Avabodhak

Duggani Embodu

Roman (IAST) lyrics with meaning · composed by Purandara Dāsa · devaranama · 13 verses

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Also available in: DevanagariKannada

duggāṇi èṃbòdu durjana saṃgha

duggāṇi èṃbòdu durjana saṃgha
This thing called money is the company of the wicked;

Verse 2 — duggāṇi balu kèṭṭadaṇṇa

duggāṇi balu kèṭṭadaṇṇa
money is a truly evil thing, brother.

Verse 3 — ācāra hel̤odu duggāṇi

ācāra hel̤odu duggāṇi
It is money that preaches right conduct,

Verse 4 — balu nīcara māḍodu duggāṇi

balu nīcara māḍodu duggāṇi
and money that makes men utterly base.

Verse 5 — nācikèyilladè manè manè tirugi

nācikèyilladè manè manè tirugi
Shamelessly wandering house to house,

Verse 6 — chī chī ènisodu duggāṇiyaṇṇa

chī chī ènisodu duggāṇiyaṇṇa
it is money that earns one contempt, brother.

Verse 7 — nèṃṭatana hel̤odu duggāṇi

nèṃṭatana hel̤odu duggāṇi
It is money that claims kinship,

Verse 8 — bahunèṃṭaranòlisuvudu duggāṇi

bahunèṃṭaranòlisuvudu duggāṇi
and money that wins over a host of relatives.

Verse 9 — òṃṭè hāṃgè morè melakkè sèl̤akòṃḍu

òṃṭè hāṃgè morè melakkè sèl̤akòṃḍu
Making one hold oneʼs face up haughtily like a camel,

Verse 10 — kuṃṭanènisodu duggāṇiyaṇṇa

kuṃṭanènisodu duggāṇiyaṇṇa
it is money that cripples one with pride, brother.

Verse 11 — mānava hel̤odu duggāṇi

mānava hel̤odu duggāṇi
It is money that confers honour,

Verse 12 — māna hadègèḍisodu duggāṇi

māna hadègèḍisodu duggāṇi
and money that lays oneʼs honour in ruin.

Verse 13 — bahumāna nidhi śrī puraṃdara viṭhṭhalana

bahumāna nidhi śrī puraṃdara viṭhṭhalana
It keeps one from beholding the treasure of highest honour, Śrī Purandara Viṭhala —

Verse 14 — kāṇisadiruvudu duggāṇiyaṇṇa

kāṇisadiruvudu duggāṇiyaṇṇa
that is what money does, brother. (the poetʼs signature)

About Duggani Embodu

Duggani Embodu 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 Duggani Embodu and what does it mean?

Duggani Embodu is a Kannada devaranama (devotional hymn), composed by Purandara Dāsa, addressed to Vishnu, of 13 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 Duggani Embodu correctly?

Avabodhak presents Duggani Embodu 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 Duggani Embodu?

Avabodhak pairs each verse of Duggani Embodu 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 Duggani Embodu?

Duggani Embodu is attributed to Purandara Dāsa.

In which scripts can I read Duggani Embodu?

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

Can I chant or practice Duggani Embodu online?

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