Tyagaraja was well aware of the goings on in the society around him. He appears particularly upset by the nefarious activities of erstwhile spiritual leaders who were occupied in amassing wealth and showing off rather than in following true devotion. He also rejected dogmatic performance of rituals and "learning for learning's sake" without inquiry into the essence. While he does not mince words in his comments, he does not resort to personal attacks, in stead, addressing his dismay as a suppplication to Rama.




dhaenuka raagam
teliya laeru raama bhakti maargamunu .. teliyalaeru
ila namtaTa tirugucoonu kaluvarimcaeru gaani .. teliyalaeru
vaega laeci neeTa munigi boodi poosi vaeLLanemci veliki Slaaghaneeyulai
baaga paika maarjana loelurairae gaani tyaagaraaja nuta .. teliya laeru
Summary:
Unable they are to realise the path of devotion to Rama .. they are unable
Roaming all over the earth, they just blabber, but .. they are unable
Waking up early, taking a dip in the water, applying ash (viboodi), while appearing virtuous
on the outside,
They are immersed only in amassing wealth, One praised by Tyagaraja! but .. they are unable


udaya ravicamdrika raagam (#a.k.a.# Suddha dhanyaasi)
emta naercinaa emta joocina emta vaaralaina kaamta daasulae .. emta naercinaa
samtatambu Sreekaamta svaamta siddhaamtamaina maarga cimta laeni vaa .. remta naercinaa
parahimsa, parabhaama + anyadhana, para maanava + apavaada
para jeevanamulaku + anRtamae bhaashimcaerayya tyaagaraaja nuta .. emta naercinaa
Summary :
However much learnt, however much they saw, however great they are, they all are slaves to
woman .. however much learnt
Those who don't have the principle of "constant and true devotion to Rama" in their thoughts
.. however much learnt
They indulge in torturing others, coveting others' women, wealth and servants, feeling
jealous of others' prosperity, they speak only lies, One praised by Tyagaraja! .. however
much learnt
Note: The phrase "slaves to woman" in the pallavi should not be construed to mean that
Tyagaraja was a misogynist. The word kaamta here figuratively represents attraction to bodily
pleasures. In many kRtis, he accentuates the need to conquer the earthly desires, lust in
particular.



sarasvati raagam
anuraagamu laeni manasuna suj~naanamu raadu .. anuraagamu laeni
ghanulaina amtarj~naanulakae gaani .. anuraagamu laeni
vagavagagaa bhujiyimcae vaaniki tRptyou reeti
saguNa dhyaanamu paini soukhyamu tyaagaraaja nuta .. anuraagamu laeni
Summary :
True enlightenment does not come to a mind devoid of devotion .. devoid of devotion
That (true enlightenment) which is possible for only the greatest of 'self-realized' souls ..
devoid of devotion
Just as the person eating a variety of foods is well-satisfied,
Such is the bliss of meditation on the personified deity (1) .. devoid of devotion
Note: (1) saguNa versus nirguNa: This kRti is more a statement of his bhakti philosophy than
a criticism. saguNa roopa, the personified deity of the One, has many physical attributes and
virtues (simile of the variety of foods) on which one can meditate - this is the path of
devotion, leading to salvation. On the other hand, understanding the nirguNa (One without
physical attributes) is possible only for the most enlightened souls. The word soukhyamu
(bliss) is indicative of salvation, as in the next kRti.


saama raagam
Saamtamu laeka soukhyamu laedu saarasa daLa nayana .. Saamtamu laeka
daamtunikaina vaedaamtunikaina .. Saamtamu laeka
daara sutulu dhana dhaanyamu lumDina,
saareku japatapa sampada galigina .. Saamtamu laeka
aagama Saastramu lanniyu cadivina,
baaguga sakala hRt bhaavamu delisina .. Saamtamu laeka
yaagaadi karmamulanniyu jaesina,
bhaagavatulanucu baaguga paeraina .. Saamtamu laeka
raajaadhiraaja, Sree raaghava, tyaagaraaja vinuta, saadhu rakshaka, tana kupa .. Saamtamu
laeka
Summary:
Without calm there is no bliss (salvation), O Lotus-eyed Lord! .. Without calm
Even to a person who can control his urges, and even to a philosopher .. Without calm
Even if one has a good wife, good children and is prosperous,
Even if one has amassed great wealth of japa and tapas .. Without calm
Even if one studied the upanishads and the sciences,
Even if one has good knowledge of all things .. Without calm
Even if one performed many yajnas and other rituals,
Even if one is famous as a great devotee .. Without calm
Oh King of kings, born in the line of Raghu, praised by Tyagaraja, O savior of the virtuous,
in one's heart .. Without calm