Om Sri Sai Ram
Ramapriya is one of the most popular ragas in Indian classical music. Sri Thyagarajaswamy, Muthuswamy Dikshitar and the lyricists of the kind used this raga to compose kirtanas. Jayadev's 'Ashtapadi' is also present in this raga. Based on this ragam, I was inspired and guided by Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba, whom we fondly call as 'Swamy', to compose a song or sankirtan which instantly won over the hearts of many devotees. The song was blessed and accepted by Swamy which is a reward in itself. And so the name Sai Ramapriya.
The fact that this ragam was dear to Sri Rama is reflected in the name 'ramapriya.' . 'Kavi Samrat' Sri Vishwanatha Satyanarayana, belonging to the genre of modern telugu literature describes in his greatest work of poetry, 'Srimad Ramayana Kalpavruksham' (which won him accolades and the most coveted Gyanapeeth award) describes as to how Sri Rama was enthralled by this ragam.
The story relates to the period when Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were in exile for a period of fourteen years. Sri Rama along with His consort and Lakshmana were admirers of mother nature and Sita in particular loved to spend time by the banks of rivers and lakes. Once, on the request of Sita, the trio decided to rest by the lake when they heard a beautiful song that enchanted Lord Sri Rama instantly. Lakshmana, who was ever alert from the scheming rakshasas suspected it to be one of their ploys and drew an arrow to kill the demon . Sri Rama then stopped him by saying that they should first listen to the song that so delighted Him. The ragam that charmed Sri Rama is called 'Ramapriya' ragam, as is described by the kavi.
Significance of Ramapriya raga tatvam...
Ramapriya is the 52nd Melakartha ragam. Its tatvam is 'bhooprastharam', 'brahmachakram'. The shatchakras and brahma, vishnu, rudra grandhulu reside latently in human body. These chakras are the centers of pranashakthi which represents shakthi as cosmic energy in latent state in our body. The kundalini shakthi is the passive form and in the shape of a serpent surrounding the 'muladhara' chakra. Through yoga sadhana, this energy is activated through all these chakras from muladharam to sahasraram, where the shakthi unites with the sahasraram and this sahasrar chakram is the bindu sthanam (center point) in Sri Chakram. For more information on chakras, refer to http://www.namaste.it/kundalini/kundalini_eng/chakras.html. The active kundalini shakthi unites with its base which is the parabrahma and this state is referred to as the 'brahmaikya sthithi', a non-dual state of unity. This 'brahmaikya sthithi' is the union of shiva and shakthi in the form of a bindu in Sri chakra. This is called the Amrutatvam. The sivagamas describe this as shiva-shakthi samarasyam. Yogis and rishis are able to achieve this state through mantra, dhyana and yoga Sadhana. Sri Tyagarajaswamy Dikshitar, Annamacharya and the vaggeyakaras of the kind achieved this yoga siddhi through their bhakthi-based music.
Owing to the peculiar divine significance attributed to this ragam, it could render both supreme joy and bliss to Sri Rama, the paratpara and His shakthi-swarupini Sita when they heard it in union. Adi-narayana, Who took a human form in this world as Sri Rama to destroy the evil, was so mesmerized by ramapriya ragam that for a moment he was transported back to his blissful state or chidananda sthithi (a state where senses such as love, hatred etc. do not exist). Because this ragam had the power to enchant Lord Sri Rama Himself, it became universally popular as the ramapriya ragam as described by Sri Vishwanatha Satyanarayana in His Ramayana Kalpavruksha 'kavyam'.
Sri V.S.R. Murthy, who is a well-known orator and an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba has been giving sermons and commentaries on Srimad Ramayana kalpavruksham by Vishwanatha to Sri Satya Sai Baba Bhaktha Samiti, Kacheguda, Hyderabad. In one of his sermons, he was describing to the spell-bound audience the context and background of ramapriya ragam (how Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were charmed by ramapriya in the story mentioned above in the blog). During that time, it occured to him that a sankirtan should be composed based on this ragam and he shared this thought with the audience. On hearing this, I was overwhelmed with excitement to venture into this task despite the fact that I am not so well-versed in music. I decided to proceed with the composition after having prayed to Sri Satya Sai to bless me and the final composition is an evidence that Swamy blesses every good thought. Just as Rama was captivated by this ragam in those days, similarly, Swamy in the form of Sai Rama in these times infused the spark of interest, inspired, guided and blessed me with success. Therefore, the task was accomplished without much difficulty and effort and I could compose two charanas dedicated to Rama and Sri Satya Sai. We, the members of Sri Satya Sai Samiti, Kacheguda, dedicated this song to Sri Satya Sai Baba. The song was sung by Smt. Kanakavalli, a unit member and myself. The song was personally accepted and blessed by Swamy at Puttaparthy after a few days.
Therapical effect of the ramapriya ragam...
Ramapriya ragam has also got the effect of a medical therapy, which is clearly known from the experience of a lady, a native of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The lady (name not known) was a teacher in music. Unfortunately, she was affected by leprosy and was socially boycotted by everybody in her place. She could not conduct her music classes too. In that state of health, she was advised to go to Vijayayanagaram, which is a well-known centre for classical carnatic music in A.P. There she met one Sadhu (Saint), who advised her to play RAMAPRIYA RAGAM on veena every day for six months with utmost devotion and dedication and blessed her. He assured her that she would be cured completely by playing this ragam. Honouring his advise, the lady, irrespective of her health and hardship she encountered, played the ramapriya ragam everyday on her veena with utmost honesty, sincerity and great devotion and concentration.
True to the sadhu's words and His blessings, the music teacher got completely cured of her leprosy within six months without any other treatment or medicines. She did not suffer with any illness later too. This episode shows the medicinal effect of singing ramapriya ragam.
The following are the lyrics of the Sai Ramapriya sankirtan:
ramam sriramam, raghukula somam ramam || ramam||
rama, srirarama, moon of the raghukula clan
ramapriya sitamanobhiramam ramam || ramam||
rama to whom sita is dear and to the sita whose's heart is filled with delight by rama
danujavisoshana dashamukha mardana || ramam ||
one who weakened the power of the rakshasas and killed the ten-headed rakshasa
dandakavana parijatham sriramam || ramam||
parijatham is kalpavruskham that fulfills all desires, rama is compared to kalpavruksham who fulfilled desires, granted boons and bliss to the saints and sages in the dandakavana forest
munijana pujitha moksha pradayaka
to the one who is worshiped by the sages and grants salvation
bhakthajanapriya partipuriswaram
one who is a favorite of the devotees and the one who lives in Puttaparti
bhakthajanapriya satyasaisam ramam || ramam||
one who is a favorite of the devotees is satya sai baba
Author - Dr. I.V. Kanthalakshmi
English Translation - Smt. Reena Raghav
Ramapriya is one of the most popular ragas in Indian classical music. Sri Thyagarajaswamy, Muthuswamy Dikshitar and the lyricists of the kind used this raga to compose kirtanas. Jayadev's 'Ashtapadi' is also present in this raga. Based on this ragam, I was inspired and guided by Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba, whom we fondly call as 'Swamy', to compose a song or sankirtan which instantly won over the hearts of many devotees. The song was blessed and accepted by Swamy which is a reward in itself. And so the name Sai Ramapriya.
The fact that this ragam was dear to Sri Rama is reflected in the name 'ramapriya.' . 'Kavi Samrat' Sri Vishwanatha Satyanarayana, belonging to the genre of modern telugu literature describes in his greatest work of poetry, 'Srimad Ramayana Kalpavruksham' (which won him accolades and the most coveted Gyanapeeth award) describes as to how Sri Rama was enthralled by this ragam.
The story relates to the period when Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were in exile for a period of fourteen years. Sri Rama along with His consort and Lakshmana were admirers of mother nature and Sita in particular loved to spend time by the banks of rivers and lakes. Once, on the request of Sita, the trio decided to rest by the lake when they heard a beautiful song that enchanted Lord Sri Rama instantly. Lakshmana, who was ever alert from the scheming rakshasas suspected it to be one of their ploys and drew an arrow to kill the demon . Sri Rama then stopped him by saying that they should first listen to the song that so delighted Him. The ragam that charmed Sri Rama is called 'Ramapriya' ragam, as is described by the kavi.
Significance of Ramapriya raga tatvam...
Ramapriya is the 52nd Melakartha ragam. Its tatvam is 'bhooprastharam', 'brahmachakram'. The shatchakras and brahma, vishnu, rudra grandhulu reside latently in human body. These chakras are the centers of pranashakthi which represents shakthi as cosmic energy in latent state in our body. The kundalini shakthi is the passive form and in the shape of a serpent surrounding the 'muladhara' chakra. Through yoga sadhana, this energy is activated through all these chakras from muladharam to sahasraram, where the shakthi unites with the sahasraram and this sahasrar chakram is the bindu sthanam (center point) in Sri Chakram. For more information on chakras, refer to http://www.namaste.it/kundalini/kundalini_eng/chakras.html. The active kundalini shakthi unites with its base which is the parabrahma and this state is referred to as the 'brahmaikya sthithi', a non-dual state of unity. This 'brahmaikya sthithi' is the union of shiva and shakthi in the form of a bindu in Sri chakra. This is called the Amrutatvam. The sivagamas describe this as shiva-shakthi samarasyam. Yogis and rishis are able to achieve this state through mantra, dhyana and yoga Sadhana. Sri Tyagarajaswamy Dikshitar, Annamacharya and the vaggeyakaras of the kind achieved this yoga siddhi through their bhakthi-based music.
Owing to the peculiar divine significance attributed to this ragam, it could render both supreme joy and bliss to Sri Rama, the paratpara and His shakthi-swarupini Sita when they heard it in union. Adi-narayana, Who took a human form in this world as Sri Rama to destroy the evil, was so mesmerized by ramapriya ragam that for a moment he was transported back to his blissful state or chidananda sthithi (a state where senses such as love, hatred etc. do not exist). Because this ragam had the power to enchant Lord Sri Rama Himself, it became universally popular as the ramapriya ragam as described by Sri Vishwanatha Satyanarayana in His Ramayana Kalpavruksha 'kavyam'.
Sri V.S.R. Murthy, who is a well-known orator and an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba has been giving sermons and commentaries on Srimad Ramayana kalpavruksham by Vishwanatha to Sri Satya Sai Baba Bhaktha Samiti, Kacheguda, Hyderabad. In one of his sermons, he was describing to the spell-bound audience the context and background of ramapriya ragam (how Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were charmed by ramapriya in the story mentioned above in the blog). During that time, it occured to him that a sankirtan should be composed based on this ragam and he shared this thought with the audience. On hearing this, I was overwhelmed with excitement to venture into this task despite the fact that I am not so well-versed in music. I decided to proceed with the composition after having prayed to Sri Satya Sai to bless me and the final composition is an evidence that Swamy blesses every good thought. Just as Rama was captivated by this ragam in those days, similarly, Swamy in the form of Sai Rama in these times infused the spark of interest, inspired, guided and blessed me with success. Therefore, the task was accomplished without much difficulty and effort and I could compose two charanas dedicated to Rama and Sri Satya Sai. We, the members of Sri Satya Sai Samiti, Kacheguda, dedicated this song to Sri Satya Sai Baba. The song was sung by Smt. Kanakavalli, a unit member and myself. The song was personally accepted and blessed by Swamy at Puttaparthy after a few days.
Therapical effect of the ramapriya ragam...
Ramapriya ragam has also got the effect of a medical therapy, which is clearly known from the experience of a lady, a native of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The lady (name not known) was a teacher in music. Unfortunately, she was affected by leprosy and was socially boycotted by everybody in her place. She could not conduct her music classes too. In that state of health, she was advised to go to Vijayayanagaram, which is a well-known centre for classical carnatic music in A.P. There she met one Sadhu (Saint), who advised her to play RAMAPRIYA RAGAM on veena every day for six months with utmost devotion and dedication and blessed her. He assured her that she would be cured completely by playing this ragam. Honouring his advise, the lady, irrespective of her health and hardship she encountered, played the ramapriya ragam everyday on her veena with utmost honesty, sincerity and great devotion and concentration.
True to the sadhu's words and His blessings, the music teacher got completely cured of her leprosy within six months without any other treatment or medicines. She did not suffer with any illness later too. This episode shows the medicinal effect of singing ramapriya ragam.
The following are the lyrics of the Sai Ramapriya sankirtan:
ramam sriramam, raghukula somam ramam || ramam||
rama, srirarama, moon of the raghukula clan
ramapriya sitamanobhiramam ramam || ramam||
rama to whom sita is dear and to the sita whose's heart is filled with delight by rama
danujavisoshana dashamukha mardana || ramam ||
one who weakened the power of the rakshasas and killed the ten-headed rakshasa
dandakavana parijatham sriramam || ramam||
parijatham is kalpavruskham that fulfills all desires, rama is compared to kalpavruksham who fulfilled desires, granted boons and bliss to the saints and sages in the dandakavana forest
munijana pujitha moksha pradayaka
to the one who is worshiped by the sages and grants salvation
bhakthajanapriya partipuriswaram
one who is a favorite of the devotees and the one who lives in Puttaparti
bhakthajanapriya satyasaisam ramam || ramam||
one who is a favorite of the devotees is satya sai baba
Author - Dr. I.V. Kanthalakshmi
English Translation - Smt. Reena Raghav
