kana kana rucirā

Tyagaraja revels in the joy of beholding Rama, whose radiant form grows sweeter with every gaze. With poetic imagery, he describes Rama’s divine beauty and boundless grace. Overflowing with love and reverence, this song is a testament to the irresistible allure of the Lord’s presence.

Charming Rama
kana kana rucirā
kanaka-vasana, ninnu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
The more I behold you, the sweeter it becomes,
O Golden-robed one!
dina-dinamunu manasuna canuvuna ninnu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
Day after day, with love in my heart, (the more I behold…)
pālu-gāru mōmuna śrīyapāra
mahima tanaru ninnu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
That charming face, radiant with auspiciousness
And boundless glory, (the more I behold…)
kalakalamanu mukha-kaḷa galigina sīta
kulukucunōra kannulanu jūcu ninnu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
Whom Sita, with her radiant, cheerful glow,
Graces with elegant side-glances, (the more I behold…)
bālārkābha sucēla maṇi-maya-
mālālaṅkṛta kandhara
sarasijākṣa vara-kapōla surucira-
kirīṭa-dhara santatambu manasāraga (kana)
Show Word Meanings
Lord as radiant as the rising Sun, clad in fine garments!
Whose neck is adorned with a gem-studded necklace,
O Lotus-eyed One, with cheeks that gleam,
Crowned in brilliance! Unceasingly, to my heart’s delight,
The more I behold You…
sāpatni mātayau surucicē
karṇa śūlamaina māṭa vīnula
curukkana tāḷaka śrī harini
dhyāniñci sukhimpaga lēdāyaṭu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
Unable to endure the harsh words of his stepmother Suruchi,
Which pierced his ears like spikes,
Did not Dhruva find solace in meditating on Sri Hari?
In the same way, the more I behold You…
mṛga-mada lalāma śubha niṭala¹
vara jaṭāyu mōkṣa phalada
pavamāna sutuḍu² nīdu mahima delpa
sīta telisi³ valaci sokka lēdā ā rīti ninnu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
O Lord, whose noble forehead bears a mark of musk!
Bestower of liberation upon the blessed Jatayu!
Did not Sita, enraptured with love,
Rejoice as Hanuman spoke of Your glory?
In the same way, the more I behold You…
sukhāspada vimukhāmbu-dhara-pavana
vidēha-mānasa-viharāpta-
surabhūja mānita-guṇāṅka
cidānanda khaga-turaṅga
dhṛta-rathāṅga⁴ parama-dayākara
karuṇā-rasa-varuṇālaya
bhayāpahara śrī raghupatē (kana)
Show Word Meanings
O Abode of bliss! O mighty gale that scatters the clouds of foes!
Dweller in the hearts of the celestials!
O Wish-tree fulfilling the desires of your beloved ones!
Bearer of virtue’s mark, radiant with intellect and bliss!
Swift rider of Garuda, wielder of the mighty discus!
O Supreme fountain of compassion! Ocean of its nectar!
Destroyer of fear, Lord of the Raghus!
kāmiñci prēma-mīra karamula
nīdu pāda-kamalamula baṭṭukonu
vāḍu sākṣi rāmanāma-rasikuḍu
kailāsa-sadanuḍu sākṣi
Show Word Meanings
The one who, with overflowing love,
Holds Your lotus feet in his hands as he desires—[Hanuman]
He stands as a witness to my words.
[Shiva], the resident of Kailasa,
The enjoyer of Rama’s name, bears witness too.
mariyu nārada parāśara śuka śaunaka
purandara nagajā dharaja
mukhyulu sākṣi gāda sundarēśa
sukha kalaśāmbudhi-vāsāśritulakē (kana)
Show Word Meanings
Furthermore, exalted ones like sages Narada, Parasara, Suka, and Saunaka,
Indra, Parvati, and Sita—all stand as witnesses, do they not?
O pinnacle of beauty! One joyously dwelling in the Ocean of Milk!
For those who have sought refuge in You,
The more they behold You…
satatamu prēma-pūrituḍagu tyāgarāja-nuta
mukha-jita kumuda-hita varada ninnu (kana)
Show Word Meanings
One praised by Thyagaraja, ever brimming with love for You!
Whose face outshines the radiance of the moon!
O Bestower of boons!
  • General – In some books, only the last stanza is treated as Charana and others are called Svara Sahitya.
  • General – The order of Charanas is different in different books.
  • 1 niṭala – niṭila: niṭala - is the appropriate word.
  • 3 sīta dēvi
  • 2 pavamāna sutuḍu nī mahima telpa – In the Sundara kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, when Hanuman introduces himself to Mother Sita as the messenger of Sri Rama, in order to ascertain the veracity of the statement, Sita asks Hanuman to describe the personality of Sri Rama. When hanuman does so, Sita becomes enraptured by the description.
  • 4 dṛta rathāṅga – this may also refer to Lord Sri Krishna who took up the wheel of a chariot as a weapon to slay Bheeshma in the War of Mahabharata. Please refer to Mahabharata, Bheeshma Parva, Chapter 9 (Ninth day battle).