Raga Jaganmohini , 15 Mayamalavagowla janya
Aa: S G3 M1 P N3 S Av: S N3 P M1 G3 R1 S
Taalam: Roopakam
Aa: S G3 M1 P N3 S Av: S N3 P M1 G3 R1 S
Taalam: Roopakam
| Lyrics: Pallavi: śōbhillu sapta swara sundarula bhajimpavē manasā Anupallavi: nābhi hṛt kaṇṭha rasana nāsādulayandu Charanam: dhara ṛk sāmādulalō vara gāyatrī hṛdayamuna sura bhūsura mānasamuna śubha tyāgarājuniyeḍa | English verse: O mind! Of the seven notes shining, Of their charming forms, must you sing! From the navel, heart, throat, nose and tongue, Arise these seven notes, when sung. They pervade in Rik, Saman and the others, In the very heart of the most sacred verse, In the minds of gods and the godlike, And in this goodly bard, alike. |
Comments:
This is another kriti on Nadopasana or worship through music. In the Carnatic music tradition, the seven notes of the scale, Sa-Ri-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni are each personified and said to be resident in (i.e. arise from) a part of the vocal faculty in the human body. Each note is also associated with a presiding deity. It is this concept that is alluded to here. The text in the Pallavi literally reads something like "adore the beautiful (persons) of the lustrous seven notes". So I have given it equivalently as forms and have used "sing" as in a context of worship.
The four Vedas viz. Rg, Yajur, Sama and Atharva veda are alluded to in the Charanas. The Gayatri mantra or prayer is considered the most sacred of all. Note that the two vedas, Rg and Sama, and this mantra are all referred to by their poetic meters- Rik, Saman and Gayatri (literally 'trifold' song) respectively. Bhusuras or literally 'gods on earth' are mentioned along with the Suras or gods of Heaven. Bhusura is usually an epithet for Brahmans or the priests and scholars. But to be called a "Brahman" in adulation, as in the kriti, actually indicates a most holy and venerable attainment. It certainly does not refer to everyone of that station. To convey this particular sense, I have given Bhusura as 'the godlike'. These seven notes, i.e. music, is said to pervade and sustain all of them, as well as Tyagaraja himself.
Extra Comments:
We may also note that this song on the sublimity of music, is incidentally set in a raga called 'Jaganmohini', which literally translates to "Enchantress of the world".
Lastly,
I plead for some license,
In the Anupallavi,
To convey the sense. :)
Literally, the seven notes are said to shine in the corresponding parts of the body.
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