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.<\/p>\n
Naneke badavanu naneke paradeshi<\/p>\n
Shrinidhe hari enage niniruva tanaka
\nPuttisida tai tande ishta mitranu nine
\nAsta bandhuvu sarva balaga nine
\npettigeyolagina ashtabharana nine
\nShrestha muruti Krishna niniruva tanaka naneke
\nOda huttidava nine odalighakuva nine
\nUdalu hodiyalu vastra koduvavanu nine
\nmadadi makkalanella kadehayisuva nine
\nBidade salahuva odeya niniruva tanaka naneke
\nVidye heluva nine buddhi kalisuva nine
\nUddhara kartru mama svami nine
\nMuddu Siri Purandara Vittalaninnadi Mele
\nBiddu kondiruva enagyatara bhayavonaneke<\/p>\n
Why should I think I am poor
\nWhy should I think I am a destitute
\nOh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me<\/p>\n
You are the father and mother who gave birth to me
\nYou are my best friend
\nYou are also my family and extended family
\nYou are also the precious jewels in my box
\nOh great Lord Krishna as long as you are there
\nWhy should I think I am poor
\nWhy should I think I am a destitute
\nOh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me<\/p>\n
You are my sibiling
\nYou are also who takes care of me
\nYou are the one who gives clothes to wear and bedding to sleep
\nYou are the one who makes sure my wife and children reach there goal
\nWhen I know you oh lord is continuously taking care of me
\nWhy should I think I am poor
\nWhy should I think I am a destitute
\nOh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me<\/p>\n
Your are the one who is educating me you are the one who chides me
\nYou are ‘ uddhara karta mama’ oh lord
\nThe most beautiful Purandara vittala I have fallen at your feet so what fears can bother me
\nWhy should I think I am poor
\nWhy should I think I am a destitute
\nOh shrinidhe Hari as long as you are with me<\/p>\n
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?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … Continue reading