Sri Thyagaraja Ashtakam
By
Sri Muthuswami Deekshithar,
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( Thyagaraja meaning king of sacrifice is a form of Shiva ,
Worshipped in Thiruvayaru of Tanjavur district of Tamilnadu.
The author of this poem is one among the musical trinity ,
Who belonged to Thiruvayaru. The author has composed,
Large number of Carnatic music krithis in Sanskrit.)
1.Kalyana sougandhika pushpa hara,
SAmshobitha kandaaya kaladharaaya,
Kalyana sailendra Dhanurdharaya,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Whose neck is shining due to the garland,
Of auspicious sougandhika flowers,
Who wears the crescent of moon,
And who carries the auspicious mountain as his bow.
2.Mukthendra niladhi surathna rasi,
Samshobhi simhasana samsthithaya,
Mukthaa kumarakhya mahisthuthaya,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Who sits in the greatly shining throne ,
Inlaid with pearl, blue sapphire and other precious stones,
And is the Muthukumara*, whom the earth prays.
*”Pearl Subrahmanya”
3.Keechanana muchukunda bhoopa,
SAmprathanaath bhoothalam agadaaya,
Go Chandrasthaaya kumara pithre,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Who came to this earth due to,
The prayer of king Muchukunda with a monkey face,
Who is in an armoured box and father of Subrahmanya.
4.Gopthre pasoonaam guru raja bhoopa,
Darthresadaya Sri pura Samsthithya,
Gupthaswa gathraaya hrudaya bhajaya,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Who looks asfter all beings and as the king of teachers,
To many great people , who lives in Sripura of Sri Chakra
Who hides his form and is worshipped by the mind.
5.Kanthaadhi soundarya rathasthithaya,
Kantha samasleshidha sundaraya,
Kanthardha roopaya, gajaya pithre,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Who in the chariot of prettiness of his wife,
Who is pretty one who is embraced by his wife,
Who has given half his body to his wife,
And who is the father of the elephant faced Ganapathi.
6.Niranthraabhyasa visesham vedhya,
Pothu swaroopaya niranjanaya,
Nirangusananda pada pradhaya,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Who is specially known only because of continuous worship,
Who fulfills wishes and shows the way,
To unstained and permanent joy.
7.Anatha hrud varija hamsa roopa,
Nruthangarayadhi guru uthamaya,
Anantha kalyana gunaika dhamne,
Sri Thyagarajaya namo nama
Salutations and salutations to Thyagaraja,
Who has taken the form of a swan in the endless sea of mind,
And engaged himself in dance , Who is a greatest teacher,
And is the storehouse of endless auspicious qualities.
8.Srimad chidananda guru swaroopa,
Sri thyaga rajangi Saroja yugme,
Anantha bodha pradham asthakakhyam,
Stotram subhkthya krutham arpitham mayaa.
I am offering this octet composed ,
With great devotion , which is capable,
Of giving rise to endless pleasure,
At the lotus like feet of Thyagaraja,
Who is the form of teacher of divine joy.