Tag: Lakshmi

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 6 – A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Lord Krishna’s beauty is beyond the imagination, infact all beauty arises from him only. As his name Krishna means ‘all attractive’ – means his beauty enchants everyone. In front of the beauty of Krishna everything fades and pales . Even the beauty we find in the world is only a spark of the transcendental captivating beauty of Lord Krishna , then how beautiful He, the source of all beauty will be . No wonder, the devotees who visit Guruvayur and see Him are in a state of Bliss and experience horripilation, says Bhattathri in this Sloka.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcekyjy56erscfx/Verse%202.6.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

एवम्भूतमनोज्ञतानवसुधानिष्यन्दसन्दोहनं
त्वद्रूपं परचिद्रसायनमयं चेतोहरं शृण्वताम् ।
सद्यः प्रेरयते मतिं मदयते रोमाञ्चयत्यङ्गकं
व्यासिञ्चत्यपि शीतबाष्पविसरैरानन्दमूर्च्छोद्भवैः ॥६॥

English Transliteration

evaM bhuuta manOj~nataa navasudhaa niShyanda sandOhanaM

tvadruupaM parachidrasaayanamayaM chetOharaM shR^iNvataam |

sadyaH perarayate matiM madayate rOmaa~nchayatyangakaM

vyaasi~nchatyapi shiitabaaShpa visarairaanandamuurChOdbhavaiH ||6

Tamil Transliteration

ஏவம் பூ₄தமநோஜ்ஞதாநவஸுதா₄நிஷ்யந்த₃ஸந்தோ₃ஹநம்

த்வத்₃ரூபம் பரசித்₃ரஸாயநமயம் சேதோஹரம் ஶ்ருண்வதாம் |

ஸத்₃ய: ப்ரேரயதே மதிம் மத₃யதே ரோமாஞ்சயத்யங்க₃கம்

வ்யாஸிஞ்சத்யபி ஶீதவாஷ்பவிஸரைராநந்த₃மூர்சோ₂த்₃ப₄வை: || 6||

Meaning in Tamil

அமுது சொரியும் அழகுமிகு பேரின்பப்

பரம்பொருளாம் உன்னெழில் வடிவம்

அடியார்தம் மனம் கவர்ந்து மகிழ்வித்து,

ஆனந்தப் பரவசமுடன் மயிர்கூச்செரிய,

விழிதனிலே நீர்மல்கிப் பெருவெள்ளமென

அவர்தம் அங்கமெல்லாம் நனைத்தனையே,

அச்சுதனே ஆண்டவனே குருவாயூரப்பா 2.6

Meaning in English

O Lord! Thy captivating form which continuously showers pure nectar, which is itself the Supreme Bliss-Consciousness holds the minds of those who hear Thy glories. Their minds are immediately stimulated and filled with joy. They experience horripilation all over their body and are bathed in the cool tears produced from ecstasy of joy.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

एवम्भूतमनोज्ञतानवसुधानिष्यन्दसन्दोहनम् = एवं + भूत + मनोज्ञता + नव + सुधा + निष्यन्द + सन्दोहनम् =That (Your)+form + beauty(loveliness) + fresh (pure) + nectar + streaming (constantly flowing) + bestowing

त्वद्रूपम् = त्वत् + रूपं = Your form

परचिद्रसायनमयम् = पर + चित् + रसायनमयं = supreme + consciousness + mixture (combination)

चेतोहरम् = captivating the heart

शृण्वताम् = of those who (devotedly) hear (the recitals of accounts of Thy deeds)

सद्य: प्रेरयते = instantly/immediately + raise/stimulate/excite

मतिम् मदयते =  mind + delights/rejoice/enjoy heavenly bliss = fills the mind with joy (अत्यन्तं तोषयति)

रोमाञ्चयति = thrills/goosebumps

अङ्गकम् = limbs/body = देहम्

व्यासिञ्चत्यपि = व्यासिञ्चति + अपि = bathes also (their bodies)

शीतबाष्पविसरैः = शीत + बाष् + विसरै: = cold + tears + copious quantity = with the flood of cool tears

आनन्दमूर्च्छोद्भवैः = आनन्द + मूर्च्छा + उद्भवै: = joy + excited/increased+ produced = produced from ecstasy of joy

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 1 – Verse 6

Sanskrit Verse

तत्ते प्रत्यग्रधाराधरललितकलायावलीकेलिकारं
लावण्यस्यैकसारं सुकृतिजनदृशां पूर्णपुण्यावतारम्।
लक्ष्मीनिश्शङ्कलीलानिलयनममृतस्यन्दसन्दोहमन्त:
सिञ्चत् सञ्चिन्तकानां वपुरनुकलये मारुतागारनाथ ॥६॥

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h27ueo0086egh4b/Sloka%206.mp3?dl=0

Meaning in Tamil

Meaning in English

Your form is like the beauty of the fresh rain bearing clouds, and of a beautiful bunch of blue lotuses. Your form is an embodiment of beauty, in the eyes of the people who have done meritorious deeds, and is a complete incarnation of all their good deeds. You are the abode where Goddess Laxmi delights without inhibition. You are the source of a torrential flow of nectarine Bliss, soaking the hearts of people who meditate. On that form of Yours I continuously meditate, O Lord of Guruvayur!

English Transliteration

Tatte pratyagradhaaraadhara lalita kalaayaavalii kelikaaraM

laavaNyasyaikasaaraM sukRaitijanadRaishaaM puurNa puNyaavataaram .

lakshmii nishshanka liilaa nilayanamamRsitasyanda sandOhamantaH

si~nchat sa~nchintakaanaaM vapuranukalaye maarutaagaaranaatha…6

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

• (हे) मारुतागारनाथ = O Lord of Guruvaayur

• (अहम्) अनुकलये = I meditate upon

• तत् ते वपुः = that body of yours

• प्रत्यग्रधाराधरललितकलायावलीकेलिकारम् = which ridicules (केलिकार) the fresh (प्रत्यग्र) rain-bearing (धारा-धर) clouds (धाराधर) and the bunch (आवली) of lovely (ललित) dark-colored kalaaya (कलाय) flowers, due to its superior dark-colored beauty

• लावण्यस्य एकसारम् = which is the ultimate (एक) essence (सार) of beauty (लावण्य)

• सुकृतिजनदृशां पूर्णपुण्यावतारम् = which is the full (पूर्ण) manifestation (अवतार) of the virtues (पुण्य) in front of the eyes (दृश्) of virtuous (सुकृति) people (जन)

• लक्ष्मीनिश्शङ्कलीलानिलयनम् = which is the location for Lakshmi to play without any worry

• सिञ्चत् = which is raining

• सञ्चिन्तकानाम् अन्तः = in the minds of those who are meditating

• अमृतस्यन्दसन्दोहम् = the combined flow of emerging nectar

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

Carnatic Musing 26 – Navarathri – Day 4 – Composition on Goddess Varalakshmi

Composer

Mysore Vasudevachar – Please refer https://karnatik.com/co1032.shtml for biography and list of compositions

Audio Link

ML Vasanthakumari – Please refer https://www.dropbox.com/s/eyb6im4jgl5edya/Varalakshmi%20Namosthuthe%20-%20MLV%20dvw83ghYz1M.mp3?dl=0. Kindly note that there is a sloka on Lakshmi preceding the audio.

Meaning in English

Sri Varalakshmi, my prayers to you, oh granter of boons, the better half of Narahari (Vishnu). You removes waves of obstacles, oh the lotus eyed one. You are seated on a golden lotus; Lord Indra prays you and bows at your feet. You are the dearest of Vishnu as. Vasudeva. Indra and Devas worship you. LordBrahma prays you. You are adorned with splendorous gems. The wish-fulfilling creeper of the devotees, you have a smiling beautiful round face.

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

வரம்தரும் வரலட்சுமியை வணங்கிடுவேன், மாயவன் மகிழும்…..வரம் தரும்

அனுபல்லவி

ஆம்பல் விழியாள் அலையென வரும் துயர் தீர்ப்பாள், பொன்

தாமரை உறையாள் அமரேந்திரன் அடிபணியும் பொற்பாதாள்

…..வரம்தரும் வரலட்சுமியை

சரணம்

வாசுதேவன் விழைந்திடும் வாசவனும் விண்ணோரும் வணங்கும்

வேதியனும் ஞானியரும் போற்றும் பொன்மணிமாலை அணியும்

அடியார்க்கு அருளும் கற்பகக்கொடியாம் புன்னகை பூத்திடும்

அழகு நிறை வட்ட வதனம் நிறை …..வரம் தரும் வரலட்சுமியை

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

वरलक्श्मि नमॊस्तुते वरदॆ नरहरि सुखदॆ

अनुपल्लवि

अरविन्द लॊचनॆ अघ ब्र्न्द मॊचने अरुणम्बुज वर सदनॆ अमरॆन्द्रनुत चरनॆ

चरणम्

वासुदॆव विनुतार्थॆ वासवदि वन्दितॆ भूस्य्रादि सॆवुतॆ

भासुरमणि भूशितॆ दासजन् कल्पलतॆ धरहसितॆ सुव्र्त्तॆ

English Transliteration

P: varalakSmi namOstutE varadE narahari sukhadE

A: aravinda lOcanE agha brnda mOcanE aruNAmbuja vara sadanE amarEndranuta caraNE

C: vAsudEva vinutArthE vAsavAdi vanditE bhUsurAdi sEvitE

bhAsuramaNi bhUSitE dAsajana kalpalatE dharahasitE suvrttE

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

प्ल्लवि

वरलक्श्मि – Vara Lakshmi

नमॊस्तुते – salutations

वरदॆ – boon giver

नरहरि – Narahari – Vishnu

सुखदॆ – delights

अनुपल्लवि

अरविन्द – lotus

लॊचनॆ – eyes

अघ – troubles/nuisance

ब्र्न्द – wave

मॊचने – release/liberate

अरुणम्बुज – अरुण अम्भुज – golden lotus

वर सदनॆ – dwell

अमरॆन्द्रनुत – Indra bows

चरनॆ – feet

चरणम्

vAsudEva vinutArthE vAsavAdi vanditE bhUsurAdi sEvitE

bhAsuramaNi bhUSitE dAsajana kalpalatE dharahasitE suvrttE

वासुदॆव – Vishnu

विनुतार्थॆ – विनुत अर्थ – Vinuta is Sanskrit in origin and it has no particular meaning. Vinuta maybe a modern derivative of the name Vinata meaning modest, humble or a derivative of the name Vineeta meaning well-principled, disciplined. अर्थ is object of desire

वासवदि – Indra and others

वन्दितॆ – bowed / prayed

भूस्य्रादि – भुसुर अदि – brahma & others

सॆवुतॆ – serve/pray

भासुरमणि – splendid gems

भूशितॆ – adorned

दासजन् – devotees

कल्पलतॆ – kalpa creeper . (Wish granting creeper)

धरहसितॆ – धर हसित having smile

सुव्र्त्तॆ – well /beautifully rounded,

Navarathri – A nine night integration process

Navarathri Nostalgia

Typical Agraharam

Six decades ago, living in a rural area in a village agrahaaram (like the one shown above), as school going kids, we used to wait eagerly for the evenings in the month of October (Tamil month of “Purattaasi” புரட்டாசி) with a glee in our eyes, fun in the mind and hunger in the belly.

Yes; this is the month of Navarathri (nine nights) where we used to have a collection bag, go to each one of the houses in the community who had put up “kolu” (arrangement of Dolls in an odd number of steps) to look at the dolls display.

Kolu

We collect “Sundal” ( a snack preparation of proteins in the form of steamed, fried nuts ) making sure to exchange notes on who has collected what variety and from which house and of course about the quality of the supply.

Sundal

We also used to listen to some wonderful singing by girls and ladies in front of the “kolu” and getting presents. It was fun time for kids; but I guess some serious work for the elders.

The essence of Navarathri

My understanding of the Navarathri is more spiritual now than what I had six decades ago as a kid. Let me try to explain.

Every human being has consciousness (Lord Shiva) and energy (Goddess Shakti). Consciousness and Energy (Shiva and Shakti) are both definable yet inseparable. We can take the example of Sun & Heat for illustration. Within this energetic realm, there are three main forms of Shakti. The 3 Forms of Shakti are:

• Iccha Shakti – the energy of will or desire

• Jnana Shakti – the energy of knowledge

• Kriya Shakti – the energy of action

During Navarathri, the nine nights are used to identify, work with, purify, and ultimately integrate and strengthen these forms of Shakti within us.

The “Kolu” (Display of dolls)

Of course we need to convey this message to the young ones through a visual medium for easy learning. Hence the display of dolls called Kolu. Dolls are arranged in specific sequences on odd number of steps in a staircase style arrangement to depict the process and interplay of these energies that are continually cycling within us. The steps progressively take us through the stages of our evolution in our spiritual progress as a human being. At the base step, dolls depicting routine mundane activities can be seen. Progressively as we climb the stairs, we can see the dolls conveying our graduation in our consciousness level. The dolls focus on various gods, their actions, themes representing the historical events around the gods and the meaning they convey for leading our lives. The apex level step will have the ultimate integration of our consciousness (Shiva) with the energy (shakti) at the top most (apex) step in the form of two wooden dolls (called in Tamil as Marapaachi dolls). That sums up the learning through the visual medium.

Marapaachi Dolls

Navarathri – Women and the Music

Inviting, traditionally receiving and honoring girls, women and ladies, presenting them with gifts (as per the capacity of the host) and devotional singing in praise of the three goddesses representing the three energy forms is a tradition. This brings out the axiom that we should see every single woman as a manifestation of goddesses representing these three energy forms. This also brings out purity in our thoughts that without these three energy ingredients, we would become inert.

My participation in Navarathri 2020

Sitting in a country 8400 miles away from my place in this pandemic year, I decided to participate in the Navarathiri Celebrations by trying to understand the Sanskrit Compositions that are sung during this period. These compositions are in praise of the Goddesses identified as the principal form (roopa) of that type of energy viz, Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswathi ( for Icha, Kriya, Gnana ).

Starting from October 17 till October 26, there will be a blog a day; through each blog I will try to understand ten Sanskrit compositions and try to express it in my mother tongue. The first three will be on Goddess Durga, followed by Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi and culminating on the tenth day on Goddess Vijyambike, coinciding with Vijayadasami, the day that marks the culmination of the festivities with the idea that the nine night events have helped the good in us scoring victory over the evils that reside in us.

Enjoy the Navarathri celebrations along with me by visiting this blog daily, listen to the wonderful music compositions and help me improve my knowledge by critically commenting on my translation work. Thank you.

Carnatic Musing 9 – Sri Vara Lakshmi – Sri Ragam – Muthuswamy Dikshitar – Varalakshmi Vratam Special

Audio Link

Pl. listen to the divine voice of MS Subbulakshmi in the following link : https://www.dropbox.com/s/x87kv796u8w2b62/Shri%20Varalakshmi-M%20S%20Amma-q1FmCYxR-xw.mp3?dl=0

and as a tribute to MS Amma by Bombay Jayashri here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ojxcucefwuyucik/Sri%20Varalakshmi%20_%20Bombay%20Jayashri%20%28Album_%20Tribute%20to%20M%20S%20Subbulakshmi%20%29-pxS3uCJns5E.mp3?dl=0

Meaning in English

Salutations to Goddess Varalakshmi, the provider of wealth, the one seated on the lotus flower, who is the abode of charm. I will bow to your beautiful feet repeatedly on every step and occasion.

You are the lady love of Sri Vishnu, the father of Manmadha. You as the one with golden splendour is more radiant and glittering than a crore of the Sun. You are easily accessible to your devotees; you protect people who pray to you. Oh, the one adorned with lotus garland, you are the epitome of absoluteness; you reside in the heart of Lord Vishnu.

On the fifth month of the year, the Friday before the full moon, many women led by Charumathi prays you. Devas and Guruguha offer gems studded garland/ornaments to you. You are an expert in saving the devoted downtrodden by showering them with gold. You are skilled in removing illusion from us and you are praised by Goddess Saraswathi. You provide the way for salvation and your hands provide the boon that is desired by the devotees.

Meaning in Tamil

பல்லவி

தனம்தரும் திருமகளே அலர்மேல் மங்கையே

வனப்புமிகு வண்ணத்து உறைவிடமே – உனது

எழில்மிகு பாதம்தனை இடைவிடாது பணிவேனே

அனுபல்லவி

மன்மத ஜனகன் மாயவனின் உயிரினும் உயிரான பொன்மகளே

பக்தர்கள் எளிதெனவே அணுகும் கோடி சூரிய ஒளி அலைமகளே

அடியார்தமை ஆதரவுடன் காக்கும் ஆம்பல் மாலை அணி அலர்மகளே

நிறை பேரறிவுத் தன்மைமிகு ஶ்ரீதேவியே, ஶ்ரீதரனின் திருமார்புறை ….

தனம்தரும்

சரணம்

ஆவணி முழுநிலவுமுன் கிழமை வெள்ளியில் விரதமிருந்து

ஆம்பல்உறை உனை துதிப்பர் சாருமதியும் பெண்டிரும் !

பொன்மணி மாலை சாற்றி போற்றிடுவர் தேவரும் குருகுகனும்

பொன்மாரி பொழிந்து காத்து அடியார்க்கு அருள் புரியும்

மாயை அகற்றும் வித்தகி, நாவுக்கரசி பாமகள் போற்றும்

முக்திக்கு வித்திடும், வேண்டிய வரம்தனைக் கரம் தரும்…தனம்தரும்

Sanskrit Verses

पल्लवि

श्री वर लक्ष्मि नमस्तुभ्यं वसु प्रदे

श्री सारस पदे रस पदे सपदे पदे पदे

अनुपल्लवि

भावज जनक प्राण वल्लभे सुवर्णाभे

भानु कोटि समान प्रभे भक्त सुलभे

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

सेवक जन पालिन्यै श्रित पङ्कज मालिन्यै

केवल गुणशालिन्यै केशव हृत्खेलिन्यै

चरणम्

श्रावण पौर्णमी पूर्वस्थ शुक्रवारे –

चारुमती प्रभृतिभिः पूजिताकारे

देवादि गुरु गुह समर्पित मणि–मय हारे

दीन जन संरक्षण निपुण कनक धारे

(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)

भावना भेद चतुरे भारती सन्नुत वरे

कैवल्य वितरण परे काङ्क्षित फल प्रद करे

English Transliteration

pallavi

SrI vara lakshmi namastubhyaM vasu pradE

SrI sArasa padE rasa padE sapadE padE padE

anupallavi

bhAvaja janaka prANa vallabhE suvarNAbhE

bhAnu kOTi samAna prabhE bhakta sulabhE

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

sEvaka jana pAlinyai Srita pankaja mAlinyai

kEvala guNaSAlinyai kESava hRtkhElinyai

caraNam

SrAvaNa paurNamI pUrvastha SukravArE –

cArumatI prabhRtibhiH pUjitAkArE

dEvAdi guru guha samarpita maNi-maya hArE

dIna jana saMrakshaNa nipuNa kanaka dhArE

(madhyama kAla sAhityam)

bhAvanA bhEda caturE bhAratI sannuta varE

kaivalya vitaraNa parE kAGkshita phala prada karE

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

पल्लवि

श्री वर लक्ष्मि – Sri Varalakshmi

नमः-तुभ्यं – salutations, to you

वसु प्रदे – wealth,giver

श्री सारस पदे – lotus, resides

रस पदे – charm/pleasure,abode

सपदे – स पदॆ, – good/beautiful feet

पदे पदे – पदॆपदॆ – repeatedly, again and again

अनुपल्लवि

भावज – god of love

जनक – father

प्राण – dear as lifev

वल्लभे – lady love

सुवर्ण-आभे – golden, splendor

भानु – sun

कोटि – one crore

समान – equivalent

प्रभे – illumination

भक्त – devotee

सुलभे – easily reachable

सेवक – those who pray

जन – people

पालिन्यै – protector

श्रित – attached to

पङ्कज – lotus

मालिन्यै – garland

केवल – bare/ (absoluteness)

गुण-शालिन्यै – nature/trait, possess

केशव – vishnu

हृत्-खेलिन्यै – heart, sports/reside

चरणम्

श्रावण – fifth month of the year – normally august

पौर्णमी – full moon

पूर्वस्थ – शुक्र-वारे – most excellent, Friday

चारुमती – Charumathi /lovely lady

प्रभृतिभिः – beginning with

पूजिताकारे – prayed,

देव-आदि – devas and others

गुरु गुह – guru guha

समर्पित – offered

मणि-मय हारे – gems studded garland

दीन जन – down trodden

संरक्षण – save/protect

निपुण – expert

कनक धारे – gold, shower

भावना भेद चतुरे – illusion/imaginary, crack (भेदयति), clever/skillful/adept

भारती – Saraswathi (Voice)

सन्नुत वरे – praised, eminent

कैवल्य – salvation

वितरण परे – bestow, intent

काङ्क्षित – desired/wished

फल प्रद करे- fruit of desire, granting, hands

Note: For those of you who are interested to know the background of Varalakshmi vratham (Puja), here is an interesting story from the Puranas:

The Story behind VARALAKSHMI VRATHAM

The story happens in a beautiful town called Kundinagaram located in the Kingdom of Vidarbha (Vidarba Rajyam). In that Kundinagram town, Goddess Adilakshmi, being pleased by her devotion tells Charumathi in a dream and directed her to perform the vrata to enable Her to fulfil her desires. Charumathi wakes up and tells her husband about the dream. Charumathi along with some neighbourhood women takes bath in the wee hours and prepare a mandapam and invites Varalakshmi Devi. She recites the following sloka along with other women with utmost faith and devotion.

Lakshmi Ksheerasamudra rajatanyam sri rangadhameswareem Dasibootha samastha devavanitham lokaika deepamkuram

Sri manmanda kataksha labdhivibhat brahmendra gangadharam Twamtrayamlokyakutumbhineem sasijavandemukunda priyam

Then she wore nine threads Thoranam to right hand and offers naivadyam to Goddess Lakshmi Devi. On the completion of the first circumstance, she heard she found Gajjelu, Andelu and other ornaments. On the second circumstance, they found kankanams made of navaratnams to their hands. On completion of the third circumstance, they found immense wealth. Then Charumathi offers Tambulam to the brahmin priests and distribute the vrata prasadam to the relatives and lead a happy life. Since then, Hindu women perform this vrata with utmost faith and trust till today. With this, Lord Eswara concludes telling the story to Goddess Parvathi.