Balagopala Palayasu Mam
An expansive Sanskrit prayer to Krishna, celebrating both the playful cowherd and the protector of devotees.
| Music | Detail |
|---|---|
| Composer | Muttuswami Dikshitar |
| Raga | Bhairavi |
| Tala | Adi |
| Type | Kriti |
| Language | Sanskrit |
Lyrics
Pallavi
bāla gōpāla pālayāśu māṃ
bhakta vatsala kṛpā jaladhē harē
Anupallavi
nīla nīrada śarīra dhīra-tara
nīraja kara nirupamānanda-kara
Anupallavi — Madhyama Kala lyrics
līlayā gōpa vēṣa dhara muraḷī dhara
śrī dhara dāmōdara vara
Charanam
cāṇūra malla haraṇa nipuṇa-tara
caraṇa nihata śakaṭāsura mura hara
māṇikya makuṭa hāra valaya dhara
mattēbha kumbha bhēdana paṭu-tara
vāṇīśārcita pītāmbara dhara
vaijayantī vana mālā dhara
āṇavādi vijaya mānasākara
apahata kaṃsāsura nata bhū-sura
Charanam — Madhyama Kala lyrics
drōṇa karṇa duryōdhanādi hara
draupadī māna saṃrakṣaṇa-kara
vaiṇika gāyaka guru guha nuta
pura vairi vihita gōpikā manōhara
Meaning
The opening asks Krishna to protect the singer without delay. The following verses picture his blue-cloud complexion, flute and ornaments, then recall his victories over enemies and his protection of Draupadi. Tender childhood imagery sits alongside the strength of a divine protector.