Ranganatha Ashtothara

Ranganatha  Ashtothara

Translated by 

P.R.Ramachander

(Lord Ranganatha is the presiding deity of Sri Ranga .He is believed to be the God who was worshipped in Ayodhya by the Sun dynasty.  When Rama was about to leave this world   he entrusted the Vimana containing that idol  to Vibheeshana  who tried to take the God  to Sri Lanka. But when he got down in Srirangam to take rest   the God decided to stay there  . The  temple is  situated in a river island created by   two branches of Cauvery river called Cauvery and Kollidam. The temple is  of enormous size  spreading over an area  of 156 acres . Parasara Bhattar  , the son of Koorathazhvar   who was the chief priest of the temple wrote :-

“I salute that Lord of Ranga,
Who sleeps in the yogic pose,
On the bed of Adhisesha,
Below the tall dome**,
Which resembles a lotus bud ,
And is surrounded by seven ramparts,
And which is in between two Kaveri rivers,
With his right hand near his crown,
And his lotus like merciful left hand,
Pointing towards his feet which take care of us all. “
** Vimana

      

The deity is in a   resting form   on the great serpent Adhi Sesha .Goddess Ranganayaki his cosort and two more of  his queens  Bhudevi and Nila Devi   are seen sitting near him. Lord Brahma is not seen sitting on the  lotus flower growing  .He is supposed to come there and daily  and worship the  Lord.Two hundred and forty seven  hyms are dedicated to Ranganatha  of Sri Rangam temple .

   The temple is simple referred as  “KOil(The temple ) by the vaishnavites.  Saint Ramanuja systematized    the procedures of temple worship as well as   the festival of the temple  .Worshipping this great  God would indeed solve  all  our problems .Not familiar with the great  temple , I  found  two names 59 and 64  difficult to understand .Dr.Saroja Ramanujam readily helped me.My gratefulness to her.)
  

1.Om Sri Ranaganathaya  nama-Salutations to the God who is  Lord of the stage(Ranganatha)

2.Om Devesaya  nama-Salutations to the God who is God to the Devas

3.Om Sri Ranga  brahma  samjnakaya   nama-Salutations to the God who is seen as Sri Ranga by Lord Brahma

4.Om Sesha paryanga sayanaya nama-Salutations to the God who sleeps on the bed of Adhi Sesha

5.Om  Sri nivasa bujantharaya nama-Salutations to the God on whose chest Goddess Lakshmi lives

6.Om Indra neelothpala shyama ya nama nama-Salutations to the God who is black like sapphire

7.Om Pundareeka  nibhekshanaya nama-Salutations to the God who has eyes resembling the lotus

8.Om Sri Vathsa lanchithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is distinguished  due to Sri Vathsa

9.On Haarine nama-Salutations to the God who defeats

10.Om Vana maline nama-Salutations to the God who wears a forest garland

11.Om Halayudhaya nama-Salutations to the God who is armed with a plough

12.Om Peethambara dharaya nama-Salutations to the God who wears yellow silk

13.Om Devaya nama-Salutations to the God

14.Om Naraya nama-Salutations to the God who is man (sage Nara)

15.Om Narayanaya nama-Salutations to the God who resides in all that he creates

16.Om Haraye nama-Salutations to the God who is Hari

17.Om Bhoomisahithaya  nama-Salutations to the God who is with goddess earth

18.Om Purushaya nama-Salutations to the God who is Purusha ( One who is front of every thing)

19.Om Maha Vishnave nama-Salutations to the God who is the Great Vishnu

20.Om Sanathanaya nama-Salutations to the God who does not have any beginning

21.Om Simhasanasthaya nama-Salutations to the God who sits on the throne

22.Om Bhagawathe nama-Salutations to the God who grants luck

23.Om Vasudevaya nama-Salutations to the God who hides the world by illusion

24.Om Prabha aavruthaya nama-Salutations to the God who is surrounded by luster

25.Om Kandharpa koti lavanyaya nama-Salutations to the God who is as pretty as crores of God of love

26.Om Kasthuri thilakaya nama-Salutations to the God who puts thilka using musk

27.Om Achyuthaya nama-Salutations to the God who never changes

28.OM SAnkha chakra   gadha padma sulakshitha chathur bujayai nama-Salutations to the God who  carries in his four arms  conch, wheel  , mace  and lotus flower

29.Om Sundara jamathre nama-Salutations to the God who is the  pretty son in law (son in  law of Sundara)

30.Om Nadhaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the Lord

31.Om Deva shikamanaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the head gem of the Devas

32.Om Sri Ranga nayakaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the lord of Sri Ranga

33.OM Lakshmi Vallabhaya  nama-Salutations to the God who is the consort of Goddess Lakshmi

34.Om Thejasam nidhaye nama-Salutations to the God who is the treasure of luster

35.Om Sarva Sharma pradhaya nama-Salutations to the God who grants  happiness to all

36.Om Aheesaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the god of the immeasurable dimension  

37.Om Sama gana priyothsasavaya nama-Salutations to the God who likes celebrations  with singing of Sama Veda

38.Om Amruthathwa  pradhaya nama-Salutations to the God who grants   deathlessness

39.Om Nithyaya nama-Salutations to the God who is forever

40.Om Sarva Prabhave  nama-Salutations to the God who is the Lord of all

41.Om Arindhamaya nama-Salutations to the God who  conquers   enemies

42.Om BHadra kunkuma lipthaya nama-Salutations to the God who has auspicious Kunkuma  adhering on him

43.Om Srimurthaye nama-Salutations to the God who has an auspicious form/m of Lakshmi

44,Om Chitha ranjithaya nama-Salutations to the God who pleases  the mind

45.Om SArva Lakshana sampannayai nama-Salutations to the God who has all   the good features on him

46.Om Shanthathmane nama-Salutations to the God who is the soul of peace

47. Om Theertha Nayakaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the lord of sacred waters

48.Om Ranganayikeesaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the God of Ranga Nayaki

49.Om Yajna moorthaye nama-Salutations to the God who is the form of Yajna

50.Om Hiranmayaya nama-Salutations to the God who is fully golden

51.Om Pranava kara sadanaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the home of the word “Om”

52.Om Prathartha pradhayakaya nama-Salutations to the God who grants wealth if we bow to him

53.Om Godha praneswaraya nama-Salutations to the God who is the lord of the soul of Godha(Aandal)

54.Om Krishnaya nama-Salutations to the God who is Lord Krishna

55,Om Jagannadhaya  nama-Salutations to the God who is the lord of the universe

56,Om Jayadradhaya  nama-Salutations to the God who has victorious chariots

57.Om Nichulapura valleesaya  nama-Salutations to the God who is the Lord of  Kamalavalli  Thayar   of Urayur(Nichulapura)

58.Om Nithya mangala dhayakaya nama-Salutations to the God who gives auspiciousness daily

59.Om Gandhasthambhadwayollasi Gayathri  roopa mandapaya nama-Salutations to the God who has  the Gayatri Mandapa   Which shines with two fragrant pillars.

60.Om Bruthya varga saranyaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the protector of servant class

61.Om Bala Bhadra  prasadakaya  nama-Salutations to the God who makes Bala Rama pleased

62.Om Veda Srunga vimanasthaya nama-Salutations to the God who has a Vimana which is the Peak of the Vedas

63.Om Vyagrasura nishoodhanaya nama-Salutations to the God who killed Vyagrasura

64.Om Garudanantha senesa  gaja vakthradhi sevithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the master of the army  consisting of  Garuda  Adhisesha ,who is worshipped by Vishvaksena   who has an elephant like face  .

65.Om Sankara  priya Mahatmyaya nama-Salutations to the God who greatness is dear to Lord Shiva

66.Om Shyamaya nama-Salutations to the God who is black

67.Om Santhanu vandhithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is saluted by Santhanu

68.OM Pancharathrarchithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is worshipped in the Pancharathra system

69.Om Aneka BHaktha nethrothsava  pradhaya nama-Salutations to the God who gives festival like joy to the  eyes of several disciples

70.Om Ksheerambodhi nilayaya nama-Salutations to the God who lives on the milky ocean

71.Om Kamalasana poojithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is worshipped by Brahma

72.Om Sanandhana nanda sanakasuthraam amara   sevithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is served  by  the principles of Sanaka, SAnathhkumara Sanandana  and the Devas.Om Raghavaradhithaya

73.Om Sathya loka pura vasaya  nama-Salutations to the God who lives in the city of Sathya Loka

74.Om Chakshushe nama-Salutations to the God who  is the eyes

75.Om Ashtakshataraya nama-Salutations to the God who is described by eight letters

76.Om Avyayaya nama-Salutations to the God who does not have any change

77.Om IKshvaku poojithaya nama-Salutations to the God who was worshipped by king Ikshuvaku

78.Om Vasishtadhi sthuthaya nama-Salutations to the God who is prayed to by sage Vasishta and others

79.Om Anaghya nama-Salutations to the God who is faultless

80.Om Raghavaradhithaya nama-Salutations to the God who was worshipped by Lord Rama

81.Om Swamine  nama-Salutations to the God who is the master

82,Om Ramaya nama-Salutations to the God who is Rama

83.Om Rajebdra vandhithaya nama-Salutations to the God who is worshipped by great kings

84.Om Vibheeshanarchitha  padhaya nama-Salutations to the God whose feet was worshipped by Vibheeshana

85.Om KLanka Rajya vara oradhaya  nama-Salutations to the God who gave the kingdom of Lanka as boon

86.Om Kaveri Madhya nilayaya nama-Salutations to the God who is in the middle of Cauvery river

87.Om Kalyana pura vasthukaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the essence of the auspicious city

88.OM Dharma varmadhi Cholendra  poojithaya nama-Salutations to the God who was worshipped by Chola kings   Like Dharma Varma

89. Om Punya keerthanaya nama-Salutations to the God who has blessed fame

90.Om Purushothama   krutha sthanaya nama-Salutations to the God who is in the place created by the great Purusha

91.Om Bhooloka jana BHagyadhaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the luck of the people of earth

92.Om Ajnana  dhamana  jyothishe nama-Salutations to the God who is the light which destroys ignorance

93.Om Arjuna priya Sarathaye nama-Salutations to the God who is the dear charioteer of Arjuna

94.Om Chandra Pushkarani nadhaya nama-Salutations to the God who is the lord of Chandra Pushkarani pond

95.Om Chandafi Dwarapalakaya nama-Salutations to the God who has guards  at the gate like Chanda and others

96.Om Kumdhadhi  parivaraya nama-Salutations to the God who has Kumudha and others as entourage

97.Om Pandya saroopya   dhayakaya nama-Salutations to the God who gave god similar to him to the Pandyas

98.Om Sapthavarana   samvitha sadanaya nama-Salutations to the God who has a temple surrounded by seven  enclosures

99.Om Sura poshakaya nama-Salutations to the God who nurtures the devas

100.Om Navaneetha shubhaharaya nama-Salutations to the God who  eats the auspicious butter    as food

101.Om Viharine nama-Salutations to the God who has a  temple/who goes out for pleasure

102.Om Narada sthuthaya nama-Salutations to the God who is being prayed to by  sage Narada

103.Om Rohini janma tharaya nama-Salutations to the God whose birth star  is Rohini

104.Om Karthikeya vara pradhaya nama-Salutations to the God who gave boons to  Lord Subrahmanya

105.Om Sri Rangadhipathaye nama-Salutations to the God who is the owner of Sri Rangam

106.Om sri Madanga maha nidhaye nama-Salutations to the God who is great treasure of sage Mathanga

107.Om Sri Ranga Nadhaya nama-Salutations to the God who  is the Lord of Sri Ranga

108.Om Sri Ranga Parabrahmane nama-Salutations to the God who is the divine  Brahmam  of Sri Rangam