Saturday, January 10, 2015

645. The Singer Saint who preferred only Lord Rama......!

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/faith-and-rituals/the-singer-saint-who-preferred-only-lord-rama?track=cntshgp&sort=new



“Encash your talent” a commercially inclined mind says, and if there is a fountain of talent there is a person who would want to take charge and manage things.

When the King of Tanjavur heard about the composer and singer Tyagaraja he wished to have him in the palace and give a concert. Tyagaraja had been scrupulously avoiding public concerts and was singing only for his Lord Rama. His elder brother, Japyesa felt Tyagaraja was foolish and did not know the subtle knack of making money by using talent as investment. However he convinced the King and promised that he would bring Tyagaraja to the court to sing for the King. As was the tradition the King sent lots of gifts, and a palanquin to Tyagaraja’s house.

Japyesa thought that Tyagaraja would accept the offer and this was the start of a luxurious life for him. But that was not the way it happened, Tyagaraja rejected the offer and in anguish began to sing a wonderful song that begins with the words, “Tell me, O Mind! Which is better? Money and Fame or simply to be in the presence of Lord Rama?” Why did Tyagaraja reject the luxurious life? Simply because he was already in safe hands of the King of Kings Lord Rama.  

Japyesa became furious at what he regarded as Tyagaraja’s utter stupidity. When Tyagaraja was not at home he threw the idol of Shri Rama that Tyagaraja adored and worshipped every day into river Kaveri in a fit of anger. “Do not reduce God into an idol but elevate the idol to God.”- This was what Tyagaraja had literally believed in, for him it was not merely an idol but Rama personified. Thus came a testing time for the ardent devotee – a period of unbearable separation from the Lord. It is in this period Tyagaraja composed some unforgettable gems which reflected the intense grief and agony of separation.

Singer Saint Tyagaraja was born in 1767 in Thiruvaiyaru in Tanjavur district. He was not only an eminent composer in classical music but also a philosopher. He was an extraordinary personality born to teach humanity through music. He displayed his devotion through music. In one of his compositions he reiterates Rama as the provider of BLISS to the world (Jagadananda Karaka).

In spite of being an expert in Sanskrit he composed thousands of kritis in Telugu and a few in Sanskrit also. He made use of 200 ragas to compose different kritis. Even with such a lot of talent this singer composer saint is so modest when he composed “Endaro Mahanubhavulu Andariki Vandanamulu” (There are many great people and i bow to all of them)

Today is Pushaya Bahula Panchami and it was on this day the great saint attained samadhi. Every year on this day lakhs of carnatic musicians gather at his samadhi situated at the banks of river Kaveri at Thiruvaiyaru, Tanjavur district, to sing songs composed by him. It is a largest congregation of musicians from all over the world.  Many compositions like Sadhichane O Manasa (Oh Mind!! He has achieved His objective), Dudukugala Nanne Dora Koduku Brochuraa Yentho {Will the Kings Son (Rama) save me from being arrogant?}, Samayaniki Tagu Mataladene {He (Rama) spoke tuning his words as per the occasion}, Jagadananda Karaka (Provider of bliss to the world), Endaro Mahanubhavulu (Many great noble people in this world) are harmonically rendered.  

It is heavenly to listen to those compositions in chorus……Just Heavenly…..!



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