Raga Shyama!

Today we will explore Raga Shyama also called as Raga Sama.
This Raga is related to Lord Sree Krishna. 

Let me introduce you all to a Popular Sanskrit Keerthanam  (MANASA SANCHARARE) that is exceedingly beautiful ; composed by a Saint called Sadasiva Brahmendra in Ragam Shyama.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadasiva_Brahmendra

This Sanskrit Keerthanam is related to :  Bhagavadgita Chapter 18 and Verse 41.

As per this verse ;

Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudras are the 4 status.

No status is given by BIRTH.
Your Qualities decide your status.

1.  Sudras - The ones who have no wisdom and knowledge.
2.  Vaishyas - The ones who are victims of DESIRES/KAMA.
3.  Kshatriyas - The ones who fight for truth.
4.  Brahmana - The one who is free from Ego, Lust, Pride, Jealousy and Greed and whose energy can mix with cosmic energy. The one who is one with the universe.

Here is the lyrics for this Keerthanam and i have tried my best to give translation for this Keerthanam:

Manasa Sancharare means - "O mind please undertake the pilgrimage of Brahman and move towards the OBSERVER OF ALL REALITY".

Maanasa Sancharare Brahmani Maanasa Sancharare ;

O Mind (Maanasa) ; Undertake your pilgrimage in achieving the status called Brahman.

Madashikhi Pincchaalankruta Chikure ; 

Saint Sadasiva Brahmendra calls a Brahman as Lord Krishna himself 

whose hairlock (Chikure) 

is adorned (Alankruta) 

by the feathers of the proud peacock (Madashikhi).

Mahaneeya Kapola Vijitamukure ;

The Cheeks (Kapola) 

of the Brahman (Mahaneeya)  

outweigh (Vijita)  

brightness of a  Mirror (Mukure).

Mirror can only show you who you are from Outside ; however a Brahman can show you who you are  INSIDE OUT.

Sree Ramani Kucha Durga Vihaare ;

A brahman will have access to the Energies of Goddess Lakshmi (Sreeramani) and Goddess Shakti (Durga).

Sevaka Jana Mandira Mandaare ;

Lord Krishna who is a sevaka for his devotees is the Kalpavriksha (mandaare) in the temple court yard (mandira).

Paramahamsa Mukha Chandrachakore ;

Brahman is the supreme Aesthetics (he is compared to Hamsa) with the Moon like face (mukha-chandra) ; however a brahman like a Partridge Bird (Chakore) also knows how to control even dark energies.

Brahman is a QUALITY that is compared to HAMSA ; and it is the SUPREME RAAS/RASA-AESTHETICS. 

Paripoorita Muraliravadhare ;

The quality of a brahman is compared to the flow of music from Lord Krishna's Flute (Muraliravadhare).

My choreography ; 

Oh, Mind ! May your pilgrimage be to achieve the STATUS OF BRAHMAN that fills the WHOLE UNIVERSE within itself.