Sri Dheena Bhandhu ashtakam

Dheena Bandhu Ashtakam
(The octet on the friend of the oppressed)
By
Swami Brahmananda

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

agdhudhedhi chathurmukhaadhyam,
Yasminnavasthitha masesha masesha mole,
Yathopayathiu vilayam cha samasthamanthe,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 1

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
From whom this entire world including Lord Brahma took birth,
And who is the primeval cause of everything that happens,
And in whom the entire world would in the end merge.

Chakram sahasra kara charu kararavindhe,
Gurveegadha dhara varscha vibhathiyasya,
Paksheendra prushta pariropari pada padmo,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 2

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
In whose thousand lotus like hands shines the holy wheel.
And whose hands hold the very heavy mace and the holy conch,
And who rides on the king of birds with his lotus like legs on it.

Yonodhyatho vasumathi salile nimagna,
Nagnascha pandava vadhoo sthagithadhukoolai,
Samochitho jala charendra mukhath karrendro,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 3

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
Who saved and brought back the world drowned in water,
Who hid the nudeness of the bride of Pandavas with cloths of silk,
And who saved the king of elephants from the clutches of the crocodile.

Yasyardhra drushtivasathasthu suraa samrudhim,
Kope kshanena dhanuja vilayam vrajanthi,
Bheethascharanthi cha yathorkkaya manilaadhya,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 4

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
Whose merciful look blesses the Devas with all sorts of wealth,
Whose fearful look of anger completely destroys Asuras,
And makes the sun, God of death and wind to travel with fear.

Gayanthi sama kusalayamajam makheshu,
Dyanthidhee ramathayo yathayo vivakthe,
Pasyanthi yogi purushaa purusham saareere,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 5

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
Who is being worshipped as Brahma by singing Sama Veda,
Who is being meditated upon in solitude by learned saints,
And who is being seen as their own soul by great Yogis.

Aakaara guna yoga vivarjithopi ,
Bhkanukampa nimitha graheetha murthy,
Ya sarva sopi krutha sesha sareera sayyo,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 6

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
Who in spite of having no form, shape ,relation and properties,
Has taken a body due to his love and mercy on his devotees,
And sleeps on the Sesha snake, in spite of being everywhere.

Yasyangri pankaja matheendra muneendra vrundai,
Raaradhyathe bhava dhavaanala daha santhyai,
Sarvaparadha mavichinthya mamakhilaathma,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 7

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
Whose lotus like feet is being worshipped by the kings of sages ,
For quenching the sufferings of the day to day life and bringing peace,
And who is the universal soul who pardons all unthinkable mistakes.

Yannama keerthana para swapachopi noonam,
Hithwakhilam kali malam bhuvanam punathi,
Dagdhwa mamaaghamakhilam karune kshanena,
Drughocharobhavathi medhya sa Dheena bhandu. 5

Let me able to see that God who is the friend of the oppressed,
By singing whose name even the debased selfish human beings,
Purify the entire world of the problems due to the kali age,
And who burns off , all my sins by a second of his merciful sight.

Phala Sruthi

Deena bandwashtakam punyam,
Brahmanandena Bhashitham,
Ya padeth prayatho nithyam,
Thasya Vishnu praseedathi.

If any one reads this octet,
On the friend of the oppressed,
Written by Brahmananda,
He would be able to please Lord Vishnu.