Today, in this offering, we present you an uplifting rendition by Dr Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna (BMK) of an enlightening composition of Saint Tyagaraja, followed by a moving narration on the same by Brahmashri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma (SSS), on the sacred day of the Saint’s Āradhana.
Tyāgarāja’s compositions are often centred on the principle of devotion, the essence of Sri Rāma (Brahman, the Self), Védānta and the philosophy of music.
Nā Jeevādhāra in the rāga Bilahari can be classified as a composition that mirrors the voice of Védānta or Upanishad. Saint Tyagaraja’s music is also referred to as Tyāgópanishad.
On the spiritual journey to discover God's presence within ourselves, we must be prepared to employ all of our faculties to reach this lofty goal. Music appeals to our emotions. While words speak primarily to our intellect, music speaks directly to our hearts. The right kind of music can elevate our hearts and evoke strong emotions that draw us closer to God. Saint Tyāgarāja guides and facilitates our spiritual journey through his immortal compositions like this one.
Let us explore how this composition brings out the essence of the Upanishads in a simple format which can be grasped through the idiom of music.
Kénópanishad begins by a question raised by a disciple to his guru:
ओं केनेषितं पतति प्रेषितं मनः केन प्राणः प्रथमः प्रैति युक्तः ।
केनेषितां वाचमिमां वदन्ति चक्षुः श्रोत्रं क उ देवो युनक्ति ॥ १ ॥
“By whose commands does this mind work? By whose will do the life's breath circulate? Who is responsible for a man's speech? What is that intelligence which directs the eyes and the ears?”
And the guru answers his disciple as follows:
श्रोत्रस्य श्रोत्रं मनसो मनो यद्वाचो ह वाचं स उ प्राणस्य प्राणश्चक्षुषश्चक्षुः ।
अतिमुच्य धीराः प्रेत्यास्माल्लोकादमृता भवन्ति ॥ २ ॥
“That which is the ear of the ear, the mind of the mind and the speech of the speech is the life-breath of the life-breath and is the eye of the eye. Those wise men who were able to know it and have understood it leave behind themselves all sorts of attachment. By that renunciation, they attain immortality.”
Nā Jeevādhāra, essentially brings out the same message of Kénópanishad in the Saint’s musical work.
Tyāgarāja says, “Oh one who sustains my life, one who is the fruit of all my prayers, lotus-eyed one, crest jewel of a king, oh one who is the light that brings the vision to my eyes, one who is the fragrance of my breath, one who illuminates the colour and form of my meditation, one who manifests as a flower in my worship and who is the sustenance himself.., one praised by Tyagaraja.., you are the sustenance of my life.”
Nā Jeevādhāra of Saint Tyāgarāja can also be contemplated upon through the works of Adi Shankara and here is an excerpt from the latter’s Manisha Panchakam.
“The Supreme Being is within all animals, people and the Gods themselves. It is by reflection of this Being that the mind, body and senses are awake. But the Supreme Being is within us and is concealed by the mind, senses and body, just as the sun is hidden by the clouds. The person who, with perfect understanding and wisdom, always meditates on the Supreme Being alone, he is my teacher.”
BMK, a direct descendent of Tyāgarāja’s music, captures the essence of the Upanishad and Saint’s music in this rare recording, which is probably made when he was in his advanced age. His intonation, diction and pauses at the appropriate places echo the intent of the composer effectively and the afterglow of his rendition helps our mind to tread the spiritual journey with all the essential ingredients of knowledge.
The lecture in Telugu by SSS, that follows BMK’s rendition, reinforces the afterglow of BMK’s rendition and provides the premise of the composition. The philosophical import and the incidents that took place during Tyagaraja’s pilgrimage are beautifully captured.
My distinguished friend Sri. Ramkumar on listening to the combo album, spontaneously said, “BMK is at his majestic best despite age, and Brahmashri SSS is at his oratorical best. A great combo offering...full of spiritual nutrition flavoured with pure musical ghee.”
SSS’s narration is presented here for the purpose of a wholesome listening experience followed by contemplation. This is an excerpt from SSS’s celebrated lecture series “Tyāgarāja Hrudayam,” held at Saraswati Gāna Sabha, Kākināda. We gratefully acknowledge the source of this recording.
A summary of SSS’s lecture in Telugu, translated into English, is presented in the comments section.
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