Tyagaraja Kriti
Sitamma maayamma, Shri Ramudu maa thandri
Vathamaja, Soumithri, Vainatheya, Ripu mardana
Bharataadulu sodarulu maaku, Oh! Manasa!’
(Sitamma is my mother and Shri Rama, my father; Hanuman, Lakshmana, Garuda, Bharata and Shatrughna are all my brothers, Oh! Mind! May you be aware of this.)
There is an underlying meaning in this reply. Tyagaraja’s mother was in fact, Sitamma and father’s name was Rama Brahman. From the spiritual angle, he referred to his divine parents Shri Rama and Sita in his Kirtana. Thus, he tried to reconcile his physical parentage with that of Spiritual parentage. His reference to Hanuman, Bharata and Shatrughna denotes his link to the spiritual family of Shri Rama, which is a Universal family of devotees. Thus, he established his identification with the divine family of Shri Rama who always protected him). (Beacons of Divine Wisdom, Part 1, p. 191)
Seeing the plight of the saint-composer, Tyagaraja, the Raja of Tanjore sent him many valuables in a palanquin. Looking at these presents, Tyagaraja smiled and prayed to his mind to declare truly whether these treasures would bring him real happiness or the constant vision of Sri Rama. He felt that proximity to Rama was his greatest wealth and turned back the presents sent by the Raja. Tyagaraja lived up to his name by renouncing all worldly things. He declared that God alone was all that he needed and he sought nothing from anybody. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 94-96)
My affection towards Tyagaraja is centuries old! When the standard of moral conduct fell very low, He dispensed the drug of Ramanamam in palatable containers. The raga is suited to the emotional tempo of the idea elucidated in the song; the beats of time are appropriate to the elaboration of the meaning; the alliterative adjectives dictate the spacing and the accent. They lead the voice into the enchanting arches of the architecture of the song, arousing through its vibrations the Yogic energies of both singer and listener.
An aged connoisseur of music after hearing a Tyagaraja composition rendered by Baba could not contain his joy. He blurted, ‘Swami! I felt it was Tyagaraja himself who sang just now!’ Baba turned on him, ‘By the way, who do you think inspired Tyagaraja to sing so!’ (Lov God, p. 195)
It is when diseases are rampant that doctors are needed more; and now; when standard of moral conduct has fallen very much, people must turn to doctors like Tyagaraja who dispense the drug of Ramanama in his own sweet palatable versions. All have equal right to share in the health-giving properties of that drug. In every linguistic group, we have great Vaidyas who treat this Bhava-roga successfully; Surdas in Hindi, Ramalinga Swamigal in Tamil, and Purandara Dasa in Kannada – to give one example in each language. Tyagaraja is in a class by himself, not because he sang in Telugu, but because his songs are marked by rare excellences of sincerity of devotion, poetical beauty and musical melody. The raga suited to the emotional tempo of the idea elucidated in the song; the marking of the time quite appropriate to the movement of the meaning; the word which automatically dictate the tala and guide the musician along the notes; and the entire structure of the song helping the arousal of the yogic urge in the singer- such spontaneous mystery of the science and the art of both music and sadhana is seldom found in the history of any language or country. He sang unawares, out of fullness of his realisation and so the songs have the strange communicative force imparting ananda to singer as well as the listener. (SSS Vol.1, pp. 132-133)
Once there lived an ardent devotee of Rama in Chengalpattu near Madras. He wanted to attend the marriage of Tyagaraja’s daughter in Thiruvaiyaru. He wanted to present a picture of Rama to the bride. In those days, there were no buses, cars or aeroplanes. Therefore, he walked all the way from Chengalpattu to Thiruvaiyaru, carrying the picture of Rama. On seeing the picture, Tyagaraja was ecstatic and burst into a song – ‘Oh Rama! You walked all the way in order to protect me. You have taken so much trouble, Oh Lord’. In this manner, he went on extolling Rama’s love and compassion. He experienced unity with Rama’s Divinity. He considered Rama his dear old friend. You don’t need to observe any formalities or use respectable words when you address your old friend. Tyagaraja addressed Rama with the same intimacy in the song. ‘Ra ra ma inti daka…..’(Oh Rama ! Come to my house).
There is another song which reflects the feeling of friendship: ‘Enta Vedukondu Raghava….. panthamelara Oh Raghava…’ (How long should I plead with You, Oh, Raghava! Why are You so obstinate and not responding?). Tyagaraja felt, it is my duty to pray till Your heart melts. But the warmth of my prayer does not seem to have touched Your heart. One day or the other, Your heart will surely melt. I will wait till such time. I am not in a hurry’ In this manner, he consoled himself. It was only then that Rama granted him His Divine vision. No one can comprehend, how and when God is going to shower His grace on a Sadhaka and what type of boons He is going to grant him. He gives so many gifts and ultimately gives Himself and makes you ecstatic, why then are you distancing yourself from such all merciful Lord?
God is the ocean of love and compassion. He is sweetest and most enchanting that is why Rama is described as Pumsam Mohana Rupaya (One who enchants even males). He captivates and attracts everyone. There is divinity in every object in this world. But man, is unable to understand this divine principle. In spite of his education and listening to the discourses of saints and holy men, he is unable to comprehend the nature of the divine. There is only one way by which you can understand God. Love Him wholeheartedly. Do not hate any one. Do not hate anyone. If you come across a person who hates you, do not reciprocate the same feeling. Greet him saying, ‘Hello friend, how are you?’ Then all hatred in him will vanish. He too will develop love towards you. God is your true friend and most intimately related to you. Love is the only path that can take you to God. When you develop love, God will give Himself up to you and will protect you always. (SSS Vol.36, p. 71)
‘mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tishthami Narada’, where my devotees sing, there I seat Myself. So, the songs of Tyagaraja sung well and with the full realisation of the context and the meaning are excellent media for spread of Bhakti. Prayer and contrition are two disciplines by which the mind can be cleansed of egoism and hatred; Tyagaraja is a fine example of how this can be done. (SSS Vol.1, p. 114)
However, much one may try, it is not possible to know God in totality. Once mother Kunti said to Krishna, ‘Oh Krishna! Though You are verily God, sometimes we are deluded to think that You are also a human being like us.’ Saint Tyagaraja too echoed the same feelings in the following verse:
Oh Lord! You answered the prayers of Draupadi and saved her from humiliation.
You made ugly-looking Kubja beautiful.
You protected the Pandavas.
Is it possible to estimate Your glory and splendour?
You are beyond all description and human comprehension.
Krishna, it is not possible for even Brahma to describe Your glory.
(Telugu Song)
(DD on 25.02.2006, p. 6)
Once Tyagaraja performed a musical concert at Thanjavur. Many eminent musicians and scholars were present in the concert hall. In the beginning of the programme Tyagaraja offered salutations to all of them through his famous composition, Endaro Mahanubhavulu-Andariki Vandanamulu … (there are many great souls who have had divine experience; I prostrate before all of them). Everyone was blissful listening to his melodious singing.
He demonstrated by example that one should pay his respects to everyone in the assembly before addressing them since there was divinity in all of them. Many years ago, in Prasanthi Nilayam, a scholar was invited to address a congregation. While commencing his speech, he addressed the audience thus: ‘brothers and sisters except one!’ Then he explained that his wife was also present among the audience. Even while addressing a congregation he was remembering his wife. One should not observe such differences while addressing a public gathering. One should offer his salutations to one and all. ( DD on 26.02.2006, pp. 11-12)
Tyagaraja was Valmiki himself come to the South India to sing the glory of Rama and spread the Rama Taraka Mantram. He had the welfare of the individual as well as the world always in view. He had the experience of the constant presence of the Lord, so that Rama had to give him Darshan and come to his help a number of times. His Bhakti made him ever at peace and joyful.
He was ever engaged in the process of examining his words and deeds and evaluating them on the touchstone of Bhakti. As the bee in search of honey wanders afar in search of the flowers, as the creeper clings fast and fondly to the tree lest it fall, as the rill runs to the river and as the river rushes to the sea, Tyagaraja pined for Rama; his songs are pure fragrant blossoms of Bhakti and therefore, immortal (SSS Vol.1, p. 135)
It is just the gold in all the jewels, the base and the substance, however many forms and whatever shapes the jewels may have. To become a particular jewel is to lose the Universal nature or rather to limit it. To lose the name and form of gold and become a jewel is to feel separate, to forget the One. The atma does not change, no one can transform it. Its nature is hidden by various veils of ignorance, such as those which Tyagaraja prayed Lord Venkatesha to pull apart, in the famous song---‘Thera theeyaga raadha.’
The veils are known as mind, intellect, etc. The jewel must know it is not, it was not, it will not be oval or square or fiat or round, or anklet or necklace or ring or bangle. It must yearn to know its real nature and become aware of the basic truth, apart from the unreal appearance. When it becomes gold again or rather when it ceases to think of itself as anything but gold, it can be said to have attained Bliss. (SSS Vol.1, p. 172)
One should keep one’s mind under control and act according to the situation. You have just heard a singer singing Tyagaraja’s composition, ‘Samayaniki Tagu Mataladene.’ Tyagaraja was one who understood the truth and had love for God. But, one cannot keep control over one’s mind in times of great difficulties. It is because of this weakness that one even starts blaming God for one’s troubles. Tyagaraja was no exception to this. When he was unable to withstand suffering in the face of difficulties in life, he put the blame on Rama, saying, ‘O Rama, my Bhakti (devotion) towards You is very strong, but You do not have the Shakti (power) to protect me’ Then he enquired deeply within and repented for his indiscreet statement. He sang,
‘O Rama, if You lacked power,
Would a mere monkey jump across the mighty ocean?
Would Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, become Your consort?
Would Lakshmana worship You?
Would the intelligent Bharata serve You?
How can I, with my limited mind,
Understand the greatness and grandeur of Your divine Power? (Telugu Poem)
One has to have a broad mind in order understand the infinite Divinity.
(SSS Vol.32 Part II, pp. 31-32)
Tyagaraja said, ‘Oh, Lord! I have been praying to incessantly. Why are you depriving me of Your love and compassion? What is that I have not offered to You?
‘I have surrendered my wealth,
My family and everything to you.
Now, please come to my rescue.
I seek refuge only in You.’ (Sanskrit Shloka)
Mere words are not enough when you pray; you should offer heart to God in prayer. (SSS Vol.39, pp. 69-70)
The Ramayana propagated the great ideals of Rama in song and story. Rama was ever auspicious, ever the heroic wielder of the bow (Kodanda Rama), ever the anointed ruler (Pattabhirama), and the Divine In-dweller in the heart. People have to enthrone Him in their hearts and adore Him. Tyagaraja grew ecstatic when he sang about Rama and His various attributes and glories.
Swami sang mellifluously Tyagaraja’s song beginning with the words: Rama! Kodanda Rama! Rama! Pattabhirama!’ – Rama You stands by the word you have given. For me, you are the only wealth. Your song is the only song. Your path is the only path. Rama! You are Sitapati (the consort of Sita). You are the Gati (the goal). I bow to you. I surrender to you, Oh Rama. Rama! Your name is supreme. Rama! Thoughts of you are enough. Rama! I am yours. Please speak to me. The great devotees of Rama revelled in singing the glories of Rama in this manner. (SSS Vol.30)
Tyagaraja used to to address Rama in all his Kirtanas in the singular. In the famous Kirtana ‘Rara Mayinti Daka Raghuvira Sukumara Mrokkera,’ he invites Rama in familiar terms to come to his house (after he recovered the image of Rama from the Cauvery river). The familiarity is an expression of his devotion to Rama.
You must look upon God as an ‘Old friend.’ There is no greater friend in the world than God. God only looks at the purity of your loving devotion. Treat the universe as your text-book and your heart as your teacher. There is no need to seek God elsewhere. All that devotees need to do is to use all their limbs and organs of perception to experience the Divine. Tulsidas used to lament that as long as he did not use his limbs to experience God he was a cripple. No devotee should allow his faith in God to weaken under any circumstances. You will achieve victory by facing any adverse circumstance with faith in God. Embodiments of Love! Foster intense faith in God. All other beliefs are of no avail (SSS Vol.30, p. 210)
Treat love as the very basis of your life. You are not fit to be called a human being if you submit yourself to trivial problems. Even tiny ants are able to overcome obstacles that stand in their way. Problems are not limited to human beings alone. Beasts and insects have problems. Saint Tyagaraja sang:
‘Oh Rama, You pervade everything right from a cheema (ant) to Brahma. You are in Shiva and also in Keshava. Please take care of me.’ (Telugu poem)
The same divinity that is present in an ant is also present man. Likewise, difficulties are also common for all. The suffering that an ant undergoes is similar to that of man. When such a tiny creature like an ant is able to withstand suffering, why is it that man is not able to do the same? He is influence by his food and habits and thus become a slave to his mind. That is the reason he is unable to withstand suffering. We should face the challenges of life with fortitude and brush aside the difficulties. Never be cowed down by difficulties. You can attain God only when you face difficulties with courage and overcome them. (SSS Vol.37, pp. 190-191)