A Tribute to Saint Tyagaraja !! Final Part !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

There were thousands of compositions flurried out from Thyagaraja praising the glory of Lord Rama.  It is believed that Lord Rama himself desired to listen to those compositions from Thyagaraja.  One day, Lord Rama appeared in his dream and declared that the idol of Lord used to worship was concealed by his elder brother Japyesha on the banks of river Cauvery.   At the divine instruction  Thyagaraja arrived on the river bank of Cauvery and started  to hollow out the sand, at last he founded the idol  buried.  The exceptional sight of the idol brought an immense joy in him.  He passionately sang

 

 Kanukondini ..... Sri Rama

 

 Thyagaraja was married to Parvathi at the age of eighteen in the year 1784.   Unfortunately, his marriage to Parvathi was short lived for five years, when Tyagaraja was twenty three years old his wife Parvathi attained the lotus feet of Lord.   He was compelled to remarry Kamala, sister of Parvathi.  This couple had a daughter Seethalakshmi.  Thyagaraja   continued serving the Lord for several years at his heart’s content.  Later, he accepted Sanyasrama.

 

 

At the age of 79/80 Thyagaraja attained salvation at the feet of Lord while he was in Thiruvaiyar, before ten days of his journey from this world; he conveyed the message to his disciples that he had a dream in that Lord Rama informed him that he would attain Moksha after ten days.  Thyagaraja had completed ninety six crores of chanting the holy names of Lord Rama and visualized Lord before him.   On 6^th January, 1847 on the day of Pushya Bahula Panchami   Saint Thyagaraja attained the lotus feet of Lord Rama.

 

A magnificent temple was constructed in memorial of Saint Tyagaraja on the banks of river Cauvery.  Every year the legends of Carnatic Music pay homage to the Saint Tygaraja in Thiruvaiyar  as a tribute to the great Saint for his mission of spreading Rama Bakthi through Nadha Upasana and Nama Upasana.   As a part of musical homage, they sing the Pancharathna Krithis (The five Gems of Tyagaraja):

 

Jagadananda Karaka –  Ragam -  Nattai

 Dudukku gala – Ragam -  Gowlai

 Sadhinchaney – Ragam  - Aarabhi

 Kanakana Ruchira – Ragam -  Varali

 Entharo Mahanubhavulu – Ragam -  Sreeragam

 

.

Mangalam Kosalendraya Mahaneeya Gunathmaney

Chakravarthi Thanujaya Sarvaboumaya Mangalam

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

A tribute to Saint Tyagaraja !! Part IV !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

 

 

 Tyagaraja passionately continued the worship of Lord Rama with his music in the form of Namopasana along with Nadhopasana, Lord was pleased at the devotion of Tyagaraja and appeared before him.  A brilliant blue light pierced his eyes and there he envisioned Lord Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman.    Tyagaraja was in ecstasy sung the glorious verses praising Lord Sri Rama.

 

 Balakanakamaya Chela Sujana Paripala Sri Rama lola…

 

He continued singing and dancing praising the grandeur of Lord, seeing the madness of his brother  Japeysha got irritated and screamed at his brother’s foolish act of singing and dancing praising the glories of Lord, instead he urged him to sing before the  King who could provide enough wealth for the family.

 

 Once, Sonti Venkataramaiyya sang a beautiful composition of  Thygaraja before  the King who was ruled that city.

 

Samaja Vaaragamana….

 

The King was mesmerized to listen to this marvellous composition and enquired about the origin of the same.   Sonti venkataramaiyya reverentially mentioned the name of Thyagaraja the ardent devotee of Lord Rama to the King.  The King decided to bring him to the Palace to appoint him as his royal musician.  Immediately, a ceremonial carriage was sent to bring Tyagaraja to Thrivaiyar.  The Chariot arrived at  Thirumanjana Veedhi in Thiruvaiyar.   Japyesha who was sitting in the stairs of his home witnessed the amazing chariot and became curious to know for whom the Chariot had been arrived.   His curious mind started wandering to find out the same.  He started running behind people of the village to find the news.  Finally, the chariot paused in front of Thyagaraja's house.  Japyesha’s happiness knew no bounds.   Thyagaraja was immersed in praising the glories of Lord Rama and the worship of Lord.  Thyagaraja came to know about the news and was in dilemma.  The King wanted to receive Thyagaraja and sing for him.  On the other hand, Lord Rama wanted Thyagaraja to be with him and praise the glory of Him.  Tyagaraja listened to his heart saying,”Nothing is superior to Lord Rama".  He preferred to be with Lord Rama.  If in case he chooses to visit the King, he may instruct to sing his glory and it will become a permanent practice which Thyagaraja could not even think about.  Thyagaraja decided to send back the Chariot.  Japyesha became wild at the foolishness of his brother and started abusing him.  He reminded Thyagaraja about his poverty. Tyagaraja remained in a very composed state.  Ultimately, Japyesha knew that his brother was not going to change a bit.  He angrily looked at the Idol of Lord Rama and left the place.   On the same night, Tygaraja finished his prayers all day long singing keerthanas and sending Lord Rama to sleep.

 

Melukovayya….Rama…

 

As usual the next day early morning he was enthusiastically present before his Lord to wake Him

“Kousalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya Pravarthathey |

 Uthishta Narashardhoolam Karthavyam Dhaiva Manviham ||”

 

When Tyagaraja opened the door  Alas ! He was shocked at the absence of Lord Rama's idol.  The panic struck Tyagaraja called his wife Kamalambal and asked her for the Idol Lord Rama.  He wept bitterly and ran madly on the street asking everyone whether anyone had seen the Idol of Lord Rama.    He begged his brother Japyesh to give   back the idol of Lord Rama.   There was no daily ritual, there was no lesson to his disciple and it continued for several days.   Thyagaraja discarded food and sleep with tears overflowing sincerely prayed to Lord, eventually his life turned out utter gloomy from the separation of Lord Rama.

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

A Tribute to Saint Tyagaraja !! Part III

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

As the years passed by,  Tyagaraja had grown up into an young adult.  One day, Tyagaraja followed his father Rama Brahmam for  Unjavruthi  ( receiving alms)  and singing Bajans of Lord Rama.  His father felt unwell and informed his son that the time has arrived to leave this world and go to Lord Rama's Lotus feet.   His father handed Rosary beads to his son seeing Thyagaraja’s deep devotion towards Lord and instructed him to chant the holy names of Lord Rama.   Rama Brahmam could visualize Lord Rama before him at the time of death.  Tyagaraja followed his father in chanting ‘Rama Nama’.  His father advised Tyagaraja that Lord Rama would provide dharshan to him when he finishes the 100 crores of chanting Rama Nama, Tharaka Mantra.  Shortly, his father passed away when Thyagaraja was at the age of twenty one.   Tyagaraja started composing thousands and thousands of compositions of Lord Rama.   At the age of thirty seven, his mother also passed away.

 

 

Immediately after the sad demise of his father, Tyagaraja took in charge of the worship of Lord Rama.  Tyagaraja did not stop daily rituals to Lord, which was meticulously carried out by his father when he was alive.  He engaged in the worship of Lord with his Nadha Upasana, thousands and thousands of compositions and phrases flew out of his mind praising the glories of Lord Rama.  He continued to do the same from the dawn to dusk.  In the night, he mellifluously sang ‘Lali’/lullaby to his Lord.  Every moment in his life has passed with the remembrance of Lord Rama.  The Rama Nama and the compositions praising the Lord formed a staunch devotion in him.   

 

 Ksheera Sagara Sayana………….

 

He constructed every word and phrase with utmost devotion and dedication to Lord.  He had lots of disciples to learn under him, his devotion to Lord grew day by day.    His brother Japyeshan, who was in charge of taking care of the family, was irritated at his brother's irrational behavior and devotion to Lord.  He compelled Tyagaraja to sing before the Kings and rich people instead of singing in front of the lifeless idol of Lord Rama.  He urged Thyagaraja to sing before the rich thereby he could acquire wealth for the family.   Thyagaraja was well aware of the eternal truth that, The Supreme Lord is the provider of the wealth and the origin of the wealth; he flatly refused to follow Japyesha. 

 

Japyeshan blamed Thyagaraja that he had been providing nothing to the family so long, he has to earn some money otherwise he will be separated from the family.   Finally, the greedy Japyesha divided the wealth of the family and looted them.   Tyagaraja opted for the idol of Rama which was previously worshipped by his father and gracefully left all the wealth to his brother.  After this heartbreaking incident, Thyagaraja confronted with an Astrologer, who started blabbering seeing pitiful state of Thyagaraja and it was annoying.  Thyagaraja answered him back that the heart where Lord Rama resides the planets could do nothing.  

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

A Tribute to Saint Tyagaraja !! Part II !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !! 

  

 

 

Saint Tyagaraja was born in the year 1767 to Sri Rama Brahmam and his chaste wife Sitamma, a pious couple from the Telugu Brahmin family.  He was named as Thyagabramam/Thyagaraja after the presiding deity Lord Thyagaraja of Thiruvarur.   In the early years of his childhood his family continued to live in Thiruvrur Thirumanjana Veedhi.   Thyagaraja’s Brahmopadhesham/sacred thread ceremony was performed at the age of 8 years and immediately after Brahmopadesham, he was sent to learn Upanishads, Vedam and Vedanta.   The family settled in Thiruvaiyaru when Tyagaraja was   thirteen.  At this tender age Thyagaraja composed his own Sanskrit krithi.  During the Ramanavami celebration in Thiruvaiyar, one of the prominent musicians of Carnatic Music Sri Sonti Venkitaramanayya arrived to perform.   After the performance Rama Brahmam approached Sri Soni Venkitaramanayya, holding his son of thirteen year old and requested Sonti venkataramaya to listen his son’s attempt to compose a note.   Sonti Venkataramaya did not give much importance at the request of Rama Brahmam, the affectionate father brought his child to perform on the stage for the first time.   Rama Brahmam revealed his deep desire to perform his son in front of legend Sonti Venkataramanya.    Thyagaraja mellifluously sang his first composition.

 

 

‘Namo Namo Raghavaya, Namo Namo Anisham’   -  In Ragam Desika Todi

 

Sonti Venkataramaya was amazed at the profound skill of small boy.  Tyagaraja’s honeyed voice captured the attention of the audience.  Finally, Sri Sonti Venkataramaya had to admit his failure to under estimate the great singer in the boy and hugged him affectionately.   The Legend of music advised Tyagaraja to continue learning process from an eminent scholar and should precede his journey to music.   Sri Sonti Venkataramaya openly commented that it was impossible to compose and sing such a marvelous composition like the above and it would be possible absolutely with the blessings of Lord Rama.

 

 

Thygaraja realized the need for an Acharya.   Thyagaraja’s  Nadha Upasana and Nama Upasana made his imaginations run passionately , his creativity and flawless music  resulted in the birth of many wonderful compositions.  Thousands of compositions originated from his mind which brought him ‘eternal bliss’.  His composition were passionately praising Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Indra, Lord Ganesha, and Lord  Subramanya.  He desired to have an Acharya to guide him and learn all the righteousness.  His thirst to attain knowledge and wisdom grew overpoweringly.

 

One day he met a saintly person while circumambulating the wide path ways of the temple of Goddess Sri Dharmasamavardhini.  The Saint could visualize Thyagaraja's thirst for learning music and he could easily seize what was in his mind,   he advised Narada Mantra of Maharishi Narada who is the teacher for devotion and music to Thyagaraja.  The Saint advised Tyagaraja to practice the mantra sincerely that would provide the dharshan of Maharishi Narada.  He continued to practice this mantra as initiated by the saint and proved it right, Maharishi Narada appeared before him.

 

 

‘Vara Naradha Narayana…’

 

 

Maharishi Narada in white complexion, attired in saffron robes with flower garlands around his neck, resembling the beauty of Lord Chandra appeared before him and provided Thyagaraja the Sacred Scriptures ‘Swarathmakam’.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

A Tribute to Saint Tyagaraja !! Part I !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

Saint Thyagaraja was composed several krithis and each one of them are revered as the gems of Carnatic Music.  All his compositions were abundantly praising the glories and matchless qualities of Lord Rama’s kindness, compassion, brotherly hood, righteousness, valor, love and respects towards his family, an ideal husband to his wife, wise ruler to his Kingdom and its people, divine marriage of Lord Rama with Goddess Sita etc… .  Lord Mahavishnu has countless incarnations and Lord Rama was one amongst them as treated as Poorna Punya Avathara.   Saint Tyagaraja insists to be a devotee of Lord Rama, who lived as an ordinary human being on the Earth during Treta Yuga and whoever follows Lord Rama and his qualities will be benefitted in their life.  

 

Azhwars, prominent Vaishnavite saints praised the glories of Lord Rama in their simple words:

 

 ‘Karparai Ramapiraniai Allal Mattrum Karparo’.  

 

Saints and holy men affirm to follow each and every qualities of Lord Rama for a successful life.  Thyagaraja with his deep devotion asks Lord Rama  ‘ Oh Lord ! You saved Gajaraja (Gajendra Moksham) why can’t you save this Thyagaraja’.   In all his compositions, he had a special inclination towards the usage of words and construction of unparalleled phrases.   His ability to play with the words was remarkable and was perfectly appropriate for the situation.    

In the 16^th century, the Kingdom of Vijayanagara has collapsed and many of the army men, artists and musicians were left Andhra Pradesh and migrated to Tamil Nadu.  Among them was an Andhra Smartha Brahmin family of Rama Brahmam & wife Santha /sita arrived at  Thiruvarur.  There was a famous temple of Lord Tyagaraja.    Rama Brahmam was highly religious and a great devotee of Lord Sri Rama.  As an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, he engaged himself in the worship of lord Rama from dawn to dusk.    Rama Navami rituals were celebrated widely in his home.   He had an elder son Japyeshan who was not at all interested in the worship of any deities and he has chosen magic as his field.    It worried his father a lot, he was dearly wanted a son to worship Lord Rama.  His second son was Sundaresan, there was not much information available about him, it is believed that he had ill health and left the family.  Rama Brahmam was concerned about who would continue the worship of Lord Rama after his life and it brought severe grief in him.  One day, Rama Brahmam had a dream in that Lord Shiva appeared before him and declared that the couple would have a son like Sage Valmiki.   This son would resolve all the problems of Rama Brahmam and follow his father’s worship of Lord Rama and all his righteousness.  It brought Rama Brahmam boundless joy and informed his wife Sita about the same. As predicted by Lord Shiva, a beautiful son resembling to golden idol was born to the couple.    Tyagaraja was born in Tiruvarur, in the year Sarvajit/ 1767 on a Sukla Saptami Day of 27th Monday in the month Chaitra /Chithirai, with the birth star Pushya.   The child was named Tyagaraja, who was born with the blessings of Lord Tyagaraja of Thiruvarur.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!