Songs from Saint Tyagaraja

SONGS FROM SAINT TYAGARAJA *

Rendered into English by K. T. NARASIMHACHAR

I

Who can be happy if he Has no peace
Of mind, O Lotus-eyed?
Not he who from the senses knows release,
All passions having died!
Nor e’en a Vedantin, his soul at ease,
True knowledge though his guide!

What though he has children and friends, prosperity,
What though he spend his days in prayer and austerity?
What though he has all sacred books studied,
Learnt well their inner meaning deep buried?
What though he has performed yajnasand other rites,
Far-famed as one that has attained spiritual heights?

Sri Raghava, O king of kings,
Protector of the pious,
In whose praise Tyagaraja sings,
Peace is Thy gift most glorious!

II

Slave of your slaves I call myself,
But O of what avail?
Him that hath not power or pelf– 
Aye, these your love doth fail!
You’ve lowered me in my peers’ estimate:
You love me not, saying “That is your fate!”
The want of praise no anger stirs in you;
That you stand by your devotees–is it true?

III

What lure can mantras or tantrashold
To him who has his mind controlled?
For him who knows his body is not he
What need for tapasof austerity?

For one who knows Thou art omnipresent
How can life’s various stages be different?
For one who knows life is an illusion,
Does he desire women, Dasaratha’s son?

For one who from his being all evil cast
Aside, what cares he for the present or the past,
O flawless form perfect, O king of kings,
In whose praise Tyagaraja enraptured sings?

IV

O Thou whose couch the Milky Ocean is,
Why breakest Thou my heart with anxieties?
I’ve heard how Thou did’st speed to save
The elephant king in peril grave!
An endless garment how Thou gayest
To save the honour of Draupadi,
Jewel of womankind; Ramdas, the bravest
Of men, from prison how Thou set free!
How Thou did’st plough the seas among
For Sita’s sake Thy fame doth prove!
O praised one of Tyagaraja’s song,
O Rama, bless me with Thy love!

*          I. Saantamu leka sowkhyamu ledu
II. Nee daasaanudaasudanani
III. Manasu swaadheenamaina
IV. Ksheera saagara sayana