This song is attributed to Purandara Dasa, the father of Carnatic music and a profound saint-poet.
It beautifully critiques performative spirituality and reminds us that sincere devotion—especially through Nama Smarana (chanting the name of the Lord)—is more meaningful than elaborate rituals.
nArAyaNa enna bArade
“Why do you refrain from uttering ‘Narayana’?
nimma nAligeyoLu muLLu muridihude kallu jaDidihude
Has a thorn struck your tongue, or has it turned to stone?”
ЁЯМ┐ Verse 1:
vAraNAsige pOgi dura baLaleke
Why wander far to Varanasi?
nIra kAvaDi pottu tirugalEke
Why carry pots of water and roam about?
UrUru tappade dEshAntaraveke
Why travel from town to town, from one land to another?
dArige sAdhanavallave harinAma
Isn’t chanting the Lord’s name the real path to salvation?
ЁЯХп️ Verse 2:
nityOpavAsaviddu hasidu baLaleke
Why suffer through endless fasting, starving in vain?
matte caLiyoLu gange muLugaleke
Why plunge into the freezing waters of the Ganges?
hastava piDidu mADuva japa tapavEke
Why strain your hands in ritualistic chanting and austerities?
muktige sAdhanavallave harinAma
Isn’t the Lord’s name the truest means to liberation?
ЁЯЫХ Verse 3:
satisutaranu biTTu yatigaLAshramavEke
Why abandon your virtuous wife and children and seek monastic life?
vrata krcchara nEma niSTegaLEtake
What’s the point of rigid vows, severe penance, and rituals?
pruthiyoLage namma purandara viTTalana
When Purandara Vitthala lives among us on this very earth,
atishayadindomme nenedare sAlade
Isn’t remembering Him with deep devotion enough?
nArAyaNa enna bArade
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