Prahladha Bhakthi Vijayam-Act 1

Prahladha  Bhakthi vijayam

By

Saint Thyagaraja

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

     This is one of the great musical drama   composed by  Saint Thyagaraja. Please note it is not “Bhaktha Vijayam”  telling about story of Prahladha but  “The story of  the victory   of devotion of Prahladha.” It has  45 Keerthanas written in  28 Ragas   , The play has five  different Acts  .The saint follows the Telugu  rules of grammar   in writing this great  opera. It does not have any  scene between Prahladha and  his father  Hiranya Kasipu or about the killing of Hiranya   by  Narasimha. The play is written in five acts  . There  are several prayers   and introductory notes

                Act –I  Prahladha  saved by God of ocean and  Garuda.(1-7)

           The play starts with prayers to Lord Ramachandra  , Lord Vishvaksena, Goddess   Saraswathi  . There are also praises to sage Narada  , Purandara Dasa, Ramadasa, God Panduranga  , Nama deva , Jnana Deva  , Jaya Deva  , Thukaram( All of them not in Keerthana style)  .

   This is followed by a  prayer addressed   to Lord Ganesa   by a Keerthana  , At this time the gate keeper  of Vaikunta arrives singing   the name of Lord Vasudeva , The discussion between him and the  the Suthradhara(stage manager details   about the happenings in the act. Prahladha is thrown in to the ocean tied  by Poisonous  snakes.   The  Lord of the ocean saves him   and  requests Garuda to come there   and chase   away the   snakes. After the snakes are chased away Prahladha prays the Lord of the ocean to tell him about  methods   for reaching Lord Hari and he  is advised to pray  Lord Hari.

Kanda padhyam -introductory verse

A.Prayer  to Ramachandra

Sri Janaki Manohara  ,

Rajeeva bhavadhi   vandhya   raghukula thilaka  ,

Rajeeva nayana   muni jana  ,

Poojitha pada   Ramachandra  Punya Charitha.

Meaning

Stealer of the  mind of Janaki  ,

Lord of  Raghu clan worshipped by  Shiva and Brahma,

Lotus eyed one  , One whose feet is  worshipped  by sages,

Oh Ramachandra with an blessed   history.

B.Prayer to Vishvaksena

Dhyanincheda madi  Vishvaksenuni  ,

Sri Vishnu   charana    seva  nirathuni,

Nana  Vigna   Nivarunu  ,  Senadhipu ,

Aprameyu, srithajana   Poshunu

Meaning

I pray lord  Vishvaksena,

 Who is engaged in the service to the feet of Lord Vishnu 

Who removes obstacles  , Who is   the Commander in chief  ,

And a matchless  protector   of  devotees.

C.Prayer to Goddess   Saraswathi

Vani ninu  vededanu purani,

Na   rachanayandhu   rajillave  ,

Kalyani   Veena  Pustaka Pani  ,

Madhurya Vani  , Padmaju Rani.

Meaning

Oh Saraswathi,  I am requesting Oh ancient one  shine on my toungue  ,

Oh doer of  auspicious   who holds Veena and book ,

Oh sweet toungued one and consort of Lord Brahma.

C. Prayer  to sage Narada

Narayana  punya   katha   saramu,

Proluchunu    sarva  samata   varagu  ,

Sri Narada   Guru  Pada    yugamulu ,

SArku madilonanachi    sannuthui  setun

Meaning

The essence of the blessed story of Narayana  ,

For spreading      to every one  , for  universal recognition,

Is kept below    the two feet   of my teacher Narada  ,

Who is within my mind  ,

D.Prayer to Thulasi Dasa

THulasi kananm    anthuna  ,

Vilasita mukha Harini   joochi   vismaya tudai  ,

Pulakeekrutha   tanudaguna  ,

Tulasi dasa varu   sannutulu   sethu main.

Seeing Lord Hari in the  forest of Thulasi  ,

Tulasi Dasa was   filled with winder  ,

And his hair stood erect and I  am offering this at his feet.

E.Prayer to  sage Purandara Dasa

Duritha   vratamu lellanu   marachidi  ,

Hari gunamula   baduchunepudu ,

Paravasuday   Velayu  Purandara Dasuni  ,

Mahimamulanu   dalacheda  madilo

Meaning

I have forgotten all the speedy penances  ,

And wam thinking about the   glory of Purandara dasa,

 Who   sang all the time about good qualities  of Hari.

F.Prayer to Ramadasa

Kali yugamuna   vara bhadra chalamuna  ,

Nelakonna   Ramachandruni    pada  bhkthalukella,

Varudu anandaki   velasina    Sri Rama Dasu  vinutintu  madin

Meaning

I place my mind     to Sri Rama dasa   who is the  greatest,

Among all disciples   in Kali Yuga   of    the feet,

Of the blessed   Ramachandra who is in BHadrachalam.

G.Vachanam (prose  praising several devotees)

Ishta  devatha   abinandanumbunu   satguru   dhyanambunu   salpi   purva bhaktha  vrathambunu   ganiyadhi   mariyu  panduranga namadeva   , jnana   deva  m, sahe deva  ,Jaya devam, Thukarama  , Sri Narayana thithadhi   bhgawath   dasulunellam , pranamili   na  yonarpambunina   Prahladha BHkthi vijayambunu   prabhandhaambunuku  Krti  Nayukunadaku   sri  Chandruni   sambodhana  vakhambunanjeri  vinnavichunadetianina.

Meaning

The author seeks   permission from , Sri Rama  the master of the work   after saluting his pet God  , meditating on his great teacher   and     ancient devotees   of Hari  like Pandurana  , Nama deva  , Jnana Deva  , Saha Deva  , Jaya deva  , Tukaram and sri Narayana  Tirtha.

Poems introducing himself

(from now on   wards I am giving only  the Krithis  with translations   and different portions connecting   them only   in translations    and not the texts)

1.Oh Lord belonging to the auspicious    dynasty ,

Who lived in the city of Ayodhya ,

Who rushed   to kelp the  king of elephanys  ,

I am engaged in writing this book,

 With your blessing   and I request,

You to   hear it    with great love  .

  I am the son of Rama Brahmam  ,

Who  is considered     as the incarnation ,

Of Ramachandra   and have been  born,

In  Thiruvayyaru   and have  conquered   all desires.

2.To  you and live and move  in the Vedas ,

I would introduce  myself as  Thyagaraja ,

Who makes   you happy   with dedication  of songs ,

With sweet Ragams   and appropriate  Thalam,

Filled with Ghana   rasam and Bhavam.

A long introduction  about   the   work.

Meaning(In brief)

  Oh Lord who is shining with Sita, Oh father   who gives boons  to those who request for it ,Who  wears ornaments of gold , I am presenting before you   a musical drama. Oh Lord of Goddess  Lakshmi  , After saluting the elders, I shall tell you the specialties  of this Drama . The mood   of wisdom  , detachment, science   and pure devotion    shines in this drama,. In olden times   a Rakshasa called Hiranya Kasipa exposed   his son to many tortures. At the end he    ordered his servants to tie him up with serpents and throw him in the sea . The Lord of ocean   helped him  out with services of Garuda   and Prahladha informed him his need to see Lord Hari. At that time sage Narada   came there   and seeing him Prahladha lost his consciousness .Later Lord Hari appeared   before Prahladha thrice  and Prahladha was transported to great joy because of it. This    incident is   described    in the form of a Drama supported  by   Ragam, Talam and playing of Mrudangam..Please consider this as your garland   and make use of it as much as you like. OH Goddess earth please protect me , the    son of Rama Brahmam   who considered   your worship   as your matchless mercy. Due to her habit , please pardon if there are   any mistakes.Please bless all those   who explain this drama to others

The commencement of the   Drama.(Act 1)

In the first  scene  of the Drama  of Prahladha Bhakthi vijayamu   . Lord   Ganesa who removes all    obstacles arrives this way   on the stage and the poet describes  the Lord.   

He has a face of king of elephants , brightness of camphor  ,

He is the son of daughter of the mountain, He enjoys  music.

Lord  Brahma and other devas worship him  ,

He eats naval fruits   and    with his pure heart   and detachment  .

He attracts others   and charms them. Please come let   us worship him.

The  first  Krithi of the drama  praising  Lord   Ganesa:-

1.Sri Ganapathini   sevincharare

(Prayer   to Lord Ganesa)

Ragam Saurashtram

 Thalam Aadhi

Pallavi

Sri Ganapathini   sevincharare,

Sritha manavulara

Pallavi

Come let   us salute Lord Ganapathi,

Oh devotee  human beings

AnupallaviVagadhipathi   supoojala  jekoni  ,

Baga   natimbuchunu  vedalina

Anupallavi

To him who receives the woship of Lord Brahma and others,

Who comes   dancing greatly.

Charanam

Panasa narikeladi  jambu   phalamu  laraginchi,

Anayamu  hari charana yuga mula   hrudayambuna  nunji  ,

Vinayamunanu Thyagaraja  vinthudu   vividha Gathula   dalangumani  vedalina.

Charanam

After partaking  jack fruit  , coconut Jamoon fruit  ,

Keeping on the earth his heavy feet  making “Gal, Gal” sound,

Keeping always in his mind the divine feet of  Lord Hari,

With humility  that God worshipped by Thyagaraja,

Coming in several styles, dancing  making sound  ‘Dith thalangu”

All the dramas of those days  have a commentator     who briefs    about each character     and also gives     a commentary    as to what can be   expected   in the next scene.  A gate   keeper   is introduced  . He   first praises    Lord Vasudeva   or Lord Hari.

2.Vasudevayani   vedalina yi

By

Saint Thyagaraja

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam  Kalyani

Thalam   Aadhi

Pallavi

Vasudevayani   vedalina yi dou-

Varikuni  ganare

Pallavi

Please see these sentries  who come,

Shouting  “Vasudeva”

Anupallavi

Vasavadhi  surapoojithudai  (na),

Varija nayanuni   madhini  dalasuchunu.

Anupallavi

Keeping in their mind   the lord   with lotus eyes who is ,

Worshipped   by Indra   and others.

Charanam

1.Neerugavi  dovathulanu  gatti,

Nidalamunanu   Sri choornamu betti,

Sari vedali yi sabalo   jutti,

Sareku  Bangaru   kolanu batti.

Charanam

1.Tying a dhothi  coured red like  “kavi”,

Putting mark of “Sri Choorna”   on their foreheads,

Several times    going round and round this stage ,

Holding  in their hand a staff   made of Gold.

2.Mati matikini  meesamu dhuvvi  ,

Manmatha   roopudu   thanani   grovvi  ,

Dhati Dhati  padusunu  tha nivvi  ,

DAmbu na  balukuchu paka paka navvi

2.  Again and again rolling their moustache,

Becoming proud that they are  like cupid ,

Jumping and jumping and moving about ,

Talking in various ways and laughing uproariously.

3.Bagu meera   natanamu   cheyusunu  ,

Pathitha  pavanuki   tha vedusunu  ,

Raga thala   gathulanu   badusunu  ,

Thyagaraja sannuthuni   bogaduchunu.

3. Coming    dancing extremely well ,

Praising Lord Hari who protects   the fallen ,

Singing   according    to Raga(tune)  and Thala(beats),

And praising the God worshipped by Thyagaraja. 

   Then     the Suthra dara comes there   and asks the gate keeper    as  to who are   all there  ?Why there   are torch lights. Why in mrudangam , the mangala Vadhyam    raises this sound. Why are people dressed prettily  . What  is the name of Drama  ? What is the use  of enacting this drama?  And  who ordered this?

And   then the Suthra dara     replies    as follows:-

  This drama is meant   for sages  , devas  , ladies  , children  and  people belonging to  all   castes  and even dfor   the heartless   Asuras.  Those who listen to the prose     and verse   of the drama     and study it   would  be blessed    with pleasure  on this earth . The act of   seeing this Drama   would give   them protection   as if the devas    had  come away from heavens  and chase   away all their problems. It also would serve as a proper medicine   and cure them from all their sickness  and prevent further    sorrows to them.

    And  then the Suthradaran asks    the  gate  keeper  as to which is his native place   and how  he arrived    there? And the  gate  keeper   replies   as follows:-

  “ I am  from the kingdom   of the God of ocean  and he ordered   me to decorate this stage   in this great city   with Vaidoorya gems   and decorate the Pandal   with Jaxck fruit , banana plants  , grape   bunches and also decorate  the stage   with l lots of Gold and then invite deva maidens     to come   and dance   in this special stage and I have now completed   the job.”

  Then the Suthra dara  asks   the need    for such a special statge    and the occasion      for erecting it? Then the Gate  keeper     replies  . “ As per the orders  of King Hiranya  Kasipu his   servants have  tied  his son Prahladha  by snakes and have    put him in the  ocean. And the king of ocean knowing the greatness   of Prahladha went and received him    along with his wives. And then he ordered   his city to be  decorated   this way  .

   The Suthradara   then asks  the gate  keeper  why there   was  need   to decorate   his capital city  that way?

Then the gate keeper replies that   the king of the ocean considered that   his  being able to such a great devotee like Prahladha    was due to his great luck and so he decided     to being him in a great procession , keeping him on his  chariot  and bring him here   with great honour.

3.Sagarundu vedalenitho

(The scene  of God of ocean bringing  Prahladha)

By

Saint   Thyagaraja

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam  Yamuna Kalyani

 Thalam Roopakam

Pallavi

Sagarundu vedalenitho,

Saregu gana rare

Pallavi

Please do come to see  ,

The march of the  king of the ocean.

Anupallavi

Baguga prahladhu ni  vara,

Yogini  gaukida jerchi.

Anupallavi

Hugging  well to his chest ,

Lord Prahladha , the great Yogi.

Charanam

1.Mandara dharudaa , nandha,

Kandhudu  thana hrudayaaraa,

Vindhambuna   nelakonna,

Soundaryamulanu   dalachuchu

Charanam

1.He who lifted the Mandara mountain ,

And who grants great joy  thinking about,

The prettiness    that dwells  in the ,

Lotus    heart of his

2. Varana mula pai   beri,

Vadhyambu lu  mroyaga , sura,

Vaara   sthreela natyambu  ,

Varusala joochuka  vetkaga.

2.  The big drums    making blaring sound

on the  top of the elephant,

Looking funnily   at the rows of

The  great  ladies   of the Devas   dancing ,

3.Rajillina  Sri Thyaga,

Raja sakuni  manasara ,

Boojinchunundu  dhanuja,

Raja kumara   sahithudai .

3.Along with the  prince of Rakshasas,

Who praises the  lustrous   friend ,

Of Thyagaraja , with all his heart.

After   The king of ocean   and along with the serpents tying Prahladha   ,  he placed  him on the   golden throne   as he was eager   to talk with him.Then he  folded his hands and started  praying  Lord Garuda   this way.

    “Oh king of birds  .Please   come down   from the sky   and drive away   these snakes which have  tied Prahladha. He is still a small kid and does not know many things.”Then he sang this Krithi.

4. Vinatha sutha Rara

(Calling Garuda to save Prahladha from ties of serpents.)

By

Saint Thyagaraja

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Huseni

Thalam Aadhi

Pallavi

Vinatha sutha rara,

Vinuthi gai konuma

Pallavi

Oh son of Vinatha, please come, come,

Please accept my salute

Anupallavi

Gana  naga pasambu  la ,

Khandinchu rara

Anupallavi

Cut the heavy  Rope of snakes  come come

Charanam

1.Amaresuni  gelisi neevu  amruthamu  dechi  ,

Vimala keergi vahinchi   velasillina   Veera

Charanam

1.Oh valorous  one are you not the hero  who won over Indra ,

Brought nectar  and got unalloyed   fame  .

2.Hariki vahanamou  mayayya   vega rara  nee,

Sariyou  bhakthuni  brova  samayamithi rara

2.Oh Lord who is the steed of Lord Hari come , come quickly,

This is is the time to save   the real devotee our lord , please come

3.Thyagaraja nuthi dasudow   dheera  ,

Nagasana ninnu  vinaga  yevvaru ra

3,Oh slave of lOrd whom Thyagaraja   worships,

You who eat  serpents  , who else except you can protect ?

   Being greatly pleased with the prayer of the king of the ocean appeared before him  , He was like a Mewru mountain which was moving    and arrived speedily as he was  not able to see   the sorrow of the  great devotee like Prahladha. He came chanting  “Krishna, Krishna   and the heat  due to the worries  in the mind of king of Oceans, The wings of Garuda   attacked the serpents and made   them in to pieces and using gis beak and nails he destroyed all of them. The king of ocean pleased by this  prayed  Lord Garuda using   the  following Krithi:-

5.Vishnu  vahanundidhigo

(Description of  how Garuda   comes to save Prahladha)

By

Saint Thyagaraja

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam  SAnkarabharanam

Thalam Roopakam

Pallavi

Vishnu  vahanundidhigo,

Vedale joodare

Pallavi

 Here is the steed of  Lord Vishnu ,

Please see him now

Anupallavi

Krishna  charana bhakthulalo  ,

Keerthi galgu  Bhagyasali

Anupallavi

He is the most lucky one,

Among the devotees of Lord Krishna’s feet

Charanam

1,Ranga pathini  bongusu  hrud-

Ranga  munanu  dalasi  ,

Bangaru sari  rangugala pa-

Thanga raju   thanansunu

Charanam

1.Becoming joyous by  keeping,

Ranganatha in the stage of his m mind ,

Saying that he himself   is the king of birds ,

With a golden body  ,

2. Varunalayu moralida   vini,

Karuna poorithudai  ,

Hari  bhakthula parithapamu ,

Hariyinthu  nanusu  vedkaga

2. Hearing the request of the king of ocean,

Becoming filled with mercy ,

With a  great desire to remove the sorrow

Of devotee of Hari, spectacularly  proceeding

3. Rajillu virajadhi pu-

Dee jagamuna  keki   yahi  ,

Raja raja  boji  THyaga-

Raja   nuthuni   dhabogadusu.

3. The lustrous lord of the birds  ,

Who eats the  king of kings of snakes  ,

Came praising the  Lord worshipped by Thyagaraja.

     Lord Garuda got greatly angry at the serpents   for tying the body of the great devotee  like Prahladhan. Prahladha became greatly peaceful   and Lord Garuda    returned   back to Vaikunta, The king of the ocean   spoke   with love to Prahladha and woke up from his  meditation on the feet of Hari.He then praised   Prahladha. Prahladha   opened his eyes and felt bad   that  he did not    show hospitality    to   the king of the ocean. He bowed before the ocean king  , saluted him and  told him how sorry he was for the indifference    shown by him and fell   at the feet of the king of the ocean, who lifted him up   treated him in a great way  and  gave him several gifts.  He also told  that Lord Vishnu would be angry at those who only worship him but not his devotees because they are  un-evolved   beings.Prahladhan accepted all the gifts given by the ocean king and also addressed prayers a to the ocean king. He alo requested him to tell   him how to realize the great God Hari. He  then addressed   the following Krithi at the ocean king.

6.Varidhi neekuvandana monarinchedha

(Prayer of Prahladha    to the  God of the sea)

By

Saint Thyagaraja

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Thodi

Thala CHapu

Pallavi

Varidhi neekuvandana monarinchedha

Pallavi

Oh ocean I am offering my salutations to you

Anupallavi

SAreku nee   hrudayaravindamunanu ,

Maa Ramanudu   goodu Dhari  delpumu  Naatho

Anupallavi

Oh Lord ell me how , in your lotus like heart ,

My Lord Vishnu  is always   staying.

Charanam

Nayeda  dayyunvhi  sakumee  yeda,

Bayakundu    dhari  delpumee   muni,

Dhyeyunitho  mata  balkumi ye yu-

Payamaina   jesi   pranamu  nilpumi

Charanam

1. Please show  mercy to me   and make me yours,

And tell me the way by which Hari   never deserts me ,

And please tell a word    to him  and request him,

To  do some trick and make my soul  stay here.

2.Danuja baa  dalellaa   dalachunu boga,

Dhana   sampadhulaku   jeyi  jasanu naa  ,

Manasuna   Harini  nemaranu   naa,

Kanulaara   naathu   nigana   delpumi   natho.

2.I recollected all troubles given by Asuras and for,

The sake of pleasure, money   and wealth ,

I would extend my hand and beg   and I would not leave  ,

Praising Hari in my heart  and so please   tell me ,

A way by which I can see  Hari with my own eyes.

3.Aajanma masura  badhaa yenu jala,

Raja   prayamuliu  dharayenu  Thyaga-

Raja sakhdu  radayenu vinu ,

Yajanu   bahudu   agapada   delpumi.

3.Oh King  of sea all my life I underwent sufferings from Asuras ,

And by that    time five six years were  past   but,

The  friend of Thyagaraja    did not appear before me ,

Please tell me a method by which he  whose hand touches his thigh is seen by me.

   Hearing these   words the ocean king praised Prahladha. He also told him the right way to   pray and please Lord Hari. He told him to annoing  Lord Hari with the water called meditation, cloth him by the cloth of self respect , decorate him with ornaments called devotion  , offer  him food called blessed   deeds  and give  him the Tamboolam called  Infinite joy ,And then salute him with ultimate   faith. Hearing this great advice , Prahladha stated    singing  the names of Rama and the  ocean king was greatly  pleased   and told him that Lord Hari would visit   and bless him using the   following   Kriti.

7.Vachunu Hari ninnu jooda

(The king of ocean assures Prahladha that  Hari would come to see him and advices  him.)

By

Saint Thyagaraja

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Kalyani

Thalam Aadhi

Pallavi

 Vachunu Hari ninnu jooda,

Vachunu  Hari ninnu Jochi,

Mechunu Hari ninnu joochi

Pallavi

Hari would come to see   se you,

He would come    to see   you,

And that Hari seeing you   would appreciate you.

Anupallavi

Kuchitha vishayathula  chichureethi   nenchi neevu ,

Hechugaanu  maa swamini  machikatho   nuthiyimbu

Anupallavi

You   see the matters of passion with hatred  ,

Start loving my lord  and salute him very   well.

Charanam

1.Dheeruni   Sitarama avatharuni   sakala lokaa-,

Dharuni nija bhaktha  mandharuni   nuthiimbavayya

Charanam

1,You please pray that  bold one  ,

One who has taken incarnation as  Sitarama ,

One who  carries the entire world 

And a wish giving tree   to his devotees.

2.Dhanyuni  velpulalo   moordhanyuni   prathileni  la-

Vanyuni  Parma karunyuni   nuthiyimpavayya

2.Please    pray   that blessed one  , who is the best among Devas ,

Who  has matchless  beauty   and one   who is greatly merciful.

3.Ye japa thapamulaku   raadu Yajanadhulaku Radu  ,

Rajikaa nuthiyinchu   Thyagarajanuthuni   Nee vela.

3.He cannot be got by any  chanting  and meditation ,

He cannot be approached by any fire sacrifices,

So please pray with  love that Lord,

Who is prayed to by   Thyagaraja.