Mahishäsuramardini-Stotram

Mahiñäsuramardiné-Stotram

Composer – Sri Rämakrshna Kavi

Popularised by Sri Anantaräma Dikshitar

ayi! girinandini! nanditamedini! visvavinodini! nandinute!

girivara-vindhya-sirodhi-niväsini! vishnu-viläsini! jishnunute!|
bhagavati! he! sitikantha-kutumbini! bhüri-kutumbini! bhurikrte!
jaya jaya he! mahishäsuramardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||1||

Oh! (ayi!) Daughter of the mountain! (girinandini!), delighter of the earth (nanditamedini), the enlivener of all (visvavinodini), O thou! The daughter of Nanda (nandinute! She was born as Mahämäyä to Nanda, who vanished when Kamsa wanted to kill her.), Who dwells on the peak of the great Vindhyas (girivara-vindhya-sirodhi-niväsini), the delighter of Vishnu (vishnu-viläsini! Her brother, since she was born as Mahämäyä to Nanda. Again in Minäkshi-Kalyänam, her brother Vishnu gives her away in marriage to Siva), the adored of Indra (jishnunute). Oh! Who possesses all the six Bhagas (bhagavati!), Who is the consort of the Lord with the blue neck (sitakantha-kutumbini), Who has several families (bhüri-kutumbini, since all the families in the world are Hers), Who does good to her family (bhurikrte). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (1)

suravara-varshini! durdhara-dharshini! durmukha-marshini! harsharate !
tribhuvana-poshini! sankara-toshini! kilbisha-moshini! ghosharate !|
danuja-niroshini! ditisuta-roshini! durmada-soshini! sindhu-sute !
jaya jaya he! mahishäsuramardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||2||

(Oh! Goddess!), Who showers boons on the Devas (suravara-varshini), Who punishes those who are indisciplined (durdhara-dharshini), Who tolerates ugly-faced ogres (durmukha-marshini), Who rejoices in Herself (harsharate – knowing herself to be everything), Who nourishes the three worlds (tribhuvana-poshini), Who pleases Lord Siva (sankara-toshini), Who removes effect of wrong-doings (kilbisha-moshini), Who rejoices with the holy sound (ghosharate – with the sound of Om and/or the Vedas), Who is angry on the progenies of demon Danu (danuja-niroshini), Who is angry with the sons of Diti (ditisuta-roshini – the sons of Diti are the Daityas, hence), Who destroys those intoxicated with pride (durmada-soshini), Who is the daughter of the Ocean (sindhusute). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (2)

ayi! jagadamba! madamba! kadamba-vanapriya-väsini! häsarate!

sikhari-siromani-tunga-himälaya-srnga-nijälaya-madhyagate! |(one word)

madhu-madhure! madhu-kaitabha-ganjini! kaitabha-bhanjini! räsarate!
jaya jaya he! mahishäsuramardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||3||

Oh! (ayi!) Mother of the entire world! (jagadamba), my Mother! (madamba), Who loves to dwell in the forest of Kadamba trees (kadambavana-priya-väsini), Who is always smiling (häsarate), Who lives in her own dwelling (nijälaya) amidst (madhyagate!) the top peak of the great Himalayas (sikhari-siromani-tunga-himälaya-srnga), Who is sweet like honey (madhu-madhure), Who keeps the treasures of Madhu and Kaitabha (madhu-kaitabha-ganjini), Who is the killer of Kaitabha (kaitabha-bhanjini), Who revels in räsa-dance (räsarate). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (3)

ayi! sata-khanda-vikhandita-runda-vitundita-sunda-gajädhipate!
ripugajaganda-vidärana-canda-paräkrama-sunda-mrgädhipate!|(one word)
nijabhuja-danda-nipätita-khanda-vipätita-munda-bhatädhipate!(one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsuramardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||4||

Oh! (ayi!) (Goddess!), Who splits the heads of ogres into hundreds of pieces (sata-khanda-vikhandita-runda), Who cuts off the trunks of great battle-elephants (vitundita-sunda-gajädhipate), Who (Devi or the lion) tears the heads of elephants (of the enemy) to pieces (ripugajaganda-vidärana-canda-paräkrama-sunda),Who rides on the valorous lion (mrgädhipate), Who severs the heads of the generals of the enemy (vipätita-munda-bhatädhipate) with her own arms (nijabhuja-danda-nipätita-khanda). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (4)

ayi! rana-durmada-satru-vadhodita-durdhara-nirjara-shaktibhrte!
catura-vicära-dhurina-mahäsivadüta-krta-pramathädhipate! |(one word)
durita-duriha-duräsaya-durmati-dänava-düta-krtäntamate! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsuramardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||5||

Oh! (ayi!) (Goddess!), Who has invincible and un-diminishing strength (nirjara-saktibhrte) to gain victory over the hard to defeat enemies in the battle field (rana-durmada-satru-vadhodita-durdhara), Who made Pramatha, the famous attendant of Lord Siva (sivaduta), known for his subtle intelligence (mahä-catura-vicära), as her assistant (krta-pramathädhipate), Who took the decision to destroy the evil-minded (durita-duriha-duräsaya-durmati) Dänavas and their batallion (dänava-duta-krtäntamate), who are dangerous people, with destructive mind (durmati-dänava). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (5)

ayi! saranägata-vairivadhüvara-viravaräbhayadäyakare !

tribhuvana-mastaka-süla-virodhi-siro’dhi-krtämala-sülakare!|(one word)
dumidumitämara-dundubhinäda-mahomukharikrta-tigmakare!(one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||6||

Reply

Oh! (ayi!) (Goddess!) Who gives refuge, to the brave soldiers of the enemy rank (viravaräbhayadäyakare!), whose wives (vairivadhüvara) come seeking refuge (saranägata) for them, Oh Goddess who holds the trident aimed at the head of the enemy (sulakare), ready to throw on the heads of those (siro’dhikrtämala), who cause great pain to the three worlds (tribhuvana-mastaka-süla-virodhi), Who shines likes the hot sun, Who is aroused by sound of ‘dumi-dumi’ produced by the beating of drums by the Devas (dumi-dumitämara-dundubhinäda-mahomukhatikrta-tigmakare). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (6)

ayi! nija-hunkrti-mätra-niräkrta-dhümra-vilocana-dhumra-sate!
samara-visoshita-sonita-bija-samudbhava-sonita-bijalate!|(one word)
siva! siva! sumbha-nisumbha-mahähava-tarpita-bhüta-pisäcarate!
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramya-kapardini! sailasute !||7||

Oh, Goddess! (ayi) who blew away (niräkrta) hundreds of ogres (dhümra-sate), Who had smoking eyes (dhümra-vilocana), With her mere sound of hum (nija-hunkrtimätra), Who is the blood red creeper (sonita-bija-late), emanating from the seeds of blood (sonita-bija), which fell in the battle field (samara-visoshita-sonita-bija-samudbhava) (remember Raktabija episode in Durga Saptasati), Oh! Auspicious Goddess! (siva! siva!), Who sacrificed (tarpita) the ogres  Sumbha and Nisumbha (sumbha-nisumbha) and the spirits and the imps (bhüta-pisäca-rate) in the great battle field (mahähava). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (7)

dhanuranusanga-ranakshanasanga-parisphurad-anga-natatkatake! (one word)
kanaka-pisanga-prshatkanishanga-rasadbhata-srnga-hatäbatuke!|(one word)
krta-caturanga-balakshiti-ranga-ghatad-bahuranga-ratadbatuke! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsuramardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute ! ||8||

Oh Goddess! Who decks herself with dancing-jewellery on her throbbing limbs  (parisphurad-anga) in the field of battle-field, when she gets her bow ready to fight (dhanuranusanga), Oh, Who killed her enemies in the battle-field with a shining sword, and with arrows from a quiver which has golden brown spots, Oh Goddess! Who made the battleground of the four-fold army (krta-caturanga-balakshiti-ranga), into a stage of drama (ghatad-bahuranga) with screaming little soldiers (ratadbatuke). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (8)

jaya jaya japyajaye! jayasabda-parastuti-tatpara-visvanute!
bhanabhana-bhinjimibhinkrta-nupura-sinjita-mohita-bhütapate!|(one word)
natita-natärdha-natinatanäyaka-nätita-nätya-sugänarate! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||9||

Oh Victory to You! Whose victory is sung (jaya jaya japyajaye) by the whole universe (jayasabda-parastuti-tatpara-visvanute), which is eager to sing her praise extolling her victory, Oh! Who attracts the attention of Lord Siva (mohita-bhütapate), By the twinkling sound made by her anklets (bhanabhana-bhinjimibhinkrta-nupura-sinjita), Oh! Who is half of Lord Siva's body (natärdha), Who is engaged in dancing (natita), Who is delighted by melodious singing, dancing, and drama by versatile actors (nati-nata-näyaka-nätita-nätya-sugänarate),All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (9)

ayi! sumanas-sumanas-sumanas-sumanas-sumanohara-käntiyute!
srita-rajani-rajani-rajani-rajani-rajanikara-vakravrte !| (one word)
sunayana-vibhramara-bhramara-bhramara-bhramara-bhramarädhipate! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||10||

Oh Goddess! Who has flower-like complexion, Who attracts people with clean mind (sumanas-sumanas-sumanas-sumanas), Who appears very pretty to the good-minded (sumanohara-käntiyute), Who has a moon-like face, Who is as cool as the moon, to those in the dark, Oh Goddess! Whose face shines in the moon light (srita-rajani-rajani-rajani-rajani-rajanikara-vakravrte), Whose pretty flower-like eyes attracts the bees, Who attracts devotees like the flower attracting the bees (sunayana-vibhramara-bhramara-bhramara-bhramara-bhramarädhipate), All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (10)

sahita-mahähava-mallamatallika-mallitarallaka-mallarate! (one word)

viracita-vallika-pallika-mallika-jhillika-bhillaka-vargavrute! |(one word)
sitakrta-phulla-samullasitäruna-tallaja-pallava-sallalite! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !’||11||

Oh Goddess! Who becomes happy, in the sport of battle, assisted by warriors (sahita-mahähava), Who is surrounded by hunters, Whose hut is surrounded by creepers, And the tribes of Vallikas, Pallikas, Mallikas, Jhillakas, and Bhillakas (viracita-vallika-pallika-mallika-jhillika-bhillaka-vargavrute), Who is as pretty as the famous fully-opened flower (sitakrta-phulla-samullasita), Oh Goddess , who is as pretty as the creeper full of red tender leaves (aruna-tallaja-pallava-sallalite). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (11)

avirala-ganda-galan-madamedura-matta-madangaja-räjapate! (one word)
tribhuvana-bhüshana-bhüta-kalänidhi-rupa-payonidhi-räjasute! | (one word)
ayi! sudatijana-lälasa-mänasa-mohana-manmatha-räjasute!
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||12||

Oh Goddess! Who walks like a royal elephant in rut (avirala-ganda-galan-madamedura-matta-madangaja-räjapate), Who is the ornament of the three worlds (tribhuvana-bhüshana), Who is the princess of the Ocean of Milk (payonidhi-räjasute), Who is beautiful like the full-moon (bhüta-kalänidhi-rüpa), Oh Princess! (ayi) Who is worshipped by the God of love (mohana-manmatha-räjasute), who (Manmatha) fills the minds of pretty ladies with desire (sudatijana-lälasa-mänasa). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (12)

kamala-dalämala-komalakänti-kalä-kalitämala-bhälalate! (one word)
sakala-viläsa-kalänilayakrama-kelicalat-kalahamsakule!| (one word)
alikula-sankula-kuvalaya-mandala-maulimilad-bakulälikule! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||13||

Oh Goddess! Whose spotless forehead (amala-bhälalate), is enhanced by the flawless complexion of delicate prettiness (komalakänti-kalä-kalita) pure and delicate like the lotus petals (kamala-dalämala), Who moves with delicate steps like the spotlessly pretty swans (kelicalat-kalahamsakule), Who is the epitome of all beautiful art-forms (sakala-viläsa-kalänilayakrama), Whose tress is surrounded by bees from Bakula trees (alikula-sankula-kuvalaya-mandala-maulimilad-bakulälikule), who (the bees) normally crowd the tops of lotus flowers. All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (13)

kara-muralirava-vijita-küjita-lanjita-kokila-manjumate!
milita-pulinda-manohara-gunjita-ranjita-sailanikunjagate!|(one word)
nijaguna-bhüta-mahäsabarigana-sadguna-sambhrta-kelirate!
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||14||

Oh! Whose sweet enchanting music, made by the flute in her hands (kara-muralirava), has put the sweet voiced Cuckoo to shame (vijita-küjita-lanjita-kokila),  Who has beautiful thoughts (manjumate), Who dwells in the pleasant mountain groves (sailanikunjagate) , that pleasantly resound with the voice of tribal folks (gunjita-ranjita), Whose playground is filled with good qualities of the tribal women who are manifestation of her own qualities flocks of tribal women (nijaguna-bhüta-mahäsabarigana-sadguna-sambhrta-kelirate). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (14)

katitata-pita-dukula-vicitra-mayukha-tiraskrta-candraruce! (one word)
pranata-suräsura-mauli-mani-sphuradamsula-sannakha-candraruce!|(one word)

jita-kanakäcala-maulipadorjita-nirbhara-kunjara-kumbhakuce ! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute ! ||15||

Oh Goddess! Who wears yellow silks on her waist (katitata-pita-dukula), Which has peculiar brilliance that puts the brilliance of the moon to shame (vicitra-mayukha-tiraskrta-candraruce), Oh goddess, whose toe nails shine like the moon (sannakha-candraruce), because of the reflection of the light from the crowns of Gods and Demons who bow at her feet (pranata-suräsura), Whose hips challenge the forehead of elephants (nirbhara-kunjara-kumbhakuce) and the peaks of golden mountains (jita-kanakäcala-maulipadorjita). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (15)

vijita-sahasra-karaika-sahasra-karaika-sahasra-karaika-nute! (one word)
krtasura-täraka-sangara-täraka-sangara-täraka-sununute!|(one word)
suratha-samädhi-samäna-samädhi-samädhi-samädhi-sujätarate! (one word)
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||16||

Oh Goddess! Whose splendour defeats (vijita) the Sun with his thousand rays, Who is saluted by the thousand-rayed Sun (vijita-sahasra-karaika-sahasra-karaika-sahasra-karaika-nute!), Who was praised, by Tärkäsura after his defeat, in the war between him and You (krtasura-täraka-sangara-täraka-sangara-täraka-sununute!), Who was pleased with king Suratha and the rich merchant called Samädhi, Who entered in to Samädhi, And who prayed for endless Samädhi (suratha-samädhi-samäna-samädhi-samädhi-samädhi-sujätarate! as described in Durgä-Saptasati). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (16)

pada-kamalam karunänilaye! varivasyati yo’nudinam sa sive!
ayi! kamale! kamalänilaye! kamalä-nilayah sa katham na bhavet|
tava padam-eva param-padam-ityanusilayato mama kim na sive!
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||17|| 

Reply

Oh! Auspicious Goddess! (sive!) Oh! Compassionate Goddess! (karunänilaye!), Who is the embodiment of compassion, Oh Kamale! Who resides amongst Lotuses (kamalanilaye), one who worships (varivasyati yo’nudinam) Your lotus feet (pada-kamalam) daily without fail, (sah) would for sure be endowed with wealth (kamalä-nilayah sa katham na bhavet). Oh! Auspicious Goddess! (sive!) If I consider Your feet as only refuge (tava padam-eva param-padam-ityanusilayato), is there anything that I will not get (mama kim na). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini!), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini!), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute!). (17)

kanaka-lasatkala-sindhujalair-anusincinute! guna-ranga-bhuvam
bhajati sa kim na saci-kuca-kumbha-tati-parirambha-sukhänubhavam|
tava caranam saranam karaväni natämaraväni niväsi sivam,
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||18||

S/he who sprinkles (anusincinute!) the water of the ocean (sindhujalair), taken in a golden pot (kanaka-lasatkala), on You, the playground of virtues (guna-ranga-bhuvam), Oh Goddess will get the same pleasure, like the Indra, when he fondles, the pot-like hips of his wife Sachi.  (Some Freudian problem). I take refuge in Your feet Oh Goddess (tava caranam saranam karaväni), Which is also Siva’s abode (natämaraväni niväsi sivam). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (18)

tava vimalendu-kulam vadanendu-malam sakalam nanu kulayate
kim u puruhüta-purindumukhi sumukhibhir-asau vimukhi kriyate|
mama tu matam sivanäma-dhane bhavati krpayä kim-uta kriyate
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||19||

S/he who meditates on Your moon-like face, in his/her thoughts would never face rejection (tava vimalendu-kulam vadanendu-malam sakalam nanu kulayate), by the pretty beauties with moon-like face in Indra’s celestial court (kim u puruhüta-purindumukhi sumukhibhir-asau vimukhi kriyate), and so, Oh Goddess! Who is held in esteem by Siva (sivanäma-dhane), I am sure (mama tu matam) you would not reject my wishes (bhavati krpayä kim-uta kriyate). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (19)

ayi! mayi dina-dayälutayä krupayäiva tvayä bhavitavyam-ume ,
ayi! jagato janani krpayäsi yathäsi tathä’numitäsirate|
yad-ucitam-atra bhavatyurari-kurutädurutäpamapäkurute
jaya jaya he! mahishäsura-mardini! ramyakapardini! sailasute !||20||

Oh! Uma! (ayi! ume!) Please shower some mercy on me, since you are most merciful on the oppressed (mayi dina-dayälutayä krupayäiva tvayä bhavitavyam). Oh Mother of the universe (ayi! jagato janani!), be pleased (krpayäsi) to give me the independence, to consider you as my mother, and do not reject my prayer even if it is improper (yathäsi tathä’numitäsirate yad-ucitam-atra), rather be pleased to drive away all my sorrows (bhavatyurari-kurutädurutäpamapäkurute). All glory to Thee (jaya jaya he!), the repressor of the demon Mahisha (mahishäsuramardini), Who is decked with beautifully braided hair (ramyakapardini), Who is the daughter of the mountain (sailasute). (20)

***

Sri Mahälakshmi-Ashtakam

Çré Mahälakñmi-Añöakam

In the famous Churning of the Ocean, many exquisite objects, and beings manifested. Çré Mahälakñmi also manifested during the churning of the Ocean. The Puräna says, when Çré Mahälakñmi manifested, Indra promptly offered her a gold throne and chanted this ashtakam  in Her honour.

Indra said –

namaste’stu mahämaye ! sripithe ! surapüjite !
sankha-chakra-gadä haste! mahälakshmi ! namo’stu t’||1||

Salutations to the Great Mother, Who is the embodiment of wealth,
Who is worshipped by gods, Who holds a conch, a wheel and a mace in her hands, Salutations to Mahälakshmi.(1)

namaste garudärüdhe ! koläsura-bhayankari !
sarva-päpa-hare ! devi ! mahälakshmi ! namo’stu te||2||

Salutations to One Who rides on Garuda,

Who was feared by the demon Kola, Who can destroy all wrong-doings,

Salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi. (2)

sarvajne ! sarva-varade ! sarva-dushta-bhayankari !
sarva-duhkha-hare ! devi ! mahälakshmi ! namo’stu te ||3||

Salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi, Who is Omniscient,
Who can grant any boon, Who appears fearsome to all non-righteous people, Who can destroy all sorrows. (3)

siddhi-buddhi-prade ! devi ! bhukti-mukti-pradäyini !

mantra-mürte ! sadä devi ! mahälakshmi ! namo’stu te ||4||

Salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi,
Who grants occult powers and intelligence,

Who grants enjoyment and liberation (heaven),
Who is embodiment of holy chants, and is ever-shining and radiant. (4)

ädyanta-rahite ! devi ! adyasakti-mäheswari !
yogaje ! yoga-sambhüte ! mahälakshmi ! namo’stu te ||5||

Salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi.
Who has no beginning or end,
Who is the primodial energy,
Who is the great Goddess,
Who is born out of Yoga,
Who is manifestation of Yoga. (5)

sthüla-sükshma-mahäraudre ! mahäsakti-mahodare !
mahäpäpahare ! devi ! mahälakshmi namo’stu te ||6||

Salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi,
Who represents both gross as well as subtle (manifestations),
Who is most fearsome,
Who is greatest strength,
Who holds the creation within her,
Who is capable of destroying all wrong-doings. (6)

padmäsana-sthite ! devi ! parabrahma-svarupini !
paramesi ! jaganmätar ! mahälakshmi ! namo’stu te||7||

Salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi,
Who is seated on the Lotus,
Who is the personification of the ultimate reality,
Who is Goddess of all,
Who is the Universal Mother. (7)

svetämbaradhare ! devi ! nänälankära-bhüshite !
jagat-sthite ! jagan-mätar ! mahälakshmi namo’stu te ||8||

Salutations and salutations to Goddess Mahälakshmi,
Who wears white cloth,
Who wears variety of ornaments,
Who is Omnipresent,
Who is the Universal Mother. (8)

Phala Sruthi
mahälakhmyashtakam stotram yah pathet bhaktimän narah |
sarva-sidhim aväpnoti räjyam präpnoti sarvadä ||9||

Those person/s who read this octet eulogising Mahälakshmi,
with devotion will obtain all powers and kingdom for ever.

ekakäle pathen nityam mahäpapa-vinäsanam
dvikälam yah pathen nityam dhana-dhänya-samanvitah |
trikälam yah pathen nityam mahä-satru-vinäsanam
mahälakshmir-bhaven-nityam prasannä varadä subhä ||10||

Chanted once daily, great wrong-doings committed would be destroyed,
Chanted twice daily, will be blessed with wealth and grains,
Chanted thrice daily, one’s powerful enemies would be destroyed,
And the joyful, auspicious, and giver of boons Goddess Mahälakshmi would  bless that devotee.

So said Indra, the King of all the Devatäs.

***

Sri Lingäshtakam

Çri Liìgäñöakam

While translating Sri Lingäshtakam, I discovered something amazing. The immediate meaning of Sadäsiva that will strike anybody is, Siva = auspiciousness, Sadäsiva = one who is always auspicious. The second meaning that struck me is that, the word sadä has been used as a dehli-dipa. dehli-dipa nyäya is an analogy used by Äcäryas in their bhäshyas. A word is used that qualifies the word preceding, as well as succeeding it, just as a lamp placed on the threshold, illumines the inside, and outside of the house/room. sadä as an avyaya – indeclinable, meaning ‘always’ can also go with pranamämi meaning sadä pranamämi – I always bow to Sivalinga.

brahma-muräri-surärcita-lingam nirmala-bhäshita-sobhita-lingam|
janmaja-duhkha-vinäsana-lingam tat-pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||1||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga) Who is adored by Brahmä, Muräri (Vishnu) and other gods, Who is eulogized/praised by pure and holy words (the Vedas), and Who destroys the cycle of pain of this life (of birth and death). (1)

deva-muni-pravarärcita-lingam kämadaham karunäkara-lingam|
rävana-darpa-vinäsana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||2||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Whom the gods and the great sages worship, Who is the destroyer of Kämadeva (desires), Who is infinitely compassionate, and Who destroyed the pride of the demon Rävana. (2)

sarva-sugandha-sulepita-lingam buddhi-vivardhana-kärana-lingam|
siddha-suräsura-vandita-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||3||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is lavishly smeared with fragrant perfumes, Who is the cause of the increase of the intelligence and discriminative faculty (in the devotee), Who is extolled by the Siddhas, the gods, and asuras. (3)

kanaka-mahämani-bhüshita-lingam phanipati-veshtita-sobhita-lingam|
daksha-suyajna-vinäshana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||4||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is adorned with various gold ornaments, studded with precious jewels, Who is  decorated by a garland of the serpent (Cobra, king of snakes) coiled around (His neck), Who destroyed the grand sacrifice of Daksha (Prajäpati). (4)

kumkuma-candana-lepita-lingam pankaja-hära-susobhita-lingam|
sancita-päpa-vinäsana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||5||

I bow before that Sadäsiva Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is anointed with kumkuma and sandal-wood paste, Who is decorated with a garland of Lotuses, and Who wipes out all accumulated (note only sancita, not prärabdha???) wrong-doings (of the devotees). (5)

devaganärcita-sevita-lingam bhävair-bhaktibhir-eva ca lingam|
dinakara-koti-prabhäkara-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam ||6||

I bow before that Sadäsiva-Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is worshipped by the group of gods (or ganas of Siva) with faith and devotion, and Who is resplendent with splendor of a million suns. (6)

ashtadalopariveshtita-lingam sarva-samudbhava-kärana-lingam|
ashta-daridra-vinäsana-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||7||

I bow before that Sadäsiva Linga, (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is surrounded by the eight-petalled Lotus, Who is the cause of the whole creation, Who is the destroyer of eight types poverty and misery {lack of i) dhanam (wealth), ii) dhänyam (food), iii) grham (wife/spouse, home/house), iv) santäna (child/ren), v) bhägyam (good luck), vi) santushti (contentment), vii) jaya (victory), viii) vidyä (knowledge). These eight are indicative (upa-lakshana) of all other aspects.} (7)

suraguru-suravara-püjita-lingam suravana-pushpa-sadärcita-lingam
parätparam paramätmaka-lingam tat pranamämi sadäsiva-lingam||8||

I bow before that Sadashiva-Linga (or I always bow to that Sivalinga), Who is worshipped by all the gods, their preceptor (Brhaspati), and their King (Indra), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens, Who is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Self. (8)

Phalasruti

lingäshtakam idam punyam yah pathet sivasannidhau|
sivalokam apäpnoti sivena saha modate||

Any one who chants this Lingashtakam (an octet on Lingam), in the holy presence of Siva, obtains Siva’s abode, and revels with Him (in Him).

 ***

Kanakadhärä-Stotram

Kanakadhärä-Stotram 

Kanakadhärä-Stotram was composed by Sri Sankara. The story goes - Once Sri Sankara approached a home for his bhikshä, and the lady of the house had nothing to offer except one ämalaka - berry at home, which she offered to Sri Sankara. Bhagavän Sankara was extremely touched by her situation and composed Kanakadhärä-Stotram, which reportedly showered gold coins. This story is mentioned in the fourth sarga of the biography Sankara-Digvijaya. Kanakadhärä-Stotram has continued to enchant the devotees of Sri Lakshmi since more than 1,200 years.

The Stotram is mostly in Vasanta-Tilaka metre.

1. angam hareh pulaka bhüshanam-äsrayanti | bhrngänganeva mukuläbharanam ---

May Her glance, who abides in the body of Sri Hari, just as the bees takes shelter in the profusely blossomed (buds) Tamäla tree, Who is the abode of all superhuman powers, and Who is all auspiciousness, be auspicious to me. (1)

2. mugdhä muhur-vidadhati vadane muräre | prematrapäpranihitäni gatägatäni ||

May the row of glances of the Daughter of the Ocean, which prompted by love and desire, makes a beeline towards the face of Muräri (enemy of demon Mura), but withdraws from it because of modesty and bashfulness, like a bee that circumfuses into a large Lily and away from it, confer wealth on me. (2)

      3. visvämarendra padavibhrama dänadaksham | änandahetur-adhikamhe’pi-- ||

She who is capable of bestowing the opulence and luxury of the post of Indra, the King of all the gods, She who is the source of ever-increasing joy to Muräri, She who is delicate like the Blue Lily, may that half-opened glance of the Moon’s sister fall on me for a moment.

4. ämilitäksham-adhigamya mudä-mukundam-anandakandam-animesham-- ||

May the eye of the Consort of Vishnu who is (as though) sleeping on the coiled mattress of Sesha-Näga, with Her delicate eyelids and quivering pupil, which is half-closed but becomes steady due to joy, becoming aware of the constant loving gaze of Sri Mukunda, confer on me prosperity. (4)

5. ‘bähvantare murajitah srita-kaustubhe yä | härävaliva harinilamayi vibhäti ||’

May Her row of glances, Who adorns the chest of Madhujita like the sapphire string along with the Kaustubha gem, Who created desire in His heart, Who dwells in the Lotus garden, be auspicious to me. (5)

6. kälämbudäli lalitorasi kaitabhäreh | dhärädhare sphurati ya tadid-anganeva ||

May the Worshipful, Who shines on the dark chest of Kaitabhäri (the enemy of the demon Kaitabha), like the lightning in dark clouds, Who upon her manifestation was the joy of the clan of the Bhrgus, who is the Mother of all the worlds and Who is the daughter of Bhärgava Maharshi, confer auspiciousness/prosperity on me. (6)

7. präptam padam prathamatah khalu yat prabhävät-mängalyabhäji i--||

May the soft, lazy (alasam), slow (manda) and half-closed glance of the Daughter of the Ocean, because of Whose influence, Manmatha (Cupid) received his first hold on Madhumätha (enemy of the demon Madhu), fall upon me for a while. (7)

8. dadyäd-dayänupavano dravinämudhäräm-asmin-akincana vihangasisau ||

May the dense dark cloud-like eyes of the Beloved of Näräyana, along with the favourable winds of compassion, sweep away the poverty and accumulated wrong-doings of this young Chakora (meaning the Poet) and shower wealth  (8)

9. ishtä visishtamatayo’pi narä yayä dräk| drshtästrivishtapapadam sulabham -- ||

May the glance of Padmä, which is effulgent like a full-bloomed Lotus (Padma), becoming worthy of Whose favour the best of humans  obtain a place in the heaven easily,  Who is seated on a Lotus, bless me with my desired objects.

10. girdevateti garuda-dhvaja-sundariti | säkambhariti sasisekhara-vallabheti ||

May this prostration be to you, Who manifests  as the Väk-Devi (Sarasvati) at the time of creation, the Beautiful Consort of the one having the eagle as the vehicle/mount (Garudadhvaja=Vishnu) during sustenance, as Säkambhari (Pärvati) or as Beloved of the one adorned with the Moon (Sasisekhara or Siva) during dissolution, Who is ever-young and the Beloved of Näräyana, the preceptor of the three worlds. (10)

      11. srutyai namo’stu subhakarma-phala-prasutyai | ratyai namo’stu  ramaniya - ||

Mother! My prostrations to You who is the bestower of results of all auspicious actions. My prostrations to You, Rati, Who are embodiment of ocean of all virtues. My prostrations to You, who is the (Vaishnavi) Power, Who dwell in the garden of thousand petals (Lotus), My prostrations to You who is the beloved of the Purushottama (Lord Näräyana). (11)

12. namo’stu nälika nibhänanaye| namo’stu dugdhodadhi-janmabhutyai || namo’stu--’

My prostrations to Lotus-faced Kamalä. My prostrations to the One manifest out of the Ocean of Milk. My prostrations to the Sister (Sodari = born of the same womb, here same source i.e. the Ocean) of the Moon and Nectar. My prostrations to the Beloved of Näräyana. (12)

16. sampatkaräni sakalendriya-nandanäni | sämräjya-däna-vibhaväni (niratäni)-----||

O the Lotus-eyed Worshipful Mother! The prostrations offered to You are always ready to confer wealth, joy and delight to all the senses, gift of empires and ever ready neutralize all the wrong-doings (durita/s) of the devotees, May I always offer such prostrations to You. (16)

17. yat-katäksha samupäsanävidhih sevakasya sakalärtha-sampadah | santanoti ----||

For Whose compassionate glance the devotee does penance for fulfillment of all desires and increasing wealth, I worship that Queen of the heart of Muräri with my mind, speech.

18. sarasija-nilaye saroja-haste dhavalatamänsuka-gandha-mälya-sobhe | bhagavati  --’

May You Who dwell in the Lotus garden, Who holds the Lotus with the hand, Who are lustrous adorned with white garments, sandalwood and garlands, Whose glance is immensely captivating, Who are glorious in extending wealth to the three worlds, and Who are the Beloved of Hari, be compassionate to me. (18)

19. digg-hastibhih kanaka-kumbhamukhaväsrshtasvarvähini vimala-cäru-jala-- ||

May my prostrations at dawn be unto You, Whose is ceremonially bathed with pure Gangä-waters, through golden pots by the celestial elephants, who are Divine Mother of the Universe, Who are the Consort of the Lord of all the worlds (Vishnu), Daughter of the Ocean of Milk. (19)

20. kamale! kamälksha-vallabhe! tvam, karunäpüra-tarangitairapängaih ||

O! Lotus-born Goddess (Kamalä)! Beloved of the Lotus-eyed one (Vishnu)! May You cast your side-long glances drenched with flood of compassion, on me, the foremost among the poor, hence really worthy of your compassion. (20)

21. stuvanti ye stutibhir-amübhiranvaham trayimayim tribhuvana-mätaram ramäm ||

Those who worship the Mother of the three worlds and the Essence of the three Vedas with this Stotra daily, are bestowed with great qualities and fortune in this world, and earn the praise and respect of the learned. (21)

***

Sri Guru-Stotram

Çri Guru-Stotram

Çri Guru-Stotram is found in Gurugétä as well as in Päëòavagétä. Gurustotram was popularised by my spiritual Guru Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati, by selecting portions of the Gurugétä. It has now been adapted by almost all the Gurukulams.

Gurustotram is a great stotram to relate to one's personal Guru. India is a unique country where this relationship continues, that cannot be replaced by any modern University.

Translation

Salutations to that Guru, who showed me the abode, the one who is to be known, whose form is the entire universe, and by whom all the moving (living beings) and non-moving (plant kingdom) is pervaded. (1)

Salutations to that Guru, who opened the eyes of the one, blind due to the darkness (cover) of ignorance with the needle (coated) with the ointment of knowledge. (2)

Salutations to that Guru, who is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer, and who indeed is the limitless Brahman. (3)

Salutations to that Teacher, who showed me the one to be known, who permeates whatever that is movable and immovable, sentient and insentient. (4)

Salutations to that Guru, who showed me (by teaching) the one to be known, who is but consciousness, and who is the pervader of all the three worlds comprising the sentient and the insentient. (5)

Salutations to that Guru, who is the Sun to the lotus of Vedanta, and whose lotus feet are made radiant by the jewel of all Çrutis (Upanishads). (6)

Salutations to that Guru, who is consciousness, changeless (beyond time), who is peace, beyond space, pure (free from likes and dislikes), and who is beyond the manifest and unmanifest. (7)

Salutations to that Guru, who abides in knowledge that is power, adorned with the garland of truth, and who is the bestower of the joy of freedom. (8)

Salutations to that Guru, who by bestowing the knowledge of the Self, burns up the bondage created by accumulated actions of innumerable births (9)

Salutations to that guru, the perennial flow of wisdom from the one abiding in the vision of the Çruti dries up the ocean of transmigration (saàsära) totally, and reveals the essence of all wealth. (10)

There is nothing superior/higher to the Guru (knowledge of truth), and there is no austerity higher than the Guru (truth), salutations to that Guru. (11)

Prostrations to that Guru, who is my lord/master, and who is the lord/master of the universe, who is the self in me, and the self in all beings. (12)

Salutations to that Guru, who is the beginning and the beginningless, who is the highest deity, and for whom there is none superior. (13)

The one whose nature is independent fullness that is Brahman, one who gives me complete happiness, who is one (non-dual), whose name is knowledge and consciousness, who is beyond  the pairs of opposites, who is like the space (all-pervasive), who is the implied meaning of 'That thou art', who is one (without a second), who is timelessness, who is pure (free from binding likes and dislikes), who is stillness, who is the self-evident witness of the mind (all mental modes), who is free from samsära (being free from the three gunas- sattva, rajas and tamas), I salute in deepest reverence that Guru who is absolute truth/existence.

Oh Guru! You are indeed my mother, you are indeed my father, you are my kinsperson, you are my friend, you are the knowledge, and you are the wealth. You are everything (that is significant and precious) for me. (14)

***

Gurupädukä-Stotram

Gurupädukä-Stotram

Sri Gurupaduka-Stotram was composed by Sri Swami Saccidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharati, the 33rd Sankaracarya of Sringeri, in praise of his Guru Sri Swami Ugra Narasimha Bharati.

Generations of disciples have dedicated this immensely mellifluous Stotram to their personal Spiritual Guru. I feel privileged to dedicate this to my Spiritual Guru His Holiness Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati (b.1930-), founder of Arsha Vidya tradition.

Text in Roman with Free Translation

ananta-samsära-samudra-täran-

naukäyitabhyäm guru-bhaktidäbhyäm,

vairägya sämräjyada-püjanäbhyäm,

namo namah sri-gurupädukäbhyäm ||1||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru, which is a boat, which helps me, cross the endless ocean of life, which endows me, with the sense of devotion to my Guru, And by worshipping which, I attain the dominion of renunciation.(1)

kavitvaväräsinisakaräbhyäm,

daurbhägyadävämbudamälikabhyäm|

dürikrtänamra-vipattitäbhyäm,

namo namah sri-gurupädukäbhyam||2||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

which is the ocean of knowledge resembling the full moon,

which is the water that extinguishes the fire of misfortunes,

which removes distresses of those who prostrate before it.(2)

natä yayoh sripatitäm samiyuh,

kadäcidapyäsu daridravaryäh|

mükäsca väcaspatitäm hi täbhyäm,

namo namah sri-gurupädukäbhyäm||3||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

which makes those who prostate before it,

Possessors of great wealth even if they are very poor,

and which makes even dumb in to great orators.(3)

nälikanikäsapadahrtabhyäm,

nänä-vimohädi-nivärikäbhyäm|

namaj-janäbhishtatati-pradäbhyäm,

namo nama sri-gurupädukabhyäm||4||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

which attract us, to the lotus-like feet of our Guru

which removes the delusions in us,

and which helps fulfill the desires of those who salute. (4)

nrupälimauli-vrajaratna-känti-

sarid-viräjaj-jhashakanyakäbhyäm|

nrupatvadäbhyäm natalokapankteh,

namo namah sri-gurupädukabhyäam||5||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

which shine like gems on the crown of a king,

which shine like a maiden in the crocodile infested stream,

and which makes the devotees attain the status of a king.(5)

päpändhakärärka-paramparäbhyäm,

täpatrayähindra-khageswaräbhyäm|

jädyabdhi-samsoshana-vädaväbhyäm

namo namah sri-gurupädukäbhyäm||6||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

which like the Sun, drives away the accumulated päpas,

which like the Eagle, drives away the cobra of afflictions,

and which like a terrific fire dries the ocean of ignorance.(6)

samädi-shatka-prada-vaibhäväbhyäm,

samädhi-däna-vrata-dikshitäbhyäm|

ramädhavänghri-sthira-bhaktidäbhyäm,

namo namah sri-gurupädukäbhyäm||7||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru

which endows us with the glorious six qualities of sama etc.

which gives the students, the ability to go into eternal trance

and which helps obtain abiding devotion of the Lord.(7)

svärcäparänäm-akhileshtadäbhyäm,

svähä-sahayäksha-dhurandharäbhyäm|

sväntäccha-bhävaprada-püjanäbhyäm,

namo namah sri-gurupädukäbhyäm||8||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my guru

which bestows all desires of the serving disciples

who are ever involved in carrying the burden of service

and which helps the aspirants to the state of realization.(8)

kamadi-sarpa-vraja-garudabhyam,

viveka-vairagya-nidhi-pradabhyam|

bodha-pradabhyam druta-mokshadabhyam,

namo namah sri-gurupadukabyam||9||

Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru,

which like the Garuda drives away the serpent of passion,

which blesses the treasure of discrimination and dispassion.

which enlightens with knowledge

and blesses the aspirant with the quick salvation.(9)

***