Source - https://www.transliteral.org/
Original Lyrics - Shri Vitthala Dasa
Translation - Gemini + Shri. Shrinath P. Shenoy
Note - The lyrics are not pronounced correctly in this version, and one stanza is out of order. But that should not take away the credit for being one of the beautiful renditions of this piece. I consider this as one step taken in the right direction by the producers and artistes, with whatever limited understanding they had about the lyrics.
Lyrics and Translation (corrected)
निद्रा करि बाळा मनमोहना । रामा लक्षुमणा ॥धृ॥
Sleep, my child, ornament of the family, son of Dasharatha.
Sleep, my beloved child, Rama and Lakshmana.
पुत्र जन्मला हृषीकेशी । कौसल्येचे कुशी ॥१॥
A cradle was set in Ayodhya, in Dasharatha's lineage.
A son, Hrushikeshi (Lord Vishnu), was born from Kaushalya's womb.
वरती पहुडले कुलदिपक । त्रिभुवननायक ॥२॥
The jewel-studded cradle gleams, priceless.
Above it rests the lamp of the lineage, the Lord of the three worlds.
पुष्पे वर्षिली सुरवरी । गर्जती जयजयकार ॥३॥
Beautiful Kaushalya rocks it, holding the string of knowledge.
Gods shower flowers, resounding with shouts of victory.
तुजवर कुरवंडी करुनिया । सांडिन आपुली काया ॥४॥
O All-pervading Raghuraya, sleep, my friend.
I will sacrifice myself for you, doing a protective ritual (kuravandi)
राम परब्रहा साचार । सातवा अवतार ॥५॥
Sage Vasishta quickly came and speaking of his divine birth, declared
Rama is truly the Supreme Being, the seventh incarnation.
जाईल सीतेच्या स्वयंवरा । उद्धरि गौतमदारा ॥६॥
He protected the yagna (sacrifice) and killed the rakshasas (Khara Dushana Tataki).
He went to Sita's Swayamvara and liberated Ahalya (Gautama's wife).
रावण लज्जित महाकोप । नव्हे पण हा सोपा ॥७॥
He married beautiful Janaki (Sita), breaking Shiva's bow.
Ravana was greatly enraged and shamed, realising the difficulty of the condition (for Sita's swayamvara)
सिंधूजलडोही अवलीळा । नामे तरतिल शिळा ।
त्यावरी उतरुनिया दयाळा । नेईल वानरमेळा ॥८॥
By his name, stones floated effortlessly on the ocean's waters.
Crossing upon them, the compassionate one led the army of monkeys.
देव सोडविले संपूर्ण । आनंदले त्रिभुवन ॥९॥
Completely destroying Ravana, he established Vibhishana.
He liberated all the gods, and the three worlds rejoiced.
दास विठ्ठले ऎकिला । पाळणा गाईला ॥१०॥
Rama is hungry for devotion, he becomes subservient to his devotees.
Thus, Vitthala Dasa (the poet) heard this and sang this lullaby.
Foot-note
कुरवंडी (Kuravandi) is a traditional Indian ritual, primarily practiced in Maharashtra and other parts of India, which involves waving certain items around a person or an idol to ward off evil or negative influences, and to bring good fortune.
Here's a breakdown of what it entails:
The Act: It involves a circular motion, often with specific items like:
Lamps (deepa/arati):
Waving lamps or an arati (a plate with lit wicks) around an idol or a person is a very common form of kuravandi, especially in religious contexts. This is done to honor the deity/person and to dispel any negative energy. Rice, salt, turmeric, kumkum: These ingredients are often used, particularly during auspicious occasions like weddings or welcoming a new baby.
The belief is that these items absorb any negative energy or "evil eye" directed towards the person, and then they are usually discarded.
Purpose:
To remove malignant influences/evil eye (drishta): This is a primary reason for performing kuravandi.
It's believed that others' envy or negative thoughts can cause harm, and this ritual helps to counteract that. To bestow blessings and good fortune: By cleansing the aura, it's thought to invite positive energy and prosperity.
As a gesture of love and protection: Especially when performed by elders for children, or by a wife for her husband, it's a symbolic act of wishing them well and protecting them.
The Song: Sometimes, as mentioned in the dictionary definition, "kuravandi" can also refer to the song appropriate to this rite.
The lullaby you provided is a perfect example, as the line "Tujavar kuravandi karuniya" (performing kuravandi over you) directly refers to this protective ritual for baby Rama.
In essence, kuravandi is a ritual rooted in folk beliefs and cultural practices, intended to safeguard loved ones and bring auspiciousness.
