Paluke Bangaramayena (Bhadrachala Ramadasu)
పలుకే బంగారమాయెన
Also known as: paluke bangaramayena · paluke bangaaramaayena · paluke bangaramayene kodandapani · ramadasu paluke bangaramayena · paluke bangaramayena
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✦ Meaning
'Paluke Bangaramayena' is among the most beloved Telugu keertanas of Bhadrachala Ramadasu (Kancherla Gopanna), the 17th-century saint of Lord Rama at Bhadrachalam. In it the saint pleads tenderly, half-reproachfully, with Rama: 'Has even a word from You become as rare as gold? I call and call, yet You do not answer.' Recalling how the Lord rushed to save His child-devotees of old, Ramadasu places all his trust in Rama's name and begs to be taken into His care. It is a moving cry of intimate, longing devotion.
Origin & Story
Telugu keertana of Bhadrachala Ramadasu (Kancherla Gopanna), in praise of Lord Rama (17th century CE) · Bhadrachala Ramadasu (Kancherla Gopanna) · 17th century CE
Kancherla Gopanna, a tahsildar under the Golconda Sultanate, was so devoted to Lord Rama that he spent the state revenue to renovate the temple at Bhadrachalam. Imprisoned by the Sultan for the unpaid sum, he poured out his anguish and love in songs to Rama, including 'Paluke Bangaramayena', begging the Lord to answer and to take him into His care. Tradition holds that Rama and Lakshmana miraculously repaid the sum to the Sultan and freed him.
✦ As told in scripture
Tradition tells that while Ramadasu languished in the Golconda prison, Lord Rama and Lakshmana themselves appeared before the Sultan at night and repaid the entire sum of gold coins spent on the temple, securing the saint's release — a miracle that answered the very cry of 'Paluke Bangaramayena'.
Complete Text with Meaning
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పలుకే బంగారమాయెన కోదండపాణి పలుకే బంగారమాయె
palukē baṅgāramāyena kōdaṇḍapāṇi palukē baṅgāramāye
Meaning:Has Your word turned to gold, O Kodandapani (Rama, bearer of the bow)? Has even a single word from You become so rare and precious?
పలుకే బంగారమాయె పిలిచిన పలుకవేమి కలలో నీ నామస్మరణ మరువ చక్కని తండ్రి
palukē baṅgāramāye piliciNa palukavēmi kalalō nī nāmasmaraṇa maruva cakkani taṇḍri
Meaning:Has Your word become gold? Though I call upon You, why will You not answer? — O gracious Father, I who do not forget the remembrance of Your name even in my dreams.
ఇరువుగ ఇసుక లోన బాలుడు నాడాడుచుండగ కరుణతో నీవు బ్రోచిన కథలు వింటిని తండ్రి
iruvuga isuka lōna bāluḍu nāḍāḍucuṇḍaga karuṇatō nīvu brōcina kathalu viṇṭini taṇḍri
Meaning:I have heard the stories, O Father, of how, when the child was at play settled in the sand, You in Your compassion came and protected him.
రామదాసుని పోషకుడని నీ నామమె నమ్మితి ఏమయ్య రామ నన్ను ఏలుకోవయ్య తండ్రి
rāmadāsuni pōṣakuḍani nī nāmame nammiti ēmayya rāma nannu ēlukōvayya taṇḍri
Meaning:Trusting that You are the sustainer of this Ramadasa, I have placed my faith in Your name alone. What is this, O Rama? Please take me into Your care and rule over me, O Father.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Paluke Bangaramayena (Bhadrachala Ramadasu)
A heartfelt cry of intimate devotion to Lord Rama, expressing total trust in His name even amid longing and complaint.
Sung in homes and temples in praise of Rama, especially at Bhadrachalam and during Rama Navami.
Believed to draw the grace and protection of Rama, who never abandons those who trust in His name.
Cultivates the tender, personal relationship with God as Father (tandri), the special mood of Ramadasu.
A treasured keertana of the saint who built the Bhadrachalam temple, sung across the Telugu lands for centuries.
How to Chant Paluke Bangaramayena (Bhadrachala Ramadasu)
Sit before an image of Lord Rama (Kodandapani) and sing or recite the keertana with feeling, pouring out the heart's longing and trust as Ramadasu did. The songs are meant to be sung; if recited, chant the refrain 'Paluke bangaramayena Kodandapani' tenderly, surrendering all to Rama's name and care.