Meaning of "Adi modi galade" Song

Chaduvulanni = all fields of knowledge; d(t)elisi = knowing, having mastered; Sankara + amsudai = born with the essence (an aspect) of Sankara, taken the earthly form with Sankara’s qualities; sadayudu = compassionate, kind hearted; asuga = the god of wind; sambhavundu = offspring, son of; mrokka = prayed, saluted;

“I keep following You (Rama) with devotion as a faithful shadow, remain faithfully attached to Your feet – yet You hardly say a word or reply even a syllable. What a wonder! Your reticent attitude has no parallel, O Rama.”

Lord Hanuman, being none other than a scion (portion) of the great compassionate Sankara (Lord Siva) approached You with a respectful salute (namaskar) in the forest. Then look what happened – You made tactical agreements with Sugriva (brother of Vali) for the ultimate war with king Ravana. With such a background, who gives any importance to Tyagaraja? Who cares about lesser mortals like Tyagayya? In such circumstances is there any chance (luck) for lesser humans? If Hanuman ji got such a short shrift of treatment, where is the chance for a positive response to Tyagaraja? Where is the possibility for any response to the composer’s endless beseeching, pleading? In such dire unpredictable situations where is the possibility of better luck for the composer? Or, who is Tyagayya to receive any better treatment at the hands of Rama? What is the status of Tyagayya in the hierarchy (totem pole) of great many bhaktas of Rama? This point is worth pondering for all the Carnatic singers, Rama bhaktas, and ardent devotees. There are some passages in Sri Ramakrishna’s biography (scribed by M) where we find similar incidents; Devi Kali mata was on the premises of Dakshineswar temple, in the gardens but She was busy in Her own playful acts with other goddesses. 

Often the Guru tries to instill in the disciple the value of “patience or perseverance” (saburi). We have to read, listen, and sing a lot to appreciate this essential quality. Depending on one’s taste (or bend of mind) one can choose any of the nine modes of bhakti. Many times we try to visit sacred places, rivers, or temples; but we succeed only in a select few of our undertakings. And even such rare successes are precious gifts for us. We must try to utilize all our energies, enthusiasm, and time to see rare (one-of-a-kind) swamis and ancient pilgrim places; such acts should be done preferably when one is young, able bodied, and full of bubbling energy. A kind parent, relative, or friend may prod us to do such unusual religious (or faith based) acts. Now “the world is too much with us”; every act is oriented towards material benefit or physical pleasure. But when one is bedridden, sick, injured, or inconsolably sad, who will help us? At times we may be unconscious with severe bodily pain, at such desperate moments who will come to our rescue? This is a thought for all – young and elderly. Bad luck can befall on anyone, at any time. That’s why we try to save and store some smidgen of “prayer, meditation, and japa” for future. We keep a ‘rainy day fund’ in bank for emergency use. Similarly we must keep some savings of spiritual endeavor for future. Even recalling Hari’s name at the right time (a true crisis) is very difficult; here we must appreciate the good fortune of King Gajendra (see Srimad-Bhagavatam) for having good mental faculties even in the midst of excruciating pain. There, then in the slippery muddy pond he was in the cruel jaws of the crocodile; the crocodile was mercilessly goring his sensitive toes with its nasty sharp teeth. By then the elephant was on his last ounces of energy, totally dehydrated and utterly hungry. The mammoth mammal was on the verge of total collapse and drifting into delirium. It was losing consciousness. And then suddenly due to its past virtuous karma (tapas) the elephant suddenly remembered Hari (with His qualities) and surrendered to His grace. 

None of us are like the Kanchi Paramacharya. The Swami could undergo cataract surgery without anesthesia. At another time the celebrated walking guru did extended tapas sitting in the midst of five fires (పంచాగ్నులు) while running high bodily fever. Such extraordinary circumstances can make the mind focus acutely on Hari’s name; but many ordinary bhaktas cannot achieve such pointed concentration. Soul stirring full throated vocal singing of great compositions or bhajans also provides peace and total communion with Sri Rama. That is all one can do – be it in times of happiness or utter despair.    

Breakfast Guest (Short Story)

Breakfast Guest

“Subbulu, they’re all gone. The almost semi-ripe tomatoes, the tender stalks, and some of your wildflower plants. It has torn them all during the early morning. I thought we’ve changed its behavior, dissuaded it from encroaching into our vegetable and flower garden.” I almost felt like shrieking but what’s the point now? 

“What happened dear? Are the rose bushes ok?” 

“Luckily the roses seem alright. We have to put physical barrier for ‘em too. They are full of buds, so better watch out.” If any bark seems ripped from a bush, it is a sign of the deer from the nearby woods and local park (green space). If things close to the ground get munched, then it is due to the chipmunks, squirrels, or cottontails. Fortunately this season there is an abundance of walnuts, acorns, and maple seeds. So most of the squirrels are after chasing the nuts, gnawing at them, leaving half eaten nuts on the ground and playing with their mates. The chipmunks are rather strange – you never what catches their fancy. This year they are after the marigold buds and flowers. After a bit of head scratching, I installed some thorny branches in the marigold pots, just to give them slight discomfort while they are engrossed in their hearty meals of tender flowers. That saved the day and we are fortunate to have plenty of colorful fragrant fresh flowers for our daily puja and for the local Narayana temple. 

After a rather disappointing morning, I flowed through the daily routine and retired. Both of us thought about a permanent solution to the deer menace and the hungry rabbits especially during the spring. It happens in harsh winters too when the entire land is filled with several feet of snow; the hungry cervids nibble the tender rhododendron shoots and dormant flower buds, pull the bark of burning bushes and maple trees. As a rule you are not to go to sleep with a thought on your mind; that means the day’s homework is not completed, the books not properly balanced (closed). Otherwise the mind goes into an overdrive to finish the lingering thoughts and resolve the loose ends. Slowly I dozed off and fell into a trance.

“I see a slight discomposure on your face today. May I help, dear?”

I felt awkward, but the Guru knows everything. Yet he (He) tries to remain beyond the powerful maya. Like a gentle friend he would not intrude into our thoughts or house unnecessarily. 

“It is trifling really, I should’ve understood it, solved it, and done with it immediately”

“Yes, you are capable. You are well read, discriminating, I would even say a jnani.”

“It is just a pesky deer, so I thought in the beginning. But it is more than that as I see it now.”

“Yes, I know it all. Do you remember? Once you so desperately wanted to offer clean home made food to an orthodox Brahmin on a holy day; perhaps to mark your gratitude to the departed parents. But in this day and age, where would you find an observant Brahmin? If it were impossible for Umacharan in the nineteenth century in Kasi, would it be easy today in a remote Finger Lakes corner? I sensed your predicament and kindly watched the events. Some day your wish would be fulfilled promptly, so I thought. But even I got surprised by the turn of events today, that too in the wee hours.”

“To day morning I got a jolt looking at the ravaged hand grown tomato plants. It took a while to sooth my ruffled feelings.”

“Though you know many things, it is often very difficult to let go off the last vestiges of ego. I wouldn’t put it crudely as ego; it is more like this feeling of touch or pulse. Obviously it’s there for a purpose – it is to protect the physical body and mind from injury. But excessively limiting the ‘consciousness’ to the earthly body can work havoc.

So you are not angry for the loss of a few dollars worth of tomatoes. Now during the growing season, you can get them at the farmers market at a fair price. Nor are you upset about someone robbing your fruit without rightfully paying for it. After all, you’ve received countless acts of generosity from many humans, animals, and even plants. Your grandmother healed your childhood fevers with gunta-kalaraku. You must have benefited immensely from the village Ayurvedic doctors, teachers, and well-wishers. After all one cannot say all those do-gooders got compensated fully. So life is like that, you gain some and you give some. On a really philosophical plane, this observation is true: You are here on the earth only as limited rights tenant. You do not own anything, although you may have a bank account and other properties.  The sooner one absorbs this eternal truth, the better life will be. 

But coming to the microscopic issue of tomatoes, the gardener can only take a part of the credit. Credit must also be given to the farmer who gifted you quality cow manure, the bees, the earthworms and microorganisms of the soil, and of course the most important of all – the benevolent Sun who tirelessly insolates this heavenly earth. No we cannot usurp others’ contribution. No, you know very well as a student of science we cannot take credit for our brains or body. They’re just handed down to us by our parents (ancestors). The ancestors tirelessly struggled through thick and thin, through draughts and downpours, and survived and bestowed us almost defect free genes. Who would do that in the modern world? Will any corporation do it for less? Will any test tube company sell you such excellent genes? Or, any government agency? No, period - as they say here.

Now, let us come to the finer points, the subtle lessons here. What’s the use of reading tomes of scriptural texts? That too, the reading gets muddied through and gets diluted and distorted through umpteen unfaithful translations from the (Sanskrit) originals. It is akin to wallowing in the murky muddy waters without ever smelling the nearby superbly fragrant lotus. People keep on talking endlessly about Vedas, Upanishads, and Jnana Yoga, etc. But practicing one single precept is enough: Speak truth – truth as enunciated in the original scriptures or elaborated by any guru like Sankara. Never hurt any being, tree, or part of nature. Always support and help life on the earth."

“Yes, Sir. You are so right. I never thought my Guru would come down to this level to instruct me so gently and so lovingly. I feel so lucky to deserve your benediction and protection. Now you’ve explained the gist of Isopanishad so succinctly. I simply bow in reverence and pay my gratitude in silence.” Copyright 2025 by the author

  

Pious Prayers (Poem)

Pious Prayers

Aren’t these pious prayers?
Not earnest enough?
The little sparrow
Had to crawl underneath the car
For a lick of freshly made cool water
Below the a/c compressor

Yesterday early morning
A thirsty crow was
Tapping the skylights,
The translucent convex domes
For cool condensed mist drops
A tiny few at most!

In desperation the neighborhood crows

Are nibbling the Staghorn sumac cone

Fruit drupes even in the summer -

Normally reserved for the hard winters

The stream, near the cataract
That too has dried up
Hardly there is a trickle

You see flow only after persistent drizzles
In the lean summer months
Now you see no current –
And
I miss the music of our
Backyard falls, its meditative murmurings
A soothing
Hushed lovers’ conversation in the night

My great grand father would
Have performed yagnas – on command he could 
Call the benevolent Indra – Prajnanya
My maternal grand father too 
Was a simple, self effacing reader of the
Vedas – that perennial fountain of dharma (धर्म)
No, not the misinterpreted phrase “dhamma/damma”
Found in modern dictionaries or eastern religious treatises 
Outlined in a foreign European tongue - English

Dharma as instructed in the three Vedas
The original mode of human conduct -
It is meant to uplift one and all beings (souls)
And gently guide them towards
Real enlightenment; that was
Way before the modern Maslow!

Now, with a few Sanskrit phrases
I can utter, say a bit haltingly
Prayers to the thirty three crores (of) gods
For a simple cool summer shower
I need them for my Gardenia flowers,
Lawn, sacred Basil (Tulasi),
And Okras

The local farmers too need them
For sweet corn and vegetable crops
The deer, birds, and playful squirrels
Rabbits too need them
A respite from the hot dry wind
Won’t you bless us with
A silky carpet of Jasmines and Dianthus
Govinda?
Your name itself is – Narayana
You seem to float on
A veritable ocean of fresh water

(Dedicated to all the weary drought stricken people walking miles for a pitcher of fresh water across continents. This poem was originally penned in northeast US during a long dry spell in summer. It resonates and finds relevance in the very dry arid regions of Rajasthan, south India, and even the coastal Andhra. And many other dry regions all over the world.) Copyright 2025 by the author

Modern Interpreters of Hindu Philosophy

Modern Interpreters of Hindu Faith

It is indeed a great privilege to write about the untiring advocates of the Hindu faith. Many a time an honest sincere interpreter of Sanatana Dharma will get only heaps of scorn or brickbats. It is a thankless job – assiduously going through thousands of pages of Sanskrit original texts and assimilating their true meaning and purport. A select few will gain the insight into these texts through the grace of a (the) Guru or Devi (Sri-Mata). Then one has to synthesize all the diverse canonical texts, the Puranas, Brahma-Sutras, Upanishads, the three epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Srimad-Bhagavatam) and countless commentaries. It is verily an impossible task and endless journey – not achievable in a lifetime. Often a lonely pursuit and if one is lucky, one at least encounters the Guru or (to put metaphorically) the light at the end of a tunnel! 

The Telugu land (particularly Andhra Pradesh) has over the centuries produced a number of first-rate original preceptors (including the Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna). We do not know why this piece of land (dirt) has produced exceptional music composers, Hindu philosophers, and saints. One cannot assert that it is due to any inherent goodness on the part of its inhabitants; perhaps Kanaka Durga and Balaji showered their choicest grace on this populace as an answer to their incessant daily prayers and to alleviate their mundane suffering. Who would have guessed Sri Ganapathi Muni, Trilinga Swamy, Sripada Srivallabha, and even J. Krishnamurti would be born in the same province (or geographical land mass)?

Now, I want to introduce Swami Medhananda-puri and Sri Shanmukha Sarma to the wider world. They are already known through the modern Internet, YouTube, and lots of video clips. I cannot really add anything to their well-established repute or credentials.

Sri Medhananda-puri is well versed in all the four languages: Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, and English.  He is associated with the Kailash Ashram and gives discourses at the Bahamas retreat also. I am especially touched by his Telugu translation of the Kanakadhara Stotram. His discourses on Brahma-Sutras bring out the essence in all its purity and glory. So are his diligent elucidations of the Upanishads (ex: Mandukya) with line-by-line explanation and additional commentary. For the Hindi audiences as well as the Telugu populace the teacher is an invaluable gift. We should not be cavalierly carried away or get exulted by a few English-speaking Swamis or books in this area (of Brahma-vidya). The reason is simple: For many Sanskrit textual words there are no equivalents in English, ex: dharma, mukti, moksha, karma, Eswara, murti, etc. Usually a glossary is appended hurriedly to provide a rough idea to the non-vernacular, non-Sanskrit (foreign/Indian) reader. In addition to this rough translation we have the augmented noise (white noise) of wrong interpretation; incorrect interpretation also occurs when the proponent (expounder) has deep prejudices. Often the interpreter is not even aware of his (her) blinds or in-built biases. We find even in scientific fields there are individuals who hold irrational (erroneous) beliefs (ex: Shockley, Crick) – now what to speak of “Brahman”? Earlier times we had Sri Ramana, Sri Paramacharya, and many other acharyas who came to our rescue; they patiently showed us the validity of our Sastras and interpreted our scriptures like Gita in simple words. Paramacharya always blessed his audience and showed the way, coming down to the layperson’s level. Today we are extremely lucky to have several original interpreters of Hindu scriptures in the Telugu land. One would hope all the Telugu people take advantage of this unique historical opportunity. 

For the aspirant in this exploration there are a number of hurdles: Finding the right text, correct translation, and explanations. Then one has to self-study with patience. Still numerous doubts and troubles crop up in the path. Where would the enquirer turn to for help? Luckily the Kanchi Kamakoti site has some of the finest “Benediction Discourses” by Paramacharya. There we come across valuable advice and guidance. Sri Ramana (maharishi) reiterates many times thus: “Here, in this context and matter, what we have to do is this. Normally we accumulate knowledge and skills. But here we ‘dis-cover’; we remove the set of layered beliefs. Like peeling away the onion layers. The effulgent self needs no support, needs no further explanation or elaboration. So, all the books, scriptures, and commentaries merely give us a partial map to (towards) the truth. At one point even Sri Ramana agreed all this amounts to burdensome baggage – which eventually gets discarded (unloaded) on the way. So, one need not get discouraged by sheer ignorance or lack of scholarship!

Sri Shanmukha Sarma brings wit and acerbic humor to his discourses. But his respect, love, and care for the audience is boundless. Why would anyone travel thousands of miles and give extended discourses in USA? Why? Why would anyone miss the creature comforts and homely meals? All for imparting the essence of Bhagavad-Gita slokas? Sri Shanmukha Sarma is a devout Lalita devotee and an extraordinary lyrical poet. His songs on Siva are marvelous and they melt anyone who can fully understand Sanskrit and Telugu phrases. There are nine ways to pay our devotion to Narayana. One of the easiest methods is to patiently listen to the narration of Ramayana or Srimad-Bhagavatam. And then slowly meditate on the subtle message and meaning therein. In this present day we are lucky to have such extraordinary scholarly exponents in our midst. Many of the routine doubts get evaporated like the foggy curtain upon the first ray of sun! Sri Shanmukha Sarma can be called as the “great synthesizer” of Hindu thought. A thought, rather an insight so original, so ancient, so liberating, and so profound – it is worth meditating outside time. (Copyright 2023 by the author) 

Riches (A Poem)

sirulu

                                        - (atri)

lEvu sirulu vaDDiikaasula vaani hunDiilalO

lEvu okka taamara mogga mugdha lachchi vadda

lEvu kubEra bokkasamuna madiiya bojja gaNapatiki unDraaLLu

lEnivaaDanipinchukonu bhasmalEpita bhikshakuDu Sivunivadda

kalavu palu rahasyapu maNimaanyamulu, bhuvanaika sundaradhanamul

kaladu samastajagadhdhanaraasi aa peddamma annapuurNamma bhaanDamulO 

సిరులు

                                        - (అత్రి)

లేవు సిరులు వడ్డీకాసుల వాని హుండీలలో

లేవు ఒక్క తామర మొగ్గ ముగ్ధ లచ్చి వద్ద

లేవు కుబేర బొక్కసమున మదీయ బొజ్జ గణపతికి ఉండ్రాళ్ళు

లేనివాడనిపించుకొను భస్మలేపిత భిక్షకుడు శివునివద్ద

కలవు పలు రహస్యపు మణిమాన్యములు, భువనైక సుందరధనముల్

కలదు సమస్తజగధ్ధనరాసి ఆ పెద్దమ్మ అన్నపూర్ణమ్మ భాండములో Copyright 2009 by the author

Riches

No riches in Balaji’s hundis

No, not a single lotus with the demure Lakshmi

And in Kubera’s godown

There aren’t enough modakas for my Ganesa

Yet

There are many hidden stones, and one-of-a-kind

Rare treasures with Siva, that wandering mendicant

With ashes all over His body

And the largest collection of treasure cosmic safe

Is with

The great Mother (aunt), Annapurna

Concealed in the stone-studded silver jar

In Her hand

(This is a translation of the Telugu poem “sirulu”, by the author)

Copyright 2021 by the author 

Meaning of "Brahma kadigina" Song

Brahma = One of the principals of the Tri-murthi (Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheswara), the One assigned with the sole responsibility of creation; kadigina = washed; paadamu = foot;

celagi = blossoming, sprout, with joy; vasudha = the earth; kolichina = measured; nii = your; bali tala = the head of King Bali, emperor Bali; mopina = placed; talapaka = without even deliberate intent; gaganamu = the sky; tannina = hit, struck; balaripu = Lord Indra, the king of all the devas; gaachina = protected;

Kamini = the lady, here referring to Ahalya Devi, the wife of sage Gautami; paapamu = the sins; kaDigina = washed; paamutala = the head of Kalingi serpent; niDina = filled, spread over; paamiDi = Garuda; turagapu = swift moving vehicle, horse;

parama = best, relates to the other (matters like ‘Brahman’); yogulaku = for those in pursuit of higher yoga, those who meditate, those who do penance for the benefit of all beings; pari pari = different times; vidhamula = many diverse ways; varamosage = giving boons, acceding to their valid requests; tiru = Sri; venkata-giri = the Tirumala hills collectively, also the main Tirumala hill; tiramani = as fixed, immovable, an unshakable; chupina = shown, pointed to;  

The first stanza describes elegantly and succinctly the entire Vamana avatara of Sri Maha-Vishnu. In that avatara, Emperor Bali granted (donated) three feet to the new bachelor (vatuvu). First He measured the entire earth with His (one) foot. Then Sri Maha-Vishnu spanned the entire sky with the other foot. Then, in that instant immediately Brahma put a hold on His creation. He poured the water (Ganga) from His sacred pitcher on Lord Narayana's foot. That foot looked like a freshly bloomed pink lotus with smudges of mud. We must note here that Vamana is none other than Vishnu, who is the father of Brahma. (For the last measure of one-foot space, Sri Narayana placed His foot on Bali’s head. The emperor relinquished all his belongings and went to the lower world (patala-loka, పాతాళ లోకము). Thus Vishnu fulfilled His promise to Aditi and restores the kingdom to Lord Indra. Children may ask, “Why did not Vishnu fight with Bali?” He wanted to keep the word given earlier to king Prahlada. Sri Maha-Vishnu said thus: “Prahlada, henceforth I will not indulge in any war with your future generations (i.e., children, grand children, etc.).” Therefore, the only other alternative left now is “through amicable means like begging, asking for a donation”. Thus, Sri Maha-Vishnu descends to the earth and gets born as the child of Aditi and sage Kasyapa. It is a very short avatara barely spanning ten years. Right after the sacred thread (marriage) ceremony, Vamana goes for seeking alms. Devi Annapurna gave the first “biksha” to Lord Narayana. The next stop was at the gates of King Bali. Who can take a measure of His form really? Earlier He balanced the entire planet earth on His tusks (in the Varaha-avatara. (Some had remarked – it was not a boar, it could be a rhino.)

Obviously Annamayya had a clear insight into the scriptures and puranas. Perhaps, he had vivid visions of Lord Narayana performing His miraculous acts in various avataras (do not get mixed up with the latter day corrupted word in the English movie ‘avatar’. Go to a reputed Sanskrit dictionary/reference and try to understand the antecedents of these millennia-old culturally refined words. A picturesque way of understanding the word is to visualize a star descending to the earth.) Due to an accidental infraction, lady Ahalya (the wife of Gautama rishi) gets transformed into inert matter (i.e., the consciousness gets hidden) – as if temporarily she went into a deep penance state. When a speck of dirt from Rama’s feet hit the sleeping (one might say a comatose state) Ahalya, she transformed back into her original unblemished form. Then the composer sees Krishna’s feet dancing on the serpent Kalingi (Kaliya). How can we visualize the scene of Lakshmi softly pressing Lord Narayana’s feet? He came to Her for a brief respite from standing all day at Tirumala hilltop. Those feet are softer than the freshly opened rose-tinged lotuses. They will get rashes if you press them hard. Those feet adorn the hearts of great devotees. And, when Maha-Vishnu wanted to help the desperate Gajendra (the elephant struggling to pull away it’s foot from the wicked crocodile) – all He had to do was to beckon the superfast jet, Garuda. In an instant, at the flick of a thought He was there near the pond and released His devotee from the jaws of death. Of course, the ultimate release (salvation, moksha) for the two warring animals followed soon. 

Now coming to the last stanza, this exquisite ‘sacred foot’ yields all the desires (boons) of His earnest devotees. Any number of examples can be given: Those tender feet danced to the lyrics of bhakta Jayadeva and Sri Narayana Tirthulu. When Bhadradri (Bhadrachalam mountain) prayed, the Lord took residence there with Sita and Lakshmana. So what, if He holds His arms clumsily transposing left and right? Sita is gracefully seated on His left side, making sure the errant seekers get full dose of His compassion. If these Tirupati hills came to the rescue of my parents and others, if the Sri Venkatesa’s feet offered inspiration to Annamayya, Sri Amaranarayana, and countless other composers – who can doubt the healing powers of Tirumala? This one song alone can teach children Telugu language, its sweetness, Carnatic music, and the vast lore of Hindu religious scriptures a lot. (Occasionally there may be a little mixing up of tenses, here in my writing. I did not care that much about strict adherence to 'pedantic grammar rules'. The reason is simple: We are trying to visualize the scene now as it happens. The four yugas (కృత, త్రేతా, ద్వాపర, కలి) happen again and again cyclically. Those periods occurred earlier and will repeat again. We should look at the sequence of events and figure out the English tense. These tense troubles are absent in Telugu and other languages!) Copyright 2021 by the author

Lyrics of "Brahma kadigina"

"Brahma kadigina" Song Audio