Here Purandaradasa elaborates what one should avoid doing in life..
A person who performs deeds [karma] which should be avoided [allada ]would ruin his own life[ketta]. Similarly one who constantly accuses and goes against all [ellaranu virodhisuva] for no reason, one who fights against the powerful and strong [ ballidava] , one who believes a lady who has no virtue — they all end up suffering in life..
Finally Purandaradasa concludes by saying that – One who does not believe [nambadava] Purandaravitthala would suffer all his life.[Naraka].
“Guru” – teacher, remover of ignorance, who equals Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. How does one identify a true guru.
In this composition Saint Tyagaraja described two qualities of a Guru. One who’s mind is Nishchala [ One who is not disturbed by the ongoings of worldly issues. Who’s mind is calm under all circumstances] and Nirmala [Pure- Who is devoid of inner enemies numbering six – Kaama , Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya]. He indeed is qualified to be a Guru.
Tyagaraja attributes these qualities to none other than Lord Raama . Tyagaraja is now a student of Lord Raama. As a student his mind is full of deceit [ caught up in worldly matters] and is disturbed.. Hence he seeks the grace of the Lord having complete faith in Him.
It is only a Guru who purifies the mind like a Sallaki Seed { guruvu cillaginca } [ which purifies water by removing mud], he is the bee {guruvE bhramaramu} which transforms the pupil into himself. Here Tyagaraja points out that it is only a Guru who would make his student like Him. He is the Sun { guruDE bhAskaruDu } who dispels the misty ignorance from the student. He himself is the ultimate [ the highest truth ] to be attained. Tyagaraja concludes by submitting himself to the Lord who indeed is the protector of the world.
It is noteworthy that Tyagaraja has composed this kriti in Dhanyasi – a raaga most suited for emoting Bhakti Bhava..
Kriti Lyrics:
pallavi
nI cittamu nishcalamu nirmalamani ninnE namminAnu
anupallavi
nA cittamu vancana cancalamani nanu viDa nADakumi shrI rAma
ನಿನ್ನರಸಿ ಲಕುಮಿ ಎನ್ನ ತಾಯಿ | ನಿನ್ನ ತಾಯ ತೋರೋ ಪುರಂದರವಿತ್ಥಳ||
Here Saint Purandaradasa exhibits his supreme devotion. Here a comparision is made as to who is more fortunate – the Bhakta [ devotee] or Bhagavan [the Lord]. Purandaradasa says that a devotee indeed has the Lord himself as his 1) Swami [ Lord or in today’s terms Boss], 2) Father, 3) King . Goddess Lakshmi happens to be Purandaradasa’s Mother. Oh Lord!! Do you have a Father, or a King who would indeed look after your needs. Do you have a mother.??
As a devotee , I’am indeed fortunate to have you as my Sarvasva . You being the Lord you have none.
Here Purandaradasa points out that a devotee is never alone.A devotee always needs to seek the help of Lord Almighty and He [ Lord] would protect the devotee as a Father, Mother, King and so on…. How fortunate a Bhakta is to have the Lord with him …
Here Purandaradasa gives a simple solution for all problems one faces in life. He compares the human body[tanu] to a boat [ doni ] which has to cross the ocean of samsaara to attain Salvation. For this to happen one needs to perform all actions in this world [vyavahaara] with the Lord’s name. To attain our ultimate goal [Salvation] the mind would indeed get tempted with the worldly pleasures [Indriya Sukha]. One could overcome the worldly temptations by Mukunda [Lord’s name] Mudre[ Symbol]. With Hari Naama as a Sceptre one could cross the ocean of Samsaara and attain Mukti. [Permanant Bliss!]
