Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana Elli Nodidiri: Kannada song lyrics, translation! - eNidhi India Travel Blog

Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana Elli Nodidiri: Kannada song lyrics, translation!

This post provides lyrics and Kannada to English translation of popular Kannada devotional song, "Pillangovia Cheluva Krishnana Elli Nodidiri"

This song was written by saint Purandara Dasa, a 15th century saint born in Shivamogga district. He owns the complete IP of this song, I am only explaining this song for the purpose of those who would like to understand the song. The poem in summary asks if where all have you been able to see Lord Krishna and explains where all one can find SriKrishna.

Other songs I have translated are: Bhagyada Balegara * Baanigondu Elle ellide

Let us get started:
|| ಪಲ್ಲವಿ  || ಪಿಳ್ಳಂಗೋವಿಯ ಚೆಲುವ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಿರಿ...  ರಂಗನಾ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಿರಿ?
Pallavi (Main Para) : Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana Elli NODidiri? Ranganaa elli nODidiri rangana elli nODidiri
English: Where have you seen the beautiful Krishna playing with flute? Where have you seen Ranga (another name for Sri Krishna)

|| ಅನು ಪಲ್ಲವಿ  || ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದರಲ್ಲಿ ತಾನಿಲ್ಲ -ದಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಬಲ್ಲ ಜಾಣರೆ... 
                                                             ( ತಾನು ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಇಲ್ಲವೆಂದು)
Anu Pallavi (second main para): elli nODidaralli taanilla dillavendu balla jANaru
English: Krishna is not visible anywhere your eyes can reach. Intelligent people know that it takes lots of devotion to be able to see Lord Krishna. 



||ಚರಣ ೧  || ನಂದಗೋಪನ ಮಂದಿರಂಗಳ ಸಂದು-ಗೊಂದಿನಲಿ!
Nanda gopana mandirangala sandu gondinali
In nook and corners of temples of Nandagopa (another name for Krishna)

ಚಂದ ಚಂದದ ಗೋಪ ಬಾಲರ ವೃಂದ ವೃಂದದಲಿ!
chanda chandada gopa baalara vrunda vrundadali
In community of beautiful Gopalas (Boys taking care of cows)

ಸುಂದರಾಂಗದ ಸುಂದರೀಯರ ಹಿಂದು ಮುಂದಿನಲಿ!
Sundaraangada Sundariyara Hindu Mundinali
Behind and ahead of very beautiful girls (Gopikas)

ಅಂದ-ದಾಕಳ ಕಂದ ಕರುಗಳ ಮಂದೆ ಮಂದೆಯಲಿ!
Andadaakala kanda karugala mande mandeyali
In herds of beautiful cows and calves

(Above para lists various places where one can possibly find Sri Krishna, who is known to love cows, cow care takers and tease young girls)

|| ಪಲ್ಲವಿ  || ಪಿಳ್ಳಂಗೋವಿಯ ಚೆಲುವ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಿರಿ...  ರಂಗನಾ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಿರಿ?
Pallavi (Main Para) : Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana Elli NODidiri? Ranganaa elli nODidiri rangana elli nODidiri
English: Where have you seen the beautiful Krishna playing with flute? Where have you seen Ranga (another name for Sri Krishna)

||ಚರಣ   || ಈ ಚರಾಚರದೊಳಗೆ ಜನಂಗಳ ಆಚೆ ಈಚೆಯಲಿ
Ee charaacharadolage janangala aache eecheyali
In various living beings, around people

ಕೇಚರೇಂದ್ರನ ಸುತನ ರಥದ ಅಚ್ಚ ಪೀಠದಲಿ!
Kecharendrana Sutana Rathada Achcha Peethadali
In main seat of royal chariot of Kecharendra (refers to Lord Indra's son, Arjuna)- Krishna was the pilot for Arjuna in Mahabharatha epic.

ನಾಚದೆ ಮಾಧವ ಕೇಶವ ಎಂಬ (ಭಕ್ತರ) ವಾಚಕಂಗಳಲಿ
Naachade Maadhava Keshava emba (bhaktara) vaachakangaLali
In the lips and eyes of all devotees who pray without hesitation uttering "Madhava" , "Keshava" (another name for Sri Krishna) 
Note: Some singers are known to omit a word here n there to suit their tone, rythm etc. Like Bhaktara in above line)

ಬೀಚುಕೊಂಡದ ಪುರಂದರ ವಿಠಲನ ಲೋಚನಾಗ್ರದಲಿ 
In deepest thoughts of Purandana Vittana of Beechukonda.
Note: Unable to conclude if it is Beechukonda or Veechukonda or Peechukonda- refers to a place but unable to locate modern day name or location of the place. Experts please assist.

|| ಪಲ್ಲವಿ  || ಪಿಳ್ಳಂಗೋವಿಯ ಚೆಲುವ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಿರಿ...  ರಂಗನಾ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದಿರಿ?
Pallavi (Main Para) : Pillangoviya Cheluva Krishnana Elli NODidiri? Ranganaa elli nODidiri rangana elli nODidiri
English: Where have you seen the beautiful Krishna playing with flute? Where have you seen Ranga (another name for Sri Krishna)

|| ಅನು ಪಲ್ಲವಿ  || ಎಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದರಲ್ಲಿ ತಾನಿಲ್ಲ ದಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಬಲ್ಲ ಜಾಣರೆ... 
Anu Pallavi (second main para): elli nODidaralli taanilla dillavendu balla jANaru
English: Krishna is not visible anywhere your eyes can reach. Intelligent people know that it takes lots of devotion to be able to see Lord Krishna

Note: Many singers skip below mentioned 3rd para and end after above two paragraphs. Some claim below one is the second para and what I have mentioned above is 3rd para. Don't have any authoritative proof to support or reject either of these claims. Use your discretion.

||ಚರಣ ೩  || ಶ್ರೀ ಗುರೂಕ್ತ ಸದಾ ಸುಮಂಗಳ ಯೋಗ ಯೋಗದಲಿ!
Shri gurukta sadaa sumangala yOga yOgadali
(3rd Para) In the blessings of Sri Guru wherever he performs Sumangala Yoga

ಆಗಮಾರ್ಥ ದೊಳಗೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಯಾಗ ಯಾಗದಲಿ!
Aagamaarthadol maaduva yaaga yaagadali
In various yaaga (large pooja rituals) performed as per Aagama guidelines  (Aagama is a kind of ancient knowledge book or encyclopedia on spiritual rituals and their benefits) 

ಶ್ರೀಗೆ ಭಾಗ್ಯನಾಗಿ ವರ್ತಿಪ ಭೋಗ ಭೋಗದಲಿ!
Shrige bhaagyanaagi vartipa bhoga bhogadali
In all the luxury dedicated to Lord

ಭಾಗವತರು ಬಾಗಿ ಹಾಡುವ ರಾಗ ರಾಗದಲಿ!
bhaagavataru baagi haaduva raaga raagadali
In the tunes played by Bhaagavata ( main singer/coordinator in a Yakshagana/folk dances)

Above: Contextual image of Lord Krishna, Rukmini and others from ISKCON Temple, Chennai

The Pillangovia Cheluva Krishnana song carries lots of in-depth meaning- it inspires us to look for God in everyday things and practices and lead a fair, devotional life. Lord Krishna was known for his naughtiness during childhood, for stealing butter and blaming others, harassing young girls and so on. But in his adult life he takes several initiatives to protect the people. Lord Krishna was the pilot for Arjuna's chariot during Mahabharatha war and is credited with giving several clever tips and tricks to Pandavas to help them win the war.

This post is drafted with inputs from Rukmini Bhat and other family members who had more knowledge about the song than me. Jai Shri Krishna.

32 comments:

  1. ತಾನಿಲ್ಲ -ದಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು
    = ತಾನು (ಅವನು ? ) ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಇಲ್ಲವೆಂದು

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  2. Beechukonds is inKamareddy dt inTelangana. Earlier it was a part of Nizamabad dt

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  3. Wonderful translation of this lovely song. Many thanks 🙏🙏🙏

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  4. Thanks for the wonderful translation

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  5. Thank you so much for this beautiful translation. It helped me understand better. 🙏🙏

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  6. Very very useful information. Thank you so much. And also very thankful for providing 2nd para. It’s really beautiful.

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  7. Great translation!! Thank you!

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  8. Thank you for the wonderful translation.

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  9. Thank you. Sri Krishna can be seen in your efforts also.

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  10. അനന്യ സാധാരണമായ രചന..ഭഗവാനെ അടുത്തറിയാൻ സഹായിച്ചു..എത്ര നന്ദിപറഞ്ഞാലും മതിയാകില്ല..കണ്ണാ...

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  11. അനന്യ സാധാരണമായ രചന..ഭഗവാനെ അടുത്തറിയാൻ സഹായിച്ചു..എത്ര നന്ദിപറഞ്ഞാലും മതിയാകില്ല..കണ്ണാ...

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  12. Thanilla vendu balla jaanaru: means Krishna is everywhere .. you can only find him when you drop the ‘I’(thanu).

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  13. Thanks a tonne for this post. God blessed me to listen to this song only now. And then he handheld me to find the meaning. I am still in the depth of the song and its meaning. Krishna Guruvayoorappa

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  14. Khecharendra refers to Garuda, not Arjuna - isn't it? Khechara means what moves in sky - meaning bird. King of birds is Garuda...

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    1. ok, will check with few people who might know better. Thanks

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  15. Thank you for the para-wise translation. Knowing the meaning makes the song even more beautiful. Also Nandagopa refers to Krishna's father in whose house he grew up.

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  16. Kannadiga (horanadu) here, Kannada speaker, but can't read or write. Thank you for the translation, I understand most of it, but wanted to know word meanings. Didn't know Pillangoviya meant "the one with the flute" and cheluva meant handsome.

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  17. Thanks. My daughter sings this, and this page helped me to understand the meaning of the song more in depth. Much help to non native speakers...

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