Tag: Sanskrit

WHO AM I ?

Remember the two vital questions which I missed while I was “role playing” during the Corana Virus! Who am “I”? What do I mean when I use the word “Happy”?

There are numerous ways by which one can explain “happiness” – the state of being happy. I was looking for an apt definition for happiness. Pop! Came the answer from Twitter. Here is the link

Here is my interpretation. Modern psychology brings out the science behind “happiness”. As an “experiencer”, I look at “being happy” in a different perspective. When I am in deep sleep without any application whatsoever of my mind and sense organs, I am in a state unaffected by anything – “It is a Bliss” – indicating how happy I am when I am sleeping without any miseries. That is what I mean by the word “happy”. That kind of happiness is what I want in every second of my life. Am I the only one desiring like that? The lady there in Anand Mahindra’s tweet brings out exactly what is happiness. It depends on oneself (attitude of myself decides what is happiness). So who is myself or who am I?

This question however is a complex one. The self inquiry in the question has one challenge. Am I splitting myself as inner and outer Self? Dr S Radhakrishnan, a great philosopher and the former President of India, says “To divide human being into outer desire and inner quality is to violate the integrity of human life. The two orders of Reality – the transcendental the empirical are closely related”. If I agree with this argument, then, who am I ?

I don’t have an answer ready made. The real answer cannot be provided either by a theory or by dialectic. These alone, as in themselves and without reference to personal experience cannot carry conviction. But I am still in the process of experiencing the answer (otherwise called as my life) and won’t be able to answer till my experiences (life) end.

Luckily, the experiences elucidated by legendary philosophers and thinkers are available for me. Their teachings are presented either as metaphysics or ethics. In the traditional Hindu system this is called “Brahmavidya” and “Yogashastra”. The universally acclaimed classic Indian treatise “Bhagwad Gita” is a combination of both – the science of Reality and the art of Union with Reality.

In India, there are two outstanding treatises, considered equivalent to The Divine Response available for the vital question “Who am I?”. The answer to my question was provided as early as in 8th Century by Adi Shankaracharya. He brought out the “Brahmavidya” to the question “Who am I?” through a hymn in Sanskrit comprising six verses – “Atma Shatakam or Nirvana Shatakam”. The word shatakam means six and the word nirvana means freedom or liberation. It is thus a hymn of six verses on liberation, each of which is like a jewel in the garland of Vedanta. It is also called as atma shatakam or six verses on the nature of the Self. The first three lines in each of the first five verses negate all that is not “I”(Atman), while the last line in each verse strongly affirms what “I”(Atman) is.

In the year 1902, in a town called Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, Bhagwan Shri Ramana Maharishi provided answers to one Sri M. Sivaprakasam Pillai, a graduate in Philosophy, who was at the time employed in the Revenue Department of the South Arcot Collectorate. This was published in 1923. The teachings of Bhagwan Shri Ramana Maharishi is published by SriRamanasramam in Thiruvannamalai as “Who am I”.

My next series of blogs will focus on Adi Shankaracharya’s Nirvana Shatakam/Atma Shatakam.

WHO AM I?

During the last three months, as COVID 19, otherwise known as the Corona Virus, took on the world by its scruff and shook every one of us in the globe. The devastation still continues. Locked down at home, all of us are in the process of understanding ourselves, our work, our relationships, our lifestyles and our future.

Here are a few examples of how I looked at myself. During these three months, sitting on the couch at my son’s Manhattan residence, I went four decades back to my “Masters in Management” days and started “Role Playing”.

In normal times, travel was a physical activity & we needed a transport to travel long distances. Yet I travelled across without the use of aero planes/vehicles to all parts of the world. I went to China, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Cuba, Ecuador, Russia, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, Great Britain and several other countries. I am learning so much about these places, the people there, their food habits, their social behavior, their travel etc that even a citizen of that country would normally won’t bother to know these details during normal times. Thus I became a global citizen simply sitting in a couch and using my iPad!!

I watched political leaders across the world in action with their left, right, socialistic and capitalistic orientations. I became law maker for several countries and started review of the actions and inactions of these leaders. I advised the public through social media as to what went wrong with these guys and what they should have done. I became a consultant to the global leaders!!

I reviewed the science behind the diseases that the world faced/faces/will face. I became an epidemiologist, a health care specialist, a pharmaceutical expert; I thought I understood respiratory systems, became emergency care professional. I literally became the master of life sciences.

I analyzed human behavior, impact of country, culture & religion on human behavior, I tried experimenting with social distancing (remember – human beings are social animals). In short I became sociologist.

I ran restaurants & Bars; I ran public transport, managed hospitals, became insurance administrator; I ran treasuries and stock markets, I specialized in mathematical modeling, (understood lots of curves, peaked them, flattened them). I saw numerous movies & TV Shows, listened to all kinds of music & podcasts, recited slokas/hymns. I did baby sitting, & played with kids. There are practically very little fields that I left uncovered in these testing times.

The only area that I didn’t touch in this period of crisis is about “I“(myself). Who am I ?. ..

All I know about myself is that I am not happy (अहं सर्वदा दुःखभारावसन्नो – I am always sunken with the burden of Sorrows). I want the crisis to be over and I want to be happy.

Absolutely nothing wrong with this feeling. All living beings desire to be happy without any misery. This is human nature. But then who am “I”? What do I mean when I use the word “Happy”?

Read my blogs in the coming weeks in the “Spirituality” Section of the Menu.

Ganesha Pancharathnamala – Verse 5

नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं

अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् ।

हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां

तमेकदन्तमेव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥५॥

Nitaanta-Kaanta-Danta-Kaantim-Antaka-Antaka-[A]atmajam

Acintya-Ruupam-Anta-Hiinam-Antaraaya-Krntanam |

Hrd-Antare Nirantaram Vasantam-Eva Yoginaam

Tam-Eka-Dantam-Eva Tam Vicintayaami Santatam ||5||

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं (Nitaanta-Kaanta-Danta-Kaantim-Antaka-Antaka-Aatmajam): Who is Very Dear to Devotees as Beautiful Ekadanta and Who is the Son of One Who Restrained Yama

नितान्त (Nitaanta) = Extraordinary, Excessive, Considerable, Very Much

कान्त (Kaanta) = Desired, Loved, Dear

दन्त (Danta) = signifying Ekadanta [another name of Sri Ganesha]

कान्ति (Kaanti) = Loveliness, Beauty, Splendour

अन्तक (Antaka) = Yama

अन्तक (Antaka) = Putting an End, Causing Death

आत्मज (Aatmaja) = Born from, a Son, self-originated

अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् (Acintya-Ruupam-Antahiinam-Antaraaya-Krntanam): Whose Form is Inconceivable and without any Limit and which Cuts through the Obstacles [of Devotees]

अचिन्त्य (Acintya) = Inconceivable, Surpassing thought

रूप (Ruupa) = Form, Appearance

अन्त (Anta) = End, Limit, Boundary

हीन (Hiina) = Left, Abandoned, Bereft or Deprived of, Low, Vile

अन्तराय (Antaraaya) = Intervention, Obstacle

कृन्तन (Krntana) = Cutting of, Dividing

हृदन्तरे (Hrd-Antare): Within the Cave of the Heart

हृद् (Hrd) = Heart

अन्तर (Antara) = Interior of anything

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

वसन्तमेव (Vasantam-Eva): Abides in this manner

वस (Vasa) = Dwelling, Residence

एव (Eva) = Exactly so, in this Manner, Indeed, Truly

योगिनां (Yoginaam): Yogis

योगिन् (Yogin) = Yogi, Ascetic, contemplative Saint

तमेकदन्तमेव (Tam-Eka-Dantam-Eva): [I Reflect upon] Him, the Ekadanta

तम् (Tam) = His

एक (Eka) = One

दन्त (Danta) = an Elephant’s Tusk, Ivory

एव (Eva) = Exactly so, in this Manner, Indeed, Truly

विचिन्तयामि (Vicintayaami): I Reflect upon

विचिन्त् (Vicint) = to Think of, Reflect upon, to Perceive, Discern, Observe

सन्ततम् (Santatam): Stretch or Extended along, Woven together, Continuous, Uninterrupted

Meaning of the Verse

5.1: (Salutations to Sri Vinayaka) Whose Beautiful Form of Ekadanta is very much Dear to His Devotees, and Who is the Son of the One (referring to Lord Shiva) Who Put an End to (i.e. restrained) Antaka (i.e. Yama).

5.2: Whose essential Form is Inconceivable and without any Limit, and which Cuts through the Obstacles of His Devotees,

5.3: Who Continually Abides in the Cave of the Heart of the Yogis.

5.4: I Continually Reflect upon Him, the Ekadanta (another name of Sri Vinayaka).

Meaning in Tamil

ஒற்றைத்தந்த அழகுடனே அடியோரின் மன நிறையோனே

காலனவன் அடிபணியும் இறையோனின் முதற்புதல்வோனே

கருதுதற்கியலா வடிவுடனே எல்லையில்லா நிறைவோனே

அடியோரின் இடரதனை அடியோடு களைத்திடுவோனே

ஞானியரின் இதயச்சுரங்கமதில் நிலையாக உறைவோனே

ஒற்றைத்தந்த உருவமதை இடையின்றி நினைத்திடுவேனே

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

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.

Aditya Hridayam Verses 28-31

in the concluding phase of Aditya Hridayam, the impact that the Sun had on a tired and weary Rama is brought out. While these verses might sound “unrealistic” to some of the present time “rational thinking” personnel, the fact that Sun has a refreshing effect on life and rejuvenates millions of living beings into action is undeniable.

Verse 28

एतच्छ्रुत्वा महातेजाः नष्टशोकोऽभवत्तदा ।

धारयामास सुप्रीतो राघवः प्रयतात्मवान् ॥२८॥

– EtacchrutvA mahAtEjA naShTashOkO$bhavattadA

– dhArayAmAsa suprItO rAghava: prayatAtmavAn

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

tadA = then

mahAtEjA = one with tremendous energy

Etat = this

shrutvA = having heard

naShTashOka: = losing grief, cheered up

abhavat = became [Simple Past, la~Ng lakAra:]

suprIta: = pleased, gladdened

prayatAtmavAn = one with a pious-minded, subdued mind

rAghava: = of the Raghu dynasty (“Rama” here)

dhArayAmAsa = held, retained [Past Perfect, lit lakAra:]

Meaning of the Verse

On hearing this advice, Raghava, who is endowed

with extraordinary energy, found his grief dispelled

immediately. Feeling greatly delighted, he, who has a

subdued mind, retained (Aditya Hridayam) in his memory.

Meaning in Tamil

ஆதவனின் புகழ் செவிமடுத்து சோர்வு நீர்ந்து

புதுப்பொலிவு கொண்டான் பேரொளியுடன்

மாவீரன் ராகவன் மனதில் நிறுத்தி மறைதனை

————————————————————

Verse 29

आदित्यं प्रेक्ष्य जप्त्वा तु परं हर्षमवाप्तवान् ।

त्रिराचम्य शुचिर्भूत्वा धनुरादाय वीर्यवान् ॥२९॥

– Adityam prEkshya japtvA tu param harShamavAptavAn

– trirAcamya shucirbhUtvA dhanurAdAya vIryavAn

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

Adityam = Surya (in subject form)

prEkshya = on looking/gazing at

japtvA = having recited

param = high, excellent

harSha: = joy, delight, satisfaction

avAptavAn = received, experienced

tri: = three times

Acamya = having sipped

shuci: = purity; cleansed, hallowed state

bhUtvA = having become

vIryavAn = brave one

dhanu: = bow [from ‘dhanus’]

AdAya = having taken [indeclinable]

Meaning of the Verse

Gazing at Surya, and reciting the hymn, Rama

experienced supreme joy. Purifying himself by

performing “Acamanam” (Sipping water thrice with

the name of the Lord in one’s lips), Rama took up his bow.

Meaning in Tamil

ஒருமையுடன் உதயவனை உற்றுநோக்கி

வெறுமைநீக்கி ஒப்புயர்வற்ற மகிழ்வுடனே

ஆதவனை மனதினில் நிலை நிறுத்தி

அருந்தினான் புனிதநீரதனை மும்முறை

அடைந்திட்டான் ராமன் ஆற்றல்மிகு தன் வளைவில்தனை

——————————————————————-

Verse 30

रावणं प्रेक्ष्य हृष्टात्मा युद्धाय समुपागमत् ।

सर्वयत्नेन महता वधे तस्य धृतोऽभवत् ॥३०॥

– rAvaNam prEkshya hR^iShTAtmA yuddhAya samupAgamat

– sarvayatnEna mahatA vadhE tasya dhR^itO$bhavat

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

hR^iShTAtmA = pleased, glad person [hR^iSh, 4P, harShati, hR^iShTa]

rAvaNam prEkshya = seeing/facing Ravana

yuddha: = battle/combat; yuddhAya = for combat

samupAgamat = approached near, advanced

mahatA = with greatness [mahAn yuddha:; mahatI vEdanA]

yatna: = effort, attempt; yatnEna = with effort

tasya = his (Ravana’s)

vadha: = killing, murder; vadhE = in the slaughter, killing

dhR^ita: = resolved, firm, determined one

abhavat = became [Simple Past]

Meaning of the Verse

Fixing his eyes on Ravana, a delighted Rama advanced for

the combat; He became resolved in Ravana’s killing with an

intense all-out effort.

Meaning in Tamil

முழுமையுடன் போர் புரிந்து உயிர்வதைக்கும் உறுதியுடன்

முன்சென்றான் ராவணணை எதிர் நோக்கி மகிழ்மிகு ராமன்

———————————————————-

Verse 31

अथ रविरवदन्निरीक्ष्य रामं मुदितमनाः परमं प्रहृष्यमाणः ।

निशिचरपतिसंक्षयं विदित्वा सुरगणमध्यगतो वचस्त्वरेति ॥३१॥

– atha raviravadan nirIkshya rAmam

– muditamanA: paramam prahR^iShyamANa:

– nishicarapatisankshayam viditvA

– suragaNamadhyagatO vacastvarEti

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

atha = here; hence begins (to indicate auspiciousness) [indeclinable]

muditamanA: = delighted mind

paramam = highest, chief

prahR^iShyamANa: = delighted one

ravi: = Aditya

nishicarapati: = lord of the night-stalkers (Ravana here)

viditvA = on observing

suragaNa: = the group of Devas

madhyagata: = on going amidst

rAmam nirIkshya = seeing/facing Rama

avadat = said (simple past)

vaca: = speech/word [from vacas; used in subject form here]

tvara = (you) hurry; make haste

iti = as/that [to follow a quote]

Meaning of the Verse

Then, delighted in mind, supremely exhilarated Aditya,

on observing Ravana’s destruction, amidst the assembly

of the Devas, seeing Rama, said “Make Haste”.

Meaning in Tamil

கதிரவன் களிமிகு முழுமனமகிழ்வுடன்

எதிரியின் வதம் எதிர்பார்த்து ராமனிடம்

விரைந்திடுவாய் வீழ்த்திடு ராவணன்தனையென

வின்னவர் புடைசூழ விழைத்திட்டான ஆதவன்

Aditya Hridayam Verses 16-21

Starting from the end of Verse 15, Sage Agasthya brings out the salutory tone (nama:) and continues until the 21st verse, showering the Lord Sun (sUryA) with more positive epithets (அடைமொழி) such as victory (jaya), happiness (Bhadra) etc

Verse 16

नमः पूर्वाय गिरये पश्चिमायाद्रये नमः ।

ज्योतिर्गणानां पतये दिनाधिपतये नमः ॥१६॥

nama: pUrvAya girayE pashcimAyAdrayEnnama:

jyOtirgaNAnAm patayE dinAdipatayE nama:

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

nama: = salutations

pUrva = eastern

giri: = mountain

pashcima = western

adri: = mountain

jyOti: = light

gaNa: = collection, group

jyOtirgaNa: = collection of stellar bodies

pati: = ruler, leader

dina = day

adhipati: = ruler, Lord

Meaning of the Verse

Salutations be to the eastern and western mountains, to

the Lord of the celestial bodies, to the Lord of the day

Meaning in Tamil

காலையில் உதிக்கும் கீழ்மலையே போற்றி

மாலையில் சாயும் மேல்மலையே போற்றி

ஜோதியுள் விண்மண்டல வேந்தனே போற்றி

பகலுக்குத் தலையான பரமனே போற்றி

——————————————————————

Verse 17

जयाय जयभद्राय हर्यश्वाय नमो नमः ।

नमो नमस्सहस्रांशो आदित्याय नमो नमः ॥१७॥

jayAya jayabhadrAya haryashvAya namO nama:

namO nama: sahasrAmsha AdityAya namO nama:

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

jaya: = victory; epithet for sun

bhadra = happy; auspicious

jayabhadra: = happiness from victory

hari = green; greenish-yellow

ashva: = horse

nama: = salutation

sahasra = thousand; large number

amsha: = part, portion [amshu: = ray]

Aditya: = son of Aditi

Meaning of the Verse

Salutations be to the victor (sun), the happiness from

victory, the one with the green horses, the one with a

thousand parts/rays, the son of Aditi.

Meaning in Tamil

வெற்றியின் வடிவே போற்றி

பெற்றிடும் மகிழ்வே போற்றி

பசுமைப்பரி பூணுடையோனே போற்றி

ஆயிரம் கரமுடையோனே போற்றி

வான்அன்னை அதிதியின் மகனே போற்றி

—————————————————————-

Verse 18

नम उग्राय वीराय सारङ्गाय नमो नमः ।

नमः पद्मप्रबोधाय मार्तण्डाय नमो नमः ॥१८॥

nama ugrAya vIrAya sAra.NgAya namOnnama:

nama: padmaprabOdhAya mArtaNDAya namOnnama:

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

nama: = salutations

ugra: = ferocious, powerful; intensely hot;

(also a name of Shiva)

vIra: = powerful one; hero

sAra.Nga: = has ~30 meanings; here, it is “light”;

(primarily used to refer to “spotted deer”)

padmaprabOdha: = awakening of the lotus, stimulating

the expansion, blooming of a lotus

mArtaNDa: = sun

Meaning of the Verse

Salutations be to the fearful, powerful sun, who is

the awakener of the lotus.

Meaning in Tamil

அச்சம்தரும் ஆதவனே போற்றி

அனைத்தும் வெல்லும் அதிவீரனே போற்றி

வண்ண ஒளியோனே போற்றி

ஆம்பல் மலர அருள்புரிவோனே போற்றி

ஆதவ அய்யனே போற்றி போற்றி

———————————————————————-

Verse 19

ब्रह्मेशानाच्युतेशाय सूर्यादित्यवर्चसे ।

भास्वते सर्वभक्षाय रौद्राय वपुषे नमः ॥१९॥

brahmEshAnAcyutEshAya sUryAyAditya varcasE

bhAsvatE sarva bhakshAya rOudrAya vapuShE nama:

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

brahma: = Brahma

IshAna: = Shiva; ruler, lord

acyuta: = Vishnu

Isha: = ruler; Shiva

sUrya: = sun

Aditya: = sun, son of Aditi

varca: = brilliance, vigor, splendor

bhAsvat = luminous, resplendent

sarva = all

bhaksha: = consumer, devourer

rOudra: = like Rudra; worshipper of Rudra; fierce one

vapuSh = body; handsome

Meaning of the Verse

Salutations be to the ruler of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu,

the Sun, the brilliance in Him, the devourer of all, and

the one appearing to take the form of Rudra

Meaning in Tamil

அயனாகி அனந்தனாகி ஆதியோகியாகி

அதிதியின் புதல்வனாகி ஆற்றல் நிறையோனாகி

சுடரொளி வீசீ அனைத்தும் நுகர்வோனாகி

அஞ்சுவரு தோற்றமுடை அழகோனே போற்றி

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Verse 20

तमोघ्नाय हिमघ्नाय शत्रुघ्नायामितात्मने ।

कृतघ्नघ्नाय देवाय ज्योतिषां पतये नमः ॥२०॥

tamOghnAya himaghnAya shatrughnAyAmitAtmanE

kRtaghnahanAya dEvAya jyOtiShAm patayEnnama:

(Also kRtaghnaghnAya…)

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

tama: = darkness

ghna = killing, removing; curing

himam = coldness, frost

shatrughna: = destroyer of enemies

amitAtman = immeasurable form

krutaghna = ungrateful

hana: = destroy

[ghna is also “to destroy”, so “kRtaghna-ghnAya” and

“kRtaghna-hanAya” mean the same]

dEva: = Deva

jyOtis = heavenly body

jyOtiShAm = of heavenly bodies

pati: = ruler, Lord

nama: = salutations

Meaning of the Verse

Salutations be to He who is the dispeller of darkness,

destroyer of cold and enemies, who has an immeasurable

form, is a destroyer of the ingratiates, the Deva who

is the ruler of the heavenly bodies

Meaning in Tamil

காரிருள் கடுங்குளிர் கொடும்பகை ஒழி அளவிலா ஆதவனே

நன்றிக்கேடழி தேவனே விண்ணோர் தலையனே போற்றி

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Verse 21

तप्तचामीकराभाय वह्नये विश्वकर्मणे ।

नमस्तमोऽभिनिघ्नाय रुचये लोकसाक्षिणे ॥२१॥

taptacAmIkarAbhAya harayE vahnaye vishva karmaNE

namastamO$bhinighnAya rucayE lOkasAkshiNE

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

tapta = heated, burnt; melting

cAmIkaram = gold

AbhAs = lustre, splendor

taptacAmIkarAbha: = one with lustre of refined gold

vahnaye – fire

hari: = captivating; Vishnu; destroying

vishva karmaN = creator of the universe

nama: = salutations

tama: = darkness

abhinighna: = destroyer

ruci: = light, brightness; taste; appearance

lOka = world; cosmos

sAkshin = witness

Meaning of the Verse

Salutations be to He who shines like molten gold, who is

captivating and the architect of the universe, who removes

darkness, is the essense of lustre and is the cosmic witness

Meaning in Tamil

உருக்கிய பொன்மிளிர் ஒளியோனே

உன்னழலால் இவ்வுலகம் வடிப்போனே

உலகிருள் களைவோனே அழகொளிக்கதிரோனே – இவ்

இயலுலக வாழ்வின் சான்றுரையோனே போற்றி

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