Sunday, February 28, 2010

Jaya Madhrashtakam

Jaya Madhurashtakam
(The octet of victory to the sweet mother)

By
Semmangudi Muthuswami

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Sri Madura Kali amman Temple is situated in Siruvachur Village off Trichy-Chennai Higway. The temple is open during Monday and Friday only. Other days it is believed that amman is guarding the village from near by hills along with her guards- Sri.Selliamman, Sri Karuppanna swamy. The amman is worshipped as Sri. Madhurambhika by devotees. More information about the temple is available in
http://www.velachery.com/heritage/kali.htm
The author of this prayer is Sri Muthuswami , who was the first priest of this temple and lived before 1920. He was generally called Semmangudi Swamiyar (Sage of Semmangudi)

Eka vasthre shiki jwala shike shubhe,
Vama roope kapala dahane, sarvaabharana bhooshithe 1

She who wears one cloth, who has a hair similar to crest of peacock,
Who does good. Who has left sided form, who burns skulls,
Who decorates herself with all different ornaments,

Kroora damshtre , raktha malye, ashta dasa bhuja kare,
Mangale , kaarane , maathe , mathar bale , rakshake, 2

She who has cruel teeth, she who wears red garlands,
She who has eighteen hands , she who does good,
She who is the cause , she who is the mother,
She who is the power of mother, She who protects,

Kunkuma priye guna vaasine , kula vrudhi kaarane , sriye,
Soola damarukam chaiva kapala pasa dharine. 3

She who likes kumkum*, She who lives in good qualities,
She who helps the clan to increase, She who is goddess Lakshmi,
She who carries trident , drum , skull and a rope.
*Saffron

Omkara roopine , sakthi vara roope varaaye,
Sukhasane Chamunde , sundari yogadheeswari. 4

She who is of the form of Om, She who is the form of blessed Shakthi,
She who gives boons, she who sits pleasantly , She who killed Chanda,
She who is very pretty , She who is the goddess of Yoga

Simha vahana priye , devi, Shyama varne cha sambhavi,
Madhura kali , masana vase , mathruka , maha mangali, 5

She who likes to ride on a lion , She who is the goddess,
She who is black in colour , she who makes things happen,
Sweet kali , she who lives in cremation ground,
She who is the ideal, She who is great goodness,

Seer vachoor vasa priye , seegra vara mandithe,
Poorva punya darsane devi, maha mangala darsini, 6

She who likes to live in seer vachoor , she who gives boons speedily,
She who can be seen only with accumulated punya, Goddess,
She who sees that greatly good things will happen.

Jyothir maye , jaya kalike , dukha nasana priye, Shive,
Janma labha vare , kanthe , madhure , jyothi roopine, 7

She who is full of light , She who is the victorious Kali,
She who likes to destroy sorrow , She who is the consort of Shiva,
She who gives the boon of profit , she who is the consort,
She who is sweet , She who is of the form of light,

Sarva klesa nasine , mathe , savithri , Abheeshtanugrahe,
Shodasanugrahe , devi ,bhakthanugraha archithe, 8

She who destroys all sufferings, mother, Savithri,
She who blesses fulfillment of desires,
She who gives sixteen type of blessings,
Goddess, She who blesses devotees who worship her.

Yeka masam shukra vare soubhagyam kali darshanam,
Shukra soma dhanam japithwa sarva mangala nidhi bhagyatham. 9

If chanted on all Fridays for a month, you would get all luck and see Kali,
If chanted on all Fridays and Mondays all the good and treasure will be received.

Ashta poornam japeth nithyam Ashta sidhi prapthitham shubham,
Ithi sri mauthuswami jihwa dwara jaya madhurashtakam sampoornam. 10

If daily it is chanted eight times all the eight occult powers would be received.
Thus ends the octet called Jaya Madhura , written by Sri Muthuswami

Sundara Kanda Pasuram (tamil)

Sundara Kanda Pasuram.
(Pasuram on Sundara Kanda)

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(It is believed by all devotees that reading or narrating Sundara Kanda of Ramayana would result in fulfillment of all our wishes. In the thirty first chapter of Sundara Kanda. to console Sita as well as to make her understand that he is a genuine messenger of Rama, Hanuman relates the story of Rama, up to that time. Devotees believe that reading this chapter would give them the same result as reading the entire Ramayana.
In this Pasuram (divine Tamil poems written by minstrels of Lord Vishnu called as Azhvars.) a summary of the above chapter followed by the giving of ring of Rama to Sita is narrated. Devotees believe that reading this Pasuram is equivalent to reading of Sundara Kandam of Ramayanam.
I got this Pasuram from the Kumudam bhakthi magazine of 15-2-2010. Nothing has been mentioned about who is the author of the Pasuram. I would be grateful for this information.)

Cheerarum thiral anuman ma kadalai kadantheri,
Mummadil neeli ilangai pukku kadigavil,
Vaararum mulai madaval Vaideki thanai kandu,
Ninnadiyen vinnappam kettarulay.

The Hanuman who was efficient and able ,
Crossed the sea and reached the shores,
And entered Lanka which is three walls long,
And went inside a garden and saw,
The pretty Vaidehi who has pretty breasts,
And told her “please hear my submission.”

Ayothi thannil oor,
Ida vagayil yelliyathothu inithirukka,
Malligai ma malai kondang karthathuvum,
Kalakkiya maa manithinanay, kakeyi varam venda,
Malakkina ma manithinanay,
Mannavanu marathozhiya ,
Kula kkumara kadurai po yendru vidai koduppa,
Ilakkumanan thanodu sungu yekiyathum.
Gangai thannil kooranintha vel valvan guhanodu,
Cheeranintha thozhamai kondathuvum,
Chithir koodathiruppa Bharatha nambi panithanthuvum,
Chiru kaakai mulai thenda , anaithulagum thirindu odi,
Vithagane Rama nin abhayamenna,
Athirame adhan kannai aruthathuvum,
Pon otha man ondru pugundu inithu vilayada,
Nin anbin vazhi nindru chilai pidithu yem piraan yega,
Pinne angu ilakkumanan pirindhadhuvum,

In the city of Ayodhya,
When everything was happy and sweet,
Kaikeyi bedecked in mountains of jasmine garlands,
With a greatly confused mind asked for boons,
And the king with sad and dejected mind.
Bid farewell to the heir of family and asked him to go to forest,
And when he along with Lakshmana went there,
And struck friendship with Guha who had a sharp spear,
And when in Chithra koota, Bharatha came and saluted him,
And when the little crow touched your breast and wandered all over the world,
And cried “Oh Lord Rama , please protect me”,
And he using the arrow took out one of its eyes,
And when a golden deer entered there and played,
And due to love for you , the lord armed with bow chased it,
And then Lakshmana also followed him.

Ayothiyar kon uraitha adayalam,
EEthu avan kai modhiram yendru,
Adayalam therindhu uraikka,
Malar kuzhalaal cheethayum,
Vil iruthan modhiram kandu,
Anuman adayalam okkum yendru ,
Uchi mel vaithu ugakka,
Thiral vilangu maruthiyum,
Ilangayar koman kadikkavai iruthu,
Kadal makkalum chuthamum kondru,
Kadi ilangai malakka yerithu,
Arakkar kon chinamazhithu , meendum anbinaal,
Ayothiyar kon thalar purayum adi inai paniya chendraan.


And then saying that this is the sign given by king of Ayodhya,
And then when he gave the ring and said, this is his ring,
Please recognize this sign and talk to me,
And then Sita with hair bedecked with flowers,
Seeing the ring of the one who broke the bow,
And recognized that the sign given by Hanuman as genuine,
Kept the ring on her head and became happy,
And then Hanuman who was very intelligent,
Came away from the garden of the king of Lanka,
And killed his relatives and loving kids,
And then burned the town of Lanka,
And destroying the anger of the king of Rakshasas,
And then due to his love and devotion,
Went back to worship the feet of the king of Ayodhya.

Shiva Shadakshari Stotram-II

Shiva shadakshari stotram–II
(The prayer to the six lettered chant of Shiva)

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(This is the second version of the same stotra given elsewhere and deals with the six lettered prayer addressed to Lord Shiva namely-“Om Namashivaya”)

Omkara samgnatha samastha veda,
Purana punyagama poojithaya,
ongara roopa Priya darshanaya,
Omkara roopaya nama shivaya. 1

I salute Lord Shiva who is of the form of “Om”,
Who is worshipped by the letter Om in all Vedas,
Puranas and all the other holy agamas,
And who is seen by his devotees as “Om”.

Nana jaraa vyadhi vinasanaya,
Nadhaya lokaya jagat hithaya,
Nana kalanjana nidarsanaya,
Thasmai nakaraya nama shivaya. 2

I salute Lord Shiva who is of the form of “Na”,
Who destroys different diseases of old age,
Who is lord of people , who does good to the world,
And who proves different aspects of arts.

Mathsarya doshanthaka sambhavaya,
Mathu pithu dukha nivaranaya,
Maheswari sookshma varaya nithyam,
Thasmai makaraya namashivaya. 3

I salute Lord Shiva who is of the form of “ma”,
Who puts an end to evils arising out of competition,
Who solves the sorrow of mother and father,
Who is the micro groom of the great goddess.

Seela vratha Jnana druda vruthaya,
Sheela suvarnaya samuthsukaya,
Seegraya nithyam sura sevithaya,
Thasmai shikaraya namashivaya. 4

I salute Lord Shiva who is of the form of “si”,
Who is firm in good conduct, penances and wisdom,
Who is of golden character and gives good encouragement,
Who is fast and served by devas daily.

Vamardha vidhyuth prathima prabhaya,
Vacha mana karma vimochanaya,
Vageeswari sookshma varaya nithyam,
Thasmai vakaraya namashivaya. 5

I salute Lord Shiva who is of the form of “va”,
Whose left half is the electrifying pretty splendour,
Who gives freedom from words, mind and action,
And who is daily worshipped by Goddess Saraswathi.

Yaksho ragendradhi sura vruthaya,
Yakshangana janma vilochanaya,
Yaksheshu lokeshu jagath hithaya,
Thasmai yakaraya namashivaya. 6

I salute Lord Shiva who is of the form of “ya”,
Who s worshipped by yakshas and devas,
Who gave salvation to the yaksha lady,
Who takes care of the yaksha people and all people of earth.

Uthphulla neeloth pala lochanayai,
Krusanu chandraka vilochanaya,
Nireeswarayai nikhileswaraya,
Namashivayai cha namashivaya. 7

She with a eye like a fully opened lotus,
He with eyes of moon, sun and fire,
She who does not have any God above her,
He who is the God for all the universe
Salutations to her who is the consort of Shiva,
Salutations to the God Shiva.

Guru Stotram of Shivanand Ashram

Sri Guru Stotram

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(This is a prayer to the Guru sung every day in the Shivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, India. It is more a collection of prayers addressed to Guru collected from different sources. The major part of the stotra is available in http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/slguru.html. A translation of this stotra is also available in http://forum.spiritualindia.org/guru-stotram-with-meaning-t25135.0.html )

Brahmanandam , parama sukhadham , kevalam Jnana moorthim,
Dwandwatheetham gagana sadrusam thathva masyadhi lakshyam,
Yekam nithyam vimala machalam sarvadhee sakshi bhootham,
Bhavaatheetham tri guna rahitham sad gurum tham namami. 1

I salute my great Guru, who is immersed in divine bliss, who is divinely happy,
Who is unalloyed wisdom , who is beyond anything that is two,
Who is like a sky , whose aim is “I am that”, who is one, who is forever ,
Who is pure, who is immobile , who is witness for everything,
Who is beyond emotions and who is beyond the three fold qualities.

Yasyantham nadhi Madhyam na hi kara charanam nama gothram na suthram,
No jathir naiva varno na bhavathi purusho no napumsam na cha sthree
Naakaaram no vikaram na hi jani maranam nasthi punyam cha papam,
No athathvam thathwamekam sahaja samaras am sadgurum tham namami. 2-3
.
I salute my great Guru,
Who does not have end, beginning or middle ,
Who does not have hand or feet ,
Who does not have name or clan or school of thought,
Who does not have caste , colour ,
Who is not either man or woman or eunuch.
Who does not have form or emotions,
Who does not have either birth or death,
Who does not have sin or good deeds,
Who is beyond principles and is one principle,
And who is friendly and tolerant.

Gurur Brahma , gurur Vishnu , gurur devo maheswara,
Guru sakshath param brahma thasmai Sri guruave nama. 4

Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and the great Maheswara,
Guru is the real Brahman and so I salute the Guru.

Chaithanyam saswatham santham vyomatheetham niranjanam,
Nada bindu kalatheetham thasmai sri guruave nama. 5

I salute that Guru, who is activity, permanence , peace and beyond sky,
Who is unstained and beyond the knowledge of ultimate sound of Om.

Ajnana thimirandhasya Jnana Ajnana salakaya ,
Chakshur unmeelitham yena thasmai sri Gurave nama. 6

I salute that Guru who opens my eyes ,
Which are closed by the cataract of ignorance,
And are not able to differentiate between,
Ignorance and knowledge , with his teachings.

Akhanda mandalakaram vyaptham yena characharam,
Thath padam darshitham yena thasmai Sri Gurave nama. 7

I salute that Guru , who helps me in seeing the feet,
Of him who is spread all over the world among all beings.

Sthavaram jangamam vyaptham yath kinchid characharam,
Thwam padam darshitham yena , thasmai sri gurave nama. 8

I salute that guru who shows us the God
Spread all over moving and non moving,
And also in all things of the universe.

Chinmayam vyapthim sarva trilokyam sa characharam,
Thwat padam darshidham yena , thasmai sri guruve nama. 9

I salute that Guru who shows us the God,
Who is micro and spread all over the three worlds,
In things that move and those who do not move.

Yath sathwena jagat sathyam , yath prakasena bhathi yath,
Yad aanandena nandathi thasmai Sri Gurave nama. 10

I salute that guru whose truth makes the world true,
Whose light makes things bright and,
Whose happiness makes every one happy.

Na guror adhikam thathwam , na guror adhikam thapa,
Na guror adhikam jnanam , thasmai sri gurave nama. 11

I salute that guru since no principle is greater than guru,
No penance is greater than Guru,
And no wisdom is greater than Guru.

Guru eko jagat sarva , brahma Vishnu shivathmakam,
Gurur para tharam nasthi thasmad sampoojaye gurum. 12

Guru is the whole universe,
Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,
There is no truth beyond Guru,
And so I worship Guru.

Yasya deva para , bhakthitr yadha deve thadha gurou,
Thasyaithe kadhitha hyardha, prakasanthe mahathmana. 13

All the words that are told by him,
Who has great devotion to God,
And considers his Guru as his God,
Would shine as that of a great being.

Mannadha sri jagan nadho, madh guru sri jagat guru,
Mamathma sarva bhoothathma , thasmai sri gurave nama. 14

My lord is the lord of universe,
My teacher is the teacher of universe
My soul is the soul of all beings,
And so I salute my guru.

Dhyana moolam guror moorthi, pooja moolam guror padam,
Manthra moolam guror vakhyam, moksha moolam guror krupa. 15

The root of my meditation is the form of my Guru,
The root of my worship is the feet of my Guru,
The root of my chants is the words of the Guru,
The root of my salvation is the blessing of my Guru.

Nama shivaya guruave , sachid Ananda moorthaye,
Nishprapanchaya shanthaya , niralambaya thejase. 16

Salutations to the Guru who is Lord Shiva,
Who has the form of divine ever lasting joy,
Who is above this world and peaceful,
And who is the shining brilliance without any support.

Ajnana moola haranam , janma karma nivaranam,
Jnana vairagya sidhyartham , guror padhodhakam pibeth. 17

Drinking of the water washing the feet of Guru,
Would destroy all sort of ignorance,
Would cure the problems due to birth and Karma,
And would lead to detachment in our birth.

Nithya shudham nirabhaasam , niraakaarm niranjanam,
Nithya bodham chidanandam gurur brahma namamyaham. 18

I salute my teacher who is the Brahma,
Who is forever clean, forever shining,
Who does not have any form and is fearless,
And who teaches daily and is divinely happy.

Nidhaye sarva vidhyaanaam , bhishaje bhava roginaam,
Gurave sarva lokaanaam , dakshinamurthaye nama. 19

I salute Lord Dakshinamurthy,
Who is the treasure of all knowledge,
Who is the doctor curing the disease of fate,
And who is teacher of all the worlds.

Om namo brahmadhibhyo brahma vidhya sampradhaya
Karthubhyo vamsarishibhyo mahadbhyo,
Namo gurubhya sarvopaplava rahitha,
Prajnana Ghana prathyagardho brahmaivaha masmi. 20

Om my salutations to Brahma and others,
To those who steered the knowledge of Brahmam,
And to those who are great people.
My salutations to my Guru and I am,
That Brahmam which is heavy with knowledge,
Which is without any sins and assumes all forms.

Om Narayanam padmabhavam Vasishtam,
Shakthim , cha thath puthra parasaram cha.
Vyasam shukam gowdapatham mahantham,
Govinda yogeendra madhasya sishyam. 21

Sri Shankaracharya madhasya padma padam cha,
Hasthamalakam cha sishyam,
Tham thotakam varthika kara manyan,
Asmad guroon santhatham manathosmi. 22

Om my salutations to Lord Narayana,
His disciple Padhma bhava, His disciple Vasishta,
His disciple Shakthi , his son sage Parasara,
His son Vyasa, his son Shukha, his disciple the great Padmapada,
His disciple the great Yogi Govinda, His disciple Shankara,
His disciples Padma pada, Hasthamalaka , Thodagascharya,
And Sureswaracharya who wrote commentaries.

Sruthi smruthi puranaanamalayam Karunalayam,
Namami Bhagwatpadam Shankaram Loka Sankaram. 23

I salute Shankara who is known as Bhagawat pada,
Who is the store house of Sruthi, Smrithi and Puranas,
And is the one who does good to all people.

Shankaram Shankaracharya Kesavam Badharayanam,
Suthra bhashya kruthou , vade bhagawanthou puna puna. 24

I salute again and again Shankara ,
Who is the form of Lord Shiva,
And Badarayana who is the form of Vishnu,
Who wrote commentaries on Suthras.

Ishwaro gurur athmethi, moorthi bheda vibhagine,
Vyomavad vyaptha dehaya , dakshinamurthaye nama. 25

I salute lord Dakshinamurthy,
Who exhibits himself differently,
As God, Guru and the soul,
And who is spread like the sky every where.

Deva deva Shivanand

Dev dev Shivananda
(God of gods Shivananda)

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(Here is a prayer addressed to the great Teacher Swami Shivananda , who lived in Haridwar and established the divine life society , there. This prayer has been taken from the prayer book published by his Ashram.)

Mangalam yogi varyaya, mahaneeya gunabhdhaye,
Ganga theera nivasaya , Shivanandaya Mangalam. 1

Let all the good happen to Shivananda,
Who lives in the shore of Ganges,
Lat all the good ,happen to the great Yogi,
Who is great and a treasure of good qualities.

Dev dev Shivananda dheenabhandho pahi maam,
Chandra vadana manda hasa prem swaroopa raksha maam,
Madhura Geetha gana lola Jnana roopa pahi maam,
Samashtha loka poojaneeya mohananga raksha maam. 2

Take care of me ,God of gods, Shivananda who is friend of the oppressed
Look after me Moon faced one with pleasant smile and love personified
Take care of me , Sweet voiced one , who is moved by music and wisdom personified,
Take care of me , one who is worshipped by whole world and one who is handsome.

Divya ganga theera vasa dhana sheela pahi maam,
Papa haran punya sheela parama purusha raksha maam,
Bhaktha loka hrudhaya vasa swaminadha pahi maam,
Chithswaroopa chidanand Shivanand pahi maam. 3

Take care of me one who lives in the shore of Ganges and who is charitable by nature,
Look after me one who removes sins who is of good nature and a divine man,
Take care of me one who lives in the heart of devotees and is the lord of God,
Take care of me one who has divine form . has divine joy and is Shivananda.

Ab saump Dhiya Main ne (Hindi)

Ab Soump Diya Is Jivan ka,
(I have entrusted to you this life)

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(I happened to get a prayer book of Swami Shivananda Ashram, Rishi Kesh. This great prayer in Hindi is listed there as being sung daily. The prayer some how tugs your heart and grants you lots of peace. A web search revealed that this prayer with modifications is used in several Ashrams of Northern part of India.)

Ab Soump Diya Is Jivan ka,
Sab bhaar tumhaare haathon men,
Sab bhaar tumhaare haathon men
Har jeet tumhaare haathon men,
Aur haar tumhaare haathon men,
Aur haar tumhaare haathon men

I have given you , Oh God,
All the burden of this life in your hands,
All the burden in your hands,
The victory is in your hands,
And the failure is in your hands,
And the failure is in your hands.

Mera nischay bas ek yahi,
Ek baar tumhe paa jaavun mein,
Ek baar tumhe paa jaavun mein,
Arpan kardun duniya bhar ka,
Sab pyaar tumhaare haathon men,
Sab pyaar tumhaare haathon men

I have but only one decision,
If once I get you in my hands,
If once I get you in my hands,
I would dedicate a world full of
Love in your hands,
Love in your hands.

Jo jagme rahun tho aise rahun,
Jo jal men kamalka phool rahe,
Jo jal men kamalka phool rahe
Mere sab guna dosh samarpit ho,
Karthar tumhaare haathon mein,
Saakar thumhaare haathon mein,
Bhagawan tumhaare haathon mein

In the world where I live, I will live,
Like a lotus flower , which is in water,
Like a lotus flower , which is in water,
Dedicating all the good and bad in me,
With responsibility of all the acts in your hands,
With responsibility of all the good in your hands,
Oh God in your hands.

Yadi manush ka mujhe Janma mile,
Tho tav charano ka pujari banu,
Tav charano ka pujari banu
Is pujak ki ek ek rag ka,
Ho taar tumhaare haathon men,
Ho taar tumhaare haathon men

If I get to be born as a human being,
I would become the worshipper of your feet,
Worshipper of your feet,
And each nerve of this worshipper ,
Would be controlled by your hands,
Would be controlled by your hands.

Jab jab sansar ka kaidi banu,
Nishkaam bhaavse karma karun,
Nishkaam bhaavse karma karun
Phir anth samay men praan tajun,
Sakar tumhaare haathon men
Niraakaar tumhaare haathon men

When ever I became a prisoner of this life,
Without desire I would do my job,
Without desire I would do my job,
And at the end I would give away my soul,
For success of action is in your hands,
And failure of action is in your hands.

Mujh mein, thuj mein bhas bhed yahi,
Main nar hoon , thum narayan ho,
Main nar hoon, thum narayan ho,
Main hoon samsaar ke hathon mein,
Samsar thumhare hathon mein,
Samsar thumhare hathon mein

Between me and you, the difference is only that,
I am a man and you are Lord Narayana,
I am a man and you are Lord Narayana,
I am in the hands of this world,
But the world is within your hands,
World is within your hands.

Udhar pathan sab mera hain,
Sarthaj thumhara hathon mein,
Sarthaj thumhara hathon mein,
Miltha hai sacha sukh keval,
Hey Ram thumharen charanom mein,
Hey Sham thumharen charanom mein

Progress and downfall all are mine,
But the crown is in your hands,
The crown is in your hands,
The real and true pleasure is only got,
Hey Rama , at your feet,
Hey Krishna , at your feet.

Vinthi hain yahi pal-pal , chin-chin ,
Rahe dhyan thumhare charanom mein,
Rahe dhyan thumhare charanom mein,
Miltha hain sacha such keval,
Bhagawan thumhare charanon mein,
Mahadev thumhare charanon mein

The only request that I have ,
Is that every moment and in every action,
My thought should be at your feet,
My thought should be at your feet,
For the real truth is got only,
At your holy feet, Oh God,
Oh great God , at your holy feet.


Vinthi hain yahi pal-pal , kshan-kshan,
Rahe dhyan thumhare charanom mein,
Rahe dhyan thumhare charanom mein,
Ab Soump Diya Is Jivan ka, Sab bhaar tumhaare haathon men,
Sab bhaar tumhaare haathon mein,
Har jeet tumhaare haathon men,
Aur haar tumhaare haathon men,
Aur haar tumhaare haathon men


The only request that I have again and again ,
Is that every moment and in every action,
My thought should be at your feet,
My thought should be at your feet,
I have given you , Oh God,
All the burden of this life in your hands,
All the burden of this life in your hands,
The victory is in your hands,
And the failure is in your hands,
And the failure is in your hands