Exploring the Song, "chetah Sri Ramam"

Exploring the Song, “chetah Sri Ramam”

(Meaning with Commentary)

O Wandering (monkey-like) Mind: Think of Sri Rama. Meditate on Sri Rama, the One with dark cloud hued body. 

(You may ask, how do we fix our mind on Him, Sri Rama?) We contemplate that Sri Rama is surrounded by the pleasant singing ambience created by the exceptional musician, Tumbura. Not only that, they also have our great Rama bhakta, Sri Hanuman (Anjaneya) with two other exceptional associates, Gavaya and Gavaaksha. Both these latter characters did participate in the war with Ravana and fought valiantly on behalf of Sri Rama and His army. (The writer has tried to research about Gavaya and Gavaaksha. Perhaps, he may across some more enlightening information about them in either Tulasi Ramayana or Bhaskara Ramayana or in the Sanskrit original.)

Look at that alluring crown (on Sri Rama), fitted with the nine precious stones. How glorious it is to see the Lord with a garland filled with freshly plucked Tulasi shoots (leaves). O (wavering) Mind, seek shelter in Him. And meditate on Him.

The heart of Sri Paramahamsa (Sri Parama-Sivendra, the guru of Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra Swamy) is glowing with the light on the top of the spire (gopuram). Of course, that is where Sri Rama resides happily. And while contemplating on Sri Rama, do not forget about His delicate tender (leaf) shoots-like feet. Those feet absolved all the sins of mother Ahalya, the lady (wife) of sage Gautami. Just the dust (sand dirt) from His feet bestowed the release on the lady effortlessly. Do you still have any doubts about Sri Rama or His unwavering assurance to all those who surrender at His feet? Serve the Lord, Sri Rama, who is none other than the Para-Brahman. Copyright 2021 by the author

Link for the lyrics with Telugu script and English transliteration: http://pattri-pulu.blogspot.com/2021/01/lyrics-of-chetah-sriramam.html

Lyrics of "chetah Sriramam"

సురుటి రాగం   అది తాళము 

చేతః శ్రీరామం - చిన్తయ

జీమూత శ్యామమ్

1. అఙ్గీకృత (అంగీకృత)  తుమ్బురు సఙ్గీతం (సంగీతం) 

హనుమద్గవయ గవాక్ష సమేతమ్ ‌|| చేతః||

2. నవరత్న స్థాపిత కోటీరం

నవ తులసీ దళ కల్పిత హారమ్ ‌|| చేతః||

3. పరమహంస హృద్ (హృత్) ‌ గోపుర దీపం

చరణదళిత ముని తరుణీ శాపమ్‌|| చేతః||

chaeta@h SreeraamaM - chintaya

jeemootaSyaamam^

1. a~mgeekRta tumburu sa~mgeetaM

hanumadgavaya gavaaksha samaetam^ ‌|| chaeta@h||

2. navaratna sthaapita kOTeeraM

navatulaseedaLa kalpitahaaram^ ‌|| chaeta@h||

3. paramahaMsa hRd^ gOpuradeepaM

charaNadaLita muni taruNeeSaapam^|| chaeta@h||

(I have to explore these exceptional devotional songs leisurely some other time. Though the meanings may be apparent to some with Sanskrit knowledge, still they contain valuable insights into meditation, yoga, and bhakti. Sri Sadasiva Brahmendra Swamy composed very limited devotional songs, yet they stand out glistening through the fog of time. Again it is a great privilege to know this compassionate Swamy and learn his compositions. Of course, it goes without saying that I first heard this song from Dr. Balamuralikrishna.)