOga vaidyunaku sadya@h phala pradunakaadyaMta rahitunaku vidyaa vivaeka jana hRdyunakunu jaya maMgaLaM - nitya Subha maMgaLaM jaitrunaku saumitri mitrunaku bhakta vana chaitrunaku nava padma naetrunakunu mitra vaMSaabdhi sanmitrunaku sura vinuta paatrunaku jagada vani sootrunakunu jaya maMgaLaM - sadaa Subha maMgaLaM

 

(I gathered the lyrics from Gollapudi Book and Mrs. Vedavathi Prabhakar’s rendition.

Often I get annoyed for not knowing many 'Arati' songs. As part of the traditional puja, devotional songs are included in the end while offering the "camphor flame" to Lord Rama. Over the years it seems I neglected Sri Bhakta Ramadasu (Gopanna) and his extraordinary output of devotional songs (kirtanas). Dr. Balamurali spent his last days singing Ramadasu's compositions. How lucky he was and how fortunate to remember Rama's name!

In the Carnatic music tradition there are many composers besides the trinity (Tyagaraju, Dikshitar, and Syama Sastri). The saying "Art is long and Life is short" comes to mind. Thus, for our own convenience and bound by time constraints we tend to dwell on only a few songs. Or, mostly emphasize the songs taught by our teachers. But here is a gem - this composition riveted my attention for ten days. First to learn the tune properly and second to grasp each word (phrase) and its meaning. Smt. Vedavathi did an excellent job of rendition. She must be congratulated for bringing out this rare composition to the wider public. Copyright 2023 by the author) Vedavathi rendition

English Translation of "ihame gani" Kirtana

Whether it is in the material world

Or

Whether it is in the supreme world

If I’ve plenty of bhakti on you, Hari

That’s enough

 

How does it matter?

Where I am born or

Where I exist?

If I can serve you at any place

That is ok

Be it in the Heaven or in the nether world

If I get your name

(If your name occurs to my mind)

That is enough

 

It is ok if I am a Lord or a lowly servant

If I can think of you in moments of

Molten heart

What if people praise

Or throw abuses (harsh words) at me

If I am your faithful servant –

That’s enough!

 

In this world (on this earth)

It is ok if I learn things

(If I become a scholar)

Still ok if I don’t acquire skills

If my mind captures your feet –

That’s enough (enow)

Splendorous (compassionate) Sri Venkatesa

Protect and guide me like this

Steadfastly hold me

ఇహమే గాని (కాని) యిక పరమే గాని

బహుళమై హరి నీపై భక్తే చాలు ||

ఎందు జనించిన నేమి ఎచ్చోటనున్న నేమి

కందువ నీ దాస్యము కలిగితే (కలుగుతే)  చాలు

అందు స్వర్గమేకాని అల నరకమే కాని

అందపు నీనామ నాకబ్బుతే చాలు ||

దొరయైన జాలు గడు దు(తు)చ్ఛపు బంటైన చాలు

కరగి నిన్ను దలంచ గలిగితే చాలు

పరులు మెచ్చిన మేలు పమ్మి దూషించిన మేలు

హరి నీ సేవా పరుడౌటే చాలు ||

యిల చదువులు రానీ యిటు రాక మాననీ

తలపు నీ పాదముల తగులితే చాలు

యెలమి శ్రీవేంకటేశ యేలితివి నన్ను నిట్టే 

చలపట్టి నాకు నీ శరణమే చాలు ||

Audio Links: ihame gani song

Dr. Balamuralikrishna's Rendition

(I first heard this song in a CD with Dr. Balamuralikrishna's vibrant voice. I think I bought it in New Jersey. Really it consists of seven gems of the choicest Annamayya compositions. It seems Sri Mohana Krishna accompanied the master as vocalist. Any errors, if any - they'll be corrected later through updates. Copyright 2022 by the author)

Annamayya Kirtana "Hari rasama"

హరి రసమా విహారి సతు -

సరసోయం మమ శ్రమ సంహారి

దయాని భృత తనుధారి సం

శయాతిశయ సంచారి

కయాప్యజిత వికారి

క్రియా విముఖ కృపాణ ధారి

సదా మిధ్యా జ్ఞాని 

సదు (సతు) మదాలి మతాభిమాని 

తదాశ్రిత సంధాని 

తదు తదా తదా చింతా శయనాని  

పరామృత సంపాది

స్థిరానంద స్వేవి 

వరాలాప  వివాది శ్రీ 

తిరువేంకటగిరి దివ్య వినోది

hari rasamaa vihaari satu - sarasOyaM mama Srama saMhaari dayaani bhRta tanudhaari saM SayaatiSaya saMchaari kayaapyajita vikaari kriyaa vimukha kRpaaNa dhaari sadaa midhyaa j~naani sadu (satu) madaali mataabhimaani tadaaSrita saMdhaani tadu tadaa tadaa chiMtaa Sayanaani paraamRta saMpaadi sthiraanaMda svaevi varaalaapa vivaadi Sree tiruvaeMkaTagiri divya vinOdi

(I heard it in a cassette, sung by Dr. Balamuralikrishna. If there are any errors, I will edit it later adding the video/audio link. Even without knowing its meaning fully one gets a respite from restlessness just by singing the Sanskrit devotional song) Copyright 2021 by the author

Rama Daiva Sikhamani - A Ramadasu Kirtana

తోడి రాగము, చాపు తాళము 

రామ దైవశిఖామణి సురరాజ మనోజ్వల భూ(షా) మణి || రామ ||

తామర సాక్ష సుధీమణి భవ్య తారక భక్త చింతామణి || రామ ||

 

నాడే మిమ్ము వేడుకొంటిగా శరణాగత బిరుదని వింటిగా

వేడుకై మిము (పొ)బొడ గంటిగా నన్ను దిగవిడనాడ వద్దంటిగా || రామ ||

 

చింతసేయగ నేమిలేదుగా ముందు చేసిన గతి తప్పబోదుగా

ఇంతకు మిక్కిలి రాదుగా నే నితరుల (గొ)కొలిచేది లేదుగా || రామ ||

 

తమ్ముడు నీతో  జంటను (నీతో ఒక్క కంటను)  రామదాసుని రక్షింప కుంటెను

సమ్మతి నుండు మాయింటను భద్రాచల వాస నీ బంటు బంటను || రామ ||

tODi raagamu, chaapu taaLamu raama daivaSikhaamaNi suraraaja manOjvala bhoo(shaa) maNi || raama || taamara saaksha sudheemaNi bhavya taaraka bhakta chiMtaamaNi || raama || naaDae mimmu vaeDukoMTigaa SaraNaagata birudani viMTigaa vaeDukai mimu (po)boDa gaMTigaa nannu digaviDanaaDa vaddaMTigaa || raama || chiMtasaeyaga naemilaedugaa muMdu chaesina gati tappabOdugaa iMtaku mikkili raadugaa nae nitarula (go)kolichaedi laedugaa || raama || tammuDu neetO jaMTanu (neetO okka kaMTanu) raamadaasuni rakshiMpa kuMTenu sammati nuMDu maayiMTanu bhadraachala vaasa nee baMTu baMTanu || raama ||

(The English transliteration is generated by Lekhini. I got attracted to this kirtana after listening to Dr. Balamuralikrishna in a CD. Here, bhakta Ramadasu says: "Then, on that day itself I surrendered to You. I heard that You have the unique title of 'rescuer of the fallen at Your feet'. With a rare pleasure I got to see You and I asked You not to leave me. What can I say? What's the use of feeling sad now? Whatever prior karma and its fruit is there, certainly one cannot escape it. We won't get more than that. And there is no way I am going to pray (worship) to others. Your brother (Lakshmana) too is not helping me. Looks like You both have conspired against me. (Anyway) Kindly stay with me in our house, O Lord of the Bhadra Mountain. I am Your servants' servant.) Copyright 2021 by the author

Ganesa Kirtana - A Rare Tyagaraja Composition

సౌరాష్ట్ర రాగం    ఆది తాళం 

శ్రీ గణపతిని సేవించ రారే శ్రిత మానవులారా

వాగధిపతి సుపూజల( జేకొని

బా(గు)గ నటింపుచును వెడలిన || శ్రీ || 

పనస నారికేళాది జంబూ ఫలము లారగించి

ఘనతరంబునను  మహిపై పదములు

ఘల్లు ఘల్లున నుంచి

అనయము (శ్రీ) హరి చరణయుగముల(లు) 

హృదయాంబుజమున నుంచి

వినయమునను (శ్రీ) త్యాగరాజ వినుతుని

వివిధ గతుల ధళుంగుమని వెడలిన  || శ్రీ || 

Srii gaNapatini sEvinca raarE

Srita maanavulaaraa

vaagadhipati supuujala( jEkoni

baaguga naTinpuchunu veDalina (Srii gaNapatini)

panasa naarikELaadi jamboo phalamu laaraginci

ghanatarambunanu mahipai padamulu

ghallu ghallununchi

anayamu (Srii) hari charaNayugamula(lu) 

hRdayaambujamuna nunchi

vinayamunanu (Srii) tyaaagaraaja vinutuni

vividha gatula dhaLungumani veDalina

(Come, let us pray (and serve) the Lord of all Groups, O worshippers. Sri Ganapati has just arrived after enjoying the puja(s) from Lord Brahma. Lo and behold His dancing steps and moves.

He has arrived after relishing jackfruit, coconut, jamun, and other fruits (at the puja). Gently, wearily He is putting heavy steps on the ground with the tingling sound of tiny bells. (Let us meet Him and pray.) Let us meet Him with our minds always focused on the feet of Lord Narayana ensconced in our hearts. We will go and meet Sri Ganapati with pure bhakti and obedience; the Lord whom Tyagaraja praises is coming out (in the procession) in splendorous glory and colors. Though I am utterly ignorant of Carnatic music theory, I learned this song with proper tune just by reading from Ms. Syama Sundari's compilation. I'll try to put audio link later. Copyright 2021 by the author.)

Lyrics of "Vedamu tiirchadu" Song

వేదము తీర్చదు వేరే శాస్త్రము(లు)

ఏదియు తీర్చదు ఇది నీ మాయ

నీవల్ల బ్రతికిరి నిండు దేవతలు

నీవల్ల అసురులు నెరి చెడిరి 

ఆవల కంతయు ఆత్మవు నీవె

సేవ చేయ నీ చిక్కిరి భువికి (1)

నెమ్మి పాండవులు నీవారంటివి

కమ్మర విడిచితి కౌరవుల

ఇమ్ముల కీ వావి కిద్దర కొకటే

తెమ్మలాయె నీ తీరని చిక్కు (2)

జగముల కెల్ల స్వతంత్ర నీవె

నెగదిన (అగణిత) జీవులు నీవారు

తగు శ్రీవెంకటపతి దైవమా ఇన్నియు

తెగి నీ దాసులు తీర్చిన చిక్కు! (3)

vEdamu tiirchadu vErE Saastramu(lu)

Ediyu tiirchadu idi nii maaya

niivalla bratikiri ninDu dEvatalu

niivalla asurulu neri cheDiri

aavala kantayu aatmavu niive

sEva chEya nii chikkiri bhuviki

nemmi paanDavulu niivaaranTivi

kammara viDichiti kauravula

immula kii vaavi kiddara kokaTE

temmalaaye nii tiirani chikku

jagamula kella swatantra niive

negadina (agaNita) jiivulu niivaaru

tagu SriivenkaTapati daivamaa inniyu

tegi nii daasulu tiirchina chikku! 

(I learned this devotional song from a CD with Dr. Balamuralikrishna's vibrant voice. Here I give the lyrics straight from my memory. Roughly the gist of the composition is this: Vedas cannot decipher nor any of the sastras. Nothing will explain, this is all Your (Lord Venkatesa's) maya. The Devas got life while the Asuras got perished - all because of You. But You are the soul (support) behind all this and the Devas descended on the earth to serve You. You befriended the Pandavas while You left the Kauravas to their own devices. But You apportioned everything equally before the war. Now, Your plan is all clear (to us). In all the worlds (the entire Universe) You are truly independent and without any opposition. All the sentient beings and all the life is Yours. All these divine (everything) entities, they're all You (Lord Venkatesa). That's how Your obedient servants (devotees) have resolved this puzzle! As I could not come up with something original for Krishna-ashtami quickly, I submit this piece as a small gesture towards Krishna's birth day. Originally I wanted a nice lullaby or childhood prank-filled story, perhaps it will come later.)

There may be one or two mistakes. They will be corrected later. Copyright 2021 by the author