by Damodara Rao Dasu

P	evarichchiri rA Sara chApamulu nee kinakulAbdhi chandra ||	Who gave you,your bow and arrows? Oh Rama, you are the moon of the ocean like Sun dynasty.
AP	avatarinchu vELa nunDenO lEka avanikEgi ArjinchitivO ||	Did you possess them when you descended on the earth or did you acquire them afterwards ?
C 1	okaTESina padi noorai veyyai chaka pakalADi Satrula naNachEnaTa vikaluni kAkini brOva trimoortulu venuka teesinAraTa sakala nadeepatikai drumakulyula samharinche naTa prakaTa keerti kalgina kOdanDa pANi Sri tyAgarAja vinuta ||	Your single arrow multiplies into tens and thousands of arrows.You supressed enemies by showering arrows. Even the trinity Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesa hesitated to help the demon Kakasura. You shot your arrow on the king of seas. Its excessive power destroyed the demons at Drumakulya mountains. Your glory is well known. You are worshipped by Tyagaraja.

In this kruti Tyagaraja extols the divine power in the name of SitaRama. He exemplifies with the stories of Valmiki,Gajendra,Matsyavataram etc.

P	ee mEnu kaliginanduku seetArAma nAmamE balka valenu ||	Man is blessed with body to chant the name of Sita Rama only.
AP	kAmadi durguNa stOma pooritamaina pAmaratva mE gani nEmamuna lEnaTTi ||	The body is full of evil qualities and material desires.Life is steeped in ignorance and lacks discipine.
C 1	samsAramunu brOva dArini parahimsa chendu kirAtuDu hamsa roopula gati naDuga rAmanAma pra Samsa jEsi upadESimpa dhanyuDu gAdA ||	When a tribal was involved in attrocities against others only to maintain his family, did not Narada preach the merits of Rama's name?Was he not a blessed soul?
C 2	tApasi SApamiDagA jalOraga roopamu koni yunDagA tapamu sairinchaka tallaDillaga Sara chApa dharuni nAma SravaNamu brOva lEdA ||	When a hermit cursed a guilty one to become a crab,he was unable to bear the agony. Was he not saved by hearing the name of Rama?
C 3	kari rAju teliya lEka baluDaina makari chEta gAsi chendagA ara lEka nijamuna nAdi moola managa varaduDu vEgame vachchi brOvaga lEdA Agama vEdamulanu dAnavuDu gompOvagA chaturAnanuDu tyAgarAja nuta tAraka nAma yani bAguga nutimpa bhayamu deerpaga lEdA ||	When the innocent king of elephants was struggling to save himsef from the clutches of a crocodile ,did not the primordial almighty come to his rescue immediately. When the demon Somaka stole the sacred Vedas and hid under the sea,Brahma chanted the name of the supreme emancipator Sri Maha Vishnu. Did not Vishnu dispel Brahma's fears?

In this kruti Tyagaraja praises Sundaresa(Siva) of kovooru saying that no God is equal to him in assuaging the afflictions of devotees and bestowing prosperity.

P	ee vasudha neevanTi daivamu nendu gAnarA ||	I don't find another God equal to you on the earth.
AP	bhAvukamu kalgi vardhillu kOvoori sundarESa gireeSa ||	Oh Sundaresa the lord of kovooru, You flourish well in all auspiciousness.
C 1	ASa chE ara nimushamu nee pura vAsa monara jEyu vAri madi vEsaTa lellanu tolaginchi dhana rAsula nAyuvunu bhoosura bhakti yu tEjamu nosagi bhuvana mandu keerti kalga jEsE dAsa varada tyAgarAja hrudaya nivAsa chidvilAsa sundarESa ||	Those who visit you even for half a minute are rid off all afflictions.They are bestowed with prosperity,long life,devotion to the learned brahmanas,brilliance and fame. Sundaresa the embodiment of supreme bliss dwells in the heart of the devoted Tyagaraja.

In this kruti Tyagaraja expresses how fortunate he was to cultivate devotion in Rama He feels that it may be due to the blessing of his elders or due to his music.

P	eTlA dorikitivO tana ||ke ||	Oh Rama, How did I find you?
AP	chuTlAgaDiya dOvaku nAdu paTlAbhimAnamu lEkunDaga ||	I've been going all around to many people,but could not get any love or consolation.
C 1	pAda balamO peddalASeervAda balamO suswarapu nAda phalamO tyAgarAja khEda hara SreenAtha tana||ke ||	It may be due to the power of your feet, it may be due to the blessings of elders or it may be due to my good music. Oh lord of Lakshmi,You dispel Tyagaraja's sorrow.

P	enta bhAgyamO mA pAla galgitivi evareeDu mujjagamula lO dana ||	How fortunate we are to have you so close to us. Who else is like you in the three worlds.
AP	chenta jEri soujanyuDai paliki chinta bAga tolaginchi brochitivi ||	You have come close to me, you talked very gently, you dispelled all my sorrow and protected.
C 1	munnu mee sameepamuna velayu sa nmunula nella naNimAdi leelalachE tinnagAnu pAlana chEsinaTu nannu gAchitivi tyAgarAja nuta ||	In the past you protected the sages showing your sportive(leela) prowess through miracles. You protected me also in the same manner.

In this kruti Tyagaraja fondly asks Rama the reason for his indifference. He says that he was happy to have Rama in his conscience always.

P	enta vEDu kondu rAghavA ||	Oh Raghava, how long should I implore for your grace?
AP	pantamElarA oh rAghavA ||	Why are your so adamant?
C 1	chinta deerchuTa kenta mODirA antarAtma nA chenta rAma nE ||	Why do you exhibit such indifferce in assuaging my agony? Oh Rama, you are always in my conscience.
C 2	chitta mandu ninnu joochu soukhyamE uttamambanuchu upponguchu satta mAtramA chAla nammitini sArvabhouma Sri tyAgarAjanuta ||	I feel hapy to keep keep you in my mind. In fact, I am overwhelmed with such happiness. I strongly believe that your power is omnipresent. Oh emperor Rama, you are worshipped by Tyagaraja.

In this kruti Tyagaraja implores Rama to protect him without any further delay. He tells that he was unable to move with wicked people around him.

P	enduku daya rAdu SrirAmachandra nee ||	Oh Sri Ramachandra, why are you not compassionate?
AP	sandaDi yani marachitivO indu lEvO nee ||	Have you forgotten me because you are busy with others?or are you not here?
C 1	sAreku durvishaya sAra manubhavinchu vAri chelimi sEya nEraka mEnu SrirAma sagamAye choochi choochi neeraja daLa nayana nirmalApa ghana ||	Oh Rama,your eyes are like lotus petals. I am unable to be friendly with people leading a sinful life. Oh Sri Rama,I am reduced to half because of the agony.
C 2	teerani bhava neeradhi yAraDi sairimpa nEraka bhayamandaga pankaja patra neeru vita mallADaga iTTi nanu joochi neeradAbha Sareera nirupama Soora ||	I am unable to bear this endless worldly struggle.I am scared.I am shaky like water drops on a lotus leaf. why don't you pity me? Oh Rama, you shine like a water bearing cloud. You are warrior par excellence.
C 3	jAgEla idi samayamE gAdu chEsitE Egati paluka vayya SrirAma nee vEgAni dari lEdayya deena SaraNya tyAgarAjavinuta tAraka charita. ||	I can not endure any more. Oh Rama,why don't you speak? I've none else to depend upon. You are the only refuge to the distressed.You are known for rescuing devotees. Oh Rama,Tyagaraja worships you.

In this kriti Tyagaraja implores his mind to inculcate devotion to God. He asks his mind not to be carried away by delusion of the world. He even chides his mind for its wavering attitude.

P	eTulaina bhakti vachchuTakE yatnamu sEyavE oh manasA ||	Oh my mind, try to be devotional in any method possible.
AP	maTu mAya bhavamunu manadani yenchaka vaTapatra Sayanuni pAda yugamunandu ||	Don't think that this world of delusion is ours. Have faith in the holy feet of the lord reclining on banyan leaf. (krishna)
C 1	vidyAgarvamu lElE neevavidyA vaSamu gAnElE khadyOtAnvaya tilakuni puramElE budhyASuna tOchadElE oh manasA ||	Why are you proud that your are a scholar? Is it not ignorance? Oh mind, why don't you hasten to think of Rama. He is the star of Sun dynasty and is the ruler of Ayodhya.
C 2	rAma nAmamu sEya siggA kArAdEmi balkavu punTi buggA bhAmala kaDa dATaku manTE jaggA pAmara tanuvu namma neerbuggA ||	Are you ashamed of chanting the name of Rama? Is there any boil in your mouth? Why can't you stop thinking of women? Is this not body just a water bubble?
C 3	bhOga bhAgyamu layandu bhAgavatulugAni pondu rOsi tyAgarAjavaraduni nee yandu bAguga dhyAninchu bhava rOga mandu ||	Oh my mind, get rid off attachment to wealth and sensual pleasures. Avoid the company of people who are devoid of devotion to God. Oh my mind, meditate upon Rama, the lord of Tyagaraja. It is the best medicine to cure all the worldly ailments.

P	ETi yOchanalu chEsEvurA edurubalku vArevaru lErurA ||	What do you want to do for me? Oh Rama. There is none to talk against you.
AP	nOTimATa jArchaga rAdurA kOTi vElpulalO mETi yaina nee ||	Slip of tongue should not happen. Among millions of gods, you are par excellent.
C 1	menDu SoorulalO venuka teeyavani renDu mATalADE vADu gADani anDa kOTla pAlinchE vADani chanDa mounu lADa ||	The eminent sages say that you are the best hero never knowing retreat, that double talk is not your nature and that you are the sole protector of countless creatures. Oh Rama, Tyagaraja worships you.

In this keertana Tyagaraja wonders at the divine grace of Rama,the bestower of ideal mind,body and spirit but he laments about his fate.

P	EmAnatichchtivO EmenchinAvO ||	Oh Rama,I don't know what you thought about me and what your orders are.
AP	nA mATalu vinavO rAmA nA tala vrAlEmO ||	Why don't you listen to me? Oh Rama,I don't know what my fate is.
C 1	yaSamAyuvu sadbhaktiyu EkAnta chittamu suSareera mosangE bhAsura tyAgarAjanuta ||	You are the bestower of fame,longevity,devotion to God, impeccable conscience and good body. You are the radiant Rama that Tyagaraja worships.

In this kruti Tyagaraja wants to know the reason for Rama's incarnation. He wants to know whether it is to bless the yogis and Tyagaraja.

P	ElAvatAra mettu konTivO Emi kAraNamu rAmuDi ||	Oh Rama,what is the cause for your incarnation? Why did you incarnate as Rama?
AP	alamu sEyuTakA,ayOdhya palana jEyuTakA,oh rAghava ||	Oh Raghava,is it to wage a war? or is it to rule Ayodhya?
C 1	yOgulanu joochuTakA,bhava rogulanu brOchuTakA,Sata rAga ratna mAlikalu rachinchina tyAgarAjunaku vara mosanguTakA||	Is it to take care of the yogis? or is it to protect the unfortunate ones from the worldly sufferings? or is it to bestow boons to Tyagaraja who adorned Rama with garlands made of hundreds of ragas shininglike precious gems?

In this kruti Tyagaraja affirms that it is impossible for him to leave the feet of Rama.He gives examples of Siva,AdiSesha and the sages who took birth in different forms,only to assist and serve Rama.

P	enta rAnee enta pOnee nee chinta viDuva jAla srirAmA ||	Oh Rama,whatever I gain,whatever I lose I can not give up contemplating on you.
AP	antakAri nee chenta jEri hanumantudai koluvalEdA? ||	Did not Siva the annihilator descend himself with the form of Hanumanta to serve you?
C 1	SEshuDu Sivuniki bhooshuDu lakshmaNa vEshiai velayalEdA?||	Did not AdiSesha the ornament of Siva incarnate as Lakshmana and remain by your side always.
C 2	SishTuDu mouni varishTuDu goppa vasishTuDu hituDu gA lEDA? ||	Did not eminent and pious Vasishta become your well wisher and counsellor?
C 3	naravara neekai suragaNamulu vAnarulai koluva lEdA? AgamAtmamagu nee guNamula sree tyAgarAju pADaga lEdA? ||	Oh my supreme lord in the human form, did not multitudes of devatas take birth as monkeys and adore you? Did not Tyagaraja sing of your vitues which are the soul of the vedas?

In this kruti Tyagaraja wonders how he found solace from Rama only and says that it may be due to the blessing of his elders or due to the fruits of his soulful music.

P	eTlA dorikitivO rAmA tana ke ||	Oh Rama,I wonder.How did I find you?
AP	chuTlAra gaDiya dOvaku nAdu nAdu patlabhimAnamu lEkunDaga ||	Those who stay just nearby are not favorably disposed towards me.
C 1	pAda mahimO ,peddalASeervAda balamO suswarapu nAda phalamO tyAgarAja khEdahara SreenAtha tana ||	Is it because of the greatness of your holy feet? Is it due to the blessings of my elders? Is it the result of my soulful music? Oh Rama,You dispel my sorrows.Oh Lord of Lakshmi, how did I find you?

In this kruti Tyagaraja emphatically says that organs of this body are useless if they can not enjoy the devotion to Rama.

P	ennaga manasuku rAni pannaga SAyi sogasu pannuga ganugonani kannu lElE kanTi minnu lElE ||	what are the eyes for,if they cannot witness the beauty of the Lord who majestically reclines on serpent?
AP	mOhamutO neela vAri vaha kAntini gErina Sreeharini gaTTukonani dEha mElE ee gEha mElE.||	What is the body for if it is not fascinated by the embrace of the Lord who shines with the effulgence of blue clouds.What is this home for without the worship of Rama?
C 1	sarasija malle tulasee virajAji pArijAta virulachE poojinchani karamu lElE ee kApuramu lElE. ||	What are the hands for, which can not worship Rama with lotuses,jasmine,tulasi,virajaji and parjata flowers.What is this home for if it is devoid of worship of Rama?
C 2	mAlimitO tyaga rAju nElina tyAgarAja moortini lAlinchi pogaDani nAlikElE sootra mAlikEle. ||	What is this tongue for and what are these beads for, if Rama, who affectionately protects Tyagaraja, is not comforted and praised?
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This kruti in varali is more like a padam full of Srungara rasam, pangs of separation and dejection.Tyagaraja yearns to see,to talk to and to embrace Rama expressing that his life is worthless without it.

P	ETi janmamidi ha oh rAmA|	Oh Rama,what sort of life is this? Why am I destined to have this birth?
AP	ETi janmamidi enduku kaligenO entani sairintu ha oh rAmA ||	How long should I endure?
C 1	sATi lEni mArakOTi lAvaNyuni mATi mATiki joochi mATalADani ||	He is unparalleled with the beauty of a million Manmathas.What is this life for, if I am not able to see him and talk to him again and again? ||
C 2	sAreku mutyAla hAramuramuna pAlu gAru mOmunu gannulAra jooDani tana ingita merigina sangeeta lOluni ponguchu tanuvAra kougilinchani tana ||	He is adorned with a pearl garland on his chest.What is this life for, if I can not see his delicate face to my heart's content ? He is shrewd,he engrosses in music. What is this life for, if he is not embraced whole heartedly?
C 3	sAgara Sayanuni tyAgarAja nutuni vEgame chooDaga vEgEni hrudayamu ||	My heart throbs to see my lord who reclines on the ocean,soon.