Tyagaraja Kritis Essence — Telisi Rama Chintanatho

Tyagaraja learnt many devotional kritis in his childhood from his mother. At the age of 8, he composed kritis like Namo namo raghavaya. He also composed ‘Giriraja suta thanaya’ with his grand father’s name — a prayer for Ganapati (the son of Goddess Parvati, who was daughter of Giraraju). He learnt purandara dasa kritis, jayadev ashtapadis and ramadasu kritis from Sontthi Venkataramanayya. On his guru’s encouragement, he performed in music concerts in Tanjore before esteemed musicians and received praise and appreciation.

Let’s explore the 6th kriti in this series: Telisi Rama Chintana Tho, in ragam Purnachandrika.

When an elephant is distracted, it’s handler gives it a stick to hold on to. With its aid, the elephant calms down and follows along quietly. Similarly, Tyagaraja presents his distracted mind with the rama mantra. He continues his dialogue with his mind:

You need to restrict thoughts, take the help of this taraka mantra, understand the true meaning of the Rama Nama and meditate over the lord.

Rama may mean women or it may mean an embodiment of the supreme ( Parabrahma ). When you meditate not knowing the intended meaning, you will just get distracted by desires. It is essential to understand its meaning as the supreme power or parabrahma.

Arka means a poisonous milk-weed tree. If you meditate assuming that it means a tree, your tendency to get distracted will not go away. Our mind is like a distracted monkey that does not stay still. But if you pray knowing that Arka means the sun god, you can dispel the darkness of your ignorance.

Photo by Todd Trapani on Unsplash

Aja means a goat. But if you pray thinking of that meaning, how will your wishes get fulfilled ? Aja also means Brahma. If you pray knowing the true intended meaning, that is when you will see the fruits of your meditation and actions.

If you are born in this world, you enter the cycle of birth and death, pain and pleasure. Your mind will get distracted. Your ignorance may misguide you. Only when the 5 senses are controlled and focused inward, their powers unite and sharpen the mind. That state of mind can channel the soul.

When you chant the Rama namam, think of the Omnipresent Parabrahma to see the true benefits of your prayer.

Translated by — Shruti Balabhadruni