Haribhakti Sara of Kanakadasa contains 101 stanzas of
Bhaminisapadi (six-lined verse). This work extols the greatness of devotion,
self surrender and dedication to the supreme God Vishnu. Haribhakti sara means
the crux of Krishna devotion. Haribhaktisara advocates the value of bhakti and vairagya –
devotion and renunciation – in the spiritual path of a devotee. The poem
contains splendid figures of speech, evoking spiritual thoughts and eternal
values.
Kanakadasa belonged to the tradition of Haridasa (servant of
God) literary movement in Karnataka. Written in simple and spoken Kannada, the composition
had universal appeal.
In one of his poems in Haribhakti Sara, Kanakadasa prays: “I
am a humble non-entity and you are the donor of the entire world. I am
without any wisdom and you are the all
influential Lord, granting mukti (salvation) to the devotee.”
In another poem in Haribhakti Sara Kanakadasa says, “just as
the learned ones bring up a young parrot, teach it and pleasingly listen to its
gentle words, O Lord, kindly instruct me so that my tongue utters your string
of names, and protect me forever.”
The poems in Haribhakti Sara reflect the devotee’s humility and
attitude of surrender to the Lord.
Comparing worldly existence to a pantomime, he advises
people not to be carried away by hollow honors and pleasures. Each poem of Haribhakti
Sara carries a soul-saving message and concludes with a note: “Protect us, O
Lord, forever.” It teaches complete surrender to God.