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Ememo teliyaka - Tyagaraja Kritis (Eng)

Pallavi

ēmēmō teliyaka palikedaru celulāra
nā mīda daya lēka
You speak a lot of things unknowingly, O damsels,
without compassion for me.

Charanams

1.
munu mandara giri munuga kūrmamai1
vīpuna tālcaga lēdā2
In the past, when Mount Mandara sank into the ocean,
did I not bear it on my back, taking the form of a tortoise?
2.
kari-rāju3 makaricē gāsi jendaga
nēnu karuṇa jūḍa lēdā
When Gajendra was suffering in the grip of a crocodile,
did I not show mercy on him?
3.
veravaka4 nīṭa joccina sōmakuni5 koṭṭi
vēdamu tēlēdā
By fearlessly slaying the demon Somaka, who plunged into the ocean,
did I not bring back the Vedas?
4.
kāḷindi lōni6 kāḷiyuni madambunu
kālanaṇaca lēdā
Did I not subdue by my feet,
the arrogance of the serpent Kaliya in River Kalindi?
5.
makaramu kompōyina guru putruni7
mari tecciyosaga lēdā
Did I not bring back and hand over my guru's son
who was carried away by the demon Panchajana?
6.
tyāgarājunaku sakhuḍaina nādu
pratāpamu vina lēdā
Have you not heard of
my (the benefactor of Thyagaraja) exploits?

Variations

  • 2tālcaga lēdā - tālcaga lēdā celulāra

References

  • 1kūrmāvatāra–Churning of Milk Ocean - Srimad Bhagavatam – 8.7 refers.
  • 3kari rāju – gajēndra - Srimad Bhagavatam – 8.4 refers.
  • 5sōmaka – This pertains to Matsya Avatara of the Lord. As per Srimad Bhagavatam 8.24, the name of the demon who stole the Vedas is Hayagriva; the Lord assumed the form of Fish and the demon was killed by the Lord in that Avatara. The following verse of Srimad BhagavataM (8.24) is relevant –

  • atītapralayāpāya utthitāya sa vēdhasē |
    hatvāsuram hayagrīvaṃ vēdān pratyāharaddhariḥ || 57 ||
    • “Having killed the demon Hayagriva, He restored the Vedas to Brahma when the latter rose at the end of the pralaya (dissolution).”
  • However, a different version is found in Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18 as under –
  • vēdān yugāntē tamasā tiraskṛtān
    rasātalādyō nṛturaṅavigrahaḥ |
    pratyādadē vai kavayē(a)bhiyācatē
    tasmai namastē(a)vitathēhitāya iti || 6 ||
    • “At the end of the millennium, ignorance personified assumed the form of a demon, stole all the Vedas and took them down to the planet of Rasatala. The Supreme Lord, however, in His form of Hayagriva retrieved the Vedas and returned them to Lord Brahma when he begged for them. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, whose determination never fails.”
  • "Legend has it that during the creation, the demons Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from Brahma and Vishnu took the Hayagriva form to recover the Vedas from the demons. Another legend has it that during the creation, Vishnu compiled the Vedas in the Hayagriva form and that the Hayagriva Avatara precedes the Matsya Avatara wherein he recovered the stolen Vedas from the demons Madhu and Kaitabha." - Source - [Hayagriva Stotra]
  • There is an apparent contradiction on who stole the Vedas – whether it is Somakasura or Hayagriva or Madhu Kaitabha. There is also an apparent contradiction as to the Avatar of the Lord for restoration of VedAs – whether it is Matsya or Hayagriva.
  • 6kāḷindi – kaliya Mardana - Srimad Bhagavatam – 10.16 refers.
  • 7guru putra –restoring the son of his guru - Srimad Bhagavatam - 10.45 refers.
  • For English rendition of Srimad Bhagavatam – ["Srimad Bhagavatam"]

Commentary

  • This Kriti forms part of the dance-drama ‘Nauka Charitram’ – The Boat Story.
  • (Background - The Gopis meet Krishna at the Yamuna river and contemplate travel in a boat. Krishna says that it is not within the capacity of the women to steer boat and says he will do the job; however, the Gopis do not believe Him and think that He is upto some trick. In this Kriti, the Lord tries to convince the Gopis of His prowess by citing His previous exploits.)
  • 4veravaka – There are three telugu words of similar spelling – vera - verapu – fear, terror; veravu - veruvu – skill; veragu – surprise. In the present context, the word is in negative form; therefore, the meaning ‘fear’ has been adopted.
  • 4veravaka – fearlessly – this can either be applied to demon Somaka or to the Lord. From the context, as the Lord is trying to convince the Gopis of his capabilities, this has been applied to the Lord.

Renditions

Nauka Charitram (Drama) of Tyagaraja
  1. Sringarinchukoni (Surati): Gopis meet Krishna
  2. Chudare chelulara (Kamavardhani): They arrive at the banks of the Yamuna
  3. Adavaramella (Yadukulakambhoji): The Gopis indecisively contemplate a boat ride with Krishna. He urges them to get going.
  4. Emani nera nammukondumu (Saurashtram): Gopis suspect some mischief from Krishna
  5. Ememo teliyaka (Saurashtram): Krishna is offended; recounts his exploits
  6. Odanu jaripe (Saranga): The boat ride begins
  7. Tanayande premayanucu (Bhairavi): Krishna assumes multiple forms and sports with the Gopis
  8. E nomu nochitimo (Punnagavarali): The Gopis marvel at their luck for enjoying Krishna's company
  9. Chalu chalu ni yuktulu (Saveri): Gopis berate Krishna (for suggesting a westward course)
  10. Chutamu rare yi vedkanu (Karnataka Kapi): The celestials themselves gather to watch the spectacle
  11. Evaru manaku (Devagandhari): Gopis gloat about their hold over Krishna
  12. Unna tavuna (Ghanta): The tempest; the boat springs a leak
  13. Allakallola mayenamma (Saurashtram): The Gopis pray to Yamuna Devi
  14. Perugu palu (Ghanta): The Gopis lament their state
  15. Krishna makemi dova (Punnagavarali): The Gopis try plugging the leak with their blouses; the blouses are washed away.
  16. Indukemi (Varali): Krishna advises them to try again, this time using their sarees; Gopis protest
  17. Veda vakyamani (Mohanam): Gopis give in, placing complete faith in Krishna
  18. Hari hari niyokka (Punnagavarali): Gopis surrender to Krishna
  19. Gandhamu puyyaruga (Punnagavarali): Disaster averted, the Gopis celebrate
  20. Ghuma ghuma ghumayani (Saurashtram): Gopis are in procession with Krishna on the way home
  21. Ma kulamunaku (Surati): Gopis thank and hail Krishna