I am passionately fond of Tyagaraja kritis. Everything is there: ragam, talam, melodious layam and most importantly bhavam. Bhavam essence of life which makes us realize what we are and what we really should be. Rightly said Saint's kritis are TYAGOPANISHAD. Unlike any other Upanishad Tyagopanishad is easy to understand as it is contemporary.
Whether destiny, karma, sorrow or love dealing with human life one can find it in his kritis. Even an ordinary man can go through his kritis and feel the joy of it (without understanding the subtleties) in order to reform and change. Those who have realized the Saint in all his might are a HANDFUL LUCKY LOT. Those exposed to his immortal kritis are truly lucky. It couldn't have been without Lord's grace.
I am trying to present some mysteries of his songs for laymen and for my own better understanding! The saint was too simple and unbelievably his simplicity is the one that captivates and bewitches us.It will do so for eons to come.
In song Kalalanerchina ragam dipa
The saint says in one of his songs:
You may have mastered 64 arts to earn your livelihood yet nothing new happens other than what Fate has in store for you. Lord Rama you are the Fate. Therefore you are Supreme. So protect me.
In another song Prarabdha Mitlundaga same idea bubbles. When my past karmas (deeds) stand in my way and I pay for it what use is in blaming somebody? EVEN WHEN I THINK OF HELPING PEOPLE THEY DO HARM TO ME. If I show pity they quickly brand me PRESUMPTUOUS. Fickle-minded men who assemble as DEVOTEES become my enemies. Obviously all this is happening due to my past karma !! {Imagine doing good was bad during Tyagaraja's time, a period which comparatively could be said to be Treta yug of sorts compared to modern day}
Everyone loves to pamper his body with comforts. Not one is exception {ashta madas are case in point}. In the song induga tanuvine pencina (mukhari) Saint asks is this why I grew my body with suchnarcissistic love? I ran after rich men seeking their charity with the sole aim of transferring their sins onto myself. I failed to worship You O Lord. Instead of having the privilege of being called your devotee and getting your blessing I was taken away by Lord Yama with his booming DERISIVE LAUGHTER who did that in blink of a second. (navadani yamadu navvucu adhince: Yama taking me away with derisive laughter)
I ABUSED RIGHTEOUS MEN
In Darbar ragam song Aparadhamula manipa…Saint says
I committed numerous offences. Blinded by envy and arrogance I abused righteous and pious men. I was also an IMPOSTOR making a show of counting beads and uttering lord's name doing various rituals. Worldly sensual pastures attracted me to no end. Not interested in You I spent time with undesirable men who led me to a life of lust and passion.
Never did I think once that I should read the Puranas and realize the glory of your name. I have come to the end of my tether, the limit of my endurance. O Lord save me.
STRANGELY TYAGARAJA declares HE IS A SINNER. There are many kritis in which he calls himself a sinner. Viz., Dudugugala nanne dora…(Which prince will come and save me?...)
In another song he says,
O Mind! Somehow try and be devoted to Lord. Or the balloon (punti bugga, the body) will soon burst. Meditate on Lord to snap the worldly bondage and getting freed from karmic impurities.
Obviously Tyagaraja was not a fool who mistook worldly happiness as a sin. When the King was lavishing wealth he refused to take it saying "I will not sing at the durbar of a mortal." He was a true yogi. Carnatic musicians of yore used to say that he was a singer in Deva loka and some sin made him suffer human ordeal. Whatever it is there is a clear message the saint gives: Good is good. Bad can never be good.
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