Giving.
You do not know the art
But we reap a rich harvest
Out of you, O Lord!
Surely your devotees are
Cleaver than You!
With mere devotion, we catch you.
And firmly hold you in our hearts
Placing a basket full of Tulasi leaves at your feet
We buy salvation from you O Lord!
Your devotees are adepts in the art of
striking a rich bargain
By bringing to you the products of your own creation
We manage to gain your boundless grace
By offering only a salutation
We transfer all our burdens to you O Lord!
Your servants indeed are very clever!
Fetching a pail of water from the pond
We sprinkle a hand full on you
And get whatever boons we seek
Your devotees excel in such arts, O Venkatesvara!
They certainly are far cleaver than you.
Who else but Annamayya can write such words to prove that God's Vaatsalyam is actually his weakness. His great love for god makes him unique.
Song: Kondalalo nelakonna koneti raayudu vaadu.
He is one who is permanently residing in the Hills, he is the master of the theertha in the hills.
He is the one who is very generous in conferring boons in mountainous propotions.
He is the one who sanctioned every boon sought by the potter Kuruvarathi Nambi.
He is the one who went to every place detailed by Thodaman Chakravarthi who waged battles with his enemies.
He is the one who out of sheer fun and pleasure carried mud on his head and helped Ananthaalvan.
He is the one who talked and talked with Thirumalai Nambi till he became tired.
He is the onw who showered His grace on Thirukkachi Nambi and made him come to his vicinity.
song: Vaade Venkatesudane vaade veedu.
He who is know as venkatesa is this very person.
He is one who is holding the sharp round weapon in his right hand.
Bewitched by the sweet words of the son of Kaarimara (Nammalvar) he discloses the secret of the vedas without any inhibition to him.
In the spirit of limitless fun, he willingly partook the food offered by Thirumangai alwar through robbing others.
He is the one who adorned round his neck the crushed garlands worn earlier by Periyalvar's daughter.
He is the one who when a young damsel keeps her hand on him, becomes enamoured and extends his shoulder to her.
He spreads the message to the entire world and asks even the illiterate people to sing songs in His praise.
He is the one who is staying at Venkatagiri as His home along with Almelumanga, daughter of his uncle Akaasaraaja.
Angas of sharanagathy:
O Lord! I know none other than you. (Mahaa Visvaasa)
O Lord! will you not teach me about your own self. (Aanukoolya Sankalpam)
O Lord! I like to do things that you don't like O teach me to avoid them. (Pratikoolya Varjana)
O Lord! Many are the sins that I have committed. (Karpanyam)
O Lord! What is the path You will show me and Guide me O Lord! What is the way you will adopt to rescue me. (Goptritva Varanam)
ACHYUTAANANDA GOVINDA NAAMOCHCHARANA BESHAJAATH
NASYANTI SAKALAA ROGAAH SATYAM SATYAM VADAAMYAHAM
SATYAM SATYAM PUNASSATYAM UDDHRITYA BUJAMUCHYATE
VEDASAASTRAAT PARAM NAASTI NA DAIVAM KESAVAATH PARAM
SHAREERE JARJAREEBHOOTE, VYAADIGRASTE KALEBARE
AUSHADHAM JAANAAVEE THOYAM, VAIDYO NARAAYANO HARIAH.
Hari Ashtakam from Brihannaaradeya.
Harirharati papani dustacittairapi smrtah
anicchaya pi sansprsto dahatyeva hi pavakah.
sa ganga sa gaya setuh sa kasisa ca puskaram
jihvagrevartate yasya harirityaksara dvayam.
varanasyam kuruksetre nimisaranya evaca
yatkrtamtena yenoktam harirityaksara dvayam.
prthivyam yani tirthani punyanyayatananica
tani sarvanyasesani harirityaksara dvayam.
gavam kotisahasrani hemakanyasshadrakam
dattam syattenayenoktam harirityaksara dvayam.
rgvedo thayajurvedah samavedo pyatharvanah
adhitastena yenoktam harirityaksara dvayam.
asvamedhairmahayajnaih naramedhaistathaivaca
istam syattena yenoktam harirityaksara dvayam.
prana prayana patheyam samsaravyadhinasanam
duh khatyanta paritranam harirityaksara dvayam.
baddhah parikarastena moksaya gamanamprati
sakrduccaritam yena harirityaksara dvayam.
haryastakamidam punyam pratarutthaya yahpathet
ayusyam balam arogyam yasovrddhissriya vaham.
prahladena krtam stotram duh khasagara sosanam
yah pathetsa naroyati tadvisnoh paramam padam.
iti. sri haryastakam
free transalation goes
When remembered even by people with evil mind, Lord Hari removes all their sins.
Even as a fire will definitely burn a person even when touched without one's knowledge, i.e. unintentionally.
Aakati velala nalapaina velalanu
Thekuva Harinaamame dikkumari ledhu. goes the telugu song. sung when (A) was chained.
When one is hungry, also when one is tired,
Chant with full faith the Name of Hari, there is no other remedy.
When one is helpless and orphaned,
when one has been ostracized from the very community in which one is born,
When one is imprisoned and held captive by ohers.
The very formidable Name of Hari alone is the remedy and solution.
Even by mistake, if one forgets this means, one better realise that there is no other remedy.
When dificulties and danger confront one. when one becomes the butt of redicule for all
When the times are not congenial, when passing through testing times
When one is frightened out of one's wits,
At such times chanting the Name of Hari to the best of one's capacity is the only remedy.
Even if you think deep and long and wallow on the ground till the evening there is no other remedy.
When one's hands are chained when one is sentenced to death, when creditors come in a never ending stream and confront,
Only the name of Venkateswara will set one free and relieve.
On the great works of Ramanujacharya. by Annamacharya the great.\
Telugu.
Emee neragini mammu nekkuva sesi
Paamarula doddajese bhaashyakaarulu
gathachanna Vedaalu kamalajunaku nichchi
Atani karuna cheta nanniyugani
Gathileka poyina kaliyugamuna vacchi
Pratipaalinchangalige bhaashyakaarulu
Lokamella velli bogaa lonane surala gaachi
aakumeeda thelina yathani kripa
Kaakari mathamulella gaali buchchi paramitte
Paikonaga garuninche bhaashyakaarulu
Pankajapu jeyi chaachi paadapu baramicchina
Venkatesu kriopa thoda velaya daane
Thenkine udayavarai thirumantra dvayana
Pankamella bogadige Bhaashyakaarulu.
free transalation.
It was bhashyakara who transformed us who knew nothing, to become enlightened.
In the olden days, the Vedas which were lost were rescued by Vishnu and given to Brahma
With Vishn's blessings Brahma mastered them.
He Bhashyakara came into the world during the hapless Kali Yuga
and he alone re established the vedas
He Vishnu protected all the gods by keeping them within himself
With the grace of that Vatapatra sayee
The great sri Bhasashyakara,
were able to wipe away the other in significantheritical religions
Supreme reality has been made known to all by Bhashyakara out of his compassion.
With the grace of Lord Venkateswara whose one lotus hand draws attention to His Feet,
The Udaiyavar (Sri Ramanuja) was able to assert his greatness and taught Thiru mantra and Dvaya mantra to all by His grace.
Thus Bhashyakaara washed away all our sins.
here he is drawing a parallel between Ramanuja and the Supreme Lord.
comparing how the lost Vedas were rescued and given back to Brahma so also Ramanuja charya has given us the re-established vedas. Ramanuja has dispelled all other religions and established the Supremacy of Narayana.
Evvado gaani eragaraadhu kadu
Dhavvulane vundu thalapulonundu
Edayyavu thanarekka legasi poledhu
Kadu dhaagugaani dongayu gaadu
Vadi gindhupadunu sevakudunu gaadu
Vedagu gollu venchu vitudunu gaadu
Migulaa bottivaadu mintikini bodavu
Jagadaalu tapasi veshamulunu
Maguvakai poraadu mari virakhthudunu
Tagugaapupanulu nenthayu dhelladhanamu.
Tharunula valapinchi thagili paikonadu
Thuragamu dholu rauthumu gaadu
Tiru Venkataadripai thirugu neppudunu
Parama moorthiyai paragu nee ghanudu.
Free transalation.
Except for some wise men, no one claims to comprehend Him.
He is quiet far away, yet is very near for he is ever in our thoughts.
He cannot spread out his wings and fly away.
He is seen hiding buthe is not a thief.
He goes down below, but yet is not a servant.
He grows long nails, yet he is not an immoral person.
He is very short in stature, but he is even taller than the sky.
At times he is seen valiantly fighting, at other times He takes on a garb of an ascetic.
He fights for the sake of a lady, yet he is the epitome of detachment.
He does lowly things, yet he is blemishless and is pure.
The damsels love Him, but He is not after them.
he is not a jockey, yet rides a Horse.
He is moving about forever on the Thiruvenkata Hill.
This great one is Parama Purusha (The Ultimate Being)
Cheppinanthapani ne jeyagalavaada ninthe
Appatina aparadhamaa aadharinchavaladaa?
Neeyaajna dehamu ne mochithi ninthe
Iyyeda vijnaanamela iyyavayyaa?
Veyyavelai vegudaakaa vetti sesi yalasithi
O ayyaa! konthainaa ooradincha valadaa?
Neevu vese karmamu ne jeyuvaada ninthe
eevala naananda sukha miyyavayyaa!
Kovaramai venta venta golichina bantlaku
Thaavula gonthavadainaa dappi deerchavalada?
mathilo Sree Venkatesa! manikainavaada ninthe
Thathi naapaatuku daya dhalachavayya
Ithavai panicheseti inti pasuramunaku
Vethadeera baalaarchi veddu petta dagadaa?
Free transalation.
I can do nly what i am told. That is all
How can it then be said that it is my fault? Should you not comfort me?
As per your order I bore this body. That is all
Why then do you not confer knowledge and enlightenment on me?
Right until day break, I did thousands of works and I am tired.
O Father, should you not at least to some extent, console and comfort me?
What you asked me to do i faithfully discharge. That is all.
Why then do you not confer bliss on me?
To all those servants who with full faith followed you.
Don't you think you should quench their thirst at least to some extent on the way?
In my mind, O Venkatesvara, I have dedicated myself to You.
That is all
Please, therefore, take pity on me and show mercy.
O Lord, does not this hard-working domestic, deserve to be fed by You?
In this poem the poet argues his case with aplomb and seek the reward from his God almost as a matter of right. This sort of single minded, pinpointed devotion towards the Lord of Seven Hills and seeking His blessings is the hallmark of all the poems of Annamayya.
E daivamu Sripada nakhamuna buttina Ganga
Trilokapaavanamu cheyanu tripathagaamini aayanu
E daivamu nabhi nalinambuna janiyinchina ajundu
Akhilaandambulu srujiyimpa nadhipathi aayanu
E daivamu urassthalambu tanakunu, mandiramaina Indira
Maatha yayye, ee jagambulakellanu
E daivamu avalokanamindraadi divijaganambula-
keelappudunu sukhambu laapaadinchunu
E daivamu dehavasthuvani animishulandharu goodi
Sri Narayana devundani nammi yunduduru
Aa devude sirula kanathavaradhudu thiruvenkata-
Girinaathudu ubhayavibhuthi naathude naa nathudu.
Transalation
That Deity from whose Divine toe nail, the River Ganges was born, and which River split into three to sactify the three worlds.
that Deity from whose navel lotus Brahma was born to create the worldand become the master of all creations.
that deity whose chest became the mansion for Indira (SRI) who became the Mother for all the worlds.
That Deity whose glance brings eternal bliss to Indra and the hosts of other Devas.
That Deity whom the Devas identified as Sri Naaraayana, the One, who abides in all the embodied souls and in whom they have immense faith.
That Lord is the sole unfailing bestower of all boons (eternal Benefactor)
He is the master of the holy Venkata Hill.
He is the master of Lila and Nitya vibhootis;
He is my Lord and master.
This song enumerates and spells out the traits and characteristics of Lord Vishnu.
It is reminiscent of what Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Iyengar, a staunch Srivaishnava and gradson of
Thiruvarangathu Amudhanar, a Sishya of Parasara Bhattar, also known as Alagiya Manavala Dasan, a great devotee of Lord Ranganatha had to say about the river Ganges and the greatness of Lord Vishnu.
Divya Kavi is known for the Ashta Prabhandhas of which Thiruvenkatamaalai and Thiruvengadathu Andaadi are two books of verses exclusively on Lord Srinivasa of Tirumala. Lord Srinivasa is believed to have given Darshan to him in a south eastern portion of "Salavaikkal Praakaaram in Srirangam temple. As he was a staunch Vaishnava, he would not compose any song on Lord Siva. There is a famous kshetra near Srirangam known as Thruvaanaikkaaval. The siva bhakthas of that place some how felt very strongly that they should make the Divya Kavi compose a song on Lord Siva. Divya Kavi reportedly replied that the tongue which sings the praise of "Rangam will not sing the praise of "Kurangan" the word kurangan stands for deer and indicates Lord Siva who holds the dear in his hand. One day Kapilaa, the cow which was used in Srirangam Temple for the Visvarupa Darsanam was found missing. After a search the priests located it at Thiruvaanaikkaaval. apparently, when the cow had gone grazing on the lands near the Siva temple there, the priests of that temple thought it was a good opportunity for dictating terms to Divya Kavi by holding the temple cow of Srirangam as hostage. When the priests of Srirangam requested the adminstrators of Thiruvaanaikkaaval to release their cow, they laid down a pre condition that the divya kavi should compose atleast one song on Lord Jambukeshawara there, Pillai perumal would not yield. But, as the time for the Visvarupa was approaching, the compulsion on Divya Kavi to concede a bit was mounting. The Thiruvaanaikaaval administrators cameto Santhanu Maharaja Mandapam in Srirangam Temple and requested Divya Kavi to at least compose one line on hearing which they would release Kapilaa, the cow and said that the restof the verse on Lord Siva could be completed at a later time. Divya Kavi apparently decided to have the Visvarupa darshanam performed on time. He therefore composed and rescited the following line.
"Mangaibaagan sadaiyil vaittha gangai"
It means, Ardhanareesvara has the River Ganges in his hair. the Siva bhaktas were pleased. They thought the staunch Vaishnavite had at last relented. the cow was released. The Visvarupa Darshanam went on schedule.
even today a descendent of Annamacharya sings "Melukolupu" before Suprabhatam and during Ekanta seva "Pavvalimpu" both songs composed by Annamacharya.
Nanati Brathuku Natakamu, Puttuta Nijamu, Povuta Nijamu Nata Nadimi Natakamu.
Life is a drama to be born inevitable to die is also inevitable the time inbetween is a veritable drama.
Bhaavamulona Baahyamunandunu Govinda Govinda ani Koluvavo Manasa
Acchyuta achyutasaranu anavo Manasa.
A study of the songs of Annammayya makes it very evident that through Adhyatma Sankeeratana he has explained the fundamental concepts of Visistadvaita, like Saranagathi, Nava vida bhakti marg, role of Kainkarya, the concept of Daasaanu Daasatva, the role of Sri as Purushaakaara, quality of daya, the Omnipresence, Omniscence, and Omnipotency of the Lord. He has also addressed the insignificance and immaterial nature of Caste and community, also topics of a true Vaishnavite, True Sandhyavandanam, snana.
Annamayya uses simple vocabulary steeped in bhakti. He had a certain enviable familiarity with the Lord of the Seven hills.
"Govinda naamam okkate kooda pose punyamulu
Sri Vishnu namam okkate Chethi Kicche Vaikunthamu,
Kesava Naamamu eegalavella iche."
The name of Govinda alone will shower all merits.
The Name of Lord Sri Vishnu alone hands over Vaikuntham to us.
The Name Kesava gives all possible things desired.
be continued.
