Rama Niyeda

Love, not outward resemblance, gives Rama's name its sweetness.

Music	Detail
Composer	Tyagaraja
Raga	Kharaharapriya
Tala	Madhyadi
Type	Kriti
Language	Telugu

Lyrics

Pallavi

rāma nīyeḍa prēma rahitulaku nāmaruci delusunā o sītā

Anupallavi

kāminī vēṣa sādhvīnadaṭa lēmaina delusunā rīti sītā

Charanam

tana saukhyamu tānērugaka yorukalu tanu bōdhana sukhamā
ghanamagu puli gōri rūpamaina tyāgarājanuta śiśuvu pālu galgunā

Meaning

Can someone without love for Rama know the sweetness of his name? Tyagaraja develops the question through contrasts between appearance and reality. Costume does not create virtue, and assuming a nurturing form does not produce genuine nourishment. Likewise, instructing others about a happiness one has not experienced is empty. The song places inward participation before display: the taste of devotion cannot be supplied by merely imitating its outward signs.