ಆಚಾರವಿಲ್ಲದ ನಾಲಿಗೆ – Aachaaravillada naalige

ರಚನೆ: ಶ್ರೀ ಪುರಂದರದಾಸರು

ಆಚಾರವಿಲ್ಲದ ನಾಲಿಗೆ ನಿನ್ನ
ನೀಚ ಬುದ್ಧಿಯ ಬಿಡು ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ವಿಚಾರವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಪರರ ದೂಷಿಪುದಕ್ಕೆ
ಚಾಚಿ ಕೊಂಡಿರುವಂಥ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಚಾಡಿಹೇಳಲು ಬೇಡ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ನಿನ್ನ ಬೇಡಿ ಕೊಂಬೆನು ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ರೂಢಿಗೊಡಯ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನ ನಾಮವ

ಪಾಡುತಲಿರು ಕಂಡ್ಯ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಇದ್ದಮಾತನಾಡು ನಾಲಿಗೆ ಹಿಡಿ-
ದೊದ್ದರೂ ಹುಸಿಬೇಡ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಇದ್ದುಕೊಂಡು ಉಣ್ಣು ಅಮೃತಾನ್ನಗಳನು
ಬುದ್ಧಿಯಲಿರು ಕಂಡೆಯ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಬಡವರ ಮಾತಿಗೆ ನಾಲಿಗೆ – ನೀ
ಕಡುಚತುರ ನುಡಿಯದಿರು ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಹಿಡಿದು ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ವರು ಯಮನ ಭಟರು ನಿನ್ನ
ನುಡಿ ಕಂಡೆಯ ಹರಿಯಂದು ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಹರಿಪಾದವೆ ಗತಿಯೆಂದು ನಾಲಿಗೆ – ನಿನಗೆ
ಪರರ ಚಿಂತೆಯೇಕೆ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

ಸಿರಿವರ ಪುರಂದರ ವಿಠ್ಠಲರಾಯನನು
ಮರೆಯದೆ ನೆನೆ ಕಂಡೆಯ ನಾಲಿಗೆ

Transliteration:

Āchāravillada nālige ninna
Nīcha buddhiya biḍu nālige

Vichāravillade parara dūṣipudakke
Chāchi koṇḍiruvanta nālige

Chāḍiheḷalu bēḍa nālige
Ninna bēḍi koṃbenu nālige
Rūḍhigoḍaya Śrīrāmana nāmava
Pāḍutaliru kaṇḍeya nālige

Iddamātanāḍu nālige hiḍi-
Doddarū husibēḍa nālige
Iddukoṇḍu uṇṇu amṛtānna gaḷanu
Buddhiyaliru kaṇḍeya nālige

Baḍavara mātige nālige – nī
Kaḍuchatura nuḍiyadiru nālige
Hiḍidu koṇḍoyvaru yamana bhaṭaru ninna
Nuḍi kaṇḍeya hariyandu nālige

Haripādave gatiyendu nālige – ninage
Parara chintayēke nālige
Sirivara Purandara Viṭṭhalarāyananu
Mareyade nene kaṇḍeya nālige

Translation:

O tongue without discipline,
Abandon your base tendencies, O tongue.

Without discernment, you slander others,
Wagging endlessly, O tongue.

Do not indulge in gossip, O tongue;
I plead with you, O tongue.
Surrender to the habit of singing the name of Lord Rama,
And stay steadfast, O tongue.

Speak only when necessary, O tongue;
Even when spoken, do not speak in vain, O tongue.
Partake in ambrosial food with mindfulness,
And let wisdom guide you, O tongue.

When responding to the poor, O tongue,
Do not utter sharp and clever words, O tongue.
Failing this, the agents of Yama (the god of death)
Will seize you for your harmful speech, O tongue.

Know that the feet of Lord Hari are your ultimate refuge, O tongue;
Why then engage in thoughts about others, O tongue?
Remember without fail the noble Purandara Vittala,
And dwell in devotion, O tongue.

Explanation of the Keerthane:

This Purandara Dasa composition is a powerful moral lesson centered on the importance of controlling speech. The tongue is admonished to avoid gossip, slander, and unnecessary talk, urging instead a disciplined focus on divine names, particularly that of Lord Rama. By aligning speech with spiritual practices, one can cultivate wisdom and avoid karmic consequences. The keerthane also warns of Yama’s agents, symbolizing the consequences of reckless speech, while affirming that devotion to Purandara Vittala ensures liberation and spiritual bliss.
The keerthane “Āchāravillada Nālige” is featured in the Kannada movie Upasane (1974). This movie is a musical drama that beautifully portrays the significance of Carnatic music and devotion in shaping a person’s spiritual and moral life. Directed by Puttanna Kanagal, the film revolves around the journey of a young woman aspiring to master the art of music while navigating societal and personal challenges.The inclusion of this keerthane reflects the movie’s thematic focus on discipline, morality, and the transformative power of devotion. It serves as a moral lesson in the narrative, emphasizing the importance of controlling speech, avoiding gossip, and aligning one’s life with spiritual ideals. Through its placement in the film, the song enhances the devotional and ethical undertone of the story, contributing to the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.