Yagna Varaha Murthi Sthuthi
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Hiranyaksha a very powerful Asura stole the earth and hid himself along with it inside the sea. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar with a very huge form and went inside the sea. He killed Hiranyaksha and brought back the earth. The sages assembled there praised him by this prayer which occurs in the third Skanda and in the thirteenth chapter in slokas 33-44. Here Varaha is described as the form of Yagna and his body parts are identified with the various articles used in the Yagna. I am absolutely unfamiliar with the names of the articles. Also the Sanskrit used is really tough to understand. With a view to high light, the meaning of this prayer, I have used the translation of this work by Sri C. l.Goswami , in his translation of Bhagwatha , which was published by Gita press Gorakhpur. I have written what I understood from the text as well as the above translation , in my own words adopting my own style.)
The rishir Uvacha:-
1.Jitham jitham the jitha yagna bhavana,
Thrayeem thanum swam paridhunvathe nama,
Yad roma gartheshu nilil yoora dwaraa,
Thamai nama karana sookaraaya they.
The sages told:-
Victory, victory to you oh great Lord who is the promoter of Yagnas,
We salute you even when you shake your gross divine body,
Which consists of the three Vedas, we Bow to you, Oh God,
In the form of a boar in whose hair pores all yagnas(sacrifice rituals) exist.
2.Roopam thai thannanu dush kruthathmanam,
Doordarsanam deva yadadhwarathmakam,
Chandhamsi yasya twachi barhi roma,
Khaajyam drusi thwan angrishu chathur hothram.
Oh God, This form of yours made up of the sacrifices and rites,
Cannot be seen by the evil minded ones,
And also the various meters of the four Vedas,
Find a place in your skin , the kusa grass in your hair bristles,
The Ghee in your eyes and the four priests on your four legs.
3.Srukthunda aassi sruva eesa naasayoridodhare chamasa karna ranthre,
Prasithra maasye rasane grahasthuthe yach charvanam they bhagwan agnihothram.
The big ladle (sruk)for pouring ghee in to the fire is in your snout,
The small ladle (sruva) to pour ghee in to the big one , Oh God,
Is located in your nostrils, the plate where food is kept(ida),
For offering in fire exists inside your belly,
The vessel from which Soma is drunk (chamsas)is in your ears,
The vessel in which the share to Brahma(prasitra) is offered is in your mouth,
And the ladles used to take out Soma(grahas) from big vessel is in your throat,
And the act of your chewing oh Lord is the real fire sacrifice.
4.Deekshanu janmopasada sirodharam,
THwam praayaneeyo dhayaneeya dhamshtra,
Jihwa prayargya sthava seershakam krutho,
Sabhyava sathyam chithayo asavo hi they.
Your repeated incarnations are the offering of oblations to the fire,
And three ishtis called Upasada preceding extraction of Soma constitute your neck,
The prayaniya and the udyaniya ishti done at the end are your tusks,
The Pravargya which is carried out before Upasad is your toungue,
The Sabhava and avasathya fires of the sacrifice are your head,
And the arrangement of bricks in layers for the sacrifice are your vital airs.
5.Somasthu retha savanaanyava sthithi,
Samshthaa vibhedha sthava deva dhathava,
SAthraani sarvaani sareera sandhi ,
Sthwam sarva yagna kruthu rishti bandhana.
Your generative fluid is Soma, your sitting posture,
Are the everyday rites performed thrice a day,
The seven constituents of your body,
Are the seven main sacrifices and your body joints,
Are the satras which are sacrifices carried out for several days,
And like this your entire body are the various parts of a yagna,
And the tendons of your body are the various sacrifices.
6.Namo namasthe akhila manthra devathaa,
Dravyaya sarva krathave kriyathmane,
Vairagya bhakthyathma jayanu bhavitha,
Jnanaya vidhya gurave namo nama.
Salutations and salutations to the Gods of all the manthras,
The money spent , materials used and gods worshipped in the sacrifice,
Salutations and salutations to the teacher of knowledge of wisdom,
Teaching us self control, devotion and mind control.
7.Damshtragra kotayaa bhagwam sthvayaa druthaa,
Virajathe bhoodhara bhoo sabhoodharaa,
Yadhaa vannahnni saratho dhathaa druthaa,
Madham gajendrasya sapathra padmini.
The earth shines at the pointed end of your tusks,
Along with the land and the mountains , Oh God who carried the earth,
Appears as if it is pretty lotus plant with leaves,
Being brought out by a lord like elephant emerging from water.
8.Thrayeemayam roopamidham cha soukaram,
Bhoo mandale natha dathaa druthena they,
Chakasthi srungoda ghanena bhooyasaa,
Kulachalendrasya Yadhaiva vibhrama.
Your form of boar made up of the three Vedas,
Oh Lord , carrying the earth on your pointed tusks ,
Looks charming like a pretty mountain,
Along with heavy clouds hanging on a summit.
9.Samshtapayainaam jagathaam sadhasthushaam,
Lokaaya pathni masi maatharam pitha,
Vidhema chasyai namasaa saha thwayaa,
Yasyaam swathejo agni mivaaranaavadhaa.
Please place this mother of all animate and inanimate things,
Who is your consort firmly, so that all people can live there,
For you are their father and we shall offer salutations,
To you as well as to her, for you have deposited your power in her,
Like the fire deposits itself in a wooden piece called Arani.
10.Ka Sradhatheethaanyamasthava prabho,
Rasaam gathaaya bhuva udhvibarhanam,
Na vismayo asou thwayi viswa vismaye,
Yo maayayedham sasruje athi vismaya,
Oh Lord who else can dare to lift the earth,
When it has sunk in to the lowest depths of water?
This is not surprising to you , who is the surprise of the world,
For you have created this entire magical universe by your Maya.
11.Vidhunvathaa Veda mayam nijam vapu,
Jana sthapa Sathya nivasino vayam,
Sataa Shikhoo dhootha shivambhu bindhubhi,
Vimrujyamaanaa brasamesa paavithaa.
When you shook your body made up by the Vedas,
The inhabitants of Jana loka. Thapa loka and Sathya Loka,
Got drenched and splashed extremely by the the water,
Falling out of the drenched hairs of your mane.
12.Sa vai batha brashata mathisthavaishaa,
They ya karmanaam param apara karmana,
Yadhyoga maya guna yoga mohitham viswam,
Samastham Bhagawan videhi saam.
He who tries to understand fully your great exploits,
Would lose his mind due to confusion ,Oh Lord,
Please bring happiness to the whole universe,
Which has lost its senses due to attachment created by your illusion.
Translation in to english of Hindu Prayers written in Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi by P.R.Ramachander
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Thursday, February 10, 2011
Narasimha Sthuthi of Prahladha
Narasimha Sthuthi of Prahladha
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( Hiranya Kasipu thr tyrant tortured his son Prahladha from praying to Lord Vishnu. When in spite of several painful tortures he did not change, Hiranya Kasipu wanted to know where Lord Vishnu lives. When Prahladha replied that he is everywhere, Hiranya Kasipu broke a pillar before him to see , whether Lord Vishnu is there inside the pillar. Lord Vishnu emerged in the form of a man lion and killed Hiranya Kasipu. After this Prahlada offered a prayer to Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha. This prayer occurs in seventh Skanda , ninth chapter in slokas 8-50. I have consulted the translation of this prayer by Smt Sudha devi Ramkumar in her book in Tamil called “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” and the translation by Sri .C.l.Goswami in his English translation of Bhagawatham published by Gita press , Gorakhpur. ,I have also consulted the great translation and commentary of this great work available in
www.scribd.com/doc/14845700/Narasimha-Stuti-English
Earlier I have translated this same work from a Malayalam translation by Thunjathu ezhthachan and this is available in
http://www.celextel.org/stotras/vishnu/prahladasthuthi.html)
1.Brahmadaya sura gana munayotha sidhaa,
Sathvaika thana mathayo vachasam pravahai ,
Naaradhithum puru gunairadhunaapi pipru,
Kim thoshtumarhathi samay hari rugra jathe.
How can I , who was born in a ferocious asura clan,
Expect to please you , when you were not pleased,
By Brahma , other devas , sages and Sidhas,
Who were all steeped in Sathwa qualities,
Using the torrential flow of words ,
Which describes your great qualities.
2.Manye dhanabhi jana roopa thapa sruthoujastheja,
Prabhava bala pourusha budhi yoga,
Naaraadhanaaya hi bhavanthi parasya pumso,
Bhakthya thuthosha bhagwan gaja yoodha paaya.
In spite of it , I know that wealth, pedigree, form , penance,
Vedic learning, power , strength , manliness, wisdom and yoga,
Are not sufficient to please you, Oh divine and supreme god,
And that only the devotion of the elephant king succeeded in pleaseing you.
3.Vipradh dwi shad gunayutha dhath aravinda nabha,
Padaravinda vimukhascha vapacham varishtam,
Manye thad arpitha mano vachane hithartha,
Pranam punathi sa kulam na thu bhoorimana.
Oh God with lotus on the navel, compared to a Brahmin,
Blessed with the twelve desirable qualities, but,
Not having devotion to your lotus like feet,
The person born in a lowly caste , who worships you,
Surrendering his mind, word and soul to you,
Redeems his race , besides making himself pure.
4.Naivathmana prabhurayam nija labha poorno,
Maanam janaadha vidhusha karuno vruneethe,
Yad yajjano bhagwathe vidha dheetha maanam,
Thacchtmane prathi mukhasya yadha mukhasree.
The devotee and not you Oh lord , receive profits ,
Of your worship by the ignorant one , Oh merciful one,
For whatever honour the devotee offers to the Lord,
Rebounds to him , like a mirror reflecting his own image.
5.Thasmad aham vigatha viklava iswarasya ,
Sarvathmana mahi gunaami yadhamanisham,
Neecho ajayaa guna visarga manu pravishta,
Pooyetha yena hi pumaan anuvarnithena.
Therefore with all my fear gone , in spite of my being unworthy,
I am starting to pray to the best of my ability , the greatness,
Of the almighty lord, by doing which even an ordinary debased one,
Who has been caught , in the net of mundane life, gets purified.
6.Sarve hyaami vidhi karaa sthava Sathwa dhaamne,
Brahmadhayo vayamivesa na choddhi jantha,
Kshemaya bhoothaya uthathma sukhaaya chasya,
Vikhreeditham bhagawatho ruchiravatharai.
Lord Brahma and others who are your devotees,
Are standing here with fear towards you,
Who normally have a soft form drenched with truth,
Though they know that you are taking these incarnations,
For the welfare and complete happiness of all beings.
7.Thadyachaa manyu masurascha hathas thva yaadhyaa,
Modhetha sadhurapi vruschika sarpa hathyaa,
Lokaascha nirvruthi mithaa prathiyanthi sarve,
Roopam nrusimha vibhayaaya janaa smaranthi.
Please hold your anger in control as the asura(Hiranya Kasipu) has been killed,
For even sages are happy, when scorpion and snakes are killed
And now the entire world is relieved and waiting for you to become peaceful,
So that they would continue, to recall this man lion always.
8.Naaham vibhemya jitha they athi bhayanakaasya jihwa,
Arka nethra brukuti rabhaso ugra damshtrath,
Anthra sruja kshathaja kesara sanku karnnirhradha,
Bheetha dhigibhada ribhinna khagrath.
Oh invincible lord, I am not at all afraid of your this form,
Which has fearful toungue , with sun like eyes, horrifying looks,
Fierce teeth, with blood drenched flying red manes,
Erect ears and claws that tear the enemies,
Along with the intestine garland that you are wearing ,
All of which even makes the elephants guarding the directions scared.
9.Thrasthomyaham krupana vathsala dussahograa,
Samsara chakra gadjhanaad grasathaam praneeth,
Badha swakarma bhirusatham they angry moolam,
Preetho apa varga saranam hvayase kadhh nu.
But I am definitely afraid , Oh lover of the oppressed,
Of the terrible suffering involved in this cycle of births and deaths,
Since I am tied by my own acts and thrown amidst blood thirsty demons,
And oh shining one , be pleased with me and when are you,
Going to call me near your feet , which would grant me salvation.
10.Yasmath priyaa Priya viyoga sayoga janma,
Sokaa agninaa sakala yonishu dahyamaanaa,
Dukha oushadham thadapi dukha matha dwiyaaham,
Bhooman bramaami vadha may thava dasya yogam.
So having taken several births which involved,
Separation from things I liked and those I hated,
And burning in the fire of sorrow in several wombs,
And realizing that the cure for a sorrow involves more sorrow,
I would like to know from you, Oh Lord,
The method of being, in eternal service to you.
11.Soham priyasya suhrudha para devasthaaya,
Leela kadahsthava nrusimha virincha geethaa,
Agnja sthitharmya anugranan guna vipramuktho.
Durgaani thay pada yugalaaya hamsa sanghaa.
And after serving you , enjoying the friendship,
Of enlightened souls and hearing your story ,
And the prayer of Lord Brahma addressed to you,
I would by your blessing cross the unknown obstacles,
By constant worship of the pair of your feet.
12.Baalasya neha saranam pitharo nrusinha,
Naarthasya chaagadha mudhanwanthi majjatho nau,
THapthasya thath preethi vidhirua ihaajnaa sesthaa ,
Sthaavath vibho thanu bhruthaam thwad upekshithaanaam.
Oh Narasimha ,in case you decide to completely neglect us,
Fathers would not be able to protect their sons,
No medicine would be able to cure any diseases,
No shipping vessel would be able to save one from drowning,
And without your grace one would not be able,
To get out or even destroy a very small sorrow,
And how can I get cured of this sorrow ,
Of domestic life without your help?
13.Yasmin yatho yarhi yena cha yasya yasmaadh,
Yasmai yadhaa yadhutha yasthvaparas paro vaa,
Bhava karothi vikarothi prudhak swabhava,
Sanchodhithastha d akhilam bhavathas swaroopam.
All beings which are high or low and possessing,
A nature of its own produces or transforms some things,
Whatever way it has to be done, whatever cause , whatever time,
Using which, from which, using whichever method,
Which job , with whom and to what purpose,
But all of them would be your form and nothing else.
14. Maayaa mana srujathi karma mayam baleeya,
Kalena chodhitha gunanu mathena pumsa,
Chandho mayam yadha jayaarpitha soda saaram samsara chakram,
Aja ko athi thareth thwadhanya.
The innate nature with its differing characters,
Created by time which represents the will of God,
Evolves in to a subtle body, which is a product of Karma,
Which is very strong and is within the wheel ,
With its sixteen spokes* ,and this cannot,
Be crossed by those who do not surrender to you.
*Mind , ten sense organs and five subtle elements.
15.Sa thwam hi nithya vijitha athma guna swadhamna,
Kalo vaseekrutha visrujya visarga Shakthi,
Chakre visrushta majayeswara shodasare,
Nish pedayaamaana mupakarsha vibho prapannam.
You are forever victorious over the innate nature using your greatness
And You as time , have exercised control over both effects and causes,
And Oh Lord , who is everywhere , draw me who is suffering as I having been ,
Caught and being crushed in the wheel with the sixteen spokes .
16.Dashtraa mayaa dhivi vibho akhila dhisshnya pana mayu,
Sriyo vibhava icchaathi yagna noyam,
Ye asmathpithu kupitha hasa vijrumbhitha,
Broovisphurjithena lulithaa sa thu they nirastha.
Oh Lord , I have seen that the long life , riches , glory of the devas,
Which ordinary people crave for in this world, of my father,
Were easily destroyed by your angry laughter,
And the frown of the eye brow very easily,
And I also have seen, that valorous one being killed by you.
17.Thasmadhamoo sthanu bruthaa maha maasisho jnaya
Aayu sriyam vibhava maindriya maavirichaath,
Nechami they vilulithaan uru vikramena,
Kalathma nopanaya maamnija bruthya parswam.
So my lord I am not interested in those great pleasures,
Like long life , wealth and sensory gratification which even Brahma enjoys
And I also do not desire of getting mystic powers that are crushed by you as time,
But I request you to place me among your servant s.
18.Kuthrasisha sruthi sukhaa mruga thrushni roopaa,
Kwedham kalevaram asesharujaam viroha,
Nirvidhathe na thu jano yadha peethi vidhwaan,
Kaamaanalam madhulavai samayandhuraapai.
These desires are sweet to hear but have the form of mirages,
And this body being subject to diseases also cannot enjoy them,
And in spite of knowing all this people do not hate them,
Being engaged in quenching the fire of their pleasures,
By the drops of honey which are difficult to get.
19.Kwaaham raja prabhabava yeesa namo adhikesmin,
Jatha surethara kule kwa thavanukampaa,
Na Brahmano na thu bhavasya na vai ramaaya,
Yanme arpitha sirasi padmakara prasada.
Oh God, How come your pity on me , who was born,
In a non deva race dominated by regal qualities,
For you have blessed me by keeping your hand on my head
Which you have not done either to Brahma or Shiva or Lakshmi,
20.Naishaa pravaramathir bhavatho nanu syaath,
Janthor yadhaa aathma suhrudho jagadastha dhapi,
Sam sevayaa suratha roriva they Prasada,
Sevaanu roopam udayo na paraa varathwam.
Unlike the people who think others as low and high,
You being the friend of the soul and lord of the world,
Only by doing service one can get your grace,
Which is like the wish giving tree of devas ,
And your grace to others depend on how they serve you,,
But definitely not based on who they are?
21.Yevam janam nipathiotham prabhavaahi koope,
Kaamabhi kama manu ya prapathan prasangaath,
Kruthwaa aathmasaath surarshinaa bhagwan graheetha,
Soham kadham nu visruje thava bruthya sevaam.
When due to desires I was about to join those men,
Who were suffering, after falling in to the snake infested well,
The celestial sage Narada made me his friend and blessed me,
And so how can I ever think of leaving your service as a servant.
22.Math prana rakshanam anantha pithur vadhascha manye,
Swa bruthya rishi vakhya amrutham vidhathum,
Khadgan pragruhya yada vocha dasa dwithith sus thwaa,
Meeswaro mada paro aavathu kam haraami.
Oh endless one, You saved me as well as killed my father,
When my father came to kill me with an unsheathed sword,
Saying “If there is a God above, let him save you as I am cutting your head.”
So that the immortal words of Sanaka sages would come true,
23.Yekasthwa meva jagadethamushya yath thwam,
Aadhyanthayo prutha gavasyasi madh yadascha,
Srushtwaa guna vyathikaram nija mayayedham,
Naaneva thairava sithastha dhanu pravishta.
You are same as the universe that you are showing,
For in the past , during and after its birth, you only are there,
As after creating a modification of the three fold characters,
You immediately entered in to it and due to the real illusion,
You appear varied and many, though you are one.
24.Thwam vaa idham sada sadheesa bhavaam sthadho anye,
Maayaa yada athma para budhiriyam hyaparthaa,
Yadhyasya janma nidhanam sthithireekshanam ,
Cha thadwaithadeva vasu kalavadha shti dharvo.
You yourself are this world consisting ,
Of movable and immovable things,
Yet you are something different from it,
The notions of God is self and God is others,
Are notions without any import,
For that from which something,
Originates cannot be different from it,
Similar to the relation between ,
Seed and tree , the later being only a temporal change.
25.Nyasyedha mathmani jagaadwi layaabhu madhye,
Sesha aathmanaa nija suka anubhavo niroha,
Yogena militha drugathmani peetha nidhra,
Sthitho na thu thamo na gunamscha yungshai.
You merge all that exists in to yourself ,
By your own free will and repose in the,
Water of deluge enjoying the real divine pleasure,
Without any activity whatsoever ,
But by yoga though you appear asleep,
You are not in the state of sleep,
For you are beyond the state of thamas by sleep or wakefulness,
And you are the one who shines by your own power.
26.Thasyaiva they vapuridhamnija kala shakthyaa,
Samjnchodhitha prakruthi dharmana aathma goodam,
Ambasyanaantha sayanaad viramath samaadhe,
Nabherabhooth swa kamikaa vatavan mahaabjam.
You had assumed your form due to the power of time,
Which ignite the three fold characters and
When your trance on the bed of Adhi sesha ended
From your navel, a huge lotus sprang up,
From the seed that was hidden there.
27.Thath sambhava kavi ratho anyadha pasya maanasthwam,
Bheejamathmani thatham swabahir vichinthaya,
Naavindha dhabdha sathamapsu nimmajjamaano jaathe,
Angure kadha maho pala bhedha bheejam.
That Brahma who rose from that lotus , not seeing,
Any other thing other than that flower , started,
Searching for the cause of that flower , though ,
You were spread inside and outside him,
And he was inside the water for one hundred years,
For how can anyone who is on the sprout see the seed?
28.Sa thwathmayo nirathi vismitha aasthitho abhjam,
Kaalena theevra thapasaa parishuddha bhavaa,
Thwamathamanisa bhuvi gandha mivathi sookshmam,
Bhoothendriyysayamaye vithatham dadarsa.
Not able to find out the reason , with great sense of wonder,
Brahma returned to the flower and started doing ,
Hard Penance and became one with a very pure mind and,
After realizing that the scent of the earth cannot be separated from it.
Saw you who were spread within him and his senses completely.
29.Yevam sahasra vadhanaangri sira karoru,
Nasaasya karna nayanaabharayudhaadyam,
Maaya mayam sad upalakshitha samnivesam,
Drushtwaa maha Purusha maapa mudham virincha.
Brahma became extremely happy on seeing you , the Lord,
Who was the supreme manifestation in himself, hidden by illusion
With thousands of faces, feet , heads, hands , thighs,
Noses, mouths, ears , eyes, ornaments and weapons.
30.Thasmai bhavaan haya sira sthanuvacha bhibradha,
Veda druhathi balou Madhu kaidabhakyai,
Hathwwa aanachruthi ganaamsthu rajasthamascha,
Sathwam thava Priya thamaam thanu maamnanthi.
Then you , after assuming the form of Hayagreeva,
With the head of a horse , killed Madhu and Kaidabha,
Who were the personification of base qualities of rajas and thamas,
You recovered the Vedas ,which were dear to you,
And which were personification of Sathwa quality
And gave them to Lord Brahma.
31. Itham nruthiryagrushidhe vajashava tharai lokaan,
Vibhavayasi hamsee jagath prathipaan,
Dharma mahapurusha paasi yuganuvrutham channa,
Kalou yadhabha vastri yugodha sa thwam.
Like this you are protecting the world taking the forms,
Of Man, beast , sage deva as well as that of fish,
And destroying the enemies of the this world,
And you also establish the dharma relevant to that yuga,
But since in this, age of Kali you remain unseen you are called Triyuga.
32.Naithan manasthava kadhaasu vikundanatha,
Sampriyathe duritha dushta masaadhu theevram,
Kaamathuram harsha soka bhayai shanaartham thasmin,
Kadham thava gathim vimrusaami dheena.
Oh Lord of Vaikunta, the mind of mine does not ,
Get interested in the great stories of yours,
As it is more interested in suffering, bad people ,
Those who are bad souls due to extreme passion,
And is affected by sorrow, joy , fear and wants for a progeny,
And with this how can this oppressed one like me,
Get interested in your stories and attain your path.
33.Jihwe katho Achyutha vikarshathi maavi thrupthaa,
Susno anya thasthwagudharam sravanam kuthaaschith,
Graano anyathascha pala druk kwa cha karma Shakthi,
Bahavya sapalyayiva gehapathim lunanthi.
Oh Achyutha, my toungue pulls me to one direction,
The unsatisfied sex organ to yet another direction,
The sense of hearing , smell to its own directions,
As also the eyes and each of organs of action in their own path,
Like a polygamous husband being pulled by co wives to differing places.
34.Yevam swakarma pathitham bhava vaitharanyam,
Anyonya janma maranaasana bheetha bheetham,
Pasyan angnanam swa para vigraha vaira mithram,
Hathaithi paaracharapeepruhi moodamadhya.
Thus falling in to their own karma they fall ,
In to the Vaitharani *river of domestic life,
Getting severely scared by birth, death and suffering,
Which are inter connected and proceed from one another,
And due to ignorance they see one as enemy and the other as friend,
And so Oh God, from the other bank of Vaitharani protect them.
*river in the border of the land of departed souls.
35.Konvathra they akhila guro bhagwan prayasa,
Utharane asya bhava sambhava lopa hetho,
Moodeshu vai mahadanugraha aartha bandho.
Kim thena they Priya jananu sevathaam na.
Oh teacher of the universe , is the job of saving ,
These souls from the birth and death cycle difficult for you?
Please offer your blessing and grace towards these ignorant ones ,
For your own dear people, would do service to you and get out of there.
36.Naivo dwije para durathyaya Vaithranyaas,
Thwad veerya gayana maha mrutha magna chitha,
Soche thatho vimukha chethasa indrriyartha,
Maaya sukhaaya bhara mudhwahatho vimoodaan.
I am not at all afraid of the sufferings to cross Vaitharani.
As my mind is immersed in the nectar like songs of the valour of yours,
But I am worried about the ignorant ones who are not interested in you
Who for their sensual satisfaction carry on with illusory pleasures,
Of the carrying and looking after their families.
37.Praayena deva munaya swa vimukthi kaamaa,
Mounam charanthi vijane na prartha nishtaa,
Naithaan vihaaya krupanaan vimumuksha yeko,
Naa anyam thwadasya saranam bramatho anupasye.
Devas and the sages for the sake of their own salvation,
Go to a lonely place , observe silence and meditate ,
Not being ever bothered about the ignorant ones ,
But I am not interested in getting to your presence,
Without them , who never seem to be able to surrender to you.
38.Yan maidhunadhi gruham yedhi sukham hi thucham,
Kandooyanena kara yoriva dukha dukham,
Thrupyanthi neha krupanaa bahu dukha bhaajaa,
Khandoothi van manasijam visha hetha dheeraa.
Oh Lord the pleasure in love making and that from a house is insignificant,
For these result in sorrow after sorrow , like the scratching of one hand by the other,
But some wretched ones do not feel sated in spite of lots and lots of sorrow,
But the wise man is able to boldly curb these wrong cravings like scratching of hand.
39.Mouna Vrutha srutha thapo adhyayana swadharma ,
Vyakhyaraho japa samaadhaya apa vargyaa,
Praya param Purusha they thawa jithendriyaanaam,
Varthaa bhavanthyutha na vathraa thu dhambeekaanaam.
Penance of silence , fasting , meditation, hearing of scriptures,
Study of sacred books, doing one’s allotted duty, teaching scriptures,
Living in seclusion, muttering prayers, and concentration of mind,
Are paths that lead to salvation but, Oh divine God,
But they generally happen to be only a means of livelihood,
For those persons who have failed to conquer their senses.
And is of no use at all to the advertising hypocrite.
40.Roope yime sadasathi thava Veda srushte,
Bheeejangura viva na cha anya adha roopakasya,
Yuktha samksha mubha yathra vichinvathe thwaam,
Yogena vahnimiva dharushu nanyatha syath.
Similar to the sprout coming from seed and later the seed coming from the sprout,
The real Brahman and the visible form follow each other says the Vedas,
And this truth is only realized by people who have controlled their mind,
Similar to the fact that fire is inside a piece of wood is known only to the Yogis.
41.Thwam vayur agni avanir viya dhambhu mathraa,
Pranenryaani Hrudayam chidanugrahascha,
Sarvam thwameva saguno vigunascha bhooman,
Nanyath thwadasthyapi mano vachasaa niruktham.
You are wind, fire , earth , sky and water,
You are the five sense objects*, five vital airs **and ten sense organs***,
You are the mind, intellect , ego, qualified and unqualified objects,
And lastly everything is you and you alone, oh divine one,
Whatever is revealed by mind or speech is you alone.
*sound , touch, sight , taste and smell
** Prana , apapana, vyana , udana and samana
***five senses of action and five of perception.
42.Naithe gunaa na gunino mahadhaadayo ye,
Sarve manna prabhoothaya saha deva marthyaa,
Aadhyanthavamtha uroogaaya vidanthi hi thwaam,
Yevam vimrusyas sudhiyo viramanthi sabhdaath.
Neither the three gunas and three gods presiding over them,
Nor the principles starting from the great principle of cosmic intelligence,
Nor the five subtle and gross elements, nor the mind , nor living beings,
Including gods and human beings, who have beginning and end ,
Are capable of knowing the truth behind your unending principle,
And knowing this, the good people leave out Vedic rituals and only meditate on you.
43.Thath thear mhathama namasthuthi karma pooja,
Karma smruthiscaranayo sravanamkadhaayaama,
Samsevayaa thwayi vinethi shadangaya kim,
Bhakthim jana parama hamsa gathou labhetha.
Oh great one, saluting you, singing your praise,
Worshipping you, serving your feet,
Meditating on you and hearing your stories,
Are the six methods used by the devotees,
And are even used by realized souls to attain you.
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( Hiranya Kasipu thr tyrant tortured his son Prahladha from praying to Lord Vishnu. When in spite of several painful tortures he did not change, Hiranya Kasipu wanted to know where Lord Vishnu lives. When Prahladha replied that he is everywhere, Hiranya Kasipu broke a pillar before him to see , whether Lord Vishnu is there inside the pillar. Lord Vishnu emerged in the form of a man lion and killed Hiranya Kasipu. After this Prahlada offered a prayer to Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha. This prayer occurs in seventh Skanda , ninth chapter in slokas 8-50. I have consulted the translation of this prayer by Smt Sudha devi Ramkumar in her book in Tamil called “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” and the translation by Sri .C.l.Goswami in his English translation of Bhagawatham published by Gita press , Gorakhpur. ,I have also consulted the great translation and commentary of this great work available in
www.scribd.com/doc/14845700/Narasimha-Stuti-English
Earlier I have translated this same work from a Malayalam translation by Thunjathu ezhthachan and this is available in
http://www.celextel.org/stotras/vishnu/prahladasthuthi.html)
1.Brahmadaya sura gana munayotha sidhaa,
Sathvaika thana mathayo vachasam pravahai ,
Naaradhithum puru gunairadhunaapi pipru,
Kim thoshtumarhathi samay hari rugra jathe.
How can I , who was born in a ferocious asura clan,
Expect to please you , when you were not pleased,
By Brahma , other devas , sages and Sidhas,
Who were all steeped in Sathwa qualities,
Using the torrential flow of words ,
Which describes your great qualities.
2.Manye dhanabhi jana roopa thapa sruthoujastheja,
Prabhava bala pourusha budhi yoga,
Naaraadhanaaya hi bhavanthi parasya pumso,
Bhakthya thuthosha bhagwan gaja yoodha paaya.
In spite of it , I know that wealth, pedigree, form , penance,
Vedic learning, power , strength , manliness, wisdom and yoga,
Are not sufficient to please you, Oh divine and supreme god,
And that only the devotion of the elephant king succeeded in pleaseing you.
3.Vipradh dwi shad gunayutha dhath aravinda nabha,
Padaravinda vimukhascha vapacham varishtam,
Manye thad arpitha mano vachane hithartha,
Pranam punathi sa kulam na thu bhoorimana.
Oh God with lotus on the navel, compared to a Brahmin,
Blessed with the twelve desirable qualities, but,
Not having devotion to your lotus like feet,
The person born in a lowly caste , who worships you,
Surrendering his mind, word and soul to you,
Redeems his race , besides making himself pure.
4.Naivathmana prabhurayam nija labha poorno,
Maanam janaadha vidhusha karuno vruneethe,
Yad yajjano bhagwathe vidha dheetha maanam,
Thacchtmane prathi mukhasya yadha mukhasree.
The devotee and not you Oh lord , receive profits ,
Of your worship by the ignorant one , Oh merciful one,
For whatever honour the devotee offers to the Lord,
Rebounds to him , like a mirror reflecting his own image.
5.Thasmad aham vigatha viklava iswarasya ,
Sarvathmana mahi gunaami yadhamanisham,
Neecho ajayaa guna visarga manu pravishta,
Pooyetha yena hi pumaan anuvarnithena.
Therefore with all my fear gone , in spite of my being unworthy,
I am starting to pray to the best of my ability , the greatness,
Of the almighty lord, by doing which even an ordinary debased one,
Who has been caught , in the net of mundane life, gets purified.
6.Sarve hyaami vidhi karaa sthava Sathwa dhaamne,
Brahmadhayo vayamivesa na choddhi jantha,
Kshemaya bhoothaya uthathma sukhaaya chasya,
Vikhreeditham bhagawatho ruchiravatharai.
Lord Brahma and others who are your devotees,
Are standing here with fear towards you,
Who normally have a soft form drenched with truth,
Though they know that you are taking these incarnations,
For the welfare and complete happiness of all beings.
7.Thadyachaa manyu masurascha hathas thva yaadhyaa,
Modhetha sadhurapi vruschika sarpa hathyaa,
Lokaascha nirvruthi mithaa prathiyanthi sarve,
Roopam nrusimha vibhayaaya janaa smaranthi.
Please hold your anger in control as the asura(Hiranya Kasipu) has been killed,
For even sages are happy, when scorpion and snakes are killed
And now the entire world is relieved and waiting for you to become peaceful,
So that they would continue, to recall this man lion always.
8.Naaham vibhemya jitha they athi bhayanakaasya jihwa,
Arka nethra brukuti rabhaso ugra damshtrath,
Anthra sruja kshathaja kesara sanku karnnirhradha,
Bheetha dhigibhada ribhinna khagrath.
Oh invincible lord, I am not at all afraid of your this form,
Which has fearful toungue , with sun like eyes, horrifying looks,
Fierce teeth, with blood drenched flying red manes,
Erect ears and claws that tear the enemies,
Along with the intestine garland that you are wearing ,
All of which even makes the elephants guarding the directions scared.
9.Thrasthomyaham krupana vathsala dussahograa,
Samsara chakra gadjhanaad grasathaam praneeth,
Badha swakarma bhirusatham they angry moolam,
Preetho apa varga saranam hvayase kadhh nu.
But I am definitely afraid , Oh lover of the oppressed,
Of the terrible suffering involved in this cycle of births and deaths,
Since I am tied by my own acts and thrown amidst blood thirsty demons,
And oh shining one , be pleased with me and when are you,
Going to call me near your feet , which would grant me salvation.
10.Yasmath priyaa Priya viyoga sayoga janma,
Sokaa agninaa sakala yonishu dahyamaanaa,
Dukha oushadham thadapi dukha matha dwiyaaham,
Bhooman bramaami vadha may thava dasya yogam.
So having taken several births which involved,
Separation from things I liked and those I hated,
And burning in the fire of sorrow in several wombs,
And realizing that the cure for a sorrow involves more sorrow,
I would like to know from you, Oh Lord,
The method of being, in eternal service to you.
11.Soham priyasya suhrudha para devasthaaya,
Leela kadahsthava nrusimha virincha geethaa,
Agnja sthitharmya anugranan guna vipramuktho.
Durgaani thay pada yugalaaya hamsa sanghaa.
And after serving you , enjoying the friendship,
Of enlightened souls and hearing your story ,
And the prayer of Lord Brahma addressed to you,
I would by your blessing cross the unknown obstacles,
By constant worship of the pair of your feet.
12.Baalasya neha saranam pitharo nrusinha,
Naarthasya chaagadha mudhanwanthi majjatho nau,
THapthasya thath preethi vidhirua ihaajnaa sesthaa ,
Sthaavath vibho thanu bhruthaam thwad upekshithaanaam.
Oh Narasimha ,in case you decide to completely neglect us,
Fathers would not be able to protect their sons,
No medicine would be able to cure any diseases,
No shipping vessel would be able to save one from drowning,
And without your grace one would not be able,
To get out or even destroy a very small sorrow,
And how can I get cured of this sorrow ,
Of domestic life without your help?
13.Yasmin yatho yarhi yena cha yasya yasmaadh,
Yasmai yadhaa yadhutha yasthvaparas paro vaa,
Bhava karothi vikarothi prudhak swabhava,
Sanchodhithastha d akhilam bhavathas swaroopam.
All beings which are high or low and possessing,
A nature of its own produces or transforms some things,
Whatever way it has to be done, whatever cause , whatever time,
Using which, from which, using whichever method,
Which job , with whom and to what purpose,
But all of them would be your form and nothing else.
14. Maayaa mana srujathi karma mayam baleeya,
Kalena chodhitha gunanu mathena pumsa,
Chandho mayam yadha jayaarpitha soda saaram samsara chakram,
Aja ko athi thareth thwadhanya.
The innate nature with its differing characters,
Created by time which represents the will of God,
Evolves in to a subtle body, which is a product of Karma,
Which is very strong and is within the wheel ,
With its sixteen spokes* ,and this cannot,
Be crossed by those who do not surrender to you.
*Mind , ten sense organs and five subtle elements.
15.Sa thwam hi nithya vijitha athma guna swadhamna,
Kalo vaseekrutha visrujya visarga Shakthi,
Chakre visrushta majayeswara shodasare,
Nish pedayaamaana mupakarsha vibho prapannam.
You are forever victorious over the innate nature using your greatness
And You as time , have exercised control over both effects and causes,
And Oh Lord , who is everywhere , draw me who is suffering as I having been ,
Caught and being crushed in the wheel with the sixteen spokes .
16.Dashtraa mayaa dhivi vibho akhila dhisshnya pana mayu,
Sriyo vibhava icchaathi yagna noyam,
Ye asmathpithu kupitha hasa vijrumbhitha,
Broovisphurjithena lulithaa sa thu they nirastha.
Oh Lord , I have seen that the long life , riches , glory of the devas,
Which ordinary people crave for in this world, of my father,
Were easily destroyed by your angry laughter,
And the frown of the eye brow very easily,
And I also have seen, that valorous one being killed by you.
17.Thasmadhamoo sthanu bruthaa maha maasisho jnaya
Aayu sriyam vibhava maindriya maavirichaath,
Nechami they vilulithaan uru vikramena,
Kalathma nopanaya maamnija bruthya parswam.
So my lord I am not interested in those great pleasures,
Like long life , wealth and sensory gratification which even Brahma enjoys
And I also do not desire of getting mystic powers that are crushed by you as time,
But I request you to place me among your servant s.
18.Kuthrasisha sruthi sukhaa mruga thrushni roopaa,
Kwedham kalevaram asesharujaam viroha,
Nirvidhathe na thu jano yadha peethi vidhwaan,
Kaamaanalam madhulavai samayandhuraapai.
These desires are sweet to hear but have the form of mirages,
And this body being subject to diseases also cannot enjoy them,
And in spite of knowing all this people do not hate them,
Being engaged in quenching the fire of their pleasures,
By the drops of honey which are difficult to get.
19.Kwaaham raja prabhabava yeesa namo adhikesmin,
Jatha surethara kule kwa thavanukampaa,
Na Brahmano na thu bhavasya na vai ramaaya,
Yanme arpitha sirasi padmakara prasada.
Oh God, How come your pity on me , who was born,
In a non deva race dominated by regal qualities,
For you have blessed me by keeping your hand on my head
Which you have not done either to Brahma or Shiva or Lakshmi,
20.Naishaa pravaramathir bhavatho nanu syaath,
Janthor yadhaa aathma suhrudho jagadastha dhapi,
Sam sevayaa suratha roriva they Prasada,
Sevaanu roopam udayo na paraa varathwam.
Unlike the people who think others as low and high,
You being the friend of the soul and lord of the world,
Only by doing service one can get your grace,
Which is like the wish giving tree of devas ,
And your grace to others depend on how they serve you,,
But definitely not based on who they are?
21.Yevam janam nipathiotham prabhavaahi koope,
Kaamabhi kama manu ya prapathan prasangaath,
Kruthwaa aathmasaath surarshinaa bhagwan graheetha,
Soham kadham nu visruje thava bruthya sevaam.
When due to desires I was about to join those men,
Who were suffering, after falling in to the snake infested well,
The celestial sage Narada made me his friend and blessed me,
And so how can I ever think of leaving your service as a servant.
22.Math prana rakshanam anantha pithur vadhascha manye,
Swa bruthya rishi vakhya amrutham vidhathum,
Khadgan pragruhya yada vocha dasa dwithith sus thwaa,
Meeswaro mada paro aavathu kam haraami.
Oh endless one, You saved me as well as killed my father,
When my father came to kill me with an unsheathed sword,
Saying “If there is a God above, let him save you as I am cutting your head.”
So that the immortal words of Sanaka sages would come true,
23.Yekasthwa meva jagadethamushya yath thwam,
Aadhyanthayo prutha gavasyasi madh yadascha,
Srushtwaa guna vyathikaram nija mayayedham,
Naaneva thairava sithastha dhanu pravishta.
You are same as the universe that you are showing,
For in the past , during and after its birth, you only are there,
As after creating a modification of the three fold characters,
You immediately entered in to it and due to the real illusion,
You appear varied and many, though you are one.
24.Thwam vaa idham sada sadheesa bhavaam sthadho anye,
Maayaa yada athma para budhiriyam hyaparthaa,
Yadhyasya janma nidhanam sthithireekshanam ,
Cha thadwaithadeva vasu kalavadha shti dharvo.
You yourself are this world consisting ,
Of movable and immovable things,
Yet you are something different from it,
The notions of God is self and God is others,
Are notions without any import,
For that from which something,
Originates cannot be different from it,
Similar to the relation between ,
Seed and tree , the later being only a temporal change.
25.Nyasyedha mathmani jagaadwi layaabhu madhye,
Sesha aathmanaa nija suka anubhavo niroha,
Yogena militha drugathmani peetha nidhra,
Sthitho na thu thamo na gunamscha yungshai.
You merge all that exists in to yourself ,
By your own free will and repose in the,
Water of deluge enjoying the real divine pleasure,
Without any activity whatsoever ,
But by yoga though you appear asleep,
You are not in the state of sleep,
For you are beyond the state of thamas by sleep or wakefulness,
And you are the one who shines by your own power.
26.Thasyaiva they vapuridhamnija kala shakthyaa,
Samjnchodhitha prakruthi dharmana aathma goodam,
Ambasyanaantha sayanaad viramath samaadhe,
Nabherabhooth swa kamikaa vatavan mahaabjam.
You had assumed your form due to the power of time,
Which ignite the three fold characters and
When your trance on the bed of Adhi sesha ended
From your navel, a huge lotus sprang up,
From the seed that was hidden there.
27.Thath sambhava kavi ratho anyadha pasya maanasthwam,
Bheejamathmani thatham swabahir vichinthaya,
Naavindha dhabdha sathamapsu nimmajjamaano jaathe,
Angure kadha maho pala bhedha bheejam.
That Brahma who rose from that lotus , not seeing,
Any other thing other than that flower , started,
Searching for the cause of that flower , though ,
You were spread inside and outside him,
And he was inside the water for one hundred years,
For how can anyone who is on the sprout see the seed?
28.Sa thwathmayo nirathi vismitha aasthitho abhjam,
Kaalena theevra thapasaa parishuddha bhavaa,
Thwamathamanisa bhuvi gandha mivathi sookshmam,
Bhoothendriyysayamaye vithatham dadarsa.
Not able to find out the reason , with great sense of wonder,
Brahma returned to the flower and started doing ,
Hard Penance and became one with a very pure mind and,
After realizing that the scent of the earth cannot be separated from it.
Saw you who were spread within him and his senses completely.
29.Yevam sahasra vadhanaangri sira karoru,
Nasaasya karna nayanaabharayudhaadyam,
Maaya mayam sad upalakshitha samnivesam,
Drushtwaa maha Purusha maapa mudham virincha.
Brahma became extremely happy on seeing you , the Lord,
Who was the supreme manifestation in himself, hidden by illusion
With thousands of faces, feet , heads, hands , thighs,
Noses, mouths, ears , eyes, ornaments and weapons.
30.Thasmai bhavaan haya sira sthanuvacha bhibradha,
Veda druhathi balou Madhu kaidabhakyai,
Hathwwa aanachruthi ganaamsthu rajasthamascha,
Sathwam thava Priya thamaam thanu maamnanthi.
Then you , after assuming the form of Hayagreeva,
With the head of a horse , killed Madhu and Kaidabha,
Who were the personification of base qualities of rajas and thamas,
You recovered the Vedas ,which were dear to you,
And which were personification of Sathwa quality
And gave them to Lord Brahma.
31. Itham nruthiryagrushidhe vajashava tharai lokaan,
Vibhavayasi hamsee jagath prathipaan,
Dharma mahapurusha paasi yuganuvrutham channa,
Kalou yadhabha vastri yugodha sa thwam.
Like this you are protecting the world taking the forms,
Of Man, beast , sage deva as well as that of fish,
And destroying the enemies of the this world,
And you also establish the dharma relevant to that yuga,
But since in this, age of Kali you remain unseen you are called Triyuga.
32.Naithan manasthava kadhaasu vikundanatha,
Sampriyathe duritha dushta masaadhu theevram,
Kaamathuram harsha soka bhayai shanaartham thasmin,
Kadham thava gathim vimrusaami dheena.
Oh Lord of Vaikunta, the mind of mine does not ,
Get interested in the great stories of yours,
As it is more interested in suffering, bad people ,
Those who are bad souls due to extreme passion,
And is affected by sorrow, joy , fear and wants for a progeny,
And with this how can this oppressed one like me,
Get interested in your stories and attain your path.
33.Jihwe katho Achyutha vikarshathi maavi thrupthaa,
Susno anya thasthwagudharam sravanam kuthaaschith,
Graano anyathascha pala druk kwa cha karma Shakthi,
Bahavya sapalyayiva gehapathim lunanthi.
Oh Achyutha, my toungue pulls me to one direction,
The unsatisfied sex organ to yet another direction,
The sense of hearing , smell to its own directions,
As also the eyes and each of organs of action in their own path,
Like a polygamous husband being pulled by co wives to differing places.
34.Yevam swakarma pathitham bhava vaitharanyam,
Anyonya janma maranaasana bheetha bheetham,
Pasyan angnanam swa para vigraha vaira mithram,
Hathaithi paaracharapeepruhi moodamadhya.
Thus falling in to their own karma they fall ,
In to the Vaitharani *river of domestic life,
Getting severely scared by birth, death and suffering,
Which are inter connected and proceed from one another,
And due to ignorance they see one as enemy and the other as friend,
And so Oh God, from the other bank of Vaitharani protect them.
*river in the border of the land of departed souls.
35.Konvathra they akhila guro bhagwan prayasa,
Utharane asya bhava sambhava lopa hetho,
Moodeshu vai mahadanugraha aartha bandho.
Kim thena they Priya jananu sevathaam na.
Oh teacher of the universe , is the job of saving ,
These souls from the birth and death cycle difficult for you?
Please offer your blessing and grace towards these ignorant ones ,
For your own dear people, would do service to you and get out of there.
36.Naivo dwije para durathyaya Vaithranyaas,
Thwad veerya gayana maha mrutha magna chitha,
Soche thatho vimukha chethasa indrriyartha,
Maaya sukhaaya bhara mudhwahatho vimoodaan.
I am not at all afraid of the sufferings to cross Vaitharani.
As my mind is immersed in the nectar like songs of the valour of yours,
But I am worried about the ignorant ones who are not interested in you
Who for their sensual satisfaction carry on with illusory pleasures,
Of the carrying and looking after their families.
37.Praayena deva munaya swa vimukthi kaamaa,
Mounam charanthi vijane na prartha nishtaa,
Naithaan vihaaya krupanaan vimumuksha yeko,
Naa anyam thwadasya saranam bramatho anupasye.
Devas and the sages for the sake of their own salvation,
Go to a lonely place , observe silence and meditate ,
Not being ever bothered about the ignorant ones ,
But I am not interested in getting to your presence,
Without them , who never seem to be able to surrender to you.
38.Yan maidhunadhi gruham yedhi sukham hi thucham,
Kandooyanena kara yoriva dukha dukham,
Thrupyanthi neha krupanaa bahu dukha bhaajaa,
Khandoothi van manasijam visha hetha dheeraa.
Oh Lord the pleasure in love making and that from a house is insignificant,
For these result in sorrow after sorrow , like the scratching of one hand by the other,
But some wretched ones do not feel sated in spite of lots and lots of sorrow,
But the wise man is able to boldly curb these wrong cravings like scratching of hand.
39.Mouna Vrutha srutha thapo adhyayana swadharma ,
Vyakhyaraho japa samaadhaya apa vargyaa,
Praya param Purusha they thawa jithendriyaanaam,
Varthaa bhavanthyutha na vathraa thu dhambeekaanaam.
Penance of silence , fasting , meditation, hearing of scriptures,
Study of sacred books, doing one’s allotted duty, teaching scriptures,
Living in seclusion, muttering prayers, and concentration of mind,
Are paths that lead to salvation but, Oh divine God,
But they generally happen to be only a means of livelihood,
For those persons who have failed to conquer their senses.
And is of no use at all to the advertising hypocrite.
40.Roope yime sadasathi thava Veda srushte,
Bheeejangura viva na cha anya adha roopakasya,
Yuktha samksha mubha yathra vichinvathe thwaam,
Yogena vahnimiva dharushu nanyatha syath.
Similar to the sprout coming from seed and later the seed coming from the sprout,
The real Brahman and the visible form follow each other says the Vedas,
And this truth is only realized by people who have controlled their mind,
Similar to the fact that fire is inside a piece of wood is known only to the Yogis.
41.Thwam vayur agni avanir viya dhambhu mathraa,
Pranenryaani Hrudayam chidanugrahascha,
Sarvam thwameva saguno vigunascha bhooman,
Nanyath thwadasthyapi mano vachasaa niruktham.
You are wind, fire , earth , sky and water,
You are the five sense objects*, five vital airs **and ten sense organs***,
You are the mind, intellect , ego, qualified and unqualified objects,
And lastly everything is you and you alone, oh divine one,
Whatever is revealed by mind or speech is you alone.
*sound , touch, sight , taste and smell
** Prana , apapana, vyana , udana and samana
***five senses of action and five of perception.
42.Naithe gunaa na gunino mahadhaadayo ye,
Sarve manna prabhoothaya saha deva marthyaa,
Aadhyanthavamtha uroogaaya vidanthi hi thwaam,
Yevam vimrusyas sudhiyo viramanthi sabhdaath.
Neither the three gunas and three gods presiding over them,
Nor the principles starting from the great principle of cosmic intelligence,
Nor the five subtle and gross elements, nor the mind , nor living beings,
Including gods and human beings, who have beginning and end ,
Are capable of knowing the truth behind your unending principle,
And knowing this, the good people leave out Vedic rituals and only meditate on you.
43.Thath thear mhathama namasthuthi karma pooja,
Karma smruthiscaranayo sravanamkadhaayaama,
Samsevayaa thwayi vinethi shadangaya kim,
Bhakthim jana parama hamsa gathou labhetha.
Oh great one, saluting you, singing your praise,
Worshipping you, serving your feet,
Meditating on you and hearing your stories,
Are the six methods used by the devotees,
And are even used by realized souls to attain you.
Indra Sthuthi
Indra Sthuthi
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( To bring down the pride of Indra, Lord Krishna advised the cowherds to discontinue the worship to him and instead worship Govardhana mountain. Enraged by this Lord Indra attacked Gokula by torrential rain. The Lord lifted the mountain and under it , the entire Gokula was protected.Humbled by the Lord, Indra prayed to him. This prayer occurs in Tenth Skanda, twenty seventh chapter and slokas 4-13. I have consulted the translation of this prayer by Smt Sudha devi Ramkumar in her book in Tamil called “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” and the translation by Sri .C.l.Goswami in his English translation of Bhagawatham published by Gita press , Gorakhpur)
1.Vishdha thathwam thava dhama shantham,
Thapomayam dwastha rajastha maskam,
Maaya mayoyam guna sampravaho,
Na vidhyathe they agra hana anu bandha.
Your peaceful abode is the principle of purity,
It is full of penances and devoid of Rajas and Thamas,
And the tide of characters created by your illusion,
Does not reach here and persists only through ignorance.
2.Kuthaa nu thadwethava yeesa thathkruthaa,
Lobhaadhayo ye abudha linga bhaava,
Thadaapi dandam bhagwan vibhothim,
Darmasya gupthyai khala nigrahaaya.
In spite of even an iota of greed and other qualities,
Which cause rebirth and are the sign of ignorant ,
Does not exist in you , you have taken the rod of punishment,
For punishing the bad and protecting the good, Oh God.
3.Pitha guru sthwam jagathaam adheeso,
Durathyaya kala upatha danda,
Hithaaya swecha thanubhi sameehase.
Manam vidhunvan jagadheesa maaninam.
Father and teacher you are, Oh Lord of the universe,
And you hold the scepter of the impassable time ,
And take the form that pleases you ,
And punish those who falsely think that they are Gods.
4.Ye madh vidhaagnaa jagadheesa maanina,
Thwaam veekshya kale abhayamasu than madham,,
Hithwaa aarymargam prabha janthya pasmayaa,
Yeehaa khalaanaam api they anusasanam.
Fools like me think that we are the lords of universe,
But seeing you , we shake of our pride too quickly,
For , you without feeling of ego, face dangers peacefully,
And punish the bad ones ,simply by your discipline.
5.Sa thwam mamaiswarya madha pluthasya,
Krtuthaga sasthe avidhusha prabhavam,
Kshanthum prabho adharhasi mooda chethaso,
Maivam punarboonmathireesa may asathi.
Due to the fact that I was immersed in the pride of wealth and power,
And being ignorant of your greatness I troubled and sinned against you,
And so Oh Lord pardon my not suitable foolish pride and also protect me,
From doing such wrong things ,like falling into this type of deceit.
6. Thavaa avatharoo ayam adhokshajeha,
SWayambharanaa muru bhara janmnam,
Chamupthinama bhavaaya deva,
Bhavaya Yushasath charananu varthinaam.
Oh God who is above the self perception , your incarnation,
Is meant to exterminate great valorous people,
Who are themselves burden to this earth,
And also capable of making others burden to the world,
And also to protect devotees who worship your feet.
7.Namasthubhyam bhagawathe , purushaya mahathmane,
Vaasudevaaya Krishnaaya sathwathaam pathaye nama.
Oh God, O h Purusha , Oh great one , my salutations to you,
Oh Vasudeva , Oh Krishna , oh protector of devotees, I salute you.
8. Swachandho patha dehaaya , vishudha Jnana murthaye,
Sarvasmai sarva bheejaaya , sarva bhoothatmane nama.
Oh God who can take any form that you like,
Oh God who is personification of pure wisdom,
Oh God who is everything and is the seed of all beings,
Oh God who is the soul of all beings, My salutations.
9.Mayedham Bhagawan goshta naasaya sara vayubhi,
Cheshtitham vihathe yagnye , maninaa theevramanyunaa.
Due to the obstruction to my worship , I tried the mischief,
Of destruction of Vruja by torrential rain and wind,
Since I was filled with pride and violent anger.
10. Thwayesa anugruhithosmi dwastha sthambho vrudhodhyama,
Iswaram guru mathmaanam thwamaham saranam gatha.
My efforts were put to naught and my pride was crushed, Oh teacher of my soul,
And I have received your blessings and I have surrendered to you.
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( To bring down the pride of Indra, Lord Krishna advised the cowherds to discontinue the worship to him and instead worship Govardhana mountain. Enraged by this Lord Indra attacked Gokula by torrential rain. The Lord lifted the mountain and under it , the entire Gokula was protected.Humbled by the Lord, Indra prayed to him. This prayer occurs in Tenth Skanda, twenty seventh chapter and slokas 4-13. I have consulted the translation of this prayer by Smt Sudha devi Ramkumar in her book in Tamil called “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” and the translation by Sri .C.l.Goswami in his English translation of Bhagawatham published by Gita press , Gorakhpur)
1.Vishdha thathwam thava dhama shantham,
Thapomayam dwastha rajastha maskam,
Maaya mayoyam guna sampravaho,
Na vidhyathe they agra hana anu bandha.
Your peaceful abode is the principle of purity,
It is full of penances and devoid of Rajas and Thamas,
And the tide of characters created by your illusion,
Does not reach here and persists only through ignorance.
2.Kuthaa nu thadwethava yeesa thathkruthaa,
Lobhaadhayo ye abudha linga bhaava,
Thadaapi dandam bhagwan vibhothim,
Darmasya gupthyai khala nigrahaaya.
In spite of even an iota of greed and other qualities,
Which cause rebirth and are the sign of ignorant ,
Does not exist in you , you have taken the rod of punishment,
For punishing the bad and protecting the good, Oh God.
3.Pitha guru sthwam jagathaam adheeso,
Durathyaya kala upatha danda,
Hithaaya swecha thanubhi sameehase.
Manam vidhunvan jagadheesa maaninam.
Father and teacher you are, Oh Lord of the universe,
And you hold the scepter of the impassable time ,
And take the form that pleases you ,
And punish those who falsely think that they are Gods.
4.Ye madh vidhaagnaa jagadheesa maanina,
Thwaam veekshya kale abhayamasu than madham,,
Hithwaa aarymargam prabha janthya pasmayaa,
Yeehaa khalaanaam api they anusasanam.
Fools like me think that we are the lords of universe,
But seeing you , we shake of our pride too quickly,
For , you without feeling of ego, face dangers peacefully,
And punish the bad ones ,simply by your discipline.
5.Sa thwam mamaiswarya madha pluthasya,
Krtuthaga sasthe avidhusha prabhavam,
Kshanthum prabho adharhasi mooda chethaso,
Maivam punarboonmathireesa may asathi.
Due to the fact that I was immersed in the pride of wealth and power,
And being ignorant of your greatness I troubled and sinned against you,
And so Oh Lord pardon my not suitable foolish pride and also protect me,
From doing such wrong things ,like falling into this type of deceit.
6. Thavaa avatharoo ayam adhokshajeha,
SWayambharanaa muru bhara janmnam,
Chamupthinama bhavaaya deva,
Bhavaya Yushasath charananu varthinaam.
Oh God who is above the self perception , your incarnation,
Is meant to exterminate great valorous people,
Who are themselves burden to this earth,
And also capable of making others burden to the world,
And also to protect devotees who worship your feet.
7.Namasthubhyam bhagawathe , purushaya mahathmane,
Vaasudevaaya Krishnaaya sathwathaam pathaye nama.
Oh God, O h Purusha , Oh great one , my salutations to you,
Oh Vasudeva , Oh Krishna , oh protector of devotees, I salute you.
8. Swachandho patha dehaaya , vishudha Jnana murthaye,
Sarvasmai sarva bheejaaya , sarva bhoothatmane nama.
Oh God who can take any form that you like,
Oh God who is personification of pure wisdom,
Oh God who is everything and is the seed of all beings,
Oh God who is the soul of all beings, My salutations.
9.Mayedham Bhagawan goshta naasaya sara vayubhi,
Cheshtitham vihathe yagnye , maninaa theevramanyunaa.
Due to the obstruction to my worship , I tried the mischief,
Of destruction of Vruja by torrential rain and wind,
Since I was filled with pride and violent anger.
10. Thwayesa anugruhithosmi dwastha sthambho vrudhodhyama,
Iswaram guru mathmaanam thwamaham saranam gatha.
My efforts were put to naught and my pride was crushed, Oh teacher of my soul,
And I have received your blessings and I have surrendered to you.
Brahma Sthuthi
Brahma Sthuthi
(Prayer of Lord Brahma)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(once when Lord Krishna was taking rest along with his cowherd friends,, cows and calves after killing Aghasura, the cows grazed and went away to a long distance. Lord Krishna went in search of the cows. At that time Lord Brahma with an aim of testing the powers of Lord Krishna made the calves and cowherds disappear. When Lord Krishna came back he understood as to what has happened and assumed the forms of all the calves as well as the missing cowherds. After one year when Lord Brahma came back, he saw that everything was absolutely normal in Vrindavana . Lord Krishna then showed him his real form. Lord Brahma praised him by a great prayer, which occurs in tenth Skanda, 14th chapter , slokas 1-40. I have consulted the translation of this prayer by Smt Sudha devi Ramkumar in her book in Tamil called “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” and the translation by Sri .C.l.Goswami in his English translation of Bhagawatham published by Gita press , Gorakhpur.)
1.Naimeedya they abhravapushe thadidhambaraya,
Gunjavatham saparipicha lasan mukhaaya,
Vanya sruje kavala vethra Vishana venu,
Lakshsmasraye mrudhu pade pasu pangajaya.
I praise you ,oh praiseworthy Lord , who is the son of a cowherd,
With tender feet , wearing bright cloths , with colour of dark cloud,
With a shining face, wearing ear studs made of Gunja seeds,
And decorated by the feather of peacock, with garland of forest flowers,
Holding a vessel holding food , a cane , a horn and a flute.
2,Asyapi deva vapusho madanugrahasya,
Swechaamayasya na thu Bhootha mayasya kopi,
Nese mahi thwa vasithum manasantharena,
Saakshath thaveva kimuthathma sukhanu bhoothe.
Oh God , when this form of yours assumed for blessing us ,
Taken of your own free will and wishes of your devotees,
Is not capable of being understood within my mind,
How can I understand the divine holy form of yours?
3.Jnane prayasamudha paasya namantha yeva,
Jeevanthi sanmukharithaam bhavadheeya varthaam,
Sthane sthithaa sruthi gathaam thanu vang manobhir ye,
Prayaso ajitha jitho apyasi, tri strolokyaam.
Those who stay in their own homes , without,
Making any effort to increase their Jnana,
But spend their time venerating you by body speech and mind,
And hear your stories by good people by visiting them,
Conquer you completely in all the three worlds.
4.Sreya sthuthim bhakthi mudhasya they vibho,
Klisyanthi ye kevala bodha labhdaye,
Theshamasou klesaala yeva sishyathe,
Naanyadhyadhaa sthoola thushava gathinaam.
Those who avoid using devotion which leads to fame, Oh Lord,
But undergo lot of suffering for spiritual enlightenment,
Find that leaves them, with only sufferings,
Similar to the ones , who are engaged in pounding coarse husk.
5.Pureha bhooman bahavopi yogina ,
Thwad arpithehaa nija karma labhdhayaa,
Vibhudhya bhakthyaiva kadho upa neethaya,
Prapedhire agno Achyutha they gathim paraam.
Oh Lord , in olden times ,many people having failed,
In their attempts and objectives, gave up all their activities,
And taking recourse to pure devotion got as a result of your stories,
Oh Achyutha , immediately attained the state of salvation.
6.THadhai bhooman mahimaa gunasya they,
Vibho ddhumar hathya malaantharthmabhi,
Avikriyath swanubhavaadha roopatho,
Hyananya bodhyathmathayaa na chanyadhaa.
Oh Lord, your fame of being devoid of any attributes,
Can only be realized by those with pure mind who have turned,
Their look inwards and perceive in their mind without sending their senses outward,
Because no one can see you by any other method.
7.Gunathmana sthe api gunaan vimathum,
Hithaava theernsya ka easwarayi asya,
Kalena yairva vimithaa sukalpai,
Bhoopamsava khe mihika dhyubhasa.
Oh Lord of all Gunas , who controls all gunas,
Who can ever find in you , the God who has come ,
To this world for the sake of the good of the world
For even the most intelligent ones ,who might have ,
counted particles of dust, dew drops in the air .
And the rays of the bright ones of the sky , cannot find you.
8.Thathenukampaam su sameekshamano,
Bhunjana yevathmakruthan vipaakam,
Hrudh vak vapurbhir vidhannamasthe,
Yo mukthapadhe sa dhaayabhaak.
Anxiously expecting your mercy is the one,
Who simply enjoys the effect of his good acts,
And salutes you by heart, words and body,
And thus Becomes fit for salvation.
9.Pasyesa may anarya manantha aadhye,
Parathmani thwayyapi maayeemaayini,
Maayaa vithathyekshithu maathma vaibhavam,
Aham kiyannaichhamiva archiri agnai.
See My God, I thought of enchanting you by my guile,
You ,who is greatest God, who is endless, who is primeval,
Who is the divine soul and the great enchanter,
And did I not try to show you my greatness,
In spite of me being a spark from you who is a raging fire.
10.Atha kshamaswa Achyutha may rajo bhuvo,
Hyajanatha sthwath pradhageesa maanina,
Ajaavale paandha , thmontha chakshusha,
Yesho anukampyo mayi nadha vanithi.
So please pardon me who has only rajo guna , Oh Achyutha,
For having thought that I am independent of you ,
And further being not able to see you due to ignorance,
And was bent on committing this sin towards you,
In spite of the fact that you are my protector.
11.Kwaham thamo mahad ahanka charagni vaarbhoo,
Bhoo samvishtitha anda ghata raptha vithasthikaya,
Kwedhrugwidhaa viganthaa anda paranuchayaa,
Vathaadhwaro mavivarasya cha they mahithwa.
Where am I, who is like a seven feet breakable pot ,
Along with the sheath of matter , greatness,
Ether, air , fire, water and earth compare to you,
Being infinite and whose pores are like huge windows,
Through which countless cosmic eggs flow.
12.Uthksepanam Garbha gathasya paadayo,
Kim kalpathe mathu radhoksha jaagase,
Kimasthi naasthi vyapadesa bhooshitham,
Thavasthi kukshe kiyadhapyanantha,
Oh God who is beyond senses, like the kick,
Of the foetus inside the womb is not an offence against the mother,
Is there anything in what I did which is wrong,
For am I not like a child within your belly .
13.Jagathrayaantho dhadhi samplavodhe na hi,
Narayanasyodha nabhi naalath,
Vinirgatho ajasthvithi vajna na vai,
Mrushaa kim thweeswara thwanna vinirgathosmi.
When the three worlds ended during the great deluge,
On the belly button of the reposing Narayana , I was born,
Say the sacred books and that is not a lie,
And it is not a lie that I have come out of your belly.
14.Narayanasthwam na hi sarva dehinaam,
Aathmasya adheesa akhila loka saakshi,
Narayano angam nara bhooja laayanath,
Thacchapi sathyam na thavaiva maaya.
Are you not Narayana, the Lord of the souls of
All beings and the witness to the entire universe,
And you are also the one lying down on water *of deluge,
And the present form of yours is one brought by illusion.
* “Naara”
15.Thacchhe jalastham thava sa jagat vapu,
Kim may ne drushtam bhagavamstha daiva,
Kim vaa sudrushtam hrudhi may thadaiva,
Kim no sapadyaiva punarvya darsi.
Why was not I able to see that form of yours,
That was supporting the world and lying on water?
And Why was it seen clearly by me in my heart at the very moment,
And why is it that I was able to see it again immediately?
16.Athraiva mayaa dhamanaa vathare hyasya,
Prapanchasya bahi sphutasya,
Kuthsnasya chaanthar jatare jananyaa,
Mayaa thwameva prakatee krutham they.
Oh Lord who is the dispeller of illusion,
Even when you were within your mother,
Did you not show her the entire universe?
And even at that time your power of illusion was clearly seen.
17.Yasya kukshaa vidham sarva saathmam bhathi yadhaa thadhaa,
Thathvayya peeha thath sarva kimidham mayayaa vinaa.
All the universe including you are visible in your abdomen,
And how can this happen except through your illusion?
18.Adyaiva thwath druthe asya kim mama na they mayathwa maadarshitham,
Yekosi pradhamam thatho Vruja suhrudh vathsaa samasthaa api,
Thwanthosi chathur bhujasthadakhilai saakam mayo upasithaa,
Sthavandhyeva jagannthya bhoosthadhamitham brahma dwayam sishyathe.
Today you have shown us the illusory nature of everything except you,
And before I stole the cows and cowherds, you only were there,
And after that you became the cows, cowherds and all that they had,
And I saw people including me doing service to your four armed form,
And later you became the entire universe and now you are the non dual Brahmam.
19.Ajaanathaam thwath padavi manathmani,
Aathmanaa bhasi vithathya maayaam,
Srushtaa vivaham jagatho vidhaana yiva,
Yiva thwameshantha yiva trinethra.
To the ignorant ones who do not know about you,
You appear as the nature mingled with the spirit ,
But by your own illusion you appear as me for creation,
As you yourself for upkeep and as three eyed one for destruction.
20.sureshvrushishveesa thadaiva nrushwapi,
Thiryakshu yaadha swapi they ajanasya,
Janmaa sathaam Dur madha nigrahaya,
Prabho vidhaathaa sadanugrahaya cha.
Oh God , you who do not have any birth,
Is born as devas, humans , sages, animals,
Birds as well the beings that live in water,
And these are meant to punish the wicked,
And for blessing the people who are good.
21.Ko vethi bhooman bhagwan paramathman,
Yogeswarothir bhavatha strilokyaam,
Kwa vaa kadham vaa kathi vaa kadethi,
Vistharayan kreedasi yoga maayam.
Oh God , Oh Supreme spirit , Oh master of Yoga,
When you are spreading the curtain of illusion,
Who can ever understand what you do in the three worlds,
As to where or how or when you choose to play?
22.Thasmad idham jagad asesha masath swaroopam,
Swapna abhamastha dhishanam purudhu khadhu kham,
Thwayyeva nithya sukha bodha thana vanantho,
Maayatha uddhyadapi yathsa dhivaavabhathi.
So this universe which is unreal, devoid of intelligence,
Full of endless misery and which is like a dream,
Appears as real , appearing and vanishing in your infinite self,
Which is full of eternal bliss and consciousness.
23.Yeva sthwamathma Purusha Purana,
Sathya swayam jyothir anantha aadhya,
Nithyo aksharo ajasra sukho niranjana,
Poorno adhvayo muktha upadhitho amrutha.
You are the unique soul , very ancient person,
Personification of truth , shining , endless, primeval,
For ever , imperishable , full of pleasure, without any taint,
Complete , one who does not have second,
One who gives salvation and are immortal.
24.Yevam vidham thwaam sakala aathmanaam api,
Swa athmaana, athma athma thataa vichakshathe,
Gurva arka labdho Upanishad su chakshushaa ye
They tharantheeva bhavaannruthambudhim.
Those who get the sight to see and learn,
From you who are the teacher, who brightens like sun,
Would be able to see this world hidden by your illusion,
And would be able to see you in the cave of their mind,
And Would surely be able to cross the sea of birth and death.
25.Aathamaana mevathmatha yaa vijaanatham thenaiva,
Jatham nikhilam prapanchitham,
Jnanena bhooyo api cha thath praleeyathe,
Rajjwamahir bhoga bhava bhavai yadha.
In those of the people who are not able to see their self ,
In its true character, their ignorance ties them to this world,
And again this self disappears with their spiritual enlightenment,
Like the rope appearing like a snake when we are ignorant,
And appears in its true form with coming of enlightenment.
26.Ajnana samgnou bhava bhandha mokshou dhvou,
Nama naanyai stha rithagna bhaavath,
Ajaasra chinthatathmani kevale pare ,
Vicharya maano tharanaa vivahanee.
Due to ignorance people refer to bondage and release,
They are only names and when studied in depth,
They do not have a separate existence away from self,
For the existence of thing is due to his grace,
Like night and day existing due to Sun.
27.Thwamathmaanam param mathwa paramathaanameva cha,
Aathmaa punar bahir mrugya aaho agna janathagnathaa.
The ignorant people who do not know this conclude,
That you are not same as the soul inside their body,
And also think that that soul is also same as their body,
And thus they whose mind is clouded by ignorance ,
Continuously search for you outside their body.
28.Antharbhave anantha bhavanthameva hi,
Athathya jantho mrugayanthi santha,
Asanthamapya anthyahimantharena santham,
Gunam tham kimu yanthi santha.
In this endless chain of birth and death which exists,
The wise hunt for that which is inside all beings,
Rejecting all that which is other than you,
And they are called sages , for they do not believe,
The rope near at hand as the snake.
29.Adhaapi they deva padambuja dhvaya,
Prasada lesanu graheetha yeva hi.
Jaanaathi thathwam bhagwan mahimno,
Na chanmya ekoupi chiram vichinwan.
Nevertheless only one who gets a drop ,
of the grace of your lotus like feet,
Will know the essence of know ledge of God,
And not other who in loneliness ,
Keep on investigating it for a long time.
30.Thadasthu may nadha sa bhoori bhago,
Bhavethra vanyathra thu vaa thiraschaam,
Yenaa hame kopi bhava janaanam bhoothwa,
Nisheve thava pada pallavam.
Therefore Oh Lord , may I be lucky enough.
In this life or any other which could be sub human,
To be one among the crowd of your devotees,
And be engaged in the service of your feet as tender as a leaf bud.
31.Aho athi dhanya Vruja gopa ramanyaa,
Sthanyamrutham peetha matheeva they nudhaa,
Yaasaam vibho vathsa tharath athmajathmanaa,
Ya thrupathaye adhyaapi cha chala madhwaraa.
Oh, the pretty damsels and cows of Vruja are lucky,
For you have drunk their milk to your satisfaction from their breasts,
But Oh Lord even the sacrifices by us who are more than sons to you,
Has not satisfied you till now, How lucky they are!
32.Aho bhagfyam aho bhagyam nanda gopa vrujoukasam,
Yan mithram paramanandam poornam brahma sanathanam.
What , what luck for Nanda Gopa and those gopa boys,
For the divine joy , the complete one ,
And the beginning less Brahmam is their friend.
33.Yesham thu bhagya mahima Achyutha thaavadastham,
Yekadasaiva hi vayam batha bhoori bhaga,
Yethad drushika chaskai rasa kruth pibhaamaa,
Sarvaadhayo angryudha jamadhwa amruthasavam.
Let the great luck of these be however kept aside,
We the Gods of the eleven senses *considered ourselves blessed,
By repeatedly drinking the nectar of your lotus like feet,
How much more blessed are the cowherds who enjoy,
The beauty of your entire self and your sense organs.
*Hearing-Dig palakas, touch-Vayu, sight-Sun God,
Taste –Varuna, smell Aswini kumaras, Speech-Agni,
Hands-Indra, Feet-Upendrada ,mind-moon god,
And Intellect –Brahma, Pride-Shiva.
34.Thad bhoori bhagyamiha janma kimapyatavyam,
Yad gokulepi kadha mangri rajo abhishekam,
Yajjeevitham thu mikhilam Bhagawan Mukunda,
Thwadhyapi yad pada raja sruthi mrugya meva.
I would consider it to be a very great fortune,
If my birth is assured in earth , that too in Gokula,
And that too in the forest nearby , with the,
Privilege of bathing in the dust of the feet,
Of any of the residents of Vruja whose ,
Entire life is completely , Lord Mukunda ,
Whose feet dust is sought by Vedas to this day.
35.Yeshaam gosha nivasinaa Amutha bhavan kim deva trathethi,
Na schetho viswaphalath phalam thwadaparam kuthrapyayan muhyathi,
Sadweshad iva poothanapi sakulaa thwameva devaapithaa,
Yad dhamartha suhruthi priyathma thanaya pranasayasthwath krutha.
My mind is confused as to whether you would give a reward of yourself,
Which is the fruit of the greatest fruit of the universe to ,
The people of Vruja who have given themselves, their wealth, their wife ,
Their Children , their mind and their souls to you completely.
As you gave salvation to Poothana and her family , even when she came with hatred.
36.THavad raagadhaya sthenaasthavath karagruham gruham,
Thavan mohongri nigado yavath krushna na they janaa.
Because attachments and other similar things play a role of thieves,
Our homes will become prisons and infatuation becomes fetter,
As long as we do not become your devotees, Oh Lord Krishna.
37.Prapancham nish prapanchopi vidambayasi bhoothale,
Prapanna janad aananda sandhoham prathidhum prabho.
For increasing the joy of your devotees ,
Who have surrendered to you , Oh Lord,
You imitate the ways of the people of the world,
Though you do not have any connection with it.
38.Janatha yeva jananthu kim bahookthyaa na may Prabho,
Manaso vapusho vaacho vaibhavam thava gochara.
Let the people who claim to know you alone, know you,
For what is the point in talking of them?
Because your greatness is not at all within the reach,
Of my mind, sense and words, Oh Lord
39.Anujaanihio maam Krishna sarva thwam vethsi sarva sdruk,
Thwameva jagathaam naadho jagadhe thathavarpitham.
Give me leave to go, Oh Lord Krishna ,
You are everything and you see everything,
You are lord of the universe and ,
The entire world is offered to you.
40.Sri Krishna , vrushni kula pushkara josha dhayina,
Kshamaa nirjara dwija pasu dadhdhi vrudhi karina,
Uddharna sarvara hara kshithi Rakshasa drug,
Aakalpamarka marhan bhagwan namasthe.
Oh Krishna, who is like the Sun to the lotus flower of the clan of Vrushnis,
Who is like a moon which is an ocean which swells to Brahmins, cows, earth and devas,
Who is the light that dispels darkness brought about by false religions,
And Who is the enemy of asuras, who merits praise everywhere till the end of eons,
My salutations to you forever and ever.
(Prayer of Lord Brahma)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(once when Lord Krishna was taking rest along with his cowherd friends,, cows and calves after killing Aghasura, the cows grazed and went away to a long distance. Lord Krishna went in search of the cows. At that time Lord Brahma with an aim of testing the powers of Lord Krishna made the calves and cowherds disappear. When Lord Krishna came back he understood as to what has happened and assumed the forms of all the calves as well as the missing cowherds. After one year when Lord Brahma came back, he saw that everything was absolutely normal in Vrindavana . Lord Krishna then showed him his real form. Lord Brahma praised him by a great prayer, which occurs in tenth Skanda, 14th chapter , slokas 1-40. I have consulted the translation of this prayer by Smt Sudha devi Ramkumar in her book in Tamil called “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” and the translation by Sri .C.l.Goswami in his English translation of Bhagawatham published by Gita press , Gorakhpur.)
1.Naimeedya they abhravapushe thadidhambaraya,
Gunjavatham saparipicha lasan mukhaaya,
Vanya sruje kavala vethra Vishana venu,
Lakshsmasraye mrudhu pade pasu pangajaya.
I praise you ,oh praiseworthy Lord , who is the son of a cowherd,
With tender feet , wearing bright cloths , with colour of dark cloud,
With a shining face, wearing ear studs made of Gunja seeds,
And decorated by the feather of peacock, with garland of forest flowers,
Holding a vessel holding food , a cane , a horn and a flute.
2,Asyapi deva vapusho madanugrahasya,
Swechaamayasya na thu Bhootha mayasya kopi,
Nese mahi thwa vasithum manasantharena,
Saakshath thaveva kimuthathma sukhanu bhoothe.
Oh God , when this form of yours assumed for blessing us ,
Taken of your own free will and wishes of your devotees,
Is not capable of being understood within my mind,
How can I understand the divine holy form of yours?
3.Jnane prayasamudha paasya namantha yeva,
Jeevanthi sanmukharithaam bhavadheeya varthaam,
Sthane sthithaa sruthi gathaam thanu vang manobhir ye,
Prayaso ajitha jitho apyasi, tri strolokyaam.
Those who stay in their own homes , without,
Making any effort to increase their Jnana,
But spend their time venerating you by body speech and mind,
And hear your stories by good people by visiting them,
Conquer you completely in all the three worlds.
4.Sreya sthuthim bhakthi mudhasya they vibho,
Klisyanthi ye kevala bodha labhdaye,
Theshamasou klesaala yeva sishyathe,
Naanyadhyadhaa sthoola thushava gathinaam.
Those who avoid using devotion which leads to fame, Oh Lord,
But undergo lot of suffering for spiritual enlightenment,
Find that leaves them, with only sufferings,
Similar to the ones , who are engaged in pounding coarse husk.
5.Pureha bhooman bahavopi yogina ,
Thwad arpithehaa nija karma labhdhayaa,
Vibhudhya bhakthyaiva kadho upa neethaya,
Prapedhire agno Achyutha they gathim paraam.
Oh Lord , in olden times ,many people having failed,
In their attempts and objectives, gave up all their activities,
And taking recourse to pure devotion got as a result of your stories,
Oh Achyutha , immediately attained the state of salvation.
6.THadhai bhooman mahimaa gunasya they,
Vibho ddhumar hathya malaantharthmabhi,
Avikriyath swanubhavaadha roopatho,
Hyananya bodhyathmathayaa na chanyadhaa.
Oh Lord, your fame of being devoid of any attributes,
Can only be realized by those with pure mind who have turned,
Their look inwards and perceive in their mind without sending their senses outward,
Because no one can see you by any other method.
7.Gunathmana sthe api gunaan vimathum,
Hithaava theernsya ka easwarayi asya,
Kalena yairva vimithaa sukalpai,
Bhoopamsava khe mihika dhyubhasa.
Oh Lord of all Gunas , who controls all gunas,
Who can ever find in you , the God who has come ,
To this world for the sake of the good of the world
For even the most intelligent ones ,who might have ,
counted particles of dust, dew drops in the air .
And the rays of the bright ones of the sky , cannot find you.
8.Thathenukampaam su sameekshamano,
Bhunjana yevathmakruthan vipaakam,
Hrudh vak vapurbhir vidhannamasthe,
Yo mukthapadhe sa dhaayabhaak.
Anxiously expecting your mercy is the one,
Who simply enjoys the effect of his good acts,
And salutes you by heart, words and body,
And thus Becomes fit for salvation.
9.Pasyesa may anarya manantha aadhye,
Parathmani thwayyapi maayeemaayini,
Maayaa vithathyekshithu maathma vaibhavam,
Aham kiyannaichhamiva archiri agnai.
See My God, I thought of enchanting you by my guile,
You ,who is greatest God, who is endless, who is primeval,
Who is the divine soul and the great enchanter,
And did I not try to show you my greatness,
In spite of me being a spark from you who is a raging fire.
10.Atha kshamaswa Achyutha may rajo bhuvo,
Hyajanatha sthwath pradhageesa maanina,
Ajaavale paandha , thmontha chakshusha,
Yesho anukampyo mayi nadha vanithi.
So please pardon me who has only rajo guna , Oh Achyutha,
For having thought that I am independent of you ,
And further being not able to see you due to ignorance,
And was bent on committing this sin towards you,
In spite of the fact that you are my protector.
11.Kwaham thamo mahad ahanka charagni vaarbhoo,
Bhoo samvishtitha anda ghata raptha vithasthikaya,
Kwedhrugwidhaa viganthaa anda paranuchayaa,
Vathaadhwaro mavivarasya cha they mahithwa.
Where am I, who is like a seven feet breakable pot ,
Along with the sheath of matter , greatness,
Ether, air , fire, water and earth compare to you,
Being infinite and whose pores are like huge windows,
Through which countless cosmic eggs flow.
12.Uthksepanam Garbha gathasya paadayo,
Kim kalpathe mathu radhoksha jaagase,
Kimasthi naasthi vyapadesa bhooshitham,
Thavasthi kukshe kiyadhapyanantha,
Oh God who is beyond senses, like the kick,
Of the foetus inside the womb is not an offence against the mother,
Is there anything in what I did which is wrong,
For am I not like a child within your belly .
13.Jagathrayaantho dhadhi samplavodhe na hi,
Narayanasyodha nabhi naalath,
Vinirgatho ajasthvithi vajna na vai,
Mrushaa kim thweeswara thwanna vinirgathosmi.
When the three worlds ended during the great deluge,
On the belly button of the reposing Narayana , I was born,
Say the sacred books and that is not a lie,
And it is not a lie that I have come out of your belly.
14.Narayanasthwam na hi sarva dehinaam,
Aathmasya adheesa akhila loka saakshi,
Narayano angam nara bhooja laayanath,
Thacchapi sathyam na thavaiva maaya.
Are you not Narayana, the Lord of the souls of
All beings and the witness to the entire universe,
And you are also the one lying down on water *of deluge,
And the present form of yours is one brought by illusion.
* “Naara”
15.Thacchhe jalastham thava sa jagat vapu,
Kim may ne drushtam bhagavamstha daiva,
Kim vaa sudrushtam hrudhi may thadaiva,
Kim no sapadyaiva punarvya darsi.
Why was not I able to see that form of yours,
That was supporting the world and lying on water?
And Why was it seen clearly by me in my heart at the very moment,
And why is it that I was able to see it again immediately?
16.Athraiva mayaa dhamanaa vathare hyasya,
Prapanchasya bahi sphutasya,
Kuthsnasya chaanthar jatare jananyaa,
Mayaa thwameva prakatee krutham they.
Oh Lord who is the dispeller of illusion,
Even when you were within your mother,
Did you not show her the entire universe?
And even at that time your power of illusion was clearly seen.
17.Yasya kukshaa vidham sarva saathmam bhathi yadhaa thadhaa,
Thathvayya peeha thath sarva kimidham mayayaa vinaa.
All the universe including you are visible in your abdomen,
And how can this happen except through your illusion?
18.Adyaiva thwath druthe asya kim mama na they mayathwa maadarshitham,
Yekosi pradhamam thatho Vruja suhrudh vathsaa samasthaa api,
Thwanthosi chathur bhujasthadakhilai saakam mayo upasithaa,
Sthavandhyeva jagannthya bhoosthadhamitham brahma dwayam sishyathe.
Today you have shown us the illusory nature of everything except you,
And before I stole the cows and cowherds, you only were there,
And after that you became the cows, cowherds and all that they had,
And I saw people including me doing service to your four armed form,
And later you became the entire universe and now you are the non dual Brahmam.
19.Ajaanathaam thwath padavi manathmani,
Aathmanaa bhasi vithathya maayaam,
Srushtaa vivaham jagatho vidhaana yiva,
Yiva thwameshantha yiva trinethra.
To the ignorant ones who do not know about you,
You appear as the nature mingled with the spirit ,
But by your own illusion you appear as me for creation,
As you yourself for upkeep and as three eyed one for destruction.
20.sureshvrushishveesa thadaiva nrushwapi,
Thiryakshu yaadha swapi they ajanasya,
Janmaa sathaam Dur madha nigrahaya,
Prabho vidhaathaa sadanugrahaya cha.
Oh God , you who do not have any birth,
Is born as devas, humans , sages, animals,
Birds as well the beings that live in water,
And these are meant to punish the wicked,
And for blessing the people who are good.
21.Ko vethi bhooman bhagwan paramathman,
Yogeswarothir bhavatha strilokyaam,
Kwa vaa kadham vaa kathi vaa kadethi,
Vistharayan kreedasi yoga maayam.
Oh God , Oh Supreme spirit , Oh master of Yoga,
When you are spreading the curtain of illusion,
Who can ever understand what you do in the three worlds,
As to where or how or when you choose to play?
22.Thasmad idham jagad asesha masath swaroopam,
Swapna abhamastha dhishanam purudhu khadhu kham,
Thwayyeva nithya sukha bodha thana vanantho,
Maayatha uddhyadapi yathsa dhivaavabhathi.
So this universe which is unreal, devoid of intelligence,
Full of endless misery and which is like a dream,
Appears as real , appearing and vanishing in your infinite self,
Which is full of eternal bliss and consciousness.
23.Yeva sthwamathma Purusha Purana,
Sathya swayam jyothir anantha aadhya,
Nithyo aksharo ajasra sukho niranjana,
Poorno adhvayo muktha upadhitho amrutha.
You are the unique soul , very ancient person,
Personification of truth , shining , endless, primeval,
For ever , imperishable , full of pleasure, without any taint,
Complete , one who does not have second,
One who gives salvation and are immortal.
24.Yevam vidham thwaam sakala aathmanaam api,
Swa athmaana, athma athma thataa vichakshathe,
Gurva arka labdho Upanishad su chakshushaa ye
They tharantheeva bhavaannruthambudhim.
Those who get the sight to see and learn,
From you who are the teacher, who brightens like sun,
Would be able to see this world hidden by your illusion,
And would be able to see you in the cave of their mind,
And Would surely be able to cross the sea of birth and death.
25.Aathamaana mevathmatha yaa vijaanatham thenaiva,
Jatham nikhilam prapanchitham,
Jnanena bhooyo api cha thath praleeyathe,
Rajjwamahir bhoga bhava bhavai yadha.
In those of the people who are not able to see their self ,
In its true character, their ignorance ties them to this world,
And again this self disappears with their spiritual enlightenment,
Like the rope appearing like a snake when we are ignorant,
And appears in its true form with coming of enlightenment.
26.Ajnana samgnou bhava bhandha mokshou dhvou,
Nama naanyai stha rithagna bhaavath,
Ajaasra chinthatathmani kevale pare ,
Vicharya maano tharanaa vivahanee.
Due to ignorance people refer to bondage and release,
They are only names and when studied in depth,
They do not have a separate existence away from self,
For the existence of thing is due to his grace,
Like night and day existing due to Sun.
27.Thwamathmaanam param mathwa paramathaanameva cha,
Aathmaa punar bahir mrugya aaho agna janathagnathaa.
The ignorant people who do not know this conclude,
That you are not same as the soul inside their body,
And also think that that soul is also same as their body,
And thus they whose mind is clouded by ignorance ,
Continuously search for you outside their body.
28.Antharbhave anantha bhavanthameva hi,
Athathya jantho mrugayanthi santha,
Asanthamapya anthyahimantharena santham,
Gunam tham kimu yanthi santha.
In this endless chain of birth and death which exists,
The wise hunt for that which is inside all beings,
Rejecting all that which is other than you,
And they are called sages , for they do not believe,
The rope near at hand as the snake.
29.Adhaapi they deva padambuja dhvaya,
Prasada lesanu graheetha yeva hi.
Jaanaathi thathwam bhagwan mahimno,
Na chanmya ekoupi chiram vichinwan.
Nevertheless only one who gets a drop ,
of the grace of your lotus like feet,
Will know the essence of know ledge of God,
And not other who in loneliness ,
Keep on investigating it for a long time.
30.Thadasthu may nadha sa bhoori bhago,
Bhavethra vanyathra thu vaa thiraschaam,
Yenaa hame kopi bhava janaanam bhoothwa,
Nisheve thava pada pallavam.
Therefore Oh Lord , may I be lucky enough.
In this life or any other which could be sub human,
To be one among the crowd of your devotees,
And be engaged in the service of your feet as tender as a leaf bud.
31.Aho athi dhanya Vruja gopa ramanyaa,
Sthanyamrutham peetha matheeva they nudhaa,
Yaasaam vibho vathsa tharath athmajathmanaa,
Ya thrupathaye adhyaapi cha chala madhwaraa.
Oh, the pretty damsels and cows of Vruja are lucky,
For you have drunk their milk to your satisfaction from their breasts,
But Oh Lord even the sacrifices by us who are more than sons to you,
Has not satisfied you till now, How lucky they are!
32.Aho bhagfyam aho bhagyam nanda gopa vrujoukasam,
Yan mithram paramanandam poornam brahma sanathanam.
What , what luck for Nanda Gopa and those gopa boys,
For the divine joy , the complete one ,
And the beginning less Brahmam is their friend.
33.Yesham thu bhagya mahima Achyutha thaavadastham,
Yekadasaiva hi vayam batha bhoori bhaga,
Yethad drushika chaskai rasa kruth pibhaamaa,
Sarvaadhayo angryudha jamadhwa amruthasavam.
Let the great luck of these be however kept aside,
We the Gods of the eleven senses *considered ourselves blessed,
By repeatedly drinking the nectar of your lotus like feet,
How much more blessed are the cowherds who enjoy,
The beauty of your entire self and your sense organs.
*Hearing-Dig palakas, touch-Vayu, sight-Sun God,
Taste –Varuna, smell Aswini kumaras, Speech-Agni,
Hands-Indra, Feet-Upendrada ,mind-moon god,
And Intellect –Brahma, Pride-Shiva.
34.Thad bhoori bhagyamiha janma kimapyatavyam,
Yad gokulepi kadha mangri rajo abhishekam,
Yajjeevitham thu mikhilam Bhagawan Mukunda,
Thwadhyapi yad pada raja sruthi mrugya meva.
I would consider it to be a very great fortune,
If my birth is assured in earth , that too in Gokula,
And that too in the forest nearby , with the,
Privilege of bathing in the dust of the feet,
Of any of the residents of Vruja whose ,
Entire life is completely , Lord Mukunda ,
Whose feet dust is sought by Vedas to this day.
35.Yeshaam gosha nivasinaa Amutha bhavan kim deva trathethi,
Na schetho viswaphalath phalam thwadaparam kuthrapyayan muhyathi,
Sadweshad iva poothanapi sakulaa thwameva devaapithaa,
Yad dhamartha suhruthi priyathma thanaya pranasayasthwath krutha.
My mind is confused as to whether you would give a reward of yourself,
Which is the fruit of the greatest fruit of the universe to ,
The people of Vruja who have given themselves, their wealth, their wife ,
Their Children , their mind and their souls to you completely.
As you gave salvation to Poothana and her family , even when she came with hatred.
36.THavad raagadhaya sthenaasthavath karagruham gruham,
Thavan mohongri nigado yavath krushna na they janaa.
Because attachments and other similar things play a role of thieves,
Our homes will become prisons and infatuation becomes fetter,
As long as we do not become your devotees, Oh Lord Krishna.
37.Prapancham nish prapanchopi vidambayasi bhoothale,
Prapanna janad aananda sandhoham prathidhum prabho.
For increasing the joy of your devotees ,
Who have surrendered to you , Oh Lord,
You imitate the ways of the people of the world,
Though you do not have any connection with it.
38.Janatha yeva jananthu kim bahookthyaa na may Prabho,
Manaso vapusho vaacho vaibhavam thava gochara.
Let the people who claim to know you alone, know you,
For what is the point in talking of them?
Because your greatness is not at all within the reach,
Of my mind, sense and words, Oh Lord
39.Anujaanihio maam Krishna sarva thwam vethsi sarva sdruk,
Thwameva jagathaam naadho jagadhe thathavarpitham.
Give me leave to go, Oh Lord Krishna ,
You are everything and you see everything,
You are lord of the universe and ,
The entire world is offered to you.
40.Sri Krishna , vrushni kula pushkara josha dhayina,
Kshamaa nirjara dwija pasu dadhdhi vrudhi karina,
Uddharna sarvara hara kshithi Rakshasa drug,
Aakalpamarka marhan bhagwan namasthe.
Oh Krishna, who is like the Sun to the lotus flower of the clan of Vrushnis,
Who is like a moon which is an ocean which swells to Brahmins, cows, earth and devas,
Who is the light that dispels darkness brought about by false religions,
And Who is the enemy of asuras, who merits praise everywhere till the end of eons,
My salutations to you forever and ever.
Sri Devaki Sthuthi
Sri Devaki Sthuthi
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Lord Vishnu was born as the eighth child to Devaki in prison. He was born with four hands holding Conch, wheel ,mace and flower. Devaki offered this prayer to him and requested him to assume the usual human form, so that Kamsa will not find out. This prayer occurs in the Tenth Skanda, third chapter, slokas 24-31. I have consulted the translation of Smt Sudha Devi Ramkumar and that done by C.L.Goswami in doing this translation.)
1.Roopam yathath prahuravyaktha maadhyam,
Brahma jyothi nirgunam nirvikaram,
SAthaa mathram nirvisesham nireeham,
SA thwam saakshaad vishnur adhyathma dheepa.
Oh god , your form is not clear to the senses,
It has the shine of Brahmam , it is property less,
It is devoid of feelings , it is simply goodness,
It cannot be described by adjectives, It is beyond self,
It is the real divine light of Vishnu which is the only Sathwa.
2.Nashta loke dwi parardha avasane,
Maha bhoothe shwaadhi bhootham gatheshu,
Vyakthe avyaktham kala vegena yathe,
Bhavaneka sishyathe sesha samgna.
At the end of two great eons when the world would come to anend,
When the primeval five elements merge with the great element,
And when in the speed of time, all the clear things ,
Merge with and in you who is not clear , you only will be left ,
And so you would be called “Sesha” meaning “what is left out”.
3.Yoyam kalasthasya theey avyaktha bandho,
Cheshtaamahu scheshtahe yena viswam,
Nimeshaadhirvathsaranthoi mahyamstham,
Thwesaanaam kshema dhama prapadhye.
The wise declare that the time is the essence of your power,
Which extends from, a second to a year and is infinite.
And the universe moves in time on its course,
And I move towards the comfort zone of yours.
4.Marthyo mruthyu vyala bheethaa palayan,
Lokaan sarvaan nirbhayam naadhya gachath,
Thwat padabhjam prapya yadruccha yaadhya,
Swastha seethe mruthyurasmadha paithi.
Man when chased by the serpent of death,
Cannot be without fear wherever he goes,
But if he accidentally reaches your lotus feet,
He would be peaceful and death will be afraid of him.
5.Sa thwam goraadh Ugra senathmaja nna,
Thrahi thrasthaan bruthya vithra saahasi,
Roopam chedham pourusham dhyana dhishnyam,
Maa prathyaksham maam sadrusaam krusheeshtaa.
So please protect us from the horrible son of Ugrasena,
For you are the dispeller of fear of your devotees,
And please do not reveal this form of yours ,
Which is fit for meditation even to the ignorant.
6.Janma they mayya sou paapo maa vidhyaan Madhu soodhana,
Samudwije bhavad ddhetho kamasad ahamdheeradhi.
Oh killer of Madhu , let not that sinner ,
Know your birth from me, for I am afraid of Kamsa,
For the sake of your safety and am much agitated.
7.Upasamhara viswathman aaho roopam aloukikam,
Sankha chakra gadha Padma sriyaa jushtam chathur bhujam.
Oh soul of the universe, please put an end ,
To this rare form of yours holding in your four hands,
The Conch, wheel , mace and a flower of lotus.
8.Viswam yadhe thath swa thanou nissanthe ,
Yadhavaakasam Purusha pare bhavaan,
Vibharthi soyam mama garbhago aabhooth,
Aaho nrulokasya vidambhanam hi thath.
You keep the entire universe in your belly,
At the time of the cosmic night , by which time,
They enlarge and occupy lot of space,
And the fact that you entered my womb,
Is surely your way of imitating the humans.
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Lord Vishnu was born as the eighth child to Devaki in prison. He was born with four hands holding Conch, wheel ,mace and flower. Devaki offered this prayer to him and requested him to assume the usual human form, so that Kamsa will not find out. This prayer occurs in the Tenth Skanda, third chapter, slokas 24-31. I have consulted the translation of Smt Sudha Devi Ramkumar and that done by C.L.Goswami in doing this translation.)
1.Roopam yathath prahuravyaktha maadhyam,
Brahma jyothi nirgunam nirvikaram,
SAthaa mathram nirvisesham nireeham,
SA thwam saakshaad vishnur adhyathma dheepa.
Oh god , your form is not clear to the senses,
It has the shine of Brahmam , it is property less,
It is devoid of feelings , it is simply goodness,
It cannot be described by adjectives, It is beyond self,
It is the real divine light of Vishnu which is the only Sathwa.
2.Nashta loke dwi parardha avasane,
Maha bhoothe shwaadhi bhootham gatheshu,
Vyakthe avyaktham kala vegena yathe,
Bhavaneka sishyathe sesha samgna.
At the end of two great eons when the world would come to anend,
When the primeval five elements merge with the great element,
And when in the speed of time, all the clear things ,
Merge with and in you who is not clear , you only will be left ,
And so you would be called “Sesha” meaning “what is left out”.
3.Yoyam kalasthasya theey avyaktha bandho,
Cheshtaamahu scheshtahe yena viswam,
Nimeshaadhirvathsaranthoi mahyamstham,
Thwesaanaam kshema dhama prapadhye.
The wise declare that the time is the essence of your power,
Which extends from, a second to a year and is infinite.
And the universe moves in time on its course,
And I move towards the comfort zone of yours.
4.Marthyo mruthyu vyala bheethaa palayan,
Lokaan sarvaan nirbhayam naadhya gachath,
Thwat padabhjam prapya yadruccha yaadhya,
Swastha seethe mruthyurasmadha paithi.
Man when chased by the serpent of death,
Cannot be without fear wherever he goes,
But if he accidentally reaches your lotus feet,
He would be peaceful and death will be afraid of him.
5.Sa thwam goraadh Ugra senathmaja nna,
Thrahi thrasthaan bruthya vithra saahasi,
Roopam chedham pourusham dhyana dhishnyam,
Maa prathyaksham maam sadrusaam krusheeshtaa.
So please protect us from the horrible son of Ugrasena,
For you are the dispeller of fear of your devotees,
And please do not reveal this form of yours ,
Which is fit for meditation even to the ignorant.
6.Janma they mayya sou paapo maa vidhyaan Madhu soodhana,
Samudwije bhavad ddhetho kamasad ahamdheeradhi.
Oh killer of Madhu , let not that sinner ,
Know your birth from me, for I am afraid of Kamsa,
For the sake of your safety and am much agitated.
7.Upasamhara viswathman aaho roopam aloukikam,
Sankha chakra gadha Padma sriyaa jushtam chathur bhujam.
Oh soul of the universe, please put an end ,
To this rare form of yours holding in your four hands,
The Conch, wheel , mace and a flower of lotus.
8.Viswam yadhe thath swa thanou nissanthe ,
Yadhavaakasam Purusha pare bhavaan,
Vibharthi soyam mama garbhago aabhooth,
Aaho nrulokasya vidambhanam hi thath.
You keep the entire universe in your belly,
At the time of the cosmic night , by which time,
They enlarge and occupy lot of space,
And the fact that you entered my womb,
Is surely your way of imitating the humans.
Vasudeva Sthuthi
Vasudeva Sthuthi
(Prayer by Vasudeva)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This as the prayer offered by King Vasudeva as soon Lord Krishna was born in the prison. This occurs in tenth Skanda and third chapter of Bhagawatha Purana as slokas 13-21. Another prayer by Vasaudeva addressed to Krishna has been earlier translated by me and is available in
http://www.celextel.org/stotras/vishnu/vasudevakruthakrishnastotram.html
I have referred the translations by Smt. Sudha devi Ramkumar and sri C.L.Goswami. My thanks to those great pioneers.)
1.Vidhithosi bhavaan saakshath Purusha prakruthe para,
Kevalanubhava aanada swaroopa sarva budhi druk.
Oh Lord , I know that you are the supreme person who is beyond nature,
And you are the pure personification of bliss , who sees the minds of all.
2.Sa yeva swa prakruthyedham sushtvagre trigunathmakam,
Thadhanu thwam hyapravishta yiva bhavyase.
From your own self you created this world of three fold existence*,
And after creating it , you appear to have entered this world.
*Truth, consciousness and bliss
3.Yadheme avikruthaa bhavasthadhaa they vikruthey saha,
Naanaa veeryaa pradhak bhoothaa virajam janayanthi hi.
Though you are a part of the different beings ,
The characteristics of those beings in various degrees,
Do not shine out in your great form.
4.SAnnipathya samuth paadhya drusyanthe anugathaa yiva,
Praageva vidhyamanathvanna theshamiha sambhava.
Though you are seen with the people of the world as well as travel with them,
In spite of your being the cause of all such things and people,
How is it that you never get their form or feelings?
5.Yavam bhavaan budhya anumeya lakshanai,
Grahyair gunai sannapi thadruna grahaa,
Anaa vruthath vaad bahirantharam na they,
SArvasya sarvathmana aathma vasthutha.
Oh Lord though you are existing along with,
The objects that can be recognised by the senses,
You cannot be caught by those senses,
And you do not have the properties of inside and outside,
For you are everywhere and everything is that thing.
6.Ya aathmano drusya guneshu sannithi,
Vyavasyathe swa vyathire katho abudha,
Vinanuvaadam na cha than mneeshitham,
Samyag yathas yaktha mupaadath pumaan.
He who believes that what he sees is only right,
Is not wise as he does not understand that,
What he knows are nothing but a display of words
And if he believes that which has been ,
Proved as unreal as real, then he is a fool.
7.Thwatho asya janma sthidhi samyamaan , vibho,
Vadanthyanee hadha gunaadha vikriyath,
Thwayeesware brahmani no virudhyathe ,
Thwadasraya thwad upacharyathe gunai.
Oh Lord, the wise conclude that birth , upkeep and death,
Originate from you who is desire less ,change less,
And beyond properties and it appears that,
This looks as a contradiction in you who is god of all,
And that such things are ascribed to you,
Because you are the one who makes them act.
8.Sa thwam triloka sthithaye swa maayaya,
Vibharshim shuklam khhalu varnamathmana,
SArgaaya raktham rajasopa brahmitham,
Krushnam cha varna thamasaa janaathyaye.
Oh Lord you are in the entire three worlds using your illusion,
Taking the form which is white you do the upkeep of the world ,
Taking the form which is red , you do the creation of the world,
And taking the form which is black you do its destruction.
9.Thwamasya lokasya vibho ririkshushu,
Gruhe avatheerno maam akhileswara,
Rajanya samgnaa asura koti yoodhapai,
Nirvyoohyamaanaa niha nishyase chamoo.
Oh God of the universe, you have taken birth,
In my house for protecting the world,
And there is no doubt in my mind,
That you would soon completely ,
Destroy the billions of Asuras who are,
Going by the names of kings in this world.
(Prayer by Vasudeva)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This as the prayer offered by King Vasudeva as soon Lord Krishna was born in the prison. This occurs in tenth Skanda and third chapter of Bhagawatha Purana as slokas 13-21. Another prayer by Vasaudeva addressed to Krishna has been earlier translated by me and is available in
http://www.celextel.org/stotras/vishnu/vasudevakruthakrishnastotram.html
I have referred the translations by Smt. Sudha devi Ramkumar and sri C.L.Goswami. My thanks to those great pioneers.)
1.Vidhithosi bhavaan saakshath Purusha prakruthe para,
Kevalanubhava aanada swaroopa sarva budhi druk.
Oh Lord , I know that you are the supreme person who is beyond nature,
And you are the pure personification of bliss , who sees the minds of all.
2.Sa yeva swa prakruthyedham sushtvagre trigunathmakam,
Thadhanu thwam hyapravishta yiva bhavyase.
From your own self you created this world of three fold existence*,
And after creating it , you appear to have entered this world.
*Truth, consciousness and bliss
3.Yadheme avikruthaa bhavasthadhaa they vikruthey saha,
Naanaa veeryaa pradhak bhoothaa virajam janayanthi hi.
Though you are a part of the different beings ,
The characteristics of those beings in various degrees,
Do not shine out in your great form.
4.SAnnipathya samuth paadhya drusyanthe anugathaa yiva,
Praageva vidhyamanathvanna theshamiha sambhava.
Though you are seen with the people of the world as well as travel with them,
In spite of your being the cause of all such things and people,
How is it that you never get their form or feelings?
5.Yavam bhavaan budhya anumeya lakshanai,
Grahyair gunai sannapi thadruna grahaa,
Anaa vruthath vaad bahirantharam na they,
SArvasya sarvathmana aathma vasthutha.
Oh Lord though you are existing along with,
The objects that can be recognised by the senses,
You cannot be caught by those senses,
And you do not have the properties of inside and outside,
For you are everywhere and everything is that thing.
6.Ya aathmano drusya guneshu sannithi,
Vyavasyathe swa vyathire katho abudha,
Vinanuvaadam na cha than mneeshitham,
Samyag yathas yaktha mupaadath pumaan.
He who believes that what he sees is only right,
Is not wise as he does not understand that,
What he knows are nothing but a display of words
And if he believes that which has been ,
Proved as unreal as real, then he is a fool.
7.Thwatho asya janma sthidhi samyamaan , vibho,
Vadanthyanee hadha gunaadha vikriyath,
Thwayeesware brahmani no virudhyathe ,
Thwadasraya thwad upacharyathe gunai.
Oh Lord, the wise conclude that birth , upkeep and death,
Originate from you who is desire less ,change less,
And beyond properties and it appears that,
This looks as a contradiction in you who is god of all,
And that such things are ascribed to you,
Because you are the one who makes them act.
8.Sa thwam triloka sthithaye swa maayaya,
Vibharshim shuklam khhalu varnamathmana,
SArgaaya raktham rajasopa brahmitham,
Krushnam cha varna thamasaa janaathyaye.
Oh Lord you are in the entire three worlds using your illusion,
Taking the form which is white you do the upkeep of the world ,
Taking the form which is red , you do the creation of the world,
And taking the form which is black you do its destruction.
9.Thwamasya lokasya vibho ririkshushu,
Gruhe avatheerno maam akhileswara,
Rajanya samgnaa asura koti yoodhapai,
Nirvyoohyamaanaa niha nishyase chamoo.
Oh God of the universe, you have taken birth,
In my house for protecting the world,
And there is no doubt in my mind,
That you would soon completely ,
Destroy the billions of Asuras who are,
Going by the names of kings in this world.
Devaki Garbha Sthuthi
Devaki Garbha Sthuthi
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( As per the request of Lord Brahma and other devas Lord Vishnu enters the womb of Devaki ,
For yet another incarnation to remove the burden of this earth. This prayer is addressed to the God who is in the womb of Devaki by Lord Brahma and other devas. This great prayer occurs in the tenth Skanda and in second chapter of Bhagawatha Purana as slokas 26-40.)
1.Sathyavrutham sathyaparam Trisathyam ,
Sathyasya yonim nihiutham cha sathye,
Sathyasya sathayamrutha Sathya nethram,
Sathyathmakam thwaam saranam Prapanna.
We surrender to you , who is the soul of the truth,
Who makes truth his penance , Who is beyond truth,
Who is the triple truth in the past , present and future,
Who is the creator of truth , who exists in only truth ,
Who is truth of the nectar of truth and who only sees truth.
2,Yekayano asou dwiphala , sthri moola,
Chathurasa, Pancha vitha, shadathma,
Sapthathvak astha vitapo navaksho ,
Dasaschadhi Dwikhago hyadhi vruksha.
The primeval tree of creation has one basis,
Two fruits called pleasure and suffering,
Three roots called Sathva, Rajas and Thamas,
Four aspects called Dharma, wealth, pleasure and salvation,
Five sensory organs, six soul emotions called,
Hunger, thirst , sorrow, passion, old age and death,
Seven layers called skin, flesh , blood , bile , fat, phlegm and bone,
Eight branches called Pancha bhoothas, mind , brain , egoism,
Nine holes of the body like two ears, two eyes and so on,
And eleven leaf like souls called prana, apana, samana , vyana , udana,
Nadha , korma , krukara , deva datha and dananjaya,
And on this tree , live the two birds called Jevathma and Paramathma.
3.Twam yeka yevaasya satha prasoothi,
Thwam sannidhaanam thwam anugrahascha,
Thwan maayaya samvrutha chethasas thwam,
Pasyanthi naanaa na vipaschitho ye.
You alone are the cause of that tree of the universe,
You are its resting place, you are the one who takes care of it,
And those beings whose eyes are clouded by your illusion,
See you as different things but not the wise ones.
4.Bhibharshi roopanyava bodha athmaa,
Kshemaya lokasya characharasya,
Sathvo pannani sukha vahaani,
Sathama bhadrani muhu khalaanaam.
Though you are the soul which is consciousness,
For taking care of the people and mobile and immobile things,
You take the form of unmixed truth and peace,
Which gives delight to the followers of Dharma,
And is harmful to those wicked beings.
5.Thway ambujaksha akhila sathva dhamni,
Samaadhinaa aavesitha chetha saike,
THwad patha pothena mahath kruthena,
Kurvanthi go vathsa padam bhavabdhim.
Oh Lotus eyed one , those wise sages,
Using their state of Samadhi ,
See your Sathva form by their inner eyes,
And using the boat of your divine feet,
And using their good behavior as a boatman ,
Cross the sea of birth and death,
As if it is only as big as the hoof mark of a cow.
6.Swayam samutheerya sadushtaram dhyuman,
Bhavarnavam bheema madhabra souhrudhaa,
Bhavath padamboruha naabva matha they,
Nidhaaya yaathaa sadanugraho bhavaan.
Those wise ones after crossing this ocean of birth and death,
Which is difficult to cross , with their mind,
Filled with greatly gross compassion and care,
Leave the boat of your lotus like feet with your blessings,
There itself , so that it would be of help to others to cross the ocean.
7.Yo anyo aravindaksha vimuktha maanina,
Thwayyastha bhavadha vishuddha buddhyaa,
Aaroohya kruchrena param padam Thatha,
Pathathyatho anaadrutha yushamad anghraya.
The others , Oh lotus eyed one , who consider themselves as liberated,
With a mind which is not pure and without any devotion to you,
Even if they attain your divine world by a torturous path
Fall down from that position , as they have not adored your feet.
8.Thadhaa na they maadhava thavakaa kwachidh,
Brasyanthi marga thwayee badha souhrudhaa,
Thwayabhi gupthaa vicharanthi nirbhayaa,
Vinaayakani kappa moordhasu prabho.
Oh Madhava , those who have complete devotion to you,
Would never go in such wrong path, due to their love for you,
And they would be saved by your blessing,
And would travel without any fear ,
Treading on the heads of those who come in their way.
9.Sathwam vishudham srayathe bhavan stithou.
SAreerinaam sreya upayanam vapu,
Veda kriyaa yoga thapa samadhibhi,
Sthavarhanam yena jana sameehathe.
Oh Lord , You have assumed a pure Sathwic form,
And give the results to beings for their actions,
And people belonging the four stages in life,
Worship you by performing Vedic rituals,
Yoga , Penance and entering in to Samadhi.
10.Sathwam cha chedha dharitham nijam bhaved,
Vijnana majnana abhidhabha marjanam,
Guna prakasai ranumeeyathe bhavan,
Prakasathe yasya cha yena vaa guna.
Had not you assumed this Sathwic form of yours,
Oh maker of the universe, for the sake of ,
Shining of knowledge and removing of the ignorance,
Of your devotees who see difference among themselves,
Will see and feel you as per their characteristics.
Had you not been born with these characteristics,
11.Na naama roope guna janma karambhi,
Niroopithavye thava thasya sakshina,
Mano vachibhyaam anumeya varthmano,
Deva kriyayam prathi yanthyadhapi.
None of the name , form , characters, birth and actions,
Prove that you are the only witness for yourselves,
Mind , word and others only guess your form,
And when offerings to you are made in the Yagas,
You assume the form that is proper and receive them.
12,Srunvan grunan samsaarayamscha chinthayan,
Naamani roopani cha mangalani they,
Kriyasu yasthwa charanara vindhayo,
Aavishta chethaa na bhavaya kalpathe.
Hearing, telling it to others , remembering and meditating ,
On your names and forms which are auspicious,
And performing all actions with attention merged on your lotus feet,
If done by a man using his mind it will ensure him freedom from bonds.
13.Dhishtaaya hare asyaa bhavatha padhoi bhuvo,
Bharo apaneetha sthava janma nesithu,
Dhishtyangi kathaam thwad padakai sushobhanai,
Drakshyama gaam dhyaam cha thavanukampithaam.
Luckily , oh Lord Hari, the earth represented by your feet,
Has got rid of its burden by your descent to this earth,
And we will see the heaven and earth decorated,
By your very pretty footsteps and divine marks,
Due to your great grace as well as merciful interest.
14.Na they bhavasyesa bhavasya karanam,
Vinaa vinodham bhatha tharkayamahe,
Bhavo nirodha stdithi thirapya vidhyaya,
Kruthaa yatha sthvayya bhaya aasryathmani.
Oh Lord who offers protection to everyone,
Your this birth , came about as only a sport of yours,
For you do not have birth which is a result of Karma,
And the assumption of your birth and death ,
By the people is only due to their ignorance.
15.Mathsya aswa kachapa nrusimha Varaha hamsa,
Rajanya vipra vividheshu kruthavathaaraa,
THwam paasi nas tribhuvanam cha yadhaa dhunesa,
Bharam bhuvo hara yadhthama vandanam they.
Oh God you took the varied incarnations as fish, horse , tortoise ,
Man lion , boar , swan, king as well as Brahmin,
And you protected the three worlds and
We want you remove the burden of this earth , Oh Hari,
Oh best of Yadhu clan , our salutations to you.
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( As per the request of Lord Brahma and other devas Lord Vishnu enters the womb of Devaki ,
For yet another incarnation to remove the burden of this earth. This prayer is addressed to the God who is in the womb of Devaki by Lord Brahma and other devas. This great prayer occurs in the tenth Skanda and in second chapter of Bhagawatha Purana as slokas 26-40.)
1.Sathyavrutham sathyaparam Trisathyam ,
Sathyasya yonim nihiutham cha sathye,
Sathyasya sathayamrutha Sathya nethram,
Sathyathmakam thwaam saranam Prapanna.
We surrender to you , who is the soul of the truth,
Who makes truth his penance , Who is beyond truth,
Who is the triple truth in the past , present and future,
Who is the creator of truth , who exists in only truth ,
Who is truth of the nectar of truth and who only sees truth.
2,Yekayano asou dwiphala , sthri moola,
Chathurasa, Pancha vitha, shadathma,
Sapthathvak astha vitapo navaksho ,
Dasaschadhi Dwikhago hyadhi vruksha.
The primeval tree of creation has one basis,
Two fruits called pleasure and suffering,
Three roots called Sathva, Rajas and Thamas,
Four aspects called Dharma, wealth, pleasure and salvation,
Five sensory organs, six soul emotions called,
Hunger, thirst , sorrow, passion, old age and death,
Seven layers called skin, flesh , blood , bile , fat, phlegm and bone,
Eight branches called Pancha bhoothas, mind , brain , egoism,
Nine holes of the body like two ears, two eyes and so on,
And eleven leaf like souls called prana, apana, samana , vyana , udana,
Nadha , korma , krukara , deva datha and dananjaya,
And on this tree , live the two birds called Jevathma and Paramathma.
3.Twam yeka yevaasya satha prasoothi,
Thwam sannidhaanam thwam anugrahascha,
Thwan maayaya samvrutha chethasas thwam,
Pasyanthi naanaa na vipaschitho ye.
You alone are the cause of that tree of the universe,
You are its resting place, you are the one who takes care of it,
And those beings whose eyes are clouded by your illusion,
See you as different things but not the wise ones.
4.Bhibharshi roopanyava bodha athmaa,
Kshemaya lokasya characharasya,
Sathvo pannani sukha vahaani,
Sathama bhadrani muhu khalaanaam.
Though you are the soul which is consciousness,
For taking care of the people and mobile and immobile things,
You take the form of unmixed truth and peace,
Which gives delight to the followers of Dharma,
And is harmful to those wicked beings.
5.Thway ambujaksha akhila sathva dhamni,
Samaadhinaa aavesitha chetha saike,
THwad patha pothena mahath kruthena,
Kurvanthi go vathsa padam bhavabdhim.
Oh Lotus eyed one , those wise sages,
Using their state of Samadhi ,
See your Sathva form by their inner eyes,
And using the boat of your divine feet,
And using their good behavior as a boatman ,
Cross the sea of birth and death,
As if it is only as big as the hoof mark of a cow.
6.Swayam samutheerya sadushtaram dhyuman,
Bhavarnavam bheema madhabra souhrudhaa,
Bhavath padamboruha naabva matha they,
Nidhaaya yaathaa sadanugraho bhavaan.
Those wise ones after crossing this ocean of birth and death,
Which is difficult to cross , with their mind,
Filled with greatly gross compassion and care,
Leave the boat of your lotus like feet with your blessings,
There itself , so that it would be of help to others to cross the ocean.
7.Yo anyo aravindaksha vimuktha maanina,
Thwayyastha bhavadha vishuddha buddhyaa,
Aaroohya kruchrena param padam Thatha,
Pathathyatho anaadrutha yushamad anghraya.
The others , Oh lotus eyed one , who consider themselves as liberated,
With a mind which is not pure and without any devotion to you,
Even if they attain your divine world by a torturous path
Fall down from that position , as they have not adored your feet.
8.Thadhaa na they maadhava thavakaa kwachidh,
Brasyanthi marga thwayee badha souhrudhaa,
Thwayabhi gupthaa vicharanthi nirbhayaa,
Vinaayakani kappa moordhasu prabho.
Oh Madhava , those who have complete devotion to you,
Would never go in such wrong path, due to their love for you,
And they would be saved by your blessing,
And would travel without any fear ,
Treading on the heads of those who come in their way.
9.Sathwam vishudham srayathe bhavan stithou.
SAreerinaam sreya upayanam vapu,
Veda kriyaa yoga thapa samadhibhi,
Sthavarhanam yena jana sameehathe.
Oh Lord , You have assumed a pure Sathwic form,
And give the results to beings for their actions,
And people belonging the four stages in life,
Worship you by performing Vedic rituals,
Yoga , Penance and entering in to Samadhi.
10.Sathwam cha chedha dharitham nijam bhaved,
Vijnana majnana abhidhabha marjanam,
Guna prakasai ranumeeyathe bhavan,
Prakasathe yasya cha yena vaa guna.
Had not you assumed this Sathwic form of yours,
Oh maker of the universe, for the sake of ,
Shining of knowledge and removing of the ignorance,
Of your devotees who see difference among themselves,
Will see and feel you as per their characteristics.
Had you not been born with these characteristics,
11.Na naama roope guna janma karambhi,
Niroopithavye thava thasya sakshina,
Mano vachibhyaam anumeya varthmano,
Deva kriyayam prathi yanthyadhapi.
None of the name , form , characters, birth and actions,
Prove that you are the only witness for yourselves,
Mind , word and others only guess your form,
And when offerings to you are made in the Yagas,
You assume the form that is proper and receive them.
12,Srunvan grunan samsaarayamscha chinthayan,
Naamani roopani cha mangalani they,
Kriyasu yasthwa charanara vindhayo,
Aavishta chethaa na bhavaya kalpathe.
Hearing, telling it to others , remembering and meditating ,
On your names and forms which are auspicious,
And performing all actions with attention merged on your lotus feet,
If done by a man using his mind it will ensure him freedom from bonds.
13.Dhishtaaya hare asyaa bhavatha padhoi bhuvo,
Bharo apaneetha sthava janma nesithu,
Dhishtyangi kathaam thwad padakai sushobhanai,
Drakshyama gaam dhyaam cha thavanukampithaam.
Luckily , oh Lord Hari, the earth represented by your feet,
Has got rid of its burden by your descent to this earth,
And we will see the heaven and earth decorated,
By your very pretty footsteps and divine marks,
Due to your great grace as well as merciful interest.
14.Na they bhavasyesa bhavasya karanam,
Vinaa vinodham bhatha tharkayamahe,
Bhavo nirodha stdithi thirapya vidhyaya,
Kruthaa yatha sthvayya bhaya aasryathmani.
Oh Lord who offers protection to everyone,
Your this birth , came about as only a sport of yours,
For you do not have birth which is a result of Karma,
And the assumption of your birth and death ,
By the people is only due to their ignorance.
15.Mathsya aswa kachapa nrusimha Varaha hamsa,
Rajanya vipra vividheshu kruthavathaaraa,
THwam paasi nas tribhuvanam cha yadhaa dhunesa,
Bharam bhuvo hara yadhthama vandanam they.
Oh God you took the varied incarnations as fish, horse , tortoise ,
Man lion , boar , swan, king as well as Brahmin,
And you protected the three worlds and
We want you remove the burden of this earth , Oh Hari,
Oh best of Yadhu clan , our salutations to you.
Gajendra Moksha Sthuthi
Gajendra Moksha Sthuthi
(The prayer by the king of elephants)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( This prayer has been taken from eighth Skanda and third chapter of Bhagwatha Purana (Sloka 2-29).
Indra Dhyumna was a great king who was a great devotee of Vishnu. Once sage Agasthya visited him. Due to his complete involvement in God , the king did not receive the sage properly. Annoyed by this the sage cursed him to become an elephant in the next birth. As per that the king was born as Gajendra. His devotion continued and he used to worship Lord Vishnu incessantly by offering him lotus flowers plucked from the pond. Once his leg was caught by a crocodile and the fight between the crocodile and elephant continued for one thousand years. Unable to get out of the clutches of the Crocodile , Gajendra cried and called Lord Vishnu. Immediately the Lord arrived and freed him by killing the crocodile. The Lord also gave salvation to Gajendra. This prayer is recited by the Elephant king before attaining salvation. A translation of this stotra by Dr.Sivarama Murthy is available in
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9402580/Gajendra-MokshamSignificance-and-Meaning. Besides referring to that I have also referred the translation by Sudha Devi Ramkumar in her Tamil book “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” as well as the translation by Sri C.l.Goswami published by Gita press , Gorakhpur)
1.Om namo bhagawathe thasmai yathayetha chidhathmakam,
Purushaa yaadhi bheejaaya paresayaabhi dheemahi.
Salutations to the all powerful divine God denoted by “OM”,
Due to whom the body and mind are made conscious,
And he also exists within them in the form of the seed for the spirit.
2.Yasmin idham yatha schedham tyenedham ya idham swayam,
Yoasmath parasamacha parastham prapadhye swayambhuvam.
I surrender to that God in whom this universe
Was born, exists in essence and was made in to thedivine,
Who becomes all the world that we see,
And who is different from it in his physical and spiritual form.
3.Ya swathmaneedham nija mayayaa arpitham,
Kwachid vibhatham kwa cha thath thirohitham,
Aviddha druk saksha yubhayam thadheekshathe sa,
Aathma moolo avathu maam parathpara.
May I be protected by the God who revealed himself,
Who reveals himself as the universe at times of creation,
Who keeps the universe as an illusion at the times of deluge,
Thus revealing himself sometimes and hiding himself at other times,
And who sees them as a witness in both these states.
4.Kaalena panchathwamitheshu kruthsnasao,
Lokeshu paleshu cha sarva hethushu,
Thamas thadha aaseed gahanam gabheeram,
Yasthasya parebhi virajathe Vibhu.
5.Na yasya devaa rishaya padam vidhu,
Janthu puna ko arhathi ganthu meerithum,
Yadhaa natasya aakruthibhir vicheshtatho,
Durathya anukramana sa maavathu.
Over time when all the worlds and their guardians,
Are reduced to the five elements and all their causes,
Only Impenetrable and fathomless darkness , remains,
Coming out of that darkness , the divine Lord shines from within that.
And his form thus exhibited is not understood even by the devas and sages,
Like the actual form of the actor in a drama is not known to the spectator,
And definitely the ordinary beings is at a loss to describe it,
Thus making his actions unfathomable and let that God protect me.
6.Dhidrukshavo yasya padam su mangalam,
Vimuktha sanghaa munaya susaadhava,
Charanthya loka Vrutha mavranam vane,
Bhoothama bhoothaa shrudh sa may gathi.
He whose auspicious feet is desired even by,
The great sages who are bereft of any attachments ,
Who have benevolent feeling towards all beings,
And observe penance and sacred vows in the forest,
Is the divine one who is in all beings ,
And is my only source of support.
7.Na vidhyathe yasya cha janma karma vaa,
Na naama roope guna dosha yeva vaa,
Thadhapi lokaapya ya sambhavaya ya,
Swa mayaya thaanyunukala mruchathi.
He does not have either birth or Karmas,
He does not have any name or properties,
And he does not have any faults as he is beyond nature,
And in spite of that he assumes several forms,
At different times to carry out the creation and upkeep of the world.
8.Thasmai nama paresaaya Brahmane anatha shakthaye,
Aroopyo roopaya nama aascharya karmane.
Salutations to him who does wonderful acts,
Who is beyond birth and death and theBrahman,
The one without endless power and one who ,
Neither has a form or is formless.
9.Nama aathma pradheepaya sakshine paramathmane,
Namo giraam vidhooraya maanasa schethasam api.
My salutations to him who shines within himself,
Who is the witness for all, who is the divine soul,
My salutations to him who is far, far away,
From the activities of the mind and its faculties.
10.Sathvena prathi labhyaya naishkarmyena vipaschitha,
Nama kaivalya nadhaya nirvana sukha samvidhe.
Salutations to him who gives us Kaivalya ,
And who makes us realize the infinite joy of salvation,
And one who can be seen by the real sages with purity of mind,
By the constant practice of detached activity .
11.Nama santhaya ghoraya , moodaaya guna dharmine,
Nirviseshaya samyaya namo Jnana ganaya cha.
Salutations to the one who appears to be serene , ferocious and foolish ,
But really the one who is devoid of any qualities and is always alike.
Salutations to the great treasure of wisdom.
12.Kshethragnaya namasthubhyam Sarvadhyakshaya sakshine ,
Purushaa yaathma moolaya moola prakruthaye nama.
Salutations to one who knows the form ,
Who is lord and witness of everything,
Who is the Purusha and who is the seed of every being,
And salutations to the basic nature which exists.
13.Sarvendrye guna drushte sarva prathyaya hethave ,
Asathaa cchaya yokthaya sadaa basaaya they nama.
Salutations to one who watches the health of all senses,
And also the objectives of all such senses,
And to him who is the one who activates,
The immobile nature that follows you like a shadow.
14.Namol namasthe akhila kaaranaya nish kaaranaaya adbhutha kaaranaya,
Sarvaa gamaamnaya maharnavaya namo apavargaya parayanaya.
Salutations fo him who is the cause of everything,
To him who is not caused by anything and also,
The wonderful cause which does not become what it causes,
Salutations to him who is the ocean of Thanthras,
To the personification of saintliness and refuge of the great.
15.Gunarani cchanna chidooshmapaaya,
Thathkshobha visphoorjitha manasaya,
Naishkarmya bhavena vivarjithagama,
Swayam prakasaya namaskaromi.
Salutations to him who hides similar to the fire of consciousness,
That is hid in a piece of wood of qualities and characters ,
Whose creative mind is aroused when the characters are disturbed,
Who comes shining before those who do detached actions.
16. Madruk prapanna pasu pasa vimokshanaya,
Mukthaaya bhoori karunaya namo aalayaaya,
Swaamsena sarva thanu brun manasi pratheetha,
Prathyag druse bhagwathe bruhathe namasthe.
Salutations to the God of boundless compassion,
Who frees those ignorant beings from the ties of this world,
As soon as they surrender to him though ,
He himself is ever free and is endowed to the great mercy,
And he also shines in the minds of all as their own soul,
Though he himself is the limitless Para Brahman.
17.Athma athmajaaptha Gruha vitha janeshu saakthai,
Dush praapaanaaya guna sanghaa vivarjithaaya,
Nukthaathmabhi swahrudaye pari bhavithaya,
Jnanathmane bhagwathe nama Ishwaraya.
Salutations to that God ,who is not attainable to those,
Who are attached to themselves, their sons, house , wealth and friends,
Who himself is completely free of all attachments to senses,
And who is brought in to their own hearts by his devotees,
18. Yam dharma kama artha vimukthi kaama,
Bhajantha ishtaam gathi mapnuvanthi,
Kim thwaasisho rathyapi deha mavyayam,
Karothu may adha brudhayo vimokshanam.
Whosoever prays you for Dharma,
Desire , wealth or salvation,
They get their desires fulfilled,
And even when your devotees ,
Do not ask anything from you,
You give them an imperishable body ,
And I request from you salvation for me.
19.Yekanthino yasya na kanchanarrdhaa,
Vanchasnthi ye vai Bhagawat prapanna,
Athyadbhutham thaccharitham sumangalam,
Gayantha AAnanda samudhra magnaa.
Those devotees who in lonliness , pray you ,
Without wanting gold or similar things,
And are not even desirous of salvation,
And sing your wonderful story,
Drown themselves in the ocean of bliss.
20.Thamaksharam brahma param paresam,
Avyaktha madhyathmika yoga gamyam,
Athheendriyam sookshma mivathi dhooram,
Anantha maadhyam paripoorna meede.
I sauté that complete God who never dies,
Who is the divine God much beyond Lord Brahma,
Who is not clear and is available for spiritual seekers,
Who is beyond senses like the very micro things,
And who does not have an end and is primeval.
21.Yasya Brahmadayo deva loka scharachara,
Nama roopa vibheedheena phalgvyaa cha kalaya krutha.
I salute him from whose very micro form are created.
Brahma and others, devas, all worlds , all moving and stable beings,
Assuming very different names and bear fruit.
22.Yadharchisho agne savithur gabhasthayo,
Niryanthi samyaanthya sakruth swarochisha,
Thadhaa yathoyam guna sampravaho,
Budhir mana kaani sareera sargaa.
Similar to the heat generating from the fire,
And rays generating from Sun ,ultimately ,
Merges in to the form from where they came ,
Wisdom, mind , senses and the body,
Originate from you and merge in you.
23.Sa vain a devaa asura marthaya thiryang,
Na Sthree na shando na puman na janthu,
Naayam guna karma na sanna na chasath,
Nishedha sesho jayathad asesha.
He is not god , asura or man or animal,
He is not woman, eunuch or man or animal,
He is not characteristic, nor mobile or immobile,
And he is what is remaining after all these negations.
24.Jeejee vishe naaha mihaamuyaa kim,
Anthar bahi schavrutha ye bhayonyaa,
Icchami kalena na yasya viplava,
Thasya aathma loka varanasya moksham.
I do not desire to survive for what I have to do here,
As an elephant enveloped inside out , by ignorance,
I do desire that this veil of ignorance is lifted,
And I get salvation from this world as an elephant.
25.Soham viswa srujam visamam aviswam Viswa vedhasam ,
Vishwathamanam ajam Brahma pranathosmi param padam.
I salute that God who created the universe ,
Who is the universe but is different from it,
Who knows the universe, who is the soul of the universe,
Who is devoid of birth and is the divine Brahmam.
26.Yoga randhitha karmaano ,
Hrudhi yoga Vibhavithe,
Yogino yam prapasyanthi,
Yogesam tham nathosyam aham
I worship that God of Yoga,
Whom only the Yogis who have burnt their Karma,
Can visualize by their heart,
And see him by the practice of yoga.
27.Namo namasthubhyam asahya veda Shakthi thrayaya akhiladhi gunaaya,
Prapanna paalaya durantha shakthaye kadheendriyaanamana vapya vaathmane.
Salutations to him whose three fold power is unstoppable ,
Who has all the characteristics , Who protects those who surrender to him,
And who cannot be attained by those who have not won over their senses.
28.Nayam Veda swamaathmaanam yacchakthyaa hamdhiyaa hatham,
Tham durathyaya maahatmyam bhagawantha mitho asmyaham.
I am searching that God, whose power can never be surpassed,
And due to the illusion of ego created by him , people think that ,
Their body is their soul and are not able to understand their real soul.
(The prayer by the king of elephants)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( This prayer has been taken from eighth Skanda and third chapter of Bhagwatha Purana (Sloka 2-29).
Indra Dhyumna was a great king who was a great devotee of Vishnu. Once sage Agasthya visited him. Due to his complete involvement in God , the king did not receive the sage properly. Annoyed by this the sage cursed him to become an elephant in the next birth. As per that the king was born as Gajendra. His devotion continued and he used to worship Lord Vishnu incessantly by offering him lotus flowers plucked from the pond. Once his leg was caught by a crocodile and the fight between the crocodile and elephant continued for one thousand years. Unable to get out of the clutches of the Crocodile , Gajendra cried and called Lord Vishnu. Immediately the Lord arrived and freed him by killing the crocodile. The Lord also gave salvation to Gajendra. This prayer is recited by the Elephant king before attaining salvation. A translation of this stotra by Dr.Sivarama Murthy is available in
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9402580/Gajendra-MokshamSignificance-and-Meaning. Besides referring to that I have also referred the translation by Sudha Devi Ramkumar in her Tamil book “Sri Krishna Sthuthi malai” as well as the translation by Sri C.l.Goswami published by Gita press , Gorakhpur)
1.Om namo bhagawathe thasmai yathayetha chidhathmakam,
Purushaa yaadhi bheejaaya paresayaabhi dheemahi.
Salutations to the all powerful divine God denoted by “OM”,
Due to whom the body and mind are made conscious,
And he also exists within them in the form of the seed for the spirit.
2.Yasmin idham yatha schedham tyenedham ya idham swayam,
Yoasmath parasamacha parastham prapadhye swayambhuvam.
I surrender to that God in whom this universe
Was born, exists in essence and was made in to thedivine,
Who becomes all the world that we see,
And who is different from it in his physical and spiritual form.
3.Ya swathmaneedham nija mayayaa arpitham,
Kwachid vibhatham kwa cha thath thirohitham,
Aviddha druk saksha yubhayam thadheekshathe sa,
Aathma moolo avathu maam parathpara.
May I be protected by the God who revealed himself,
Who reveals himself as the universe at times of creation,
Who keeps the universe as an illusion at the times of deluge,
Thus revealing himself sometimes and hiding himself at other times,
And who sees them as a witness in both these states.
4.Kaalena panchathwamitheshu kruthsnasao,
Lokeshu paleshu cha sarva hethushu,
Thamas thadha aaseed gahanam gabheeram,
Yasthasya parebhi virajathe Vibhu.
5.Na yasya devaa rishaya padam vidhu,
Janthu puna ko arhathi ganthu meerithum,
Yadhaa natasya aakruthibhir vicheshtatho,
Durathya anukramana sa maavathu.
Over time when all the worlds and their guardians,
Are reduced to the five elements and all their causes,
Only Impenetrable and fathomless darkness , remains,
Coming out of that darkness , the divine Lord shines from within that.
And his form thus exhibited is not understood even by the devas and sages,
Like the actual form of the actor in a drama is not known to the spectator,
And definitely the ordinary beings is at a loss to describe it,
Thus making his actions unfathomable and let that God protect me.
6.Dhidrukshavo yasya padam su mangalam,
Vimuktha sanghaa munaya susaadhava,
Charanthya loka Vrutha mavranam vane,
Bhoothama bhoothaa shrudh sa may gathi.
He whose auspicious feet is desired even by,
The great sages who are bereft of any attachments ,
Who have benevolent feeling towards all beings,
And observe penance and sacred vows in the forest,
Is the divine one who is in all beings ,
And is my only source of support.
7.Na vidhyathe yasya cha janma karma vaa,
Na naama roope guna dosha yeva vaa,
Thadhapi lokaapya ya sambhavaya ya,
Swa mayaya thaanyunukala mruchathi.
He does not have either birth or Karmas,
He does not have any name or properties,
And he does not have any faults as he is beyond nature,
And in spite of that he assumes several forms,
At different times to carry out the creation and upkeep of the world.
8.Thasmai nama paresaaya Brahmane anatha shakthaye,
Aroopyo roopaya nama aascharya karmane.
Salutations to him who does wonderful acts,
Who is beyond birth and death and theBrahman,
The one without endless power and one who ,
Neither has a form or is formless.
9.Nama aathma pradheepaya sakshine paramathmane,
Namo giraam vidhooraya maanasa schethasam api.
My salutations to him who shines within himself,
Who is the witness for all, who is the divine soul,
My salutations to him who is far, far away,
From the activities of the mind and its faculties.
10.Sathvena prathi labhyaya naishkarmyena vipaschitha,
Nama kaivalya nadhaya nirvana sukha samvidhe.
Salutations to him who gives us Kaivalya ,
And who makes us realize the infinite joy of salvation,
And one who can be seen by the real sages with purity of mind,
By the constant practice of detached activity .
11.Nama santhaya ghoraya , moodaaya guna dharmine,
Nirviseshaya samyaya namo Jnana ganaya cha.
Salutations to the one who appears to be serene , ferocious and foolish ,
But really the one who is devoid of any qualities and is always alike.
Salutations to the great treasure of wisdom.
12.Kshethragnaya namasthubhyam Sarvadhyakshaya sakshine ,
Purushaa yaathma moolaya moola prakruthaye nama.
Salutations to one who knows the form ,
Who is lord and witness of everything,
Who is the Purusha and who is the seed of every being,
And salutations to the basic nature which exists.
13.Sarvendrye guna drushte sarva prathyaya hethave ,
Asathaa cchaya yokthaya sadaa basaaya they nama.
Salutations to one who watches the health of all senses,
And also the objectives of all such senses,
And to him who is the one who activates,
The immobile nature that follows you like a shadow.
14.Namol namasthe akhila kaaranaya nish kaaranaaya adbhutha kaaranaya,
Sarvaa gamaamnaya maharnavaya namo apavargaya parayanaya.
Salutations fo him who is the cause of everything,
To him who is not caused by anything and also,
The wonderful cause which does not become what it causes,
Salutations to him who is the ocean of Thanthras,
To the personification of saintliness and refuge of the great.
15.Gunarani cchanna chidooshmapaaya,
Thathkshobha visphoorjitha manasaya,
Naishkarmya bhavena vivarjithagama,
Swayam prakasaya namaskaromi.
Salutations to him who hides similar to the fire of consciousness,
That is hid in a piece of wood of qualities and characters ,
Whose creative mind is aroused when the characters are disturbed,
Who comes shining before those who do detached actions.
16. Madruk prapanna pasu pasa vimokshanaya,
Mukthaaya bhoori karunaya namo aalayaaya,
Swaamsena sarva thanu brun manasi pratheetha,
Prathyag druse bhagwathe bruhathe namasthe.
Salutations to the God of boundless compassion,
Who frees those ignorant beings from the ties of this world,
As soon as they surrender to him though ,
He himself is ever free and is endowed to the great mercy,
And he also shines in the minds of all as their own soul,
Though he himself is the limitless Para Brahman.
17.Athma athmajaaptha Gruha vitha janeshu saakthai,
Dush praapaanaaya guna sanghaa vivarjithaaya,
Nukthaathmabhi swahrudaye pari bhavithaya,
Jnanathmane bhagwathe nama Ishwaraya.
Salutations to that God ,who is not attainable to those,
Who are attached to themselves, their sons, house , wealth and friends,
Who himself is completely free of all attachments to senses,
And who is brought in to their own hearts by his devotees,
18. Yam dharma kama artha vimukthi kaama,
Bhajantha ishtaam gathi mapnuvanthi,
Kim thwaasisho rathyapi deha mavyayam,
Karothu may adha brudhayo vimokshanam.
Whosoever prays you for Dharma,
Desire , wealth or salvation,
They get their desires fulfilled,
And even when your devotees ,
Do not ask anything from you,
You give them an imperishable body ,
And I request from you salvation for me.
19.Yekanthino yasya na kanchanarrdhaa,
Vanchasnthi ye vai Bhagawat prapanna,
Athyadbhutham thaccharitham sumangalam,
Gayantha AAnanda samudhra magnaa.
Those devotees who in lonliness , pray you ,
Without wanting gold or similar things,
And are not even desirous of salvation,
And sing your wonderful story,
Drown themselves in the ocean of bliss.
20.Thamaksharam brahma param paresam,
Avyaktha madhyathmika yoga gamyam,
Athheendriyam sookshma mivathi dhooram,
Anantha maadhyam paripoorna meede.
I sauté that complete God who never dies,
Who is the divine God much beyond Lord Brahma,
Who is not clear and is available for spiritual seekers,
Who is beyond senses like the very micro things,
And who does not have an end and is primeval.
21.Yasya Brahmadayo deva loka scharachara,
Nama roopa vibheedheena phalgvyaa cha kalaya krutha.
I salute him from whose very micro form are created.
Brahma and others, devas, all worlds , all moving and stable beings,
Assuming very different names and bear fruit.
22.Yadharchisho agne savithur gabhasthayo,
Niryanthi samyaanthya sakruth swarochisha,
Thadhaa yathoyam guna sampravaho,
Budhir mana kaani sareera sargaa.
Similar to the heat generating from the fire,
And rays generating from Sun ,ultimately ,
Merges in to the form from where they came ,
Wisdom, mind , senses and the body,
Originate from you and merge in you.
23.Sa vain a devaa asura marthaya thiryang,
Na Sthree na shando na puman na janthu,
Naayam guna karma na sanna na chasath,
Nishedha sesho jayathad asesha.
He is not god , asura or man or animal,
He is not woman, eunuch or man or animal,
He is not characteristic, nor mobile or immobile,
And he is what is remaining after all these negations.
24.Jeejee vishe naaha mihaamuyaa kim,
Anthar bahi schavrutha ye bhayonyaa,
Icchami kalena na yasya viplava,
Thasya aathma loka varanasya moksham.
I do not desire to survive for what I have to do here,
As an elephant enveloped inside out , by ignorance,
I do desire that this veil of ignorance is lifted,
And I get salvation from this world as an elephant.
25.Soham viswa srujam visamam aviswam Viswa vedhasam ,
Vishwathamanam ajam Brahma pranathosmi param padam.
I salute that God who created the universe ,
Who is the universe but is different from it,
Who knows the universe, who is the soul of the universe,
Who is devoid of birth and is the divine Brahmam.
26.Yoga randhitha karmaano ,
Hrudhi yoga Vibhavithe,
Yogino yam prapasyanthi,
Yogesam tham nathosyam aham
I worship that God of Yoga,
Whom only the Yogis who have burnt their Karma,
Can visualize by their heart,
And see him by the practice of yoga.
27.Namo namasthubhyam asahya veda Shakthi thrayaya akhiladhi gunaaya,
Prapanna paalaya durantha shakthaye kadheendriyaanamana vapya vaathmane.
Salutations to him whose three fold power is unstoppable ,
Who has all the characteristics , Who protects those who surrender to him,
And who cannot be attained by those who have not won over their senses.
28.Nayam Veda swamaathmaanam yacchakthyaa hamdhiyaa hatham,
Tham durathyaya maahatmyam bhagawantha mitho asmyaham.
I am searching that God, whose power can never be surpassed,
And due to the illusion of ego created by him , people think that ,
Their body is their soul and are not able to understand their real soul.
Dhruva Sthuthi
Dhruva Sthuthi
(Prayer of Dhruva)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachnder
(This great prayer occurs in ninth chapter of fourth Dasakam (Slokas 6-17) of the Maha Bhagawatha Purana. Dhruva was the son of king Uthanapatha out of his wife Sunithi. He had a half brother whose mother was Suruchi who was the favourite of his father. One day when the young child Dhruva who was only five years old saw his brother was sitting on the lap of his father , he also wanted to sit there. But his step mother Suruchi told him that the luck was not fated for him and asked him to do penance. The young child took it seriously and when he was walking to the forest, sage Narada met him and taught him the manthras to do penance. After a great penance Lord Vishnu appeared before him,. This prayer is what he chanted at that time. Lord Vishnu blessed him with a long life and at the end to become the pole star.
The very learned Prof V.Krishnamurthy in his web site
http://www.krishnamurthys.com/profvk/gohitvip/contentsbeach9.html
has given a very learned interpretation of this great work .Apart from consulting it, I also have consulted the translation of Bhagwatha done by Sri.C.L.Goswami and published by Gita press, Gorakhpur. What I have presented is the simple meaning of the great text as I understood it. )
1.Yontha pravisya mama vacham imam prasuptham ,
SAjeevathyakhila Shakthi dhara swadhamna,
Anyamscha hastha charanasrvana thwa gadheen,
Pranan namo bhagawathe purushaya thubhyam,
I salute the glorious God who is the Purusha,
Who has entered within me and made me speak,
While I was not in a position to speak all along,
And by entering with in me awakened,
My hands, feet , ears, sense of touch and so on.
2.Yekasthvameva Bhagwan nidham athma shakthya,
Mayakhyayoru gunaya mahaddhya sesham ,
Srushtanuvisaya purushasdad guneshu,
Naneva dharushu vibhava suvadvibhasi.
Though you are the one who by use of the power of the soul.,
Through Maya expressed through the three gunas,
Have evolved the great principle of cosmic intelligence,
Thus creating and entering in to the diverse forms,
You appear as many , like the fire appearing,
Diverse when it burns in different pieces of wood.
3.Thwad dathaya vayuna yedhamachasta viswam,
Suptha prabuddha iva nadha bhavad prapanna,
Thasyapa vargya saranam thava pada moolam
Vismaryathe krutha vidha kadam aartha bandho.
Due to the power of vision that was given by you,
Lord Brahma saw the universe as the one who woke up from sleep,
Oh friend of those who are suffering , how can one forget ,
Your feet which is the resort of even the most liberated souls.
4.Noonam vimushta mathya sthava maayaya they,
Ye thwam bhavapya vimokshanam anya hetho,
Archanthi kalpaka tharum kuna popa bhogyam,
Icchanthi yath sprasajam nisayai api nrunaam.
Now there are some people who worship you,
Whose mind is completely covered by illusion,
And instead of wishing for deliverance from birth and death,
They worship you , who is like a wish giving tree,
For other purposes like the material pleasures,
Which can be even received in the dark hell.
5.Taa nivruthis thanu abhrathaam thava pada pathma,
Dhyanad bhava Jnana katha sravanena vaa syaath,
Sa brahmani swa mahiminyapi nadhaa maa bhooth,
Kim thvanth akaas uilulithath pathathamm vimanath.
The bliss that the beings get through meditation of your lotus feet,
And that got by listening to the wise stories about you , by the devotees,
Is not equal to the direct experience of Brahman, , Oh my lord,
And so how can it be enjoyed by those who are hurled,
From their aerial cars by the sword of death.
6.Bhakthim muhu pravaha thathaam thwayi may prasango,
Bhooyad anantha mahathaam amala sayaanaam,
Yenagna solbana muruvyasanam bhavabdheem,
Neshye bhavad guna kathamrutha pana mathaa.
Oh God who is infinite , let me enjoy the company ,
Of the great devotees of yours who have a pure heart,
So that with their help, I can cross the ocean of birth and death,
By becoming intoxicated by hearing your nectar like stories.
7.Thena samanyathitharaam priyam isha marthyam,
Ye chaanvada sutha suhrud graham vitha dhaaraa,
Ye thwabhja nabha bhavadheeyada aravinda,
Sougandha lubdha hrudayeshu krutha prasangaa.
Those of the men who have made friendship with,
Those whose heart is captivated with
The fragrance of your lotus like feet,
Oh Lord from whose navel a lotus flower had grown,
Would not be bothered either with themselves,
Or with their dear wives, sons , home and friends
8.Tiryang naga dvija sarisrapa deva daithya ,
Marthyadhibhi,parichitham sadasad visesham,
Roopam sthavishtamaja they mahad adhyanekam,
Natha param parama vedhmi na yathra vaad.
Oh birth less one , I only know the great form of yours,
Which is the world of animals, mountains, trees birds,
Reptiles , gods, demons and also humans,
And consisting of the gross as well as the subtle,
Which are brought out by several differing causes,
Though I am not able to know that which is beyond words.
9.Kalpantha yethad akhilam Jatarena graham,
Sethe pumaan swadrug anantha sakhasthadhanke,
Yannabhi Sindhu ruha kanchana loka Padma garbhe,
Dhyumaan bhagawathe pranathosmi thasmai.
At the end of the eons at the time of the deluge,
You are that supreme person who reposes with no one,
Except Lord Anantha beside you and absorbing ,
The entire universe in to your stomach , and lay ,
In the pose of the yogic sleep and from your ,
Navel rises the golden lotus from which Lord Brahma comes out.,
And I bow to you in salutation ,Oh my Lord.
10.Thvam nithya muktha , parisuddha , vibuddha aathma,
Kootastha aadhi purusho bhagawan thryadheesa,
Yad buddhya avasthithi makhandithaya , swadrushtaya,
Drushtaa sthithava adhimkho vyathiriktha aasse.
You are always liberated , pure and all knowing soul,
You are immutable and primeval person, the god ,
And the god who is the Lord of all the three Gunas,
You have unobstructed vision of different states of mind,
And you appear as Lord Vishnu who takes care ,
And you are very much different from the individual soul.
11.Yasmin virudha gathayo hyanisam pathanthi,
Vidhyadhayo vividha shakthaya anupoorvayath,
Thadruhaa viswa bhavameka manantha maadhyam,
Ananda mathra vikaramaham prapadhye,
You are the fine mixture of opposite qualities,
And in you the powers like knowledge ,
Appear in unbroken succession and you are,
The cause of this universe which is indivisible,
Without any end and without any beginning,
And which is only bliss and I take refuge in you.
12.Sathya seersho hi Bhagwan sthava Pada Padma,
Seesthadhaanu bhajatha purushartha moorthe,
Apyeva marya Bhagwan paripathi dheenaan,
Vaasreva vathsaka manugraham katharosmaan.
Oh God who is the personification of truth , the worshipping,
Of your lotus like feet is the true blessing ,
Oh God who controls the duties and blessings of life,
Oh God , You look after the down trodden,
Like a cow nourishes its calf and bless them..
(Prayer of Dhruva)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachnder
(This great prayer occurs in ninth chapter of fourth Dasakam (Slokas 6-17) of the Maha Bhagawatha Purana. Dhruva was the son of king Uthanapatha out of his wife Sunithi. He had a half brother whose mother was Suruchi who was the favourite of his father. One day when the young child Dhruva who was only five years old saw his brother was sitting on the lap of his father , he also wanted to sit there. But his step mother Suruchi told him that the luck was not fated for him and asked him to do penance. The young child took it seriously and when he was walking to the forest, sage Narada met him and taught him the manthras to do penance. After a great penance Lord Vishnu appeared before him,. This prayer is what he chanted at that time. Lord Vishnu blessed him with a long life and at the end to become the pole star.
The very learned Prof V.Krishnamurthy in his web site
http://www.krishnamurthys.com/profvk/gohitvip/contentsbeach9.html
has given a very learned interpretation of this great work .Apart from consulting it, I also have consulted the translation of Bhagwatha done by Sri.C.L.Goswami and published by Gita press, Gorakhpur. What I have presented is the simple meaning of the great text as I understood it. )
1.Yontha pravisya mama vacham imam prasuptham ,
SAjeevathyakhila Shakthi dhara swadhamna,
Anyamscha hastha charanasrvana thwa gadheen,
Pranan namo bhagawathe purushaya thubhyam,
I salute the glorious God who is the Purusha,
Who has entered within me and made me speak,
While I was not in a position to speak all along,
And by entering with in me awakened,
My hands, feet , ears, sense of touch and so on.
2.Yekasthvameva Bhagwan nidham athma shakthya,
Mayakhyayoru gunaya mahaddhya sesham ,
Srushtanuvisaya purushasdad guneshu,
Naneva dharushu vibhava suvadvibhasi.
Though you are the one who by use of the power of the soul.,
Through Maya expressed through the three gunas,
Have evolved the great principle of cosmic intelligence,
Thus creating and entering in to the diverse forms,
You appear as many , like the fire appearing,
Diverse when it burns in different pieces of wood.
3.Thwad dathaya vayuna yedhamachasta viswam,
Suptha prabuddha iva nadha bhavad prapanna,
Thasyapa vargya saranam thava pada moolam
Vismaryathe krutha vidha kadam aartha bandho.
Due to the power of vision that was given by you,
Lord Brahma saw the universe as the one who woke up from sleep,
Oh friend of those who are suffering , how can one forget ,
Your feet which is the resort of even the most liberated souls.
4.Noonam vimushta mathya sthava maayaya they,
Ye thwam bhavapya vimokshanam anya hetho,
Archanthi kalpaka tharum kuna popa bhogyam,
Icchanthi yath sprasajam nisayai api nrunaam.
Now there are some people who worship you,
Whose mind is completely covered by illusion,
And instead of wishing for deliverance from birth and death,
They worship you , who is like a wish giving tree,
For other purposes like the material pleasures,
Which can be even received in the dark hell.
5.Taa nivruthis thanu abhrathaam thava pada pathma,
Dhyanad bhava Jnana katha sravanena vaa syaath,
Sa brahmani swa mahiminyapi nadhaa maa bhooth,
Kim thvanth akaas uilulithath pathathamm vimanath.
The bliss that the beings get through meditation of your lotus feet,
And that got by listening to the wise stories about you , by the devotees,
Is not equal to the direct experience of Brahman, , Oh my lord,
And so how can it be enjoyed by those who are hurled,
From their aerial cars by the sword of death.
6.Bhakthim muhu pravaha thathaam thwayi may prasango,
Bhooyad anantha mahathaam amala sayaanaam,
Yenagna solbana muruvyasanam bhavabdheem,
Neshye bhavad guna kathamrutha pana mathaa.
Oh God who is infinite , let me enjoy the company ,
Of the great devotees of yours who have a pure heart,
So that with their help, I can cross the ocean of birth and death,
By becoming intoxicated by hearing your nectar like stories.
7.Thena samanyathitharaam priyam isha marthyam,
Ye chaanvada sutha suhrud graham vitha dhaaraa,
Ye thwabhja nabha bhavadheeyada aravinda,
Sougandha lubdha hrudayeshu krutha prasangaa.
Those of the men who have made friendship with,
Those whose heart is captivated with
The fragrance of your lotus like feet,
Oh Lord from whose navel a lotus flower had grown,
Would not be bothered either with themselves,
Or with their dear wives, sons , home and friends
8.Tiryang naga dvija sarisrapa deva daithya ,
Marthyadhibhi,parichitham sadasad visesham,
Roopam sthavishtamaja they mahad adhyanekam,
Natha param parama vedhmi na yathra vaad.
Oh birth less one , I only know the great form of yours,
Which is the world of animals, mountains, trees birds,
Reptiles , gods, demons and also humans,
And consisting of the gross as well as the subtle,
Which are brought out by several differing causes,
Though I am not able to know that which is beyond words.
9.Kalpantha yethad akhilam Jatarena graham,
Sethe pumaan swadrug anantha sakhasthadhanke,
Yannabhi Sindhu ruha kanchana loka Padma garbhe,
Dhyumaan bhagawathe pranathosmi thasmai.
At the end of the eons at the time of the deluge,
You are that supreme person who reposes with no one,
Except Lord Anantha beside you and absorbing ,
The entire universe in to your stomach , and lay ,
In the pose of the yogic sleep and from your ,
Navel rises the golden lotus from which Lord Brahma comes out.,
And I bow to you in salutation ,Oh my Lord.
10.Thvam nithya muktha , parisuddha , vibuddha aathma,
Kootastha aadhi purusho bhagawan thryadheesa,
Yad buddhya avasthithi makhandithaya , swadrushtaya,
Drushtaa sthithava adhimkho vyathiriktha aasse.
You are always liberated , pure and all knowing soul,
You are immutable and primeval person, the god ,
And the god who is the Lord of all the three Gunas,
You have unobstructed vision of different states of mind,
And you appear as Lord Vishnu who takes care ,
And you are very much different from the individual soul.
11.Yasmin virudha gathayo hyanisam pathanthi,
Vidhyadhayo vividha shakthaya anupoorvayath,
Thadruhaa viswa bhavameka manantha maadhyam,
Ananda mathra vikaramaham prapadhye,
You are the fine mixture of opposite qualities,
And in you the powers like knowledge ,
Appear in unbroken succession and you are,
The cause of this universe which is indivisible,
Without any end and without any beginning,
And which is only bliss and I take refuge in you.
12.Sathya seersho hi Bhagwan sthava Pada Padma,
Seesthadhaanu bhajatha purushartha moorthe,
Apyeva marya Bhagwan paripathi dheenaan,
Vaasreva vathsaka manugraham katharosmaan.
Oh God who is the personification of truth , the worshipping,
Of your lotus like feet is the true blessing ,
Oh God who controls the duties and blessings of life,
Oh God , You look after the down trodden,
Like a cow nourishes its calf and bless them..
Muchukunda Sthuthi
Muchukunda Sthuthi
By
King Muchukunda
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This prayer by King Muchukunda occurs in the tenth Skanda of Bhagwatha Purana in the fifty first
Chapter (slokas 46-58). Muchukunda was a king of the solar dynasty being the son of the
Great king Mandatha. He was extremely valorous and helped the devas in the war against
Their enemies. Once he even waged a war against Lord Kubhera and when offered all his
Wealth he thankfully refused it. When Lord Subramanya was made the commander of
the deva army, the devas requested Muchukunda to take the well earned rest and made
him enter in to sleep in a cave. They also gave him a boon that whosoever wakes him up
would turn in to ashes.
Kalayavana (deathly greek) a friend of Jarasandha attacked Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna
pretended to retreat and lead Kala Yavana into the cave where king Muchukunda
Was sleeping. Kalayavana woke him up and was turned in to ash. King Muchukunda
Recognized the Lord and prayed him and was granted salvation.This is that prayer.
The stotra in devanagari script is available in
http://www.prapatti.com/slokas/sanskrit/muchukundastuti.pdf )
1.Vimohithoyam, jana eesa maayaya,
Thwadheeyaya thwaam na bhajatyanadha druk,
Sukhaaya dukha prabhaveshu sajjathe,
Gruheshu yoshith purushascha vanchitha.
People get greatly attracted due to illusion
And getting blinded to the real truth,
They get attached to their homes,
Which is a source of misery ,
And search for happiness there and again get deceived.
2.Labdhwaa jano durlabhamathra manusham,
Kadanchidavyangamayathnatho aneka,
Padaravindam na bhajathya sanmathi,
Gruhandha koope pathitho yadhaa pasu.
After getting the very difficult to get, life of a man,
And with a sound body and mind fit for devotion,
They do not seem to worship your lotus like feet,
And fall in the blind dark well of domestic life like an animal
3.Mamaisha kalojitha nishphalo gatho,
Rajasreeyonnaddha madhasya bhoopathe,
Marthyathma budhe sutha dhara kosa bhooshu,
Asajjamanasya durantha chinthaya.
All my allotted life has been simply wasted by me,
By the royal wealth and the very great pride of being a king,
And getting worried about my mortal body,
Which was attached to my wife , my son , treasury and land,
Leading to unnecessary pessimistic worries.
4.Kalevaresmin ghata kudya sannibhe,
Niroodamaano nara deva ithyaham,
Vrutho radhebhaa aswapadathyanee kapai,
Gaam paryatasthwa ganayan sudhurmadha.
In the body of mine which is like a mud pot or wall,
I being proud that I am the God among kings,
Who was surrounded by chariots , elephant , cavalry and soldiers,
I went round the world but never thought of you.
5.Pramatha muchai rithi kruthya chinthaya,
Pravruddha lobham vishayesha lalasam,
Thwama pramatha sahasabhi padhyase,
Kshulleli hano ahiraavghu manthaka.
When I loose the intelligence due to the great pride ,
And not take any actions but get entangled with,
Attractive sensual aspects of the life of the world,
You come and catch me like a serpent chasing a rat and licking its lips.
6.Puraa radhair hema parishkruthai scharan,
Matahanga jairvaa nara deva samgnitha,
Sa yeva kaalena durathyayayena they,
Kalevaro vit krumi bhasma samgnitha.
Me who in olden times was travelling on a golden chariot ,
Or on a exuberant elephant thinking that I am a king,
In course of time became an excrement ,
Like a dead body which becomes ash or be eaten by worms.
7.Nirjithya dikchakram abhootha vigraho,
Varsanastha sama raja vanditha,
Graheshu maidhunya sukheshu yoshithaam,
Kreeda mruga Purusha eesa neeyathe.
Though conquering places in all directions, with no possible conflict,
And sitting on the blessed throne , saluted by kings equal to him,
He gets drowned in the pleasure of the act of love making,
And becomes like a pet deer to the young ladies there.
8.Karothi karmani thapas sunishtitho,
Nivrutha bhoga sthadabekshaya dhadhath,
Punascha bhooyoyamaham swaradithi,
Pravrudha daksho na sukhaaya kalpathe.
Having done all the duties with a decided austerity,
And forsaken pleasures compared to them,
For the sake of getting the post of the king again,
He though blessed with a life of happiness ,
Wants to get more than that and looses even that.
9.Bhavapavargo bramatho yadha bhaveth,
Janasya tharhayachyutha sath samagama,
Sath Sangamo yarhi thadaiva sath gathou ,
Paravarese thwayi jayathe mathi.
When the mind is confused when confronted with death,
The companionship of good souls reduces his attachment to life ,
And if the same companionship comes his way,
His mind travels and gets attached to you.
10.manya mamanugraha eesa they krutho,
Rajyanu bhandhapagamo yadhruchaya,
Ya prarthyathe sadhu bir ekacharyaya,
Vanam vivekshad biraganda bhoomi pai.
I consider that you have granted me a blessing,
When without expectation you removed me from kingship,
For this would be the prayer of all those good kings,
Who are wise who intend to go to forest and meditate on you.
11.Ya kamaye anyam thava pada sevanaad,
Akinchana prarthayathamad b varam vibho,
Aaradhya kasthwaam hyapavargadham hare,
Vruneetha aaryo vara mathma bandhanam.
Who will want to do anything except,
To perform service and worship to your feet,
And want to pray for any other thing , my Lord,
And Oh Hari , which wise man would ask,
Anything else which will tie and imprison his soul?
12.Thasmad visrujyasisha eesa sarvatho,
Rajasthama sathva gunanu bandhana,
Niranjanam nirgunam adhvayam param thwaam ,
Jnapthimathram purusham vrujamyaham.
So forsaking for all time, Oh God,
The ties of the Sathva, Rajas and thamo gunas*,
I seek from you nothing except the to serve you,
Who is without taint , without properties and without a second one.
*Saintly regal and base qualities.
13.Chiramiha vrujinarthastha apyamano anuthapai,
Avithrusha shada mithro alabdha santhi kadanchith,
Saranadha samupetha sthava padabhjam parathman,
Abhaya amrutha asoka pahi maa aapannamisam.
For a long time , suffering the pitiable state of attachment,
Being tormented by the six enemies of five senses and the mind,
I could not get at any time,any peace whatsoever,
But on completely surrendering to your lotus feet,
Which is devoid of fear , sorrow and death ,
Now I have crossed that very dangerous state.
By
King Muchukunda
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This prayer by King Muchukunda occurs in the tenth Skanda of Bhagwatha Purana in the fifty first
Chapter (slokas 46-58). Muchukunda was a king of the solar dynasty being the son of the
Great king Mandatha. He was extremely valorous and helped the devas in the war against
Their enemies. Once he even waged a war against Lord Kubhera and when offered all his
Wealth he thankfully refused it. When Lord Subramanya was made the commander of
the deva army, the devas requested Muchukunda to take the well earned rest and made
him enter in to sleep in a cave. They also gave him a boon that whosoever wakes him up
would turn in to ashes.
Kalayavana (deathly greek) a friend of Jarasandha attacked Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna
pretended to retreat and lead Kala Yavana into the cave where king Muchukunda
Was sleeping. Kalayavana woke him up and was turned in to ash. King Muchukunda
Recognized the Lord and prayed him and was granted salvation.This is that prayer.
The stotra in devanagari script is available in
http://www.prapatti.com/slokas/sanskrit/muchukundastuti.pdf )
1.Vimohithoyam, jana eesa maayaya,
Thwadheeyaya thwaam na bhajatyanadha druk,
Sukhaaya dukha prabhaveshu sajjathe,
Gruheshu yoshith purushascha vanchitha.
People get greatly attracted due to illusion
And getting blinded to the real truth,
They get attached to their homes,
Which is a source of misery ,
And search for happiness there and again get deceived.
2.Labdhwaa jano durlabhamathra manusham,
Kadanchidavyangamayathnatho aneka,
Padaravindam na bhajathya sanmathi,
Gruhandha koope pathitho yadhaa pasu.
After getting the very difficult to get, life of a man,
And with a sound body and mind fit for devotion,
They do not seem to worship your lotus like feet,
And fall in the blind dark well of domestic life like an animal
3.Mamaisha kalojitha nishphalo gatho,
Rajasreeyonnaddha madhasya bhoopathe,
Marthyathma budhe sutha dhara kosa bhooshu,
Asajjamanasya durantha chinthaya.
All my allotted life has been simply wasted by me,
By the royal wealth and the very great pride of being a king,
And getting worried about my mortal body,
Which was attached to my wife , my son , treasury and land,
Leading to unnecessary pessimistic worries.
4.Kalevaresmin ghata kudya sannibhe,
Niroodamaano nara deva ithyaham,
Vrutho radhebhaa aswapadathyanee kapai,
Gaam paryatasthwa ganayan sudhurmadha.
In the body of mine which is like a mud pot or wall,
I being proud that I am the God among kings,
Who was surrounded by chariots , elephant , cavalry and soldiers,
I went round the world but never thought of you.
5.Pramatha muchai rithi kruthya chinthaya,
Pravruddha lobham vishayesha lalasam,
Thwama pramatha sahasabhi padhyase,
Kshulleli hano ahiraavghu manthaka.
When I loose the intelligence due to the great pride ,
And not take any actions but get entangled with,
Attractive sensual aspects of the life of the world,
You come and catch me like a serpent chasing a rat and licking its lips.
6.Puraa radhair hema parishkruthai scharan,
Matahanga jairvaa nara deva samgnitha,
Sa yeva kaalena durathyayayena they,
Kalevaro vit krumi bhasma samgnitha.
Me who in olden times was travelling on a golden chariot ,
Or on a exuberant elephant thinking that I am a king,
In course of time became an excrement ,
Like a dead body which becomes ash or be eaten by worms.
7.Nirjithya dikchakram abhootha vigraho,
Varsanastha sama raja vanditha,
Graheshu maidhunya sukheshu yoshithaam,
Kreeda mruga Purusha eesa neeyathe.
Though conquering places in all directions, with no possible conflict,
And sitting on the blessed throne , saluted by kings equal to him,
He gets drowned in the pleasure of the act of love making,
And becomes like a pet deer to the young ladies there.
8.Karothi karmani thapas sunishtitho,
Nivrutha bhoga sthadabekshaya dhadhath,
Punascha bhooyoyamaham swaradithi,
Pravrudha daksho na sukhaaya kalpathe.
Having done all the duties with a decided austerity,
And forsaken pleasures compared to them,
For the sake of getting the post of the king again,
He though blessed with a life of happiness ,
Wants to get more than that and looses even that.
9.Bhavapavargo bramatho yadha bhaveth,
Janasya tharhayachyutha sath samagama,
Sath Sangamo yarhi thadaiva sath gathou ,
Paravarese thwayi jayathe mathi.
When the mind is confused when confronted with death,
The companionship of good souls reduces his attachment to life ,
And if the same companionship comes his way,
His mind travels and gets attached to you.
10.manya mamanugraha eesa they krutho,
Rajyanu bhandhapagamo yadhruchaya,
Ya prarthyathe sadhu bir ekacharyaya,
Vanam vivekshad biraganda bhoomi pai.
I consider that you have granted me a blessing,
When without expectation you removed me from kingship,
For this would be the prayer of all those good kings,
Who are wise who intend to go to forest and meditate on you.
11.Ya kamaye anyam thava pada sevanaad,
Akinchana prarthayathamad b varam vibho,
Aaradhya kasthwaam hyapavargadham hare,
Vruneetha aaryo vara mathma bandhanam.
Who will want to do anything except,
To perform service and worship to your feet,
And want to pray for any other thing , my Lord,
And Oh Hari , which wise man would ask,
Anything else which will tie and imprison his soul?
12.Thasmad visrujyasisha eesa sarvatho,
Rajasthama sathva gunanu bandhana,
Niranjanam nirgunam adhvayam param thwaam ,
Jnapthimathram purusham vrujamyaham.
So forsaking for all time, Oh God,
The ties of the Sathva, Rajas and thamo gunas*,
I seek from you nothing except the to serve you,
Who is without taint , without properties and without a second one.
*Saintly regal and base qualities.
13.Chiramiha vrujinarthastha apyamano anuthapai,
Avithrusha shada mithro alabdha santhi kadanchith,
Saranadha samupetha sthava padabhjam parathman,
Abhaya amrutha asoka pahi maa aapannamisam.
For a long time , suffering the pitiable state of attachment,
Being tormented by the six enemies of five senses and the mind,
I could not get at any time,any peace whatsoever,
But on completely surrendering to your lotus feet,
Which is devoid of fear , sorrow and death ,
Now I have crossed that very dangerous state.