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Gandhamu puyyaruga - Tyagaraja Kritis (Eng)

Pallavi

gandhamu puyyarugā1 pannīru
gandhamu puyyarugā2
Gopis applied sandal paste;
they applied sandal paste mixed with rose-water.

Anupallavi

andamaina yadu nandanupai
kunda radana-liravondaga parimaḷa (gandhamu)
On the handsome son of the Yadu race,
the jasmine-toothed Gopis applied fragrant sandal paste such that it set firmly.

Charanams

1.
tilakamu didderugā kastūri tilakamu didderugā
kalakalamani mukha kaḷa kani sokkucu
palukula-namṛtamu-lolikeḍu swāmiki (gandhamu)
[The Gopis] adorned the Lord with musk (mixed) tilaka;
bewitched by beholding the winsome lustre of His face,
they applied sandal paste to the Lord in whose words nectar oozes out.
2.
cēlamu kaṭṭerugā baṅgaru cēlamu kaṭṭerugā
mālimitō gōpāla bālulatō-
nāla mēpina viśāla nayanuniki (gandhamu)
[The Gopis] draped the Lord with golden garments!
And on the large-eyed one who lovingly
tended cattle along with the cowherd-boys, (they applied...)
3.
hāratu-letterugā mutyāla3 hāratu-letterugā
nārī maṇulaku vāramu yauvana
vārakamosageḍu vārijākṣuniki (gandha)
[The Gopis] performed a pearl arati!
On the lotus-eyed one who offers eternal youth
as payment4 to the gems among women, (they applied...)
4.
pūjalu sēyarugā manasāra pūjalu sēyarugā
jājulu5 mari virivājulu davanamu
rājita tyāgarāja nutuniki6 (gandhamu)
[The Gopis] performed Pujas wholeheartedly,
with jasmine, tuscan jasmine and mugwort;
On the effulgent one praised by Tyagaraja (they applied...)

Variations

  • 2gandhamu puyyarugā - not repeated in some books.
  • 3hāratuletterugā – hāramuletterugā : hāratuletterugā - is appropriate.
  • 6tyāgarāja nutuniki – tyāgarāja nutunipai. If 'tyāgarāja nutuniki' is correct, then it would be connected to 'pūjalu sēyarugā'; however if 'tyāgarāja nutunipai' is correct, then it would be joined with Pallavi 'gandhamu puyyarugā'.

Commentary

  • This is part of the dance-drama ‘Nauka Charitram’ – The Boat Story. Background - The Gopis meet Krishna at the Yamuna river and travel in a boat happily. In their excitement of meeting Krishna, Gopis become proud thinking that Krishna is their property. In order to remove their proudiness, Krishna creates a storm in the river and as the boat is tossed about, it develops a crack and water starts entering the boat. Krishna feigns illness and the Gopis become desparate as to how they would reach the shore and ensure safety of Krishna. In order to save the boat, listening to the words of Krishna, they take off their blouses to plug the hole. But, as these also were washed off, Krishna asks them to remove all their clothes to plug the hole in the boat. Even as these are washed away, they become desperate and surrender themselves to the Lord. Seeing their condition, the Lord takes pity on them and restores order and the Gopis get back their clothes. In their renewed joy, they celebrate by worshipping the Lord. Now, the song.
  • 1gandhamu puyyarugā – titalkamu didderugā – cēlamu kaṭṭerugā – hāratulu etterugā – pūjalu sēyarugā – These verbs (puyyarugā etc.) cannot be adequately translated in English language. This is sort of wonderment.
  • 3mutyāla hārati – normally Harati is performed with Kunkuma (vermilion) mixed with water wherein camphor is lighted. Here, the Harati is being performed with pearls.
    • It is also a part of the Ekanta Seva of Lord of Tirumala introduced by a Yogini Venkamamba.
  • 4According to custom of Harati, the person to whom Harati is offered is supposed to give a payment to those performing it. In this case, the Lord offers eternal youth as the payment.
  • 5jājulu virivājulu davanamu – this could be joined either to the first line (of 'worship' – 'pūjalu') or to the last line (of 'shining' – rājita). However, it is more appealing along with 'pūjalu'.

Renditions

  • Rama Varma and company (youtube)

External Links:
1)Gandhamu Puyyaruga -Sudha raghunathan
2)Gandhamu Puyyaruga -S Sowmya

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