Acharavillada Nalige

Roman (IAST) lyrics with meaning · composed by Purandara Dāsa · devaranama · 15 verses

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Also available in: Devanagari Kannada

ācāravillada nāligè ninna

ācāravillada nāligè ninna

O undisciplined tongue,

Verse 2 — nīcaguṇava biḍu nāligè

nīcaguṇava biḍu nāligè

give up your base ways, O tongue.

Verse 3 — vicāravilladè parara dūṣipudakkè

vicāravilladè parara dūṣipudakkè

Thoughtlessly, only to slander others,

Verse 4 — cāci kòṃḍiruvaṃtha nāligè

cāci kòṃḍiruvaṃtha nāligè

you keep yourself outstretched, O tongue.

Verse 5 — iddamātanāḍu nāligè hiḍi

iddamātanāḍu nāligè hiḍi

Speak only what is true, O tongue; hold fast —

Verse 6 — dòddarū husibeḍa nāligè

dòddarū husibeḍa nāligè

even if kicked and beaten, never lie, O tongue.

Verse 7 — iddukòṃḍu uṇṇu amṛtānnagal̤anu

iddukòṃḍu uṇṇu amṛtānnagal̤anu

Abide, and feast on ambrosial fare,

Verse 8 — buddhiyaliru kaṃḍèya nāligè

buddhiyaliru kaṃḍèya nāligè

stay wise — do you understand, O tongue?

Verse 9 — baḍavara mātigè nāligè nī

baḍavara mātigè nāligè nī

At the words of the poor, O tongue, you

Verse 10 — kaḍucatura nuḍiyadiru nāligè

kaḍucatura nuḍiyadiru nāligè

must not retort with sharp cleverness, O tongue.

Verse 11 — hiḍidu kòṃḍòyvaru yamana bhaṭaru ninna

hiḍidu kòṃḍòyvaru yamana bhaṭaru ninna

Yama’s messengers will seize and drag you off;

Verse 12 — nuḍi kaṃḍèya hariyaṃdu nāligè

nuḍi kaṃḍèya hariyaṃdu nāligè

so utter “Hari”, O tongue.

Verse 13 — haripādavè gatiyèṃdu nāligè ninagè

haripādavè gatiyèṃdu nāligè ninagè

Hari’s feet alone are the refuge, O tongue; for you,

Verse 14 — parara ciṃtèyekè nāligè

parara ciṃtèyekè nāligè

why fret over others, O tongue?

Verse 15 — sirivara puraṃdara viṭhṭhalarāyananu

sirivara puraṃdara viṭhṭhalarāyananu

The Lord of Lakṣmī, Purandara Viṭhala —

Verse 16 — marèyadè nènè kaṃḍèya nāligè

marèyadè nènè kaṃḍèya nāligè

remember Him unfailingly, O tongue.

About Acharavillada Nalige

Acharavillada Nalige is a Kannada devaranama, composed by Purandara Dāsa, addressed to Vishnu — a Devaranama. It is presented here in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada, each verse with its English meaning. Source text: Kannada Wikisource.

Revered as the Pitāmaha (grandfather) of Carnatic music and a foremost Haridasa saint of Karnataka; a disciple of Vyāsatīrtha who composed a vast number of Kannada devaranamas under the signature "Purandara Viṭhala".

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Frequently asked questions

What is Acharavillada Nalige and what does it mean?

Acharavillada Nalige is a Kannada devaranama (devotional hymn), composed by Purandara Dāsa, addressed to Vishnu, of 15 verses. On Avabodhak every verse is shown with its English meaning, so you can understand the text line by line as you read.

How do I pronounce Acharavillada Nalige correctly?

Avabodhak presents Acharavillada Nalige in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada alongside IAST Roman transliteration that marks every long vowel (ā, ī, ū) and conjunct consonant. Reading the Devanagari text with the IAST line lets you follow the exact pronunciation syllable by syllable, and the guided practice mode replays it line by line.

What is the word-by-word meaning of Acharavillada Nalige?

Avabodhak pairs each verse of Acharavillada Nalige with its English meaning, and the practice view breaks lines into individual words — so you learn what each word means, not just the overall sense.

Who composed Acharavillada Nalige?

Acharavillada Nalige is attributed to Purandara Dāsa.

In which scripts can I read Acharavillada Nalige?

Acharavillada Nalige is available in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada on Avabodhak, each with English meaning and IAST transliteration.

Can I chant or practice Acharavillada Nalige online?

Yes — Avabodhak offers a free reading view plus guided practice and word-puzzle modes to help you chant and memorise Acharavillada Nalige.