It was Krishna Janmashtami but I didn’t have a holiday. Of course it is not fair to expect your workplace to grant holidays for all festivals. I chose to celebrate the festival by revisiting Carnatic songs about Lord Krishna. As it always happens my memory regarding their meanings is always hazy.
But I remember liking the refrain “Samayaniki Tagu Mataladene” from one of the Thyagaraja compositions. However, my memory was so weak that I couldn’t recall the name of the song. Anyway, I finally found that the song was “Sadhinchane”.
The song mockingly talks to god almost admiring his dual nature and opportunism exhibited in Mahabharata. It also made me realise why Mahabharata is a more realistic guide to operate in the world. It’s not about being inherently coy and devious but to deal with people based on their merits.
Whatever be the complexities of this song the line (or the refrain) that impresses me the most is “Samayaniki Tagu Mataladene”. The Lord speaks opportunistically. It is not a bad trait if god does it, right? Of course, one needs to read this in context.
One may feel like saying the truth or their actual thoughts about a matter. But there is always a time and place. And then, there are consequences to each word spoken, seriously or in jest.
Speaking the truth or being true to oneself is not always the end goal.
But the eventual goal is to find a just resolution through words or by just shutting your mouth at times. This is the key takeaway for me at this juncture. It’s not enough to be idealistic or caustic because it’s an integral part of your personality.
The wise thing to do is to measure the truth and impact on the outcome of the overall scenario.
At this juncture it is appropriate to present the lyrics and meaning of the song, for my benefit if not the reader’s. [ Note: Claude was used for finding the translations. I have made my own edits after reading other sources. ]
Pallavi
Sadinchane Oh Manasa
"He has had his way, O my mind!" — sādhiñcene carries the exasperated affection of someone saying "he got the better of me / he did exactly as he pleased."
Anupallavi
Bodinchina SanMargava chana mula
Bongu gesi thabattina pattu
Making a lie of the very words of righteous counsel he himself preached, he clung to the stubborn stance he had taken. The central charge: the Lord teaches the good path (sanmārga) and then acts against his own teaching, holding willfully to his own will. This is affectionate outrage, not real accusation.
Chairman
Samayaniki thagumataladene
He speaks whatever words suit the moment — i.e., he's expedient, saying what fits the occasion.
Devaki Vasudevula neginchinatu
Just as he did with Devaki and Vasudeva — the Krishna avatar, born to them only to be spirited away to Gokula; their own divine son kept them in longing rather than comfort.
Rangechudusath Gangajanakudu Sangeetha Sampradayakudu
Lord of Ranga (Ranganatha), father of the holy Ganga (which springs from Vishnu's feet), and master of the musical tradition.
GopeeJana Manorathamo Sangalekane geliyujese Vadu
The one who, instead of granting the gopis their hearts' desire, would just look on and tease them.
Vanithala sada Sokkajeyu chunumrokkajese Paramathmudadiyugaka
The Supreme Self who forever enchants women and makes them bow to him — and beyond even that.
Yasothana yudanchu Mudambu Nanu Mudhupetta Navvuchunduhari
Hari, who only laughs when Yashoda fondly kisses him, thinking 'he is my son.’
Paramabhakthavathasaludu sugunapara varunda janmama nagudee
kalibadhaluderrchuvadanu chune hrudambu jamunajuchu chundaga
Supremely tender to his devotees, an ocean of virtues, the one who ends the sufferings of this age — so believing, I keep gazing at him in the lotus of my heart.
HareRama chandra Raghukulesa mrudusubhasha seshasayana paranaree sodaraja viraja
thuragaraja rajanutha niramaya paghana saraseeruhadala kahayanuchu vedukonnana nanutha brovakanu
O Hari, Ramachandra, Lord of the Raghus, of gentle sweet speech, reclining on Sesha, brother to all other men's wives (i.e., who sees every other woman as a sister) — unborn, borne by Garuda king of birds, praised by kings, free of all affliction, of flawless form, lotus-petal-eyed — though I plead with him by all these names, will he still not protect me?
Sree Venkatesa suprakasa sarvonnatha sajjana maanasa nikethana kanakaambara dharalasan makuta kundala virajitha hare yanuchune pogada thyagaraja keeyudu maanaveendrudaina Ramachandrudu
Sri Venkatesa, radiant, highest of all, dweller in the hearts of the good, clad in gold, resplendent with shining crown and earrings, O Hari' — thus I extol him: Ramachandra, sung by Thyagaraja (self referential lines of the lyricist), who though God walks as a lord among men.
Sathbhakthula natathalitlanene Amarika gana puja konene Alugavadda nene
Vimukula thonu chera pogumanene vetha galgi nathallu komma nene Damasa madi sukadaga kudaku sree Thiagaraja nuthudu chen thara rane
He said, 'The conduct of true devotees is like this.’ He accepted my worship, settling contentedly in my heart. He said, “Do not sulk. Do not go and keep company with those who have turned away from God. When sorrow comes, endure it patiently. Will not the Lord whom Thyagaraja (self referential lines of the lyricist) praises come near to me?