Lyrics and Meanings (Keerthana)

Śhrī Purandharadhāsa was in a way, the founder of Kīrthana form which it its melody is based on technical compositions like Gītha whose purpose is to elucidate Rāga forms and Thāḷa patterns. The emphasis in the Kīrthanas is on its aesthetic excellence and that is why it is considered as the most important part of Karnātic classical music. It was the genius of Śhrī Purandharadhāsa that created Kīrthanas on the basis of which Kruthi form was evolved.

The great master composers who came after Śhrī Purandharadhāsa faithfully followed the tradition and form which he established. The Rāga and Thāḷa aspects are followed by composers like Dīkṣhitar and Śhāma Śhāsthri and purely Rāga aspects by composers like Kśhethragna. But it was Thyāgarāja who brought out the fullest measure all the three aspects – Rāga, Bhāva and Thāḷa of the tradition, founded by Śhrī Purandharadhāsa.

Rāga:  

Thāḷa: Ādhi

Composer: Thulasidhās

Language: Hindhi

Meanings-Word by word & Overall: R.Shankar, Krishnaa – Rasikas.Org

Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Gāyiye Gaṇapathi Jaga Vandhana
Śhankar Suvana Bhavāni Nandhana||

Siddhi Sādhan Gajavadhana Vināyak
Kripa Sindhu Sundhara Sab Lāyak||

Modhakapriyā Amudha Mangal Dhāthā
Vidhyā Vāridhhi Buddhi Vidhātha||

Māṅgathā Thulsidhās Kar Jore
Basa Hi Rāma Siya Manasa More||

Meanings:

Gāyiye Gaṇapathi Jag Vandhana
Śhankar Suvana Bhavāni Nandhana||

Gāyiye - sing

Gaṇapathi Jag Vandhana - The names of that Gaṇapathi who is worshiped by the whole world
Śhankar Suvana - Gaṇapathi is the son of Śankara

Bhavāni Nandhana - and the beloved child of Pārvathi

Please sing the praises of Gaṇapathi, who is worthy of being bowed to/prayed to by the entire world. He is the son of Parvathi and the brilliance of Śhiva.

Siddhhi Sadhan Gajavadhana Vināyak
Krupā Sindhhu Sundhara Sab Lāyak||

Siddhhi -Of all the siddhhis;

Sadhan - he is the store house;

Gajavadhana Vināyak  - he posses the face of an elephant, he is known as Vināyaka;
Krupā Sindhhu  - he is the ocean of mercy;

 Sundhara - The beautiful one

Sab Lāyak  - who is worth in every way;

He is the embodiment/residence of accomplishment with a handsome elephant face the destroyer of obstacles and the repository of compassion His services are useful for everyone.

Modhakapriyā Amudha Mangal Dhāthā
Bidhyā Bāridhhi Buddhi Bidhātha||

Modhakapriyā  - he relishes the taste of the modhaka;

Mangal  - of all auspiciousness;
Dhāthā - he is the bestower;

Vāridhhi - he is the ocean;

Vidhyā – of knowledge;

Buddhhi - of intelligence;

Vidhāthā- creator

This lover of sweet-meats is the bestower of joy and auspiciousness. He is the creator of intelligence and an ocean of skill and knowledge.

Māṅgathā Thulsidhās Kar Jore
Basahi Rāma Siya Manasa More||

Māṅgathā - asks; Thulasidhās – the name of the poet

Kar Jore - With his palms folded
Rāma Siya - may Rāma and Śīthā

Basahi  - Reside

More - In my

Manasa - Heart

Thulasidhās (the composer) requests with arms held together in supplication for Rāma and Śīthā to reside in his mind for ever.

Thāḷa: Ādhi
Composer: Śhrī Purandhharadhāsa

Language: Kannaḍa

Meaning – word by word: http://krithis-theirmeanings-thestories.blogspot.in

Meaning – overall: Team Ambalam
Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Pallavi

Gajavadhana Beḍuve Gaurīthanaya

Anupallavi

Thrijagavandhithane Sujanara Porevane  

Charaṇam 1:

Pāśhāṅkuśhadhhara Paramapavithra
Mūṣhikavāhana Munijana Prema

Charaṇam 2:
Modhadi Ninnaya Pādhava Thōrō
Sādhuvandhithane Adharadhindhali

Charaṇam 3:

Sarasijanābha Śhrī Purandhharaviṭṭhalana
Nirutha Neneyuvanthe Māḍo


Meanings:

Pallavi

Gajavadhana Beḍuve Gaurīthanaya

Beḍuve - I pray to you;

Gajavadhana  - elephant faced;

Gaurī - Parvathi ;

thanaya- son;

I pray to you, the elephant faced son of Gaurī.

Anupallavi

Thrijagavandhithane Sujanara Porevane 

Porevane  - Protector  

Sujanara  - of good people

Vandhithane - and also worshipped  

Thrijaga - by three worlds

You are worshipped by the three worlds and are the protector of good people.

Charaṇam 1:

Pāśhāṅkuśhadhhara Paramapavithra
Mūṣhikavāhana Munijana Prema

Dhhara - Wearing/having  

Pāśhāṅa - Rope  

Paramapavithra  - immaculate/supreme
Prema  - Lovable  

Munijana  - By sages/ordinary people

Mūṣhikavāhana  - travelling on mouse/rat  

You are the immaculate Supreme who holds the rope and the restraining hook. Your vehicle is a rat and you are lovable to the people and the sages.

Charaṇam 2:

Modhadi Ninnaya Pādhava Thōrō
Sādhuvandhithane Adharadhindhali

Thōrō - show

Ninnaya Pādhava  - Your (Ninnaya) feet(Pādhava)

Modhadi  - With affection
Adharadhindhali - respectfully  

Vandhithane - Worshipped  

Sādhu - by holy men
 

Show your feet with affection and it will be worshipped respectfully by holy men.

Charaṇam 3:

Sarasijanābha Śhrī Purandhharaviṭṭhalana
Nirutha Neneyuvanthe Māḍo

Sarasijanābha - one with the lotus-navel; Śhrī Purandhharaviṭṭhala - the Lord Purandhharaviṭṭhala
Nirutha – always;

Neneyuvanthe - Make me to remember; Māḍo – do;

Make me remember always the Lord Purandhharaviṭṭhalana, who is the one with the lotus-navel.

Note: Viśhṇu with the lotus navel is the father of Brahmā.

Interesting points from the songs : 

* "Purandara Vittala" is the mark of Shri Purandaradasa. One can see this in all his songs

* Purandaradasa asks Lord Ganesha, to give him strength and focus to sing about Lord Purandara!

* Lord Ganesh has "pasa" which is the noose - which is typically carried by the God of Death - yama. Here, He shows that he is beyond death and if you go to His feet, you don't have to worry about death.

* An elephant may be very big. But, it is controlled by the weapon : Go