Na Jivadhara - Bilahari - Tyagaraja - M Balamuralikrishna & commentary by Samavedam Shanmukha Sharma

Today, in this offering, we present you an uplifting rendition by Dr Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna (BMK) of an enlightening composition of Saint Tyagaraja, followed by a moving narration on the same by Brahmashri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma (SSS), on the sacred day of the Saint’s Āradhana.
Tyāgarāja’s compositions are often centred on the principle of devotion, the essence of Sri Rāma (Brahman, the Self), Védānta and the philosophy of music.
Nā Jeevādhāra in the rāga Bilahari can be classified as a composition that mirrors the voice of Védānta or Upanishad. Saint Tyagaraja’s music is also referred to as Tyāgópanishad.
On the spiritual journey to discover God's presence within ourselves, we must be prepared to employ all of our faculties to reach this lofty goal. Music appeals to our emotions. While words speak primarily to our intellect, music speaks directly to our hearts. The right kind of music can elevate our hearts and evoke strong emotions that draw us closer to God. Saint Tyāgarāja guides and facilitates our spiritual journey through his immortal compositions like this one.
Let us explore how this composition brings out the essence of the Upanishads in a simple format which can be grasped through the idiom of music.
Kénópanishad begins by a question raised by a disciple to his guru:
ओं केनेषितं पतति प्रेषितं मनः केन प्राणः प्रथमः प्रैति युक्तः ।
केनेषितां वाचमिमां वदन्ति चक्षुः श्रोत्रं क उ देवो युनक्ति ॥ १ ॥
“By whose commands does this mind work? By whose will do the life's breath circulate? Who is responsible for a man's speech? What is that intelligence which directs the eyes and the ears?”
And the guru answers his disciple as follows:
श्रोत्रस्य श्रोत्रं मनसो मनो यद्वाचो ह वाचं स उ प्राणस्य प्राणश्चक्षुषश्चक्षुः ।
अतिमुच्य धीराः प्रेत्यास्माल्लोकादमृता भवन्ति ॥ २ ॥
“That which is the ear of the ear, the mind of the mind and the speech of the speech is the life-breath of the life-breath and is the eye of the eye. Those wise men who were able to know it and have understood it leave behind themselves all sorts of attachment. By that renunciation, they attain immortality.”
Nā Jeevādhāra, essentially brings out the same message of Kénópanishad in the Saint’s musical work.
Tyāgarāja says, “Oh one who sustains my life, one who is the fruit of all my prayers, lotus-eyed one, crest jewel of a king, oh one who is the light that brings the vision to my eyes, one who is the fragrance of my breath, one who illuminates the colour and form of my meditation, one who manifests as a flower in my worship and who is the sustenance himself.., one praised by Tyagaraja.., you are the sustenance of my life.”
Nā Jeevādhāra of Saint Tyāgarāja can also be contemplated upon through the works of Adi Shankara and here is an excerpt from the latter’s Manisha Panchakam.
“The Supreme Being is within all animals, people and the Gods themselves. It is by reflection of this Being that the mind, body and senses are awake. But the Supreme Being is within us and is concealed by the mind, senses and body, just as the sun is hidden by the clouds. The person who, with perfect understanding and wisdom, always meditates on the Supreme Being alone, he is my teacher.”
BMK, a direct descendent of Tyāgarāja’s music, captures the essence of the Upanishad and Saint’s music in this rare recording, which is probably made when he was in his advanced age. His intonation, diction and pauses at the appropriate places echo the intent of the composer effectively and the afterglow of his rendition helps our mind to tread the spiritual journey with all the essential ingredients of knowledge.
The lecture in Telugu by SSS, that follows BMK’s rendition, reinforces the afterglow of BMK’s rendition and provides the premise of the composition. The philosophical import and the incidents that took place during Tyagaraja’s pilgrimage are beautifully captured.
My distinguished friend Sri. Ramkumar on listening to the combo album, spontaneously said, “BMK is at his majestic best despite age, and Brahmashri SSS is at his oratorical best. A great combo offering...full of spiritual nutrition flavoured with pure musical ghee.”
SSS’s narration is presented here for the purpose of a wholesome listening experience followed by contemplation. This is an excerpt from SSS’s celebrated lecture series “Tyāgarāja Hrudayam,” held at Saraswati Gāna Sabha, Kākināda. We gratefully acknowledge the source of this recording.
A summary of SSS’s lecture in Telugu, translated into English, is presented in the comments section.

[@SreenivasaMurthy]

A free translation of Brahmashri Samavedam Shanmukha Sharma's Telugu lecture. Many wonders are seen in the various episodes when Tyāgarāja went on his pilgrimage and visited temples. Great souls travel to make the site greater and holier than it was prior to their visit. Sage Nārada says that, great men can change ordinary sites to a holy place and running rivers to sacred theerthas. Saint Tyāgarāja reached Puttur to visit the Kāmākshi, Sadashiveshwara temple. As he was going towards the temple, there occurred a shocking incident. A brahmin family who also had come for the pilgrimage were seeking some shelter at the temple for the night. As it was already dark and night had fallen, the doors of the temple were closed. The husband tried to wake people up so that his family can rest in the temple for the night. When nobody answered, he thought of jumping the compound wall and going inside to wake up the people, so that the main door can be opened. To his misfortune, as he jumped the wall, he fell into a well on the other side of the compound wall. His wife, on hearing the sound and then guessing the occurrence, began to wail. Hearing her, people woke up and opened the door. The dead body of the husband from the well was also brought out. Tyāgarāja Swamy was passing by when this happened. The wailing wife approached him and cried pitifully, seeking divine intervention to alter the course of events that had taken place. She was unable to believe that her husband was dead. According to some scriptural texts, the last bit of life force (prāña) which leaves the body after the death is called the “Dhananjaya Vāyu.” As long as this subtle part of life force remains in a body, life could be revived by metaphysical or medical means. Seeing the wife wail, Tyāgarāja Swamy sat before Lord Shiva (Sundaréshwara) and sang this kriti - Nā Jeevādhāra. Tyāgarāja submits all his penance and devotion at the altar and invokes Lord Sri Rāma to rescue the dead husband of the woman. The dead man came back to life forthwith. [The philosophical import and reference to Kénópanishad discussed here are presented in the description section of this album] Thus, echoing the voice of Upanishads, Saint Tyāgarāja not only saw Parabrahma (Lord Sri Rāma) in himself, but also saw Him everywhere and showed Him to everyone, the manifested form of Self.

[@maruvadakatyayani7548]

శ్రీరామ

[@Ramkomanduri]

Sir,where is this temple in present day please tell humble request

[@krishna527]

బ్రహ్మశ్రీ సామవేదం షన్ముఖశర్మ గారు, ఈ త్యాగరాజ స్వామి కీర్తన యొక్క తాత్పర్యాన్ని ఎంతో సునాయాసంగా అద్భుతంగా తెలియజేసినందుకు ఆయనకు శిరసాభివందనములు అర్పిస్తూ... భవదీయుడు, కృష్ణ మడకశిర

[@srik2k6]

Murthy garu you are doing an excellent work by preserving and propogating our true treasures thank you so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SreenivasaMurthy]

Thank you for sharing your reflections.

[@siromani741]

E Kriti first time balamuraligari notavina ganey jevamuuttipadinatlanipinchindi.imka yevari ganamlonu abhavana kalugaledu it's really wonder antey e Kriti ni pattuvadalani vkramarkudila vini nerchukunnanu.iam so happy.

[@SOMASEKHARARAMESHIVATURI]

Great sir! This is the first time I came to know that BMK sang this song. Thanks a lot.

[@siromani741]

Srinivasgaru meru chestunna mahopakaraniki satakotivandanalu. Balamuraligari abhimanulaku chakkati animutyalanu sekarin hi vatini andubatulounchu tunnanduku Chala santoshamgaundi sir Bilahariloney dorakuna ituvantiseva, tolijanmamuna cheyu duduku kritulanu upload cheyagalarani manavi.

[@parvathidevi3098]

Nadopasakudu vedopasakudu really brought Jeevan to the song.great explanation for the song and situation.manasa sirasa namaskaram

[@indras1890]

Srinivasamoorthy Garu, thank u very much. Not heard this song. The explanation superb. Keep doing ur good work.

[@narasimhamurthy9041]

Thanks for upload This great Anecdote about SAINT"S MAGIC THRU BILAHARI RAGAM AND NAAJEEVAADHAARA

[@umagandlur7164]

Sir this is a wonderful Kriti. And you have used the drawings of the one and only Late Bapu, complementing it. Good.

[@AnandKumar-fj6it]

No dought BMK sir is legendery karnatic musician and got named as" Abhinava Thyagaraja!" I think in this krithy, all most every letter is garlanded with gamakaas. Maestro did it and we pamaraas didn't enjoyed the nector of lirics. I dont know, that i made wrong narration? After Sharma sir explained the meaning of krithy, i am really exited.One more thing, that BMK sir was not belived Lord Rama as god. In an interview he told " I dont believe Rama as god. I am not going to temple to worship Rama" what a strategy, Thyagaraja swamy belived Rama as God and become immartal ie ajaramara. So called as Saint. Though, BMK sir has possessed such equalities he has no belief in lord Rama and become an ordinary man. Lost becoming "AJARAMARA". People treat him as legend, maestro and so on.Really i am worried that he din't become what he deserved.

[@drsambayya]

a valuable post on the day of Sadguru Thyagaraja aradhana today at Thiruvayur..thank you sir

[@rengarajans455]

Thank you Sreenivasa Murthy garu, for uploading this wonderful song on this saint's Aaradhana day, which is very rarely sung by only a few Vocalist musicians.

[@neelakanthamkashojjula5248]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 श्रीनिवासमूर्तिमहोदय!

[@sriketkomali]

On this Special Day what a gift from you Murthy Garu!🙏🙏

[@vallishkumar1130]

Pranams.

[@siromani741]

నిజంగా జీవం ఉట్టిపడుతుంది

[@osnmurty6317]

జీవాధారుడు రాముడు కాక వేరేవారెవరు

[@jayakumarbmenon845]

Kindly provide the lyrics and meaning in English.