Tallapaka Annamacharya
Tallapaka Annamacharya had composed 32,000 devotional songs on Lord Venkateswara. Even today, the songs are being sung and played all over the world. The exotic Rasas makes the song live for all seasons.
Every celebration at Tirumala is not complete without the songs from Annamacharya. The greatness of Annamayya songs is that Lord Venkateswara along with Sri Alarmelmanga enjoys the bhakti that is present in the song.
To enjoy and get real bliss, one has to
- first visit Tiruchanur Goddess Alarmelmanga,
- then at Tirumala Adi Varahaswami and
- finally to Lord Venkateswara.
The Darshan gives eternal happiness, but to enjoy the nectar more, one has to attend all the Sevas at Tirumala and also the Brahmotsavam.
It can be observed that all the Sevas have related songs sung by Annamacharya. The journey now starts from the foothills of Tirumala to enjoy the nectar of Annamayya songs along with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
♪♪♪ Vedu kondama Venkatagiri Venkateswaruni…. ♪♪♪
“Come to the Venkatagiri hills to pray to Lord Venkateswara who fulfills our wishes. He eradicates all our sins.
♪♪♪ Ippuditu kala ganti nella lokamulaku – appadagu tiru Venakatadreesu ganti…. ♪♪♪
The poet expresses the ecstasy of his dream that he saw the great grand peaks of Seshadri hills, the Lord Venkateswara decorated with a high diamond-studded crown with his four hands holding Conch and disc for protection.
♪♪♪ Adivo alladivo shree Harivaasamu – padivelu Seshula padagalamayamu…. ♪♪♪
In this song, Annamayya praises the abode of Sri Hari which looks like the spectacle of ten thousand hoods of an Adi Sesha serpent. This abode is not the only favorite of humans but also for the Devas. He praises that this place is for salvation and holiest of holy as it is the repository of wealth which is the grace of Lord Venkateswara.
Suprabatham
The first Seva of Lord Venkateswara is Suprabatham. The world-famous hymn from Ramayana where Sage Vishwamitra tries to wake up Lord Rama and Lakshmana…
♪♪♪ ‘Kausalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya Pravarthathe’. ♪♪♪
Poet Annamayya assumes himself as mother or guru Vishwamitra and starts waking up the Lord with the below song –
♪♪♪ Vinnapalu vina vale vinth vinthalu – pannagapu doma tera paiketha velayya….♪♪♪
He pleads Lord to wake up and shower grace with his beautiful eyes. He indicates that the sun has risen and all devas are awaiting his Darshan.
Vishwaroopa Darshan
The morning first Darshan is called ‘Vishwaroopa Darshan’, so the below song reveals that everything on this hill is holy by having the Darshan of Lord and will be eternally blessed
♪♪♪ Visvaroopamidivo Vishnuroopamidivo – Sasvatulamaitimimka jayamu najanmamu…. ♪♪♪
Mahalakshmi Alarmelmanga
Abhishekam or Thirumanjanam (Holy bath) is a great Seva that reveals the beauty of the Lord’s Divine body. This Seva is performed to Swami on Friday, especially to the Goddess Mahalakshmi who always resides On the Lord’s bosom.
He addresses the Goddess with the beautiful song
♪♪♪ Ksheerabdi Kanyakaku Sree MahaLakshmi kini – Neerajalayakunu Neerajanam Neerajanam…. ♪♪♪
The beauty of Goddess Mahalakshmi Alarmelmanga (or Alamelu Manga) who is the daughter of the Milky Ocean, whose eyes are lotus petal shaped, her hair is like waves of the ocean.
- She is adorned with expensive gems and jewels and blesses the devotees with her soft lotus-like hand.
- She blesses the devotees with her sweet pleasant voice.
- She is very beautiful and is the Queen of Lord Venkateswara to whom we perform this holy bath.
♪♪♪ Kanti Sukravaramu gadiyaledinta – anti alamelumanga andanunde Swamini….♪♪♪
Abhishekam and Nijapada Darshan
On Friday is exclusive, as it is delighted to have Darshan of Lord Venkatesa. Thomala Seva is where the Lord is adorned with flowers from the shoulders to the feet.
Tiruvengadam (Tirumala) is called as ‘Pushpa Mandapam’. It is because Lord Srinivasa liked to wear flowers. Many Alwars have sung that Lord Srinivasa loves all flowers. That is why Ananthalwar, Perialwar, and Thondaradipodi Alwar performed that flower Kainkaryam (Service).
The below song reveals that the Lord loves all flowers.
♪♪♪ Sakala lokeswarudu sarasa jekonu vadu – akhilambuga pushpa yagambu… ♪♪♪
Lord is pleased when flowers are offered by chanting the Mantras.
♪♪♪ Vividha pushpamulato veda ghoshamulato – Avala tiravamudiyu anganala yatato…. kavi vandi nutulato kamma boojala toda – navadharinchi pushpa yagambu…. ♪♪♪
Every day, Archana is performed to the Lord by praising his name. Similarly, many songs were sung by Annamacharya mentioning only the Lord’s name.
Madhava Keshava Madhusudana Vishnu – Sridhara padansakam chintayami yuyam….
Vamana Govinda Vasudeva Pradyumna – Rama Rama Krishna Narayana Achyuta….
Damodara Aniruddha Daiva Pundareekaksha – Nama Trayadeesa Namo namo….
The above keerthana indicates various forms of Lord Vishnu. Archana is one of the nine forms of Bhakti. Another song refers to Shodasapuja (sixteen services) commonly offered to the Supreme Lord. The Pooja vidhi is mentioned here.
♪♪♪ Shodasa kalanidhiki shodasopacharamulu jada toda nichchalunu samarpayAmi…. ♪♪♪
Annamacharya highlights that the names of the Lord itself are the only refuge for worldly beings to be saved from the Samsara. Just uttering the divine names would give peace everywhere.
♪♪♪ Narayana nee namame gati ika – korikalu naku konasaguTaku…. ♪♪♪
Sriman Narayana is a valuable treasure and no other refuge other than reciting his holy names will give us salvation.
♪♪♪ Govinda Govinda yani koluvare – Govinda yani koluvare…. ♪♪♪
We have to put absolute faith in Lord Venkateswara and seek His sacred feet as an ultimate refuge.
♪♪♪ Chinni Sisuvu Chinni Sisuvu ennadu…… appalaninanta…. balupaina potta meedi pala charala toda nuli vedi venna tinna nori toda chelagi nedide…. ♪♪♪
As mentioned in Bhagavad Gita, one has to offer Satvika food to the Lord and then only have it as prasadam. Tiruppavada Seva on Thursday morning is where the large quantity of Puliyoghara (Tamarind Rice) is spread across in front of Garuda and offered to the Lord as Naivedhyam.
Devotees may have darshan of Lord Venkateswara with devotion. Thus, singing this Song.
♪♪♪ Tandanana ahi tandanana pure – tandana bhala tandanana …. ♪♪♪
Annamayya stresses that True devotees will not look into anything. Offering Lotus to the Lotus feet gives pleasure to the Lord and is the simple Bhakti one can perform to the Lord.
Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva
Every Tuesday is performed to the Lord as Seva. The specialty is that golden petal flowers (108) are offered at the holy feet by reciting the Lord’s name. The divinity of the Holy Feet is praised in the below songs.
♪♪♪ Ati durita pankamanTina kadugaga – miti nee padame minneru….
rati karmajnulu rachina narchaka – vratamu nee padame vanayai niliche…. ♪♪♪
Nithya Kalyanam
Lord of Tirumala is Nithya Kalyana Perumal where Kalyanotsavam is performed every day. Kalyanotsavam is performed for the benefit of the world. Numerous songs are sung during this Utsavam. It is the happiest event of all time.
♪♪♪ Pidikiti talambrala pendli kooturu konta-peda mara le navveene pendli kooturu…. ♪♪♪
Beautiful event Talambralu (pouring holy yellow rice) on bride Alarmelu Manga’s head by the bridegroom, Srinivasa is gorgeous. The full song depicts the wedding dress, ornaments and decorations during the grand wedding ceremony.
♪♪♪ Lakshmi kalyanamu leelato pade nide memu – Lakshmi Narayauu l Elayunu neevunu…. ♪♪♪
This wedding song also describes the complete wedding ceremony, decoration, and the beauty of the Lord and Goddess. It also highlights that they are a “Divine couple” who are inseparable which gives bliss to the World.
Vasantothsavam
Vasantothsavam is a beautiful Seva where Utsava Murthy along with Sridevi and Bhudevi is bathed with holy water, milk, curd, honey, and turmeric. Purusha Suktam and Sri Suktam are recited during this seva.
The below song will be suitable for the wonderful Seva.
♪♪♪ Jagadapu Chanavula Jajara Saginala Manchapu Jajara …. ♪♪♪
Lord with His Consorts give Darshan in a Mirror Hall reflected infinity. He is seated in Dolo- Unjal (Swing) and is wonderful watching the Supreme reflecting infinity.
♪♪♪ Dolayanchala Dolayanchala hare Dolayam…. ♪♪♪
Arjitha Brahmotsavam
is a short Brahmotsavam where major Vahanams are decorated and the Lord is decorated and mounted on different Vahanams.
♪♪♪ Ettu nerchiti vayya inni vahanamu lekka – gattiga nimpuke hari kadu mechchemayya…. ♪♪♪
Annamayya calls Lord Sri Hari and questions how he admires the skill to ride so many vehicles. He praises the vehicle during the Avatara.
Sahasra Deepalankara Seva
Sahasra Deepalankara Seva, before Sandhya Kalam (before night), Lord Malayappa Swami with Sri Devi, Bhu Devi decorated in a swing (Unjal) surrounded by thousand lamps. Annamayya had sung “Dolayam …” to Lord enjoying this Seva.
♪♪♪ Chooda Chooda Manikyalu Chukkala Vale Nunnavee – Eedu Leni Kannulave Ina Chandrulu…. ♪♪♪
The above song is perfect for Sahasra Deepalankara Seva as Annamayya sees the lamps clearly and they are like stars in front of the Divine. But, he says the lotus eyes of the Lord are eternal and brighter than lamps. They shine like the Sun and Moon.
Ekanta Seva
Ekanta Seva is the peaceful last Seva of the day, where Tallapakavari Lali and Tarigondavari Muthyala Harati in remembrance of Annamayya and Tarigonda Vengamamba is performed. Annamayya sings for Baby Krishna in the Cradle as he assumes as Yashoda Mata.
♪♪♪ JO Achyutananda JO JO Mukunda – Rave Paramananda Rama Govinda… ♪♪♪
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is asleep after the hectic schedule. But he is always readily awaiting to bless us. Let us cradle him for some more time!
