Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku: The Most Popular Telugu Harati Song
This is the most popular Neerajanam (Harati song composed by the Telugu saint-poet Annamayya. The keertana is mostly sung by women while offering Harati at the end of a Puja or functions / celebrations.
The Keertana is compulsorily sung while worshipping Tulasi on Ksheerabdhi Dwadasi day
The Sanskrit term 'Neerajanam' means 'illumination'. Neerajanam aka Harati in Telugu and Aarti in Hindi is offered to the deities at the end of every Puja.
Camphor (karpooram placed in a special holder is lighted and waved in a circular manner for deities. Even oil or gheed dipped wicks are used for harati.
While offering harati, devotees rhythmically clap their hands and sing harati songs. After harati is completed, it is shown to the devotees who place their palms in cup shape slightly above the aarti flames and then place the palms on their eyes / head as a gesture of blessings from the god.
| 🎼 Composition: | Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku |
| ✍️ Composer: | Tallapaka Annamacharya |
| 🎵 Ragam: | Kuranji |
| 🥁 Talam: | Khanda Chapu |
| 🪴Deity: | Tulasi Devi |
| 📜 Theme: | Neerajanam (Harati) to Ksheerabdhi Kanya (Sri Mahalakshmi, the daughter of the Milky Ocean) in the form of Tulasi Devi. |
| 🪴Significance: | Tulasi Devi worship helps in prosperous marital life. |
| 🪔 Occasions: | While performing Nirajanam at the end of Pujas, functions, ceremonies etc. |
Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku: Telugu Lyrics with English Transliteration and Meaning in English
Kuranji Ragam Moorchana
ఆరోహణం: స గ2 మ1 ద1 ని2 స
అవరోహణం: స ని2 ద1 మ1 గ2 స
Arohana (Ascent): S N₃ S R₂ G₃ M₁ P D₂
Avarohana (Descent): D₂ P M₁ G₃ R₂ S N₃ S
పల్లవి / Pallavi
Telugu Lyrics
క్షీరాబ్ధి కన్యకకు శ్రీమహాలక్ష్మికిని
నీరజాలయమునకు నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
English Transliteration
Ksheerabdi Kanyakaku Sree Maha Lakshmi kini
Neerajalayakunu Neerajanam Neerajanam
Poetic Translation: The sacred illumination (Neerajanam) to the divine daughter of the Milky Ocean! Neerajanam to Sri Mahalakshmi, who made the pristine lotus, Her eternal abode.
చరణం 1 / Charanam 1
Telugu Lyrics
జలజాక్షి మోమునకు జక్కవ కుచంబులకు
నెలకొన్న కప్పురపు నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
అలివేణి తురుమునకు హస్తకమలంబులకు
నిలువు మాణిక్యముల నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
English Transliteration
Jalajaakshi Momunaku Jakkava kuchambulaku
Nelakonna Kappurapu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Aliveni Turumunaku Hasta Kamalambulaku
Niluvu Manikyamula Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Poetic Translation: Nirajanam to the beautiful face with lotus-shaped eyes (jalajakshi). Harati with camphor to Her divinely enchanting chest, to Her thick voluminous hair. Neerajanam to Her lotus like soft hands with heaps of emeralds (manikyam).
చరణం 2 / Charanam 2
Telugu Lyrics
చరణ కిసలయములకు సకియరంభోరులకు
నిరతమగు ముత్యాల నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
అరిది జఘనంబునకు అతివ నిజనాభికిని
నిరతి నానావర్ణ నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
English Transliteration
Charana Kisalayamulaku Sakhiyarambhorulaku
Niratamagu Mutela Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Aridhi Jaghanambunaku ativa Nijanaabhikini
Nirati Nanavarna Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Poetic Translation: Neerajanam with heaps of natural pearls to Her Lotus feet and to Her elegant thighs. Neerajanam to Her sweet voice and to Her finely sculpted waistline with colorful flowers.
చరణం 3 / Charanam 3
Telugu Lyrics
పగటు శ్రీవేంకటేశు పట్టపురాణియై
నెగడు సతికళలకును నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
జగతి నలమేల్మంగ చక్కదనములకెల్ల
నిగుడు నిజ శోభనపు నీరాజనం ... నీరాజనం
English Transliteration
Pagatu Sree Venkatesu Pattapu Rani
Negadu Sati Karalakunu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Jagati Alamelu Manga Chakkadanamula kella
Nigudu Nija Sobhanapu Neerajanam .. Neerajanam
Poetic Translation: Finally, pleasant Neerajanam with fragrant flowers to the glorious Queen of Sri Venkateswara who is adored for Her ever-glowing noble virtues with divine grace. Harati to Alamelu Manga, the beautiful Divine Consort and queen of Sri Venkateswara.
What is Neerajanam?
Neerajanam, also known as Harati or Aarti, is the culminating event in Hindu rituals. Lighted camphor or oil lamps are waived before the deity as an expression of devotion, gratitude, and reverence.
Spiritual Significance of the keertana
The keerthana is a heartfelt expression of love and devotion towards Sri Maha Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, fortune, and auspiciousness. Offering harati with devotion invokes the blessings of Sri Mahalakshmi for a prosper, harmonious and happy family life.
Sri Annamacharya: The 15th Century Telugu Saint-Poet
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, popularly known as Annamayya, is a mystic saint-poet born in 1408 CE in Tallapaka a small village in the then Kadapa district (now Annamayya district) of Andhra Pradesh.
He was born to Narayana Suri and Lakkamamba, in a Telugu Brahmin family that popularised Vaishnavite faith in Andhra Pradesh in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Annamayya spent most of his life in composing 'Keertanas' and 'Padams' on Sri Venkateswara Swamy. He is regarded as 'Telugu Padakavi Pitamaha': the grand old man of Telugu poetry.
He also authored 12 Satakams, Ramayana in the form of Dwipada Sankeertana Lakshnam, Sringara Manjari and Venkatachala Mahatyam. Most of his works are in Telugu and Sanskrit languages.
Annamayya dedicated his life and compositions to Sri Venkateswara Swamy. His compositions are engraved on copper plates and are treasured in Sankeertana Bhandaram - a rock-built cell opposite the Hundi at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. And these remained unnoticed for over 400 years.
He is one of the greatest saint-poets of Telugu literature and devotional music. He is widely regarded as the first known composer of Telugu keertanas and is known as the 'Toli Telugu Vaggeyakara' i.e. the first lyricist, composer and singer of the Telugu literature.
Annamayya is one of the earliest known musicians of India to compose more than 32,000 songs known as 'Sankeertanalu'. His songs are a beautiful combination of devotion, philosophy, ethics, and spiritualism. Most of his songs are sung in typical Telugu folk style which continue to be sung and cherished even today.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who composed Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku Keertana?
A. Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya
2. In which ragam Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaki is sung?
A. Kuranji ragam.
3. Who is Ksheerabdhi Kanya
A. Lakshmi Devi, the daughter of the Milky Ocean who emerged from the ocean during Samundra Manthan
4. On which deity (god) is the keertana composed?
A. Tulasi Devi who is considered as Lakshmi Devi.
5. What is the main theme of the song?
A. Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku is mainly a Nirajanam / harati song.
6. On what occasions this keertana is sung?
A. Ksheerabdhi kanyakaku is sung at harati time during Tulasi Puja and other pujas, functions, ceremonies.
What is the meaning of Neerajanam?
A. Offering Haarati (Aarti in Hindi) with camphor or oil-lit lamp as a mark of devotion and reverence
Why is Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku song so popular?
A. Because it is composed on Lakshmi Devi with lyrical beauty, devotional essence, and melody.
Concluding Note
Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku is a heartfelt offering of Harati to Sri Maha Lakshmi in the form of Tulasi Devi. Through this timeless composition, Annamayya beautifully portrays the grace, beauty, and divine glory of Lakshmi Devi. Even today, this melodious keertana continues to be sung in homes and temples with devotion, auspiciousness, and spiritual joy, making it a cherished part of Telugu devotional tradition.
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula
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