65 mEcakalyaaNi mEla
Aa: S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N3 S
Av: S N3 D2 P M2 G3 R2 S

taaLam: caapu
Composer: Tyaagaraaja
Language: Telugu

pallavi

nidhicAla sukhamA rAmuni sannidhi sEva sukhamA nijamuga balku manasA
(nidhicAla)

anupallavi

dadhi navanIta kSIramulu ruciyO dAsharathi dhyAna bhajana sudhArasamu ruciyO
(nidhicAla)

caraNam

dama shamamanu gangA snAnamu sukhamA kardama durviSaya kUpa snAnamu sukhamA
mamata bandhana yuta narastuti sukhamA surapati tyAgarAja nutuni kIrtana sukhamA
(nidhicAla)

Meaning:
O Mind! Tell me honestly which induces unalloyed bliss, material wealth or the wealth of the Lord's darshana and service at His shrine? Which is more delicious? Taste of milk, butter and the curd or the nectarine experience of meditation and worship of Rama , son of Dasharatha? The divine tranquility experienced by one who has controlled his senses is as refreshing as a bath in the Ganga, whereas indulging in carnal pleasures is as detestible as wallowing in the slush of a dirty well. Is it not obviously the height of bliss to sing the glory of the eternal compassionate Lord, rather than flatter or praise a short-lived mortal bloated with arrogance and self conceit?

Other information:
Lyrics contributed by Lakshman Ragde. Meaning from Compositions of Tyagaraja by TK Govinda Rao.

Song performed for karnATik by Uma Ayyar.