181 tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE (తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే)

 ANNAMACHARYULU

181 తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే

(tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE)

for Telegu (తెలుగు) Version press here

 

Synopsis: "There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. -Carl Jung 

Summary of this Poem:

Chorus: Your knowledge of sacred teachings befits you. Those seek God receive grace in equal measure. Implied Meaning: Lord, please forgive our ignorance for we seek you with our limited comprehension (imperfect faith).

Stanza 1: Can the Brahmas born through exceptional means, fathom your earlier existence before their inception?  Can the Vedas themselves, emanating from your mouth, truly depict your magnificent attributes?

Stanza 2: The realms seem to mock human beings, urging them to delve deeper while shrouding their beauty in illusions. Human intellect can become veiled by arrogance, {born from the retention of knowledge, manipulation of information, and pride in possessions like fame and wealth}. In this state, one may struggle to truly heed the wisdom imparted by saints. 

Stanza 3: If the nature of God (or Truth) remains obscure and unattainable for many great saints, then how can that wisdom be bestowed upon peculiar and inconsistent beings? Lord Venkateswara, we beseech you to draw near to us and bestow your blessings.

 

Detailed Presentation

Introduction: Annamacharya addressed several issues that afflict humanity. As always, with precise, timely, and compelling evidence, he transports the mind to a different realm.

 

కీర్తన: రాగిరేకు:  258-5 సంపుటము: 3-335

POEM Copper Leaf:  258-5 Volume: 3-335

తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే నెమకిన మాకును నీ కృప యింతే ॥పల్లవి॥   పొసఁగ* నీ నాభినిఁ బుట్టిన బ్రహ్మలు యెసఁగిన నీ పూర్వ మెఱిఁగేరా వెస నీ ముఖమున వెడలిన వేదము దెల నీమహిమ తెలియఁగఁగలదా ॥తమ॥   నగుచు నీమాయల నడచే జగములు సొగసి నీ మూరితి చూపెడినా తగ నినుఁ గానఁగ తపించు మునులును పొగరుల మము నిఁక బోధించేరా ॥తమ॥   అంతేసివారల కటువలె నుండఁగ వింతజీవులకు వివేక మెట్లొకో యింతట శ్రీవేంకటేశ నీవే మము చెంతఁజేరి దయసేయఁగదే          ॥తమ॥

tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE nemakina mAkunu nI kRpa yiMtE ॥pallavi॥   posaga nI nAbhini buTTina brahmalu yesagina nI pUrva me~rigErA vesa nI mukhamuna veDalina vEdamu dela nImahima teliyaga galadA॥tama॥   naguchu nImAyala naDachE jagamulu sogasi nI mUriti chUpeDinA taga ninu gAnaga tapiMchu munulunu pogarula mamu nika bOdhiMchErA ॥tama॥   aMtEsivArala kaTuvale nuMDaga viMtajIvulaku vivEka meTlokO yiMtaTa SrIvEMkaTESa nIvE mamu cheMtajEri dayasEyagadE ॥tama॥

 Details and Explanations: 

తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే

నెమకిన మాకును నీ కృప యింతే ॥పల్లవి॥

tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE

nemakina mAkunu nI kRpa yiMtE ॥pallavi॥ 

Word to word meaning: తమ (tama) = your; యెఱుక (ye~ruka) = memory, knowledge; తమకుఁ (tamaku) = you; దగినంతే (daginaMtE) = suiting you, appropriate for you;  నెమకిన (nemakina) = searching, finding; మాకును (mAkunu) = to us;  నీ (nI) = your; కృప యింతే (kRpa yiMtE) = favour the same qunatum.

Literal meaning: Your knowledge of sacred teachings befits you. Those seek God receive grace in equal measure.

Explanation:  The phrase కృప యింతే (kRpa yiMtE) is indicating a measurable or small quantity. Whereas, Annamacharya often said that the grace of God is immeasurable. Thus, నెమకిన మాకును నీ కృప యింతే (nemakina mAkunu nI kRpa yiMtE) may be taken “as we cannot find god by searching”.

For example, he said ‘vEsarakumI jIvuDA vedakivedaki daivamunu’ "వేసరకుమీ జీవుఁడా వెదకివెదకి దైవమును" = O Man don’t get fatigued in search of God.  A saint is saying do not waste time in search of God. Why? Rather he is advising to concentrate on meditation. As already proclaimed in Bhagavadgita, God is neither in material nor in meta physical plane. Such a thing cannot be conceived by man, being a creature in material. Therefore, there is no point in spending time in search of God. 

By applying similar logic, తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే (tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE) is indicative of futility in remembering or reciting the holy names and knowledge. Annamacharya cleverly concealed the inner meaning. 

We tend to link knowledge with memory by default. However, the ability to remember and retrieve information at the right moment, while indeed valuable, should not be confused with intelligence. Computers can retrieve data more efficiently than humans, yet we often refer to computers as simple data-processing machines. 

The phrase తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే (tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE) is indicating with limited and unqualified kind of effort. Annamacharya always discouraged such adventures. Because of our present state of mind may be compared to the persons given in the picture below. please refer to a painting titled “The mysteries of Horizon“ by Rene Magritte.

In the picture, three men appear to gaze towards horizon in different directions. A closer look reveals that despite their proximity, they seem oblivious to one another. The presence of three distinct moons directly above them suggests that each is absorbed in their own world, feeling a sense of significance. Thus, the artist effectively conveys that regardless of their identities, there is no sense of companionship among them.

We share the same sentiment as the characters in the above picture. We often believe that God is within easy reach, just a brief search away. Annamacharya critique this kind of naivety. Humans armed with scientific knowledge and data often think that the Almighty will be impressed by their expertise and abilities. Annamacharya asserts that these factors are not what matters to God. He said ఎవ్వరినేర్పులు జెప్ప నిందు నేది / రవ్వ సేయక జీవుల రక్షించవయ్యా (evvarinErpulu jeppa niMdu nEdi / ravva sEyaka jIvula rakshiMchavayyA = In this world, there's no one whose abilities we can depend on entirely Therefore, save us Sir without waiting). 

Further statement from Bhagavad-Gita says निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ||11-33|| nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sāchin (11-33) Purport: O ambidextrous archer, infinitely skilled Arjun “you will only be an instrument of my work.” Arjun’s   expertise is unmatched till date. Still such a great skill is no avail in the plan of God. What to speak of our feeble skills?

Implied Meaning: Lord, please forgive our ignorance for we seek you with our limited comprehension (imperfect faith). 

పొఁసగ నీ నాభినిఁ బుట్టిన బ్రహ్మలు

యెసఁగిన నీ పూర్వ మెఱిఁగేరా

వెస నీ ముఖమున వెడలిన వేదము

దెల నీమహిమ తెలియఁగఁగలదా ॥తమ॥

posaga nI nAbhini buTTina brahmalu

yesagina nI pUrva me~rigErA

vesa nI mukhamuna veDalina vEdamu

dela nImahima teliyaga galadA॥tama॥

Word to word meaning: పొఁసగ నీ (posaga nI) = unsuitable, inconceivable; నాభినిఁ (nAbhini) = in the novel; బుట్టిన (buTTina) = taken birth; బ్రహ్మలు (brahmalu) = the Brahmas;  యెసఁగిన (yesagina) = marvelous, wonderful;  నీ (nI) =your; పూర్వ మెఱిఁగేరా (pUrva me~rigErA) = your life prior to their birth; వెస (vesa) = quickly, profusely;  నీ (nI) = your ముఖమున (mukhamuna) = from your mouth;  వెడలిన (veDalina) = emitted; వేదము (vEdamu) = The Vedas; దెల (dela) = truly; నీమహిమ (nImahima) = your greatness;  తెలియఁగఁగలదా (teliyaga galadA) = Ca it ever know? 

Literal meaning: Can the Brahmas born through exceptional means, fathom your earlier existence before their inception?  Can the Vedas themselves, emanating from your mouth, truly depict your magnificent attributes? 

Explanation: Why would Brahma be born from a belly button? How could the Vedas emanate from one's mouth? It all seems nonsensical. Yet, sir, we lack understanding about the mysteries of birth, death, and how to lead a righteous life. The disorder in the world is a consequence of our actions, not orchestrated by God. Despite this, we often assume a judgmental stance, declaring things right or wrong. Consequently, profound philosophical statements may seem insignificant.

Our exhibited attitudes align with what is depicted in the above picture by Magritte. We often live our lives unaware of the essence of life itself. Consequently, we overlook the significant point that Annamacharya makes: not even Brahmas and the Vedas can fully grasp the nature of God.

నగుచు నీమాయల నడచే జగములు

సొగసి నీ మూరితి చూపెడినా

తగ నినుఁ గానఁగ తపించు మునులును

పొగరుల మము నిఁక బోధించేరా ॥తమ॥

naguchu nImAyala naDachE jagamulu

sogasi nI mUriti chUpeDinA

taga ninu gAnaga tapiMchu munulunu

pogarula mamu nika bOdhiMchErA ॥tama॥ 

Word to word meaning: నగుచు (naguchu) = (used in the sense of) ridiculing, derisive;   నీ (nI) = your; మాయల (mAyala) = illusions, mysterious; నడచే (naDachE) = to act, to move;  జగములు (jagamulu) = worlds; సొగసి (sogasi) = infinitely beautiful; నీ (nI) = your; మూరితి (mUriti)= shape; చూపెడినా (chUpeDinA) =do they show? Do they reveal? తగ (taga) = suitably, much; నినుఁ (ninu) = you; గానఁగ (gAnaga) = to have a view, to see; తపించు మునులును (tapiMchu munulunu) = very eagerly awaiting saints; పొగరుల (pogarula) = (filled with) pride, insolence and arrogance;  మము (mamu)= we people; నిఁక (nika) = here after; బోధించేరా (bOdhiMchErA) = will they teach? Will they enunciate? 

Literal meaning: The realms seem to mock human beings, urging them to delve deeper while shrouding their beauty in illusions. Human intellect can become veiled by arrogance, {born from the retention of knowledge, manipulation of information, and pride in possessions like fame and wealth}. In this state, one may struggle to truly heed the wisdom imparted by saints. 

Explanation: “What does that old man sitting in the corner with his nose covered knows, sir? We know the existence of minutest particles called the 'boson' at the heart of atom; We discovered sir, the planets thousands of light years away? Sir, these people call the real estate and our hard earned money an illusion… sir we cannot accept their archaic principles and impractical thinking. In our opinion sir, these old people are burden to our society sir.” This is the most considered opinion of majority people.

However, it remains a truth that both science and medicine have not succeeded in offering adequate solutions to numerous challenges that afflict humanity. The genuine issue facing humankind is not merely hunger, money, wealth, or knowledge. It primarily lies in the struggle to harmonize with fellow human beings; The man is in the confusion within oneself and one's own mind. Let us delve deeper into this by analysing Salvador Dali's renowned work, 'Anthropomorphic Cabinet' (1936), as displayed below.

In this picture we can see a female figure sitting on the ground with one hand leaning on it. The various drawers protruding from her body are easily recognizable items. A garment was hanging out of one of the drawers. The body appears slightly clumsy and wrinkled, and the overall posture gives depressed look.

She bowed her head and let her long hair hide her face. Behind her we see what appears to be a normal street. Despite (almost) monochromatic colour scheme used by Dolly, he used shadows to bring life to this gloomy female.

That hanging garment is a reminder of the past history. Dali was heavily influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud. These effects are visible in all Dali's paintings. 'Anthropomorphic Cabinet' should be thought of as an artistic visual representation of the unconscious mind as Freud proposed.

These apparently dormant memories actually influence and distort our active thoughts. Though many of us gets affected by these, somehow, we find ways to wile away out time. We must find root cause of our affliction. There cannot be an appropriate treatment without knowing what is causing our irrational behaviour.

The subconscious (or dormant) mind is accountable for a person's unclear thoughts, illogical behaviors, impulses, groundless beliefs, preconceived notions, and unfounded fears. Unveiling it is no simple task. Annamacharya said కాయజకేలికిఁ గందువ చెప్పీ / చాయలసన్నల సతి యొకతె (kAyajakEliki gaMduva cheppI / chAyalasannala sati yokate) the unknown consciousness repeatedly taking the man to licentious activities.  It deludes and binds humanity with carelessness, laziness and sleep. 

అంతేసివారల కటువలె నుండఁగ

వింతజీవులకు వివేక మెట్లొకో

యింతట శ్రీవేంకటేశ నీవే మము

చెంతఁజేరి దయసేయఁగదే          ॥తమ॥

aMtEsivArala kaTuvale nuMDaga

viMtajIvulaku vivEka meTlokO

yiMtaTa SrIvEMkaTESa nIvE mamu

cheMtajEri dayasEyagadE ॥tama॥ 

Word to word meaning: అంతేసివారల (aMtEsivArala) = great saints; కటువలె నుండఁగ (kaTuvale nuMDaga) =find it difficult; వింతజీవులకు (viMtajIvulaku) = peculiar and inconsistent beings (men); వివేక మెట్లొకో (vivEka meTlokO) = How can they be bestowed of intelligence? యింతట (yiMtaTa) = this type of we the people; శ్రీవేంకటేశ నీవే (SrIvEMkaTESa nIvE) = O Lord Venkateswara yourself; మము (mamu) = we; చెంతఁజేరి (cheMtajEri) = come closer; దయసేయఁగదే (dayasEyagadE) = bless us.  

Literal meaning: If the nature of God (or Truth) remains obscure and unattainable for many great saints, then how can that wisdom be bestowed upon peculiar and inconsistent beings? Lord Venkateswara, we beseech you to draw near to us and bestow your blessings. 

Explanation: Looking at the image above by Rene Magritte, we find ourselves entangled in a world constructed by our own imaginations. Many of us are oblivious to the fact that we are in such a predicament. This is why Annamacharya referred to us as "వింతజీవులు, strange creatures."

Again, let us recall words of wisdom by Annamacharya: ’తగు మునులు‌ ఋషులు తపములు సేయఁగ / గగనము మోచియుఁ గర్మము దెగదా’ tagu munulu Rshulu tapamulu sEyaga gaganamu mOchiyu garmamu degadA {= The saints have performed penance. They moved the mountains and the space. Yet they did not come out of bondage of action.}. I request the readers to re-visit the Bhagavad-Gita verse गहना कर्मणो गति: (4-17) gahanā karmaṇo gatiḥ = very difficult to understand the nature of action. 

Annamacharya affirmed many times that Srivenkateshu's surrendering to the Lord is the only viable solution to the path of Truth. A human being should realize తమ యెఱుక తమకుఁ దగినంతే (tama ye~ruka tamaku daginaMtE) = You get limited by your knowledge. Therefore, one should give up everything, especially pride and surrender.

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