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Sivananda Lahari & Dakshinamurthy Stothram

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Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 3 – Introduction

Guruvayurappan

The greatness of The Supreme Reality-The Brahma Tatwa is of the nature of the Pure Consciousness, is without parallel or comparison, is totally free of time and space limitations, and is always free of Maya. This was brought out in Daskam 1. That Brahma Tatwa which is not easy to grasp in the beginning, but the realisation of which, is the highest purusharth (i.e. liberation), that very Reality shines right in front in concrete form in the Guruvaayur temple as Lord Krishna. Through this first Daskam, the transcendent and immanent (Nirguna and Saguna) nature of the Brahman is brought out.

The reality of the Brahman is not a question to be solved by dialectic which the vast majority of the human race will be unable to understand. Dialectic in itself and without reference to personal experience cannot give us conviction. Only spiritual experiences can provide us with proof. Narayana Bhattathri has brought out his spiritual experience at the Guruvayur Temple for the benefit of ordinary humans like us. In Dasakam 2, the sweetness of the form and the devotion to that form was brought out clearly.

Now in Daskam 3, Bhattathri brings out his personal health issues and earnestly appeals to the Lord to help him. In that process he amplifies the various aspects of Bhakti and the significant gains that devotees acquire through Bhakti Marga.

We will commence our study of the Slokas. Each Sloka will be covered in a blog.

The first Sloka of Dasakam 3 will appear on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day of 13th January 2022.

The subsequent blogs will appear on every Ekadasi day at 0400 Hrs (IST) and will contain a link to the Chanting Audio .

Each blog will cover the Sloka, transliterations in English and Tamil and the meaning of the Sloka in English and Tamil.

An important message here: Except for the translation in Tamil which is an expression of my limited understanding of the Sloka, everything else is what is available in the public domain.

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 10

Preamble

Having brought out the distinct advantages of Bhakti Yoga in the previous Slokas, Bhattathri concludes this Dasakam with a fervent prayer to Lord Guruvayurappan in Sloka 10.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xzjy6aktmvhbodb/Verse%202.10.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

त्वद्भक्तिस्तु कथारसामृतझरीनिर्मज्जनेन स्वयं

सिद्ध्यन्ती विमलप्रबोधपदवीमक्लेशतस्तन्वती ।

सद्यस्सिद्धिकरी जयत्ययि विभो सैवास्तु मे त्वत्पद-

प्रेमप्रौढिरसार्द्रता द्रुततरं वातालयाधीश्वर ॥१०॥

English Transliteration

tvadbhaktistu kathaarasaamR^itajhariinirmajjanena svayaM

siddhyantii vimalaprabOdhapadaviimakleshatastanvatii |

sadyassiddhikarii jayatyayi vibhO saivaastu me tvatpadapremaprauDhirasaardrataadrutataraM vaataalayaadhiishvara

Tamil Transliteration

த்வத்₃ப₄க்திஸ்து கதா₂ரஸாம்ருதஜ₂ரீநிர்மஜ்ஜநேந ஸ்வயம்

ஸித்₃த்₄யந்தீ விமலப்ரபோ₃த₄பத₃வீமக்லேஶதஸ்தந்வதீ |

ஸத்₃யஸ்ஸித்₃தி₄கரீ ஜயத்யயி விபோ₄ ஸைவாஸ்து மே த்வத்பத₃-

ப்ரேமப்ரௌடி₄ரஸார்த்₃ரதா த்₃ருததரம் வாதாலயாதீ₄ஶ்வர || 10||

Meaning in Tamil

உன் சரிதமெனும் அமுத வெள்ளப் பேரின்பமதில் மூழ்கி யாம்

உளம் திளைத்தால் எளிதினில் அடைய வல்லது பக்தி நிலை

உடனடி கிட்டிடுமே மேலான மாசிலாப் பேரின்ப ஞான நிலை

அளவிலா பற்றுடன் அடியேன் உன் திருவடி போற்றி

உளமுருகி புளகிதம் பெற அருளிடுவாய் விரைவினிலே

உலகாளோனே அந்நிலை எனக்கு குருவாயூரப்பனே 2.10

Meaning in English

O all pervading Lord! Devotion to Thee is easily attainable just by submerging oneself in the nectarine flood of Thy stories. This can be done without much effort and it instantly leads to pure Knowledge – Bliss. O Lord of Guruvaayur! May I soon experience that state of melting of the heart in intense love for Thy lotus feet.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

त्वद्भक्तिः तु = त्वत्-भक्तिः तु = devotion to Thee, indeed

कथारसामृतझरीनिर्मज्जनेन = कथायाः + रसः + अमृतम् + झरी = कथारस-अमृतझरी = in the flow of nectar showering from Thy stories

निमज्जनम् = by submerging in its bliss =

स्वयम् सिद्ध्यन्ती = is self attainable, directly

विमलप्रबोधपदवीम् = विमल-प्रबोध-पदवीम् = the state of pure knowledge and enlightenment

अक्लेशतः = (नक्लेशः = अक्लेशः) = without any effort

तन्वती = bestows (because it gives)

सद्यः सिद्धिकरी = instant achievement

जयति = (and) is superior (to the other two paths)

अयि विभो = O Thou Universal Lord!

सा एव अस्तु मे = may I have that (Bhakti)

त्वत्पदप्रेमप्रौढिरसार्द्रता = त्वत्-पद-प्रेम-प्रौढि-रस-आर्द्रता = the state of melting of the heart from the bliss of intense love for Thy feet

द्रुततरम् = very soon

वातालयाधीश्वर = O Lord of Guruvaayur!

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 9

Pencil Sketch by my niece

Preamble

There are six important Slokas (Slokas 9-14) of Isavasya Upanishad that clearly bring out the limitations of following the paths of Karma, Upasana and Gnana in isolation, in our spiritual journey. A seamless integrated approach is what is recommended for ordinary mortals like us in our journey. I get a feeling that Bhattathri echoes this philosophy in Sloka 9. Let us study this Sloka.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/67ztrum4updugn9/Verse%202.9.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

अत्यायासकराणि कर्मपटलान्याचर्य निर्यन्मला

बोधे भक्तिपथेऽथवाऽप्युचिततामायान्ति किं तावता

क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे परं तव वपुर्ब्रह्माख्यमन्ये पुन

श्चित्तार्द्रत्वमृते विचिन्त्य बहुभिस्सिद्ध्यन्ति जन्मान्तरैः॥९॥

English Transliteration

atyaayaasakaraaNi karmapaTalaanyaacharya niryanmalaaH

bOdhe bhaktipathe(a)thavaa(a)pyuchitataamaayaanti kiM taavataa |

kliShTvaa tarkapathe paraM tava vapurbrahmaakhyamanye punashchittaardratvamR^

ite vichintya bahubhissiddhyanti janmaantaraiH ||

Tamil Transliteration

அத்யாயாஸகராணி கர்மபடலாந்யாசர்ய நிர்யந்மலா

போ₃தே₄ ப₄க்திபதே₂(அ)த₂வா(அ)ப்யுசிததாமாயாந்தி கிம் தாவதா |

க்லிஷ்ட்வா தர்கபதே₂ பரம் தவ வபுர்ப்₃ரஹ்மாக்₂யமந்யே புந-

ஶ்சித்தார்த்₃ரத்வம்ருதே விசிந்த்ய ப₃ஹுபி₄ஸ்ஸித்₃த்₄யந்தி ஜந்மாந்தரை: || 9||

Meaning in Tamil

முழுமுயல்வும் மிகு சிரமமும் ஏற்று கர்மயோகம்தனைப் புரிந்து

மும்மலமகற்றி ஞான பக்தி யோகம் புரிய தகுதி பெறுவர் சிலர்.

இத்துனை முயன்றினும் அவர்தம் பெற்றிடும் பயன்தான் என்ன !

உளஅழுத்தமிகு தருக்கம் பல புரிந்து பிரமமெனும் பரம்பொருளை

உணர உழையும் பலர்; எனினும் உளமுருகி உனைப்பாடா அவர்

பல பிறவி எடுத்து அல்லல் எனும் மாசு அறுத்தடைவர் உனையே !

2.9

Meaning in English

O Lord! Some people follow the path of Karma Yoga,and perform the various disciplines for long and attain mental purity. This only entitles them to become fit for the practice of Gyaana or Bhakti yoga. Some others strive hard pondering over the attributeless Supreme Brahman, based on logic and reason. They, without melting their hearts in love for Thee, take a long time to reach their goal of perfection.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

अत्यायासकराणि = अति-आयास-कराणि = great + effort + to be done = demanding great effort –

कर्मपटलानि = कर्मणाम् पटलम् कर्मपटलम् = Karma + portion/piece/section/chapter = the disciplines of Karma (yoga) = கர்மயோக

आचर्य = to be approached = by performing = புரிந்து

निर्यन्मलाः = निर्यन्तः + मलाः = set free + impurity = become purified (in mind) = மலமகற்றி

बोधे = awakening/knowledge = (required) for following the path of Gyaana (yoga) = ஞானோதயம்

भक्तिपथे अथवा अपि = भक्ते: + पथम् + अथवा + अपि  = devotee + path + rather/and + also = and also for the path of Bhakti (yoga) = பக்தி மாரக்கமதிலும்

उचितताम् आयान्ति = उचितताम् + आयान्ति = fitness + gain = (one) gains fitness – தகுதி பெற்று

किम् तावता = किं + तावता = why + to that extent = what is the use (after spending so much effort) = இத்துனை முயற்சியின் பலன் என்ன

क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे = क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे = क्लिष्ट्वा + (तर्कस्य पथम् ) तर्कपथम् = distress/strain + logical reasoning + path = of straining in the path of logical reasoning (Gyaana yoga) = மிகை முயல் தருக்க விளை ஞான யோகம்

परम् तव वपुः ब्रह्माख्यम् = परं + तव + वपु: + ब्रह्म + आख्यम्- = Supreme + You + body + Brahman + name/known = (because) Thy unmanifested aspect known as Supreme Brahman = பிரமனெனும் பரம் பொருள்

अन्ये पुनः = others, however மற்றோர் எனினும்

चित्तार्द्रत्वम् ऋते = चित्त + आर्द्रत्वम् + ऋते = mind/heart + wet/moist/ + without = without melting of the heart (in love) – உளம் உருகி

विचिन्त्य = pondering over (trying to fathom)= தீர எண்ணி

बहुभिः = (take) a lot of (time) – வெகு நேரம்

सिद्ध्यन्ति = मनसः आर्द्रता = accomplishing = attain அடைவர்

जन्मान्तरैः = जन्मन: + अन्तर: = life + another = अनेकजन्मभिः = after many lives – பல பிறவி எடுத்த பின்

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Sloka 8

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8z35twv6eldlvvd/Verse%202.8.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

निष्कामं नियतस्वधर्मचरणं यत् कर्मयोगाभिधं

तद्दूरेत्यफलं यदौपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यं पुनः ।

तत्त्वव्यक्ततया सुदुर्गमतरं चित्तस्य तस्माद्विभो

त्वत्प्रेमात्मकभक्तिरेव सततं स्वादीयसी श्रेयसी ॥८॥

English Transliteration

niShkaamaM niyatasvadharmacharaNaM yat karmayOgaabhidhaM

tadduuretyaphalaM yadaupaniShadaj~naanOpalabhyaM punaH |

tattvavyaktatayaa sudurgamataraM chittasya tasmaadvibhO

tvatpremaatmakabhaktireva satataM svaadiiyasii shreyasii 8

Tamil Transliteration

நிஷ்காமம் நியதஸ்வத₄ர்மசரணம் யத் கர்மயோகா₃பி₄த₄ம்

தத்₃தூ₃ரேத்யப₂லம் யதௌ₃பநிஷத₃ஜ்ஞாநோபலப்₄யம் புந: |

தத்த்வவ்யக்ததயா ஸுது₃ர்க₃மதரம் சித்தஸ்ய தஸ்மாத்₃விபோ₄

த்வத்ப்ரேமாத்மகப₄க்திரேவ ஸததம் ஸ்வாதீ₃யஸீ ஶ்ரேயஸீ || 8||

Meaning in Tamil

பற்றிலா புரி வரைபணியெனும் கர்மயோகம்

பலனளிக்க காலம் வெகு கடந்திடும்

உபநிடதச்சாறெனும் பரம்பொருள் கண்டறியும் ஞானயோகம்

முதிர்வடையா மூலபாடமதனால், முனைய மனம் கானும் கடினம்

காதலாகி உளமுருகி உனைத் துதிக்கும் பக்தியோகம்

அளவிலா இனிமையுடன் என்றும் பேரின்பம் உலகோனே 2.8

Meaning in English

While Karma yoga consisting of all actions without desire for results,

Would yield results only after a very long time and while Jnana Yoga,

ஸWhich is available in the concepts enunciated in the Upanishads,

Is extremely difficult to follow, due to its being not in the grip of various sensory organs,

Oh Lord, the devotion to you based on love to you is very sweet and satisfying. 2.8

காதலாகிக் கசிந்து கண்ணீர் மல்கி
ஓதுவார் தமை நன்நெறிக்கு உய்ப்பது
வேதம் நான்கினும் மெய்ப்பொருளாவது
நாதன் நாமம் நமச்சிவாயவே.

என்ற திருஞானசம்பந்தரின் திருப்பதிகம் என் நினைவிற்கு வருகிறது.

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

निष्कामम् – desire less, without self desire

नियतस्वधर्मचरणम् – नियतः + स्वधर्मः (स्वस्य ध) + चरणम् = assigned/laid down + one’s own duty + practice/follow = performance of one’s duties

यत् कर्मयोगाभिधम्  = यत् + कर्मयोगः + इति + अभिधम् = that + karma yoga + which is + named = that which is called Karma yoga – கர்மயோகம்

तत् दूरेत्यफलम् = तत् + दूरात्एत्यम् + फलं = that + distant + fruitful = that becomes fruitful only in a distant future

यत् औपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यम् पुनः = यत् + औपनिषदः + उपलभ्यम् + ज्ञानं + पुनः = (Note – औपनिषदोपलभ्यं च तत् ज्ञानं च = औपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यम्) = that which + the fruit of the Upanishad which is Brahman + knowledge + again = (again) that which consists in attaining knowledge of Brahman as described in the Upanishads

तत् तु अव्यक्ततया = तत् + तु + न व्यक्तता = अव्यक्त = that + indeed + not evolved = तत्-तु-अव्यक्ततया = that indeed being abstract

सुदुर्गमतरम् चित्तस्य = सुदुर्गमतरम् + चित्तस्य = very difficult to cross + for the mind = is very difficult for the mind to pursue

तस्मात् विभो = hence, O All pervading Lord

त्वत्प्रेमात्मकभक्तिः एव = त्वत्प्रेम (त्वयि प्रेम ) + आत्मा + भक्तिः + एव = Love for you + soul + devotion + only = the Bhakti yoga which consists only in love for Thee

सततम् = is always

स्वादीयसी = अतिमधुरा = the sweetest

श्रेयसी = most beneficial

Dakshinamuthy Stothram – Sloka 10 – The Gains – தோத்திர பலன்

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vc32217p3kznqt0/Sloka%2010%20-%20Sarvaatmatvam%20Iti%20Sphutti.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Sloka

सर्वात्मत्वमिति स्फुटीकृतमिदं यस्मादमुष्मिन् स्तवे
तेनास्य श्रवणात्तदर्थमननाद्ध्यानाच्च संकीर्तनात् ।
सर्वात्मत्वमहाविभूतिसहितं स्यादीश्वरत्वं स्वतः
सिद्ध्येत्तत्पुनरष्टधा परिणतं चैश्वर्यमव्याहतम् ॥१०॥

Meaning in Tamil

அருட் பெரும் ஜோதியாம் பரம்பொருளே ஆன்மா எனும் அறிவு பூட்டும்

கருவூலமாம் சங்கரனின் இத்தோத்திரம்தனை செவிமடுத்து சிந்தித்து

தியானித்து புகழ்பாடினால் இறையருளின் இருநான்கு வடிவதனின்

நிலையறிந்து மோனஆசானின் அருளுடனே நாலிரு சித்தி பெற்று

பிறவிப் பெருங்கடல் தாண்டி ஈடேறி வீடுபேறு பெற்றிடலாம்

Meaning in English:

Since the Divine Essence in all is made clear in this hymn, hence by listening to it, contemplating on its meaning, meditating on it, and glorifying it, one becomes endowed with the greatness of the knowledge of the Divine Essence ( present in all ); perhaps the Divine Essence by Itself will awaken within him after that again, the eightfold manifestations of Divine powers (Siddhis) unimpeded.

Understanding the Sloka:

Extracted from Swami Paramarthananda’s lectures

iti idam sarvātvamiti spūṭikritam. – In this manner, in nine verses, the sarvātva bhāva which is the essence of all the Upanishads has been taught by me. Adi Śankarācārya says in this manner, in 9 verses, I have taught or condensed the essence of all the upanishads; the essence of prastāna trayam I have given and What is the essence? sarvātmatvam. And what do you mean by sarvātmatvam, sarvam ātma eva. Everything in the creation is ātma alone; other than ātma there is nothing. The so-called anātma is also mithya, which has the content of ātma alone; Just as the so-called ornaments also are not separate substances, they are also nothing but gold with different names. Similarly, the so-called anātma prapancha also is also ātma only, with a different name; Names are different, but the substance is only ātma. And this is called sarvātmatvam, sarvam ātma iti bhavaha, sarvātmatvam. If you want to put in our own language, जीवात्म परमात्म ऐक्र्म् jīvātma paramātma aikyam,; we can also say brahma satya jagat mityā, jīvo brahmaiva na parāḥ. This vedantic essence has been taught by me; Śankarā says:

Where did I teach it? अमुक्षष्मन् स्तवे amuṣmin stave, in this sthoram called dakṣiṇāmūrti Sthothram; here he did not use the word ashtake; because two more added, therefore no more Ashtakam, instead of using the word ashtakam, he uses the word sthavam; Sthavam is the same as sthoram; sthoram means a hymn or praise of the Lord.

In this dakṣiṇāmūrti sthoram, that has been taught and therefore, study of dakṣiṇāmūrti sthoram is equal to the study of the प्रस्तान त्रर्म् prastāna trayam; because the content of dakṣiṇāmūrti sthothram is the same as the content of the prastāna trayam; means upanishads, geetha and brahma sutram. In all the upanishads, Geetha and brahma sutra, whatever has been taught; that is given in capsule form

“Thena”, therefore since dakṣiṇāmūrti sthoram is equal to प्रस्तान त्रर्म् prastāna trayam; अस्र् श्रवणा asya śravaṇā, a person, a seeker of moksha, should do the śravaṇam of this work. (Systematic and consistent study of this work for a length of time under the guidance of a competent teacher). So śrava ṇat; and not only śravaṇam, tat artha mananāt, one should also do the mananam, to find out whether there are any doubts in accepting this teaching. And what is this teaching? There is nothing other than me; the ātma; सवात्य मत्वम sarvātmatvam that means, I alone am in the form of everything; I am all.

And then dhyānāt; and later this has to be assimilated, so that it becomes my second nature; So śravaṇa manana nididhyāsana sādanāni. And then सङ्कीतयनात् saṅkīrtanāt. The word saṅkīrtanāt is given two meanings; for those people who are not fit for śravaṇa manana nididhyāsanam; because they do not have साधना चतुष्टर् संपवत्त sādhanā catuṣṭaya saṃpatti and therefore everything goes above their head, for those unprepared people; the word संकीतयनम saṃkīrtanam means by mere पारार्णम् pārāyaṇam itself they will gradually grow. They need not know the meaning. Let them daily chant this dakṣiṇāmūrti sthothram; that itself will give them sadhana catuṣṭaya saṃpatti; later opportunity for śravaṇam, manana nididhyāsanam. This sthotra will make you climb all those steps. Therefore even pārāyaṇam is a form of sādhana.

On the other hand, if a person is a qualified person and therefore, he has gone through śravaṇa manana nididhyāsanam; for those people, what is the next sādhana? If you call it sādhana, saṃkīrtanam, means after I assimilate this wisdom, I communicate this to others. Communication or sharing is another form of nididhyāsanam. It is a very beautiful form of nididhyāsanam.

And thus by following all these sādhanas, he will get the result; What is the result; सवात्य मत्वमहाववभूशत स्र्ात ् sarvātmatvamahāvibhūti syāt, he will attain the greatest glory, called sarvātmatvam, sarvātmatvam means the wisdom that I am everything. There is no second thing to frighten me; to harass; to torture me; to hurt me, to limit me, to isolate me, there is no second thing at all; this wisdom and this non-dual status is called sarvātmatvam, which is mahāvibhūti, which is the greatest glory called kaivalyam; Non-dual state.

And not only that. Look at the fourth line, aṣṭadāpariṇadam aiśvaryam ca; aṣṭadāpariṇadam aiśvaryam means aṣṭamūrti dakṣiṇāmūrti aikyam. aṣṭadāpariṇadam means eight-fold; ऐश्वर्मय् aiśvaryam is ईश्वरत्वम् īśvaratvam, which means the dakṣiṇāmūrti भावः bhāvaḥ. So, I will attain this status of ashta Moorthy dakṣiṇāmūrti . That means vishvaroopa dakṣiṇāmūrti aikyam;

This equanity is called svamitvam. And this mokṣaḥ is also svastāha, it has come from outside, it is only discovery of the very nature. svastāha means natural freedom; he claims. This is called jīvanmukti which will lead to videhamukti; which is the फलम् phalam.

Narayaneeyam – Dasakam 2 – Slokam 7 – Bhakti Yoga

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/isk0vxwvmawjauk/Verse%202.7.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

एवम्भूततया हि भक्त्यभिहितो योगस्स योगद्वयात्

कर्मज्ञानमयाद् भृशोत्तमतरो योगीश्वरैर्गीयते

सौन्दर्यैकरसात्मके त्वयि खलु प्रेमप्रकर्षात्मिका

भक्तिर्निःश्रममेव विश्वपुरुषैर्लभ्या रमावल्लभ ॥७॥

English Transliteration

evambhuutatayaa hi bhaktyabhihitO yOgassa yOgadvayaat

karmaj~naanamayaat bhR^ishOttamatarO yOgiishvarairgiiyate |

saundaryaikarasaatmake tvayi khalu premaprakarShaatmikaa

bhaktirnishramameva vishvapuruShairlabhyaa ramaavallabha || 7

Tamil Transliteration

ஏவம் பூ₄ததயா ஹி ப₄க்த்யபி₄ஹிதோ யோக₃ஸ்ஸ யோக₃த்₃வயாத்

கர்மஜ்ஞாநமயாத் ப்₄ருஶோத்தமதரோ யோகீ₃ஶ்வரைர்கீ₃யதே |

ஸௌந்த₃ர்யைகரஸாத்மகே த்வயி க₂லு ப்ரேமப்ரகர்ஷாத்மிகா

ப₄க்திர்நிஶ்ரமமேவ விஶ்வபுருஷைர்லப்₄யா ரமாவல்லப₄ || 7||

Meaning in Tamil

உனை அடையும் கர்ம ஞான வழி இரண்டிற்கும் மேல் உயர்வு

எனப் பெருமுனியோர் புகழாரம் பாடினரே பக்தி வழிதனை !

முனைவுடன் உளமுருகி உன்னெழில் வடிவு விளை பக்திவழி

அனைவரும் சிரமமின்றிச் சென்றிட அமைந்ததே ஶ்ரீபதியே! 2.7

Meaning in English

Due to this only the great god like sages have chosen the path of devotion*,

Over the two paths called path of action** and path of realization based on enquiry***,

And have sung and praised it as the most suitable path,

And so oh God who is very dear to the Goddess Lakshmi,

This path based on the devotion based concept of your prettiness,

Is very easily available for use to all persons of this world. 2.7

*Bhakti yoga **Karma yoga ***Jnana Yoga

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

एवम्भूततया हि = एवं + भूततया + हि – because of these + reality/truth + only ( it is be because of these reasons only)

भक्त्यभिहितः योगः सः = भक्ति + अभिहितः + योग: + सः – devotion + called as/known as+ yoga + that = that the yoga known as Bhakti (devotion), that

योगद्वयात् कर्मज्ञानमयात् – योगद्वयात् कर्म-ज्ञानमयात् – (in comparison to) the two yogas of Karma and Gyaana

भृशोत्तमतरः = भृशः च सः उत्तमतरः च = भृशोत्तमतरः = very much/indeed + that + is + superior = अत्युत्तमः – is indeed superior

योगीश्वरैः गीयते = योगीश्वरैः गीयते – so has been extolled by great sages

सौन्दर्यैकरसात्मके त्वयि खलु = सौन्दर्यम् + एकः + रस : + आत्मा = सौन्दर्यैक-रस-आत्मके त्वयि खलु = indeed in Thee, who are pure beauty incarnate

प्रेमप्रकर्षात्मिका भक्तिः = प्रेम्णः + प्रकर्षः + आत्मिका + भक्तिः – = love + intense + soul + devotion = devotion which emanates from intense love

नि:श्रमम् एव = no effort at all = effortlessly

विश्वपुरुषैः  = विश्वः च सः पुरुषः = by all human beings

लभ्या – is attainable

रमावल्लभ् = रमायाः वल्लभः = O Consort of 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

Dakshinamurthy Stothram- Sloka 9 – Introduction – The concept of Viswa Rupa.

Preamble- The journey so far:

For all of us, Life is nothing but the time spent between the maternity ward and crematorium on the “surface of a tiny rock-ball, rotating around a spherical fire in a tiny galaxy in an ever expanding galaxies ” loosely called as Earth, world, visvam, jagat etc. Tamil poet Kannadasan called the life as the time between between the drop of a water (semen) and the spark of fire lit. ஒரு துளி நீரில் ஜனனம் ஒரு துளி நெருப்பில் மரணம். இதனிடையில் தான் நம் வாழ்க்கையெனும் பயணம்.

In this “real” (or unreal?) world, all of us (none excluded) have one single goal – mitigating our pains and enhancing our pleasures. துன்பத்தைப் போக்கி இன்பத்தை அடைவதே நம் வாழ்வின் குறிக்கோள். Towards this we all carry out nonstop transactions within ourselves, with the world and of course with the “God” – the Unknown.

From a Vedantic perspective, life can be also stated as the journey. When we say “journey” we are not talking about a point to point or time to time journey. We are talking about a journey which is beyond the domain of time and space; beyond our sense and action organs. We are talking about a journey from avidya to vidya; from ignorance to enlightenment; a journey to understand the intricate relationships between the puzzling trio of Ishvara, Jiva and Jagat. Understanding this relationship called Isvara Jnana by the Seeker is the ultimate goal.

The first eight Slokas of Dakshinamurthy Stothram (some call it as Dakshinamurthy Ashtakam) provided us with the essence of this Vedantic perspective. It presented to us, the Vidya viz., knowledge of Atman, which is Pure Awareness, Changeless and unborn Ultimate Reality. We tried to understand that Vidya, the “atma jnanam” (Know Thyself) is an individual’s experiential learning about “atma isvara aikyam” under the able guidance of a Guru. All wisdom is born of spirit of self-enquiry. It dispels the non-understanding and the undivided intelligence shines in its own light. The wisdom has to arrive directly on the individual, no transmitted knowledge can be sufficient for the real enlightenment. Self is self-luminous. When consciousness becomes aware of itself, there manifests the Intelligence itself. That awareness is Vidya. Adi Sankara with the help of examples highlighted the purpose of our life.

The concept of Viswa Rupa:

Our culture is deep rooted in the spiritual ethos of each individual working towards his own ultimate liberation as a fundamental goal of life. This is the unique gift of Vedic philosophy to the world of spirituality. Ordinary mortals like us find it impossible to acquire this Vidya in our cycles of life (birth and death).

Our Vedic Rishis realised our plight and the fact that Brahman as creator or Supreme Consciousness is too abstract to follow and understand. Since everything in nature is God’s creation, so they simply connected the people with Brahman through an icon of personal choice of Ishta Deva as long as it remains only a symbolic representation of the Ultimate Reality; making it possible for all diversities to represent that single transcendental Reality.

This connection/attachment to the Ishta Deva turned into devotion and worship. A farmer may worship the plough, a fisherman his boat, people whatever god and goddesses they propitiate for their aspect of life related to them. God is there and so the happiness of life can be attained by His grace. The medium is not important, our spirit of surrender to Him and dedicated work for a noble cause is the way out to realise Him in the blissful heart.

Next, from the single idol of God (eka rupa), the rishis had to find ways to migrate us to the state of understanding Brahman, i.e., from an Idol to a formless, omnipresent eternal Ultimate Reality. This means that the focus of our actions should shift from “Eka Rupa” to “arupa”; from “saguna” to “nirguna”. For this purpose, the Rishis introduced an intermediate level, an “aneka rupa” called “Visva Rupa” as we progressed towards our goal. Based on the spiritual progress made, the Seeker is introduced to a form which encapsulates all that is perceivable in this universe and beyond.

The challenge next is how do you list out all that is perceivable. Vedic Philosophy found an answer for this question by identifying the principles (“tattva”) by which one could perceive. Different philosophies within our culture identified different number of “tattva”. For example, the Saivites identified 36 “tattvas”. (https://www.saivism.net/articles/tattvas.asp). இதனையே திருமூலரின் திருமந்திரத்திலும் காணலாம்.

முப்பதும் ஆறும் படிமுத்தி ஏணியாய்
ஒப்பிலா ஆனந்தத்து உள்ளொளி புக்கு
செப்ப அரிய சிவம்கண்டு, தான் தெளிந்து
அப்பரிசாக அமர்ந்திருந்தாரே.

திருமந்திரம்

முப்பத்தாறு தத்துவங்களையே முக்தியை அடைவிக்கும் சிறந்த ஏணியின் பல படிகளாக அமைத்துக் கொண்டு, ஒப்பில்லாத சிவானந்தத்தைத் தரும் ஒளியில் புகுந்து, சொல்வதற்கு அரிய சிவபெருமானைத் தரிசித்தவர்கள் அந்த சிவத் தன்மையை அடைந்து சிவமாகத் திகழ்வார்கள்.

The Rishis then presented the Visva Rupa of Brahman as a seamless integration of principles or tattvas on the “eka rupa” bringing out the “aneka rupa” of Brahman. If one studies the description of the Visva Rupa of Vishnu, Siva and Devi, one can understand that essentially they all are descriptions of the same tattvas, thus reinforcing the Advaita nature of the Brahman.

Adi Sankaracarya in Sloka 9 picks up representative samples from these tattvas and integrates it with Lord Siva, the Dakshinamurthy and presents to us for our understanding.

We will study this in our next blog.

Narayaneeyam – Daskam 2 – Sloka 5

Bhattathri continues his pun on Goddess Lakshmi by citing another reason for the “unstable” nature of Her when it comes to Her short stay at Her devotees’ place.

Audio Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j712bi2u5d01peu/Verse%202.5.mp3?dl=0

Sanskrit Verse

लक्ष्मीस्तावकरामणीयकहृतैवेयं परेष्वस्थिरेत्यस्मिन्नन्यदपि प्रमाणमधुना वक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मीपते ।

ये त्वद्ध्यानगुणानुकीर्तनरसासक्ता हि भक्ता जनास्तेष्वेषा वसति स्थिरैव दयितप्रस्तावदत्तादरा ॥५॥

English Transliteration

lakshmiistaavaka-raamaNiiyaka-hR^itaiveyaM pareShvasthiretyasminnanyadapi

pramaaNamadhunaa vakshyaami lakshmiipate |

ye tvaddhyaanaguNaanukiirtanarasaasaktaa hi bhaktaa janaasteShveShaa

vasati sthiraiva dayitaprastaavadattaadaraa ||

Tamil Transliteration

லக்ஷ்மீஸ்தாவகராமணீயகஹ்ருதைவேயம் பரேஷ்வஸ்தி₂ரே-

த்யஸ்மிந்நந்யத₃பி ப்ரமாணமது₄நா வக்ஷ்யாமி லக்ஷ்மீபதே |

யே த்வத்₃த்₄யாநகு₃ணாநுகீர்தநரஸாஸக்தா ஹி ப₄க்தா ஜநா-

ஸ்தேஷ்வேஷா வஸதி ஸ்தி₂ரைவ த₃யிதப்ரஸ்தாவத₃த்தாத₃ரா || 5||

Meaning in Tamil

உரைத்திடுவேன் இன்னுமொரு ஆதாரம்

உலகோரிடம் திருமகள் நிலையாததற்கு!

உன்னெழில் வயப்பட்டு எந்நேரமும் தன்

உயிர் நாதனின் நாமமுடன் புகழ் கேட்டு மகிழ,

உனை நாவார நாளும் பாடி துதித்து உருகிடும்

உன்னடியார் உள்ளம்தனில் உறுதியாக

உறைந்ததனாலன்றோ திருமகள்கொழுநனே !

Meaning in English

Oh Consort of Goddess Lakshmi, I will tell another reason to say,

That Goddess Lakshmi does not stay long with others,

That is because of her attractiveness to your pretty form,

For in the case of devotees of yours who are busy in meditating,

And singing about you, she is interested in hearing about,

The news of her darling and never leaves but stays with them. 2.5

Meaning of the Sanskrit Words

लक्ष्मीः – Oh Goddess Lakshmi

तावकरामणीयकहृता एव इयम् – तावक-रामणीयक हृता एव = your, beauty, fascinated/captivated, only, she = being thus captivated by Thy beauty only,

इयं परेषु अस्थिरा इति – she, is (committed to be in that position), unstable, in this manner/thus = परेषु अस्थिरा इति = she is unstable with others

अस्मिन् – in this respect

अन्यत् अपि प्रमाणम् – another proof also

अधुना – now/at present

वक्ष्यामि – I will state

लक्ष्मीपते – Oh consort of Goddess Lakshmi

ये त्वद्ध्यानगुणानुकीर्तनरसासक्ताः – ये त्वत्-ध्यान-गुण-अनुकीर्तन-रस-आस्क्ताः – those, your , meditate, virtue, singing, essence, devoted/strongly attached/engrossed = those who meditate and are always engrossed in singing Thy glory

हि भक्ताः जनाः – हि भक्ताः जनाः – = certainly (with) such devotees

तेषु एषा वसति स्थिरा एव – त= in those, she, stays, permanently/stable, always = with them she stays always

दयितप्रस्तावदत्तादरा – दयित–प्रस्ताव-दत्त-आदरा = beloved, (being), a song or hymn in praise, presented, respect/reverence/honour/praise = listening attentively to the praises of her beloved Lord