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.
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కీర్తన: రాగిరేకు: 258-5 సంపుటము: 3-335 |
POEM Copper Leaf:
258-5
Volume: 3-335 |
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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॥
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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॥
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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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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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