Achyuthachutha, hare paramathman, Rama Krishna purushottama vishno, Vasudeva bhagawan aniruddha, Sree pathe ! samaya dhukka masesham. That Hari who is the soul of soul, Who has no death, Who causes death at time of deluge, Who is Rama and Krisna rolled in one, Who is the greatest among males, Who is the God of all the world, Who never can be stopped, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows.
Viswa mangala vibho jagadheesa, Nanda nandana nrusimha narendra, Mukthi dayaka mukunda murare, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham The god of all universe who does good to all the world, Who is the essence of all truth, Who is the son of Lord Nanda gopa, Who is the man-lion god, Who is the king among men, Who grants redemption from all ills, Who gives immortal bliss, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Ramachandra raghu nayaka deva, Dheena nathe dhuritha kshya Karin, Yadavendra yadhu bhooshna yagna, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham. The God who is the leader of the Raghu clan, Who is Sri Rama Chandra, Who is the god of the oppressed, Who brings to end all suffering, Who is king of the clan of Yadavas, Who is the ornament of the Yadu clan, Who is the great fire sacrifice, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Devaki thanaya dhukka davagne, Radhika ramans ramya sumurthe, Dhukka mochana dayarnava nadha, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham. The God who is the son of Devaki, Who is the forest fore that burns down all sorrows, Who plays happily with Radhika, Who has a very heart pleasing form, Who saves us from all sorrows, Who is the ocean of mercy, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Gopika vadana chandra Chakora, Nithya nirguna niranjana jishno, Poorna roopa jaya sankara soure, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham. The God who is the bird that drinks the beauty of all gopis, Who is forever permanent, Who is without any properties, Who is pure truth, Who is forever victorious, Who is the the full bodied form, Who is the sankara born in dynasty of the sun, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Gokulesa giri dharana dheera, Yamunacha thata kelana lola, Naradhadhi muni vandhitha pada, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham. The God who is the Lord of Gokula, Who is the hero who lifted the mountain, Who likes to play for ever in the banks of Yamuna, Whose feet is worshipped by Narada and other sages, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Dwarakadhipa durantha gunabhde, Prnana natha paripoorna bhaware, Jnana gamya guna sagara Brahman, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham. The God who is Lord of Dwaraka, Who is the endless ocean of good, Who is the Lord of the soul, Who is complete in all ways, Who destroys sorrows of the world, Who is to be only approached by pure knowledge, Who is the Brahman, who is ocean of all good qualities, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Dushta nirdalana deva dayalo. Padma nabha dharani dhara dharmin, Ravananthaka ramesa murare, Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham. The God who is store house of mercy, Who destroys all bad ones, Who has a lotus in his belly, Who carries the earth, Who is the ultimate in piety, Who killed Ravana, Who is the Lord of Lakshmi, Who killed Mura, And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi, Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Phalasruthi Achyuthashtakam idham ramaneeyam , Nirmitham bhava bhayam vinihanthum, Ya pated vishaya vrithi nivarthin, Janma dukha makilam sajahathi. Narration of the effect: This octet singing about Achyutha, Which is a balm to the soul, Was written to destroy all fears. The one who reads this, Gets rid of all sorrows, And leaves away the pains of this birth.
Version-II
Achyutham kesavam rama narayanam, Krishna damodharam vasudevam harim, Sreedharam madhavam gopika vallabham, Janaki nayakam ramachandram Bhaje Pray him who has no death, Him who killed Kesi, Him who is Rama, Him who is Narayana, Him who is bluish black, Him who was tied at his belly, Him who is son of Vasudeva, Him who removes births and deaths, Him who carries Goddess Lakshmi, Him who is born in the clan of Madhu, Him who is darling of Gopis, Him who is the Lord of Sita, And Him who is Ramachandra.
Achyutham kesavam sathya bhamadhavam, Madhavam sreedharam radhika aradhitham, Indira mandiram chethana sundaram, Devaki nandanam nandhajam sam bhaje Pray Him who has no death, Him who killed Kesi, Him who is the Lord of Sathya Bhama, Him who is born in the clan of Madhu, Him who carries Goddess Lakshmi, Him who is worshipped by Radha, Him in whom goddess Indira stays, Him who has pretty looks, Him who is son of Devaki, And Him who is the son of Nanda
Vishnava jishnave sankhine chakrine, Rukhmani ragine janaki janaye, Vallavi vallabha yarchidha yathmane, Kamsa vidhvamsine vamsine the nama. Salutations to Him who is everywhere, Him who is forever victorious, Him who carries the conch and the holy wheel, Him who is the sweet heart of Rukhmani, Him who is the soul of daughter of Janaka, Him ho is worshipped by the Gopis, Him who killed Kamsa, And Him who is the noblest.
Krishna govinda he rama narayana, Sree pathe vasu deva jitha sree nidhe, Achyuthanantha he madhava adhokshaja, Drowpadhi rakshaka , pathu maam sarvadha Forever protect me Hey Krishna, Who takes care of all souls, Who is Rama and Narayana, Who is Lord of Lakshmi, Who is victorious as son of Vasudeva, Who is the store house of treasures, Who is the endless happiness, Who is the greatest sage, Who is forever victorious, And who saved Droupadhi.
Rakshasa kshobitha seethaya shobitho, Danda karanya bhoo punyatha karana, Lakshmanananvitho vanarai ssevitho, Agasthya sampoojitho raghava pathu maam. Forever salutations to the star of clan of Raghu, Who gets angry at Rakshasas, Who shines with his consort Sita, Who made the land of Dandakaranya holy, Who is always followed by Lakshmana, Who is served by Monkeys, And who is worshipped by Sage Agasthya.
Dheenu karishtako anishta krudwesinaam, Kesiha kamsa hrud vamsika vaadhana, Poothana nasana sooraja khelano, Bala gopalaka pathu maam sarvadha. Forever salutations to the child god of Gopis, Who killed Dhenuka and Arishtaka, Who killed those who hated him, Who was hated by kesi and Kamsa, Who played on flute, Who killed Poothana, And who likes to play in the river.
Vidhyu dudhyothavath prasphura dwasasam, Prouda bodhaval prollasad vigraham, Vanyaya Malaya shobhi thora sthalam, Lohinthangri dwayam vareejaksham bhaje. I pray Lord Krishna with pretty eyes, Who wore clothes shining like lightning, Whose form shone like the clouds of rainy season, Who wears on his chest garlands of wild flowers, And who has pair of pretty red feet.
Kanchithai kundalai braja maanananam, Rathna moulim lasad kundalam gandayo, Haara keyuragam kankana projwalam, Kinkini manjula syamalam tham bhaje. I pray him who wears tiny bells Who is handsomely black, Who has a shiny face curly hairs, Whose cheeks reflect the shine of his jeweled ear studs, Who wears golden garlands, And who wears shining bangles.
Phalasruthi Achyuthashtakam ya patdeth ishtadham, Premadha prathyaham poorusha saspruham, Vruthatha sundaram karthru viswambharam, Tasya vasyo harir jayathe sathwaram He who reads this octet, Which is dear to God Achyutha, Which is written with love and devotion, Which is beautiful because of its poetic skill, With love and devotion, Would reach the Lord fast and without fail.
Version-III
Achuytham kesavam vishnum , Harim sathyam janardhanam, Hamsam narayanam chaiva, Methan nama ashtakam padeth One should Read and sing with devotion, The name of Achyutha, who does not allow us to slip, The name of Kesava , the lord who killed Kesi, The name of Vishnu, the principle which is everywhere, The name Satyam, The ultimate and only truth, The name Janardhanam, The god of all beings, The name Hamsam,The lord who is as lofty as a swan, And the Name of Narayana,, the lord in which all souls reside.
Phalasruthi Trisandhya ya paden nithyam, Daridryam tasya nasyathi, Sathru sainya kshayam yaathi, Dus swapnam sukahdho baveth. Reading this in the peak of dusk daily, Poverty will vanish, Enemies will be vanquished, And bad dreams will not come our way.
Gangayaam maranam chaiva, Druda bhakthisthu kesave. Brhama vidhya prabhodham cha, Tasmad nithyam paden nara. Reading this daily will give devotee Staunch faith in Krishna, Moksha as if he dies in River Ganga, Knowledge of that ultimate , And intelligence to know everything.
Bala Mukundashtakam [The octet on the child who gives immortal bliss]
[Among the several forms of devotion in Hinduism, possibly one of the most easy is that of loving him as if he is your baby. This devotional hymn on Lord Krishna follows that approach. Lord Krishna is supposed to sleep on a leaf of a banyan tree and float on the surging waters of final deluge. He is supposed to hold his feet by his hand and put his toe in to his mouth. This hymn in its first stanza brings this image of Lord Krishna and then goes on to describe the adventures of this God Child as a baby. The first stanza of this great prayer also occurs in Sri Krishna Karnamrutha, a great book by a poet called Leela Shuka. It is not known whether he is the author of this prayer also.]
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda*, Who with his lotus like hand catches his lotus like feet, And brings it near his lotus like face and steals our heart, And sleeps peacefully on a banyan leaf.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who after dissolution of the earth, Sleeps on the middle of leaf of a banyan tree, Whose form has neither end nor beginning, Who is the god of all, And who is the incarnation of good for all.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who has a pretty dark mien , With the colour of a blue lotus, Whose lotus like feet is worshipped, By all devas and Indra their king, And who is the wish giving tree, Blessing progeny to those who pray for it.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who has locks of his hair falling all over his face, Who wears long pretty hanging chains, Who has rows of nectar like teeth that shine with love, Who has reddish lips like the Bimba fruit, And who has very pretty captivating eyes.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who acts as if he is sleeping, after eating, Butter Sufficient to meet his desire, When Yasoda had gone out, After keeping milk, and curd in a pot.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who has got a face like the autumn moon, And who while he was on the stone in river Kalindhi, Desires to dance on the hood of the snake Kaalinga, Holding his tail by one of his hands.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who is tied to a mortar, Who is charitable and heroic, Who broke the twin Arjuna trees playfully, And whose eyes are like fully open red lotus.
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who lovingly looks at his mother’s face, When he drinks milk from her, Who is having eyes like the lotus flower, Who is the unalloyed form of truth, And who is the God with limitless form.
[Lord Vishnu took several incarnations in the world. Of them the most important are ten incarnations (Dasavatara). This prayer addresses the ten avatharas. It is written in a way that complains to god that he does not show the same haste in solving the devotee’s problems as he did when he took these incarnations.]
Yaa thwara jala sanchare, Yaa thwara Veda Rakshane, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 1
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in your travel through the water, And which you showed in your Protection of Vedas, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The asura called Hayagreeva stole the four Vedas from Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of fish (Mathsyavathara) to chase and kill that Asura and bring back the Vedas.]
Yaa thwara mandharodhare Yaa thwara deva rakshane Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 2
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in lifting mandhaara mountain And which you showed in taking care of devas, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[To retrieve the lost vigour of the devas, it was decided to churn the ocean of milk with the Mandhara mountain, with snake Vasuki as the rope. The mountain was not standing in a stable manner. Lord Vishnu took the form of Tortoise (Koormavathara) and lent stability to the mountain under the sea.]
Yaa thwara kroda veshasya, Vidhruthou bhoo samudhyathou, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 3
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed when you took the shape of boar, And bring back and save the earth, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The rakshasa called Hiranyaksha took away the earth and hid himself under the sea. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varahavathara) followed and killed him and brought back the earth.]
Yaa thwara Chandra maalaya, Dharane potha rakshane, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 4
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in wearing the garland of guts And in saving the young boy, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The Rakshasa Hiranya Kasipu who was the brother of Hiranyaksha tormented the universe. He could not be killed either by a man or animal. So Lord Vishnu took the form of man-lion (Narasimhavathara), killed Hiranya Kasipu and wore his guts as garland and also protected his so Prahladha.]
Yaa thwara vatu veshasya, Darane bala bandhane Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 5
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in assuming the form of a boy, And which you showed in catching hold of Bali When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The King Mahabali by his great strength ruled over the entire universe. Lord Vishnu took the form of a young dwarfish boy (Vamanavathara) and requested King Mahabali for three feet of land. Once given he measured the entire earth by two feet and Pushed Mahabali in to the Patala.]
Yaa thwara raja hanane, Yaa thwara vakhya rakshane Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 6
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in killing of kings And which you showed in keeping your word, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The kings and emperors of the earth became powerful and started to torment the earth. At that time Lord Vishnu was born as Parasurama (Parasuramavathara). When the kings killed his parents he took the vow of exterminating the earth of its kings and killed several generations of all kings.]
Yaa thwara raksho hanane, Yaa thwara brathru palane, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 7
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in killing of Rakshasas And which you showed in protection of brother, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[Several Asuras lead by the great Ravana, because of their boons defeated several devas and killed many sages. Lord Vishnu was born as Lord Rama (Ramavathara) and killed all as auras including Ravana. He was helped in this job by his brother Lakshmana.]
Yaa thwara kapi rajasya poshane, Sethu bandhane, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 8
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in protecting kingdom, Of monkeys and building of a bridge, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[Lord Rama took the help of monkeys, crossed the ocean between India and Lanka by constructing a bridge and killed Ravana.]
Yaa thwara gopa kanyanam, Rakshane, kamsa hanane, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 9
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in protecting gopis And in killing of Kamsa, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[Evil kings with bad qualities again grew up in this earth. Lord Vishnu was born as Lord Krishna (Krishnavathara) killed Kamsa. He also befriended Gopis in his childhood, possibly to show the myth of caste superiority.]
Yaa thwara baishmi harane Yaa thwara rugmi bhandane Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 10
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed when stealing Rugmani And which you showed in tying Rugmi When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[As Lord Krishna he waged war and made Rukhmani as his wife and in the process killed her brother Rugmi.]
Yaa thwara budha sidhantha Kadhane budha mohane, Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 11
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in telling principles of Budha And attracting the wise ones, When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The religion of Sanathana dharma was corrupted by fanatics. Lord Vishnu took birth as Lord Budha and reformed the great religion. Many people do not agree that Budha is an incarnation. They believe that Balarama (the brother of Rama) was an incarnation.]
Yaa thwara thuraga rohe Yaa thwara mlecha marane Mayyarthe karunamurthe, Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 12
Why did you not show the same haste Which you showed in riding the horse And which you showed in killing the foreigners When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[It is predicted that Lord Vishnu will be born as Kalki (Kalkiavathata), who will ride on a horse and kill all foreigners who would be corrupting the Hindu religion.]
Who is surrounded by gopa ladies, Whose body has changed by youthfulness, Are dressed with peculiar ornaments and cloths, And stand in a crowd touching each other,
Who is interested in playing in Kalindi River with its jet black water, Who playfully fights with gopa lads in some places, And calls the herd of cows near him in some other places,
And who is the god of gods whose praise is sung sweetly by sages , Well versed in Vedas and Vedangas like Narada.
Ya yenam chinthaye devam bhakthya samsthouthi manava, Trisandhyam thasya thushto asou dadathi varameepsitham, 16
Whichever man thinks about and sings the praise of God thus, During dawn, noon and dusk with devotion would please Him, And He would grant them all boons requested by them.
Rajavallabhathamethi bhaveth sarva jana priya, Achala sriyamapnothi sa vagmi jayathe druvam. 17
He would become friends of kings, liked by everybody, Would get stable wealth and would become an orator
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, From whom this pretty universe was born without doubt, And in whom this happy soul plays daily with glee, And also in whom this entire world will dissolve at the time’s end.
Yasya gnana jjanma jara roga kadambam, Jnathe yasminasyathi thatsarvamihasu, Gathwayathraayathi punarno bhava bhoomim, Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 2
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Ignorance of whom, leads to the mixture of birth, aging and disease, Knowledge of whom, leads to the destruction of all of them, And attainment to whom prevents rebirth in this earth.
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Who lives inside everything and makes it function, Who is in every soul without many not realizing him, And in whose custody all this universe exists.
Dharmo dharmenaiha thiraskara mupaithi, Kale yasmin mathsya mukhai charu chithrai, Nana roopai paathithada yevani bimbam, Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 4
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Who is born as fish and other forms, When unjust action drives away the just action, And saves and preserves this world.
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Who is seen by yogis in their heart, As the resplendent form, when they, Drown themselves in happiness, do pranayama, Get rid of faults of all senses and enter in to Samadhi.
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Who is the one in whom sun, moon, stars, And rarely occurring lightning exist, And whose light makes this entire world exist.
Sathya jnanam modhamavochoorniga mayam, Yo brahmendradhithya gireesarchithapada, Saythenathonandana navambu nidhou yas- Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 7
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Who is called as sachidananda by the Vedas, Whose feet is worshipped by Brhama, Indra, Adhithya and Shiva and who is the endless one, Who sleeps on Adhisesha floating on the ocean.
Saiva prahuryam shivamanya gana nadham, Shakthinchikerkancha thadanye matha bedhath, Nana karairbhathi ya ekokhila shakthi, Stham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 8
My salutations for all times to that Gopala, Who inspite of being called as Shiva by Shaivas, Gana natha by Ganapthyas, Shakthi by Shaaktheyas and Surya by Souras, And others as their god as per their opinion, Is the same universal power, Even when addressed by all these names.
Srimad gopalashtakam medath samadheethe, Bhakthya nithyam yo manuja vai sthira chetha, Hithwa thoornam papa kalapam sa samethi, Punyam vishnerdhama yatho naiva nipatha. 9
The man who reads daily with unified attention, This holy octet on Gopala and meditates on him, Would get all his sins destroyed and at the end, Reach that place of Lord Vishnu for ever.
Gopala Vimsathi [The twenty verses on the Cowherd] By Vedantha Desika
[Vedanta Desika (1269 – 1370) is a great poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher belonging to the Sri Vaishnava sect founded by saint Ramanuja. By the end of 14th centaury the followers of Saint Ramanuja had split in to Vadakalai and Tenkalai. The followers of the former consider Sri Vedanta Desika as their Acharya (teacher). This great Stotra sings about the greatness of Gopala (cowherd) and is extremely popular among his devotees. It is said that it was composed in Thiruvahindrapuram by the Acharya overwhelmed by the beauty of the Rajagopala idol in the temple. These are usually sung before Thadhiaradhanams (Group partaking of food offered to God) and on the occasion of marriages and on Krishna Jayanthi day in Thiruvahindrapuram. The translation presented here is a simple literal translation, trying to bring out the beauty of this great stotra rathna.]
Salutations to him, who wanders in Vrundavana, Who is the darling of the Gopis there, Who was born on the day of the Sri Jayanthi, And who wears the garland called Vaijayanthi.
Victory to the emperor of the Gopis, Who looks at Saraswathi sitting on his lap, Who keeps his conch Pancha Janya close to his lips, Who sits in the middle of a triangle placed, In the middle of the holy lotus.
I see that divine gentleman, Whose breath wafted the fragrance of the Vedas, Whose pretty lips quivered, When he cried and laughed, With his form of a cow herd baby, And smiled in between the bouts of cry, At the approach of the deceitful mother*, And drank her life force and blessed her. *Poothana the ogress sent to kill him
Let that form with the several ornaments, Appear before my mind, In which he folds one leg and, Holds the other leg straight, In which he produced musical sounds, And dancing steps in line with, The sound of churning of curds, Produced by his mother, For getting freshly made butter
That form with the several ornaments, Appears before my mind, In which he folds one leg and, Holds the other leg straight, In which he keeps time with, The jingling sound of anklets, Which were tied on him by Radha, And in which he jumps and trots , For getting butter in the house of Nanda.)
Let me protected by the protector of the universe, Who extended his hand to steal the sweet butter from the pot, And seeing his very angry and clever mother with a rope, Moved slightly his leg but not moving hither or thither, Closed tightly both his eyes and waited for her.
I meditate on that Brahmam, Who is understood by the Gopis, Just by a slight look on him by them, Who is the luck of Mathura, Who is the greatest luck to, The unmatchable souls every where, Who drank milk out of the wife of Vasudeva, And who always looks like a handsome lad.
I remember the lad smiling with lips, Resembling the rosy leaf buds, Who had turned his neck out of fear, And who dragged the big mortar, In between the two trees and, Freed both of them of their, Tree form forever.
I see him daily near me, Who is being searched by Vedas, Who broke the two Arjuna trees, And who is with young maidens, Near the Yamuna with it as a witness
I sing about that man who is the cause, Who is the way which is near salvation, Who is the great wealth of the forests, Who is as gross as the rain bearing clouds, Who has red lips fond of keeping the flute, And who exists as the state of mercy.
Animesha nisheva neeya makshnor, Jahadhyouvana ma virasthu chithe, Kala hayitha kunthalam kalapai, Karunanmadha vigraham vibho may. 10
May He, whose form maddened with mercy, Appear and remain in my mind Who has an ever youthful pretty form, Which does not allow our eyes to close for a second, And who has pretty hair decorated by peacock feather,
May I be protected by His sight, Which resemble the lotus flowers, Of his mind resembling the pond of mercy, Cooled by his pleasant smile, And which always falls on the flute with him, And which makes the Gopis extremely happy,
I should be able to see Him, With flute kept close to his lips, With blue peacock feather adorning his hair, And with his pranks shining like the blue gem, During the last procession of my life.
I see him always and all times, With a chest carrying his Lady, And also see him as prettiness, That can never ever be described, And which is the acme of desire of the gopis.
I salute Him who is like a Sun. To the lotus faces of lovelorn gopis, Who are infatuated by his face, Shining because of the peacock feather, Worn by him in his head. And who has etched his pretty face, In their minds always.
Victory to that flute which partakes the nectar, Flowing from the lips of Vishnu, Who has taken the form of a gopa lad, For protecting all the world, And to him who is being taught, The dancing steps along with the , Beats created by the tingling sound, Created by their bangles by the gopis.
Victory to Him who cures, The passion of Gopi maidens, By prettily dressing himself, With flower from coconut sheaf in the ear, With peacock feathers and the flower, Of red hibiscus tied to his pretty tresses, And the garland made of the black red Seeds of Gunja* tree decorating his chest.
* Called Kundhumani in tamil, these seeds are used to weigh gold.
Victory to him who keeps his flute, Tucked in his golden waist band , Who keeps his right hand on a stick, Used to mind the herds of cow, Who keeps his left hand on the shoulder, Of the lady* shivering with joy, Who is of the black colour of the cloud, And who ties his tresses with a chain of Gunja seeds.
*Sri Sadagopan in his commentary says this Lady is Nappinnai (neela Devi) a special sweet heart of Krishna. I saw another reference that this lady is Yasodha his mother. It could be Radha also but Radha is rarely mentioned in the work of disciples of Ramanuja.
May that Lord who is the Lord of the gopis, Who swept his sweet heart gopi in to a tight embrace, Along with his wet cloths made wet, During the love play inside the water, Who gave a loving glance to the gopi who, Was keeping her eyes partially closed, Who held in his hand a water gun, And who is the savior of his devotees, Save me from the ills of domestic life.
Vasoo hruthwa dinakara sutha sannidhou vallaveenaam, Leelasmero jayathi lalithamasthitha kunda shakhaam, Sa vreedabhisthadhanu vasanam thabhir abhyarthamana, Kamee kaschid kara kamalayor anjalim yachamana. 20
Victory to the playful one who, Sat daintily on the branch of the kunda tree, And took away all the cloths left by Gopis, Who were taking their bath in the river that is, The daughter of the sun god, And when requested for their cloths, Requested them to come out, And seek for the cloths with raised folded hands.
He who reads this poem written, By the poet Venkatesa* with no one, Else appearing in his mind, Would go near the God who likes, The holy flute, who is the God, Who is the darling of all gopis. * The name of Vedantha desika was Venkatesa.
**************** Note: In a book published from Kerala, the following Stanza is given as Stanza Number 5. But this is absent from many of the versions that I saw:
Kunda prasoona visadairdasanai chathurbhi, Sandhasya mathranisam kucha choochukagram, Nandasya vakthramavalokayatho murarer, Mandasmithm mama maneeshitha mathanothu.
Let my desires be fulfilled by that, By the killer of Mura, Who with his front four teeth, Which are like the buds of Jasmine, Bites the aureole of the busts of his mother, And smiling looks at the face of Nanda.
[This Stotra has been composed by Sage Bilvamangala, who is also known as Lila Sukha. His greatest work of course is Sri Krishna Karnamritha. Nothing much is known about the period in which this great sage lived. There is a general agreement that he belongs to South India, visited Dwaraka and later visited Brindavan and attained Samadhi there. Some people believe that he was from Andhra Pradesh. Taking in to account the fact that he is a part of large number of folk tales of Kerala (Bilwamangalathu Swamiyar), His verse from Sri Krishna Karnamrutha is the first verse of the very popular Bala Mukundashtakam which is recited in Kerala and also the fact that he refers to wearing of tiger claw (A practice in Kerala) by the young Krishna in several places, I tend to agree with the school of thought that he originally belonged to Kerala. The Govinda-Damodhara Stotram is the ecstasic outpouring of pure unalloyed Bhakti of this great savant to Lord Krishna. He pictures all the devotees of Lord Krishna, sharing his ecstasy and so deeply drunk by these names, that they do not talk of anything else under all circumstances that they are in. One of the stanzas is from Bhagwatham and few resemble the verses of Mukunda mala. I am sure that before you complete reading this, you would also be intoxicated by the name of Lord Krishna.]
When in front of Kurus and Pandavas, Dushasana dragged her by her cloths and hair, Angered, Draupadi seeing no other lord, Called Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara, Oh Madhava.
Govinda - He who lifted the earth (Go) Or He who is the chief of cows. Damodhara - He who is known by knowledge got by self restraint Or He who was tied by Yasodha in the stomach Or He who keeps in his belly the world called Dhama. Madhava - He who was born in the family of Madhu.
Sri Krishna Vishno Madhu Kaitabhare, Bhakthanukampin Bhagawan murare, Trayasya maam keshava loka natha, Govinda, Damodhara Madavethi. 2
Hey Krishna, Hey Vishnu who killed Madhu and Kaidabha, Hey lord who has pity on his devotees, Hey Lord who killed the asura called Mura, Hey Kesava, Hey Lord of the world, save me, Hey Govinda, Hey Damodara, Hey Madhava.
The lovelorn Gopa maiden having offered Her mind at the feet of Lord Murari, While selling Curds in the street, Due to her passion filled mind, Cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodara and Oh Madhava.
A lotus beauty instructed a playful parrot, With a bright red beak which was seated On the edge of her hand to say, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
In every home, every second of their time The bevy of Gopa brides are engaged, In making the caged parrots repeat, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Paryaykinkabjham alam kumaram, Prasvapayonthyakhila gopa kanya, Jagu prabhandam swara thala badham, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 7
Rocking their little ones to sleep in their cradle, All gopa lasses with expertise sing, This lullaby with proper notes and beats Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ramanujam veekshana keli lolam, Gopi grahithva nava nitha golam, Abalakam balakam ajuhva, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 8
Examining the brother of Bala Rama, With ever shifting and playful eyes, The gopis offer a ball of fresh butter, To attract the child and call Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Vichithra varnabhirama rame, Bindehi vakthrambhuja raja hamse, Sada madhiyee rasengri range, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 9
Hey toungue who is like the royal swan, And who is interested in chanting of. Those very ever attractive names, Always keep enjoying those juicy names, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Oh Lord of the lady of the lotus, As a baby sitting on the lap of Yasodha daintily, You used to drink milk from her breast, And she drowned in the bliss, used to address you, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
In the land of Vraja, when Krishna, Was playing with youths of his age, Who looked after the cows, Addressing him alone, Yasodha called, That Krishna whom she loved as, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Yasodhaya gadham ulukalena, Go kantha pasena nibhadyamanam, Rurodha mandam nava nita bhoji, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 12
Tied tightly to the mortar by Yasodha, With the rope that was used to tie cows, Slightly whimpering, that boy who ate butter said, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Nijanangane kankana keli lolam, Gopi grahithwa navanitha golam, Amardayath pani talena netre, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 13
When in the courtyard Krishna, Was playing with a bangle, That Gopi shut his eyes from the back playfully, And produced before him a ball of butter, Murmuring, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Whenever in houses and homes, the gopi ladies, Met each other and started talking, Daily they used to repeat your holy names, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Mandhara male vadanabhiramam, Bhimbadare puritha venu nadam, Go gopa gopi jana madhya samastham, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 15
Seeing that ever attractive boy standing below a coral tree, Singing pleasant notes with flute kept near his reddish lips, All cows, gopas and gopi maidens amidst other people, used to chant, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
The Gopis having woken up just before dawn, And remembering the pranks of the son of Yasoda, Used to sing together loudly while churning for butter, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Having woken up and having made the ball of butter, Yasoda, in her home, became suspicious and told, Please tell me the truth Hey Murari, Hey Govinda, Hey Damodhara and Hey Madhava.
After the morning prayers, when lasses, With increased torrent of love, churn the curds. The Gopis sing along with their friends, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Rarely in the mornings, with vessel full of curds, The young ladies used to put the churn in the pot, And saw Mukunda there and broke into variety, Of soulful music and started singing, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
When Krishna dedicates himself to play, Disregarding even food and bath, The great lady Yasoda with concern for him, And with overwhelming flood of love used to Call Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Seeing Vishnu sleeping comfortably on his bed, The chief of deva sages who have surrendered to him, Attain the same state as the Lord Achyutha by singing, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Forsaking sleep and waking up before dawn, The chief of Brahmins after completing their studies, And after chanting Vedas, daily take steps to chant, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
In the Brindavan the crowds of Gopa and gopis, Seeing the tears starting to flow from eyes of Radha, Due to the parting of Govinda who was departing cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Seeing the departure of cows in the morning, In order to protect her son, Yasodha patted him slowly and gently and muttered, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Shining like coral, possessing long hair, Keeping this body alive by eating leaves, And sitting on the roots of trees, those sages say, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Having heard these words, the lovelorn crowd. Of the ladies of Brindavan, with a tumultuous mind, Threw away their sense of modesty, cried and repeated in a sad voice, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
(This verse is identical one with the Sloka in Bhagawatham which describes the reaction of Gopis to the words of sage Akroora .The poet must have taken it from there.)
The gopis sometimes, made their parrot, Put in a gilded cage teach them to recite, Piece of our happiness, Oh Moon of Vruja, Oh Krishna, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
When the lord with eyes like the lotus leaf, Tied the pigtails of the cowherd boys to the cow, His mother caught hold of his chin and told, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava. Prabhata kale vara vallavagha, Go rakshanartham drutha vethra dandai, Akaryam asurananthamaadhyam, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 29
In the mornings fine, the chosen cow herd boys, Came holding sticks of cane to protect the cows, And called the causeless, limitless and primeval lord, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
When Lord Murari jumped from the Kadambha tree, To chastise Kaliya standing in the river pond, The gopa maidens devas and gopa lads sang out, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Akruram asadya yada Mukunda, Sachapothsavartham mathuram pravishta, Tada sa pauraiy jayathethi bani, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 31
When Krishna entered the city of Mathura With the dissimilar looking sage Akroora, To attend the festival of the bow, The citizens of that city cried, Victory, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
When the messenger of Kamsa took away. From Vrindavana, the sons of Vasudeva, The gopis wept bitterly inside their houses, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Seeing that the baby son of Yasodha, Was tied by the kaliya serpent of the pond, The helpless gopa boys rolled with sorrow and cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Seeing the departure to Mathura, Of the lord of Yadus in Akroora’s chariot And feeling the pain of separation the gopa lads cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
When a gopi lays down on a bed of flowers, At the edge of the forest without Krishna, With tears from her blue lotus like eyes, she cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Brought up strictly by her mother and father, A gopi reaching her home cried, Please come and take care of me, Oh Lord of the world, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Thinking that Hari would be in Brindavan at night, A quick witted gopi went there, And when she did not find him, cried with fear, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Even pleasantly lying down in the bed room, Those men who repeat the names of Lord Vishnu, Would attain a form similar to you, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Seeing Radha with her lotus like eyes, Crying due to the parting with Goviinda, Her friend also shed tears from her pretty eyes murmuring, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Hey toungue, among the tastes, you like sweets best, And I am telling the truth that is good to you, Please instead always recite the sweet letters, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Athyanthika vyadhi haraa janaanaam, Chikithsam Veda vidho vadanthi, Samsara thapa traya nasa bhijam, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 41
Those who are most learned in Vedas say, The greatest cure for all diseases of all people, And which also uproots of three types of pains of the world is, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Seeing the departure of Ramachandra, With Lakshmana along with Sita to the shade of forests, The mother of Rama cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ekakini danda kananath, Sa niyama ayana Dasa kanda harena, Sita thadakroshad ananya natha, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 43
Alone in the forest of Dandaka, When helplessly being taken away by Ravana, Sita with anger not accepting any other lord cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ramadhi vyuktha Janakathmaja sa, Vichinthayanthi hrudhi Rama roopam, Rurodha Sita Raghunatha pahi, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 44
Separated from the Rama, the daughter of Janaka, Thought of the Form of Rama in her mind, And cried, Oh Lord of Raghu clan, save me, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
In the middle of the Ocean cried Sita, Please save me Lord Vishnu, Lord of Raghu clan, Who gives happiness and sorrow to asuras and devas, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Antar jale graham grahitha pado, Visrishta, viklishta samastha bandhu, Tada gajendro nitaram jagada, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 46
His feet caught inside the water, Along with harassed and frightened friends, That Lord of elephants cried again and again to the world, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Hamsadwaja saw his priest Shankayuta, Falling in to the vat with his son, Who was chanting the holy names of Lord Hari, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
(I could not find out any reference to this story. Hamsadwaja was one great king who fought with Arjuna and almost defeated him. He had a son called Sudhanwa.)
Draupadi hearing the words of Durvasa, Invited him for food in spite of living in the forest, Because she has installed you deep in her mind The names Govinda, Damodhara and Madhava.
Dhyayeh sada yoghibir aprameya, Chintha harsha chinthitha pari jata, Kasthurika kalpitha nila varno, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 49
The incomparable sages, meditate always on him As Govinda, Damodhara and Madhava Who is the Giver of happy thoughts and is the cure for those worried, And is of bluish colour and with the sweet scent of musk.
I have fallen in the family life, Which is deep and dark with passion, And hot with material wealth, So give me a hand of support, Oh Vishnu, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Oh my toungue of my body, When the time comes for the award, Of punishments to the sins done by me, Please tell of your own accord, Sweetly and with extreme devotion, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava
Oh toungue, who is the knower of tastes, Sing that easy and attractive holy chant, Which cuts of the bondage and gives salvation, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Gopala Vamsidhara rupa sindho, Lokesha, Narayana deena bhandho, Uvacha swarai thwam vada sarva daiva, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 53
Always you repeat musically the names of all gods, Oh cowherd, Oh flute carrier, Oh ocean of beauty, Oh Lord of the earth, Oh Narayana, Oh friend of the oppressed, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Oh toungue, Always sing about, The pretty names of Lord Krishna, Which put an end to all problems of devotees, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Sukhavasane tvidam eva saram, Dukhavasane tvidam eva geyam, Dehavasane tvidam eva japyam, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 56
At the end of all pleasures, you are the essence, At the end of sorrow, you are the only goal, And at the end of the body, you are only to be chanted, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Draupadi, accepting the cruel words of Dushasana, Entered the assembly like a frightened perplexed deer And within her innate heart cried to her Lord, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Krishna, Sweetheart of Radha, Lord of Gokula, Cowherd, Lord of Govardhana, Vishnu. Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of holy lord, lord of universe, Symbol of the universe, son of Devaki, enemy of asuras, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of lord of the gopis, enemy of Kamsa, Mukunda, Lord of Lakshmi, Keshava, Vasudeva, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of the lord of Vruja, Who gives happiness to gopis, The lord, Who follows the cows to the forest, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of lord of the soul, He who dresses himself with universe, He who killed Kaidabha, He who lives in Vaikunta, Narayana, holder of the holy wheel, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Hari, Murari, Killer of Madhu, Rama, Lord of Sita, killer of Ravana, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Sri Yadavendra adridhara Ambujaksha, Go gopa gopi sukha dana daksha, Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 64
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of the chief of yadavas, lifter of mountain, Lord with lotus eye who with expertise, Takes care of the happiness of cows, gopas and gopis, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of he who lifted, The burden of earth in the form of a gopa, He who engaged in play with his brother sesha, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Enemy of Poothana, Bhaka and agasura, He who broke, The heads of Kesi and Trunavartha, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Ramachandra, Who is the soul of Janaki, who is, The enemy of those who move at night, Who is the elder brother of Bharata, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Narayana, Anantha, Hari, Narasimha, he who removed problems of Prahlada, the merciful one, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of He who playfully, Assumed the form of Lord Rama, He who made all the kings as his slaves, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Sri Krishna, Govinda, Hare Murare, Hey Natha Narayana Vasudeva, Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva, Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 70
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Krishna, Govinda, Hari, Murari, Lord Narayana, Vasudeva, Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now, The nectar like names of Govinda, Damodara and Madhava, Which are not chanted by many people Even if they are able to chant them easily, And thus becomes the chief cause of their sorrow,
Ithi Sri Bilwamangalacharya virachitham, Sri Govinda, damodara stotram sampoornam.
Thus ends the prayer on Govinda and Damodara, Written by the great teacher Bilwamangala.
Guru Marutpuradeesam [God of the city of wind and teacher]
[After the island of Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea, it is believed that an idol of Sri Krishna from there was entrusted to Lord Vayu (Wind God) and Guru (Jupiter/Teacher of devas), requesting them to find a suitable place to install it. They after a thorough search installed it in the present Guruvayur (City of Vayu and Guru-city of wind and teacher) in the state of Kerala, India. For several, thousand years this great temple has been attracting devotees of Lord Krishna from all over the world. Among the great devotees was Melpathur Bhattathiri who wrote the great book Narayaneeyam, which essentially is the story of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Gurumaruthpuradseesam also deals with the ten incarnations and is written in the style of the famous song Harivarasanam which is about Lord Iyappa.]
Garuda Vahaamn, Punya darshanam, Varajashakruthim, Veda sangraham, Pralayakala Jeevathma tharakam, Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 1
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who rides on Garuda, Who can be seen by only blessed ones, Who took the form of a holy fish, Who brought back the Vedas, And who is the only help to the souls, During the final deluge.
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Whose mind is the letter Om, Who is the soul of all beings, Who is the God who appeared as a tortoise, Who helped in getting nectar, And who is daily new and different.
Sukrutha kalpakam, sama thoshitham, Sakala vaishnavakara sukaram, Bhuvana bhhoshanalankrutham vibhum, Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 3
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who took the shape of a boar, Who is made happy by Sama Veda, Who is the boar which is the complete form of Vishnu, Who brought back the world with its ornaments, And who helps us cross this ocean of life.
Varadameeshwaram, naarasimhakam, Vapushi bheekaram, punya poorakam, Sura gana vrutham, bhaktha vathsalam, Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 4
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who gives boons and protection, Who assumed the form of man and lion, Who looked as horror personified to the Asura, Who blesses those who do good deeds, Who is surrounded by devas, And who is the darling of his devotees.
Charitha vishrutham, vaamanakrutheem, Parama poorusham, yaga sadhakam, Para padapradham papa nasakam, Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 5
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Whose story is famous, Who assumed the form of Vamana, Who is the ultimate God, Who helps sages to complete fire sacrifices, Who is a stepping stone to the other world, And who is the destroyer of sins.
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who was born in the clan of Bhrugu, Who was named as Rama, Who shined because of his good qualities, Who is the son of Renuka, Who is a saint who has taken Sanyasa, And who is the Lord of Kerala.
Dasaradathmajam, Rama bhadhrakam, Sara dhanurdhram, ravananthakam, Purushamavyayam, sri nikethanam, Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 7
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who is the son of Dasaratha, Who is the Rama badhra, Who is an expert in bow and arrow, Who brought an end to Ravana, Who is the model man, And who is the place where Lakshmi resides.
Varahalayudham, rohini sutham, Giridharagrajam, rama daivatham, Gaja gana priyam, dheematham varam, Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 8
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who is armed with the holy axe, Who is the son of Rohini, Who is elder brother of Lord Krishna, Who is the godly Rama, Who is fond of army of elephants, And who is divinely proud.
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who is armed with Sudarshana, Who is Lord Krishna, who is Achyutha, Who is the charioteer of Arjuna, Who is the essence of Gita, Who liked cows, And who danced with Gopis.
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who took birth in ten incarnations, Who is to be born as glorious Kalki, Who would destroy bad people by his prowess, Who would be the past and present, And who would destroy all diseases.
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher Who is being sung about by these ten songs, About the God who has Lakshmi with him, Who is sung by these words and verses, Which are dedicated to God, And which results in great goodness, And also results in great luck.
Guruvayupuresa Suprabatham [Good Morning to Lord of Guruvayur]
[Guruvayurappan, the Lord of Guruvayur is believed to have been brought and installed there by Guru (the teacher of devas) and Vayu (the God of wind) at the time when the island of Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea. The temple and the lord are not only popular in Kerala but in other states also. A keralite Hindu in trouble always calls the Lord of Guruvayur to support him, when he is in trouble. Here is a Mellifluous wake up poem to wake up the Lord of Guruvayur.]
Uthishta Krishna Guruvayupuresa Soure, Uthishta deva vasudeva supunya murthe, Uthishta Madhava Janardhana Radhikesa, Trilokyamethathakhilam kuru Mangaladyam. 1
Wake up oh Lord Krishna, Lord of Guruvayur and Lord Souri*, Wake up oh God, who is personification of the good deeds of Vasudeva, Wake up oh Madhava, oh Janardhana and oh Lord of Radha, And please grant good fortune to all the places of the three worlds. *Krishna
For uplifting of, all the land that belonged to Parasurama, And the beings of that land, you were installed there by the God of wind, And the teacher of devas and became the Lord of Guruvayur And also became the Lord of all those who do not have any one else, And I salute you with words, which come deep from my mind.
With all my soul I express my desire to that Lord, Who shines all over the world, who was installed, By Guru and Vayu, who is the one who knows himself, Who is the lord of all, who is the friend of all, Who is the form of happiness and the lord, Responsible for existence and upkeep of this universe.
Salutations to the one, who has many forms, Who is the form of Vishnu, who by the net of Delusion appeared to be caught in webs of fate, Who binds all souls, Who is the universal form, Who lives in the house created by Vayu and Guru, Who was the cause of birth of the universe, Who indulges in playful acts at the deluge of earth, And who is the soul of the concept of Brahmam.
Salutations to him who provides insight to the soul, Which is concealed by the great net of delusion, Who is always ready from the creation till the destruction of the world, Who makes those who understand him, forever wise, And who like Sun which dispels darkness, Removes darkness from the mind and cures its blindness.
Nidhra na thesthi jithamaya sada aprameya, Maya prapancha nava nataka suthra dharin, Lokanusarividhaya nanu bodhyase thwam, Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 6
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, Who by his acts of delusion appears sleeping but is ever wakeful, Who is the great director of the new drama of the delusion filled world, And who in his great wisdom, appears to obey the laws of the world.
Sri Vyasa, Narada, Sananda, Sanath Kumara, Durvasa, Garga, Kapiladhyakhila muneendra, Praptha hare thava Padambhuja darsanartham, Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 7
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, For great king of sags like Vyasa, Narada, Sananda, Sanath kumara, Durvasa, Garga and Kapila, Have arrived for a glimpse of his lotus like feet.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, For his devotees have come for the dawn worship, Along with the offerings of flowers, thulasi, curds and milk, And are addressing him with proper prayers from Vedas.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, For his all devotees have come with fruits of banana, Sugar, ghee, and well prepared globes of popped rice, For offering to him with devotion.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, For his devotees with rheumatism affecting all their body, Have kept on coming from great distances and pray, Oh Krishna, Oh Achyutha, Oh Vishnu who has lotus on his belly, Oh Narayana, who is being waited upon by the lady of the lotus, Oh Lord of the city of air, please save us all, who have traveled and come.
Dhoorath samethya manujastha chakra theerthe, Snathwa vishudha hrudaya, phala pushpa hastha, Thwath punya nama gana japaratha bhajanthe, Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 11
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, For from far away, people have come, taken bath in thine divine pool, And with clean heart, with fruits and flowers in hands, And are meditating and chanting his divine names.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, For though he is the son of Devaki and Vasudeva, He is being woken along with milk by Yasodha, Who takes care of him with affection filled attention.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, Who was the universal god, who killed Madhu in his human form, Whose lotus like feet, with holy fame is worshipped by human beings, And who is a pretty one who used to enjoy the honey from Radha’s lips.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord who is a pretty Gopala, Who earlier took the form of a fish and saved the Vedas from sea, Later took the form of tortoise and held the mountain on his back, And took the form of a boar and brought back the earth from the sea.
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, Who as Narasimha was the cause of destruction of asuras, And saviour of Prahlada and who was Vamana the boy, Sri Rama, Parasurama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki.
Sri Krishna vrushni vara yadava Radhikesa, Govardhanodharana Kamsa vinasa soure, Gopala, venu dhara, pandu suthaika bandho, Sri maruthalaya vibho thava suprabatham. 16
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, Who was Lord Krishna, the great of the vrushni clan, Who was a cowherd, lord of Radha, lifter of Govardhana, Who was Krishna who destroyed Kamsa, who was Gopala, Who carried a flute and the friend of the sons of Pandu.
I wish a very great morning, Krishna the lord of the whole world, Who was sung about by ages by his black colour, Who made his devotes cross the ocean of life without effort, And who would definitely not disregard the very much oppressed.
Nithyam cha bhagavatha vachana bandha dheeksha, Bhaktham kadhasravana kouthukinascha soure, Thwad sannidhavanumathim kila they arthayanthe, Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 18
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air, Who has devotees who never get dissatisfied seeing him, For in his temple daily people recite the Bhagavatha as a penance, And his devotees are very much interested in hearing the stories of Krishna.
Bhakthan vilokaya drusa karunardraya thwam, Aasweva than angrahena kruthartheyesa, Thwad padyorvithara bhakthimachanchalam may, Nithyam grunami vachasa thava mangalani. 19
Oh lord of satisfaction, you see your devotes, With wet eyes due to your mercy, console them, And grant your blessings and so they do have devotion, Which is stable and would not seek any other feet.
Mangalam to him who is praised by the Upanishads, Who is without properties but the soul of all properties, Who has form not different from Shiva and who has a holy form.
Prayer to Protect Son (Addressed to lord of Guruvayur)
[Here is a unique prayer in Malayalam addressed to the Lord of Guruvayur in his ten Avataras to take care of one’s son at every stage of his life. I have not come across any other prayer with this theme in any other religion or languages.]
Oh, Lord of Guruvayur, whose fame, Rises in this world, Oh lord of universe, Oh Madhava, this innocent poor man, Salutes you by falling at your lotus, Like feet, Oh God of the Universe.
In this universe, what is there, That cannot be achieved, If, You take interest in it, Oh God, who loves his devotees, There is none for me in this world except you, Who can brush away all my sorrows.
Due to my devotion towards you, my lord, I give away my poor son to you, For truly taking care of him, oh, my lord, And I make this request along with offerings.
When I am filling all that I see in this world, Along with greed in this private bag of mine, Oh God who rides on a bird. Oh Hari, Oh Danwanthari, please take care of me, Without taking a deep dislike to me.
When my this son along with his friends, With exuberance takes bath in a pond, Hey Hari, Hey greatest of men, who has the form of a fish, Please take care of him with great affection.
Karma sakshiyagum jagnnayaga, Kar mugil varna, karunya varidhe, Orma kai vitturangum en unniye, Koorma vigraha palichidenam. 6
Oh lord of the universe, who is, Witness to all actions, Oh Lord, Of the colour of the black cloud, Oh ocean of mercy, please take care, Of this my son, who is sleeping, With no care, Oh God who became a tortoise.
When my son with other lads, Without care travels and plays in the forest, Oh God who took the form of a boar, Oh God who killed several Asuras, Please take care of him without any trouble, Oh Lord.
Due to devils, ghosts and bad souls, When he tosses in his bed due to fear, Oh Hari, Oh Narasimha, Oh Lord who takes care of beings, Please extend him protection with affection, Oh Lord.
During the time, when he reaches youth, With mind full of idiocy, snobbishness, And exuberance, to protect him from any dangers, I salute that great God Vamana with devotion.
The disciple of Bhargava, the storehouse of Thapas, Who playfully made the heaven of Kerala, Oh God Bhargava, please show the right, Path to my son, lead him and protect him.
Sathya dharma rathany sadacharam, Nithyanay ivan vanu sukikkuvan, Sathya roopa, hey rama dasaratha, Puthra Raghava, nithyam vanangidunnen. 11
I salute you daily, Oh Rama, Who is Raghava, the son of Dasaratha And who is personification of truth, So that my son lives in truth and piety, And observes good conduct in his life.
Hala mudritha baho, maha veera, Bala nirjjitha sarvari sanjaya, Balabadhra bhavan ende puthrannay, Balabadhra gunangal egidenam. 12
O h Balabadhra who carries a plough, Who is a great warrior, who is full of strength, And treasure house of all that is good, Please give my son, all your good qualities.
Nanda nandana, Vrundavana priya, Nandaneeya guna gana varidhe, Nandi poorvam en nandanil kani, Njhu indira pathe, palichu kollenam. 13
Oh son of Nanda, Oh lover of Brindavana, Of lad with ocean of all good qualities, I gratefully request you to show mercy, On my son and take care of him, Oh Lord of Lakshmi.
Gadgapane khalajana nasana, Khadgi roopa, kali mala mochana, Math guro kamala dala lochana, Salgunalaya, paala balane. 14
He who holds the sword, who destroys, Bad souls, who is known as Kalki , Who is cure to ills of kali age, Who is my teacher, who has lotus like eyes, And who is temple of all that is good, take care of my son.
Oh Lord who daily lies down on The bed of a serpent, floating. On the ocean of milk along with grace, Please save my son from the desire after desires, That are bound to come in this world, Oh Lord.
Oh Good who is described by the Vedas, Please give this boy, education, humility, Broad mind, lot of riches, teaching, Devotion to God and salvation.
Prayamakunna kalathu ameya nin, Mayakodinnavane valaykkola, Mayaa manusha nin pada padmathil, Bhooyo bhooyo namayanvaham. 18
Oh, enchanter, I salute again, Again endlessly your lotus feet, With a request that when this boy, Becomes a man, You will not, Trouble him with your illusions.
My salutations to that Vishnu, Who is merciful to the universe, Who is the great soul behind the universe, Who is the most blessed of the universe, Who looks after the entire universe, Who destroys the universe, Who is the lord of the universe, And who makes the entire universe happy.
12 comments:
Jai Sri Ram !! Jai Sri Hanuman !!!!
It's excellent and it's our blessings to see the anjaneyar in this krishna alankaram while celebrating the "Gokulastami" function on 04-09-2007.
I beleive that Anjeya's blessings defienetly will reach each and every family without fail who have faith on him.
C.V.Aravithballaji
Achyuthashtakam
Version-I
Achyuthachutha, hare paramathman,
Rama Krishna purushottama vishno,
Vasudeva bhagawan aniruddha,
Sree pathe ! samaya dhukka masesham.
That Hari who is the soul of soul,
Who has no death,
Who causes death at time of deluge,
Who is Rama and Krisna rolled in one,
Who is the greatest among males,
Who is the God of all the world,
Who never can be stopped,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows.
Viswa mangala vibho jagadheesa,
Nanda nandana nrusimha narendra,
Mukthi dayaka mukunda murare,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham
The god of all universe who does good to all the world,
Who is the essence of all truth,
Who is the son of Lord Nanda gopa,
Who is the man-lion god,
Who is the king among men,
Who grants redemption from all ills,
Who gives immortal bliss,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Ramachandra raghu nayaka deva,
Dheena nathe dhuritha kshya Karin,
Yadavendra yadhu bhooshna yagna,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham.
The God who is the leader of the Raghu clan,
Who is Sri Rama Chandra,
Who is the god of the oppressed,
Who brings to end all suffering,
Who is king of the clan of Yadavas,
Who is the ornament of the Yadu clan,
Who is the great fire sacrifice,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Devaki thanaya dhukka davagne,
Radhika ramans ramya sumurthe,
Dhukka mochana dayarnava nadha,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham.
The God who is the son of Devaki,
Who is the forest fore that burns down all sorrows,
Who plays happily with Radhika,
Who has a very heart pleasing form,
Who saves us from all sorrows,
Who is the ocean of mercy,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Gopika vadana chandra Chakora,
Nithya nirguna niranjana jishno,
Poorna roopa jaya sankara soure,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham.
The God who is the bird that drinks the beauty of all gopis,
Who is forever permanent,
Who is without any properties,
Who is pure truth,
Who is forever victorious,
Who is the the full bodied form,
Who is the sankara born in dynasty of the sun,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Gokulesa giri dharana dheera,
Yamunacha thata kelana lola,
Naradhadhi muni vandhitha pada,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham.
The God who is the Lord of Gokula,
Who is the hero who lifted the mountain,
Who likes to play for ever in the banks of Yamuna,
Whose feet is worshipped by Narada and other sages,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Dwarakadhipa durantha gunabhde,
Prnana natha paripoorna bhaware,
Jnana gamya guna sagara Brahman,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham.
The God who is Lord of Dwaraka,
Who is the endless ocean of good,
Who is the Lord of the soul,
Who is complete in all ways,
Who destroys sorrows of the world,
Who is to be only approached by pure knowledge,
Who is the Brahman, who is ocean of all good qualities,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Dushta nirdalana deva dayalo.
Padma nabha dharani dhara dharmin,
Ravananthaka ramesa murare,
Sree pathe samaya dukka masesham.
The God who is store house of mercy,
Who destroys all bad ones,
Who has a lotus in his belly,
Who carries the earth,
Who is the ultimate in piety,
Who killed Ravana,
Who is the Lord of Lakshmi,
Who killed Mura,
And who is the lord of Goddess Lakshmi,
Be pleased to destroy all my sorrows
Phalasruthi
Achyuthashtakam idham ramaneeyam ,
Nirmitham bhava bhayam vinihanthum,
Ya pated vishaya vrithi nivarthin,
Janma dukha makilam sajahathi.
Narration of the effect:
This octet singing about Achyutha,
Which is a balm to the soul,
Was written to destroy all fears.
The one who reads this,
Gets rid of all sorrows,
And leaves away the pains of this birth.
Version-II
Achyutham kesavam rama narayanam,
Krishna damodharam vasudevam harim,
Sreedharam madhavam gopika vallabham,
Janaki nayakam ramachandram Bhaje
Pray him who has no death,
Him who killed Kesi,
Him who is Rama,
Him who is Narayana,
Him who is bluish black,
Him who was tied at his belly,
Him who is son of Vasudeva,
Him who removes births and deaths,
Him who carries Goddess Lakshmi,
Him who is born in the clan of Madhu,
Him who is darling of Gopis,
Him who is the Lord of Sita,
And Him who is Ramachandra.
Achyutham kesavam sathya bhamadhavam,
Madhavam sreedharam radhika aradhitham,
Indira mandiram chethana sundaram,
Devaki nandanam nandhajam sam bhaje
Pray Him who has no death,
Him who killed Kesi,
Him who is the Lord of Sathya Bhama,
Him who is born in the clan of Madhu,
Him who carries Goddess Lakshmi,
Him who is worshipped by Radha,
Him in whom goddess Indira stays,
Him who has pretty looks,
Him who is son of Devaki,
And Him who is the son of Nanda
Vishnava jishnave sankhine chakrine,
Rukhmani ragine janaki janaye,
Vallavi vallabha yarchidha yathmane,
Kamsa vidhvamsine vamsine the nama.
Salutations to Him who is everywhere,
Him who is forever victorious,
Him who carries the conch and the holy wheel,
Him who is the sweet heart of Rukhmani,
Him who is the soul of daughter of Janaka,
Him ho is worshipped by the Gopis,
Him who killed Kamsa,
And Him who is the noblest.
Krishna govinda he rama narayana,
Sree pathe vasu deva jitha sree nidhe,
Achyuthanantha he madhava adhokshaja,
Drowpadhi rakshaka , pathu maam sarvadha
Forever protect me Hey Krishna,
Who takes care of all souls,
Who is Rama and Narayana,
Who is Lord of Lakshmi,
Who is victorious as son of Vasudeva,
Who is the store house of treasures,
Who is the endless happiness,
Who is the greatest sage,
Who is forever victorious,
And who saved Droupadhi.
Rakshasa kshobitha seethaya shobitho,
Danda karanya bhoo punyatha karana,
Lakshmanananvitho vanarai ssevitho,
Agasthya sampoojitho raghava pathu maam.
Forever salutations to the star of clan of Raghu,
Who gets angry at Rakshasas,
Who shines with his consort Sita,
Who made the land of Dandakaranya holy,
Who is always followed by Lakshmana,
Who is served by Monkeys,
And who is worshipped by Sage Agasthya.
Dheenu karishtako anishta krudwesinaam,
Kesiha kamsa hrud vamsika vaadhana,
Poothana nasana sooraja khelano,
Bala gopalaka pathu maam sarvadha.
Forever salutations to the child god of Gopis,
Who killed Dhenuka and Arishtaka,
Who killed those who hated him,
Who was hated by kesi and Kamsa,
Who played on flute,
Who killed Poothana,
And who likes to play in the river.
Vidhyu dudhyothavath prasphura dwasasam,
Prouda bodhaval prollasad vigraham,
Vanyaya Malaya shobhi thora sthalam,
Lohinthangri dwayam vareejaksham bhaje.
I pray Lord Krishna with pretty eyes,
Who wore clothes shining like lightning,
Whose form shone like the clouds of rainy season,
Who wears on his chest garlands of wild flowers,
And who has pair of pretty red feet.
Kanchithai kundalai braja maanananam,
Rathna moulim lasad kundalam gandayo,
Haara keyuragam kankana projwalam,
Kinkini manjula syamalam tham bhaje.
I pray him who wears tiny bells
Who is handsomely black,
Who has a shiny face curly hairs,
Whose cheeks reflect the shine of his jeweled ear studs,
Who wears golden garlands,
And who wears shining bangles.
Phalasruthi
Achyuthashtakam ya patdeth ishtadham,
Premadha prathyaham poorusha saspruham,
Vruthatha sundaram karthru viswambharam,
Tasya vasyo harir jayathe sathwaram
He who reads this octet,
Which is dear to God Achyutha,
Which is written with love and devotion,
Which is beautiful because of its poetic skill,
With love and devotion,
Would reach the Lord fast and without fail.
Version-III
Achuytham kesavam vishnum ,
Harim sathyam janardhanam,
Hamsam narayanam chaiva,
Methan nama ashtakam padeth
One should Read and sing with devotion,
The name of Achyutha, who does not allow us to slip,
The name of Kesava , the lord who killed Kesi,
The name of Vishnu, the principle which is everywhere,
The name Satyam, The ultimate and only truth,
The name Janardhanam, The god of all beings,
The name Hamsam,The lord who is as lofty as a swan,
And the Name of Narayana,, the lord in which all souls reside.
Phalasruthi
Trisandhya ya paden nithyam,
Daridryam tasya nasyathi,
Sathru sainya kshayam yaathi,
Dus swapnam sukahdho baveth.
Reading this in the peak of dusk daily,
Poverty will vanish,
Enemies will be vanquished,
And bad dreams will not come our way.
Gangayaam maranam chaiva,
Druda bhakthisthu kesave.
Brhama vidhya prabhodham cha,
Tasmad nithyam paden nara.
Reading this daily will give devotee
Staunch faith in Krishna,
Moksha as if he dies in River Ganga,
Knowledge of that ultimate ,
And intelligence to know everything.
Bala Mukundashtakam
[The octet on the child who gives immortal bliss]
[Among the several forms of devotion in Hinduism, possibly one of the most easy is that of loving him as if he is your baby. This devotional hymn on Lord Krishna follows that approach. Lord Krishna is supposed to sleep on a leaf of a banyan tree and float on the surging waters of final deluge. He is supposed to hold his feet by his hand and put his toe in to his mouth. This hymn in its first stanza brings this image of Lord Krishna and then goes on to describe the adventures of this God Child as a baby. The first stanza of this great prayer also occurs in Sri Krishna Karnamrutha, a great book by a poet called Leela Shuka. It is not known whether he is the author of this prayer also.]
Kararavindena padaravindham,
Mukharavinde vinivesayantham,
Vatasya pathrasya pute sayanam,
Balam mukundam mansa smarami. 1
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda*,
Who with his lotus like hand catches his lotus like feet,
And brings it near his lotus like face and steals our heart,
And sleeps peacefully on a banyan leaf.
*He who gives immortal bliss.
Samhruthya lokaan vatapathramadhye,
Sayanamadhyantha viheena roopam,
Sarveshwaram sarva hithavatharam,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 2
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who after dissolution of the earth,
Sleeps on the middle of leaf of a banyan tree,
Whose form has neither end nor beginning,
Who is the god of all,
And who is the incarnation of good for all.
Indeevara shyamala komalangam,
Indrathi devarchitha pada padmam,
Santhana kalpa druma masrithanaam,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 3
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who has a pretty dark mien ,
With the colour of a blue lotus,
Whose lotus like feet is worshipped,
By all devas and Indra their king,
And who is the wish giving tree,
Blessing progeny to those who pray for it.
Lambhalakam lambhitha harayashtim,
Srungara leelangitha dantha panktheem,
Bimbadaram charu vilasa nethram,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 4
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who has locks of his hair falling all over his face,
Who wears long pretty hanging chains,
Who has rows of nectar like teeth that shine with love,
Who has reddish lips like the Bimba fruit,
And who has very pretty captivating eyes.
Sikhye nithayadhya payothatheeni,
Bahirgadayam vraja naykayam,
Bukthwa yadeshtam kapatena suptham,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 5
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who acts as if he is sleeping, after eating,
Butter Sufficient to meet his desire,
When Yasoda had gone out,
After keeping milk, and curd in a pot.
Kalindajantha sthitha Kaiyasya,
Phanagrange natana priyantham,
Thath pucha hastham saradindu vakthram,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 6
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who has got a face like the autumn moon,
And who while he was on the stone in river Kalindhi,
Desires to dance on the hood of the snake Kaalinga,
Holding his tail by one of his hands.
Ulookhale badha mudhara souryam,
Uthunga padmarjuna bhanga leelam,
Uthphulla padmayatha charu nethram,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 7
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who is tied to a mortar,
Who is charitable and heroic,
Who broke the twin Arjuna trees playfully,
And whose eyes are like fully open red lotus.
Alokhya maadur mukha madarena,
Sthanyam pibhantham sasareehuaksham,
Sachinmayam, devamanantharoopam,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami. 8
With my mind I think of that child Mukunda,
Who lovingly looks at his mother’s face,
When he drinks milk from her,
Who is having eyes like the lotus flower,
Who is the unalloyed form of truth,
And who is the God with limitless form.
Dasavatara Stotram
[Lord Vishnu took several incarnations in the world. Of them the most important are ten incarnations (Dasavatara). This prayer addresses the ten avatharas. It is written in a way that complains to god that he does not show the same haste in solving the devotee’s problems as he did when he took these incarnations.]
Yaa thwara jala sanchare,
Yaa thwara Veda Rakshane,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 1
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in your travel through the water,
And which you showed in your Protection of Vedas,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The asura called Hayagreeva stole the four Vedas from Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of fish (Mathsyavathara) to chase and kill that Asura and bring back the Vedas.]
Yaa thwara mandharodhare
Yaa thwara deva rakshane
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 2
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in lifting mandhaara mountain
And which you showed in taking care of devas,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[To retrieve the lost vigour of the devas, it was decided to churn the ocean of milk with the Mandhara mountain, with snake Vasuki as the rope. The mountain was not standing in a stable manner. Lord Vishnu took the form of Tortoise (Koormavathara) and lent stability to the mountain under the sea.]
Yaa thwara kroda veshasya,
Vidhruthou bhoo samudhyathou,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 3
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed when you took the shape of boar,
And bring back and save the earth,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The rakshasa called Hiranyaksha took away the earth and hid himself under the sea. Lord Vishnu took the form of a boar (Varahavathara) followed and killed him and brought back the earth.]
Yaa thwara Chandra maalaya,
Dharane potha rakshane,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 4
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in wearing the garland of guts
And in saving the young boy,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The Rakshasa Hiranya Kasipu who was the brother of Hiranyaksha tormented the universe. He could not be killed either by a man or animal. So Lord Vishnu took the form of man-lion (Narasimhavathara), killed Hiranya Kasipu and wore his guts as garland and also protected his so Prahladha.]
Yaa thwara vatu veshasya,
Darane bala bandhane
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 5
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in assuming the form of a boy,
And which you showed in catching hold of Bali
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The King Mahabali by his great strength ruled over the entire universe. Lord Vishnu took the form of a young dwarfish boy (Vamanavathara) and requested King Mahabali for three feet of land. Once given he measured the entire earth by two feet and Pushed Mahabali in to the Patala.]
Yaa thwara raja hanane,
Yaa thwara vakhya rakshane
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 6
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in killing of kings
And which you showed in keeping your word,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The kings and emperors of the earth became powerful and started to torment the earth. At that time Lord Vishnu was born as Parasurama (Parasuramavathara). When the kings killed his parents he took the vow of exterminating the earth of its kings and killed several generations of all kings.]
Yaa thwara raksho hanane,
Yaa thwara brathru palane,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 7
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in killing of Rakshasas
And which you showed in protection of brother,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[Several Asuras lead by the great Ravana, because of their boons defeated several devas and killed many sages. Lord Vishnu was born as Lord Rama (Ramavathara) and killed all as auras including Ravana. He was helped in this job by his brother Lakshmana.]
Yaa thwara kapi rajasya poshane,
Sethu bandhane,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 8
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in protecting kingdom,
Of monkeys and building of a bridge,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[Lord Rama took the help of monkeys, crossed the ocean between India and Lanka by constructing a bridge and killed Ravana.]
Yaa thwara gopa kanyanam,
Rakshane, kamsa hanane,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 9
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in protecting gopis
And in killing of Kamsa,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[Evil kings with bad qualities again grew up in this earth. Lord Vishnu was born as Lord Krishna (Krishnavathara) killed Kamsa. He also befriended Gopis in his childhood, possibly to show the myth of caste superiority.]
Yaa thwara baishmi harane
Yaa thwara rugmi bhandane
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 10
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed when stealing Rugmani
And which you showed in tying Rugmi
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[As Lord Krishna he waged war and made Rukhmani as his wife and in the process killed her brother Rugmi.]
Yaa thwara budha sidhantha
Kadhane budha mohane,
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 11
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in telling principles of Budha
And attracting the wise ones,
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[The religion of Sanathana dharma was corrupted by fanatics. Lord Vishnu took birth as Lord Budha and reformed the great religion. Many people do not agree that Budha is an incarnation. They believe that Balarama (the brother of Rama) was an incarnation.]
Yaa thwara thuraga rohe
Yaa thwara mlecha marane
Mayyarthe karunamurthe,
Saa thwara kwa gatha hare. 12
Why did you not show the same haste
Which you showed in riding the horse
And which you showed in killing the foreigners
When it did concern with solving my sorrow, Hey Vishnu.
[It is predicted that Lord Vishnu will be born as Kalki (Kalkiavathata), who will ride on a horse and kill all foreigners who would be corrupting the Hindu religion.]
Sathya avatharya puthrena
Bhakthiko niraneridham,
Dasavathara sthavakam,
Vadan Mokshamapunyath. 13
He who recites with devotion,
And deep interest,
This prayer of the ten incarnations,
Would himself attain salvation at the end.
Gopala Stotram
[Prayer to the Cowherd]
Naveena neeradha shyamam, neelendivaralochanam,
Vallavee nandanam, Vande krishnam, Gopalaroopinam. 1
Salutations to Krishna in the form of cowherd,
Who is of the black colour of the new cloud,
Who has eyes like the blue lotus, son of Yashodha,
Sphurad barhadhalodhbadha neela kunchita moordhajam,
Kadamba kusumobadha vanamala Vibhooshitham, 2
Who has curly black hair in which peacock feathers are tied,
Who decorates himself by wearing garland of Kadamba flowers,
Ganda mandala samasargichalath kanchana kundalam,
Sthoola muthaphalodaraharadhypthitha vakshasam, 3
Who wears golden ear globes touching his cheeks,
Who wears pearl studded necklace over his chest,
Hemangadhathula kotikireedojwala vigraham,
Manda marutha samkshobhavathgithambhara sanchayam, 4
Who shines with golden shoulder rings, anklets and crown,
Whose dress is shaken by the slow cooling breeze,
Ruchiroshtaputanyasthavamsee madhra nisswanai,
Lasad gopalikaa chetho mohayantham muhoormuhu, 5
Who with his flute kept close to his very pretty lips,
Keeps on stealing the minds of pretty gopis again and again,
Veellava vadanam bhoja madhupana madhu vratham,
Kshobhayantham manasthasam sasmera panga veekshanai, 6
Who is the bee who steels the honey out of the faces of gopis,
Who makes their mind tumultuous with passion by his look,
Younaod binnadehabhi samsikthabhi parasparam,
Vichitrambharabhooshabhir gopa nareebhiravrutham, 7
Who is surrounded by gopa ladies,
Whose body has changed by youthfulness,
Are dressed with peculiar ornaments and cloths,
And stand in a crowd touching each other,
Prabinnanjana kalindi jala keli kalthsukam,
Yodhayantham kwachid gopan vyaharatham gavam ganam, 8
Who is interested in playing in Kalindi River with its jet black water,
Who playfully fights with gopa lads in some places,
And calls the herd of cows near him in some other places,
Kalindi jala samsarga seethalanila sevithe,
Kadamba padaschaye sthitham vrundavane kwachith. 9
Who sits in a place of Vrundavana which gets cool breeze,
From Kalindi river and which has shades of Kadamba trees,
Rathna bhoodara samlagna rathnaasana parigraham,
Kalpa pada madhyastha hema manda pikagatham, 10
Who sits on the jeweled throne on the top of Meru mountain,
Who has reached the golden stage in the middle of Kadamba trees,
Vasantha kusuma modha surabhee krutha ding mukhe,
Govardhana girou ramye sthitham rasa rasothsakam, 11
Who sits on the Govardhana Mountain which has spring season flowers,
Spreading their perfume on all directions,
Who is interested in rasa leela,
Savyahastha thalanyastha giri varyatha pathrakam,
Gandithagandalonmuktha muktha sara Ghana ghanam, 12
Who holds on his left hand, the mountain like an umbrella,
Who defeated the torrential rain without break sent by Indra,
Venu vadhya manollasakrutha humkara niswanai,
Savathsairanmukhai saswad gorulairabi veekshitham, 13
Who makes the sound of hum because of happiness hearing the flute,
Who is being looked at by herds of cow full of calves looking up,
Krishna mevanugayadhbhisthascheshtavasa varthibhi,
Dandapasodhyutha karair gopalair upashobhitham, 14
Who shines by the nearness to Gopa boys who sing his songs.
Who follow all his actions and who hold stick and the rope,
Naradhadhyair munisreshtair veda vedantha paragai,
Preethi susnighdaya vacha sthuyamanam parathparam, 15
And who is the god of gods whose praise is sung sweetly by sages ,
Well versed in Vedas and Vedangas like Narada.
Ya yenam chinthaye devam bhakthya samsthouthi manava,
Trisandhyam thasya thushto asou dadathi varameepsitham, 16
Whichever man thinks about and sings the praise of God thus,
During dawn, noon and dusk with devotion would please Him,
And He would grant them all boons requested by them.
Rajavallabhathamethi bhaveth sarva jana priya,
Achala sriyamapnothi sa vagmi jayathe druvam. 17
He would become friends of kings, liked by everybody,
Would get stable wealth and would become an orator
Gopalashtakam
[Octet on Gopala]
Yasmad viswam jathamidham chithramatharkyam,
Yasmin anandathmani nithyam ramathe vai,
Yathranthe samyathi layanchaida sesham,
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 1
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
From whom this pretty universe was born without doubt,
And in whom this happy soul plays daily with glee,
And also in whom this entire world will dissolve at the time’s end.
Yasya gnana jjanma jara roga kadambam,
Jnathe yasminasyathi thatsarvamihasu,
Gathwayathraayathi punarno bhava bhoomim,
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 2
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Ignorance of whom, leads to the mixture of birth, aging and disease,
Knowledge of whom, leads to the destruction of all of them,
And attainment to whom prevents rebirth in this earth.
Thishtannanthar yoyamayethyathadajasram,
Yam kaschinnoveda janopyathmani santham,
Sarvam yasyedancha vase tishtathi viswam,
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 3
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Who lives inside everything and makes it function,
Who is in every soul without many not realizing him,
And in whose custody all this universe exists.
Dharmo dharmenaiha thiraskara mupaithi,
Kale yasmin mathsya mukhai charu chithrai,
Nana roopai paathithada yevani bimbam,
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 4
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Who is born as fish and other forms,
When unjust action drives away the just action,
And saves and preserves this world.
Pranayamair dwastha samsthendriya dosha,
Rudhwa chitham yam hrudhi pasyanthi samadhou,
Jyothee roopa yogi jana modha nimagna,
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 5
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Who is seen by yogis in their heart,
As the resplendent form, when they,
Drown themselves in happiness, do pranayama,
Get rid of faults of all senses and enter in to Samadhi.
Bhanuschandra schoduganaschaiva huthaso,
Yasminnaivabhathithadischapi kadapi,
Yadbhasa chaabhathi samastham jagathedal,
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 6
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Who is the one in whom sun, moon, stars,
And rarely occurring lightning exist,
And whose light makes this entire world exist.
Sathya jnanam modhamavochoorniga mayam,
Yo brahmendradhithya gireesarchithapada,
Saythenathonandana navambu nidhou yas-
Tham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 7
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Who is called as sachidananda by the Vedas,
Whose feet is worshipped by Brhama, Indra,
Adhithya and Shiva and who is the endless one,
Who sleeps on Adhisesha floating on the ocean.
Saiva prahuryam shivamanya gana nadham,
Shakthinchikerkancha thadanye matha bedhath,
Nana karairbhathi ya ekokhila shakthi,
Stham Gopalam santhathakalam prathivande. 8
My salutations for all times to that Gopala,
Who inspite of being called as Shiva by Shaivas,
Gana natha by Ganapthyas,
Shakthi by Shaaktheyas and Surya by Souras,
And others as their god as per their opinion,
Is the same universal power,
Even when addressed by all these names.
Srimad gopalashtakam medath samadheethe,
Bhakthya nithyam yo manuja vai sthira chetha,
Hithwa thoornam papa kalapam sa samethi,
Punyam vishnerdhama yatho naiva nipatha. 9
The man who reads daily with unified attention,
This holy octet on Gopala and meditates on him,
Would get all his sins destroyed and at the end,
Reach that place of Lord Vishnu for ever.
Gopala Vimsathi
[The twenty verses on the Cowherd]
By Vedantha Desika
[Vedanta Desika (1269 – 1370) is a great poet, devotee, philosopher and master-teacher belonging to the Sri Vaishnava sect founded by saint Ramanuja. By the end of 14th centaury the followers of Saint Ramanuja had split in to Vadakalai and Tenkalai. The followers of the former consider Sri Vedanta Desika as their Acharya (teacher). This great Stotra sings about the greatness of Gopala (cowherd) and is extremely popular among his devotees. It is said that it was composed in Thiruvahindrapuram by the Acharya overwhelmed by the beauty of the Rajagopala idol in the temple. These are usually sung before Thadhiaradhanams (Group partaking of food offered to God) and on the occasion of marriages and on Krishna Jayanthi day in Thiruvahindrapuram. The translation presented here is a simple literal translation, trying to bring out the beauty of this great stotra rathna.]
Vande Vrundavana Charam vallavee Jana Vallabham,
Jayanthi Sambhavam dhama vaijayanthi bhooshanam. 1
Salutations to him, who wanders in Vrundavana,
Who is the darling of the Gopis there,
Who was born on the day of the Sri Jayanthi,
And who wears the garland called Vaijayanthi.
Vacham nijangarasikam prasmeekshamano,
Vakthraravinda vinivesitha pancha janya,
Varna trikona ruchire varapundarike,
Badhasano jayathi vallava chakravarthi. 2
Victory to the emperor of the Gopis,
Who looks at Saraswathi sitting on his lap,
Who keeps his conch Pancha Janya close to his lips,
Who sits in the middle of a triangle placed,
In the middle of the holy lotus.
Amnaya gandha ruchiru chira sphurithhadharoshta,
Masravilekshana manukshana mandhahasam,
Gopaladimbhavapusham kuhana janannya,
Pranasthanandhayamavaimi param pumaamsam. 3
I see that divine gentleman,
Whose breath wafted the fragrance of the Vedas,
Whose pretty lips quivered,
When he cried and laughed,
With his form of a cow herd baby,
And smiled in between the bouts of cry,
At the approach of the deceitful mother*,
And drank her life force and blessed her.
*Poothana the ogress sent to kill him
Aavirbhavathvanibruthabharanam purasthaat,
Aakunchithaika Charanam nibrudhanyapadam,
Dadhnaa nimanthamukurena nibhaddhatalam,
Nathaasya nanda bhavaneh nava neeta natyam 4
Let that form with the several ornaments,
Appear before my mind,
In which he folds one leg and,
Holds the other leg straight,
In which he produced musical sounds,
And dancing steps in line with,
The sound of churning of curds,
Produced by his mother,
For getting freshly made butter
(Another version of the same:
Aavirbhavathya nibhruthabaranam purastha,
Dakunchidaika charanam nihithannypadam,
Radha nibadhamookurena nibadha thalam,
Nadhasya nanda bhavane nava neethanatyam. 4
That form with the several ornaments,
Appears before my mind,
In which he folds one leg and,
Holds the other leg straight,
In which he keeps time with,
The jingling sound of anklets,
Which were tied on him by Radha,
And in which he jumps and trots ,
For getting butter in the house of Nanda.)
Harthum Kumbhe vinihathikara swaduhaingaveenam,
Drushtwa dhama grahana chatulam matharam jatha rosham,
Payadheeshath prachalitha pado napagachchanna thishtan,
Mithyagopa sapadhi nayane meelayan viswagoptha. 5
Let me protected by the protector of the universe,
Who extended his hand to steal the sweet butter from the pot,
And seeing his very angry and clever mother with a rope,
Moved slightly his leg but not moving hither or thither,
Closed tightly both his eyes and waited for her.
Vraja yoshidha panga vedaneeyam
Madhura bhagya mannanya bhagya meede,
Vasudeva vadhoosthanandayam thath,
Kimapi brahma kisora bhava drusyam. 6
I meditate on that Brahmam,
Who is understood by the Gopis,
Just by a slight look on him by them,
Who is the luck of Mathura,
Who is the greatest luck to,
The unmatchable souls every where,
Who drank milk out of the wife of Vasudeva,
And who always looks like a handsome lad.
Parivarthitha kandaram bhayena,
Smitha phulladhara sambhavam smarami,
Vitapithwanirasakam kayoschid,
Vipololukala karshakam kumaram. 7
I remember the lad smiling with lips,
Resembling the rosy leaf buds,
Who had turned his neck out of fear,
And who dragged the big mortar,
In between the two trees and,
Freed both of them of their,
Tree form forever.
Nikuteshu nisamayami nithyam,
Nigamanthairadhunapi mrugyamanam,
Yamalarjuna drusha bala keleem,
Yamuna sakshika youvanam yuvaanam. 8
I see him daily near me,
Who is being searched by Vedas,
Who broke the two Arjuna trees,
And who is with young maidens,
Near the Yamuna with it as a witness
Padavee madaveeyasim vimukther
Atavi sambada mambu vahayantheem,
Arunadhara sabilasha vamsam,
Karunam karuna manusham bhajami. 9
I sing about that man who is the cause,
Who is the way which is near salvation,
Who is the great wealth of the forests,
Who is as gross as the rain bearing clouds,
Who has red lips fond of keeping the flute,
And who exists as the state of mercy.
Animesha nisheva neeya makshnor,
Jahadhyouvana ma virasthu chithe,
Kala hayitha kunthalam kalapai,
Karunanmadha vigraham vibho may. 10
May He, whose form maddened with mercy,
Appear and remain in my mind
Who has an ever youthful pretty form,
Which does not allow our eyes to close for a second,
And who has pretty hair decorated by peacock feather,
Anuyayi manogna vamsa naalai,
Ravathu sparsitha vallavee vimoghai,
Anaghasmitha sheethalai rasou maam,
Anukampasaritham ambujai pangai. 11
May I be protected by His sight,
Which resemble the lotus flowers,
Of his mind resembling the pond of mercy,
Cooled by his pleasant smile,
And which always falls on the flute with him,
And which makes the Gopis extremely happy,
Adharahitha chharu vamsa nalaa,
Mukutalambhi mayoora pincha mala,
Hari neelashila vihanga leela,
Prathibhasanthu mamanthima prayane. 12
I should be able to see Him,
With flute kept close to his lips,
With blue peacock feather adorning his hair,
And with his pranks shining like the blue gem,
During the last procession of my life.
Akhilanavalokayami kaalan,
Mahila leena bhujantharasya yoona,
Abhilasha padam vrujanganana,
Abhilapakrama dhooramaabhi roopyam. 13
I see him always and all times,
With a chest carrying his Lady,
And also see him as prettiness,
That can never ever be described,
And which is the acme of desire of the gopis.
Hrudhi Mugdha sikanda mandana
LIkhitha kena mamaisha shilpana,
Madhanadhura vallavangana,
Vadhambhoja divakaro Yuva. 14
I salute Him who is like a Sun.
To the lotus faces of lovelorn gopis,
Who are infatuated by his face,
Shining because of the peacock feather,
Worn by him in his head.
And who has etched his pretty face,
In their minds always.
Mahase mahithaya moulina,
Vinathenanjali manjana twishe,
Kalyami vidagdhavallavee
Valaya bhashitha manju venave. 15
I salute with folded hands,
Him who is black in colour,
And who plays his pretty flute,
In the midst of those gopis,
Who are intelligent and experts.
Jayathu lalitha kruthyam sikshatho valveenaam,
Sidhila valaya sinja seethalair hastha thaalai,
Akhila bhuvana raksha gopa veshasya vishnor,
Adharamani sudhaya vamsavan vamsa nala. 16
Victory to that flute which partakes the nectar,
Flowing from the lips of Vishnu,
Who has taken the form of a gopa lad,
For protecting all the world,
And to him who is being taught,
The dancing steps along with the ,
Beats created by the tingling sound,
Created by their bangles by the gopis.
Chithrakalpa sravasi kalayan langalee karna pooram,
Barhothamsa sphuritha chikaro bandhu jeevam dadhana,
Gunjam badhamurasi lalitham darayan harayashteem,
Gopasthreenam jayathi kithavo gopikamapahari. 17
Victory to Him who cures,
The passion of Gopi maidens,
By prettily dressing himself,
With flower from coconut sheaf in the ear,
With peacock feathers and the flower,
Of red hibiscus tied to his pretty tresses,
And the garland made of the black red
Seeds of Gunja* tree decorating his chest.
* Called Kundhumani in tamil, these seeds are used to weigh gold.
Leelayashtim karakisalaye dakshinenyasya dhanyam,
Amse devya pulakanibide sannivishatanya bahu,
Meghasyamo jayathi lalitham mekhala datha venur,
Gunja peeda sphuritha chikuro gopa kanya bhujanga. 18
Victory to him who keeps his flute,
Tucked in his golden waist band ,
Who keeps his right hand on a stick,
Used to mind the herds of cow,
Who keeps his left hand on the shoulder,
Of the lady* shivering with joy,
Who is of the black colour of the cloud,
And who ties his tresses with a chain of Gunja seeds.
*Sri Sadagopan in his commentary says this Lady is Nappinnai (neela Devi) a special sweet heart of Krishna. I saw another reference that this lady is Yasodha his mother. It could be Radha also but Radha is rarely mentioned in the work of disciples of Ramanuja.
Prathyaleeda smruthi gaham praptha gadangapaalim,
Paschadeeshayilitha nayanam preyasim prekshamana,
Bhasthrayanthra pranihithakaro bhaktha jeevathuravya,
Dwaree kreeda nibida vasano vallavee vallabho na. 19
May that Lord who is the Lord of the gopis,
Who swept his sweet heart gopi in to a tight embrace,
Along with his wet cloths made wet,
During the love play inside the water,
Who gave a loving glance to the gopi who,
Was keeping her eyes partially closed,
Who held in his hand a water gun,
And who is the savior of his devotees,
Save me from the ills of domestic life.
Vasoo hruthwa dinakara sutha sannidhou vallaveenaam,
Leelasmero jayathi lalithamasthitha kunda shakhaam,
Sa vreedabhisthadhanu vasanam thabhir abhyarthamana,
Kamee kaschid kara kamalayor anjalim yachamana. 20
Victory to the playful one who,
Sat daintily on the branch of the kunda tree,
And took away all the cloths left by Gopis,
Who were taking their bath in the river that is,
The daughter of the sun god,
And when requested for their cloths,
Requested them to come out,
And seek for the cloths with raised folded hands.
Phala Sruthi
Ithyan anya manasaa vinirmitham,
Venkatesa kavina sthuthim padan,
Divya venu rasikam sameekshathe,
Daivatham kimapi yowatha priyam.
He who reads this poem written,
By the poet Venkatesa* with no one,
Else appearing in his mind,
Would go near the God who likes,
The holy flute, who is the God,
Who is the darling of all gopis.
* The name of Vedantha desika was Venkatesa.
****************
Note: In a book published from Kerala, the following Stanza is given as Stanza Number 5. But this is absent from many of the versions that I saw:
Kunda prasoona visadairdasanai chathurbhi,
Sandhasya mathranisam kucha choochukagram,
Nandasya vakthramavalokayatho murarer,
Mandasmithm mama maneeshitha mathanothu.
Let my desires be fulfilled by that,
By the killer of Mura,
Who with his front four teeth,
Which are like the buds of Jasmine,
Bites the aureole of the busts of his mother,
And smiling looks at the face of Nanda.
Govinda Damodara Stotram
By Sage Bilwamangala
[This Stotra has been composed by Sage Bilvamangala, who is also known as Lila Sukha. His greatest work of course is Sri Krishna Karnamritha. Nothing much is known about the period in which this great sage lived. There is a general agreement that he belongs to South India, visited Dwaraka and later visited Brindavan and attained Samadhi there. Some people believe that he was from Andhra Pradesh. Taking in to account the fact that he is a part of large number of folk tales of Kerala (Bilwamangalathu Swamiyar), His verse from Sri Krishna Karnamrutha is the first verse of the very popular Bala Mukundashtakam which is recited in Kerala and also the fact that he refers to wearing of tiger claw (A practice in Kerala) by the young Krishna in several places, I tend to agree with the school of thought that he originally belonged to Kerala. The Govinda-Damodhara Stotram is the ecstasic outpouring of pure unalloyed Bhakti of this great savant to Lord Krishna. He pictures all the devotees of Lord Krishna, sharing his ecstasy and so deeply drunk by these names, that they do not talk of anything else under all circumstances that they are in. One of the stanzas is from Bhagwatham and few resemble the verses of Mukunda mala. I am sure that before you complete reading this, you would also be intoxicated by the name of Lord Krishna.]
Agre kurunaam atha pandavanam,
Dushasane ahwatha vastra kesha,
Krishnaa tad akroshad ananya natha,
Govinda, damodara Madavethi. 1
When in front of Kurus and Pandavas,
Dushasana dragged her by her cloths and hair,
Angered, Draupadi seeing no other lord,
Called Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara, Oh Madhava.
Govinda - He who lifted the earth (Go) Or He who is the chief of cows.
Damodhara - He who is known by knowledge got by self restraint Or He who was tied by Yasodha in the stomach Or He who keeps in his belly the world called Dhama.
Madhava - He who was born in the family of Madhu.
Sri Krishna Vishno Madhu Kaitabhare,
Bhakthanukampin Bhagawan murare,
Trayasya maam keshava loka natha,
Govinda, Damodhara Madavethi. 2
Hey Krishna, Hey Vishnu who killed Madhu and Kaidabha,
Hey lord who has pity on his devotees,
Hey Lord who killed the asura called Mura,
Hey Kesava, Hey Lord of the world, save me,
Hey Govinda, Hey Damodara, Hey Madhava.
Vikrethu kamakhila Gopa Kanya,
Murari padarpitha chitha Vruthi,
Dadyodhakam moha vasad avochad,
Govinda, Damodara, Madhavethi. 3
The lovelorn Gopa maiden having offered
Her mind at the feet of Lord Murari,
While selling Curds in the street,
Due to her passion filled mind,
Cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodara and Oh Madhava.
Ulukhale Sambharitha thandulamsa cha,
Saighatyayantyo musalai pramugdha,
Gayanthi gopyo janithanuragha,
Govinda, Damodhara, Madhavethi. 4
Pounding the mortar full of grains,
With the pestle again and again,
The Gopis due to their budding love,
Sing Oh Govinda, Oh Damodara and Oh Madhava.
Kachithramboja pute nishannam,
Krida shukam kimshuka ratna thundam,
Adhyapayamasa saroruhakshi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 5
A lotus beauty instructed a playful parrot,
With a bright red beak which was seated
On the edge of her hand to say,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Gruha gruhe Gopa vadhu samooha,
Prathi kshanam pinjara sarikanam,
Skalad giram vachayithum pravrutho,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 6
In every home, every second of their time
The bevy of Gopa brides are engaged,
In making the caged parrots repeat,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Paryaykinkabjham alam kumaram,
Prasvapayonthyakhila gopa kanya,
Jagu prabhandam swara thala badham,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 7
Rocking their little ones to sleep in their cradle,
All gopa lasses with expertise sing,
This lullaby with proper notes and beats
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ramanujam veekshana keli lolam,
Gopi grahithva nava nitha golam,
Abalakam balakam ajuhva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 8
Examining the brother of Bala Rama,
With ever shifting and playful eyes,
The gopis offer a ball of fresh butter,
To attract the child and call
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Vichithra varnabhirama rame,
Bindehi vakthrambhuja raja hamse,
Sada madhiyee rasengri range,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 9
Hey toungue who is like the royal swan,
And who is interested in chanting of.
Those very ever attractive names,
Always keep enjoying those juicy names,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ankhadhi rudam shishu gopa gudham,
Stanam dayantham kamalaika kantham,
Sambodhayam aasa mudha yasodha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 10
Oh Lord of the lady of the lotus,
As a baby sitting on the lap of Yasodha daintily,
You used to drink milk from her breast,
And she drowned in the bliss, used to address you,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Krithantham anthara vrajam athmanamaswam,
Samam vayasaihi pasu pala balaa,
Premna yasodha prajuhava krishnam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 11
In the land of Vraja, when Krishna,
Was playing with youths of his age,
Who looked after the cows,
Addressing him alone, Yasodha called,
That Krishna whom she loved as,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Yasodhaya gadham ulukalena,
Go kantha pasena nibhadyamanam,
Rurodha mandam nava nita bhoji,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 12
Tied tightly to the mortar by Yasodha,
With the rope that was used to tie cows,
Slightly whimpering, that boy who ate butter said,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Nijanangane kankana keli lolam,
Gopi grahithwa navanitha golam,
Amardayath pani talena netre,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 13
When in the courtyard Krishna,
Was playing with a bangle,
That Gopi shut his eyes from the back playfully,
And produced before him a ball of butter, Murmuring,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Gruhe gruhe vadhu kadambha,
Sarve milithwa samvaya yoge,
Punyani namani pathanthi nithyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 14
Whenever in houses and homes, the gopi ladies,
Met each other and started talking,
Daily they used to repeat your holy names,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Mandhara male vadanabhiramam,
Bhimbadare puritha venu nadam,
Go gopa gopi jana madhya samastham,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 15
Seeing that ever attractive boy standing below a coral tree,
Singing pleasant notes with flute kept near his reddish lips,
All cows, gopas and gopi maidens amidst other people, used to chant,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Uthaya gopyo aparathra bhoge,
Smrithwa Yasoda Sutha bala kelim,
Gayanthi proccair mantha yantho,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 16
The Gopis having woken up just before dawn,
And remembering the pranks of the son of Yasoda,
Used to sing together loudly while churning for butter,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Jaagadho atha datho navanitha pindo,
Gruhe Yasoda vickitsayanthi,
Uvacha satyam vacha hey murare,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 17
Having woken up and having made the ball of butter,
Yasoda, in her home, became suspicious and told,
Please tell me the truth Hey Murari,
Hey Govinda, Hey Damodhara and Hey Madhava.
Abyarchya geham yuvathi pravriddha,
Prema pravaha dadhi nirmamantha,
Gayanthi gopyo atha sakhi sametha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 18
After the morning prayers, when lasses,
With increased torrent of love, churn the curds.
The Gopis sing along with their friends,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Kwachith prabhathe dadhi purna pathre,
Nikshipya manthum yuvathi mukundam,
Alokya ganam vividham karothi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 19
Rarely in the mornings, with vessel full of curds,
The young ladies used to put the churn in the pot,
And saw Mukunda there and broke into variety,
Of soulful music and started singing,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Kreedarpanam bhojana majjanartham,
Hithaishini stree thanujam Yasodha,
Ajhuhavat prema pariplutakshi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 20
When Krishna dedicates himself to play,
Disregarding even food and bath,
The great lady Yasoda with concern for him,
And with overwhelming flood of love used to Call
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Sukham sayanam nilaye cha Vishnu,
Devarshi mukhya munaya prapanna,
Thenachyuthe tanmayatham vrajanthi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 21
Seeing Vishnu sleeping comfortably on his bed,
The chief of deva sages who have surrendered to him,
Attain the same state as the Lord Achyutha by singing,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Vihaya Nidhram arunodaye cha,
Vidhya krutyani cha vipra mukhya,
Vedavasane prapadanthi nithyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 22
Forsaking sleep and waking up before dawn,
The chief of Brahmins after completing their studies,
And after chanting Vedas, daily take steps to chant,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Vrundavane gopa ganascha gopyo,
Vilokya govinda viyoga khinnam,
Radham jaghusasru vilochanabhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 23
In the Brindavan the crowds of Gopa and gopis,
Seeing the tears starting to flow from eyes of Radha,
Due to the parting of Govinda who was departing cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Prabhatha sanchara gatanu gava,
Sthad rakanartham tanaya Yasodha,
Prabodhayat pani talena mandam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 24
Seeing the departure of cows in the morning,
In order to protect her son,
Yasodha patted him slowly and gently and muttered,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Pravala shobha iva deergha kesa,
Vatambu parnasana pootha deha,
Moole tharunam munaya pathanthi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 25
Shining like coral, possessing long hair,
Keeping this body alive by eating leaves,
And sitting on the roots of trees, those sages say,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Evam bruvana virahathura brusam,
Vruja striya Krishna vishiktha manasa,
Visrujya lajjam rurudhu sma suswaram,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 26
Having heard these words, the lovelorn crowd.
Of the ladies of Brindavan, with a tumultuous mind,
Threw away their sense of modesty, cried and repeated in a sad voice,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
(This verse is identical one with the Sloka in Bhagawatham which describes the reaction of Gopis to the words of sage Akroora .The poet must have taken it from there.)
Gopi kadchin mani pinjarastham,
Shukam vacho vachayithum pravritha,
Ananda kanda, Vruja Chandra Krishna,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 27
The gopis sometimes, made their parrot,
Put in a gilded cage teach them to recite,
Piece of our happiness, Oh Moon of Vruja, Oh Krishna,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Go vathsa balai shishu kaka paksham,
Badanantham ambhoja dalayathaksham,
Uvacha matha chibukam grahithwa,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 28
When the lord with eyes like the lotus leaf,
Tied the pigtails of the cowherd boys to the cow,
His mother caught hold of his chin and told,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Prabhata kale vara vallavagha,
Go rakshanartham drutha vethra dandai,
Akaryam asurananthamaadhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 29
In the mornings fine, the chosen cow herd boys,
Came holding sticks of cane to protect the cows,
And called the causeless, limitless and primeval lord,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Jalashaya kaliya mardanaya
Yada kadambadapatan murare,
Gopanganas chakra suretya gopa,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 30
When Lord Murari jumped from the Kadambha tree,
To chastise Kaliya standing in the river pond,
The gopa maidens devas and gopa lads sang out,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Akruram asadya yada Mukunda,
Sachapothsavartham mathuram pravishta,
Tada sa pauraiy jayathethi bani,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 31
When Krishna entered the city of Mathura
With the dissimilar looking sage Akroora,
To attend the festival of the bow,
The citizens of that city cried, Victory,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Kamsasya duthena yadaaiva nithau,
Vrindavanathad vasudeva sunou,
Rurodha gopi bhavanasya madhye,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 32
When the messenger of Kamsa took away.
From Vrindavana, the sons of Vasudeva,
The gopis wept bitterly inside their houses,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Sarovare kaliya naga badham,
Shisum Yasodha thanayam nishamya,
Chakrur lutayantha pathi gopa bala,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 33
Seeing that the baby son of Yasodha,
Was tied by the kaliya serpent of the pond,
The helpless gopa boys rolled with sorrow and cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Akrurayane yadu vamsa nadham,
Samagachanaam mathuram nirikshya,
Uvacuha viyogatkila gopa bala,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 34
Seeing the departure to Mathura,
Of the lord of Yadus in Akroora’s chariot
And feeling the pain of separation the gopa lads cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Chakranda gopi nalini vanante,
Krishnena hina kusume shayana,
Prafulla neelothphala lochanabhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 35
When a gopi lays down on a bed of flowers,
At the edge of the forest without Krishna,
With tears from her blue lotus like eyes, she cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Mata pithrubhyam parivaramana,
Geham pravishta vilapa gopi,
Agathya maam palaya viswanatha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 36
continued-2
Govinda Damodara Stotram
Brought up strictly by her mother and father,
A gopi reaching her home cried,
Please come and take care of me, Oh Lord of the world,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Vrindavanastham harim ashu budhya,
Gopi gathakapi vanam nishayyam,
Tatrapi adrishta vathi bhayad avochad,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 37
Thinking that Hari would be in Brindavan at night,
A quick witted gopi went there,
And when she did not find him, cried with fear,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Sukham shayana nilaye nijepi,
Namani Vishno pravadanthi marthya,
They nischitham thanmayathwam vrujanthi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 38
Even pleasantly lying down in the bed room,
Those men who repeat the names of Lord Vishnu,
Would attain a form similar to you,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Saa neerajakshim avalokya radham,
Rurodha govinda viyoga khinnam,
Sakhi praphullothpala lochanabhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 39
Seeing Radha with her lotus like eyes,
Crying due to the parting with Goviinda,
Her friend also shed tears from her pretty eyes murmuring,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Jihve rasajje madhura priya thwam,
Sathyam hitham thwam paramam vadhami,
Avarnayetha madhuraksharani,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 40
Hey toungue, among the tastes, you like sweets best,
And I am telling the truth that is good to you,
Please instead always recite the sweet letters,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Athyanthika vyadhi haraa janaanaam,
Chikithsam Veda vidho vadanthi,
Samsara thapa traya nasa bhijam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 41
Those who are most learned in Vedas say,
The greatest cure for all diseases of all people,
And which also uproots of three types of pains of the world is,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Thatha jayagachathi Ramachandre,
Sa lakshmane aranya chaye sithe,
Chakrantha ramasya nija janithri,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 42
Seeing the departure of Ramachandra,
With Lakshmana along with Sita to the shade of forests,
The mother of Rama cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ekakini danda kananath,
Sa niyama ayana Dasa kanda harena,
Sita thadakroshad ananya natha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 43
Alone in the forest of Dandaka,
When helplessly being taken away by Ravana,
Sita with anger not accepting any other lord cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Ramadhi vyuktha Janakathmaja sa,
Vichinthayanthi hrudhi Rama roopam,
Rurodha Sita Raghunatha pahi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 44
Separated from the Rama, the daughter of Janaka,
Thought of the Form of Rama in her mind,
And cried, Oh Lord of Raghu clan, save me,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Praseedha Vishno Raghu Vamsa natha,
Suruasuranaam sukha dukha hetho,
Rurodha sita Samudhra Madhye.
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 45
In the middle of the Ocean cried Sita,
Please save me Lord Vishnu, Lord of Raghu clan,
Who gives happiness and sorrow to asuras and devas,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Antar jale graham grahitha pado,
Visrishta, viklishta samastha bandhu,
Tada gajendro nitaram jagada,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 46
His feet caught inside the water,
Along with harassed and frightened friends,
That Lord of elephants cried again and again to the world,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Hamsadwaja shankayutho dadarsa,
Puthram kathahe prapatantam enaam,
Punyani naamani harer japantham,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 47
Hamsadwaja saw his priest Shankayuta,
Falling in to the vat with his son,
Who was chanting the holy names of Lord Hari,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
(I could not find out any reference to this story. Hamsadwaja was one great king who fought with Arjuna and almost defeated him. He had a son called Sudhanwa.)
Durvaso vakyahma upethya Krishnaa,
Sach abraveet kanana vasineesham,
Anthaprathishtam manase juhava,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 48
Draupadi hearing the words of Durvasa,
Invited him for food in spite of living in the forest,
Because she has installed you deep in her mind
The names Govinda, Damodhara and Madhava.
Dhyayeh sada yoghibir aprameya,
Chintha harsha chinthitha pari jata,
Kasthurika kalpitha nila varno,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 49
The incomparable sages, meditate always on him
As Govinda, Damodhara and Madhava
Who is the Giver of happy thoughts and is the cure for those worried,
And is of bluish colour and with the sweet scent of musk.
Samsara koope pathitho thyagadhe,
Mohanda Purne, vishayabhi thapthe,
Karavalambam mama dehe Vishno,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 50
I have fallen in the family life,
Which is deep and dark with passion,
And hot with material wealth,
So give me a hand of support, Oh Vishnu,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Tvamevayase mama dehi jihve,
Samagathe danda dhare krithande,
Vak thvayamevam madhuram subhakthya,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 51
Oh my toungue of my body,
When the time comes for the award,
Of punishments to the sins done by me,
Please tell of your own accord,
Sweetly and with extreme devotion,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava
Bhajaswa mantram bhava bhanda mukthai,
Jihve rasajje sulabham manognam,
Dvaipayanadhair munibhir prajaptham,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 52
Oh toungue, who is the knower of tastes,
Sing that easy and attractive holy chant,
Which cuts of the bondage and gives salvation,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Gopala Vamsidhara rupa sindho,
Lokesha, Narayana deena bhandho,
Uvacha swarai thwam vada sarva daiva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 53
Always you repeat musically the names of all gods,
Oh cowherd, Oh flute carrier, Oh ocean of beauty,
Oh Lord of the earth, Oh Narayana, Oh friend of the oppressed,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Jihve sadaiva bhaja sundarani,
Naamani krishnasya manoharani.
Samastha bhaktharthi vinasanani,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 54
Oh toungue, Always sing about,
The pretty names of Lord Krishna,
Which put an end to all problems of devotees,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Govinda, Govinda Hare Murare,
Govinda govinda mukundaa Krishna,
Govinda Govinda rathanga pane,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 55
Oh Govinda, Oh Govinda, Oh Hari, Oh Murari,
Oh Govinda, Oh Govinda, Oh Mukunda, Oh Krishna,
Oh Govinda, Oh Govinda, Oh driver of Chariot,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Sukhavasane tvidam eva saram,
Dukhavasane tvidam eva geyam,
Dehavasane tvidam eva japyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 56
At the end of all pleasures, you are the essence,
At the end of sorrow, you are the only goal,
And at the end of the body, you are only to be chanted,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Durvara vakhyam parigruha Krishnaa,
Mrugeeva bheetham kadam kadachit,
Sabham pravishta manasa juhava,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 57
Draupadi, accepting the cruel words of Dushasana,
Entered the assembly like a frightened perplexed deer
And within her innate heart cried to her Lord,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava
Sri Krishna Radhavara gokulesa,
Gopala govardhana natha vishno,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 58
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of Krishna, Sweetheart of Radha,
Lord of Gokula, Cowherd, Lord of Govardhana, Vishnu.
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Srinatha Visweshwara Vishwamurthe,
Sri Devaki nandana, daithya shatro,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 59
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of holy lord, lord of universe,
Symbol of the universe, son of Devaki, enemy of asuras,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Gopipathe, kamsaripo, mukunda,
Lakshmipathe, keshava, vasudeva,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 60
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of lord of the gopis, enemy of Kamsa,
Mukunda, Lord of Lakshmi, Keshava, Vasudeva,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Gopijanahladakara vrajesha,
Gocharan aranya kritha pravesa,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 61
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of the lord of Vruja,
Who gives happiness to gopis, The lord,
Who follows the cows to the forest,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Pranesha Viswambhara, kaidabhare,
Vaikunta Narayana chakra pane,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 62
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of lord of the soul,
He who dresses himself with universe,
He who killed Kaidabha, He who lives in Vaikunta,
Narayana, holder of the holy wheel,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Hare Murare Madhusudanadya,
Srirama sitavara, ravanare,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 63
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of Hari, Murari,
Killer of Madhu, Rama, Lord of Sita, killer of Ravana,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Sri Yadavendra adridhara Ambujaksha,
Go gopa gopi sukha dana daksha,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 64
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of the chief of yadavas, lifter of mountain,
Lord with lotus eye who with expertise,
Takes care of the happiness of cows, gopas and gopis,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Dharabharothrana gopa vesha,
Vihara lila krutha bandhu sesha,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 65
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of he who lifted,
The burden of earth in the form of a gopa,
He who engaged in play with his brother sesha,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Baki bhakha agasura dhenukare,
Kesi trinavartha vi vighata daksha,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 66
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of Enemy of Poothana,
Bhaka and agasura, He who broke,
The heads of Kesi and Trunavartha,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Sri Janaki jeevana Ramachandra,
Nisha charare, bhaarathagrajesha,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 67
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of Ramachandra,
Who is the soul of Janaki, who is,
The enemy of those who move at night,
Who is the elder brother of Bharata,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Narayana, anantha hare, nrusimha,
Prahladha badhaa hare, hey kriplao,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 68
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of Narayana, Anantha, Hari,
Narasimha, he who removed problems of Prahlada, the merciful one,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Leela manshya kritha rama roopa,
Prathapa dasi kritha sarva bhoopa,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 69
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of He who playfully,
Assumed the form of Lord Rama,
He who made all the kings as his slaves,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Sri Krishna, Govinda, Hare Murare,
Hey Natha Narayana Vasudeva,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 70
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of Krishna, Govinda, Hari,
Murari, Lord Narayana, Vasudeva,
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava.
Vakthum samarthopi na vakthi kaschid,
Aho janaanaan vyasnabhi mukhyam,
Jihve pibaswa amritham ethad eva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 71
Oh toungue, be pleased to drink now,
The nectar like names of
Govinda, Damodara and Madhava,
Which are not chanted by many people
Even if they are able to chant them easily,
And thus becomes the chief cause of their sorrow,
Ithi Sri Bilwamangalacharya virachitham,
Sri Govinda, damodara stotram sampoornam.
Thus ends the prayer on Govinda and Damodara,
Written by the great teacher Bilwamangala.
Guru Marutpuradeesam
[God of the city of wind and teacher]
[After the island of Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea, it is believed that an idol of Sri Krishna from there was entrusted to Lord Vayu (Wind God) and Guru (Jupiter/Teacher of devas), requesting them to find a suitable place to install it. They after a thorough search installed it in the present Guruvayur (City of Vayu and Guru-city of wind and teacher) in the state of Kerala, India. For several, thousand years this great temple has been attracting devotees of Lord Krishna from all over the world. Among the great devotees was Melpathur Bhattathiri who wrote the great book Narayaneeyam, which essentially is the story of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Gurumaruthpuradseesam also deals with the ten incarnations and is written in the style of the famous song Harivarasanam which is about Lord Iyappa.]
Garuda Vahaamn, Punya darshanam,
Varajashakruthim, Veda sangraham,
Pralayakala Jeevathma tharakam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 1
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who rides on Garuda,
Who can be seen by only blessed ones,
Who took the form of a holy fish,
Who brought back the Vedas,
And who is the only help to the souls,
During the final deluge.
Pranava manasam, Prana Jeevanam,
Prakata Kachapakarameaswaram,
Amrutha dayakam, nithya noothanam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 2
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Whose mind is the letter Om,
Who is the soul of all beings,
Who is the God who appeared as a tortoise,
Who helped in getting nectar,
And who is daily new and different.
Sukrutha kalpakam, sama thoshitham,
Sakala vaishnavakara sukaram,
Bhuvana bhhoshanalankrutham vibhum,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 3
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who took the shape of a boar,
Who is made happy by Sama Veda,
Who is the boar which is the complete form of Vishnu,
Who brought back the world with its ornaments,
And who helps us cross this ocean of life.
Varadameeshwaram, naarasimhakam,
Vapushi bheekaram, punya poorakam,
Sura gana vrutham, bhaktha vathsalam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 4
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who gives boons and protection,
Who assumed the form of man and lion,
Who looked as horror personified to the Asura,
Who blesses those who do good deeds,
Who is surrounded by devas,
And who is the darling of his devotees.
Charitha vishrutham, vaamanakrutheem,
Parama poorusham, yaga sadhakam,
Para padapradham papa nasakam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 5
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Whose story is famous,
Who assumed the form of Vamana,
Who is the ultimate God,
Who helps sages to complete fire sacrifices,
Who is a stepping stone to the other world,
And who is the destroyer of sins.
Brugu kulothbhavam, ramanamakam,
Suguna basuram, renukathmajam,
Nruvarathapasam keraladhipam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 6
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who was born in the clan of Bhrugu,
Who was named as Rama,
Who shined because of his good qualities,
Who is the son of Renuka,
Who is a saint who has taken Sanyasa,
And who is the Lord of Kerala.
Dasaradathmajam, Rama bhadhrakam,
Sara dhanurdhram, ravananthakam,
Purushamavyayam, sri nikethanam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 7
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who is the son of Dasaratha,
Who is the Rama badhra,
Who is an expert in bow and arrow,
Who brought an end to Ravana,
Who is the model man,
And who is the place where Lakshmi resides.
Varahalayudham, rohini sutham,
Giridharagrajam, rama daivatham,
Gaja gana priyam, dheematham varam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 8
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who is armed with the holy axe,
Who is the son of Rohini,
Who is elder brother of Lord Krishna,
Who is the godly Rama,
Who is fond of army of elephants,
And who is divinely proud.
Drutha sudarshanam, krishnamachutham,
Vijaya saradhim Gita sarasam,
Pasupa gopika narthana priyam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 9
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who is armed with Sudarshana,
Who is Lord Krishna, who is Achyutha,
Who is the charioteer of Arjuna,
Who is the essence of Gita,
Who liked cows,
And who danced with Gopis.
Dasavidhakrutheem, kalki vaibhavam,
Bhujaga thalpagam, bhootha bhavanam,
Nikhila roga samharakarakam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 10
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who took birth in ten incarnations,
Who is to be born as glorious Kalki,
Who would destroy bad people by his prowess,
Who would be the past and present,
And who would destroy all diseases.
Dasaka keerthanam Sridharathmakam,
Padamanavayam, Iswararpitham,
Parama Mangalam, bhaghya dayakam,
Guru marut puradheesamasraye. 11
I submit to that god of the town of wind and the teacher
Who is being sung about by these ten songs,
About the God who has Lakshmi with him,
Who is sung by these words and verses,
Which are dedicated to God,
And which results in great goodness,
And also results in great luck.
Guruvayupuresa Suprabatham
[Good Morning to Lord of Guruvayur]
[Guruvayurappan, the Lord of Guruvayur is believed to have been brought and installed there by Guru (the teacher of devas) and Vayu (the God of wind) at the time when the island of Dwaraka was swallowed by the sea. The temple and the lord are not only popular in Kerala but in other states also. A keralite Hindu in trouble always calls the Lord of Guruvayur to support him, when he is in trouble. Here is a Mellifluous wake up poem to wake up the Lord of Guruvayur.]
Uthishta Krishna Guruvayupuresa Soure,
Uthishta deva vasudeva supunya murthe,
Uthishta Madhava Janardhana Radhikesa,
Trilokyamethathakhilam kuru Mangaladyam. 1
Wake up oh Lord Krishna, Lord of Guruvayur and Lord Souri*,
Wake up oh God, who is personification of the good deeds of Vasudeva,
Wake up oh Madhava, oh Janardhana and oh Lord of Radha,
And please grant good fortune to all the places of the three worlds.
*Krishna
Sri Jamadagnyabhuvi sarva Jagadhitharthe,
Jeevena maruthayuthena krutha prathishtam,
Gurvadhi vayu pura nadhamanadha nadham,
Vacha namami mansam vachsamagamyam. 2
For uplifting of, all the land that belonged to Parasurama,
And the beings of that land, you were installed there by the God of wind,
And the teacher of devas and became the Lord of Guruvayur
And also became the Lord of all those who do not have any one else,
And I salute you with words, which come deep from my mind.
Viswaprakasa guru vayu krutha prathishta,
Kshethragna roopa parameshwara viswa bandho,
Aanandaroopa jagatham sthithi srushti hetho,
Swathmanameva bhagavanthamabheeshtaveemi. 3
With all my soul I express my desire to that Lord,
Who shines all over the world, who was installed,
By Guru and Vayu, who is the one who knows himself,
Who is the lord of all, who is the friend of all,
Who is the form of happiness and the lord,
Responsible for existence and upkeep of this universe.
Mayagraheetha vidhi Vishnu mahesa roopa,
Suthrathma vayu guru gehaga viswa roopa,
Viswodhbhava pralaya kelishu lola bhooman,
Brahmathma roopa bahuroopa namo namasthe. 4
Salutations to the one, who has many forms,
Who is the form of Vishnu, who by the net of
Delusion appeared to be caught in webs of fate,
Who binds all souls, Who is the universal form,
Who lives in the house created by Vayu and Guru,
Who was the cause of birth of the universe,
Who indulges in playful acts at the deluge of earth,
And who is the soul of the concept of Brahmam.
Mayamahajavanikapihithathma drushti,
Viswodhbhava pralaya kelishu jagarookam,
Nithya prabudhamapi bodhayithum pravrutha,
Suryam thamovruthamavaithi thamondha drushti. 5
Salutations to him who provides insight to the soul,
Which is concealed by the great net of delusion,
Who is always ready from the creation till the destruction of the world,
Who makes those who understand him, forever wise,
And who like Sun which dispels darkness,
Removes darkness from the mind and cures its blindness.
Nidhra na thesthi jithamaya sada aprameya,
Maya prapancha nava nataka suthra dharin,
Lokanusarividhaya nanu bodhyase thwam,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 6
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
Who by his acts of delusion appears sleeping but is ever wakeful,
Who is the great director of the new drama of the delusion filled world,
And who in his great wisdom, appears to obey the laws of the world.
Sri Vyasa, Narada, Sananda, Sanath Kumara,
Durvasa, Garga, Kapiladhyakhila muneendra,
Praptha hare thava Padambhuja darsanartham,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 7
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
For great king of sags like Vyasa, Narada, Sananda,
Sanath kumara, Durvasa, Garga and Kapila,
Have arrived for a glimpse of his lotus like feet.
Prathyusha poojanarathaa kila poojakasthe,
Pushpohara thulasi dadhi dugdha hastha,
Sambodhayathi Bhagawan sruthi suktha patai,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 8
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
For his devotees have come for the dawn worship,
Along with the offerings of flowers, thulasi, curds and milk,
And are addressing him with proper prayers from Vedas.
Bhaktha janaa sukadali phala sarkaradhi,
Haiyangaveena pradhukanvitha laja bhoopan,
Thubhyam nivedayathumadhya samagathasthe,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 9
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
For his all devotees have come with fruits of banana,
Sugar, ghee, and well prepared globes of popped rice,
For offering to him with devotion.
Vathadhiroga paripeeditha sarva gathra,
Dhoorath samethya sathatham thwayi bhaktha yuktha,
Krishnachyuthaaghaharambujanabha vishno,
Narayanambhuja bhavadhi nishevithangre,
Maam pahi vatha pura nadha sameerayanthi,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 10
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
For his devotees with rheumatism affecting all their body,
Have kept on coming from great distances and pray,
Oh Krishna, Oh Achyutha, Oh Vishnu who has lotus on his belly,
Oh Narayana, who is being waited upon by the lady of the lotus,
Oh Lord of the city of air, please save us all, who have traveled and come.
Dhoorath samethya manujastha chakra theerthe,
Snathwa vishudha hrudaya, phala pushpa hastha,
Thwath punya nama gana japaratha bhajanthe,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 11
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
For from far away, people have come, taken bath in thine divine pool,
And with clean heart, with fruits and flowers in hands,
And are meditating and chanting his divine names.
Thaam Devaki Vasudevayuthascha nanda,
Suptha prabudha dugdakara yasodha,
Thath prema bhara bharitha prathipalayanthi,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 12
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
For though he is the son of Devaki and Vasudeva,
He is being woken along with milk by Yasodha,
Who takes care of him with affection filled attention.
Mayatha deha madhusudhana viswa murthe,
Kayadhavarchitha padambuja punya keerthe,
Radhadarastha madhu lolupa ramya murthe,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 13
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
Who was the universal god, who killed Madhu in his human form,
Whose lotus like feet, with holy fame is worshipped by human beings,
And who is a pretty one who used to enjoy the honey from Radha’s lips.
Meeanakruthe sruthi samudharanaya poorvam,
Koormakruthe giri samudharanaya paschad,
Kolakruthe kshithi samudharanaya bhooman,
Gopala Sundara vibho thava suprabatham. 14
I wish a very great morning, to the lord who is a pretty Gopala,
Who earlier took the form of a fish and saved the Vedas from sea,
Later took the form of tortoise and held the mountain on his back,
And took the form of a boar and brought back the earth from the sea.
Sri Narasimha dithijakshaya hethu bhootha,
Prahlada rakshaka vibho, vatu vamanakhya,
Sri Rama, bhargava halayudha Krishna Kalkin,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 15
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
Who as Narasimha was the cause of destruction of asuras,
And saviour of Prahlada and who was Vamana the boy,
Sri Rama, Parasurama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki.
Sri Krishna vrushni vara yadava Radhikesa,
Govardhanodharana Kamsa vinasa soure,
Gopala, venu dhara, pandu suthaika bandho,
Sri maruthalaya vibho thava suprabatham. 16
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
Who was Lord Krishna, the great of the vrushni clan,
Who was a cowherd, lord of Radha, lifter of Govardhana,
Who was Krishna who destroyed Kamsa, who was Gopala,
Who carried a flute and the friend of the sons of Pandu.
Krishnethi varna yuga mathra sukeerthanena,
Bhakthastharanthi bhava sindhu yathnatho hi,
Sathyevamenamathi dheenaupekshase kim,
Krishnakhileswara Vibho thava Suprabatham. 17
I wish a very great morning, Krishna the lord of the whole world,
Who was sung about by ages by his black colour,
Who made his devotes cross the ocean of life without effort,
And who would definitely not disregard the very much oppressed.
Nithyam cha bhagavatha vachana bandha dheeksha,
Bhaktham kadhasravana kouthukinascha soure,
Thwad sannidhavanumathim kila they arthayanthe,
Vathalyeswara vibho thava suprabatham. 18
I wish a very great morning, to the lord of the temple of air,
Who has devotees who never get dissatisfied seeing him,
For in his temple daily people recite the Bhagavatha as a penance,
And his devotees are very much interested in hearing the stories of Krishna.
Bhakthan vilokaya drusa karunardraya thwam,
Aasweva than angrahena kruthartheyesa,
Thwad padyorvithara bhakthimachanchalam may,
Nithyam grunami vachasa thava mangalani. 19
Oh lord of satisfaction, you see your devotes,
With wet eyes due to your mercy, console them,
And grant your blessings and so they do have devotion,
Which is stable and would not seek any other feet.
Sarvopanishadheedyaya, nirgunaya, gunathmane,
Sankarabhinna roopaya, sachidroopaya Mangalam. 20
Mangalam to him who is praised by the Upanishads,
Who is without properties but the soul of all properties,
Who has form not different from Shiva and who has a holy form.
Sathyabhama samedhaya, sathyananda swaroopine,
Rukmani prana nadhaya, Lokapoojyaya Mangalam. 21
Mangalam to him, who is honoured by the whole world,
Who is with Sathyabhama, who has the form of real joy,
And who is the sweet heart of Rukhmani.
Radhadara madhu preetha, manasaya mahatmane,
Gopa gopi samedhaya, gopalayasthu Mangalam. 22
Mangalam to Gopala who is with gopas and gopis,
Who likes the honey of the lips of Radha,
And who is a very great person by his heart.
Mangalam veda vedyaya, vasudevaya Mangalam,
Mangalam padmanabhaya, punyaslokaya Mangalam. 23
Mangalam to the essence of Vedas,
Mangalam to Vaasudeva,
Mangalam to him who has lotus on his belly,
And Mangalam to him, who is praised as holy.
Mangalam paramanada, brahma roopaya Mangalam,
Guruvayupuresaya, sri krishnayasthu Mangalam. 24
Mangalam to the ultimate happiness,
Mangalam to him, who is of the form of Brahman,
And Mangalam to Sri Krishna, the lord of Guruvayur.
Guruvayurappan Prayer
Prayer to Protect Son
(Addressed to lord of Guruvayur)
[Here is a unique prayer in Malayalam addressed to the Lord of Guruvayur in his ten Avataras to take care of one’s son at every stage of his life. I have not come across any other prayer with this theme in any other religion or languages.]
Ipparil pukazh pongum Guruvay-
Rappa pothi, jagatpathe madhava,
Ippavapetta gnan akhilesa, nin,
Tripadambuje veenu vanangunen. 1
Oh, Lord of Guruvayur, whose fame,
Rises in this world, Oh lord of universe,
Oh Madhava, this innocent poor man,
Salutes you by falling at your lotus,
Like feet, Oh God of the Universe.
Ninthiruvadi onnu kanignagil,
Endu asadyamayullu, Ijagathingal,
Bandu vathsala, nee ozinjarume,
Santhapam agthiduvaan illa may. 2
In this universe, what is there,
That cannot be achieved, If,
You take interest in it,
Oh God, who loves his devotees,
There is none for me in this world except you,
Who can brush away all my sorrows.
Vacha bhakthya bhavat pada sannidhou,
Kazhcha vechitha, deenanaam balane,
Theerchayay paripalanam cheyyuvan,
Nerchayod unarthikunnithen vibo. 3
Due to my devotion towards you, my lord,
I give away my poor son to you,
For truly taking care of him, oh, my lord,
And I make this request along with offerings.
Akshyil kanda vasthu samasthavum,
Kukshiyil kothiyode nirakkumbol,
Pakshi vahana danwandara hare,
Rakshikkenam apathyam ozhichu nee. 4
When I am filling all that I see in this world,
Along with greed in this private bag of mine,
Oh God who rides on a bird. Oh Hari,
Oh Danwanthari, please take care of me,
Without taking a deep dislike to me.
Uthsahathode kootar onnichee,
Vathsan vellathil mungi kulikkumbol,
Mathsya roopa, purushothama hare,
Vathsalyathode kathu rakshikkenam. 5
When my this son along with his friends,
With exuberance takes bath in a pond,
Hey Hari, Hey greatest of men, who has the form of a fish,
Please take care of him with great affection.
Karma sakshiyagum jagnnayaga,
Kar mugil varna, karunya varidhe,
Orma kai vitturangum en unniye,
Koorma vigraha palichidenam. 6
Oh lord of the universe, who is,
Witness to all actions, Oh Lord,
Of the colour of the black cloud,
Oh ocean of mercy, please take care,
Of this my son, who is sleeping,
With no care, Oh God who became a tortoise.
Prouda balanmar othu vanangalil,
Oodamodham kalichu nadakkumbol,
Kroda vigraha, danava nigraha,
Peeda koodathe nadha rakshikkenam. 7
When my son with other lads,
Without care travels and plays in the forest,
Oh God who took the form of a boar,
Oh God who killed several Asuras,
Please take care of him without any trouble, Oh Lord.
Bhootha pretha pisachukal moolamayi,
Beethi poondivan ravil uzhalumbol,
Bhootha bhavana, hey Narasimha hare,
Preethi poorvam abhayam ekidenam. 8
Due to devils, ghosts and bad souls,
When he tosses in his bed due to fear, Oh Hari,
Oh Narasimha, Oh Lord who takes care of beings,
Please extend him protection with affection, Oh Lord.
Padu vanga prabhuthwa madham ullil,
Pedum youvana kalathu ivan ethum,
Kuduthayidum apathozhikkuvan,
Padu vamana murthe vangunnen. 9
During the time, when he reaches youth,
With mind full of idiocy, snobbishness,
And exuberance, to protect him from any dangers,
I salute that great God Vamana with devotion.
Bharga sishya, thaponidhe, Kerala,
Swarga souseelya leela visaradhe,
Bhargava bhagawane, makannu sa-
Nmargamayathu katti rakshikkenam. 10
The disciple of Bhargava, the storehouse of Thapas,
Who playfully made the heaven of Kerala,
Oh God Bhargava, please show the right,
Path to my son, lead him and protect him.
Sathya dharma rathany sadacharam,
Nithyanay ivan vanu sukikkuvan,
Sathya roopa, hey rama dasaratha,
Puthra Raghava, nithyam vanangidunnen. 11
I salute you daily, Oh Rama,
Who is Raghava, the son of Dasaratha
And who is personification of truth,
So that my son lives in truth and piety,
And observes good conduct in his life.
Hala mudritha baho, maha veera,
Bala nirjjitha sarvari sanjaya,
Balabadhra bhavan ende puthrannay,
Balabadhra gunangal egidenam. 12
O h Balabadhra who carries a plough,
Who is a great warrior, who is full of strength,
And treasure house of all that is good,
Please give my son, all your good qualities.
Nanda nandana, Vrundavana priya,
Nandaneeya guna gana varidhe,
Nandi poorvam en nandanil kani,
Njhu indira pathe, palichu kollenam. 13
Oh son of Nanda, Oh lover of Brindavana,
Of lad with ocean of all good qualities,
I gratefully request you to show mercy,
On my son and take care of him, Oh Lord of Lakshmi.
Gadgapane khalajana nasana,
Khadgi roopa, kali mala mochana,
Math guro kamala dala lochana,
Salgunalaya, paala balane. 14
He who holds the sword, who destroys,
Bad souls, who is known as Kalki ,
Who is cure to ills of kali age,
Who is my teacher, who has lotus like eyes,
And who is temple of all that is good, take care of my son.
Paal kadalil phaneeswara metha mel,
Akkamodennum palli kollum vibho,
Nalkku naal varum arthikal okkeyum,
Neeki rakshikka venam, jagat pathe. 15
Oh Lord who daily lies down on
The bed of a serpent, floating.
On the ocean of milk along with grace,
Please save my son from the desire after desires,
That are bound to come in this world, Oh Lord.
Ayussambathum ambathum eekenam,
Thejassum yassu ojassum mey sukham,
Sreyasllam ivannu labhikkuvan,
Asissu arulename daivame. 16
Oh god, please bless him with a life,
Of fifty and fifty years, shine, fame,
Active life, physical comfort,
And well known recognition, Oh God.
Vidhyayum vinayadhi gunangalum,
Hrudya soubhagya sampath samrudhiyum,
Aadyanamumbhgavat bhakthiyum, mukthiyum,
Veda vedhya bhavan ivannu ekidenam. 17
Oh Good who is described by the Vedas,
Please give this boy, education, humility,
Broad mind, lot of riches, teaching,
Devotion to God and salvation.
Prayamakunna kalathu ameya nin,
Mayakodinnavane valaykkola,
Mayaa manusha nin pada padmathil,
Bhooyo bhooyo namayanvaham. 18
Oh, enchanter, I salute again,
Again endlessly your lotus feet,
With a request that when this boy,
Becomes a man, You will not,
Trouble him with your illusions.
Viswa krupa virat purusha prabho,
Viswapavana, visvaika palaka,
Viswsamhara viswaikanadha hey,
Viswavanditha vishno namosthuthe. 19
My salutations to that Vishnu,
Who is merciful to the universe,
Who is the great soul behind the universe,
Who is the most blessed of the universe,
Who looks after the entire universe,
Who destroys the universe,
Who is the lord of the universe,
And who makes the entire universe happy.
Isthuthi nithya markodayathilum,
Asthamichum padikkum janangalkku.
Nisthula gunapoornaram puthrare,
Hastharingal vechu lalichidam. 20
People who read this prayer daily,
During dawn and after dusk.
Would be able to fondle,
Sons who are of great character.
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