Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Adivo - Annamayya

Sankeertana in Telugu by the great saint Annamacharya who lived in the 15th century, parama bhakta of Lord Venkatesa of Tirumala

I have retranslated it poetically (in italics) basis a translation I found on web: http://www.gaudiyadiscussions.com/topic_2382.html

Adivo alladivo Sri Harivasamu!
Padivela seshula padagalamayamu!

"Behold the holy adobe of Sree Hari! I see the ten thousand hoods of Adisesha!"

Over there, look over there lies Sri Hari's abode
Wherein ten thousand hooded Adisesha, I behold!

Ade Venkatachala makhilonnatamu
Adivo Brahmadulakapuroopamu
Adivo nitya nivasamakhila munulaku
Ade choodudade mrokkud anandamayamu

"There it is! Venkatachalam! The most holy of all places! It is most precious to gods like Brahma. That is the permanent abode of all the munis. Behold! Anandam!"

There is Venkatachalam -  the holiest
Precious to gods like Brahma, as it is
Where all munis stay forever in peace,
See, feel! That eternal abode of Bliss

Chengata nalladivo Seshachalamu
Ningi nunna devatala nijavasamu
Mungita nalladivo moolanunna dhanamu
Bangaru sikharala bahubrahmamayamu

"Behold- Seshachalam! The true abode of the devas that are said to dwell in the sky. Here, it is! Right before us - the hidden treasure! It is the form of absolute spirit, with the shining golden sikharam."

Where even devas of heaven verily reside
Look at Seshachalam - that hidden treasure
Behold the Ultimate, Imperishable spirit
crested with a glittering gilded shikhar

Kaivalyapadamu Venkatanagamadivo
Sree Venkatapathiki sirulainadi
Bhavimpa sakala sampada roopamadivo
Pavanamulakella pavanamayamu

"Behold! The Supreme Abode Venkatagiri! It is the treasure of Lord Venkateshwara. If rightly perceived, it's the form of all the treasures. It is the holiest of holy things."

Venkata hill is the last step to Salvation
The invaluable gift of the Lord Supreme
The essence of all the world's treasures,
Anything holier, you can't even dream

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Although I dont know Telugu, I get a positive vibration when I listened to Annamaya songs in my friend's car.

The language aside, the music and the words make you feel good.

Thank you for translating it.

Kartik Srinivasan said...

Thanks!Cant agree with you more.
I feel the same way listening to Annamayya's sankeertanas - they are short and very sweet. There is sublime philosophy coated with hummable words that one can relish, strung in a rhythm that is spiritually vibrating