Manavinalakincha

An appeal to the mind to recognise Rama’s compassion and the example of his human life.

Music	Detail
Composer	Tyagaraja
Raga	Nalinakanti
Tala	Adi
Type	Kriti
Language	Telugu

Lyrics

Pallavi

manavinālakinca rādaṭē
marmamella telpedanē manasā

Anupallavi

ghanuḍaina rāma candruni
karuṇāntaraṅgamu telisina nā

Charanam

karma kāṇḍa matākṛṣṭulai bhava
gahana cārulai gāsi jendaga
kani mānavāvatāruḍai
kanipincināḍē naḍata tyāgarāju

Meaning

The mind is invited to listen closely. Tyagaraja contrasts getting lost in the demands and rewards of ritual with understanding Rama’s compassionate example. The image of people wandering through a dense forest gives shape to spiritual confusion; Rama’s human life offers a way to orient oneself.

Musical context

The familiar sung title Manavyalakinchara points to this same work. In the text, the appeal is directed inward to manasā, the mind; noticing the addressee changes how the opening plea is heard.