Sanathana Dharma from Purandaradasa's 108 Verses

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This book is a compendium of one hundred popular Purandara Dasa Keertanas (wongs) which are translated into English and written in a verse form. The transliteration in English of the actual songs is given on the left side while, corresponding translation in poetry form is on the right. This is followed by the significance and my own interpretation of the song. The reasons for writing this book are multifold. I wanted the works of Purandara Dasa to reach a wider audience. As many readers would know, these kritis, composed in Kannada (a regional language in the state of Karnataka in India) are sung in most concerts given in Carnatic Classical style of music. This book enables the artists to read the lyrics accurately, interpret, and understand their meanings as well. Although there are several people who have interpreted these lyrics, I have tried to preserve the beauty of the diction as far as possible since I wanted the possibility of singing the transliterations as well, like the original form in the verses. It has been a truly thrilling experience translating every line of the lyrics written in the original language. This has enhanced my appreciation for the great composer, Sri Purandara Dasa. No translation or interpretation can match the magnificence and beauty of the great composition in the original language. In some places, I have described the lyrics in my own words. But for my family members, especially my husband, ST Venkatadri, who has contributed immensely to my work, and my son Venkatadri Sampat, who did extensive proof reading and editing, this book would not have been published. This is my second book. I express my earnest gratitude to Vidushi Anagha Yoganand, a popular musician from Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, a renowned institution in Bengaluru, for taking interest to review and appreciate the entire composition and its presentation in the book. The first song is a composition by Vijaya Dasa who was inspired to write, after Purandara Dasa appeared to him in his dream. This was the first Devaranama (devotional song) that my Guru taught me, while I learnt Carnatic Classical Music.

Having had a lovely experience editing my mother's previous two books, it is with pleasure and great pride again that I write this foreword. This book is very much an upgrade to the previous one. The dedication and commitment are evident with the way she has undertaken this task, despite her visual loss from advanced macular degeneration. She continues to be a voracious reader, exploiting the low visual aids, especially the 'Enhanced Vision' gadget. Being associated with this book and the previous one has uplifted my understanding of the wonderful compositions of Purandara Dasa. I have heard many of these songs, being sung by classical singers in concerts, cherishing them even from my school days. The translation into English from any vernacular language is a mountainous challenge and my mother has meticulously worked through them all. My father has contributed immensely to this work, especially looking into the accuracy of the 'kannada' verses. The significance of these verses, along with the author's own interpretation and its contents, are applicable to life even in the modern times. The summaries of the verses are engrained in the interpretations. There are analogies drawn from the Indian mythological stories and other tales with important morals. Reference is made to these mythological stories with some of them repeated in different verses, to reiterate these morals. Most of these were our bedtime stories when we were young. In each section of the summaries, there are scenarios that are described for better understanding and possible dramatization. The book describes how one can make behavioural changes to one's life and develop good qualities. Although there is a lot of reference to the Hindu scriptures and traditions, the righteousness, virtues, good character, and behaviours are applicable to the whole of mankind.

Sanathana Dharma is a way of life practised by Hindus for many millennia. This is conveyed to people through Epics, Shrutis, and Shastras. Many saints have composed and sung to popularise the Sanathana Dharma among the common people. Purandara Dasa was one among them whose songs are rendered even today as a part of Carnatic classical music concerts. He composed nearly 15,000 devotional songs that ended in his kaavyanaama (pen name). As Purandara Vittala. His original name was Narayana. He was a successful businessman, who had earned a title, 'Navakoti Narayana. He attained his title because of his riches that had crossed nine criers (Ninety million) rupees. He lived during the period of emperor Krishnadevaraya who ruled the Vijayanagar kingdom in South India about five and a half centuries ago. His stingy attitude miraculously changed because of his wife, and he distributed all his wealth to the poor and transformed himself into a great devotee of Lord Krishna.

He spent the rest of his life composing and singing those devotional songs. Although, we do not find all the manuscript copies of his songs, they have been passed through generations verbally from mouth to mouth. Hence, there may be variations in the lyrics in different regions.

His songs, in a nutshell, give us the philosophy of life. Some of them throw light on the rituals followed during those times and some of them the essence of Vedas. Most songs tell the bits of Lord Krishna's story and reveal glimpses of Ramayana. Purandara Dasa calls himself a servant of God always and expresses his total surrender to Him.

Probably, one's life is short to study in detail every song and analyse it deeply.