Manasu Nilpa
Outer worship cannot replace steadiness and integrity of mind.
| Music | Detail |
|---|---|
| Composer | Tyagaraja |
| Raga | Abhogi |
| Tala | Adi |
| Type | Kriti |
| Language | Telugu |
Lyrics
Pallavi
manasu nilpa śakti lēka pōtē madhura ghaṇṭa virula pūja ēmi jēyunu
Anupallavi
ghana durmaduḍai tā munigitē kāvēri mandākiṇi eṭubrōcunu
Charanam
sōmidamma sogasugāṇḍa kōritē sōmayāji svargārhuḍaunō
kāma krōdhuḍu tapambōnarcitē gāci rakṣiñcunō tyāgarājanuta
Meaning
The song asks what elaborate worship can achieve when a person cannot steady the mind. Sacred rivers cannot by themselves remove arrogance, nor can austerity become meaningful while desire and anger remain unchecked. Tyagaraja's examples direct attention away from outward appearance towards inward conduct. His questions do not dismiss worship; they insist that its gestures and disciplines must be accompanied by an honest transformation of the person performing them.