Chakkani raja Margamu
By
Saint Thyagaraja
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Raga Karaharapriya
Thala AAdhi
Pallavi
Chakkani raja margamu undaga,
SAndhula doraneelee Oh Manasa
Anupallavi
Chikkani paalu mee gada undaga,
Cheeyanu gangasagara mele.
Charanam
Kantiki Sundara taramagu roopame,
Mukkanti noda chelage naamame,
Thyagarajinthane nelakona deivamee,
Itu vanti Sri Saketha Ramuni Bhakthiyane.
English translation
Pallavi
When there is a pretty royal highway,
Why travel in narrow streets, Oh mind.
Anupallavi
When you have thick tasty milk available,
Firmly say no to the hateful toddy.
Charanam
When the eyes feast of his very pretty form,
When Lord Shiva repeats his name,
When that God is living with Thyagaraja
And when you have this type of devotion to Rama of Ayodhya,
Why travel in narrow streets
Translations to English of the lyrics of Krithis of Carnatic music , which are tomes of devotion.
Sir, is there evidence of an evolution of sadhana in the Saint's songs? here, he extols Bhakti pure and simple - it is the straight and royal road to salvation. but then, he explicitly gives up the path of the Sidhdhis in "Kshinamai" (Mukhari). Does he shift to the Vishishtadvaita "Saranagathi" when he says: Chant the names of the Lord and accept whatever he sends in this song? One may dismiss his sarcasm in "Adigi sukhamu.." in Madyamavathi as Nindasthuti, or is it a beginning of doubt? And so on ... You are much more, infinitely more, learned than me. But then, 'Gnanamu sagar.... " isn't it a cry in realization of the inadequacy of the Bhakti marga, and an assertion of the Gnana Marga? I have been thinking about it - every interpretation has a charm; but whic it the true reflection of the Sage's Truth?
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