Carnatic Music Trinity – Prabhu's Ponder

Carnatic Musing 40 – Sadachaleshwara – Raga Bhoopalam

Composer:

Muthuswamy Dikshithar. Pl ref http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/2007/08/muthuswami-dikshitar-1775-1835.html

Audio Link:

Take your time and listen to this wonderful rendition (including raga Alapana and Swaram) by Trichur Brothers.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dhndiepa4lq3eij/Trichur%20Brothers%20-%20sadAcalEshvaram%20bhAvayEham%20-%20bhUpaLaM%20-%20dIkshitar-SJJ3RaOjVBE%281%29.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verses

सदाचलेश्वरम् – रागं भूपाळम् – ताळं आदि

पल्लवि

सदाचलेश्वरं भावयेऽहं

चमत्कार पुर गेहं

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

गिरिजा मोहम्

अनुपल्लवि

सदाश्रित कल्प वृक्ष समूहं

शरणागत देवता समूहं

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

उदाज्य कृत नामधेय वाहं

चिदानन्दामृत प्रवाहम्

चरणम्

चमत्कार भूपालादि प्रसाद –

करण निपुण महालिङ्गं

छाया रहित दीप प्रकाश –

गर्भ गृह मध्य रङ्गम्

समस्त दुःखादि हेतु भूत –

संसार सागर भय भङ्गं

शम दमोपवृत्यादि संयुक्त –

साधु जन हृदय सरसिज भृङ्गम्

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

कमल विजय कर विधृत कुरङ्गं

करुणा रस सुधार्णव तरङ्गं

कमलेश विनुत वृषभ तुरङ्गं

कमल वदन गुरु गुहान्तरङ्गम्

variations –

करण निपुण – कर निपुण

शम दमोपवृत्यादि – शम दमोपरत्यादि

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

திருஆரூரில் உறை அசலேஸ்வரனை

அன்னை உமையவளின் அன்பனை

எந்நேரமும் பணிவேனே நான்…..திரு ஆரூரில்

அனுபல்லவி

அன்டியவருக்கு எந்நேரமும் அபயம் அருள் கற்பக மரம்

வின்னவர் குழாம் சரனடைந்து போற்றும் பாதம்

தன்னீரை பசுந்நெய்யென மாற்றிய நாமம்

அமிழ்தெனப் பொழியும் பேரின்பம் …..திரு ஆரூரில்

சரணம்

சமத்கர அரச வளம் காரண வித்தக மகாலிங்கம்

நிழல் விழா தீப ஒளிக்கருவறை நடு உறையும்

அல்லலின் வித்தாம் பிறவிப்பிணி அச்சமகற்றும்

கட்டுண்ட சலனமிலா மனமுடை நல்லோரின்

கமல மலர் இதயம்தனை கருவண்டெனச் சுற்றிடும்

கமலமலர் கரமதனில் பொன் மான் ஏந்தும்

அலையெனப் பொங்கும் அமிழ்தெனும் கருணை ரசம்

அலைமகள் மகிழ் மாயவன் துதிக்கும்

விடையொரு பாகனாய் விளங்கும்,

கமலமுக குருகுகனின் அன்பனெனும்…….திருஆரூரில்

English Transliteration

pallavi

sadAcalESvaraM bhAvayE(a)haM

camatkAra pura gEhaM

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

girijA mOham

anupallavi

sadASrita kalpa vRksha samUhaM

SaraNAgata dEvatA samUhaM

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

udAjya kRta nAmadhEya vAhaM

cidAnandAmRta pravAham

caraNam

camatkAra bhUpAlAdi prasAda –

karaNa nipuNa mahAlingaM

chAyA rahita dIpa prakASa –

garbha gRha madhya rangam

samasta duHkhAdi hEtu bhUta –

saMsAra sAgara bhaya bhangaM

Sama damOpavRtyAdi saMyukta –

sAdhu jana hRdaya sarasija bhRngam

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

kamala vijaya kara vidhRta kurangaM

karuNA rasa sudhArNava tarangaM

kamalESa vinuta vRshabha turangaM

kamala vadana guru guhAntarangam

variations –

karaNa nipuNa – kara nipuNa

Sama damOpavRtyAdi – Sama damOparatyAdi

Meaning in English

I meditate (bhAvayEham) on Lord Sadachaleshvara, He who has his abode (geham) in Chamatkarapura, and is the beloved (moham) of Girija.

Like a Kalpa tree (vrksha), He is always (sadA) a refuge (Ashrita) for everyone(samUham=group), including the celestials (dEvatA samUham) who seek sanctuary(sharanAgata = literally, they who come to His feet), he who is known (nAmadhEya, literally titled) as the one who turned water (uda) to ghee (Ajya), he is like a flow (pravAham) of nectar (amrtam) of bliss (chidAnanda).

He is Mahalinga (shiva) who causes (karaNa) the well-being (prasAda) of king (bhUpAla) Chamatkara etc (Adi).

His shadow-less (chAyA rahita) sanctum (garbhagRha madhya rangam=the inner room in the middle of the house) is lit by a lamp (dIpa prakAsha).

He removes (hetu bhoota, literally causes to be past) all sorrows (dukha) etc (Adi) and removes fear (bhaya bhanga) of this ocean (sAgaram) like life (samsAra).

Like a bee (bhRnga) which hovers (implied) over a lotus (sarasija), He hovers over the hearts (hrdaya) of good people (sAdu jana) who are tranquil (shama) and self-controlled (dama), senses etc (unsure: cannot findpavrti in dictionary) in unison (samyukta).

His lotus-like (kamala) victory-giving (vijaya kara) hands (implied) holds (vidhRta) a deer (kurangam),

he is like a nectar-filled (sudha maya) wave (taranga) of compassion (karuna rasa).

He is worshipped (vinuta) by Vishnu (kamalesha), he is mounted (turangam) on a bull (vRshabha), he is dear to the lotus-faced (kamala vadana) Guruguha (subrahmanya).

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

सदा – always

अचल- mountain (that which doesn’t move)

ईश्वरं – lord

भावये- worship

अहं – i

चमत्कार पुर – According to the Skanda Purana, Tiruvarur is also called Chamatkara-pura, after a king who ruled the place

गेहं – resides

गिरिजा – மலைமகள், Goddess Parvati

मोहम्. – loves

अनुपल्लवि

सदा- always

आश्रित – to the surrendered

कल्प वृक्ष समूहं – grove of wish fulfilling trees

शरण आगत देवता समूहं – (the one in whom) the legions of Devas seek refuge,

उद-आज्य कृत नामधेय वाहं – the one bearing the name and fame of converting water to ghee,

चित्-आनन्द-अमृत प्रवाहम् – the flood of bliss of consciousness

चरणम्

चमत्कार भू-पाल-आदि प्रसाद -करण निपुण महा-लिङ्गं – the one in the form of a great Linga, adept at bestowing grace to the King Chamatkara,

छाया रहित दीप प्रकाश -गर्भ गृह मध्य रङ्गम् – the one at the centre of the sanctum lit by a lamp that casts no shadow,

समस्त दुःख-आदि हेतु भूत -संसार सागर भय भङ्गं

शम दम-उपवृत्ति-आदि संयुक्त -the one who removes the fear of the ocean of Samsara (worldly existence) which is the root cause of all misery,

साधु जन हृदय सरसिज भृङ्गम् – the honey bee that hovers in the heart-lotus of saints endowed with tranquility, self-restraint, endeavour etc.

कमल विजय कर विधृत कुरङ्गं – the one who holds a deer in his hand that surpasses a lotus (in beauty)

करुणा रस सुधा-अर्णव तरङ्गं – the wave from the ambrosial ocean of compassion,

कमला-ईश विनुत – the one worshipped by Vishnu (lord of Lakshmi),

वृषभ तुरङ्गं – the one who rides a bull,

कमल वदन गुरु गुह-अन्तरङ्गम् – the one dear to the lotus-faced Guruguha.

kshEtra – tiruvArUr – acalESvara – araneri

uda Ajya – lamp lit with water – nami nandi aDigaL – Tamil Website

Comments:

• This kriti is in the second Vibhakti

• The phrase ‘camatkAra bhU-pAla-Adi prasAda’ contains the Raga Mudra

• According to the Skanda Purana, Tiruvarur is also called Chamatkara-pura, after a king who ruled the place

• The reference to converting water to ghee is connected to the Saivite saint Nami Nandi aDigaL (one of the 63 Nayanmars), who took up a challenge from the Jains who were occupying the place to light a lamp with water.

• The reference to the lamp not casting a shadow is again from the Skanda Purana. Shiva appeared before King Camatkara and told him that the lamp would not cast a shadow in the sanctum sanctorum.

Mind and Guruguha Bhakti – A Carnatic Perspective of Vedanta

Preamble

Around the Christmas period in the month Marghazhi (December 26th to be precise), we were travelling by road from Dindigul to Coimbatore via the holy place of Palani. We saw a continuous stream of people walking on barefoot all along the stretch of the highway that led to Palani. It was clearly an indication that the bhakti filled festival of Thaipoosam is not far away.

“Thaipoosam is an important festival observed by the Hindus of southern India during the Tamil month of Thai (January – February). Outside of India, it is celebrated mainly by the Tamil speaking community settled in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and elsewhere around the world. Thaipusam is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Murugan is also known as Karttikeya, Subrahmanya, Sanmukha, Shadanana, Skanda and Guha. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati presented a lance to Lord Murugan to vanquish the demon army of Tarakasura and combat their evil deeds. Therefore, Thaipusam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Thaipusam is celebrated during the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai and commemorates the birthday of the Hindu deity Murugan.”

All along the drive I was thinking if I could relate this bhakti oriented activity with the Advaita Vedantic mindset that I have been focusing on over the last couple of years and come out with some learning that will be immensely satisfying. In other words, I need to link Guha (Bhakti) with Sankara (Advaita); the Manifest with the Unmanifest; the Son with the Father. Looks simple; but impossible without a Guru.

That thinking took me to another Guruguha, one of the trinity in Carnatic music world. Yes, Muthuswamy Dikshithar provided me, the link for relating Bhakti with Vedanta.

Here is that link

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cayaurvs20rng42/Muthuswamy%20Dikshitar%20Kriti-%20Manasa%20Guruguha-%20Anandabhairavi-%20Rupakam-%20DK%20Pattamal-WXfG6a5FsEI.mp3?dl=0

Now let us study this Kriti (composition)

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

मानस गुरु गुह रूपं भजरे रे

माया-मय हृत्तापं त्यजरे रे

अनुपल्लवि

मानव जन्मनि संप्राप्ते सति

परमात्मनि निरतिशय सुखं व्रजरे रे

चरणम्

सत्व गुणोपाधि सहित सदाशिवं

स्वाविद्या समेत जीवोद्भवम्

तत्वं तामस युत विश्व वैभवं

तारकेश्वरं आनन्द भैरवम्

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

नत्वा श्री गुरु चरणं कृत्वा नाम स्मरणं

जित्वा मोहावरणं मत्वा त्वदेक शरणम्

English Transliteration

Pallavi

mānasa guru guha rūpaṃ bhajarē rē

māyā-maya hṛttāpaṃ tyajarē rē

Anupallavi

mānava janmani saṃprāptē sati

paramātmani niratiśaya sukhaṃ vrajarē rē

Caraṇa

satva guṇōpādhi sahita sadāśivaṃ

svāvidyā samēta jīvōdbhavam

tatvaṃ tāmasa yuta viśva vaibhavaṃ

tārakēśvaraṃ ānanda bhairavam

(madhyama kāla sāhitya)

natvā śrī guru caraṇaṃ kṛtvā nāma smaraṇaṃ

jitvā mōhāvaraṇaṃ matvā tvadēka śaraṇam

Meaning in English

Oh mind, worship the form of Guruguhan. Give up the agony of the heart caused by illusion.When human birth has been obtained, attain the perfect unsurpassed bliss of the Supreme Being ( don’t waste the opportunity) He is SADASIVA, full of SATVAGUNA;All living beings are born out of Him as the result of the impact of AVIDYA. The universe with its TAMASIC qualities is again a manifestation of His greatness; He is TARAKESVARA and ANANDA BHAIRAVA. Prostrate on His feet ; Mediate on His name; Conquer the veil of illusion and Think of Him as your sole refuge.

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

போற்றிடுவாய் மனமே குருகுகன் வடிவம்தனையே

அகற்றிடுவாய் மாயைவிளை இதய நோவதனையே

அனுபல்லவி

அரிய மானிடப் பிறவியெடுத்த நீ,

அடைந்திடு நாடி இறையருட் பேரின்பம்தனை

சரணம்

நற்குணப்பண்பின் வடிவான சதாசிவன் அவன்

அகஇருள் விளை உயிரின உருவகமூலம் அவன்

இருள்நிறை இவ்வண்டம் கடந்த பேரொளி அவன்

காக்கும் கடவுளாம் ஆனந்த பைரவன் அவன்

மத்தியம கால சாகித்யம்

குருகுகனின் பாதம் பணிந்து நாமம் துதித்து

இருள் மாயத்திரையகற்றி அடைக்கலம் அவன்

ஒருவனே என நினைந்து ….போற்றிடுவாய் மனமே

Understanding the Kriti

Right at the beginning of the Kriti (Pallavi), Muthuswamy Dikshithar relates Jiva, Jagat and Isvara through their manifestations Mind, Maya and Guha. He “straight away instructs the mind to strive for higher goals – “Oh mind!!(“rE mAnasa”) meditate on (“bhajarE”) guha, the form of guru and abandon (“tyajarE”) the delusionary (“mAya-maya”) sorrows and afflictions of the heart/mind (“hRttApam”). He straightaway equates a guru as a form of the Lord Himself and commands the mind to worship him and meditate on him.”

Continuing, Dikshithar in the anupallavi, says “Having obtained the human birth form, go,take the path and try to attain the unsurpassed bliss associated with the supreme consciousness” – a reference to the Isavasya Upanishad Slokas which outline the paths that one can pursue for understanding the “Atma Svaroopam”.

In the caraNam, dIkshitar describes the Lord as ” The form of everlasting consciousness (“sadASivaM”), the one endowed with (“sahita”) with qualities of (“guNOpAdhi”) satva. The one from whom all the living beings (“jIva”) are born (“udbhavam”) as a result of their own ignorance (“sva avidya”). His greatness (“vaibhavaM”) symbolises the truth (“tatvam”) that lies beyond this world (“viSva”) filled with tamasic qualities (“tAmasa yuta”). He is tArakEswara, the Lord who helps cross this ocean of samsara. He is the form of Anandabhairava, radiating ever-lasting bliss”. Again I am reminded of the Shanthi Sloka and the first Sloka of Isavasya Upanishad – Isavasyam idham sarvam.

In the madhyamakAla sAhityam, Dikshithar says “Worship (“natvA”) the feet (“caraNam”) of the auspicious preceptor (“shrI guru”). Chant and meditate on his name (“nAmasmaraNam”). Conquer (“jitvA”) the sheath/veil (“AvaraNam”) of delusion/desire (“mOha”). Surrender to him as the sole (“twadEka”) refuge (“SaraNam”).” Pray, meditate, get mind control, come out of ignorance, surrender and reach Sat Cit Ananda – the very process that takes you to your SELF and reveals that “Tat Tvam Asi” which is the essence of Vedanta.

Carnatic Musing 38 – Sringara Saktyayudha – Raga Rama Manohari

Composer:

Muthuswamy Dikshithar. Pl. refer http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/2007/08/muthuswami-dikshitar-1775-1835.html

Audio Link

Listen to Sanjay Subramanian at https://www.dropbox.com/s/cbi8nezfgrg59dq/Sanjay%20Subrahmanyan%20-%20shrngAra%20shaktyAyudhadhara%20-%20rAmamanOhari%20-%20dIkshitar-Je9UnymFHqs.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

पल्लवि

शृङ्गार शक्त्यायुध धर शरवणस्य

दासोऽहं अनिशं धन धान्य प्रदस्य

समष्टि चरणम्

गङ्गामृत पूरित घटाभिषेकस्य

गद्य पद्यादि नुत कोमळ–तर पदस्य

अङ्गारकादि नव ग्रह वन्दितस्य

आदि मध्यान्त रहिताप्रमेय वरस्य

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

जगदम्बिकादि सकल देवता मोहित –

जननादि खेद भञ्जन चतुर–तरस्य

नग राज सुता नन्दीश नव नन्दादि –

भक्त जनान्तःकरणानन्द गुरु गुहस्य

variations –

नन्दादि – नन्द्यादि

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

சிங்காரவேலன் சரவணனின் அடிமை யான் எக்காலமும்

சீர்மிகு செல்வ வளம் வாரி வழங்கும் சக்தி வேலாயுதன்.. சிங்கார

சமஷ்டி சரணம்

நிரைகுட கங்கை நீர் புனித திருமுழுக்காடும்

உரைகவிபல போற்றும் கமலமலர்ப்பாதமுடை

அங்காரகன் சேர் நவகோளதிபதிகள் துதிக்கும்

ஆதி மத்ய அந்தமிலா அளவிலா மேன்மைமிகு..…. சிங்கார

அன்னை சக்தியுடன் அனத்து உம்பர்க்கும் அனந்தம் தரும்,

அல்லல்மிகு பிறவிப் பிணி தீர்க்கும் அதிவித்தகன்,

அன்னை உமையவள் மகேசனுடன்அடியார்க்கும்

நவசக்தி மைந்தருக்கும் அளவிலா இன்பமளி குருகுகன்…… சிங்கார

English Transliteration

pallavi

SRngAra SaktyAyudha dhara SaravaNasya

dAsO(a)haM aniSaM dhana dhAnya pradasya

samashTi caraNam

gangAmRta pUrita ghaTAbhishEkasya

gadya padyAdi nuta kOmaLa-tara padasya

angArakAdi nava graha vanditasya

Adi madhyAnta rahitApramEya varasya

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

jagadambikAdi sakala dEvatA mOhita –

jananAdi khEda bhanjana catura-tarasya

naga rAja sutA nandISa nava nandAdi –

bhakta janAntaHkaraNAnanda guru guhasya

variations –

nandAdi – nandyAdi

kshEtra – Sikkil Singaravelan.

Meaning in English

I am the slave forever of Lord Saravana, the handsome one holding the powerful spear as weapon and who showers wealth and grains

He is the one:

who is bathed with pitchers filled with the waters of Ganga, with very tender feet which are glorified in prose and poetry, worshipped by the nine planets led by Angaraka, with neither beginning nor middle nor end,immeasurable eminent one, who charms all the celestials beginning with Parvati(the universal mother), expert at shattering the sorrow caused by birth etc. delights the hearts of Parvati, Nandi, Nava-nandanas and other devotees. He is Guruguha

Comments:

• This Kriti is in the sixth Vibhakti

• “SRngAra SaktyAyudha dhara” translates to Singaravelan in Tamil, as the lord is known in the Sikkal temple

• The Nava-Nandanas or Nava-Veeras are the sons of the Nava-Shaktis born by the grace of Shiva, and are Subrahmanya’s brothers. The eldest of them is Veerabahu. They assist him in war.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

शृङ्गार – handsome

शक्ति-आयुध – Spear (Vel in Tamil) as the weapon

धर – holding

शरवणस्य – Saravana

दासो-अहं – Servant, I am

अनिशं – for ever

धन धान्य – wealth and grains

प्रदस्य – giver

समष्टि चरणम्

गङ्गा अमृत – The Ganga River water

पूरित घट- Filled pot

अभिषेकस्य – the one who is bathed in

गद्य – prose

पद्य- poetry

आदि – etc

नुत – euologise/glorify

कोमळ-तर पदस्य – lotus like feet

अङ्गारक-आदि – Planet mars etc

नव ग्रह – nine planets

वन्दितस्य – worshipped

आदि मध्य-अन्त रहित- beginning, middle and end

अप्रमेय – immeay

वरस्य – eminent

जगद्-अम्बिका- the Goddess of the world – Parvati

आदि सकल देवता – and all celestials included

मोहित – charms

जनन-आदि खेद भञ्जन चतुर-तरस्य – the expert at shattering the sorrow caused by birth etc.

नग राज सुता – the consort of the king of serpents – i.e., consort of Siva viz. – Parvati

नन्दि-ईश – the God Nandi

नव नन्द-आदि – भक्त जन- all devitees including the the sons of the nine Shaktis of Siva

अन्तः-करण- minds

आनन्द – pleasing

गुरु गुहस्य – Guru Guha (signature name of the composer)

Carnatic Musing 37 – aruNAcala nAthaM smarAmi – Ragam sArangA

Composer :

Muthuswamy Dikshithar. Pl ref http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/2007/08/muthuswami-dikshitar-1775-1835.html

Audio Link :

Pl. listen to the Hyderabad Brothers at https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbi1q317iamr0hv/Arunachala%20Natham%20-%20Saranga%20-%20Hyderabad%20Brothers-uFmaVReLFi8.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verses :

अरुणाचल नाथम् – रागं सारङ्गा – ताळं रूपकं

पल्लवि

अरुणाचल नाथं स्मरामि अनिशं

अपीत कुचाम्बा समेतम्

अनुपल्लवि

स्मरणात् कैवल्य प्रद चरणारविन्दं

तरुणादित्य कोटि संकाश चिदानन्दं

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

करुणा रसादि कन्दं शरणागत सुर बृन्दम्

चरणम्

अप्राकृत तेजो-मय लिङ्गं

अत्यद्भुत कर धृत सारङ्गं

अप्रमेयं अपर्णाब्ज भृङ्गं

आरूढोत्तुङ्ग वृष तुरङ्गम्

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

विप्रोत्तम विशेषान्तरङ्गं

वीर गुरु गुह तार प्रसङ्गं

स्व-प्रदीप मौलि विधृत गङ्गं

स्व-प्रकाश जित सोमाग्नि पतङ्गम्

Meaning in Tamil :

பல்லவி

அருணாசல நாதனை இடைவிடா நினைவேனே

உண்ணாமுலை அன்னையுடன் காட்சி தரும் …. அருணாசல

அனுபல்லவி

எண்ணம் ஒன்று போதும் அருணனின்

எம் முக்திக்கு வித்தாகும் அவன் கமலபாதம்

கோடி இளஞ்சூரியனின் கதிரொளித் தோற்றம்

பேரின்ப உள்ளுணர்வின் உருவகம்

மத்தியம கால சாகித்யம்

பரிவுடன் கருணை உணர்வின் அடிமூலம்

பணிந்திட்டு உம்பரார் அடைக்கலம்…..அருணாசல

சரணம்

அடிமுடி காணா அழல் வடிவ லிங்க வடிவோனே

அதி் அற்புத சாரங்கம் ஏந்திய கரம் உடையோனே

அயனும் அனந்தனும் அடைய இயலா அளவிலனே

அன்னையின் கமலமுக வட்டமிடும் கருவண்டே

உமையொரு பாகன் விடையேறும் விமலனே

மத்தியம கால சாகித்யம்

உயர் ஞானியர் உளம் நிறை ஒப்பிலாஅன்பனே

வீரமிகு குருகுகனை நேசமுடன் விழைவனே

மின்னார் செஞ்சடையில் கங்கை அணியோனே

அழல் மதி ஆதவன் விளை தரும் ஒளி மேலவனே

துலங்கும் தூய தமனியப்பிரபை உமையோனே….அருணாசல

Meaning in English:

For meaning and details about the deity and the temple, please refer https://sriramv.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/arunacalanatham-of-muttuswami-dikshitar/

WHO AM I – The baby steps

As a kid nearly 60 years back, Visalakshi Ammman Kovil (Temple is more than 300 years old ) in Batlagundu (Vattlagundu), situated in Nilkottai Taluk of in Dindigul District in Tamilnadu, on the bank of HARIDHRA RIVER (MANJALARU – no idea if the river exists today!) was the only place which I used to go regularly for prayers, not because I understood what a prayer is and the need for one; but that used to be the mandate those days for boys at the “Agraharam (an ungated community!)” from the family. Visalakshi Amman & Lord Visvesvarar are the principal deities and the temple included several Deities such as Ganesha, Subramanya, Chandikeshwarar, Dakṣiṇāmurty etc. For each of the Gods, we used to recite a specific Sloka and when it came to Dakṣiṇāmurty, we used to recite as a routine. Here is a short video of the temple (Photo Courtesy – My friend Muthunarayanan alias Muthappa)

https://videopress.com/v/k9wccZMr?preloadContent=metadata

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheswara

Guru sakshath ParaBrahma tasmai Sri Guruve Namah.

I did not know anything about either God or the Sloka except that I had to recite it at that particular spot where Lord Dakṣiṇāmurty was situated. All I knew was that He was a form of Siva. Never in my life subsequent to that period and even in my dreams did I imagine once, that one day I will be writing about the Sthothram on Lord Dakṣiṇāmurty by Adi Śankarācārya. Blessed I am indeed to even think of consolidating what is written and explained by legends and doyens of Spirituality and Vedāntaḥ.

But strange is the nature and power of “the Ultimate Reality”. Study of Vedāntaḥ and listening to Spirituality oriented Discourses is the most familiar route for spending time after retirement for most of us and I am no exception to this. One such lecture by Prof. Mahadevan of IIM, Bangalore was the spark I needed to dive into the Ocean of Vedāntaḥ Concepts brought out in Dakṣiṇāmurty Stotram. Realizing that I am getting old and spending time on spirituality, my son presented me with a book titled “The Upanishads” by Sri. Eknath Easwaran. This added fuel to the fire. As I was exploring these two topics, I learnt that I can’t do either if I don’t know Tattva Bodha. Now this is the third dimension to my time management. My preoccupation with these three books and commentaries by Swami Paramarthananda, Swami Omkaranada and Swami Sravapriyananda drove my grandchildren (my daughter’s young boys) to the conclusion that their “Thatha” (grandfather) who used to spend lot of time playing cricket and organizing/fixing the place rendered as a “mess” by them is not doing it anymore and is lost. They even declared my room as “Thatha’s Corner “– The lost and found room. The fact is that as a “Thatha” I am lost; but I am trying to find out as to who I am instead of where I am.

How can I find out the answer to the question “Who am I”? The legendary Tamil Saint Thirumoolar comes to my rescue in his epic Thirumandiram

“நரருஞ் சுரரும் பசுபாசம் நண்ணிக்

கருமங்க ளாலே கழித்தலிற் கண்டு

குருஎன் பவன்ஞானி கோதில னானால்

பரமென்ற லன்றிப் பகர்வொன்று மின்றே”.

மனிதர்களும்,தேவர்களும் பாசத்தில் அகப்பட்டு பல்வேறு வினைகளைச் செய்து அதனால் அழிந்து போகின்றனர். இதைக் கண்ட பின்பு ஒருவன் செய்ய வேண்டியது என்ன? ஒரு குற்றமற்ற ஞானியைத் தன் குருவாகப் பற்றிக் கொண்டாலே போதும். “பரத்துடன் கூடி நீயும் பரம் ஆவாய்” என்று உபதேசம் செய்வதன்றி அந்த குரு செய்ய வேண்டியது எதுவும் இல்லை.

As mortals like me, get trapped by “attachment” and perform actions which lead us nowhere, one has to look for a Guru who will make him understand that “You are That”. Fine; I need a Guru. How do I look for Guru at this Old age? Thirumoolar gives a response to my query.

“ஆட்கொண்ட வர்தனி நாயகன் அன்புற

மேற்கொண்ட வர்வினை போயற நாடொறும்

நிற்கின்ற செஞ்சடை நீளன் உருவத்தின்

மேற்கொண்ட வாறலை வீவித் துளானே”.

ஒரு குருவாக வந்து மாணவனை ஆட்கொள்பவர் ஒப்பற்ற ஈசனே ஆவார். அவர் தன் மாணவனின் வினைகள் அழியும் வண்ணம் நாள்தோறும் உபதேசிக்கிறார். அவர் நீர்மலிந்த நீள் சடையை உடைய சிவனே அன்றி வேறு எவரும் அல்ல. சிவனே மனம் இரங்கியும் கீழே இறங்கியும் வந்து மாணவனின் வருத்துகின்ற வல்வினைகளை அழித்து விடுகின்றார்.

Thirumoolar further states Lord Siva Himself comes in the form of a Guru to help us understand ourselves. It is with this confidence, that I am undertaking this journey, with Lord Dakṣiṇāmurty as my Guru and Adi Śankarācārya’ Stotramon on the Lord as the first leg of my journey.

To be honest, nothing that I will be writing in the months to come is mine, except the attempt to focus my understanding and in that process try to express the Sanskrit Slokas in my mother tongue – Tamil; it is only my limited understanding of the vast literature available in public domain. The purpose of documenting my understanding is with the hope that someday someone as ignorant as me (hopefully not when they become “the lost Thatha”), will take baby steps as a novice like me, into this delightful field of spirituality holding this piece of document as the helping hand. If that happens, that will be the biggest gift that I would be automatically passing on (without holding back) to all the people in the public domain whose works I have used extensively. There is no commercial interest whatsoever.

A word of caution here – Millions of pages have been written over centuries by “Subject” – “Matter” – Specialists to provide commentaries for the Slokas in these books. Summing them up into few lines is absolutely immature and childish; yet as a child I have started my baby steps on Vedāntaḥ. Pardon me for that. But Children have the right to enquire and ask questions. The child I am, I am asking questions to myself with the fond hope that someday I will find answers as to who I am.

Seeking your Blessings and wishes as I commence my journey. You are most welcome to join me in my journey. Looking forward to your wonderful and valued company. A broad based schedule for April & May will be posted in the next blog.

Carnatic Musing 36 – Sankari SaMkuru Chandramukhi – Raga Saveri

Composer

Shyama Sastry . There is an excellent treatise on Shyama Sastry by Mr. Sreenivasa Rao in his 11 blogs . Pl visit https://sreenivasaraos.com

Audio Link

Whenever I talk about Carnatic Music Performance by siblings, the first one that comes to my mind cannot be anyone else except that of the legends DK Pattammal & DK Jayaraman. Here is their ageless rendition of Ragam Saveri. Pl listen and enjoy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zf6wt5jrqkhk7nj/DK%20Pattammal%20%26%20DK%20Jayaraman%20-%20shankari%20shamkuru%20candramukhi%20-%20sAvEri%20-%20syAmA%20sAstri-7PaWa3JVRhw.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

शङ्करी शङ्कुरु चन्द्रमुखी अखिलाण्डेश्वरी (श्री)

शाम्भवी सरसिज भव वन्दिते गौरी (अम्ब)

अनुपल्लवि

सङ्कट हारिणी रिपु विदारिणी कल्याणी

सदा नत फल दायिके (alt: दायकी ) हर नायिके (alt: नायकी) जगत् जननी

चरणम् 1

जम्बुपति विलासिनी जगदवनोल्लसिनी

कम्बु कन्धरे भवानी कपाल धारिणी शूलिनी

चरणम् 2

अङ्गज रिपु तोशिनी अखिल भुवन पोशिनी

मङ्गल प्रदे मृदानी मराल संनिभ गमनी

चरणम् 3

श्याम कृष्ण सोदरी श्यामळे शातोदरी

सामगान लोले बाले सदार्ति भञ्जन शीले

English Transliteration

In the kRti ‘Sankari SaMkuru’ – rAga sAvEri (tALa Adi), SrI SyAmA Sastry prays to Mother akhilANDESvari at tiruvAnaikkoil (jambukESvaraM).

pallavi

Sankari SaM-kuru candra mukhi 1akhil(A)ND(E)Svari

SAmbhavi sarasija bhava vanditE 2gauri amba

anupallavi

sankaTa hAriNi ripu vidAriNi kalyANi

sadA nata 3phala dAyikE hara nAyikE jagaj-janani (Sankari)

caraNam 1

jambu pati vilAsini jagad-avan(O)llAsini

kambu kandharE bhavAni 4kapAla dhAriNi SUlini (Sankari)

caraNam 2

angaja ripu tOshiNi akhila bhuvana pOshiNi

mangaLa pradE 5mRDAni 6marALa sannibha gamani (Sankari)

caraNam 3

SyAma kRshNa sOdari SyAmaLE 7SAt(O)dari

sAma gAna lOlE 8bAlE sad(A)rti bhanjana-SIlE (Sankari)

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

சங்கரி தந்திடு மன அமைதி,

அகிலாண்டேஸ்வரி,

சாம்பவி, நாபிக்கமலம் உதய அயன் துதி கௌரி, அன்னையே

அனுபல்லவி

இடர்களை பகையழி கல்யாணி

துதிஉரை அடியார்க்கு அருள் அளி – இப்

புவிஈன்ற அன்னையே அரன் நாயகியே – சங்கரி

சரணம் 1

ஜம்புநாதனின் துணைவியே,புவி காத்து மகிழும்

சங்குமிடறு கொள் கபாலசூலம் அணி பவானியே

சரணம் 2

காமாரிதனை மகிழ்வூட்டும் அண்டம் பேணும்

மங்களம் வழங்கும் அன்னநடை பயிலும் அகிலாண்டேஸவரி….சங்கரி

சரணம் 3

நீல வண்ணனின் சகோதரி உமையே கொடி இடையாளே

சாமவேத கீதமகிழ் வினைதீர்க்குணமுடை நங்கையே….சங்கரி

Meaning in English

O Consort of Shankara/Shiva! Please create tranquility ! O Moon faced one ! O Goddess of the whole universe ! O ShambhavI! One worshipped by Brahma, the one born in a lotus ! O Mother Gauri !

One who removes/destroys danger/crises ! One who crushes enemies ! O Auspicious one ! One who gives reward to those who always bow to her. O Consort of Shiva ! O Mother of the world !

One who sports with Shiva , (from Jambukeshwara Temple of Tiruvanaikaval, where the Goddess is called Akhilandeshwari. This is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, representing water). One who takes joy in protecting the world ! One whose neck is like a conch ! O Bhavani ! One who carries a skull ! One who weilds a spear !

One who pleases the enemy of the God of Love ! One who nourishes the entire world ! One who provides good fortune/welfare/happiness ! O Consort of Shiva ! One who walks like a swan !

O Sister of the dark skinned Krishna (also signature of the composer)! O Shyamala ! One with a slender belly/waist ! One who takes pleasure in the chanting of Sama Veda! O Young one ! One whose nature is to always dispel grief !

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

शङ्करी – Shankari

शङ्कुरु – शम कुरु – tranquility do – give peace

चन्द्रमुखी – moon like face

अखिलाण्डेश्वरी – अखिल अण्ड ईश्वरि – Whole-universe-goddess – goddess of the whole universe

श्री – auspicious

शाम्भवी – Shambhavi – Siva’ wife

सरसिज – lotus

भव – produced

वन्दिते – pray

गौरी – Gauri

अम्ब – mother

अनुपल्लवि

सङ्कट – crisis/danger

हारिणी – remove / dispel

रिपु – enemy

विदारिणी – breaking / crush/ destroy

कल्याणी – Kalyani (prosperous)

सदा – airways

नत – bowing to

फल – fruit / reward

दायिके (alt: दायकी ) – provider / bestowed

हर नायिके (alt: नायकी) – consort of Lord Siva

जगत् – world

जननी – Mother

चरणं १

जम्बुपति – Lord Jambukeshwara of Thiruvanaikaval

विलासिनी – wife

जगदवनोल्लसिनी –

जगत् – universe

अवन – protect

उल्लासिनि – take joy or delight

कम्बु – conch

कन्धरे – necked

भवानी – Bhavaani

कपाल – skull

धारिणी – carries/wearing

शूलिनी – trident holding

चरणं २

अङ्गज – Manmathan – Lord of Cupid

रिपु – enemy

तोशिनी – pleases/delights

अखिल – entire

भुवन – universe

पोशिनी – nourishes

मङ्गल – auspicious/happy/welfare

प्रदे – provides / gives

मृदानी – Wife of Lord Siva (मृदा)

मराल – swan

संनिभ – similar to

गमनी – walk

चरणं ३

श्याम – dark colored कृष्ण – Lord Krishna (pen name of the author)

सोदरी – sister

श्यामळे – Ok Shyamala (Parvati)

शातोदरी- शात-उदरि – slender – waist

सामगान – सम गान – Sama Veda – Music/chant

लोले – pleasure

बाले – oh girl

सदार्ति – सदा अर्ति – always grief

भञ्जन – relieve

शीले – nature

Notes –

Variations –

2 – gauri amba – gauri.

3 – phala dAyikE – phala dAyaki.

References

1 – akhilANDESvari – name of Mother at tiruvAnaikka (tiruvAnaikkoil) – Consort of ‘jambukESvara’ (jambu pati). Please refer to tiruvAnaikkA – 1; tiruvAnaikkA – 2 (Tamil website)

4 – kapAla dhAriNi – According to above website, akhilANDESvari was a ‘ugra dEvatA’ who was pacified by Adi Sankara by installing SrI cakra in Her ears.

5 – mRDAni – Wife of mRDa – Siva. Please refer to lalitA sahasra nAma (564) – ‘mRDAnI’.

6 – marALa sannibha gamani – swan-like gaited. Please also refer to lalitA sahasra nAma (47) – ‘marALI manda gamanA’. Also refer to – discourse of kAnci mahAsvAmi on ‘saundarya lahari’ (91).

7 – SAtOdari – Slender waited. It also means ‘daughter of himavAn’ who is called ‘SatOdara’ (having hundreds of caves). Please refer to lalitA sahasra nAma (130) – ‘SAtOdarI’.

8 – bAlE – Mother tripura sundari is called ‘bAlA’ – please refer to lalitA sahasra nAma (965). A 9-year girl is called ‘bAlA’.

Carnatic Musing 34 – Madhurambha Bhajare – Stavarajam Ragam

Composer

Muthuswamy Dikshithar

Audio Visual Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebsclz75f7qjrnm/Madhramba%20Bhajare.mp4?dl=0

Meaning in English

Pallavi

O mind! Worship Meenakshi, the Goddess of the city of Madhura ,

the one served by Vishnu(father of Manmatha), Guruguha and others,

anupallavi

The resident of the city of Madhura, the giver of prosperity,the one who delights the hearts of Manu, Kubera etc.,

caraNam

The daughter of Sage Matanga, the one whose braid is black as a bumble-bee,the giver of fearlessness and (further) boons to Vishnu and others,the trusted one of devotees,the auspicious one, wearing fragrant products,the one who is pleased with praises offered in the Stavaraja Raga.

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

மதுரை அம்மனைத் துதி ..ஏ மனமே

முத்தனும் மற்றோரும் குருகுகனும் பணியும் ………மதுரை

அனுபல்லவி

மதுரை நகர் வாழும், தயைராணி

மதன குபேராதிகள் மனமகிழும் ……..மதுரை

சரணம்

மாதங்க மகளே, தும்பிநிற குழலி

மாதவனோடு மற்றோர்க்கு அபயம் அளி மகதி

மத்தியம கால சாகித்யம்

பக்த விசுவாசினி மங்கள நாயகி

ஸ்த்வராஜ பாமாலை மகிழும் ….மதுரை

Sanskrit Verses

मधुराम्बाम् भजरॆ रॆ मानस

मदन जन्कादिगुरुगुह सॆवित

अनुपल्लवि

मधुरापुरि निवासिनिमधनिन्म्

मनुकुबॆरादि मनॊल्लासिनीम्

चरणं

मतःण्ग तनयाम् मधुकरवॆणीम्

माधवाद्यभयवर प्रदायिनीम्

मध्यम काल साहित्यम्

भक्त विश्वासिनीम् सुवासिनीम्

श्रि स्तवराजनुति प्रसादिनीम्

English Transliteration

pallavi

madhurAmbAM bhajarE rE mAnasa

madana janaka-Adi guru guha sEvita

anupallavi

madhurA puri nivAsinIM dhaninIM

manu kubEra-Adi mana-ullAsinIM

caraNam

matanga tanayAM madhu-kara vENIM

mA-dhava-Adi-abhaya vara pradAyinIM

bhakta viSvAsinIM suvAsinIM

SrI stavarAja nuti prasAdinIm

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

मधुराम्बाम् – मधुरा अम्बा – Madurai Goddess – Meenakshi

भजरॆ – worship

रॆ – oh

मानस – mind

मदन – Cupid /Manmadhan

जन्कादि – father

गुरुगुह – pen name of Dikshitar

सॆवित – serving

अनुपल्लवि

मधुरापुरि – Madurai City

निवासिनि – resident

धनिन्म् – giver of (prosperity)

मनुकुबॆरादि – मनु कुबेर, अदि – Manu, Kubera and others

मनॊल्लासिनीम् – मन उलासिनीम् – Hearts, delight

चरणं

मतःण्ग – Sage Matanga

तनयाम् – daughter

मधुकरवॆणीम् – मधुकर वेणीम् – bee braid (black braid)

माधवाद्यभयवर – माधव अधि अभय वर – Vishnu, others, fearlessness, boon

प्रदायिनीम् – giver

मध्यम काल साहित्यम्

भक्त – devotees

विश्वासिनीम् – trusted one

सुवासिनीम् – auspicious one/married woman

श्रिस्तवराजनुति- श्रिस्तवराज नुति – Sristhavaraja, praise

प्रसादिनीम् – delighted/pleased

Carnatic Musing 31 – Navarathri – Day 9 – Composition on Goddess Saraswathi

Note about this photo – This photo which is in the Puja Room of our house is nearing its Century. Yes ! it is nearly 100 years old. The work done on the image of Goddess Saraswathi. The silk embroidery with ornamental decorations were done by my mother when she was an young girl. We have made sure that this wonderful gift to me by my parents is carefully preserved.

Composer

Muthuswamy Dikshithar– Pl refer http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/2007/08/muthuswami-dikshitar-1775-1835.html for biography and http://guru-guha.blogspot.com for his compositions

Audio Link

Priya Sisters – https://www.dropbox.com/s/2xqnqt25vyrcoil/Sri%20Saraswathi-WB7bembvlmg.mp3?dl=0

Meaning in English

Salutations to you, O Sarasvati! Giver of boons, Supreme goddess!, one praised by Vishnu, Shiva and Guruguha! Youthful wife of Brahma!

O one whose form is meditated upon by eminent Rishis who are devoid of the three Vasanas, one who is renowned for granting boons to all Devas headed by Indra, one with a lotus face (lit) with a gentle smile, one with lotus-feet of marvelous beauty, remover of the fear of Samsara, storehouse(literally cave) of all Mantras!

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

அருள்மிகு சரஸ்வதியே அடிபணிந்தேன் எளியேனே

வரம்தரும் வாணியே செல்விநாதனும் உமாகாந்தனும்

குருகுகனும் போற்றும் கமலாலயனின் இளம் கலைமகளே

சமஷ்டி சரணம்

மூவாசனை தவிர் பெருமுனியோர் வணங்கும் வடிவம்,

முகில்வாகனனுடன் விண்ணோர்க்கும் வரம் பல தரும்,

முகமதனில் மலரும் புன்னகையும் எழில் கமலபாதமும்,

மும்மலம் நிறை பிறவிதரும் அச்சம் அகற்றிடும்,

மூவலகம் போற்றும் மறை ஞானக் கருவூலமாம்……அருள்மிகு

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

श्री सरस्वति नमोऽस्तु ते

वरदे पर देवते

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

श्री पति गौरी पति गुरु गुह विनुते

विधि युवते

समष्टि चरणम्

वासना त्रय विवर्जित –

वर मुनि भावित मूर्ते

वासवाद्यखिल निर्जर –

वर वितरण बहु कीर्ते दर –

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

हास युत मुखाम्बुरुहे

अद्भुत चरणाम्बुरुहे

संसार भीत्यापहे

सकल मन्त्राक्षर गुहे

English Transliteration

pallavi

SrI sarasvati namO(a)stu tE

varadE para dEvatE

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

SrI pati gaurI pati guru guha vinutE

vidhi yuvatE

samashTi caraNam

vAsanA traya vivarjita –

vara muni bhAvita mUrtE

vAsavAdyakhila nirjara –

vara vitaraNa bahu kIrtE dara –

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

hAsa yuta mukhAmburuhE

adbhuta caraNAmburuhE

saMsAra bhItyApahE

sakala mantrAkshara guhE

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

श्री सरस्वति – Sri Saraswathi

नमो-अस्तु ते – salutations, to you

वरदे – boon giver

पर देवते – supreme goddess

श्री पति – lakshmi’s husband Vishnu

गौरी पति – gauri’s husband – siva

गुरु गुह – pen name of the composer

विनुते – prayed

विधि – brahma’s

युवते- youthful woman

समष्टि चरणम्

वासना – त्रय – vasanaas, three – The three Vasanas (innate tendencies) that control us are : Loka Vasana, or the desire to win approval from everyone, Deha Vasana, or identification with the body and indulging its desires and lastly, Shastra Vasana or being satisfied with the mere intellectual understanding of scriptures.

विवर्जित -avoid/abandon

वर – eminent

मुनि – saints/sages

भावित – worshipped

मूर्ते – form

वासव-आदि- Indra, Others,

अखिल निर्जर – all,immortal

वर – boon

वितरण – distribution

बहु कीर्ते – very renowned

दर -हास – posses smile

युत मुख- attached, face

अम्बु-रुहे – lotus, sprout

अद्भुत चरण-अम्बु-रुहे – wonderful, feet,lotus, sprout

संसार भीति-अपहे – samsara (life), fear (bheeti), cut off

सकल मन्त्र-अक्षर गुहे – all, mantras akshara, cave (store house)

Carnatic Musing 28 – Navarathri- Day 6 – Composition on Mahalakshmi

Composer

Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Pl refer http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/2007/08/muthuswami-dikshitar-1775-1835.html for biography and http://guru-guha.blogspot.com for his compositions

Audio Link

MS Subbulakshmi – https://www.dropbox.com/s/qnb1vnqng6pr4of/M%20S%20Subbulakshmi%20-%20Mahalakshmi%20-%20Madhava%20Manohari%20-%20Muttuswami%20Dikshitar-o2va-uQu4JI.mp3?dl=0

Meaning in English

O Mahalakshmi, flood of compassion! Protect me, O one who captivates the heart of Vishnu(Madhava),

O dweller in the chest of Mahavishnu, trusted by Shiva and Guruguha, extinguisher of evengreat sins! O embodiment of the stilled, unwavering mind! O mother of Manmatha and giver of good fortune and welfare!

O daughter of the milk ocean , the one extolled by the Vedas! and esteemed by kings(lords of the earth). O one always together with auspiciousness and benignity, one worshipped by Sarasvati, Rati and Indrani(Saci). O one enthroned in the hearts of the devoted, saluted by all Devas led by Brahma(the lotus-seated). You are pleased with the assembly of sages beginning with Narada and you are seated on a lotus. O occupant of noble hearts, one holding lotuses in your hands, Salutations always to you

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

கருணைப் பேரலையாம் அருள்மிகு மகாலட்சுமியே

காத்திடுவாய் எமை மாதவன் மனம் மகிழும் மனோகரியே

அனுபல்லவி

அனந்த ஆழியன் மார்பில் உறையும்

அழற்கரத்தோனும் குருகுகனும் மதியும்

மாபெரு தீவினை தனையும் அழித்திடும்

மன்மதனை ஈன்ற மங்களம் வழங்கும்………கருணைப் பேரலையாம்

சரணம்

பாற்கடலில் உதித்த அலைமகளே வேதங்கள் போற்றும் திருமதியே

பார் புகழும் புவி அரசர்கள் வணங்கிடும் மங்களம் நிறையருள் வடிவே

பாரதியாம் கலைவாணியும் மன்மதரதியும் இந்திரசசியும் பூசிக்கும்

பக்தரின் மனம் உறையும், கமலம்அமர் நான்முகனும் வின்னவரும் வணங்கும்

மத்யம கால சாகித்யம்

வித்தகன் நாரதனும் முனியோரும் புடைசூழ மகிழும்

தாமரையில் வீற்றிருந்து தூயோரின் இதயமதில் கொலுவிருக்கும்

ஆம்பல் ஏந்திய கரங்களுடை அன்னையை அடிபணிவேன் எப்பொழுதும்

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

महा लक्ष्मि करुणा रस लहरि

मामव माधव मनोहरि श्री

अनुपल्लवि

महा विष्णु वक्ष स्थल वासिनि

महा देव गुरु गुह विश्वासिनि

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

महा पाप प्रशमनि मनोन्मनि

मार जननि मङ्गळ प्रदायिनि

चरणम्

क्षीर सागर सुते वेद नुते

क्षितीशादि महिते शिव सहिते

भारती रति शची पूजिते

भक्ति युत मानस विराजिते

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

वारिजासनाद्यमर वन्दिते

नारदादि मुनि बृन्द नन्दिते

नीरजासनस्थे सुमनस्थे

सारस हस्ते सदा नमस्ते

English Transliteration

pallavi

mahA lakshmi karuNA rasa lahari

mAmava mAdhava manOhari SrI

anupallavi

mahA vishNu vaksha sthala vAsini

mahA dEva guru guha viSvAsini

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

mahA pApa praSamani manOnmani

mAra janani mangaLa pradAyini

caraNam

kshIra sAgara sutE vEda nutE

kshitISAdi mahitE Siva sahitE

bhAratI rati SacI pUjitE

bhakti yuta mAnasa virAjitE

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

vArijAsanAdyamara vanditE

nAradAdi muni bRnda nanditE

nIrajAsanasthE sumanasthE

sArasa hastE sadA namastE

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

महा लक्ष्मि – Mahalakshmi

करुणा – compassion

रस – essence

लहरि – flood

मां-अव – me, proect. (अवति)

मा-धव – vishnu

मनोहरि श्री – mind captivating lakshmi

अनुपल्लवि

महा विष्णु – vishnu

वक्ष – स्थल – place of the heart (bosom)

वासिनि – resides

महा देव – siva

गुरु गुह – pen – name of the poet

विश्वासिनि – trustworthy

महा पाप – great sin

प्रशमनि – destroys/kills/extinguish

मन-उन्मनि- form of durga

मार – god of love

जननि – mother

मङ्गळ – auspicious, welfare

प्रदायिनि – supplier/giver

चरणम्

क्षीर – milky

सागर – ocean

सुते – daughter

वेद – vedas

नुते – extoll

क्षिति-ईश-आदि – earth, king, others

महिते – worship/honor

शिव – auspiciousness

सहिते – together

भारती – Saraswathi

रति – Rathi

शची – Indrani

पूजिते – worship

भक्ति – युत – devotees

मानस – mind

विराजिते – resides

वारिज-आसन-आदि-अमर – lotus seated (brahma) and devas,

वन्दिते – prays

नारद-आदि – Narada and others

मुनि -बृन्द – group of sages

नन्दिते- pleased

नीरज-आसनस्थे – lotus seated

सुमनस्थे – noble hearts

सारस – lotus

हस्ते – hand

सदा – always

नमस्ते – salutations

Carnatic Musing 27 – Navarathri – Day 5 – Composition on Mahalakshmi

Composer

Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Pl refer http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/2007/08/muthuswami-dikshitar-1775-1835.html for biography and http://guru-guha.blogspot.com for his compositions

Audio Link

Nithyashree Mahadevan – https://www.dropbox.com/s/fpw7p3kxgr37zdm/Hiranmayeem%20Lakshmim-%20Nithyasree%20Mahadevan-OnzqdRJm6iU.mp3?dl=0

Meaning in English

I worship the golden colored Lakshmi and I give up depending on inferior mortals. The one who provides long term prosperity, the daughter of milky ocean, who has her dwelling place in the chest/heart of Lord Vishnu; the golden hued one with soft sprout like feet with a Lilly in her lotus like hand that has emerald beaded bangles.

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

பொன்மேனி திருமகளை எந்நேரமும் வணங்கிடுவேனே

மண்ணாளும் மானிடரை மனதினில் நினைவறுப்பேனே

அனுபல்லவி

நிலையான வளம் தரும் பாற்றிருநீற்ற ஆழியின் புத்திரி

நிலமளந்தோன் நெஞ்சினிலே நிலை இல்லம் கொண்டு

இளந்தண்டெனும் பாதமுடன் கமலக்கரம்தனில் குவளையேந்தி

ஒளிமிகு மரகத மணிமய வளையல்கள் அணி…… பொன்மேனி

சரணம்

பாற்கடலில் உறையும் பத்மாசினியே

முக்கால வடிவாய் நிறைபவளே

வேதியர் போற்றும வேதநாயகியே

ஆம்பல் மாலையணி உன்னத அன்னையே

மாணிக்க ஆபரணமணி மகாலட்சுமியே

இசை வாத்யமதில் இனிய ஈடுடையவளே

உமையவளின் உயிரே, ஒப்பிலா எழிலே

முழுமதி வதன, தீனருக்கருளும் சிந்தாமணியே

இளமஞ்சள் நிறமாடையணி மலர்மங்கையே

குருகுகனின் மாமன் மனையாளே, வனப்புமிகு……. பொன்மேனி

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं सदा भजामि

हीन मानवाश्रयं त्यजामि

अनुपल्लवि

चिर–तर सम्पत्प्रदां

क्षीराम्बुधि तनयां

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

हरि वक्षःस्थलालयां

हरिणीं चरण किसलयां

कर कमल धृत कुवलयां

मरकत मणि–मय वलयाम्

चरणम्

श्वेत द्वीप वासिनीं

श्री कमलाम्बिकां परां

भूत भव्य विलासिनीं

भू–सुर पूजितां वराम्

मातरं अब्ज मालिनीं

माणिक्याभरण धरां

गीत वाद्य विनोदिनीं

गिरिजां तां इन्दिराम्

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

शीत किरण निभ वदनां

श्रित चिन्तामणि सदनां

पीत वसनां गुरु गुह –

मातुल कान्तां ललिताम्

variations –

मणि–मय – मणि

English Transliteration

pallavi

hiraNmayIM lakshmIM sadA bhajAmi

hIna mAnavASrayaM tyajAmi

anupallavi

cira-tara sampatpradAM

kshIrAmbudhi tanayAM

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

hari vakshaHsthalAlayAM

hariNIM caraNa kisalayAM

kara kamala dhRta kuvalayAM

marakata maNi-maya valayAm

caraNam

SvEta dvIpa vAsinIM

SrI kamalAmbikAM parAM

bhUta bhavya vilAsinIM

bhU-sura pUjitAM varAm

mAtaraM abja mAlinIM

mANikyAbharaNa dharAM

gIta vAdya vinOdinIM

girijAM tAM indirAm

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

SIta kiraNa nibha vadanAM

Srita cintAmaNi sadanAM

pIta vasanAM guru guha –

mAtula kAntAM lalitAm

variations –

maNi-maya – maNi

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

हिरण्मयीं – gold colored/hued

लक्ष्मीं – Lakshmi

सदा – always

भजामि – pray/worship

हीन – inferior/poor

मानव-आश्रयं – human/mortal, depends on

त्यजामि – quitting/give up

अनुपल्लवि

चिरतर सम्पत्-प्रदां – long time, prosperity/wealth, giver

क्षीर-अम्बुधि तनयां – milk, sea/ocean, daughter

हरि वक्षः-स्थल-आलयां – vishnu, chest, place, house

हरिणीं – golden

चरण – feet

किसलयां – sprout

कर कमल धृत कुवलयां – hand, lotus, hold, water lilly

मरकत मणिमय वलयाम् – emerald, beaded, bangles

चरणम्

श्वेत – white (milky ocean)

द्वीप – island/planet

वासिनीं – resident

श्री कमला-अम्बिकां – परां – lotus (seated), mother, supreme

भूत – past

भव्य – future

विलासिनीं – (विलासिन् moving to & fro) विलासिनि – lady/wife/mistress

भूसुर पूजितां – brahmins (vedic scholars) worshipped

वराम् मातरं – best mother

अब्ज – lotus

मालिनीं – (मालिका – garland), मालिनि – wearing garland

माणिक्य-आभरण – gem studded jewels,

धरां – wear

गीत – song

वाद्य – musical instruments

विनोदिनीं – (विनॊदित. – delighted)

गिरिजां – Parvati

तां – dear

इन्दिराम्- splendor, beauty

शीत – moon

किरण – ray of light

निभ वदनां – alike, face

श्रित चिन्तामणि सदनां – subservient (devotee), wish-fulfilling gem, dwelling place

पीत वसनां – yellow, garment

गुरु गुह – guruguha (pen name of the composer)

मातुल – wife of maternal uncle

कान्तां – beautiful woman

ललिताम् – charming