Purandara dasa is a great poet and devotee of vittala. His poems are in Kannada. The dasa litreture in Kannada is very important not only for the language used but for the reason it started. The dasa’s though mainly follower’s of Shri Madhwaachaarya, wrote poems on subjects including devotion, various avatara’s of Vishnu, philosophy as well as society and it’s conduct. The purpose of these songs were to teach the illiterate people about devotion and philosophy. They are also set to music and so people learnt it as songs. Purandara dasa is called the father of Carnatic music. He formulaised the initial lessons of Carnatic music and brought structure to the way it is taught. Most kannadigas would have heard ‘dasara pada’s’ ( pada meaning poem) at temples, movies and social gatherings. Like all kannadiga’s I too have learnt many dasara pada’s and appreciated their meaning. I have tried here to translate one of them to English. I liked the simplicity and the affection and devotion to ‘vittala’. Each dasa has his own favourite diety. Kanakadasa’s is kagnele’s( a place in Karnataka) aadikeshava, vaadiraajaru’s is hayavadana ( the horse head avatara of Vishnu) and Purandara dasa’s is Purandara ( a place in Karnataka ) vittala.
Naneke badavanu naneke paradeshi
Shrinidhe hari enage niniruva tanaka
Puttisida tai tande ishta mitranu nine
Asta bandhuvu sarva balaga nine
pettigeyolagina ashtabharana nine
Shrestha muruti Krishna niniruva tanaka naneke
Oda huttidava nine odalighakuva nine
Udalu hodiyalu vastra koduvavanu nine
madadi makkalanella kadehayisuva nine
Bidade salahuva odeya niniruva tanaka naneke
Vidye heluva nine buddhi kalisuva nine
Uddhara kartru mama svami nine
Muddu Siri Purandara Vittalaninnadi Mele
Biddu kondiruva enagyatara bhayavonaneke
Why should I think I am poor
Why should I think I am a destitute
Oh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me
You are the father and mother who gave birth to me
You are my best friend
You are also my family and extended family
You are also the precious jewels in my box
Oh great Lord Krishna as long as you are there
Why should I think I am poor
Why should I think I am a destitute
Oh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me
You are my sibiling
You are also who takes care of me
You are the one who gives clothes to wear and bedding to sleep
You are the one who makes sure my wife and children reach there goal
When I know you oh lord is continuously taking care of me
Why should I think I am poor
Why should I think I am a destitute
Oh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me
Your are the one who is educating me you are the one who chides me
You are ‘ uddhara karta mama’ oh lord
The most beautiful Purandara vittala I have fallen at your feet so what fears can bother me
Why should I think I am poor
Why should I think I am a destitute
Oh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me
Brings tears to my eyes whenever I sing the song. If you see Him in everything and are sure He is always there to take care of you why fear?