Introduction
Podagantimayya is one of the countless popular compositions of Sri Annamayya. This 15th-century Telugu devotional Keertana holds a special place for its in-depth expression of devotion and spiritual realisation.
Written in elegant, classic Telugu, the song addresses Tirumala Sri Venkateswara as the Supreme Being who is readily perceived by His sincere devotees. Through the keertana, Annamayya expresses His overwhelming ecstasy and humility on having the Divine darshan.
This timeless keertana conveys the message that true devotion enables us to experience the presence of Sri Venkateswara.
| 🎼 Composition: | Podagantimayya Mimmu |
| ✍️ Composer: | Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya |
| 🎵 Ragam: | Mohana / Sankarabharanam |
| 🥁 Talam: | Adi |
| 🕉️ Deity: | Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy |
| 📜 Theme: | God Vision through pure devotion and complete surrender (Saranagati). |
Core Meaning and Interpretation
Annamayya composed this keertana with ecstasy on having divine vision i.e. darshan of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara. Beautiful metaphors (Roopakam in Telugu) are used by Sri Annamacharya, in the keertana to describe Sri Venkateswara.
Tirumala Sri Venkateswara is like the seasonal rain-bearing clouds ("Kala Megham") that quench thirst / spiritual thirst. He is the wish-fulfulling Celestial cow "Kamadhenu". He is the Divine medicine ("Divyoushadam") that cures the worldly diseases / miseries.
Podagantimayya Mimmu: Telugu Lyrics with English Transliteration and Meaning in English
పల్లవి / Pallavi
Telugu Lyrics
పొడగంటిమయ్య మిమ్ము పురుషోత్తమా |
మమ్మునెడయకవయ్య కోనేటి రాయడా ||
English Transliteration
Podagantimayya Mimmu Purushottama |
Mammu Edayakavayya Koneti Rayada
Meaning: "O Purushottama (Supreme Being)! Please allow me to look at You. O! Konetiraya (the one who resides near the sacred Koneru / water tank), do not keep me away from Your divine presence."
చరణం 1 / Charanam 1
Telugu Lyrics
కోరి మమ్ము నేలినట్టి కులదైవమా చాల |
నేరిచి పెద్దలిచ్చిన నిధానమా ||
గారవించి దప్పిదీర్చు కాలమేఘమా |
మాకుచేరువ చిత్తములోని శ్రీనివాసుడా ||
English Transliteration
Kori mammu nelinatti Kula Daivama chala |
Nerichi peddalichina Nidhanama ||
Garavinchi dappidircu kalameghama |
Maku Cheruva chittamuloni Srinivasuda
Meaning: "O Srinivasa! You are cherished as our family deity who lovingly protect us. You are the invaluable treasure bestowed upon us by our elders through their wisdom and devotion.
"O Srinivasa! You are the seasonal rain-bearing clouds Who always stay deep in our hearts and quench our spiritual thirst with compassion.
చరణం 2 / Charanam 2
Telugu Lyrics
భావింప గై(కై)వసమైన పారిజాతమా, మమ్ము|
చేవదేర గాచినట్టి చింతామణీ||
కావించి కోరికలిచ్చే కామధేనువా, మమ్ము|
తావై రక్షించేటి ధరణీధరా||
English Transliteration
Bhavimpa kaivasamaina Parijatama mammu |
Chevadera gachinatti chintamani ||
Kaminchi korikalicche kamadhenuva mammu |
Tavai rakshincheti dharanidhara ||
Meaning: "You are the easily reachable Divine Parijatham tree that easily grants righteous wishes. You are like the most precious Chintamani gem Who always protects us.
"You are the like the divine cow Kamadhenu, Who fulfills our righteous wishes. O Dharanidhara!(the One who held Earth i.e. Dharani in His Varaha Avatara), You protect us by leading us in the righteous path.
చరణం 3 / Charanam 3
Telugu Lyrics
చెడనీక బ్రతికించే సిద్ధమంత్రమా, రోగా |
లడచి రక్షించే దివ్యౌషధమా ||
బడిబాయక తిరిగే ప్రాణబంధుడా, మమ్ము |
గడియించినట్టి శ్రీ వేంకటనాథుడా ||
English Transliteration
Chedanika bratikinche Siddha Mantrama, Roga |
Ladachi rakshinche Divyaushadhama ||
Badibayaka tirige Pranabandhuda, mammu |
Gadiyinchinatti Sri Venkatanadhuda
Meaning: "You are the mystical Mantra (Om Namo Venkatesaya) that gives life on Earth. You are the divine medicine (divya aushadham) that heals all the diseases / miseries of life."
"You are the closest relative who always walks with us. You are the acquired eternal wealth, O Venkatanatha!.
Spiritual Significance of Podagantimayya
The keertana has deep spiritual significance which is beyond understanding. Through the keertana, Annamayya shows the intimate relationship between the Divine and the devotee. A sincere devotee finds his Divine companion in his heart only and not in a physical form at a far away distant.
Sri Venkateswara is always easily accessible to a true and sincere devotee who finds Him as the greatest treasure. The gates of spiritual wisdom open with pure / true devotion which leads to God Realisation and thereby Self-Realisation.
Through this powerful keertana, Annamayya spreads the message of Saranagati i.e. complete surrender to God. He encourages the devotees to cultivate, pure bhakti and gratitude. And Sri Venketeswara is sure to protect such devotees in all manner.
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.
Final Note
"Podagantimayya" is a timeless masterpiece of Annamayya's compositions that transcends eras and beautifully bridges the gap between the Divine and the devotee. Through rich lyrical metaphors (Roopakam in Telugu) and in-depth spiritual philosophy, Annamayya beautifully expresses his unconditional love and complete surrender to Sri Venkateswara.
Through simple yet profound imagery, the keertana reminds us that the Lord is the greatest treasure in life, ever ready to bless those who seek Him with sincerity and devotion. Its enduring spiritual message continues to inspire devotees to cultivate unwavering faith and experience the divine presence within their hearts.
The keertana serves as a powerful tool for the ultimate remedy from worldly suffering.
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula
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