Purandara Dasa

Purandara Dāsa (Kannada: ಪುರಂದರ ದಾಸ (1484–1564) (also spelt "Purandaradasa")) was is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music.

Purandara Dasa Mantapa where Purandara Dāsa lived on the banks of the river in Hampi

by Siddharth Hindus

• This is bliss, This is bliss, This is bliss, I proclaim
  The real happiness lies in the chant of Lord’s name.
  One should be on the banks of river of life firm like rocks along,
  One should be a powerful bow in the midst of the strong.
  One should softly adore Lord’s greatness in heart within,
  Be like a lump of sugar to his kith and kin
  One should keep correcting wisely his body and mind.
  And pay respects to the great and sages kind.
  One should be like fish in the Madhva philosophy ocean,
  And be pure in his practice of the Triple Expression”.
  One should ever be alert to grasp knowledge that abound,
  And think of Lord (Sri Hari) night and day around.
  One should pay respects to the servants of the Lord,
  Purnadar Vittala the God of this world.
  • In the above quote, Dasa gives some fundamentals for leading life in the community. Translation quoted from this Narayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

• Should swim along, staying and conquering
  In this complex ocean of life with desire not attaching.
  Lovingly in this birth, like a lotus leaf on a drop of rain
  Singing Rama’s name, those who want to win and gain.
  Like the cashew nut on its fruit, just touching the life path
  Not keeping any desire, those devoted to the brave Srinath.
  Like a fish that grabs the bait meat and gets hooked sadly
  Not getting cheated, thinking of Purandara Vittala, the Lord only.
  • In this three examples are cited by Das cautioning against desire as quoted here Narayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

• My sons’ birthday; we have a grand feeding
  Another sons thread ceremony is proceeding
  Life is busy you know if you ever say
  The death god will be laughing behind you, I say
  Not eaten dinner, have not seen the favourite show
  Some debtors are waiting to get my loan, No way
  Once your purpose is over, no time is wasted away
  Think meanwhile of Purandara Vittala with a bow.
  • In this quote Dasa is warning against the inevitable when one is busy with worldly chores as given hereNarayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

• Rama Rama Rama Rama Sita Rama you chant
  Do with devotion, and get the release you want...
  As those Yama hordes arrive, to bid you to come
  Spirit tries to escape the throat, Hari’s name will not come
  Body systems cease working and our relative are bemoaning
  Name of the Ocean-daughter’s lord will it come to your asking?
  When your breath is blocked by phlegm in your throat
  Vasudev Krishna’s name will be of no use then to shout
  When you beautiful body breaks down and falls apart
  As your eyes get blurred and dead, Ranga’s name will not depart
  When your body juices mix up and collect down below
  As the elements disintegrate, uttering God’s name will it allow.
  Having born as a wicked and done many a cruel deed
  As soul departs, Puranadara Vittala’s name will not proceed.
  • Here Dasa explains the agony of the last stages of death and advices taking the name of god at the time, as quoted here.Narayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

• Most work for their belly, for cloth of cubit dimension
  Some worship Lakshmi’s spouse for salvation
  Lifting palanquins Is for their belly
  Fighting powerful wrestlers is for the belly
  Telling lies is for the belly
  Thinking of Lord is for salvation
  Concocting politics is for the belly
  Riding elephant or horse is for the belly
  Hurting other people is for belly
  To pray Lord is for emancipation
  Lifting heavy rocks is for the belly
  Yelling loud is for the belly
  Pray Purandara Vittala is for salvation
  With pre-planned contemplation.
  • In this composition Dasa describes the plight of the working class to work for their survival as the rich exploit them, as quoted hereNarayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

• Rama, Rama, Rama chant, this grand
  Lord’s name do not forget in mind
  With nine orifices this jam-packed city
  Five kings ruling there with all majesty
  They guard this body with all the vanity
  Do not get spoiled believing this mendacity.
  This insecure body, just a bony cage
  Tightly wrapped with a cover of skin
  Full of sewage, slush, and germs within
  Do not rely on this sewn up cartilage
  Respected by the recurring Brahmas and celestials
  Take Hari’s name with His supreme credentials
  Pray the feet of Purandara Vittala
  And get rid of the fear of the evils all.
  • This is an allegorical song in which Dasa refers to the nine openings of the body to the city and the five kings relate to the five universal elements of fire, air, water, earth and space. Degradable wastes are within the body which all binds us to this world. And to seek salvation he advices to take the name of God. This quote is hereNarayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

• Dull headed I am, you are the very progenitor of cupid
  Forgiving my countless sins please save me...
  I am the sinner and you remove the sins on me
  Anger, vanity, arrogance I am filled with these
  Make me fearless removing my worries
  False shadowy forms engross me
  You are the redeemer to those who seek refuge
  Worst criminal I am you remove hurdle rocks that huge
  Bewildered I am you save me as you foresee
  Charlatan I am and you are without vanity
  Unlucky I am you are lord of wealth divine
  Can I comprehend past or future of mine?
  Oh Purandara Vittala Raya my father
  Perpetually you save me without bother.
  • In this song Dasa’s reference to ‘cupid’ is to a mythological episode in which Shiva destroys Manmatha the demi god for hindering his penance. However, he is rescued by Parvati, Shiva’s consort and adopted as their own son Pradyumna in a rebirth in the subsequent era of Lord Krishna. This is considered as a noble act. The translated version is here.Narayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 

External links

• Amaresh Datta (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 200. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1. 
• Kashmir, Karan Singh (Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and); Rathore, K. S.; Rāṇāvata, Manoharasiṃha (1994). Princely historian: commemoration volume of Maharajkumar Dr. Raghubir Sinh. Shri Natnagar Shodh-Samsthan, Sitamau, and Publication Scheme. ISBN 978-81-85263-88-5. 
• Narayan, M.K.V. (1 January 2010). Lyrical Musings on Indic Culture: A Sociology Study of Songs of Sant Purandara Dasa. Readworthy. pp. 7, 77-–. ISBN 978-93-80009-31-5. 
• The Vedanta Kesari. Sri Ramakrishna Math.. 1963. 
• Vedavalli, Mandayam Bharati (2001). Saṅgīta śāstra saṅgraha: a guide to theory of Indian music. M.B. Vedavalli.