ಕಲ್ಲು ಸಕ್ಕರೆ ಕೊಳ್ಳಿರೊ – Kallu sakkare kolliro Lyrics and explanation in Kannada and English
ರಚನೆ: ಶ್ರೀ ಪುರಂದರದಾಸರು
ಕಲ್ಲು ಸಕ್ಕರೆ ಕೊಳ್ಳಿರೊ ನೀವೆಲ್ಲರು
ಕಲ್ಲು ಸಕ್ಕರೆ ಕೊಳ್ಳಿರೊ
ಕಲ್ಲು ಸಕ್ಕರೆ ಸವಿ ಬಲ್ಲವರೆ ಬಲ್ಲರು
ಪುಲ್ಲಲೋಚನ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ನಾಮವೆಂಬ
ಎತ್ತು ಹೇರುಗಳಿಂದ ಹೊತ್ತು ಮಾರುವುದಲ್ಲ
ಒತ್ತೊತ್ತಿ ಗೋಣಿಯೊಳ್ ತುಂಬುವುದಲ್ಲ
ಎತ್ತ ಹೋದರೂ ಬಾಡಿಗೆ ಸುಂಕವಿದಕಿಲ್ಲ
ಉತ್ತಮ ಸರಕಿದು ಅತಿ ಲಾಭ ತರುವಂಥ
ಸಂತೆ ಕಂತೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಶ್ರಮ ಪಡಿಸುವುದಲ್ಲ
ಸಂತೆಯೊಳಗೆ ಇದು ಮಾರುವುದಲ್ಲ
ಸಂತತ ಭಕ್ತರ ನಾಲಿಗೆ ಸವಿಗೊಂಬ
ಕಾಂತ ಪುರಂದರ ವಿಠ್ಠಲ ನಾಮವೆಂಬ
Transliteration:
Kallu sakkare kolliro neeve allaru
Kallu sakkare kolliro
Kallu sakkare savi ballavare ballaru
Pullalochana Shri Krishna naamavemba
Ettu heerugalinda hottu maaruvudalla
Ottotti goniyol tumbuvudalla
Etta hodaru baadige sunkavidakilla
Uttama sarakidu ati laabha taruvanta
Sante kantege hogi shrama padisuvudalla
Santeyolage idu maaruvudalla
Santata bhaktara naalige savigomba
Kaanta Purandara Vittala naamavemba
Translation:
“Purchase the sugar-like sweetness, all of you,
Purchase this unparalleled sweetness!
The savor of this sugar is known only to the discerning,
For it is none other than the Name of Lord Krishna, the lotus-eyed one.
It is not transported by oxen or carried by carts,
It is not packed tightly in sacks.
Wherever you go, there is no tax or rent on it;
This is a superior commodity that yields immense profit.
No need to toil in the market, buying or selling,
This is not traded in bazaars.
It eternally sweetens the tongues of devoted souls,
It is the Name of Purandara Vittala, the beloved Lord.”
Explanation:
This song by Purandara Dasa uses the metaphor of sugar (“kallu sakkare”) to describe the divine sweetness of chanting Lord Krishna’s name. It emphasizes that this sweetness is beyond material trade—it is neither carried in physical loads nor bound by worldly taxes. Unlike worldly goods, which require laborious effort to acquire, Krishna’s name is readily accessible and inexhaustibly rewarding. The song reminds devotees that the true treasure lies in the divine name, which grants spiritual bliss and eternal benefit.
Significance:
This keerthane illustrates the transformative power of devotion and highlights the accessibility of divine grace. It underscores that the practice of chanting the Lord’s name is effortless compared to worldly pursuits yet infinitely more rewarding.