In plain words
We speak of śrāddha. Calling a brahmin, washing his feet, feeding him a bellyful, having him scatter the akṣatas over us, and thinking that this is the śrāddha done and over. Śrāddha means that which is joined with śraddhā. Then what does piṇḍa mean? They make offerings of piṇḍas. Piṇḍa means the body itself. To offer to God, with śraddhā, the piṇḍa that is our body is true śrāddha. In Vedānta too they named this, in man's body, Tuṅgabhadrā. There is also a river called Tuṅgabhadrā. Because Tuṅgā in one place and Bhadrā in another join together, it got the name Tuṅgabhadrā. Bhadra has the meanings good, holy, auspicious and splendour. Tuṅga we can take to mean very strong, great, vast: meanings of this kind. What does Tuṅgabhadrā mean? It is this body that does good deeds. It is this body that carries out great deeds. It is this very body that enters into auspicious deeds. It is this very body that gives a divine example. That is why it got the name Tuṅgabhadrā. But having given it so great a name, how are we carrying on our practices? The name, to be sure, is great, but the conduct is very petty. We must behave in keeping with the name. Tyāgarāja is truly a name that lives up to its meaning. Bhojarāja sent many kinds of ornaments and the things needed for daily life. He looked at all of it. Is wealth great happiness? Is the presence of Īśvara great happiness? Tell me truly, O Manas. Not only this; he also set out the purity of heart of his inner feelings. Rāma! I have held Your two feet fast with my two hands. You cannot leave me and go anywhere. "Do not leave me and go, Rāmayya, Rāma, Kodaṇḍa Rāma, Paṭṭābhi Rāma, do not leave me and go": You have made some plan. But I will not accept that plan. Are You looking to put these splendours, this wealth and plenty, into my hand and slip away? If I am to accept all these, I must let go of Your feet. Then I must take hold of this with my hands. I will not take hold of these with my hands; my hands go to Your feet alone. This is Tyāgarāja's true spirit of tyāga.
Students! In this worldly life, at this time, having made such an opportunity for yourselves, you have been hearing these ten days the teachings of many experienced people and elders.