Ganesha Pancharathnamala – Verse 4

अकिंचनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं

पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम्

प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनंजयादिभूषणम्

कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥४॥

Akincana-[A]arti-Maarjanam Cirantano[a-U]kti-Bhaajanam

Pura-Ari-Puurva-Nandanam Sura-Ari-Garva-Carvannam |

Prapan.ca-Naasha-Bhiissannam Dhananjaya-[A]adi-Bhuussannam

Kapola-Daana-Vaarannam Bhaje Puraanna-Vaarannam ||4||

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

अकिंचनार्तिमार्जनं (Akincana-Aarti-Maarjanam): Who Wipes out the Sufferings of the Destitutes

अकिञ्चन (Akin.cana) = Without Anything, Utterly Destitute, Disinterested, Worth Nothing

आर्ति (Aarti) = Pain, Injury, Mischief, Sickness

मार्जन (Maarjana) = Wiping away, Cleaning, Broom, Brush

चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं (Cirantana-Ukti-Bhaajanam): Who is the Receptacle of the Words of Praise of Ancients

चिरन्तन (Cirantana) = Existing from Ancient Times

उक्ति (Ukti) = Speech, Proclamation, Word, Expression

भाजन (Bhaajana) = Sharing, Participating in, Entitled to, a Recipient, Receptacle, a Vessel, Pot

पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं (Pura-Ari-Puurva-Nandanam): Who is the Former Son of the Enemy of the Tripurasuras

पुर (Pura) = a Fortress, Castle, City, House, Tripurasura

अरि (Ari) = an Enemy, a Devoted or Pious Man

पुर्व (Purva) = Former, Before, Prior, Preceding

नन्दन (Nandana) = a Son, Gladdening, Rejoicing

सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् (Sura-Ari-Garva-Carvannam): Who Chews down the Pride and Arrogance of the Enemies of the Devas

सुर (Sura) = Deva, God, Divinity

अरि (Ari) = an Enemy, a Devoted or Pious Man

गर्व (Garva) = Pride, Arrogance

चर्वण (Carvanna) = Chewing, Tasting, Solid Food

प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं (Prapan.ca-Naasha-Bhiissannam): Who assumes Terrible Form to Destroy the Delusion of the World

प्रपञ्च (Prapan.ca) = Expansion, Manifoldness, Diversity, Expansion of the Universe, the Visible World

नाश (Naasha) = Destruction, Annihilation

भीषण (Bhiissanna) = Terrifying, Frightening, Formidable

धनंजयादिभूषणम् (Dhananjaya-Aadi-Bhuussannam): Who Himself is Adorned with Poers like that of Fire etc

धनंजय (Dhanamjaya) = Fire

आदि (Aadi) = Beginning with, Etc, and so on, and Others

भूषण (Bhuussanna) = Adorned, Decorated

कपोलदानवारणं (Kapola-Daana-Vaarannam): From Whose Cheeks flow down the Juice of Grace

कपोल (Kapola) = Cheek

दान (Daana) = act of Giving, Gift, Donation, Rut-Fluid

वारुणी (Vaarunnii) = any Spirituous Liquor, of a River

भजे (Bhaje):

भज् (Bhaj) = To Revere, Adore

पुराणवारणम् (Puraanna-Vaarannam): Juice of Praise form the Puranic Scriptures

पुराण (Puraanna) = Ancient, Old, the Puranic Scriptures

वारुणी (Vaarunnii) = any Spirituous Liquor, of a River

Meaning of the Verse

4.1: (Salutations to Sri Vinayaka) Who Wipes out the Sufferings of the Destitutes who take His Refuge; Who is the Receptacle of the Words of Praises of the Ancients,

4.2: Who is the Former Son (the latter being Kartikeya) of the Enemy of Tripurasuras (i.e. Lord Shiva), and Who Chews down the Pride and Arrogance of the Enemies of the Devas,

4.3: Who wields Terrible Power to Destroy the delusion of the Five Elements constituting the World (from the mind of His Devotees); Who Himself is Adorned with the Powers (behind the Five Elements) like Fire etc,

4.4: From Whose Cheeks flow down the Juice of Grace; Salutations to Him Whose Praise similarly flows down like Juice from the Puranas.

Meaning in Tamil

என்றும் எளியோரின் துயர் துடைப்போனே

தொன்று தொட்டு புவியோர் உனைப் புகழ்வோரே

முப்புரமெரி அச்சிவனவனின் முழுமுதல் பாலனே

அசுரர்தம் அகந்தைதனை மென்றழித்தோனே

அச்சுறுத்தும் வலிமையுடன் மாயைதனை அழிப்போனே

அழலுடனே இதர இயற்கைதனின் ஆற்றல்தமை அணிந்தோனே

கருணை பொழிச்சாறு கன்னமதில் கசிந்துவரும் மதமொப்பதன்றோ

மறைகள் அமுதமெனப் பொழிந்திடும் உன் புகழதனை அடிபணிவேனே

Ganesha Pancharathnamala – Verse 3

समस्तलोकशंकरं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं

दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम्

कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं

मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥३॥

Samasta-Loka-Shamkaram Nirasta-Daitya-Kun.jaram

Dare[a-I]taro[a-U]daram Varam Varebha-Vaktram-Akssaram |

Krpaa-Karam Kssamaa-Karam Mudaa-Karam Yashas-Karam

Manas-Karam Namas-Krtaam Namas-Karomi Bhaasvaram ||3||

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

समस्तलोकशंकरं (Samasta-Loka-Shamkaram): Who is the Auspicious Power behind All the Worlds

समस्त (Samasta) = All, Whole, Put Together, Combined, United

लोक (Loka) = World, Men

भाजन (Bhaajana) = Sharing, Participating in, Entitled to, a Recipient, Receptacle, a Vessel, Pot

निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं (Nirasta-Daitya-Kun.jaram): Who Removes the Mighty [inner] Demons

निरस्त (Nirasta) = Cast out, Expelled, Removed, Destroyed

दैत्य (Daitya) = Son of Diti, Demon

कुञ्जर (Kun.jara) = Elephant, anything Pre-eminent, of a Mountain, of a Locality

दरेतरोदरं (Dara-Itara-Udaram): Huge Belly

दर (Dara) = Cleaving, Breaking, the Navel

इतर (Itara) = Expresses contrary idea of preceding word, Low, Vile, Expelled, Rejected

उदर (Udara) = Belly, Stomach, Cavity, Interior of anything

वरं (Varam): Boon, Gift, Valuable, Precious, Most Excellent

वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम् (Varebha-Vaktram-Akssaram): Whose Most Excellent Face reflects His Imperishable Nature

वर (Vara) = Boon, Gift, Valuable, Precious, Most Excellent

वक्त्र (Vaktra) = the Mouth, Face

अक्षर (Akssara) = Imperishable, Unalterable

कृपाकरं (Krpaa-Karam): Who Showers Grace

कृपा (Krpaa) = Pity, Tenderness, Compassion

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

क्षमाकरं (Kssamaa-Karam): Who Showers Forgiveness

क्षमा (Kssamaa) = Patience, Forbearance

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

मुदाकरं (Mudaa-Karam): Who Showers Joy

मुद् (Mud) = To be Merry or Glad or Happy, to Rejoice, to Mix, Blend, Unite

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

यशस्करं (Yashas-Karam): Who Showers Glory

यशस् (Yashas) = Beauty, Splendour, Honour, Glory, Fame, Renown

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

मनस्करं (Manas-Karam): Who Bestows Intelligence and Wisdom

मनस् (Manas) = Mind, Intellect, Understanding

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

नमस्कृतां (Namas-Krtaam): to those who Salute Him

नमस् (Namas) = Bow, Obeisance, Reverential Salutation

कृत (Krta) = Made, Done, Performed

नमस्करोमि (Namas-Karomi): I Salute

नमस् (Namas) = Bow, Obeisance, Reverential Salutation

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

भास्वरम् (Bhaasvaram): Shining, Brilliant, Bright, Resplendent, the Sun

Meaning of the Verse

3.1: (Salutations to Sri Vinayaka) Who is the Auspicious Power behind All the Worlds and Who Removes the Mighty (inner) Demons,

3.2: Whose Huge Body signifies Prosperity and Boon-Giving and Whose Most Excellent Face reflects His Imperishable Nature.

3.3: Who Showers Grace (Kripakara), Who Showers Forgiveness (Kshamakara), Who Showers Joy (Mudakara) and who Showers Glory (Yashaskara) to His Devotees,

3.4: Who Bestows Intelligence and Wisdom (Manaskara) to those Who Salute Him with Reverence; I Salute His Shining Form.

Meaning in Tamil

உலகெலாம் உய்விக்கும் மங்களம் நிறை சக்தி வடிவோனே

உளமுறை மாசெனும் அரக்கனை அழித்திடும் ஆனைமுகத்தோனே

வெளிவரும் உந்தியுடை வளம்நிறை வயிறுடன் வரம்தருவோனே

மேலான அழகுநிறை முகம் காட்டும் அழிவிலா இயல்போனே

கருணையுடன் பிழை பொறுப்போனே

மகிழ்வுடனே புகழ் அளிக்கும பெரியோனே

துதிப்போர்க்கு கூர்மதி மெய்யறிவு அளியோனே

அடிபணிந்தேன் ஆதவனின் ஒளிபடைத்த உன் வடிவினை

Ganesha Pancharathnamala – Verse 2

नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं

नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम्

सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं

महेश्वरं तमाश्रये परात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥२॥

Nate[a-I]tara-Ati-Bhiikaram Navo[a-U]dita-Arka-Bhaasvaram

Namat-Sura-Ari-Nir-Jaram Nata-Adhika-Apad-Uddharam |

Sure[a-Ii]shvaram Nidhi-[I]ishvaram Gaje[a-Ii]shvaram Ganne[a-Ii]shvaram

Mahe[a-Ii]shvaram Tama-Ashraye Paraatparam Nir-Antaram ||2||

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

नतेतरातिभीकरं (Nata-Itara-Ati-Bhiikaram): To those who do not Bow down, He takes a Frightening Form

नत (Nata) = Bent, Bowed, Bowing to, Saluting

इतर (Itara) = Expresses contrary idea of preceding word, Low, Vile, Expelled, Rejected

अति (Ati) = Exceedingly, Very, Passing, Going, Beyond

भीकर (Bhiikara) = Causing Fear

नवोदितार्कभास्वरं (Nava-Udita-Arka-Bhaasvaram): His Form is Shining Fresh like a Newly-Risen Sun

नव (Nava) = New, Fresh, Young

उदित (Udita) = Risen, Ascended, Born, High, Tall, Lofty

अर्क (Arka) = the Sun, a Ray

भास्वर (Bhaasvara) = Shining, Brilliant, Bright, Resplendent, the Sun

नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं (Namat-Sura-Ari-Nir-Jaram): Who is without Decay and is Saluted by Devas and Devoted Persons

नमस् (Namas) = Bow, Obeisance, Reverential Salutation

सुर (Sura) = Deva, God, Divinity

अरि (Ari) = an Enemy, a Devoted or Pious Man

निस् (Nis) = Free from

जर (Jara) = Becoming Old, Wearing, Wasting

नताधिकापदुद्धरम् (Nata-Adhika-Apad-Uddharam): To those Who Surrender, He Extricates them from Difficult Calamities

नत (Nata) = Bent, Bowed, Bowing to, Saluting

अधिक (Adhika) = Additional, Surpassing, Abundant, Surplus

आपद् (Aapad) = Misfortune, Calamity, Distress

उद्धरण (Uddharanna) = Drawing out, Extricating, Rescuing, Delivering

सुरेश्वरं (Sura-Iishvaram): Who is the God of the Devas

सुर (Sura) = Deva, God, Divinity

ईश्वर (Iishvara) = Master, Lord, the Supreme

निधीश्वरं (Nidhi-Iishvaram): Who is the God of Prosperity

निधि (Nidhi) = a Place for Deposits, Store, Treasure, Sea, Setting down or Serving up

ईश्वर (Iishvara) = Master, Lord, the Supreme

गजेश्वरं (Gaja-Iishvaram): Who is the God with Elephant Face

गज (Gaja) = Elephant, Gajasura

ईश्वर (Iishvara) = Master, Lord, the Supreme

गणेश्वरं (Ganna-Iishvaram): Who is the God of the Ganas [celestial attendants]

गण (Ganna) = a Flock, Troop, Multitude, body of Followers or Attendants

ईश्वर (Iishvara) = Master, Lord, the Supreme

महेश्वरं (Maha-Iishvaram): Who is the Great God

महा (Mahaa) = Great, Large, Extensive, Abundant, Numerous, Considerable

ईश्वर (Iishvara) = Master, Lord, the Supreme

तमाश्रये (Tama-Aashraye): To His Refuge

तम् (Tam) = His

आश्रय (Aashraya) = Refuge, Shelter, Dwelling, Protecting, Assistance

परात्परं (Paraatparam): Superior to the Best

निरन्तरम् (Nirantaram): Having no Interval, Uninterrupted, Perpetual, Continually

Meaning of the Verse

2.1: (Salutations to Sri Vinayaka) To those who do not Bow down to God out of arrogance, He takes a Frightening form; His benign however form is like a Newly-Risen Sun,

2.2: Who is always Fresh without any Decay, and is Saluted Reverentially by the Devas and the Devoted Persons; Who Extricates those who Surrender to Him from Difficult Calamities,

2.3: Who is the God of the Devas (Sureshvara), Who is the God of Prosperity (Nidhishvara), Who is the God with an Elephant Face (Gajeshvara) and Who is the God of the Ganas (celestial attendants) (Ganeshvara),

2.4: Who is the Great God (Maheshvara); To His Refuge, Who is Superior than the Best, I Continually place myself in devotional surrender.

Meaning in Tamil

இறுமாப்புடை கொடியோர்க்கு அச்சமிகு உருவோனே

புதுப்பொலிவுடை இளஞ்சூரிய அருளுடை வடிவோனே

விண்ணவரும் திடப்பற்றோரும் தொழுதிடும் அழிவிலானே

உனதடி பற்றும் பக்தர்தம் பெரும் இடர் களைவோனே

விண்ணவர் தலையோனே பொன்வளமைக்கு வித்தோனே

வேழமுகத்தோனேவிண்சூழ்வாழ்இனத்தோரின் கோமானே

இறையோனின் பெருமகனே தலையோருள் தலையானே

நிலைபேறென தஞ்சமென்றடைந்தேன் சித்தி விநாயகனே

Sikkim Tour Diary – Part 3 – Banjhakri

A visit to North East India is incomplete without understanding the roots of the society there. A classic example is the life of Banjhakris in Sikkim & Nepal region – the super natural “shamans’ of the forest. Here is what I learnt near a water falls which is an hour’s drive from Gangtok

Ganesha Pancharathnamala – Verse 1

मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं

कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम्

अनायकैकनायकं विनाशितेभदैत्यकं

नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥१॥

Mudaa-Karaatta-Modakam Sadaa Vimukti-Saadhakam

Kalaa-Dhara-Avatamsakam Vilaasi-Loka-Rakssakam |

Anaayakai[a-E]ka-Naayakam Vinaashitebha-Daityakam

Nata-Ashubha-Ashu-Naashakam Namaami Vinaayakam ||1||

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

मुदाकरात्तमोदकं (Mudaa-Karaatta-Modakam): Who Holds the Divine Joy in His Hand as Modaka

मुद् (Mud) = To be Merry or Glad or Happy, to Rejoice

कर (Kara) = a Doer, the Hand

मोदक (Modaka) = a small round Sweetmeat, any Sweetmeat, Gladdening, Exhilarating

सदा (Sadaa): Always

विमुक्तिसाधकं (Vimukti-Saadhakam): Who Always strives to Accomplish the Liberation of His Devotees towards that Divine Joy

विमुक्ति (Vimukti) = Release, Deliverance, Liberation

साधक (Saadhaka) = Accomplishment, Fulfilling, Effective, Productive of

कलाधरावतंसकं (Kalaa-Dhara-Avatamsakam): Who Holds the Digit of the Moon as His Ornament

कला (Kalaa) = A small part of anything, part of Moon, a division of Time, Art

धर (Dhara) = Holding, Bearing ஞ

अवतंस (Avatamsa) = a Garland, Ring-shaped Ornament, Ear-Ring, Crest

विलासिलोकरक्षकम् (Vilaasi-Loka-Rakssakam): Who Protects the World in a Joyful Spirit

विलास (Vilaasa) = Sport, Play, Shining forth, Appearance, Manifestation

लोक (Loka) = World, Men

रक्ष (Rakssa) = Guarding, Protecting

अनायकैकनायकं (Anaayaka-Eka-Naayakam): Who is Without any Master but is Himself the Only Master for His Devotees

अनायक (Anaayaka) = having no Leader or Ruler

एक (Eka) = One

नायक (Naayaka) = a Guide, Leader, Chief, Lord, Principal

विनाशितेभदैत्यकं (Vinaashitebha-Daityakam): Who Destroys the [inner] Demons

विनाश (Vinaasha) = Destruction, Annihilation

दैत्य (Daitya) = Son of Diti, Demon

नताशुभाशुनाशकं (Nata-Ashubha-Ashu-Naashakam): To those Who Surrender to Him, He Destroys their Inauspicious tendencies Quickly

नत (Nata) = Bent, Bowed, Bowing to, Saluting

अशुभ (Ashubha) = Inauspicious, Bad, Vicious, Misfortune

आशु (Aashu) = Fast, Quick, Quickly, Immediately, Directly

नाश (Naasha) = Destruction, Annihilation

नमामि (Namaami): I Salute

नमस् (Namas) = Bow, Obeisance, Reverential Salutation

तं (Tam): Him

विनायकम् (Vinaayakam): Sri Vinayaka

Meaning of the Verse

1.1: (Salutations to Sri Vinayaka) Who Holds the Divine Joy in His Hand as Modaka (a sweetmeat) and Who Always strives to Accomplish the Liberation of His Devotees towards that Divine Joy,

1.2: Who Holds the Digit of the Moon as His Ornament and with a Joyful Spirit Protects the World,

1.3: Who is without any Master but is Himself the only Master for His Devotees, and Protects them by Destroying the (inner) Demons,

1.4: To those who Surrender to Him, He Destroys the Inauspicious tendencies Quickly; I Salute Sri Vinayaka and surrender to Him.

Meaning in Tamil

கைத்தலம்நிறை பேரின்பப் பண்டம்

பக்தர்தம் கரையேற்றம் எப்பொழுதும்

மிளிர் நிலவு ஆபரண அணிகலம்

மகிழ்வுடனே புவி காத்தருளும்

தலையிலா தன்னிகரற்ற தலையாகும்

அன்பருள்ளுறை அரக்கனெனும் மாசறுக்கும்

அடிசரண் அன்பர் வினை ஒழித்தழிக்கும்

அவ்விநாயகனை அடிபணிவோம் என்றும்

Ganesha Pancharathnamala

Here is some data

On 24th Nov 19 at 1642 Hrs in a matter of 0.62 Sec, 352 Million

On 12th Dec 19 at 2104 Hrs in a matter of 0.57 Sec, 361 Million

On 19th Dec at 2012 Hrs in a matter of 0.44 Sec436 Million

Must be wondering as to what on earth is this statistics

Well, in the Google search just type “God” and hit the “search” and see for yourselves the results. This is what I found.

OMG! So, how and where do I find God in the results that are thrown at us? How does He look like ? Is it right to call him “He” or should I call as “She” or “It”? What are His/Her/Its features? How do I know that He/She/It is God? Well, the search for the right answers continue as long as one’s life exist in the planet.

Here is what I found as an interesting observation that fits my queries. “The one Absolute, called Brahman by the ancient Vedas in India (God – the English name) transcends all our faculties. However when it comes to our comprehension, it comes within our grasp in any form, shape and characteristic that we choose to associate it with. So God is worshipped in any form which a devotee wishes to”.

How about an Elephant form? The answer is Yes. There is God in the elephant and there is an elephant faced God called Ganesha in the Hindu religion. The name Ganesha is a Sanskrit compound, joining the words gaṇa (meaning a group, multitude, or categorical system) and isha (meaning lord or master).

The ancient Hindu Puranas provides an unique position to Lord Ganesha. His supremacy is clear from the fact that even the Trinity, the three primal manifestations of the Absolute, viz., Creation (Brahma), Sustenance ( Vishnu) and Destruction (Siva) are hampered in their work if they do not first pay homage to Ganesa. It is from Him that all other Gods derive power to bless and grant boons to devotees.

Adi Sankara who has composed several devotional songs, praising all the well-known forms of God worshipped by the Hindus, has sung five verses (Pancha Ratna – Five Gems) in adoration of Lord Ganesa, the elephant faced God.

The verses and my attempt to provide the meaning in Tamil will be in the subsequent blogs that will follow every Friday.

Life is Colorful – 4

https://youtu.be/98NUvpt5KWE

Happy New Year.

Life is indeed colorful. All you have to do is just travel and explore. Here is what I found in Sikkim, the land of Lepchas, the tiny Indian State bordering Bhutan, Tibet & Nepal – “A mystical wonderland of spectacular natural beauty with the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture, the infinite variety of its flora and fauna”.

Lush and thick forests, flush with blooms of exotic flora, hilly expanses embellished by Sikkim’s two main rivers, the Teesta and the Rangeet, the picturesque villages, hot springs and waterfalls – just an amazing hill state.

This is the first part of the Series of blogs from me on Sikkim