(From Maha Narayana Upanishad)Translated by P. R. Ramachander
[This is a prayer to the fire God Agni occurring in the Maha Narayana Upanishad. Durga is used here as a word for Difficult problems in almost all the stanzas. The salutation to Durga is given only in the second stanza. (But many people consider this as prayer to goddess Durga for removing all obstacles and evils.)
Sa na parshadathi durgani viswa naaveva sindhum durithathyagni
Our oblations of Soma to the fire god,May he, the all knowing one destroy all those who do not like us,May that divine fire lead us out of all perils,Like a captain takes his boat across the sea,And also save us from all wrongs.
I take refuge in the divine mother Durga*,Who shines like a fire due to her penances,Who resides in actions and their fruits and makes them effective,And I salute her who helps us cross our difficulties.* It could be translated as Mother of difficulties also
Pushscha prithwi bahula na urvee bhava thokaaya thanayaya shamyoh.
Oh God of fire, you are worthy of praise,For by novel methods you help us cross,The difficulties and make us happy,May our land in this earth become extensive,May the land for growing crops become large,And be pleased to join our children and,Their children with joy and happiness.
4. Vishvaani no durghaa jathaveda sindhunaa nava durithathi parshi,
Agne athrivan manasaa grina no asmakam bodhayithwa thanoo naam.
Oh Jatha Vedas who is the destroyer of all sins,Make us cross all our troubles like a boat,Which takes us to the other shore without problems,Oh Fire, protect us like the sage Athri, who would take care of us,Mindful of our safety and our happiness.
5. Prithana jitham saha mana mugram agnim huvema paramath sadhasthath,
Sa na parshadathi durgani viswa kshamaddhevo athi durithatyagni.
We invoke the fierce Fire God who is the leader of us all.And who is the killer of all our enemies from the highest place,To take us across all difficulties and all that is perishable and protect us.
Swacha agne piprayaswa asmabhyam cha soubhahya maya jaswa.
Oh Fire God, you are praised during sacrifices,And always increase our happiness, and exist as sacrifices,Which are olden and those which are new,Please make us, who are only yourself, happy,And grant us good fortune from all our sides.
Naa kasya prushtam abhisamvasaano vaishnavim loka iha madhayantham.
Oh Lord, you are not connected with sin and sorrow,Permit us to always serve you who pervades all wealth,May the Gods who live in the highest region make me,Who adores Vishnu, delighted and happy and grant my wishes
By Vedanta Desika--Translated By P. R. Ramachander [Sudarshana is the holy wheel which Lord Vishnu uses as his chief weapon. There isa story that the daughter of Viswa Karma, who was the architect of theGod's, was married to the sun God and she left him because of hisimmense heat. It seems Viswa Karma put Sun God in a cage and churnedhim to reduce his heat. The heat was reduced and Sudarshana Chakra,Trishoola and Shakthi, respectively the weapons of Lord Vishnu, Shivaand Subrhamnya wereborn out of the churning.
Sudarshana Chakra is giventhe status of God by the followers of Ramanujacharya. He being a primedevotee is called the Chakrathazhwar. (Sage of the wheel) andworshipped by Vaishnavas. Venkata Natha or Vedantha Desika is one ofthe greatest savants that Visishitadvaitha produced after Ramanuja. Helived about 140 years after Saint Ramanuja and has written severalbooks. The prayers he wrote are immensely popular among the devotees ofVishnu. )
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana es,
Who worship him through tantra and yantras. Victory and Victory to you,
oh, Sudarshana,Victory and Victory to you,
oh, Sudarshana,Who gives wealth of salvation to those who,Chant your six lettered mantra,
Who gives incomparable wealth to those who,Chant your six lettered mantra,
Who is available in yantra of six corners,
Who is a form in which all knowledge exists,Who is able to complete all deeds that you take up,And who is the kalpaka tree fulfilling all wishes. Bhuvana Netra Trayeemaya, Savanatejastrayeemaya
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarsana. 8 Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,Victory and Victory to you, oh, Sudarshana,Who is the three Vedas which are the eye of the world,Who is the form of the three fires of yagas,Who is the eternal knowledge of true knowledge,Who is a form of the power of universe,Who is accomplisher of deeds that you take up,And who destroys all fears occurring in the world.Verse Phala Sruthi Dwichatushkamidam Prabhoothasaaram
patathaam Venkatanayaka Praneetham,
Vishamepi Manorata: Pradhaavan
na Vihanyeta Rataangadhuryagupta: This octet which fulfills all desires,Which gives the inner meaning of Lord Sudarshana,Composed by Venkata Natha, if read,Would fulfill desires, remove obstacles,Because of the glorious boon granting powers of the Lord.
[The prayer to Ganga that removes ten types of sins]Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Shivayai gangayai shivadhayai namo nama, Namasthe Rudra roopinyai sankaryai they namo nama. 1 (Salutations to that Ganga,Who is dear to Lord Shiva,And who does good things.Salutations to you,Who has the form of RudraAnd who is also known as Sankari.) Namosthu viswa roopinyai brahma moorthyai namo nama, Sveda swaroopinyai namo bheshaja moorthaye. 2 (Salutations to her who is the form of universe,And who is the form of Lord Brahma.Salutations to her who is the form of Vedas,And who is the form of all medicines.) Sarvasya sarva vyadheenam bhishak sreshtyai namosthuthe, Sthanu jangama sambhootha visha hanthryai namo nama. 3 (Salutations to her who is the greatest doctor,For every one and for all diseases,Salutations to her who is an antidote,Of all poisons from movable and immovable things.) Bhogopa bhoga dhayinyai Bhogavathyai namo nama, Mandakinyai namosthesthu swargadhayai namo nama. 4 (Salutations to her who gives all pleasures,And to her who is the Patala Ganga,Salutations to her who moves slowly,And to her who gives us heaven.) Namasthrailokhya bhooshayai jagad dhathryai namo nama, Namasthrishukla samsthayai thejovathyai namo nama. 5 (Salutations to her who is the ornamentTo the three worlds and who is the basis of the world.Salutations to her who has three strengths,And to her who is the source of power.) Nandayai linga dharinyai narayanyai namo nama, Namasthe viswa mukhyai revathyai they namo nama. 6 (Salutations to her who gives happiness,And to her who wears the Shiva linga,Salutations to her who is the most,Important in this world and her who roars.) Bruhathyai they namosthesthu loka dhatrayai namo nama, Namasthe viswa mithrayai nandinyai they namo nama. 7 (Salutations to her who is very big,And who is the mother of the world.Salutations to her who is the friend of the world,And to her who makes every body happy.) Pruthvyai Shivamruthayai cha suvrukshayai namo nama, (Salutations to her who is the earth,Who is the nectar of Shiva and to her,Who gives rise to good trees.Salutations to her who is very peaceful,Who is best among everything,And to her who grants blessings.) Usrayai sukhadhogdhaithrayai cha sanjeevanyai namo nama, Bramishtayai brahmadhayai duruthaghainyai namo nama. 9 (Salutations to her who is of the form of a cow,And to her who gives benefits effortlessly,Salutations to her who is the drug that cures death,To her who is the follower of Lord Brahma,To her who originated from Lord Brahma,And to her who is cure for all ills.) Pranatharthi prabanjinyai jaganmathre namosthuthe, Sarvapath prathi pakshayai mangalayai namo nama. 10 (Salutations to her who removes sorrows.Of those who salute her with devotion,And the mother of the entire universe,Salutations to her who destroys all dangers,And to her who only gives good.) Saranagatha dheenartha parithrana parayane, Sarvasyarthihare devi, Narayani namosthuthe. 11 (Salutations to her who follows the rule,To save sinners, tormented and sufferers,Who seek her protection,Salutations to that Narayani,Who destroys sorrows of all beings.) Nirlepayai dukha hanthryai dakshayai they namo nama, Parath para thare thubhyam namasthe mokshadhe sada. 12 (Salutations to her who is not attached,To her who destroys all sorrows,And to her who is supremely able.Salutations to her who is higher than the highest,And to her who is the giver of salvation.) Gange mamagratho bhooya, Gange may devi prushtadha, Gange may parswayorehi, Thwayi gangesthu may sthithi. 13 (Hey river Ganga, appear in my front as well as back,Hey river Ganga, appear on my both sides,Hey Ganga, let me be a part of you.) Adhou thwamanthe madhye cha sarvam thwam gaam gathe shive, Thwameva moola prakruthisthwa hi Narayana para. 14 (Oh goddess who came with the earth,You have been the beginning, middle and end of this earth,You are the primeval root cause of everything,And you are the Lord Narayana who is the witness of nature.) Gange thwam paramathma cha shivasthubhyam, nama shive, Ya idham padathi stotram bhakthya nithyam naropi ya, Srunath sradhaya yuktha kaya vak chitha sambhavai, Dasadha samsthidhair doshai sarvaireva pramuchyathe.15 (Hey Ganga you are the great God Shiva, salutations to you.He who reads or hears this prayer with devotion,Would be free of the sins committed in ten ways,By the mind, words and the body.
Anjaneya Stotra Translated by P. R. Ramachanran 1-Anjana nandanam Veeram janaki soka nasanam, Kapeesa Maksha hantharam, Vande lanka bhayangaram. (Salutations to the terror of Lanka,Who is the heroic son of Anjana,Who brought to an end , all sorrows of Sitha,Who is the king of monkeys ,Who killed Aksha[1] the son of Ravana. 2-Mano javam , maruda thulya vegam, Jithendriyam buddhi matham varishtam, Vatha atmajam vanara yudha mukhyam, Sree rama dootham sirasa namami. (I bow my head and salute the emissary of Rama,Who has won over his mind,Who has similar speed as wind,Who has mastery over his organs,Who is the greatest among knowledgeable,Who is the son of God of wind,And who is the chief in the army of monkeys. 3-Anjaneya madhi patalananam, Kanchanadri kamaneeya vigraham, Parijatha tharu moola vasinam, Bhavayami bhava mana nandanam,. (I bow before the darling son of the god of wind,Who is the son of Anjana,Who is great among killers of ogres,Who is like a golden mountain,Who is handsome to look at,And who lives near the roots of Parijatha[2] tree, 4-Yatra yatra Raghu nada keerthanam, Thathra thathra krudha masthakanjalim, Bhashpa vari pari poorna lochanam, Maruthim namatha Rakshasanthakam. (I pray and salute the son of wind god,Who brought to end the rakshasas,Who is always present with eye full of tears,With head bowed in veneration,Wherever the praise of Lord Rama is sung.)Phala sruthiBudhir balam yaso dhairyam nirbhayathwam arokadha, Ajadyam vak paduthwancha hanumath smaranath bhaveth. (He who meditates on Lord Hanuman,Would be blessed with knowledge, strength,Fame, courage, fearlessness, health,Tirelessness and mastery over words,)
Hanumath Mangalashtakam [Mangala octet on Hanuman]Translated by P. R. Ramachander [Mangala stotras are normally recited at the end of reciting several stotras or the end of singing several songs or at the end of an auspicious function. The devotee wishes auspiciousness to the Lord. Mangalam may also mean good wishes or wishes for a happy ending.] Vaisaka mase krishnayam Dasami manda vasare, Poorva bhadrasu Jathaya Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 1 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who was born in the month of Visaka*,On the tenth day of the waxing moon,On a Saturday under the Poorva bhadra star.* April-May month) Guru gowrava poornaya Phala bhoopa priyaya cha, Nana manikhya hasthaya , Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 2 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who has respect for his teachers,Who likes sweets prepared out of fruits,And whose different hands are decorated by gems.) Suvarchala Kalathraya, Chathurbhuja dharaya cha, Ushtra roodaya veeraya , Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 3 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who is the consort of Suvarchala*,Who had four arms,And who is the hero who rides,On a beam of light.* Common belief is that Hanuman is a bachelor.) Divya Mangala dehaya, Peethambara dharaya cha, Thaptha kanchana varnaya, Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 4 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who has a blessed holy body,Who wears the yellow silk,And who is of the colour of molten gold.) Bhaktha rakshana seelaya, Janaki soka haarine, Jagat pavaka nethraya, Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 5 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who has the habit of saving his devotees,Who destroyed the sorrow of Janaki,And who has the purest eyes of the world.) Pamba theera viharaya, Soumithri prana dhayine, Sarva lokaika kandaya, Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 6 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who lives in the shores of Pampa river,Who saved the life of Lakshmana,And who is in the throat of the whole world.) Rambhavana viharaya, Sukhathma thata vasine, Sarva lokaika kantaya, Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 7 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who lived in the forests of Rampa,Who lived with pleasant happy people,And who is in the throat of the whole world.) Panachananaya Bheemaya Kalanemi haraya cha, Koundinya gothraya, Mangalam Sri Hanumathe. 8 (Mangalam to Sri Hanuman,Who has five faces, who is gross,Who killed Kalanemi,And who belonged to the Koundinya clan
Hanumath Stotram[Prayer to Hanuman] (Translated by P. R. Ramachander )
Akshadhi rakshasa haram, Dasa kanda darpa, Nirmoolanam, Raghuvarangri saroja bhaktham, Seetha vishahya Ghana dukha nivarakam tham, Vayo sutha, galitha bhanu maham namami. 1 (I salute Him, who shines like the Sun,Who killed Rakshasas like Aksha,Who destroyed the pride of the ten headed,Who is the devotee of lotus feet of Rama,Who removed the great sorrow of Sita,And who is the son of Wind God.) Maama pasya pasya dayaya nija drushti pathair, Maam raksha raksha paritho ripu dukha punjaan, Vasyam kuru trijagatham vasudadhi paanaam, May dehi dehi mahatheem vasudhaam sriyam cha. 2 (Please see, see me with real feeling of mercy,Please save, save me from the hands of enemies,Make my slave the three worlds and their kings,And please give, give me wealth and fame. ) Aapadbhyo raksha sarvathra, aanjaneya namosthuthe, Bandhanam cchedhaya muktha kapi varya, namosthuthe. 3 (Salutations to son of Anjana, please always save me from danger,Salutations o the great monkey, please cut of my bondage and release me. ) May dehi sampadho nithyam trilochana, namosthuthe, Dushta rogaan hana hana Rama dhootha namosthuthe. 4 (Salutations to the three eyed one, please daily save from dangers,Salutations to the emissary of Rama, kill, kill serious diseases.) Uchataya ripoon sarvaan, mohanam kuru bhoobhujaam, Vidweshino maaraya thwam trinethrathmaka sarvada. 5 (Always, Cast spell on all my enemies, make all kings love me,And Kill all those who hate me, Oh, son of three eyed one. ) Sanjeeva parvathoddhara, mama dukhaan nivaraya, Ghoraan upadhravan nasaya, Aksha suranthaka. 6 (He who carried sanjeevini mountain, please remove my sorrows,Killer of the asura called Aksha, destroy awesome troubles. ) Markatesa mahothsaha, Sarva soka vinasaka, Sathroon samhara maam raksha, sriyam dathwacha maam hara. 7 (Lord of all monkeys who is exuberant, kill all my sorrows,Save me by killing all my enemies and protect me by giving wealth.) Evam sthuthwa hanumantham, nara sradha samanwitha, Puthra pouthradhi sahitha, sarvaan kamaan vapunuyath. 8 (If men pray Lord Hanuman thus with devotion,He would realize all his wishes along with his sons and grandsons.)
[Blank poem on Vinayagar-Ganesh ]By Saint Poet Avaiyar(Tamil poets)
Transliteration By Elango KadhirvelTranslation P. R. Ramachander
[Avaiyar (meaning a very Old mother) was one of the very great women poets of ancient Tamil Nadu. (In telugu even today mother is called Avva) Apart from being a great poet, she played a very great role in the politics of those days by making the great kings obey her. There are many references to her being a great Devotee of Lord Subrahmanya. Historians are of the opinion that there were, more than one lady poet who called herself as Avaiyar. One such poet existed before the birth of Christ. This poet was a great story teller and social reformer. The next Avaiyar lived in the fourteenth centuary. Her well known work is AthiChoodi, which was written for easy learning by Tamil Children. It is interesting to note that even today, Athichoodi shows the simple path to live well, for all children. Vinayagar Agaval is another one of her great works. Agaval means blank poetry and it is a song addressed to Lord Ganapathy. He is addressed as Vinayagar (he who removes obstacles) or Pillayar in Tamil. This prayer is an extremely popular one in Tamil Nadu. )
Seetha kallabha chenthamaraippum,
Paatha chilambhu pala isai paada,
Pon araijnanum, poonthugil aadaiyum,
Vanna marungil valarindu azhakerippa,
Pezhai vayirum, perum paara kodum,
Vezha mukhamum, vilangu chindooramum,
Anju karamum, angusa paasamum,
Nenjir kudi konda neela meniyum,
Naandra vaayum, naaliru puyamum,
Moondru kannum, mummatha chuvadum,
Irandu cheviyum, ilangu pon mudiyum,
Thiranda muppiri nool thigazh oli maarbum,
Chor padam kadantha thuriya mey jnanam,
Arpudham nindra karpaga kallire
Muppazham nugarum mooshiga vahana,
(While the anklets on the cool sandal anointed feet Which has the colour of the red hibiscus flower,Sings various songs, while the golden waist belt,And his clothes as soft as flower,Shine in pretty and beautiful colours of the rainbow,While his box like paunch, weighty tusksElephant like face, the saffron dot applied on it,Five hands and the goad and rope that he has,His blue body which attracted our mind,Hanging mouth, his four sets of shoulders,His three eyes, three trails of his feets,His two ears, his shining golden hair,His glowing broad chest wearing the holy thread,His divine knowledge of Thuriya, his mastery over words,Stood in awe at the wish giving elephant.)
Ippothu yennai aat kolla vendi,
Thayay yenakku, thaan yezhundaruli,
Mayaa piravi, mayakkam aruthu,
Thirundhiya mudal aindu ezhthum thelivaay,
Porundave vanthu yen ullam thannil pugundhu,
Guru vadivagi, kuvalayam thannil,
Thiruvadi vaithu thiramidhu porul yena,
Vaadaa vagaithaan magizhndena karuli,
Kodaayudathaal peru(kodu)vinai kallainthe, Uvatta upadesam pugatti yen cheviyil,
(OH god who rides on an elephant and eats three fruits,Now for taking me and making me yours,You come in the shape of my mother,Cut off the trance like feeling of this illusory birth,Make clear to my mind the meaning of the Five lettered Namasivaya, enter then in to my mind,Step in to this world in the form of a teacher in this world of ours,And tell me with happiness that this is its real meaning )
THevittatha jnana thelivaiyum kaatti,
Iym pulan thannai adakkum upaayam,
Inburu karunaiyin inithena kkaruli,
Karuvigal odukkum karuthinai arivithu,
Iru vinai thannai thannai aruthu irul kadinthu,
(After removing my great fate by the weapon of his tusk,After giving me very sweet and not boring advices in my ears,After showing sweetest clarity in the case of Jnana,After teaching me the trick to control my five senses,After sweetly telling me about mercy which gives happiness,)
Thalamoru nangum thandu yenakku aruli,
Malam oru moondrin mayakka maruthe,
Onbathu vayil oru mandhirathaal,
Iym pula kathavai adaippathum kaatti,
Aaraathaarathu angula nilaiyum,
(After teaching me the knowledge of subjugating the senses,After cutting of this birth as well the next and removing darkness,After granting me mercifully the four stages of salvation,After cutting off the trance created by the three types of ignorance,After showing me how by one chant the five senses Can be controlled and the nine gates of the body closed,After teaching me how to control the chakras of the body using the goad,After cutting off talk and making me stand firm,After teaching me the alphabets of )
Pera niruthi pechurai aruthe,
Idai pingalaiyin ezhuthu arivithu
Ida and PIngala Nadi,
Kadayir chuzhu munai kapaalamum kaatti,
Moondru mandalthin mootiya thoonin,
Nandrezhu pambin navil unarthi,
Kundali adanir koodiya asabai,
Vindezhu mandiram velippada uraithu,
Mooladharathu moondezhu kanalai,
Kaalal ezhuppum karuthu arivithe,
Amudha nilaiyum aadithan iyakkamum,
Kumuda sagaayan gunathaiyum koori,
Idai chakkarathin eerettu nilaiyum,
Udar chakkarathin urappayum kaati,
Sanmuga sthoolamum, chatur mukha sookshmamum,
Yen mugamaaga indhenakkaruli
(After showing that the end of circle's edge is in the head,After making me realize that the snake keeps on hanging,On the pillar that is at the junction of three realms,After showing the silence at the junction of Kundalini,After clearly telling me the chant to waken it up,After pointing out the raging fire in the Mooladhara,After telling me the idea of waking it up,After telling me about the deathless state and the position of the Sun,After telling me about properties of moon, the helper of lotus,After teaching me the sixteen positions of the intermediate Chakra,After showing me the position of wheels in the body,After sweetly teaching me, the secret of Shanmuga,And the principle behind the subtle four faces,)
Puriyatta kaayam pulappada yenakku,
Theriyettu nilaiyum derisana paduthi,
Karuthinir kapaala vaayil kaatti,
Iruthi mukthi inithenakku aruli,
Yennai arivithu, yenakkarul cheydhu,
Munnai vinaiyin mudalai kalainthu,
Vahguoo manamum illa manolayam,
Thekkiye yendan chindhai thelivithu,
Irul veli irandukku ondridam yenna,
Arul tharum aanandathu azhuthi yen cheviyil,
(After making it clear about the eight subtle principles,And making me see the real meaning of them,After showing in my mind the gateway to the skull,After telling me that the salvation is sweet,After informing me, after showering his grace on me,After removing the assets earned in the previous births,After showing me the mental state where mind and words are absent,After awakening my mind which was asleep,After showing me the places of light and darkness in me,)
Yellai illa Aanandham allithu,
Allal kalainthe, arul vazhi kaatti,
Sathathinulle Saada Shivam kaatti,
Chithathinulle Shiva Lingam kaatti,
Anuvirkku anuvaai appaalukku appaalaai,
Kanu muthi nindra karumbulle kaatti,
Vedamum neerum vilanga niruthi,
Koodumey thondar kuzhaathudan kooti,
Ancha karathin arul porul thannai,
Nenja karuthin nilai arivithu,
Thathuva nilayai thanthu yenai aanda,
Vithaga vinayaga virai kazhal charane.
(After giving me limitless happiness by pressing me down in ecstasy in my ear,After removing all problems, after showing me the way of grace,After showing lord Shiva in the sound Om,After pointing out the Shiva Linga within my mind,After showing atom within atom and distance beyond distance,In the joints of the well ripened sugar cane like body,After clarifying the role of Vedas and sacred ash.After making me one with the crowd of realized devotees,After pointing out the principle of five letters Namashivaya,After showing me the state of my mind,After giving me the philosophic state and after ruling me,My wise Vinayaka ruled me and I seek refuge in his feet.
[From Shiva Purana]Translated by P. R. Ramachander*
Kailasa shaila bhuvane thri jaga janithreem,
Gowreedha nivesye kanakanchitha rathna peete,
Nrutham vidhthu mabhi vanchithi Soolapanau,
Deva Pradosha samaye anubhajanthi sarve. 1
(During the time of Pradosha,The Lord who holds the trident,Makes Goddess Gowri,Who is the mother of all the three worlds,Sit on a golden seat inlaid with precious gems,And prepares to dance himself,And all the devas sing his praise at this time.)
Vagdevi drutha vallaakee sathamukho
venum dhadhan padmaja,
Sthallo nidhra karo ramaa bhagawathi,
geya prayogaanvithaa,
Vishnu saandra mrudanga vaadana patur
devas samanthath sthithaa,
Sevanthe thamara pradosha samaye
devam mrudaaneepathim. 2
(The goddess of Knowledge plays Veena,The hundred faced Indra plays the flute,The Brahma who was born in a lotus keeps time,The Goddess Lakshmi starts to sing,The God Vishnu plays the drum with ease,And all the devas stand all round in service,And pray Lord Shiva during the time of pradosha.)
Gandarwa Yaksha patha goraga siddha saadhya.
Vidhyadaraamaraapsaraso ganaascha,
Yeanyethi loka nilaya saha bhootha varga,
Prapthe pradosha samaye hara parswa samstha. 3
(When the time of Pradosha arrives,Gandarwas, Yakshas, birds, snakes, saints,Vidhyadaras, devas, the celestial dancers, Bhoothas,And all the beings in the three worlds,Come and stand near The Lord Shiva.)
Atha pradoshe shiva eka eva,
Poojyodhananye hari padmajadhya,
Thasmin mahese vidhinejyamane,
Sarve praseedanthi suradhi natha. 4
(So at the time of Pradosha,There is need to worship only Shiva,Instead of Vishnu , Brahma and others,For the proper worship of Lord Shiva then,Would give the effect of worshipping all gods.)
Lokanahooya sarvaan vividha damarukair gora samsara magnan,
Dathwaabheetham dayalu pranatha bhava haram kunchitham
vaama bhaagam,
Uddruthyedham vimukherayanamithi karadarshayan
prathyayartham,
Bibradwanhim sabhaayaam kalaathi natanam ya shivo na sa paayal. 5
(Let us be protected by that dancing Shiva,Who uses the various sounds of the shaking drum,To call all those people drowned in the fearful life,Who indicates protection to them using his right hand held down,Who lifts his left leg capable of killing all sorrows,To those who fall at his feet,Who indicates the path of salvation by his left hand held up,And who shows that all this is true by carrying fire in the other left hand,)
Sathyam braveemi, paraloka hitham braveemi,
Saaram braveemi upanishadyadhyam braveemi,
Samsaramuthbanamasar vaapya jantho,
Saroyameeswarapadhamburuhasya seva. 6
(I tell the truth,I tell what is good for the other world,I tell the views of the Upanishads,For every insignificant animal that is born,The only meaningful thing is the service to God.)
Yenarchayanthi gireesam samaye pradoshe,
Ye na architham shivamapi pranamanthichanye,
Ethath kadhaam sruthi putair na pibanthi mooda,
Stheya janma subhavanthi naraa daridra. 7
(He who does not worship Lord Shiva during Pradosha,He who does not at least bow before him at that time,He who does not at least listen to the story of Shiva at that time,Is a foolish soul who would be always poor, birth after birth.)
Ye vai pradosha samaye parameswarasya,
Kurvanthyananya mansangri saroja poojaam,
Nithya pravrudha thara puthra kalathra mithra,
Soubhagya sambadadhikastha ihaiva loke. 8
(He who during the time of Pradosha, worships Lord Shiva,With full concentration using lotus flowers,Would forever along with his children, wife and friends,Get all wealth and all luck in a very large measure.)
Chandrasekharashtakam By Sage MarkandeyaTranslated by P. R. Ramachander
[Sage Markandeya was saved by Lord Shiva of certain death at the age of 16 by killing the God of death. This stotra is supposed to have been sung by the sage after that.]
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.1
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who made the mountain of jewels in to his bow,Who resides on the mountain of silver,Who made the serpent Vasuki as rope,Who made Lord Vishnu as arrows,And quickly destroyed the three cities,And who is saluted by the three worlds,And so what can the God of death do to me? )
Pancha paada pa pushpa gandhambhuja dwaya shobitham,
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.2
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who shines with the pair of his lotus like feet,Which are worshipped by the scented flowers of five kalpaka trees,Who burnt the body of God of love,Using the fire from the eyes on his forehead,Who applies ash all over his body,Who destroys the sorrow of life,And who does not have destruction,And so what can the God of death do to me? )
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.3
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is the stealer of minds because of his upper cloth,Made of the skin of the ferocious elephant,Who has lotus like feet which are worshipped,By Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu,And who has matted hair drenched by drops,Of the waves of the holy river Ganga,And so what can God of death do to me? )
Yaksha raja sakham bhagaksha haram bhujanga bhooshanam,
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.4
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is friend of Lord Khubhera,Who destroyed the eyes of Bhaga,Who wears serpent as ornament,Whose left part of the body is decorated,By the daughter of the king of mountain,Whose neck is blue because of the poison,Who is armed with an axe,And who carries a deer with Him,And so what can God of death do to me? ) Kundali krutha kundaleeswara kundalam vrusha vahanam,
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.5
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who wears the ear studs made of a curling serpent,Who is the great one being praised by Narada and other sages,Who is the Lord of the entire earth,Who is the killer of Anthakasura.Who is the wish giving tree to his devotees,And who is the killer of God of death,And so what can God of death do to me? )
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.6(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is the doctor who cures sorrowful life,Who destroys all sorts of dangers,Who destroyed the fire sacrifice of Daksha,Who is personification of three qualities,Who has three different eyes,Who bestows devotion and salvation,And who destroys all types of sins,And so what can God of death do to me? )
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.7
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who is worshipped as darling of devotees,Who is the treasure which is perennial,Who clothes Himself with the directions,Who is the chief of all beings,Who is beyond the unreachable God,Who is not understood by any one,Who is the holiest of every one,And who is served by moon, water, sun, earth,Fire, ether, boss and the WindAnd so what can god of death do to me? )
Kredayantha maharnisam, gana nadha yudha samnvitham,
Chandra shekaramasraye mama kim karishyathi vai yama.8
(I seek refuge in Him, who has the moon,Who does the creation of the universe,Who then is interested in its upkeep,Who at proper time destroys the universe,Who lives in every being of the universe,Who is plays day and night with all beings,Who is the leader of all beings,And who is like any one of them,And so what can god of death do to me? ) Mruthyu bheetha mrukandu soonu krutha sthavam shiva sannidhou,
Yathra Thathra cha ya padennahi thasya mruthyu bhayam bhaveth,
Poorna mayor aroghitha makhilarthasambadamdhyam,
Chandra Shekara Eva thasya dadadhathi mukthi mayathnatha. 9He who reads this prayer,Composed by the son of Mrukandu,Who was fear struck with death,,In the temple of Lord Shiva,Will not have fear of death,He would have full healthy life,With all grains and all wealth,And Lord Chandra Shekara,Would give Him,Salvation in the end.
[The Octet to the Bilwa]Translated by P. R. Ramachander[
The leaves of Bilwa (Aegle marmelos),
which has multiple leaves, with each leaf consisting of three leaves is very dear to Lord Shiva. Offering this leaf to Lord Shiva pleases him especially on the Shivarathri .There are several stories how people got salvation by offering one Bilwa leaf to Lord Shiva.] Tridalam trigunakaaram trinethram cha triyayusham, Trijanma papa samharam Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 1 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three leaves, Which causes three qualities, Which are like the three eyes of Shiva, Which is like the triad of weapons,And which destroys sins of three births.) Trishakhai bilwapathraischa hyachidrai komalai shubai, Shiva poojam karishyami, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 2 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva, Which has three shoots,Which do not have holes,Which are good and pretty,And worship Lord Shiva.) Aganda bilwa pathrena poojithe nandikeshware, Shudhyanthi sarva papebhyo, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 3 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For if an uncut leaf is offered,To his steed the god Nandi,We get cleaned of all our sins.) Salagrama shilamekaam vipranam jatha cha arpayeth, Soma yagna maha punyam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 4 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For it is equal to, offering a saligrama to a Brahmin,Or the great blessing got out of performing Soma Yaga,) Dandi koti sahasrani vajapeya sathani cha, Koti kanya maha danam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 5 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For it is equal to gifting thousand elephants,Or the performing of hundred fire sacrifices,Or giving away billions of girls.) Lakshmyasthanutha uthpannam mahadevasya cha priyam, Bilwa vruksham prayachami, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 6 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilwa,Which was born from the breast of Lakshmi,And which is very dear to the Lord Shiva.) Darshanam bilwa vrukshasya, sparsanam papa nasanam, Aghora papa samharam, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 7 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,As seeing and touching of a tree of Bilwa,Washes away ones sins and also very great sins.) Kasi kshethra nivasam cha kala bhairava darshanam, Prayaga madhavam drushtwa, Eka bilwam shivarpanam. 8 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,After living in the city of Kasi,Seeing the Kala Bhairawa,And also visiting the temple Of Madhawa in Allahabad.) Moolatho brahma roopaya, madhyatho Vishnu roopini Agratha shiva roopaya, Eka bilwam shivarpanam 9 (I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,As Brahma resides at its bottom,Lord Vishnu lives in its middle,And Lord Shiva lives in its tip.) Bilwashtakam idham punyaam, padeth shiva sannidhou, Sarva papa nirmuktha Shiva loka maapnuyath. 10 (Reading this holy octet of Bilwa,In the presence of Lord Shiva,Would save one from all sins,And in the end take him to the world of Shiva )
which has multiple leaves, with each leaf consisting of three leaves is very dear to Lord Shiva. Offering this leaf to Lord Shiva pleases him especially on the Shivarathri .There are several stories how people got salvation by offering one Bilwa leaf to Lord Shiva.]