Full explanation and lyrics of ಕುಲ ಕುಲವೆಂದು ಹೊಡೆದಾಡದಿರಿ – Kula kulavendu hodedaadadiri by Kanaka Dasa in English and Kannada.
ಕುಲ ಕುಲವೆಂದು ಹೊಡೆದಾಡದಿರಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ
ಕುಲದ ನೆಲೆಯನೇನಾದರು ಬಲ್ಲಿರಾ || ಪ ||
ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಯೋನಿಗಳಿಲ್ಲ ಮೆಟ್ಟದ ಭೂಮಿಗಳಿಲ್ಲ
ಅಟ್ಟು ಉಣ್ಣದ ವಸ್ತುಗಳಿಲ್ಲ
ಗುಟ್ಟು ಕಾಣಿಸಬಂತು ಹಿರಿದೆನು ಕಿರಿದೆನು
ನೆಟ್ಟನೆ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞನ ನೆನೆಕಂಡ್ಯ ಮನುಜಾ || 1 ||
ಜಲವೇ ಸಕಲ ಕುಲಕ್ಕೆ ತಾಯಲ್ಲವೆ
ಜಲದ ಕುಲವನೆನಾದರೂ ಬಲ್ಲಿರಾ
ಜಲದ ಬೋಬ್ಬುಳಿಯಂತೆ ಸ್ಥಿರವಿಲ್ಲವೀ ದೇಹಾ
ನೆಲೆಯರಿತು ನೀ ನೆನೆಕಂಡ್ಯ ಮನುಜಾ || ೨ ||
ಹರಿಯೇ ಸರ್ವೋತ್ತಮ ಹರಿಯೇ ಸರ್ವೇಶ್ವರ
ಹರಿಮಯವೆಲ್ಲವೆನುತ ತಿಳಿದು
ಸಿರಿ ಕಾಗಿನೆಲೆಯಾದಿ ಕೇಶವರಾಯನ
ಚರಣ ಕಮಲವನೇ ಅರ್ಜಿಸುವನೇ ಕುಲಜ || ೩ ||
Kula kulavendu hodedaadadiri nimma
Kulada neleyanenadaru balliraa || P ||
Huttida yonigalilla metta da bhoomigalilla
Attu unnada vastugalilla
Guttu kaanisabantu hiridenu kiridenu
Nettane sarvajñana nenekandya manujaa || 1 ||
Jalave sakala kulakke taayallave
Jalada kulavanenadaru balliraa
Jalada bobbuli yante sthiravillavii dehaa
Nelayaritu nee nenekandya manujaa || 2 ||
Hariye sarvottama hariye sarveshwara
Harimayavellavenuta tilidu
Siri Kaagineleyadi keshavarayana
Charana kamalavane arjisuvane kulaja || 3 ||
Translation:
Refrain:
Do not quarrel over caste and lineage,
Do you even truly understand the essence of your caste?
There are no particular wombs of birth nor places unattainable,
No unique possessions exclusive to one,
What is great or small becomes evident only when the truth is known,
Reflect deeply on the all-knowing (Sarvajña), O human!
Is water not the mother of all castes?
Do you comprehend the lineage of those born of water?
This body is as fleeting as the bubbles on water,
Understand its transience and ponder deeply, O human!
Hari alone is the supreme and ultimate Lord,
He is the foundational essence—Keshava himself,
As the embodiment of wealth and stability—Keshava himself,
Surrender at his lotus feet, O child of lineage!
Significance:
This keerthane by Kanakadasa, written under the pen name Kaginele Adikeshava, is a profound commentary on the futility of caste-based discrimination. It draws from nature (water) to illustrate unity and the impermanence of life, urging humanity to reflect on divinity and universal equality. The song concludes by emphasizing surrender to Lord Keshava as the true path to transcendence and liberation.