Deva devam bhaje

This is one of Annamayya's Sanskrit keerthanas about Sri Rama.  This keerthanam in its true sense is a collection of epithets for Rama. Annamayya uses a format where in he uses two epithets per line and ends the stanza with "ramam" indicating that the epithets hold for Rama. This is a quite popular song with MS Subbulakshmi singing it.  MS's rendition of this song has been used as a background music in a Telugu movie that brought it a lot of popularity.
 Nitya santoshini's rendition of the song can be found by clicking here.
MS SubbuLakshmi sings this keerthana with an uncanny sweetness and divinity. The song can be found by clicking here.


దేవ దేవం భజే దివ్యప్రభావం

రావణాసురవైరి రణపుంగవం 

Deva Devam Bhaje divya prabhAvam
RaavanAsura vairi Rana pungavam Ramam

Word-Word:

దేవDeva= God; దేవంDevam= of gods; భజేbhaje= worship/chant; దివ్యdivya= divine; ప్రభావంprabhavam= influence;

రావణాసుర ravanaasura(ravana+asura)= Ravana+demon; వైరిvairi= enemy; రణrana= battle; పుంగవంpungavam= bull
Meaning:
The God of Gods worship; the divine influence
Ravana the demons' enemy; the battle's bull is Rama
Discussion:
God of Gods worship Rama. Rama has the divine influence. The reference to battle bull is to signify the rigor and strength of Rama in battle equivalent to a bull.

రాజవరశేఖరం రవికులసుధాకరం

ఆజానుబాహు నీలాభ్రకాయం
రాజారి కోదండ రాజ దీక్షాగురుం
రాజీవలోచనం రామచంద్రం

Raja Vara Sekharam Ravi Kula SudhAkaram
Ajanabahu Neelagra Kaayam
Rajari Kodanda Raja Deeksha Gurum
Rajeeva Lochanam Ramachandram Ramam
Word-Word:

రాజraja= king; వరvara=the best/supreme; శేఖరంsekharam= the summit/peak; రవిravi= sun;కులkula= dynasty; సుధాకరంsudhakaram= moon;

ఆజానుajaanu= without a measure/broad; బాహుbaahu=shoulders/arms; నీలాభ్రneelabra(neela+abra)=(blue+cloud); కాయంkayam= body;
రాజారిraajaari(raja+arhi or ari?)=( king+fit or enemy) fit for a king or the enemy of kings(Parasurama); కోదండkodanda= the bow made from a certain type of wood;  రాజraaja=king; దీక్షాdeekshaa=discipline/vow; గురుంgurum=teacher; 

రాజీవraajeeva= lotus; లోచనంlochanam= eyes; రామraama= rama/ pleasant; చంద్రంchandram= moon;

Meaning:
Among the best of kings(he is) the summit; the sun dynasty's moon
long armed one; blue-cloud (colored) bodied;
kings' enemy's Kodanda bow, for the Kingly discipline, (he is) the teacher
Lotus eyed, the pleasant moon
Discussion:
As for the third line, I found it very difficult to get the meaning correct with the words "Raajari kodanda raja deeksha gurum" that Annamayya has used.  If someone with a more clear understanding can help with that, I really appreciate that.
The reference to "rajaari kodanda" is to Parasurama's bow which Rama breaks during Sita's swayamvara in Janaka's court. Parasuram has the epithet of enemy of Kings, as he vows to kill all Kings on the face of this earth innocent or guilty of tyranny. When Parasuram comes to know that his bow was broken by a prince Rama, he goes to battle with Rama. But when he is defeated and recognises Rama to be an incarnation of Vishnu, Parasuram had no choice but to leave Rama alone without killing. In that sense, Annamayya is referring to Rama being the best for kingly discipline.

నీలజీమూత సన్నిభశరీరం
ఘనవిశాలవక్షం విమల జలజనాభం
తాలాహినగహరం ధర్మసంస్థాపనం
భూలలనాధిపం భోగిశయనం

Neelajeemootha Sannibha Sareeram ghana
Visaala Vaksham vimala JalajaNaabham
KaalAhinaga Haram Dharma Sansthapam
Bhoo LaalanAdhipam Bhogi Sayanam Ramam
Word-Word:

నీలneela= blue; జీమూతjeemootha=cloud; సన్నిభsannibha=symmetric; శరీరంsareesamu= body
ఘనghana= magnificient; విశాలvishaala= broad;వక్షంvaksham= chest; విమలvimala=immaculate; జలజjalaja= lotus; నాభంnaabham= navel;
తాలాtala/ kaala??=???/ time?;హినగhinaka(heenaka?)= deprived of?; హరంharam= defeat/steal; ధర్మdharma= law and order; సంస్థాపనంsamsthapanam=establishment
భూలలనాధిపంbhoo+lalana+adhipam= earth+girl/child+lord; భోగిbhogi= snake; శయనంsayanam=rest;

Meaning:
blue-cloud symmetric bodied;
magnificient broad chested, immaculate lotus-naveled
.......???(the defeater of timeless one,Yama?), establisher of law and order
Earth's child's(Sita) Lord; snake as bedrest.
Discussion:
It is interesting to note that Annamayya has for the second time referred to the body being "blue" cloud color. Rama's physical body is described in the first two lines. Annamayya is referring to the lotus-navel of Vishnu, whose one of the incarnation is  Rama.
The third line lyrics are a little ambiguous. One singer has sung as "tala hinaga" while the other lyrics source has it as "Kala hinaga". I did not find the meaning of tala hinaga while careful study lead to kala hinaga as Yama. There is one reference[4] to Rama as the defeater of Yama for his devotees. But going by Telugu prosody which is so peculiar and unique to Annamayya's writing it has to be "tala hinaka". Any help in this regard is highly appreciated.

పంకజాసనవినుత పరమనారాయణం
శంకరార్జిత జనక చాపదళనం
లంకా విశోషణం లాలితవిభీషణం
వెంకటేశం సాధు విబుధ వినుతం
PankajAsana Vinutha Parama Narayanam
SankarArjitha Janaka ChapaDalanam
Lanka Visoshanam Laalitha Vibheeshanam
Venkatesam Sadhu Vibudha Vinutham Ramam
Word-Word

పంకజాసనpankajanaasana(pankaja+aasana)=(lotus+seated);  వినుతvinoota=praised;  పరమparama= supreme; నారాయణంnaarayanam= the first man;
శంకరార్జితsankaraarjitha(shankara+arjitham)=(Lord Shiva+sought by) జనకjanaka= King Janaka; చాపchaapa= bow; దళనంdalanam= split
లంకాlanka= Lanka; విశోషణంvisoshaNam=drying up???  లాలితlaalitha=charmed; విభీషణం Vibheeshanam= Vibheesan, brother of Raavana;
వెంకటేశంvenkatesam= Venkatesa; సాధుsaadhu=sage;  విబుధvibudha=wise man/ diety, etc. వినుతంvinootam=praised;
Meaning:
One praised by Lotus seated one(Brahma), (he is) the supreme being;
The one sought from  Shiva, that Janaka's bow's destroyer;
Lanka's destroyer; the one who charmed Vibhishana;
Lord Venkatesa, (he is ) by sages and wise men praised one;
Discussion:
This stanza is self-explanatory.

As always, any comments that help in better understanding of this keerthanam are highly appreciated.

References:
Lyrics from:
[1] http://karnatiklyrics.blogspot.com/

[2] http://favtelugusongslyrics.blogspot.com/2010/09/annamacharya-sankeertana-deva-devam.html

[3] http://www.sangeetasudha.org/annamacharya/vol2/d.html
[4] http://rprabhu.blogspot.com/2007/10/adorable-lord-rama.html

harikrishna melukonu

Here is another wakeup request song by Annamayya. While there are plenty of such songs by Annamayya, a similar song translated in this blog is "vinnapalu vinavale....". We will find some similarities that reinforce Annamayya's style of a wakeup song.  One major difference between these two songs is that while "vinnapalu vinavale.. " is a more generic request to wakeup, Annamayya brings out his desperation for the Lord's sight(darshan) in this song and there are many day-to-day cultural references. This song is set in a background of a Harikrishna temple, where Ananmayya is waiting for the early morning sight(darshan) of the Lord. Annamayya uses many analogies that refer to HariKrishna as a child.

I am translating this song upon a request from a reader. I really appreciate when readers provide me with a link to the song or lyrics as it eases my job significantly. Also, it removes any confusion about the song they want as Annamayya, particularly, has many songs that start with  similar set of words.
The link to the song by Priya sisters can be found here. This link takes you to the whole concert by them in 2014. The first song(time stamp 0:00 to 4:53) is this song.
The song rendition by Nitya Santhoshini can be found here.

ప|| హరి కృష్ణ మేలుకొను ఆదిపురుషా| తరువాత నా మోము తప్పకిటు చూడు ||
HariKrishna melukonu aadipurusha; taravatha naa momu tappaka itu choodu.

Word-Word:

హరి కృష్ణHari Krishna= మేలుకొనుmelukonu= wake up; ఆదిaadi= first/supreme; పురుషాPurusha= man/|తరువాతtaruvatha= afterwards; నాnaa= my; మోముmomu= face; తప్పకిటుtappakitu(tappaka+itu)=(definitely+here/this side) definitely this side; చూడు choodu= see;

Meaning:
HariKrishna wakeup,  supreme man; afterwards at my face definitely see this side
Discussion:

Annamayya is requesting HariKrishna who is considered as the first being, to wakeup and then take time to see at his(Annamayya's) face. There is a slight tinge of desperation in this line rising from Annamayya's doubt that even though the Lord wakes up, He might not look at him or rather, Annamayya might not get his darshan. Hence he makes sure that in his request to the Lord to wake up, he requests for the Lord to see his face definitely :).

చ|| మేలుకొను నాయన్న మెల్లనే నీతోడి | బాలులదె పిలిచేరు బడి నాడను |
చాలునిక నిద్దురలు చద్దికూళ్ళపొద్దు- | వేళాయె నాతండ్రి వేగనేలే ||

Melukonu naayanna mellanae nee thodi; baalulade pilicheru baDi naaDanu

chaalunika nidduralu chaddikoollapoddu; vaelaye na thandri vegane lae

Word-Word:

మేలుకొనుmelukonu= wake up; నాnaa= my; యన్నyanna= big brother; మెల్లనేmellane= slowly; నీnee= your; తోడిthodi= peer/wish?;  బాలులదెbaalulade(baalulu+ade)=(boys+there); పిలిచేరుpilicheru= calling; బడిbadi= school; నాడనుnaaDanu=of day |
చాలునికchaalunika(chaalunu+ika)=(enough+now); నిద్దురలుnidduralu= sleep; చద్దిchaddi=cold, usually referring to cold leftover from dinner/supper; కూళ్ళkoollu= food; పొద్దుpoddu= morning; | వేళాయెvelaye= time has come; నాnaa= my; తండ్రిthandri= father; వేగనేvegane= quickly;లేlae= get up ||
Meaning:

wake up my brother slowly, your peer boys calling for school day
enough now your sleep, leftovers-from-dinner- breakfast time has come; my father quickly get up
Discussion:
A cultural and colloquial way men( and women) address other men with love and respect is using "naa thandri" (my father)and "naa anna"( my big brother). Annamayya has in more than one keerthana addressed Venkatapathi with these nouns. This song is dedicated to HariKrishna and Annamayya says that his peers are calling because it is a school day. It might refer/mean that Harikrishna's peers are calling him to join them to school or it could mean that the boys should be going to school after getting the "darshan" of Harikrishna.
Yet another cultural reference which Annamayya can be attributed to "saddi-koolla-vella". Farmers going to fields in the morning usually leave home after eating the left-overs from dinner last night. It is popular in Telugu as "saddi- koodu"(leftover from dinner) which is supposed to be filling and energetic food. So Annamayya refers to this time of breakfast and says that it is so late that farmers are ready to leave for fields and HariKrishna should wake up atleast now.

చ|| కను దెరవు నాతండ్రి కమలాప్తుడుదయించె | వనిత మొకమజ్జనము వడి దెచ్చెను
మొనసి మీతండ్రి యిదె ముద్దాడజెలగనీ | దనుజాంతకుండ యిక(దగ మేలుకోవే ||

kanu deravu naa tandri kamalaptuDudayinche; Vanita moka majjanam vadi techchenu

monasi mee thandri iye muddaDajalaganee; danujaamtakumDa yika daga meelukoove
Word-Word:

కనుkanu= eyes; దెరవుteravu= open; నాnaa= my; తండ్రిthandri= father; కమలాప్తుడుkamalapthudu (kamala+apthudu) =(lotus+affectionate) epithet of Sun; ఉదయించెudayinche= rose up;  వనితvanitha= woman; మొకmoka=of ;మజ్జనముmajjanamu= bath; వడిvadi= time; దెచ్చెనుtechhenu= brought;
మొనసిmonaSi= after commencing; మీmee= your; తండ్రిthandri= father; యిదెyide= this; ముద్దాడmuddaDa= to love/caress/kiss; జెలగనీchelaganee= let him shine/ | దనుthanu= he; జాంతకుండjanthaakunda(janthana+kunda)=(dalliance+not)not indulge; యికika= now; దగdaga= fast; మేలుకోవేmelukove=wake up, won't you?? ||
Meaning:
open eyes now my father, the Sun has risen; Women's bathing time (the Sun) brought
after commencing, your father here to kiss/pamper shine;(make sure) he does not indulge, now quickly wake up...
Discussion:
Annamayya refers to the Sun that has risen and brought along the time for the women to bathe.   The Sun has the epithet of "Kamalaapthudu" meaning one who is dear to Kamala. Kamala could mean lotus or Godess Lakshmi.The moon and Lakshmi are considered siblings since they emerged from ksheersagar manthan(churning of the milky ocean). One scientific reasoning for Sun to have got that epithet is that the Lotus flower blossoms when the Sun is around and closes its petals and goes under water during the night.[4]. Hence it can be said that the Sun is dear to the lotus.
In the second line Annamayya urges Harikrishna to wake up before his father wakes and comes to kiss and caress/play to tease him. It is a common scene where fathers try to wake up kids by kissing them and irritating them when they are asleep. I guess Annamayya is referring to that and warns Harikrishna to make sure that his father does not indulge and so He  better wake up!

చ|| లేవె నాతండ్రి నీలీలలటు వొగడేరు | శ్రీవేంకటాద్రిపతి శ్రీరమణుడా |
దేవతలు మునులు జెందిననారదాదులు | ఆవలను బాడేరు ఆకసమునందు ||
laeve naa tandri nee leelalatu vogaderu Sri Venkatadri pati SriramaNuDa

devatalu munulu jendinanaaradaadulu; aavalanu paaderu aakasamunamdu

Word-Word:
లేవెlaeve= get up; నాnaa= my; తండ్రిtandri= father; నీnee= your; లీలలటుleelalaTu(leelalu+aTu)=(miracles/deeds+there); పొగడేరుpogaderu=praised; శ్రీవేంకటాద్రిSri Venkatadri=The venkata hill; పతిpathi= master/lord; శ్రీరమణుడాSriramanuDa(Sri +Ramanuda)=(Sri/Lakshmi+Husband/Lord) Sri's Lord|
దేవతలుdevatalu= Gods; మునులుmunulu= sages; జెందినchendina=belonging to; నారదాదులు naaradaadulu (narada+adulu)=Narada + etc.  | ఆవలనుaavalanu=on the otherside; బాడేరుpaaderu= sing; ఆకసముaakasamu= sky;నందుnandu= in; ||
Meaning:
Getup my father, your deeds here are being praised; Sri Venkata's lord and Sri's Husband;
Gods, sages, known Narada etc.; on the otherside are singing in the sky;
Discussion:
This stanza is similar to one in "vinnapalu vinavale". Annamayya is requesting Harikrishna to wake up as His deeds are being praised by Gods, Narada and other sages in the sky.

Any comments and suggestions for better understanding of this song are highly appreciated.

References:
[1] Lyrics from
http://www.hithokthi.com/showthread.php/6725-Annamacharya-Keerthana-Lyrics-in-Telugu/page15
[2]http://www.andhrabharati.com/dictionary/
[3] Paluri Shankarnarayana, "Telugu to English Dictionary"
[4] http://www.lotusflowermeaning.net/