Vathapi Ganapathim Bhaje
By
Muthuswami Deekshithar
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This is a very popular first song in concerts of Carnatic Music.. It is a prayer addressed to Ganesa of Badami written in Raga Hamsadwani(sound of a swan).)
Ragam Hamsadwani
Thalam Aadhi
Pallavi
Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham,
Vaaranaasyam vara pradham sri,
Anupallavi
Bhooothadhi samsevitha Charanam
Bhootha boudhika prapancha bharanam,
Madhyama Kala Sahithyam
Veeta raaginam , vinatha yoginam,
Viswa Karanam , Vigna vaaranam.
Charanam
Pura Kumbha sambhava munivara prapoojitham,
Trikona Madhya gatham,
Murari pramukath upasitham,
Mooladhara Kshethra sthitham,
Paradhi Chtahvari Vakathmgam,
Pranava Swaroopa Vakra Thundam,
Nirantharam nidala chandra kandam,
Nija Vaamakara Vidrutekshu Dandam.
Madhyama Kala Sahithyam
Karambhuja pasa bheeja pooram,
Kaloosha vidhuram bhoothaharam,
Haradhi Guru guha thoshitha Bimbam,
Hamsadwani bhooshitha Herambham
English translation
Pallavi
I sing the praises of Ganapathi of Vatapi,
Who has a face of an elephant and showers boons.
Anupallavi
He whose feet are worshipped by all elements,
Who rules over the material earth and its beings,
Madhyama Kala Sahithyam
Who is beyond desires , who is praised by Yogis,
Who is the cause of the world and
Who is the one who removes obstacles.
Charanam
He who was worshipped by Agasthya from early times,
Who is in the center of the triangle in Srichakra,
Who is worshipped by great ones like Lord Vishnu,
Who is in the mooladhara Chakra of the body,
Who is in all the four sounds starting from Para.
Who is of the form of Om with his curly trunk,
Who permanently has a piece of moon on his head,
And who has in his left hand a stick of Sugar cane.
Madhyama Kala Sahithyam
He who holds in his lotus like hands a noose ,goad and fruits,
He who drives away all evils and has a giant form,
He who is adored by Lord Shiva and Lord Subrahmanya,
And He who is close to Shiva and is adorned by Raga Hamsadwani.
Translations to English of the lyrics of Krithis of Carnatic music , which are tomes of devotion.
The transliteration of the samskrta verse in English needs improvement. Otherwise,the wording appears changed.
ReplyDeleteIn Madhyama Kala Sahityam, giant form does not make sense. Bhootakaram may mean the form of Siva. Siva is one of the meanings of the word bhoota.
Ganapathi of Vatapi, - who is Vatapi - is he Hanuman
ReplyDeleteVatapi is a place in North Karnataka. Now it is called Badami.
DeleteVatapi means a name of a place called Badami which was the capital of Chalukya Kings.
DeleteVatapi is a place , about whom this song has been composed.
ReplyDeleteMurari pramukhad upasitham...
DeleteLooks like it need an experts touch to translate...
Where’s this place Vatapi
DeleteThank you sir
DeleteIt is all well and good to make literal translations like this but surely the actual feeling/message that this song is set to convey (or the inner hidden meaning of the composition)is likely to be missed out. The mystics and those enlightened can understand what the composer is hinting at: the very nature of creation and its secrets.It should be our aim to go beyond what the mundane knowledge literal translations bring to capture the true essence the composer is alluding to. This can only be done by the realized. R
ReplyDeleteIt is Plsace in Karnata alright but the krithi \was made on the diety ion of a temple in Tamilnady (source: Wikipedia- Subject to correction_)
ReplyDeletePallava dynasty army general Paranjothy - Siruthonda naayanar replaced this idol from Vathapi in 7 A.D and aboded in Ganpatheecharam temple at Thiruchengaathankudi in Thiruvaaroor. But Ganesha worship became more popular during Maratha rule in Tanjaavore in late 16 A.D
ReplyDelete