Purandara Dasa

right|thumb|Purandara Dasa Mantapa where Purandara Dāsa lived on the banks of the river in Hampi Purandara Dāsa (Kannada: ಪುರಂದರ ದಾಸ (1484–1564) (also spelt "Purandaradasa")) was is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music. by Siddharth Hindus This is bliss, This is bliss, This is bliss, I proclaimThe real happiness lies in the chant of Lord’s name.One should be on the banks of river of life firm like rocks along,One should be a powerful bow in the midst of the strong.One should softly adore Lord’s greatness in heart within,Be like a lump of sugar to his kith and kinOne should keep correcting wisely his body and mind.And pay respects to the great and sages kind.One should be like fish in the Madhva philosophy ocean,And be pure in his practice of the Triple Expression”.One should ever be alert to grasp knowledge that abound,And think of Lord (Sri Hari) night and day around.One should pay respects to the servants of the Lord,Purnadar Vittala the God of this world. In the above quote, Dasa gives some fundamentals for leading life in the community. Translation quoted from this Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 7 Should swim along, staying and conqueringIn this complex ocean of life with desire not attaching.Lovingly in this birth, like a lotus leaf on a drop of rainSinging Rama’s name, those who want to win and gain.Like the cashew nut on its fruit, just touching the life pathNot keeping any desire, those devoted to the brave Srinath.Like a fish that grabs the bait meat and gets hooked sadlyNot getting cheated, thinking of Purandara Vittala, the Lord only. In this three examples are cited by Das cautioning against desire as quoted here Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 77 My sons’ birthday; we have a grand feedingAnother sons thread ceremony is proceedingLife is busy you know if you ever sayThe death god will be laughing behind you, I sayNot eaten dinner, have not seen the favourite showSome debtors are waiting to get my loan, No wayOnce your purpose is over, no time is wasted awayThink meanwhile of Purandara Vittala with a bow. In this quote Dasa is warning against the inevitable when one is busy with worldly chores as given here Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 81 Rama Rama Rama Rama Sita Rama you chantDo with devotion, and get the release you want...As those Yama hordes arrive, to bid you to comeSpirit tries to escape the throat, Hari’s name will not comeBody systems cease working and our relative are bemoaningName of the Ocean-daughter’s lord will it come to your asking?When your breath is blocked by phlegm in your throatVasudev Krishna’s name will be of no use then to shoutWhen you beautiful body breaks down and falls apartAs your eyes get blurred and dead, Ranga’s name will not departWhen your body juices mix up and collect down belowAs the elements disintegrate, uttering God’s name will it allow.Having born as a wicked and done many a cruel deedAs soul departs, Puranadara Vittala’s name will not proceed. Here Dasa explains the agony of the last stages of death and advices taking the name of god at the time, as quoted here. Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 81-82 Most work for their belly, for cloth of cubit dimensionSome worship Lakshmi’s spouse for salvationLifting palanquins Is for their bellyFighting powerful wrestlers is for the bellyTelling lies is for the bellyThinking of Lord is for salvationConcocting politics is for the bellyRiding elephant or horse is for the bellyHurting other people is for bellyTo pray Lord is for emancipationLifting heavy rocks is for the bellyYelling loud is for the bellyPray Purandara Vittala is for salvationWith pre-planned contemplation. In this composition Dasa describes the plight of the working class to work for their survival as the rich exploit them, as quoted here Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 85 Rama, Rama, Rama chant, this grandLord’s name do not forget in mindWith nine orifices this jam-packed cityFive kings ruling there with all majestyThey guard this body with all the vanityDo not get spoiled believing this mendacity.This insecure body, just a bony cage Tightly wrapped with a cover of skinFull of sewage, slush, and germs within Do not rely on this sewn up cartilageRespected by the recurring Brahmas and celestialsTake Hari’s name with His supreme credentialsPray the feet of Purandara VittalaAnd get rid of the fear of the evils all. This is an allegorical song in which Dasa refers to the nine openings of the body to the city and the five kings relate to the five universal elements of fire, air, water, earth and space. Degradable wastes are within the body which all binds us to this world. And to seek salvation he advices to take the name of God. This quote is here Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 87 Dull headed I am, you are the very progenitor of cupidForgiving my countless sins please save me...I am the sinner and you remove the sins on meAnger, vanity, arrogance I am filled with theseMake me fearless removing my worriesFalse shadowy forms engross meYou are the redeemer to those who seek refugeWorst criminal I am you remove hurdle rocks that hugeBewildered I am you save me as you foreseeCharlatan I am and you are without vanityUnlucky I am you are lord of wealth divineCan I comprehend past or future of mine?Oh Purandara Vittala Raya my fatherPerpetually you save me without bother. In this song Dasa’s reference to ‘cupid’ is to a mythological episode in which Shiva destroys Manmatha the demi god for hindering his penance. However, he is rescued by Parvati, Shiva’s consort and adopted as their own son Pradyumna in a rebirth in the subsequent era of Lord Krishna. This is considered as a noble act. The translated version is here. Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 89 External links Amaresh Datta Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo http://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&pg=PA883 1987 Sahitya Akademi 978-81-260-1803-1 200 Kashmir Karan Singh (Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and) Rathore K. S. Rāṇāvata Manoharasiṃha Raghubir Sinh, Shri Natnagar Shodh-Samsthan Princely historian: commemoration volume of Maharajkumar Dr. Raghubir Sinh http://books.google.com/books?id=3XsMAQAAMAAJ 1994 Shri Natnagar Shodh-Samsthan, Sitamau, and Publication Scheme 978-81-85263-88-5 348 Narayan M.K.V. Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa http://books.google.com/books?id=-r7AxJp6NOYC&pg=PA79 1 January 2010 Readworthy 978-93-80009-31-5 7, 77-– The Vedanta Kesari http://books.google.com/books?id=jynkAAAAMAAJ 1963 Sri Ramakrishna Math. 419 Vedavalli Mandayam Bharati Saṅgīta śāstra saṅgraha: a guide to theory of Indian music http://books.google.com/books?id=YsQ3AQAAIAAJ 2001 M.B. Vedavalli 147 Category:Poets from India Category:Hindu gurus Category:1484 births Category:1564 deaths Category:Composers from India