“That Lotus-Eyed One is Our Protector…” — Muddugare Yashoda, an Annamacharya Keerthana — D’ Benedictions
About Muddugare Yashoda
Composed by Annamacharya Garu (in Telugu), Muddugare Yashoda is a sweet and simple song with a bright and cheerful tune and absolutely beautiful lyrics. Anybody falls in love with this song within seconds of listening. Annamacharya’s immense love for Lord Krishna oozes out in the form of honeyed words throughout the lyrics. In this song, Annamayya refers to Lord Krishna’s many popular incidents and playful musings (leela) from his childhood and adolescence. He draws upon the navaratnas (the nine gemstones that hold a unique cultural significance in India and beyond) to praise the young Krishna.
The Navaratnas
Each graha (planet) has a gemstone associated. Hence, 9 gemstones for 9 grahas according to Hindu mythology. In Telugu, they are:
- Manikyamu (Ruby) for Surya (Sun)
- Muthyamu (Pearl) for Chandra (Moon)
- Garudapaccha (Emerald) for Budhudu (Mercury)
- Pagadamu (Red Coral stone) for Angakara/Mangalya (Mars)
- Pusyaragamu (Topaz/Yellow Sapphire) for Brhspati (Jupiter)
- Vajram (Diamond) for Shukra (Venus)
- Indranilamu (Blue Sapphire) for Shani (Saturn)
- Gomedhikamu (Hessonite) for Rahu (Ascending lunar node)
- Vaiduryamu (Cat’s Eye stone) for Ketu (Descending lunar node)
Lyrics
Pallavi:
Muddugare Yashoda Mungiti Muthyamu Veedu
Tiddarani Mahimala Devaki Suthudu
Charanam 1:
Anthanintha Gollethala Aracheti Manikyamu
Panthamde Kamsuni Pali Vajramu
Kaantula Mudu Lokala Garudapaccha Pusa
Chentala Maalonunna Chinni Krishnudu
Charanam 2:
Ratikeli Rukminiki Rangumovi Pagadamu
Miti Govardhanapu Gomedhikamu
Sathamai Sankhu Chakrala Andhula Vaiduryamu
Gatiyai Mammu Gaache Kamalakshudu
Charanam 3:
Kaalinguni Talapai Kappina Pushyaraagamu
Eleti SreeVenkataadri Indranilamu
Paalajala Nidhilona Paayani Divya Ratnamu
Baalunivale Tirige Padmanaabhudu
Meaning
Pallavi:
The only few words used to write the Pallavi hold a lot of underlined meanings. In the Pallavi, Annamayya refers to the two mothers of Krishna, Yashoda and Devaki. Yashoda is the foster mother who devotes herself to upbringing Krishna until he kills Kamsa and meets his biological mother, Devaki. “Mungita” literally means courtyard. Devaki underwent many hardships during the birth of Krishna (read why). The literal meaning of the lines:
Krishna is the dearest pearl of Yashoda, who grew up on her premises. She showers him with colossal love.
He is the son of Devaki, whose glories and greatness are eternal/can never be altered.
Charanam 1:
To cowherds, he is a readily accessible ruby in their palms (in the lines, a Telugu idiom Aracheti is used. It refers to something which is instantly available (in their palms.))
Whereas, he is the strong diamond who reigns over the stubborn tyrant Kamsa.
He shines as an Emerald bead to the three worlds radiating light.
This little Krishna is amidst us, in our hearts.
Charanam 2:
To his love, Rukmini, he is the one with coral-like lips
He is a firm Hessonite, lifting the Govardhan hill on his little finger (read the story)
Between the Sankhu and Chakra, he shines eternally like Vaiduryamu
This lotus-eyed one, protects us, as our refuge.
Charanam 3:
He is the bright Topaz spread over the heads of the serpent Kalinga (read the story)
He is the blue Sapphire who rules the Seven Venkatadri Hills
He is the divine, precious gem of the treasures of the Milky Ocean
He is the Padmanabha (the one with the lotus navel, i.e. Vishnu) who roams around as an innocent little boy
Thank you for reading!
