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Another "Jail bird(Kokilam )" singing from the top of the seven Hills

From the Bhakti List Archives

Sadagopan • September 27, 2002 


SrI:

NamO venkatEsAya !

Dear BhakthAs: 

SrIman Sadagopan Iyengar's excellent piece on the jail bird
stirred the thoughts about another great devotee of Lord
VenkatesA , who went thru the ordeal of jail life
for a short period . 

This bhakthA is none other than Saint AnnamayyA ,
who was imprisoned by the king of Tanguturu near 
Thirumalai. The king is known today for his services to
Lord VenkatEsA and is known by the name of Saluva
NarasimharAya . He had heard a SrungAra Keerthana 
of the Saint addressed to Lord VenkatEsa and was
moved by the Madhura Bhakthi bhAvam , which permeated
that krithi. He was eager to have the Saint sing 
a KeerthanA on him . Saint Annamayya refused to
use his tongue to praise any one other than the Lord .
In  a spirit of the Mukuntha MaalA SlOkam 
(JihvE keerhaya Kesavam , Muraripum --) , 
the Saint responded  strongly :

" This tongue of mine , which has tasted the glory of 
  singing Hari Naama will never agree to sing the praise of 
  any one else ; 

  This head , which has bowed low at the feet of Murahari 
  will not accede to bowing at the feet of others;

  These hands of mine , which offered worship to SrIpathi
  will never demean themselves and  stretch out seeking 
  alms from others ;

  These feet of mine , which walk towards the temple of Hari
  will never proceed towards the house of sinners;

  This mind of mine , which for ever dwells on SrI VenkatAchalapathi
  will not even by mistake for a moment think of any one else;

  This body of mine , which is His property will never be 
  subservient and amenable to control by any one else."

At that time , Saint was an invited resident of the court of 
the King and through the above krithi , the Saint made it
clear that his stay in the court of NarasingsarAya would not
change his mind about singing on any one else except the Lord
of the Seven Hills. 

The king was enraged and ordered that the Saint be imprisoned
and hand cuffs were put on . The Bhaktha SikhAmaNi felt that
the Lord had abandoned him and sang movingly in the jail
the Krithi " Aakativelala" appealing to the Lord :

" When I am hungry or when I am tired , the only succour 
  is the name of Hari;there is no other way (naanya: panthA--)

  When I desire something or when I feel lonely or when I am
  held captive or when I am threatened with incarceration ,  
  my only succour is Hari Naama;

  However much we may try , there is no other succour or 
  source of help.

  When I am in distress or when I am frightened or fear 
  a scandal or any other evil , I know for certain there
  is no other succour except Hari naama.

  When I am tied up by chains or when I am seentenced to
  death or troubled by creditors , my only key for release 
  is the name of Lord VenaktEsA ; however much one may try ,
  there is no other succor."

The moment the Saint completed this song identifying his 
sole and irreplacable source of help , the cuffs on his hands 
broke . The frightened guards , who witnessed this miracle
rushed to the king and told him of this happening . The egotistic
king did not get the message from the Lord . He ordered 
the guards to re-cuff the hands of the Saint .The king was 
still mad over the refusal of the Saint to compose 
a krithi on him and his (puny ) glories. 

The saint was disheartened and "reprimanded " the Lord 
for neglecting His devotee and leaving him to the mercy
of the petty king . He sang again:

" Oh Lord reclining on the Milky Ocean! Weak and frightened
  DevAs came pleading for Your help.Similarly , we Your dAsAs
  have appealed to You very much in time.Why are You still
  sleeping? Why can't You save us immediately?

  Even as Draupadi cried out to You seeking help , when You
  were at DwArakA , we suffering in the courts of cruel kings
  are appealing to You. Why are You reluctant (to come to our
  rescue )? Please ! Can't You save us now?

  Even as GajEndrA the elephant trumpeted aloud seeking Your
  help , when You were in (Far off) Vaikuntam with IndirA(SrI Devi),
  we with utmost faith (MahA VisvAsam)apeal to You and present 
  our request .

  Oh Lord VenaktAchalapathi! Please listen , heed our request 
  and hasten to our rescue".

The Lord heeded the reprimand and could not but act again.
The chains on the hands of the Saint splintered.The guards ran back
to the king , who got the message of the Lord finally and
fell at the feet of this Parama BhakthA of Lord VenkatEsa .
The Saint forgave the king , performed the UpadEsam on 
the power of Bhagavan-nAma sankIrthanam in the age of Kali
and left immediately for Thirumalai to be near his Lord.

This "jail bird" in a spirit of Naicchiyam would observe in one of 
his krithis : " Cheppedidhi VedAnthamu , CheppuvAralO Paamarulu"
( The subject matter being said is VedAntha philosophy but 
the person , who says it is an illiterate).

He will go on to say elsewhere: " I am Your servant . I am only 
a tool in Your hands. Please accept these songs as offering 
at Your feet ".

How can the Lord refuse that plea from the Jail house ?

Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil Vardachari SaThakOpan 

P.S: The free translations of the songs of the Saint are by 
Professor Dr. M.NarasimhAchAry and Dr. Miss M.S. Ramesh
(Spiritual Heritage of Annamacharya , TTD Publication 2001 ). 
         


   
   



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