Sri SripAdArAjara Kruthigalu: Observations

The first kruthi is “Marudamshara matha pidiyade” is tuned to the rAga “GambhIranAta” (that is traditionally played by nAdaswara vidwAns in temple processions of the past) and set to Adi tAla. The most interesting part of the tuning is that while Pallavi and Anupallavi are rendered in the first kAlam, the three charanams are rendered in the second kAlam. Further, the music orchestration is excellently done and chitta swaram is rendered at different places in the kruthi and followed by music by accompaniment to greatly enhance the hearing effect. In total, the kruthi has been rendered with a lot of Bhava and has come out excellently.

SripAdarAjaru commences the kruthi by mentioning that there is no happiness (sukhavilladanthe) in either worlds (both “iha” and “para”) for those that fail to latch-on to (pidiyade) the path shown by vAyu dEvaru (marudamshara matha). In the anupallavi, SripAdarajaru then emphasizes aspirants to know (aritu) the teachings of our AchArya Madhava who is the king among Gurus (namma madhva GururAyara), use right discretion (vivEkadi) and live their lives believing in those (nambi badukiranthe) without forgetting (marayade namma) to attain the objectives (“iha-para” sukha) mentioned in the Pallavi.

He emphasizes three important aspects related to the sAdhana in the three charanams.

As milk that is milked from the cow and left in that state (Ksheerava kareditha mAthradhi) cannot become Ghee without processing by subjecting it to different processes such as boiling, making butter and clarifying (samskAravillade gruthavAgadanthe), blessing (BhAghya) of complete detachment (sAra vairAgya) will not be born (puttadanthe) to the soul if it does not get the company (sanghavilladhe) of the wise and elevated (sUri janaru).

As chanting in large numbers (Aesu japisalu) of any mantra that has not been initiated or baptized (upadEshavilla mantrava) does not yield any fruits (palagala kodadanthe), so a spiritual aspirant (jeeva) will not be deemed to have undergone penance (tapasi enisikollananthe) without going through physical restraints such as fasting and abstinence (upavAsa vrathagalu illadhe).

One cannot get proper knowledge of and relationship between the different cosmic entities outlined in our scriptures (guru thAratamya bhAva puttadanthe) without reading and contemplating on the philosophy propounded by AchArya madhva (Sara madhva shAstra odhadhe). Going forward (mundhe), one cannot attain the final goal of salvation (parama gathiyu kaigolladanthe) without praying Lord Rangavittala (Sri Ranga vittalana bhajisadhe) with the above knowledge .