Now that you have taken a human birth and have a tongue — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Remembering Kṛṣṇa, no trouble remains — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (the pallavi)
Verse 2 — मलगॆद्दु मैमुरिदु एळुतलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ |…
मलगॆद्दु मैमुरिदु एळुतलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | नित्य सुळिदाडुत मनॆयॊळगादरु ऒम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || १ |
Even as you stretch in bed and rise with aching limbs — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even as you bustle about the house each day — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (1)
Verse 3 — स्नान पान जप तपगळ माडुत | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ |…
स्नान पान जप तपगळ माडुत | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | शाल्यान्न षड्रस तिंदु तृप्तनागि | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || २ |
Even while bathing, drinking, performing japa and tapas — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even when satisfied eating the six flavours of śāli rice — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (2)
Verse 4 — मेरॆ तप्पि मातनाडुवगलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ |…
मेरॆ तप्पि मातनाडुवगलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | दॊड्ड दारिय नडॆवाग भारव हॊरुवाग | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || ३ |
Even in the moment of speaking words that overstep the bounds — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even when walking the long road and bearing a heavy load — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (3)
Even when you apply the sandal paste and chew the betel — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even when you sport in leisurely dalliance with your beloved — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (4)
Verse 6 — परिहास्यद मातनाडुतलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | परि…
परिहास्यद मातनाडुतलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | परि परि कॆलसदॊळ्-ऒंदु कॆलसवॆंदु | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || ५ |
parihāsyada mātanāḍutalòmmè | kṛṣṇa ènabāradè | pari pari kèlasadòl̤-òṃdu kèlasavèṃdu | kṛṣṇa ènabāradè || 5 |
Even in the moment of speaking playful, mocking words — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even in the midst of varied tasks, setting aside one task — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (5)
Verse 7 — कंदन बिगिदप्पि मुद्दाडुतलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ…
कंदन बिगिदप्पि मुद्दाडुतलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | बहु चंदुळ्ळ हासिगॆ मेलॆ कुळितॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || ६ |
Even when you press your little one close and fondle him — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even as you sit upon a many-pillowed luxurious bed — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (6)
Verse 8 — नीगदालोचनॆ रोगोपद्रवदलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारद |…
नीगदालोचनॆ रोगोपद्रवदलॊम्मॆ | कृष्ण ऎनबारद | ऒळ्ळॆ भोग पडॆदु अनुरागदिंदिरुवाग | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || ७ |
Even in the moment of anxious deliberation, in the onslaught of illness — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? Even when you enjoy fine pleasures and abide in love — why not call on Kṛṣṇa? (7)
Verse 9 — दुरितराशिगळनु तरिदु बिसाडुव | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ |…
दुरितराशिगळनु तरिदु बिसाडुव | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ | सदा गरुडवाहन सिरिपुरंदर विठलन्ने | कृष्ण ऎनबारदॆ || ८ |
Who casts away the heaps of sins — call on Kṛṣṇa! Who is forever the rider of Garuḍa, the glorious Purandara Viṭhala — call on that very Kṛṣṇa! (the poet's signature) (8)
About Nara Janma Bandaga
Nara Janma Bandaga is a Kannada devaranama, composed by Purandara Dāsa, addressed to Krishna — a Devaranama. It is presented here in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada, each verse with its English meaning. Source text: haridasaseva.com.
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".
Nara Janma Bandaga is a Kannada devaranama (devotional hymn), composed by Purandara Dāsa, addressed to Krishna, of 8 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 Nara Janma Bandaga correctly?
Avabodhak presents Nara Janma Bandaga 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 Nara Janma Bandaga?
Avabodhak pairs each verse of Nara Janma Bandaga 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 Nara Janma Bandaga?
Nara Janma Bandaga is attributed to Purandara Dāsa.
In which scripts can I read Nara Janma Bandaga?
Nara Janma Bandaga is available in Devanagari, Roman (IAST), Kannada on Avabodhak, each with English meaning and IAST transliteration.
Can I chant or practice Nara Janma Bandaga online?
Yes — Avabodhak offers a free reading view plus guided practice and word-puzzle modes to help you chant and memorise Nara Janma Bandaga.