Dasarendare Purandara Dasarayya – Part 1

Sri Purandara Dasara Aaradhane Jan 21st Saturday USA and India

There are numerous books online articles written on Shri Purandara Dasaru. I am just posting very few details on one of THE greatest in Dasa Parampare. I picked few important events and thought of posting them for the Aaradhane os Shri Purandara Dasaru.

Sri Purandara Dasaru lived from 1484 AD – 1564 AD.

Haridasa means – Hari – Lord Almighty and Dasa means Servant.

“Dāsarendare purandara dāsarayya” this is how Guru Vyasarayaru, praised his disciple Shri Purandara Dasaru.  Shri Purandara Dasaru has made a valuable contribution to Kannada literature and Carnatic music. The Keertane composed by Shri Purandara Dasaru are still very relevant today. His contribution to Carnatic music is evergreen. Having a versatile personality, Shri Purandara Dasaru is one of the most important contributors who made a valuable contribution to Indian culture. He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna.

Sri Purandara Dasa’s compositions are primarily in the Kannada language, and are devotional in nature, with most of them being addressed to Lord Vishnu. They are characterized by their simplicity, melodic beauty, and spiritual depth. His compositions were highly influential in the development of Carnatic music, and continue to be popular even to this day.

He took up the propaganda of Madhwa Philosphy through his keertanas.

Shri Purandara Dasaru visited many holy places. He visited the shrines of Tirupati, Srirangapatna, Arunagiri, Udupi, Kanchi, Kanakachal, Kashi, Kumbakona, Kodalipur, Hastagiri, Sinhagiri, Kalahasti, Srishaila, Ghatikachal, Gadag, Belur, Mannar, Malur, Pandharapur, Melukote, Hampi, Harihara, etc. He has told about his experience in several of his compositions.

Purandardasa’s social concerns need to be noted even in this day and age. He condemned casteism, superstitions, and rejected hypocrisy. One such shown below:

“ಯಾಗ ಯಜ್ಞ ಮಾಡಲೇಕೆ

ಯೋಗಿ ಯತಿಯು ಆಗಲೇಕೆ”

“ಹೊಲೆಯ ಹೊರಗಹನೆ ಊರೊಳಗಿಲ್ಲವೆ

ಸಲೆ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರವನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದು ಬಲ್ಲವರು ನೋಡಿ”

“ಸತ್ಯಶೌಚವಿಲ್ಲದ ಆಚಾರವೇಕೆ?

ಚಿತ್ತಶುದ್ದಿಯಿಲ್ಲದ ಜ್ಞಾನವಿನ್ನೇಕೆ?”

“ಹೀನಗುಣಂಗಳ ಬಿಡದೆ ನದಿಯೊಳು

ಸ್ನಾನವ ಮಾಡಿದರೇನು ಫಲ?”

“Yāga yajña māḍalēke 

yōgi yatiyu āgalēke” “

holeya horagahane ūroḷagillave 

sale śāstravannu tiḷidu ballavaru nōḍi” 

“satyaśaucavillada ācāravēke? 

Cittaśuddiyillada jñānavinnēke?” 

“Hīnaguṇaṅgaḷa biḍade nadiyoḷu 

snānava māḍidarēnu phala?”

Purandardasa’s social concern is highlighted in many such keerrtanas. He gave a broad meaning to Bhakti and said that a broad mind is very important for social transformation. 

One interesting story is that Purandara Dasa was once challenged by a group of Muslim musicians to prove the superiority of Indian classical music. Purandara Dasa accepted the challenge and composed a song on the spot that was so beautiful and emotionally powerful that the Muslim musicians were moved to tears and admitted defeat.

Purandara Dasa is also said to have had a miraculous healing power through his music. There are many stories of people being cured of illnesses or having their problems solved after listening to his songs.

One more interesting story is that Purandara Dasa was once visited by a king who wanted to hear him sing. Purandara Dasa agreed to sing, but only if the king would first listen to a song about the importance of humility. The king agreed, and after hearing the song, he was so moved that he immediately gave up his throne and became a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

These stories demonstrate the spiritual depth and power of Purandara Dasa’s music, as well as the great respect and devotion he inspired among his followers.

This blog itself has numerous Keertanas, Ugabhogas composed by Shri Purandara Dasaru. https://meerasubbarao.wordpress.com/?s=Purandara

Coming tomorrow: Part 2 : Tirupati Yatra