A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part IX !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Lord Panduranga  wanted  Dasar and his grace to be known to the entire world.   So He decided to play a trick. 

One day, a shocking news spread in the village and its surroundings.  Lord Panduranga’s  precious Kankan (bangles) which were kept under the safecustody of the temple authorities were missing.  Everybody was questioned and had undergone  serious search.  Finally,   the Kankan was found in custody of Dasi– who was the disciple of Purandara Dasar.  When she was   questioned, she replied that she had received it from Purandara Dasar.   It created a big mess and havoc among the people and everybody started cursing Purandara Dasar for this.  The King also arrived on the spot to question the culprit.  Dasar was brought to Rangasila Mandapam and tied up in a pillar in front of the deity Lord Panduranga.     Dasar was threatened  and harassed by the servants of the King.  He could not utter a single word.  He engaged himself talking to Lord Panduraga.  He was crying to Him asking what he had done to suffer all these.  He was silently asking Lord Panduranga that, was it because of the order he had given out of ignorance to beat up the poor Brahmin who came to his shop when he was Cheenappa Naikkar.  Was Lord Panduranga  taking revenge on him?

 Nambi Kettavar Illav Rangaiyya Ninna Nambadey Kettare Kedalee

Dasar himself knew the Truth that he was not the culprit and in the same way Lord Panduranga.  Hence, Dasar did not  wanted to open up and plead to the King.  Dasar proudly  declared to Lord Panduranga ‘ you are my father, you are my mother, you are my guru and you are my protector and  I need not worry about anything’.  He cried and praised the glory of Panduranga.   He cried to Lord Panduranga ‘ You accepted Vibhishana – a demon king, Ajamila – who was leading a mlecha life, Gajendra  - An elephant'.     Purandara Dasa  was silently crying to Lord while the people were criticizing his Bakthi and Nama Sankeerthanam.  The King kept questioning him but Dasar did not utter a word.  Finally, they decided to beat him as a punishment for his mistake. The King lifted the strong bamboo stick tied with a heavy rope on the edge (Kasa) and was about to fall forcefully on Purandara Dasar, suddenly the Kasa disappeared from his hands within a second.     Everyone  was shocked to see this and started searching for the Kasa which they found in the hands of Lord Panduranga.  In the sanctum sanctorum, everyone could envision Lord Panduranga  - holding the ‘Kasa’.  The King and everyone fell on the feet of Dasar for forgiveness.   From that day onwards, everyone understood the glory of Purandara Darsar.   The place where the incident took place is still known as ‘Dasar Mandapam’ in Pandharpur.

Dasar lived in  Hampi  for many years and finally got sanyasa. He lived his life till 80 years.    In the year 1564, on 2^nd January,  on the day  of Pushya Bahula Thai  Amavasya,  he passed away.   Listening to his life story and  keerthanas itself makes  one's day  precious and auspicious. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part VIII !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Purandara Dasa in one of his Krithis, explains the importance of a Guru in the following lines:

Guru Upadesha  Villatha Snanavu, Dhyanavu, Japavum, Thapavum, Mantravu, Thanthravu

Guru Vysarayarey…..Karuna thinthali  Yenakkey Purandara Vittalaney Upadeshitharakey

In the above lines, Purandarasa Dasar explains about the Mercy of Guru (Sadguru Kripa).    Dasar learnt  the essence of Bhakti from  His Guru Vyasarayar.  He realised  that the peace derived out  of Bhakti could never match  with the wealth and the fame he had earned all these years.  Dasar left his crores of wealth behind and went for Unchavruthi (Biksha) singing and praising the glory of Lord.  He heartily desired to have his Biksha from whoever willing to do  Annadhanam and  charity, those who respect their parents and Guru and those who worship Lord.   Krishna Devaraya  came to know the story of  Cheenappa Naikkar.  the King came rushing towards Naikkar to enquire  about the sudden change in his life and the reason for leaving behind his wealth.  Purandara Dasar  was sitting in his hermitage after unjchavruthi.   Krishna Devaraya with  a lot of respect, moved towards  Dasar and asked him what had happened to him.   Dasar revealed the fact that he had lost nothing in his life, instead he gained something precious and invaluable with the blessings of Lord Hari.    Krishna Devarayar understood the  fact that Purandara Dasar was truly a rich man indeed. 

Purandara Dasar decided to Leave to Pandharpur to have Dharshan of Lord Panduranga.  After Chandrabaga snamam,  with his  children and family  he arrived at  Pandharipur Temple.  With overflowing emotions and  happiness he entered  the sanctum Sanctorum of  Lord Panduranga with wavering foot steps,  without knowing how to praise the  beauty of Lord.  His face illuminated like thousand Suns ,  Keeridam ( crown ), Kundalam (earrings),   Lotus Eyes,  Nose,  beautiful  Lips, Pattu Peethambaram ,Bujam (hands), Vakshthalam ( broad shoulders), Navaratnamala,  Vaijayanthimala, Waist , Thighs, Lotus feet, the shining Jewels added the beauty of Lord Panduranga.   He hugged Panduranga with love and affection.  He was little bit confused of praising which quality of Lord - whether his kindness or beauty, grace, Love, affection, valour,  etc... the countless qualities of him.   

He  lived in a hut  near the  Pandharpur temple for several years.  He visited many pilgrim centres in order to spread the Devarnama.  He succeeded in his endeavour in  his mission of spreading Bakthi.  He went to Tirupati and composed many krithis praising the glory of Lord Balaji .
 

 Venkatachala Nilayam Vaikundha Pura Vasam.....

Venkataramananey Baro Sheshachala Vasaney Baro.....

He continued his divine journey through Mysore, Nanjakode, Melkotai, Namakkal etc..  spreading Devarnama and  went back to Pandharpur.  He heartily desired for a disciple who could continue the divine endeavor of spreading Devarnama through Sangeetha Sampradaya  after his death.  A lady who was cleaning the Pandharpur temple had a deep desire to learn  from Dasar.    Purandara Dasar started giving lessons to his disciple.  People started criticising him and teasing him in selecting a Dasi Girl as his disciple.  Dasar did not  bothered about anything.   But Lord  Panduranga worried about Dasar  and  the insult of the people humbly suffered by Purandara Dasar………..

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part VII !!

Jai Sriman Naryana !!

Cheenappa Naikkar heartbreakingly cried to Panduranga at His mercy to pick him from the world of material bondages.  All these years he was running behind wealth, fame and money.  Now he realized who he was.  He had an aversion on himself.  The birth of human life is a blessing of Lord to do all the goodness.  He spent all these thirty years of life doing no good deeds.  He understood thoroughly his intention of birth in this world.  He promised to Lord that he would not leave Him and forget Him even for  a second.  The keerthanas flew from him praising the glory of Lord like a stream. 

People from all over the village assembled around Naikkar.  All were surprised to see him in a state that they had never seen.  He was crying and singing praising the glory of Lord.  The people surrounding him started to pass cheap comments on him and started to mock him.  He did not pay any attention to them.  The devotion and faith to Lord made him behave like a mad man.  Each and every keerthana were filled with a lot of emotions.

 

Immediately, Naikkar turned back to his wife and instructed her to bring their children.  Naikkar took his Tampura in his hand and revealed his intention to leave his home and his wealth behind.  His wife Lakshmi Bai reminded him about the wealth he had earned  all  these years.  But Naikkar was not willing to listen to any of her comments about the wealth.  Lakshmi Bai wanted to give off all their wealth as charity before leaving home.  Naikkar insisted her that if they stop for a second, the desire for fame and material things would spoil their devotion to Lord.  Lakshmi Bai sincerely followed her husband.  He promised her that they were going to get rid of the clutches of material world.

He took his tambura, his wife took all their children and left the place  singing the glory of  lord  without looking back.

'Thamburi Meetinava Bavadhi Dhatidava
 Thalava Dhatidava Suranudu Sevidava
Gejjaya Kettidava Kalaredeya Meettidava
Gayana Padidava Harimuruti Nodidava
Vithalana Nodidava (Purandara) Vaikunthake Odidava'

He wanted to go to Pandharipuram.   His urge to have a Sadguru took him to Vyasarayar.   Vyasarayar had eminent disciples like – Kanaka Dasar, Vadhiraja, Krishnadevarayar etc..  In olden times, when Naikkar used to visit the Palace, he had to cross Vyasarayar’s Mutt.  People earnestly adviced Naikkar to visit the Sadguru and get his blessings.  But he just ignored all their advices, with the thought that a Sadguru could not  add wealth in his life.  Though Naikkar passes through adamantly, Vyasarayar felt  Maharishi Narada in him. 

Naikker came running and fell on the feet of Vyasarayar with guilt.   Vyasarayar was the composer of the famous Krithi – 'Krishna Nee Beganey Baro'.  Vyasarayar hugged him and he visualized everything that had happened in Naikkar’s life.  Seeing the tremendous change in him, Vyasarayar  gave him the name ‘Purandara Dasa’.   From that day onwards, Naikker came to be known as  ‘Purandara Dasa’.    Dasar in one of his compositions sang about the glory of his Guru.  Nothing is equivalent to Guru Kataksham and   Nothing  divine will  take place in  life without the blessings of Guru.   Jyana,  Tapasya , Devotion, Faith  and Intelligence are  possible only with the Blessings of  a Guru.   Guru is the Acharaya who  takes us  to Lord. 

Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishno: Gurur Devo Maheswara;

Gurur Sakshath Parambrahma, Thathsmai Sri Guruvey Nama:

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part VI !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

As soon as Cheenappa Naikkar entered home, he started screaming at his wife - Lakshmi Bai enquiring about her diamond nose ring.  Lakshmi Bai was really scared to see Naikkar in a furious state.  She was standing near the Tulsi Plant, praying to Lord .  Her eyes were filled with tears.  She never wanted to lie to her husband.  She lied to her husband that, since it was Friday, she had her oil bath so in order to keep the diamond nose ring safe, she kept it aside.  

She cried to Lord ‘ Why  did you put me in this situation? I have done a good deed without my husband’s consent. Was that wrong? ‘  Her fingers searched for something in the sands of Tulsi plant.  Alas ! a sharp light sparkled through the sands of Tulsi plant - A diamond Nose ring.  She happily took it  and gave it to Naikkar.  This time Naikkar got confused.  He was expecting the answer that Lakshmi Bai  had given the nose ring as alms to the Brahmin.  Instead, She picked up her diamond nose ring and handed it to him.  

Naikkar hurried to his shop to meet the Brahmin.  To his  great dismay,  he realised that the  Brahmin to whom he had told to wait was not there .    He hurriedly opened the jewel box where he had kept the diamond nose ring safely.  But to his amazement, the nose ring was not there.   He ran back to home in panic, confused and worried.  He explained everything to Lakshmi Bai and cried.  Naikkar looked at the diamond nose ring in great awe.   Suddenly a bright light whizzed through his eyes. In that, he could envision  Lord  Vishnu in His reclining posture instructing Maharishi Narada.   

‘Narada, your time has arrived to take birth as a human being on the Earth.  You will be born as an ordinary human being to re-establish righteousness and spread the Devar Nama praising the glory of Lord.’  At the instruction of Lord Vishnu, Maharishi Narada cried and pleaded ‘ Lord I  am born to Praise your glory, but  I dont want to go to Earth.  I am your servant in Vaikundham to praise your Glory.  Please don’t let me take birth in this world as an ordinary human being and keep myself away from you.  I don’t want to get attached to this material world and forget the glory of my Lord.’ 


Lord Vishnu replied ‘ In case, if anything as such happens, I will be there to bring you back  and save you from the material world’. 


The vision of the Lord disappeared suddenly.  Chennappa Naikkar  with great pain  and heavy heart started weeping,  thinking over the life he had wasted all these  thirty years without engaging himself in any of the righteousness.  His eyes over flowed with tears and it was a  heart breaking sight indeed.   He cursed his fate blabbering to himself ‘ I have spent all my life without knowing the fact that Gopala Ratnam is  Buvanaika Ratnam’.

Mosahothey nallo nanu

This was the first composition of Sri Purandara Dasa.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part V !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

It was mid afternoon, the   poor Brahmin felt hunger and thirsty went in search for  food.  He walked through the streets and found a big house with nine Kalashams on the rooftop  which revealed the richness of the householder.  There he  Saw a woman ( Lakshmi Bai) on the patio performing   Lakshmi pooja and  Tulsi pooja.

Baghyadha Lakshmi Baramma  Nammamma

 Nee sowbaghyada  lakshmi baramma

The Brahmin with his unsteadily steps  entered Lakshmi Bai's house.  At that moment,  Lakshmi Bai was about to finish her prayers.  She could hear a weak  voice calling  behind  her.  She saw a poor old Brahmin , with  injuries and the blood oozing from his wounds.  Lakshmi Bai rushed to him and humbly requested him to come in. The Brahmin informed her about what had happened to him.  He told the purpose of his visit to her place.  After hearing him, Lakshmi Bai with abundance of happiness rushed inside the house in search of money.  Cheenappa Naikkar never gave his wife a single penny to keep in her custody.  He keeps money and the jewels in a box tightly locked.    She was anguishly wandering through the house in search of money.    She really wanted to help the poor Brahmin after hearing his painful story.   Soon  Lakshmi Bai came up with  an idea. She removed her  diamond nose ring and gave it to the Brahmin.  The poor Brahmin was happy and forgot his hunger after seeing the valuable nose ring in his hand.   He blessed  Lakshmi Bai  heartily and left home.

The Brahmin rushed to  Cheenappa Naikkar's  shop with all the energies regained.    After seeing him, Naikkar really got angry.  This time , the poor Brahmin  did not ask for any alms.  He carefully opened the knot in his Angavastram (Dhothi) in the same old style.   Naikkar started screaming at him without knowing the purpose.  The Brahmin instructed him to stop yelling as he had brought something precious in exchange for money.  He demanded Naikkar  to see the thing which he has brought and exchange the same.  He also added that one kind hearted woman had given him her invaluable diamond nose ring as alms.    The Brahmin handed the nose ring to Naikkar.  After seeing  the nose ring, Naikker was thunder struck. At once he recognized  that  it was his wife Lakshmi Bai's jewel.  He was shocked and confused of thinking that  how did she do this without informing him.   The Brahmin continued  praising the woman and  described about the home where she was living.  Though Naikkar was a miser, he never took back what was given by him  as charity.   Naikkar with a lot of worries, instructed the Brahmin to wait in his shop  and said that he would be back in a few minutes to provide him  the money in exchange for the nose ring.   He kept the  nose ring  locked safely  in his jewel box and walked home hastily.............

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part IV !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

One Friday, Cheenappa Naikkar was in his shop waiting for a potential customer.  His mind was telling him that  the day is going to be a good  and he would make more money out of his business.   Suddenly,  His eyes fell on a poor Brahmin chanting Rama Nama.  It was very clear from the Brahmin's appearance  that he was not going to be a customer at all.  He was a weary, thin  Brahmin in a ragged clothes .    Naikkar got disappointed to see the Brahmin.  He was expecting some prospective customer from a  rich and royal family.    The poor Brahmin slowly walked towards Cheenappa Naikkar’s shop and continued chanting Rama Nama.  Naikkar was surprised to see the poor brahmin,  as beggars usually never come to him because they know that he would not offer any alms to them. This was the first time a poor Brahmin was approaching him boldly.   Immediately after seeing the Brahmin,  Naikkar started pouring harsh words  and screamed at him to leave the spot.  Without paying any attention to Naikkar, the poor old Brahmin started to undo the knot in his Dhoti.  He spent a good time to open the small knot in his dhoti.  Naikkar got irritated at the Brahmin and continued yelling at him.  Does it make any difference to him? He slowly opened the knot and Naikkar looked into it with his greedy eyes.  He was expecting something valuable from the knot.  Finally, the Brahmin took a few ‘yellow rice’ (Akshadha) from the knot and put it on Cheenappa Naikkar chanting a few Mantras.    The Brahmin slowly with his weak voice requested Naikkar to give him some money as alms for his daughter who was going to get married and his son who was going to have Upanayanam.  At this, Naikkar's rage had no limits .   He replied aggresively at the Brahmin that he would not provide a single penny.  He asked him to leave the place immediately.  The poor Brahmin was unwilling to move even a single step.  He was anxiously waiting to get some alms from Naikkar.  He continued to burden Naikkar with his pathetic story. 

The Brahmin explained to Naikkar about the merits He would achieve from the charity.  He explained: Ten Go (cow) dhanam is equal to One Vrushaba Dhanam.  1 Ashwa( horse) dhanam is equal to  Ten Vrushaba Dhanam  ,10 Ashwa( horse) dhanam is equal to One Hastha (Elephant) Dhanam, Ten Hastha Dhanam is equal to One Yagam,  performing One Kanya Dhanam is equal to One Yagam, giving water to a thirsty person brings abundance of merits.   The Brahmin explained about all the righteousness.  Naikkar was least interested to listen to him.  Their arguments continued for sometime.  Naikkar firmly said that  he did not offer alms due to the adamant nature of the him .  The Brahmin also replied back that he was not going to move out unless and until he received any alms from Naikkar.  The wildly raged Naikkar ordered his servants to beat up the Brahmin and make him flee as soon as possible.   

The servants of Naikkar handled the old man harshly and  left him bleeding.  The pain struck Poor Old Brahmin yelled “Vasudeva”  and walked away with the bleeding  injuries unsteadily ....

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part III !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Lakshmi Bai - wife of Cheenappa Naikkar was  a devoted and religious woman  .   Cheenappa Naikkar never involved himself in any rituals or prayers.  She always had the desire to do good deeds with the abundance of wealth in the family such as: assisting  poor Brahmins for meeting the expenses of   Upanayanam, Education and Marriage of children, meeting  medical expenses of poor people and Temples Renovaton etc… she very well understood the fact  that these good deeds  can only bring  happiness.   Many a time she revealed her desires to her husband. In turn, Cheenappa Naikkar insisted her to do charity which requires no money at all.  He instructed her to do prayers at home and fast on auspicious days which are capable to bring abundance of merits.    He disclosed his  intention to his  wife that by fasting on the day of Ekadashi,  he could   atleast save some money used for food on that day.  He advised her to do Tulsi pooja and compelled  her to do some charity which was inexpensive .    Tulsi pooja did not cost any money and it required only Kukum and Sandal paste.  Whenever she opened up her desire of doing some  charity, Cheenappa Naikkar always replied that the expenses had to be cut down.  Later stages of his life,  Purandara Dasar explains about the importance of Tulsi in Tulsi  Mahathmyam.  In Tulsi Mahathmyam, he praises the Tulsi plant, its leaves and the  glory of the sand where Tulsi grows in the form of slokas.

Lakshmibai  continued  worship of   ‘Tulsi’ planted in courtyard on daily basis. 

Namami Thulasi Devim Srikrishna  Charana Priyam

Divyasouraba Samyouktham Pranamami…..

 

Cheenappa Naikkar had a business relationship with the King Krishna Devaraya, Kingdom of Vijayanagara . He made frequent visits to his palace. Usually his visit to palace begins from Queen Manjula.  Cheenappa Naikkar's  words had the power to influence his clients very easily .  He approaches  Queen and with his sweet coated words  impress her to buy gems from him.  His business tactics worked well on her.     With cleverness and sweet coated words, he made a big list of  clients from rich and royal families.   He spent a good time of his life on acquiring wealth through his business tactics.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Part II !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Purandara Dasa was searching for the way to worship Lord Panduranga.  Is it possible to do Jyana yoga? –  Understanding the fact that soul  and body are different and  the soul is where the Paramatma lives.  Nothing is possible in this Kali yuga because of ignorance, worries, ego, proud and fear.  Is it possible to do  charity?   In this yuga  willingness to do any  kind of charity  is decreasing and   money spent for the charity is not derived from  good deeds.   In this way, lot of hindrance occurs when performing any good deed.   Purandara Dasar insists  only Namasankeerthana and Nama Smarana  is  possible in this Yuga which will definitely provide peace of Mind.  Gajendra,  an elephant called  Lord only once. Didn't He rush to save him? Draupadi was insulted by Dushassana in front of all the senior people like Bhishma Pitamaha, Drutharashtra etc.,  Did anyone help Draupadi?   She did not expect any help from her husbands – though they were great Warriors.  Finally, she Surrendered to  Lord Krishna.  Lord Krishna was enjoying His memorable time with Sri Rukmini,   didn’t He  help Draupadi by providing her cloth? So the underlying fact is that if you Surrender to Lord, He can make wonders in your life.

Hari Smaraneymado Niranthara….Paragathikey Idhu

Purandara Dasa firmly advices us to do Hari Nama Smarana .  Prahalada - son of Demon King Hiranya Kashipu, followed the Hari Nama Smaran. Didn't He save Prahalada?.   Andal insists  to do  ‘Vayinal padi and manathinal sinthikka’ in Her sacred Text 'Thiruppavai'.  Purandara Dasa is the Acharya of Bakthi and Sangeetham.  He is the one who sowed the seeds of  Carnatic music , thus he is known as ' Sangeetha Pitamaha' / ‘Pitamaha of Carnatic Music’.  Saint  Tyagaraja watered the plant, brought it up and maintained the huge tree of Carnatic Music’ and  we are the ones enjoying the fruit of the same .    Purandara Dasar composed  the basic  lessons of Carnatic Music - Swaravali,  Alangaram, Geetham, Lakshna Lakshyia Geetham,  Thana Varnam, Ugadi, Dwipadi, Vrutham, Shatpadi, Ashtapadi,  Thathwajavali, Yala Padham etc.. 

Purandara Dasa explains  most of the events that took place in his life through his compositions.  In one of the Keerthanams ‘Vasudeva Namavaliya’ -  He humbly reveals the fact that he has sung praising the glory of Badarikashram, Rameshwaram, Salagramam, Ekadashimahima, Nama Mahima, Sant Mahima, Sadguru Mahima, Ithihasam, Puranam, Mahabratham, Ramayanam, Bakthavijayam, Dharma Sastra, etc…  The number of Keerthanas he has composed comes around 4,89,000.   He also added the fact that, he was capable of singing songs only with the Grace of His ‘Sadguru’.   Dasar was leading a materialistic life  without any self – realization or God – realization.  Later, his guru Sri Vyasarayar remarked about him ‘Dasarantharey Purandara Dasarayya’ (Dasar is truly 'Purandara Dasar' ).   Dasar became well known for his devotion and Nama Sankeerthanam.  It is believed that Maharishi Narada  was born as Purandara Dasa.

In between  Karnataka and Maharashtra is  situated one of the most famous Temples of Sri Pandurangan & Sri Rukumayee. Pandareepuram is the inseparable place of worship  for the people of Karnataka and Maharashtra as well.   The truth is that, Sri Panduranga listens to the  Abang of great saints like Saint Thukaram, Jyaneshwar, Namdev etc of Maharashtra  with one ear and listens to the Devarnama of  Purandara Dasar and some of the great saints of Karnataka with the other ear,  dancing to the tunes. 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !! Compositions of Sri Purandara Dasa !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

447th Aradhana of Sri Purandara Dasa!! - A Tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Krishnaya Vasudevaya Haraye Paramathmaney

Pranathaklesha Nasaya Gonvindaya Namo Nama:

Purandara Dasa was born in  the year 1484,  Bellari –  Panduranga Ghat in Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagara Kingdom.   His father, Varadappa Naikkar and mother Kalamabal had no offsprings for long time.  They prayed to  Lord Srinivasa of Tirupathi to have a child of all the virtues.  With the blessings of Lord Srinivasa, a beautiful child was born.  They named the child Chennappa naikkar, as the child was born  with the blessings of Lord Srinivasa.   Years passes by as  Cheenappa Naikkar  grew with good knowledge in Music, Sanskrit, Sastra, Kannada and Marathi.  He  married to Lakshmi Bai a naive and highly religious girl at a young age.   In due course of time, they had Children .    Cheenappa Naikkar’s  Parents passed away at a young age.  His father was a great ‘Gem’ businessman.  Eventually, after the demise of his father he had to take up the responsibility of looking after his family and business.    Chennappa Naikkar spent day and night  for the progress  in his business and expansion of the same.   He has nothing else to think of .   He was too materialistic with no belief in righteousness.  People of the village called him ‘ Navakoti Narayanan’ -  He had 9 crores of wealth  and abundance of fame.  Still he was not happy with it.  His mind was wandering and thinking of how to double the wealth and how to become more successful.  As a mark of showing off his wealth,  nine kalasams (pitcher) were installed  on  the roof of his house.  The more he had the  urge for money  the more  he was unhappy and restless.  He was well known as a miser.   He did not even give a penny for charity or to  a beggar.  He did not follow any  righteousness, took bath only whenever he felt but was a very good eater.  He was leading a dull and materialistic life .  Later,  the turn of events in his life changed him and he was known as ‘Purandara Dasa' -  The ‘ Sangeetha Pitamaha’ of Carnatic Music. 

Purandara Dasa assures that, as  much as we praise  Lord and His Glory with  Nama Sankeerthana, the Peace and Prosperity prevails.   In this  Yuga, Is it possible for us to  do tapasya, dhyanam,  karma yoga, jyana joya ?  All these are great ways  to worship Lord.   Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to perform any of the above said.  Due to lack of concentration (not even for a second), faith, devotion and the  Mind is wavering and wandering all the time.    Purandara Dasa  worries  about how to surrender to Lord in this yuga .    Is it possible to do Karma Yoga?  Lord Krishna advises in  Bhagavad Gita :

" Karmanye vadhika raste, Ma phaleshu kadachana;
Ma karma phala he tur bhuh, Ma te sangvasta karmani "

Perform all your duties without expecting the result.  Lord Rama and Lord Krishna both  followed the same.   Lord Rama  fought against Vali, killed him and gave back the Kingdom to Sugriva.   Lord Rama killed  Ravana and gave back the Kingdom to Vibhishana.    Lord Krishna worked for the peace among the Pandavas and the Kauravas.  Krishna spent a lot of time with them. Finally, the Kingdom of Hastinapur  had safely vested in the hands of the Pandavas with  the help of Krishna as the Charioteer in the Kurukshetra War.   So, Karma yoga is not possible as the nature of  human beings  can’t perform anything without expectation,  unknowing the fact that the expectation can only bring continuous fear and selfishness.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!