Chandram Bhaja Manasa
The moon is contemplated through cool light, the night-blooming lily and an image of a gentle heart.
| Music | Detail |
|---|---|
| Composer | Muttuswami Dikshitar |
| Raga | Asaveri |
| Tala | Chatusra-jati Matya |
| Type | Kriti |
| Language | Sanskrit |
Lyrics
Pallavi
candraṃ bhaja mānasa sādhu hṛdaya sadṛśam
Anupallavi
indrādi lōka pālēḍita tārēśaṃ
induṃ ṣōḍaśa kalā dharaṃ niśākaraṃ
indirā sahōdaraṃ sudhākaraṃ aniśam
Charanam
śaṅkara mauli vibhūṣaṇaṃ śīta kiraṇaṃ
caturbhujaṃ madanacchatraṃ kṣapākaram
vēṅkaṭēśa nayanaṃ virāṇmanōjananaṃ
vidhuṃ kumuda mitraṃ vidhi guru guha vaktram
śaśāṅkaṃ gīṣpati śāpānugraha pātraṃ
śaraccandrikā dhavaḷa prakāśa gātram
kaṅkaṇa kēyūra hāra mukuṭādi dharaṃ
paṅkaja ripuṃ rōhiṇī priyakara caturam
Meaning
The mind is asked to contemplate Chandra, the moon, likened at the outset to a virtuous heart. His cool radiance, place on Shiva’s crest and friendship with the water lily form an interconnected portrait. The song also draws on traditional stories and names, including Rohini and the hare-marked moon.
Musical context
Chatusra Matya is a ten-count cycle: 4 + 2 + 4. The lyric’s imagery holds several perspectives together—the moon visible in the sky, a divine figure and a presence within sacred mythology.