Raama Mantrava Japiso - do chant Sri Raama's glorious holy name

 In Hinduism, we have so many mantras for the many gods, the common man is completely bewildered. They are in Sanskrit, most are complex and hard to pronounce; we can only guess their meaning, or look for some trustworthy translations. Sri Purandara Dasa offers solace for us poor souls in this song. We do not need complex mantras for prayer. The name "Raama" - calling for Sri Raama (Sri Ram)- chanted with bhakthi (devotion) is all we need in this world. 

Sri Hari's (Narayana) most kind and benevolent incarnation was Lord Sri Raama. Remembering and chanting his simple name is the medicine for all the evils in this world. Lord Shiva indicated as much to Parvati in the Vishnu Purana "sahasra naama tat tulyam Rama nama varanane" (the name of Lord Rama has the weight of- is equivalent to- the thousand names of Lord Vishnu (in Vishnu sahasra nama)).

There are many versions of this song on Youtube. A beautiful rendering of the song by Sri Vidya Bhusana is below. Note that there are slight variations in the various versions of the song online. (This is true of almost every song).

    

            Rama mantrava japiso, hey manuja, Rama mantrava japiso

            Rama mantrava = the (holy) mantra of Rama's name, japiso = do japa of (i.e. chant in complete devotion), hey manuja = hey man (or woman) "Manuja" refers to "one born of Manu", a human being

            Meaning: Hello my fellow man (woman), chant the mantra (name) of Rama with devotion!

            Aa mantra ee mantra necchhi nee kedabeda
            Somashekhara thanna satige pelida mantra

            Aa = that, mantra, ee = this, mantra, nechhi = believe, nee = you, kedabeda = don't be fooled
            Somashekhara = Lord Shiva, thanna satige = to his wife, pelida = told, mantra

            Meaning: Do not be fooled by this or that mantra. Follow the holy (Rama) mantra which was recommended by Lord Shiva Himself to his wife (Parvati).

            Kulahinanaadaru koogi heLuva mantra,
            Jalajapani nithya japisuva mantra,

            Kulahinanaadaru = even if one is without religion, koogi heLuva = shout loudly, mantra,    
            Jalajapani = Lakshmi devi (jalaja = the flower born of jala, water- the lotus flower), pani = one holding a lotus, Lakshmi Devi) nithya = everyday, japisuva = chanting, mantra

            Meaning: The Rama mantra can be shouted- chanted loudly- by even someone without any religion or creed. (Perhaps Sri Purandara Dasa is alluding to rishi Valmiki who was a wild hunter in the forest before he was inroduced to Rama mantra by sage Narada). Sri Lakshmi devi herself chants this mantra everyday.

            Kalusha parvatakidu kulisha vaagiha mantra,
            Sulabhadindali moksha sooregombuva mantra

            Kalusha parvata = mountain of sin (paap), kulishaevaagiha = (is) a weapon to destroy, mantra,  
            Sulabhadindali = easily, moksha = salvation, sooregombuva = makes attainable, mantra

            Meaning: The Rama mantra is the weapon that destroys the mountain of sin which is a part of  this life. And it makes salvation easily attainable to everyone. (How great is the Rama mantra!)

            Snana mounangaLige sadhanada mantra,
            JnanigaLu manadi dhyanipa mantra

            Snana mounangaLige = for taking a bath (to purify oneself) or for silent medidation,
            sadhanada  = vehicle for, mantra, Jnanigalu = the learned people (jnanis), manadi = in their
            mind, dhyanipa = meditate upon, mantra

            Meaning: The Rama mantra is a vehicle for meditation and purifying oneself. It is also the mantra medidated upon by learned people.

            HeenaguNangaLa hingisuva mantra,
            Yenembe VibhishaNage pattakattida mantra

            HeenaguNangaLa = (one's) bad qualities, hingisuva = suppresses (eliminates), mantra, 
            Yenembe = I can tell you (this), VibhishaNage = for VibhishNa, pattakattida = make (him) sit
            on the throne (i.e. make emperor), mantra

            Meaning: The Rama mantra eliminates one's bad qualities, and indeed it is the mantra that made VibhishaNa the emperor (in the Ramayana, after the killing of the demon Ravana).

            Sakala vendangaLige saaravenipa mantra,
            Mukuthi margake ide moola mantra,

            Sakala = all, vedangaLige = vedas, saaravenipa = the essential meaning of, mantra,    
            Mukuthi margake = the path for mukthi (salvation), ide = this, moola = root, mantra

            Meaning: The Rama mantra encapsulates the essential teaching of the Vedas (the supremeness of Sri Hari). It is the root mantra for attaining salvation.

            Bhakuthi rasake batte omme thoruva mantra,
            Sukhanidhi Purandara Vittalana maha mantra

            Bhakuthi rasake = the essence of Bhakthi (devotion), batte = path, omme = at once, thoruva =     
            points to, mantra, Sukhanidhi = the source of bountiful happiness, (is) Purandara, Vittalana =  
            Vittala's, maha = great, mantra 

            Meaning: The Rama mantra is path to the essence of  Bhakthi (devotion), and it is the great    mantra of Sri Purandara Vittala (Sri Hari), the source of all happiness.

Sathatha GaNanaatha Siddhiyaneeva- A song on Lord Ganesha, while praising other gods

In the Hindu (Vedic) tradition, there are several Gods and Goddesses. Every Hindu has heard of and prays to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Gan¢esha, Lakshmi, Gowri, Saraswathi, and many many others. According to the Vaishnava tradition of Sri Ramanujucharya and Sri Madhwacharya, Lord Narayana is the supreme Lord, and the father of all the other Gods, no one else being His equal in position, brightness and potency. Sri Purandara Dasa made it clear in his songs that Sriman Narayana is the supreme deity, there is none other above Him.


In this song, Sri Purandara Dasa points out the roles played by the other gods in enabling a bhaktha- a devotee- to do good deeds so that he may please Lord Narayana and ultimately reach his holy feet. Indeed, all other gods are devotees of the supreme Lord Narayana. Sri Purandara Dasa makes it clear that the grace of many Gods and Goddesses is involved in the performance of our dharmic (spiritual, good) works in life, and Lord Narayana Himself provides the means for the devotee to ultimately reach Him.

Pronunciation Notes: The capital N implies a hard 'Na'; a capital L hard 'La' pronunciation

Sathatha GaNanaatha Siddhiyaneeva Kaaryadhali

Sathatha = One who is constant and is forever, GaNanaatha = the Lord of the GaNas,

(Lord GaNesha), Siddhiyaneeva = gives Siddhi (the will to achieve good ends), 

Karyadhali = to do good deeds (karya=deeds)

Note: The capital N implies a hard 'Na' pronunciation

Meaning:  The ever-constant Lord GaNesha gives the will and the purpose to do good deeds. 

In doing all good deeds, Lord GaNesha comes first and it is necessary to seek His blessings.

Mathi Prerisuval¢u Paarvathi Deviyu

Mathi = intelligence (understanding), PrerisuvaLu = gives motivation (inspires), 
Parvathi Deviyu = Goddess Parvathi

Meaning:  Goddess Parvathi gives motivation and intelligence (for accomplishing good deeds).

Mukuthi Pathake Manaveeva Mahaa Rudra Deva

Mukuthi = Mukti (liberation), Pathake = to the path, Manaveeva = will set the mind to,

Mahaa = the great, Rudra Deva = Lord Rudra (Shiva)

Meaning:  Lord Shiva will set one’s mind to the path of Mukti (liberation).

Hari Bhakuthi DaayakaLu Bharathi Devi

Hari = Lord Hari (Narayan¢a), Bhakuthi = Bhakthi (devotion), Daayakau = will give, 

Bharathi Devi =  Bharathi Devi (Lord Vaayudeva's wife)

Meaning:  Lord Vayudeva’s wife, Goddess Bharathi Devi will give devotion to Lord Narayana.

                Yukuthi ShaasthragaLalli Vanaja Sambhavanarasi

Yukuthi = Intelligence, ShaasthragaLalli = methods (science), Vanaja= Lotus, Sambhava =

(one who was) born in, Arasi = queen i.e. the queen of one who was born in a Lotus

(Lord Brahma), Goddess Saraswathi

Meaning:  Goddess Saraswathi will give the intelligence and the strategic means to achieve 

our aims.

                SathkarmagaLa Nadesi Sugnyana Mathi Itthu

               Gathi Paalisuva Namma Pavamaananu

SathkarmagaLa = good karmas (deeds), Nadesi = make perform, 

Sugnyana = spiritual knowledge, Mathi = intelligence, Itthu = will give, 

Gathi Paalisuva = will provide help and protection,

Namma = our, Pavamananu = Lord Pavamana (Vaayu)

Meaning: Our Lord Pavamana (Vaayu) will make us perform good deeds, and will give us 
spiritual knowledge and intelligence, and give us the help and the protection
we need.

Chitthadhali Ananda Sukhava NeevaLu Ramaa

Chitthadali = in the mind, Ananda = (spiritual) bliss, Sukhava = happiness, 

Neevalu = will give, Ramaa = Goddess Lakshmi 

Meaning:  Goddess Lakshmi will give us bliss and spritual happiness (while we go about doing our 

dharmic Deeds).

Bhakutha Janarodeya Namma Purandara Vittalanu

Sathatha IvaraLu Ninthu Eee Kruthiya Nadesuvanu

Bhakutha = Bhaktha (devotee), Janara = people, Odeya = the leader, Namma = our, Purandara

Vittalanu = Sree Purandara Vittala, Satatha = eternally, Ivarol¢u = in all these (Gods and Goddesses),

Ninthu = stays, Eee = these, Kruthiya= actions, Nadesuvanu = performs

Meaning: And, the ever kind and supreme Lord of the devotees, Sree Purandara Vittala (Lord Narayana),

eternally stays in the hearts of the above Gods and Goddesses, and makes them performs these actions

(for the benefit of the devotees).

The Songs (kritis) of Sri Purandara Dasa

Sri Purandara Dasa is a well-known Saint from Karnataka. He lived in the golden age of Karnataka-some 500 years ago- during the reign of emperor Sri Krishnadeva Raaya of the Vijayanagar empire.

Sri Purandara Dasa is the foremost member of the Haridasa movement and the recognized father of Carnatic music. He was inspired to change his merchant life to one of renunciation and Bhakthi by Lord Vittala Himself. Sri Purandara Dasa wrote thousands of songs (kritis) in Kannada (known as "Devaranaamas" in Kannada, literally "names of God") covering all aspects of life.

I am a Kannadiga, and to me the most remarkable thing about Sri Purandara Dasa's songs is that the Kannada he used 500 years ago is almost the language of today, His songs- at least the vast majority of them- are easily understood, although occasionally one may have to look up the meaning of some words. Sri Purandara Dasa's songs are indeed eternal and shall be remembered and sung for ever. Sometimes he does use words that are not easily understood, but this is rare. To me, he is like the father of the Kannada language.

The songs of Sri Purandara Dasa are sung with great devotion by so many non-Kannada speakers. I feel that the songs would be so much better appreciated if the meaning of the songs were known to them. Here in this blog I shall try to provide translation- as best as I can, and a little bit of commentary- of some of the most popular songs of Sri Purandara Dasa. Occasionally, I may include kritis authored by some of the other great Dasas of the Karnataka Bhakthi tradition.

"Sharanu Siddhi Vinaayaka", a song praising Lord Ganesha

Sri Purandara Dasa wrote many kritis (songs) in praise of Lord Ganesha (Vinaayaka), who is considered to be the remover of obstacles. This is one of the more popular kritis in Lord Ganesha's praise.

                Sharanu Siddhi Vinaayaka Sharanu Vidhya Pradhaayaka
        Sharanu = (my) obeisance (to you), Siddhi = one who helps to reach your goal
        (moksha), Vinaayaka = Lord Ganesha, Sharanu = (my) obeisance (to you),
        Vidhya = education (spritual knowledge), Prashaayaka = one who gives
        Pronounciation Note: Sharanu uses the hard Na sound
      
        Meaning: My obeisance to Lord Ganesha, who gives education and spiritual
        knowledge and helps attain the goal of Moksha.


               Sharanu Paarvathi Thanaya Mooruthi Sharanu Mooshika Vaahana
        Sharanu = obeisance to, Paarvathi Thanaya = the son of (Goddess) Parvathi,
        Mooruthi = the person, Sharanu = obeisance to, Mooshika = mouse, Vaahana =
        (one who has as) vehicle

         Meaning: My obeisance to the son of Parvathi and the rider of a mouse. 
         It is said that Lord Ganesha has a mouse for a vehicle- that must be
         one humongous heavenly mouse, to be able to bear His weight!

               Nitila Nethrana Devi Suthane, Naghabhushana Priyane
               Katikataangadha Komalaangane, Karna Kundala Dhaarane


          Nitila = forehead, nethrana = one who has an eye, Devi = wife, Suthane = son of 
          Nagabhushana = one with a serpent for an ornament (i.e. Lord Shiva), 
          Priyane = (one who is) dear to, Katikataangadha Komalaangane = one with a
          stomach like a large pot, Karna = ear, Kundala = ornament, dharane = one
          who wears (addressing)

          Meaning:  Here Lord Ganesha is addressed as the son of the wife of One 

          who has an eye in the forehead (Lord Shiva), one who is dear to One who 

          has a  serpent for an ornament (again, Lord Shiva), and one who has a belly 

          like a large pot, and one who wears an ornament in his ears. 

          This is an example where the Dasas sometimes take the liberty to even make fun 

          of the deity in their songs.

                      Batta Mutthina Padhaka Haarane, Baahu Hastha Chathushthane

                Itta Thodugeya Hema Kankana Paasha Ankusha Dhaarane

Batta = round, Mutthina = (made of) pearls, Padhaka = ornament 

worn on a necklace, Haarane = (one) wearing a necklace, Baahu = limbs, 

Hastha = hands, Chathushtane = (one) with four, Itta = wearing, 

Thodugeya = ornaments (clothes), Hema = golden, Kankana = bangles, 

Paasha = rope, ankusha = instrument used to keep an elephant in check ,
Dhaarane = one wearing

            Meaning:  Lord Ganesha is addressed as one wearing a beautiful 

            pearl necklace with a Padhaka ornament, one with four hands,

           one wearing golden ornaments. He also carries a rope and instruments

           to keep an elephant in check.

                   

                  Kukshi Mahaa Lambodharane, Ikshu Chaapana Gelidhane

                  Pakshi Vaahana Shree Purandara Vittalana Nija Dhaasane

Kukshi = stomach, mahaa = great, lambodharane = (one) with a large stomach, 

Ikshu Chaapana = Ikshu Chaapa refers to the love god Manmatha (see below), Gelidhane = (one who is) victorious over, Pakshi = bird, Vaahana = (one who has a vehicle, i.e. Lord Naraayana), 

Shree Purandara Vittalana = of Sree Punandara Vittala, Nija = true, 

Dasane = the servant of

Meaning:  Lord Ganesha is addressed as one with a large stomach, and 

one who won over the love god Manmatha. Finally, he is a true servant of the 

supreme Lord Narayana, the rider of the mighty bird (Garuda).

Ikshu chaapa means someone holding a bow made of sugarcane- this refers to Manmatha, the god of love. So Sri Dasa is saying Lord Ganesha won over Manmatha. I am not sure which incident is being referred to here. (Although there is a story of Lord Shiva trying to burn Manmatha who was disturbing his penance).