SARASWATHI

Aum Saraswateyaye Vidmahe
Brahmapatniyaye Dhi-Mahi
Tanno Saraswati Prachodayat

"Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Varade Kamarupini
Vidyarambam Karishyami
Siddhir Bhavatu Me Sada
O Goddess Saraswathi; salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfills
desires. I shall begin my studies. May there always be accomplishment for me.
Yaa kundendu Tushaara-haara-dhavala
Yaa Shubhra-vastraavritaa
Yaa Veena-varadanda manditakara
Yaa Shwetaa Padmaasanaa
Yaa Brahmaachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhihi
Devaihi Sada Vanditaa
Saa maam paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee
Nih-shesha jaadyaapahaa
Goddess Saraswati Is All White Like The Kunda Blossom, The Moon, Snow, And
Pearl. She Is Dressed In Pure White. While Two Of Her Hands Play The Veena,
The Two Other Hands Are Poised To Give Boons, And Award Punishments As
Needed. She Is Seated On A White Lotus. She Is Ever Worshipped By All The
Celestials Including Brahma, Vishnu And Maheshwara. May This Saraswati
Remove My Obstacles And Protect Me.
Maanikya-veenam Upalaalayanteem
Madaalasaam Manjula-vagvilaasaam
Maahendra-neela-dyuti Komalaangeem
Maatanga-kanyaam Manasaa-smaraami
She who plays a Veena of emerald
She who is tired with activity
She who can talk honeyed words,
She who is beautiful,
She who is the daughter of Matanga
She who is pretty beyond compare,
I meditate to Thee.

Maha Lakshmi Stotra

Maha Lakshmi Stotra

Translated by P.R.Ramachander.
Adhi Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Para brahma swaroopini,
Yaso dehi, danam dehi,
Sarva Kamamscha dehi mey. 1
(I salute Adhi* Lakshmi, Primeval
Who is personification of eternal truth.
Please give me fame, give me wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires. )
Santhana Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Puthra pouthra pradayini,
Puthraan dehi, danam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 2
(I salute Santhana* Lakshmi, children
Who grants sons and grand sons.
Please give me sons and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires. )
Vidhya Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Brahma vidhya swaroopini,
Vidhyam dehi, kalam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 3
(I salute Vidhya* Lakshmi, Education
Who is personification of eternal knowledge.
Give me learning, give me arts,
And also fulfill all my desires.)
Dhana Lakshmi namosthesthu
Sarva daridrya nasini,
Danam dehi , sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 4
I salute Dhana* Lakshmi, wealth
Who destroys all types of poverty,
Give me wealth, Give me opulence,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Danya Lakshmi namosthesthu.
Sarvaabharana bhooshithe,
Danyam dehi, danam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 5
(I salute Danya* Lakshmi, Grain
Who wears all type of ornaments.
Please give me cereals and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires. )
Medha Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Kali kalmasha naasini,
Pragnaam dehi, sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 6
(I salute Medha* Lakshmi, wisdom
Who destroys even effects of kali.
Give me knowledge and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires.)
Gaja Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Sarva deva swaroopini,
Aswam cha gokulam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 7
(I salute Gaja* Lakshmi, elephant
Who is personification of all gods.
Give me horses and hoards of cattle,
And also fulfill all my desires.)
Veera Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Para shakthi swaroopini,
Veeryam dehi, balam Devi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 8
(I salute Veera* Lakshmi, heroism
Who is personification of eternal power.
Give me heroism and strength,
And also fulfill all my desires.)
Jaya Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Sarva karya jaya pradhe,
Jayam dehi, shubham dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 9
I salute Jaya* Lakshmi,victory
Who is victory in all matters.
Give me victory and good,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Bhagya Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Soumangalya vivardhani,
Bhagyam dehi, sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 10
(I salute Bhagya* Lakshmi, Luck
Who grants holiness ,
Please give me luck and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires )
Keerthi Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Vishnu vaksha sthala sthithe,
Keerthim dehi, sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 11
I salute Keerthi* Lakshmi,fame
Who resides on the chest of Vishnu.
Please give me fame and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Aarogya Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Sarva roga nivaarini,
Ayur dehi, sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 12
I salute Aarogya* Lakshmi, Health
Who cures all diseases.
Please give me long life and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Sidha Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Sarva sidhi pradhayani,
Sidhim dehi, sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 13
I salute Sidha* Lakshmi, Occult powers
Who grants all occult powers.
Please give me occult powers and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Soundarya Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Sarvalangara shobithe,
Roopam dehi sriyam dehi,
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 14
I salute Soundarya* Lakshmi, beauty
Who shines with all types of decoration.
Please give me beauty and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Samrajya Lakshmi namosthesthu,
Bhukthi mukthi pradhayani,
Moksham dehi sriyam dehi.
Sarva kamamscha dehi mey. 15
I salute Samrajya* Lakshmi, Kingdom
Who provides independence and salvation.
Please give me salvation and wealth,
And also fulfill all my desires.
Mangale mangaladhre,
Mangalye mangalapradhe,
Mangalartham mangalesi,
Mangalyam dehi mey sada. 16
(Oh Goddess who is good, who is the basis of good,
Who forever lives with her husband and who does good,
For the sake of good, Oh goddess who does good,
Always give long life to my husband.)
Sarva mangala mangalye, Shive, sarvartha sadhake,
Saranye triambike Gowri narayani namosthuthe. 17
Oh Goddess who is a giver of all good things, who is peaceful,
Who is a giver of all wealth, who can be relied upon,
Who has three eyes and who is golden in colour,
Our salutations to you, Narayani
Shubham bhavathu kalyani ayur arogya sampadham,
Mama shathru vinaasaya, deepa jyothi namo nama. 18
Salutations and salutations to the flame of the lamp,
Let all good things happen, let us have long life with health,
And please destroy all my enemies.

Ganesashtakam

Ganesashtakam
(Octet on Ganesa)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Yatho anantha shakthir anathascha jeeva,
Yatho nirgunadha aprameyaa gunasthe,
Yatho bhathi saravam tridha bedha binnam,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 1
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
From whose limitless power emerged countless beings,
From whose property less form emerged great qualities,
And from whose power the world is divided in to a triad. )
Yathaschaviraseej jagath sarvametha,
Thadhabjasano viswgo viswagoptha,
Thandendradhayo deva sanga manushya,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 2
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
From whom this entire universe emerged,
And from whom Brahma who sits on a lotus,
Vishnu who pervades the universe,
Shiva who can hide this universe,
Indra, other devas and men emerged.)
Yatho vahni bhanu bhavo bhoor jalam cha,
Yatha sagaraschandrama vyoma vayu,
Yatha sthavara jangama vruksha sangha,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 3
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
From whom, the fire, sun, Shiva earth and water emerged,
From whom ocean , moon and sky emerged,
And from whom stable and movable beings and trees emerged. )
Yatho dhanava, kinnara yaksha sangha,
Yatha scharana varana swapadascha,
Yatha pakshi keeta yatho veerudasha,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 4
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
From whom, the asuras, kinnaras and yakshas emerged,
From whom charanas, elephants and canines emerged,
And from whom birds, insects and creepers emerged.)
Yatho budhir ajnananaso mumukshor,
Yatha sampadho bhaktha santhoshika syu,
Yatho vigna naso , yatha karya sidhi,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 5
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
From whom wisdom and eternal knowledge
Which drives away ignorance emerged,
From whom wealth which pleases devotees emerged,
And by whom roadblocks are removed and,
Success in every action is attained. )
Yatha puthra sampadhyatho , vanchithartho,
Yatho abhakthi vignasthadha anekaroopa,
Yatho soka mohaou yatha kama eva,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 6
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
By whom child wealth and desires are granted,
By whom several forms of problems ,
Are created for those who are not devotees,
And who creates sorrow, desire and passion.)
Yatho anantha shakthi sasesho bhabhoova,
Dharadhararenakaroope cha shaktha,
Yatho anekadha swargalolka hi nana,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 7
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
From whom Anantha gets his power to lift the earth,
Who can assume several different forms,
And from whom all the heavens were created.)
Yatha veda vacho vikunta manobhi,
Sada nethinetheeti yatha gunanthi,
Para brahma roopam chidananda bhootham,
Sada tham Ganesam namamo bhajama. 8
(We sing about and salute that Ganesa,
About whom even the Vedas do not understand,
And stop with searches with “This is not”, “This is not”,
Who is the real form of that eternal truth,
And who is the real form of that eternal joy.)
Phala sruthi
(Results of reading)
Punarooche Ganadheesa stotramedath paden nara,
Trisandhyam tridinam thasya sarva karyam bhavishyathi. 9
(If the man devoted to Lord Ganesa ,
Reads this thrice a day for three days,
All his actions will meet with success.)
Yo japeth ashtadivasam sloskashtakamidham shubham,
Ashta varam Chathurthyanthu so ashta Sidheravapnuyath. 10
(He who reads this holy octet for eight days,
For eight weeks or chants it eight times,
On the fourth day of the moon’s phase,
Would make the eight occult powers his own.)
Sa paden masa mathram thu , dasa varam dine dine,
Sa mochayed bandhagatham raja vadhyam na samsaya. 11
(He who reads it ten times a day for one month,
Would be freed ,even if punished with death by the king.)
Vidhya kamo labed vidhyam, puthrarthi puthramapnuyath,
Vanchithaan labhathe sarvan , ekavimsathi varatha. 12
(He who repeats it with devotion for twenty one weeks,
Would get knowledge if he desires and Would get children if he desires)
Yo japed paraya bhakthya gajanana paro nara,
Evamukthwa thatho devaschanthrdhanam gatha prabhu. 13
He who meditates with devotion on Ganesa ,
Would get salvation and attain the rich world of the Lord.

Sri Ganapathi Shodasa Nama Stotram

Sri Ganapathi Shodasa Nama Stotram
Translated by P.R.Ramachander
Sumukhaschaikadanthascha, Kapilo Gaja Karnika,
Lambhodarascha Vikato Vignarajo Vinayaka.
(Pleasant faced god,
God with one tusk,
God who is reddish black,
God with an elephant ears,
God with a very broad paunch,
God who is cruel to his enemies,
God who is the remover of obstacles,
God who is the leader of those who removes obstacles.)
Dhoomakethurganadhyaksha Phalachandro Gajanana,
Vakra Thunda Soorpakarno Herambha Skanda poorvaja.
(God who is the colour of smoke,
God who is president of an army,
God who has crescent in his forehead,
God who walks like an elephant,
God who has a broken tusk,
God who has very broad ears,
God who stays close to Lord Shiva,
God who is elder brother of Subrahmanya.)
Shodasaithani namani ya padeth srunuyadhapi,
Vidhyarambhe vivahe cha pravese, nirgame thadha,
Sangrame sarvakarye cha vigna sthasya na jayathe.
(One who reads, hears are remembers these sixteen names,
During the commencement of education,
During the marriage ceremony,
During the commencement or coming back from a journey,
During war or for that matter during any matter,
Will not face any difficulties and will attain victory.

Ganesa Dwadasa Nama Stotram

Ganesa Dwadasa Nama stotram
(Taken from Narada Purana)
Translated by P.R.Ramachander
Pranamya sirasa devam,
Gauri putram, Vinayakam,
Bhakthya vyasa smaren nithya,
Mayu kama artha sidhaye.
(The learned one, who wishes,
For more life, wealth and love,
Should salute with his head,
Lord Ganapathi who is the son of Parvathy.)
Prathamam Vakra thundam cha,
Ekadantham dveethiyakam,
Trithiyam Krishna pingalaksham,
Gajavakthram Chathurthakam.
(Think him first as god with broken tusk,
Second as the God with one tusk,
Third as the one with reddish black eyes,
Fourth as the one who has the face of an elephant.)
Lambhodaram panchamam cha ,
Sashtam Vikatameva cha,
Sapthamam Vignarajam cha,
Dhoomra varnam thadashtamam.
(Fifth as the one who has a very broad paunch,
Sixth as the one who is cruel to his enemies,
Seventh as the one who is remover of obstacles,
Eighth as the one who is of the colour of smoke.)
Navamam phala chandram cha,
Dasamam thu Vinayakam,
Ekadasam Ganapathim,
Dwadasam the gajananam.
(Ninth as the one who crescent in his forehead,
Tenth as the one, who is the leader of remover of obstacles,
Eleventh as the leader of the army of Lord Shiva,
And twelfth as the one who has the face of an elephant.)
Dwathasaithani namani ,
Trisandhyam ya paden nara,
Na cha vigna bhayam thasya,
Sarva sidhi karam dhruvam.
(Any one reading these twelve names,
At dawn, noon and dusk,
Will never have fear of defeat,
And would always achieve whatever he wants.)
Vidyarthi labhadhe vidhyam,
Danarthi labhathe danam,
Puthrarthi labhathe puthran,
Moksharthi labhathe gatheem.
(One who pursues education will get knowledge,
One who wants to earn money will get money,
One who wishes for a son , will get a son,
And one who wants salvation will get salvation.)
Japeth Ganapathi sthothram,
Shadbhir masai phalam labeth,
Samvatsarena sidhim cha,
Labhathe nathra samsaya.
Results of chanting this prayer,
Of Ganapthi will be got within six months,
And within a year , he would get all wishes fulfilled,
And there is no doubt about this.

Shiva Manasa Pooja

Shiva Manasa Pooja
(The mental worship of Lord Shiva)
BY Adhi Sankara Bhagwat Pada
Translated By P.R.Ramachander

Aaradhayami mani sannibham athma lingam,
Maayapuri hrudaya pankaja sannivishtam,
Sradha nadhi vimala chitha jalabishegai,
Nithyam samadhi kusmaira punarbhavai.
(This stanza does not appear in most of the texts of Shiva Manasa Pooja but appears in Nirguna Manasa Pooja. But the version which I consult includes it here as the first stanza)

(I worship that Linga,
Which is in me as my soul,
Residing in the illusory lotus of my heart,
Getting bathed by the clear water,
Of the river of my devotion,
And worshipped daily by the Lotus,
Of my meditation for avoiding another birth.)

Rathnai Kalpitham asanam, Himajalai snanam cha divyambaram,
Naana rathna vibhooshitham mruga madha modhanvitham Chandanam,
Jathi champaka bilwa pathra rachitham, pushpam cha deepam Thada,
Deepam deva dayanithe pasupathe, hrud kalpyatham gruhyatham.
(I offer you an imaginary throne made of precious jewels,
I offer you bath in the water of melted snow from the Himalayas,
I offer you holy silken cloth to wear,
I adorn you with very many precious jewels,
I offer you musk and sandal,
I offer you Bilwa and Champaka flowers,
And I offer you the holy lamp,
But all these I offer in the portal of my mind,
Please God who is merciful and who is the Lord of all beings,
Accept my offerings and bless me.)

Souvarne nava rathna Ganda Rachithe, pathre Grutham Payasam,
Bakshyam pancha vidam Payo dadhiyutham, rambha phalam panakam,
Saaka namayutham jalam ruchikaram, karpoora gandojwalam,
Thamboolam manasa maya virachitham Bhakthyo prabho sweekuru
(Sweet rice in a golden bowl inlaid with the nine jewels, the five kinds of food made from milk and curd, bananas, vegetables, sweet water scented with camphor, and betel leaves - I have prepared all these in my mind with devotion. O lord, please accept them.)
(I offer you Ghee and the sweet payasam in golden vessel ,
Decorated with nine type of precious gems,
I offer you five different dishes made of curd and milk,
I offer you panakam made of sweet fruits,
I offer you tasty sweet scented water to drink,
I offer you the lamp made of camphor along with tinkling bells,
And I offer you betel leaf and nut,
But these are offered by my mind with utter devotion to you,
So Lord Kindly accept and bless.)

Chathram Chamarayoryugam vyajanagam, chaa darshakam nirmalam,
Veena bheri mrudanga kahala kala geetha nruthyam thada,
Sasthangam pranthi sthuthir bahu vidha, hyethat samastham maya,
Sankalpena samapitham thava vibho , poojam gruhana prabho.
(I offer you a pretty stage,
I offer you couple of decorative fans,
I also offer you shining mirror,
I offer you Veena, kettledrums, Mrudanga and a very big drum,
I offer you song and dance,
I offer you full prostration,
I offer you several types of prayers,
But all these I offer you my Lord, in my mind
So Lord kindly accept this my worship.)

Aathma thwam Girija Mathi sahacharaa, prana sarreram gruham,
Pooja theey vishayopa bhoga rachana, nidhra samadhi sthithi,
Sanchara padayo pradakshina vidhi, , sthothrani sarva giraa,
Yadyath karma karomi thathad akhilam, shambho thavaradhanam.

(My soul is your temple my lord,
My activities are thine attendants,
My body is thine home,
My acts to please my senses are thine worship,
My act of sleep is the deep meditation on thee,
All my walks with my feet are thine perambulations,
What ever falls from my mouth are thine prayers,
Oh Lord, everything I say and do are thine forms of worship.)

Kara charana krutham vaak kayajam karmajam vaa,
Sravana nayanajam vaa maanasam vaa aparadham,
Vihithamavihitham vaa sarva methath Kshamaswa,
Jaya Jaya katunabdhe sri Mahadeva Shambho.

(Please pardon Oh lord
All those acts committed by me,
By hands, by action, by body or
By hearing, by my sight, or by my mind,
Whether they are proper or improper..
Victory oh victory, Oh, ocean of mercy,
Oh, The greatest of Gods and Oh benevolent one.)

Matha cha Parvathy Devi,
Pitha devo Maheswara,
Bandhava Shiva Bakthamscha,
Swadeso Bhuvana thray.

My mother is the goddess Parvathy,
My father is the Lord Shiva,
My friends are the devotees of Shiva
And my native place is all the three worlds.

Rudhrashtakam

Rudhrashtakam
(Octet on Rudhra)
Composed by
Goswami Thulasi Das
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Here is a very rare prayer on Lord Shiva Composed by Goswami Thulasi das who was
the author of Ramacharith Manas in Hindi a great Vaishnavite saint)
Namam Meesana nirvana roopam,
Vibhum vyapakam Brahma Veda swaroopam,
Nijam nirgunam nirvikalpam nireeham,
Chidakasamaakasa vasam Bhajeham. 1
(I salute your Eesana form bereft of everything,
Who blesses, who has spread everywhere,
Who the form of Brhamam is as described in Vedas,
Who is true, who is property less, and who is everywhere
Who does not have any differences ,
And who is like a sky and resides in the divine cosmos, I pray him.)

Niraakara monkaara moolam thureeyam ,
Giraa jnana gotheethamesam gireesam,
Karalam maha kala kalam krupalam,
Gunaa gara samsara param nathoham. 2
(I salute that God who is without properties,
Who is the source of the holy sound Om,
Who is thureeya*, who is beyond sound, wisdom and senses.
Who is the God of mountains, who is cruel,
Who is the death to God of death , who is merciful,
Who is beyond properties and the bridge to cross life.
The fourth and most holy state of human beings.)
Thushaaraadhi sankasa gowram gabheeram,
Mano bhootha koti prabha sree sareeram,
Sphuran mouli kallolini charu ganga,
Lasaddala balendu kante bhujanga. 3
(I salute that God who is more whiter ,
Than the Himalayas and the conch,
Who is majestic , whose shine ,
Is superior to crores of god of love,
On whose head is the holy Ganges with waves,
Who wears the crescent on his forehead,
And a serpent encircles his neck.)
Chalath kundalam bru sunethram vishaalam,
Prasannananam neela kandam dhayalam,
Mugadheesa charmambaeam munda malam,
Priyam shankaram sarva nadham bhajami. 4
(I salute that God, with swinging ear globes,
Who has broad clear eyes, , whose face is happy,
Whose neck is blue, who is merciful,
Who wears the lion’s skin and a garland of skulls,
Who is God of all , loving and the destroyer.)
Prachandam prakrushtam Prakalbham paresam,
Akhandam ajam bhanu koti prakasam,
Thraya soola nirmoolanam soola panim,
Bhajeham bhavani pathim bhava gamyam. 5
(I salute that God who is vehement,
Who is superior , capable and divine,
Who is limitless, who is not born,
Who has the luster of billions of Suns,
Who holds the trident , who completely destroys,
Who holds the spear, who is consort of Parvathi,
And who goes in to the state of divine.)
Kalatheetha kalyani kalpanthakari,
Sada sajjananda datha purari,
Chidananda sandoha mohapahari,
Praseeda praseeda prabho mamamadhari. 6
(Oh Lord you are beyond time and ages,
You are the blissful and one who destroys ,
This world at the end of the eons,
You are the one who gives happiness to the good,
You are the destroyer of the three cities,
You are the Lord who grants us all,
Eternal bliss and destroy wrong passions,
And Oh killer of God of love, be pleased, be pleased.)
Na yavad Umanada padaravindam ,
Bhajantheeha loke pare vaa naraanaam,
Na thath sukham shanthi santhapa nasam,
Praseedha prabho Sarva bhoothadhivasam. 7
(Till one does not pray the lotus like feet ,
Of Lord Shiva, men would not get pleasure,
Peace and freedom from all sorrows
In this world or in the next world,
So please bless me God who lives in all beings.)
Na janami yogam , japam , naiva poojaam,
Nathoham sada sarvadha Shambhu thubhyam,
Jara janma dukhogha thathpyamanam,
Prabho pahi aapannamameesa Shambho. 8
(I do not know Yoga , chanting nor worship,
But I am always your devotee , Oh Shambho,
I being surrounded by old age , birth and sorrows,
Oh Lord Oh Shambo please save me from these dangers.)
Rudhrashtakamidham proktham Viprena hara thoshaye,
Ye padanthi naraa bhakthya thesham Shambhu praseedathi.
(This octet on Rudhra has been ,
Composed by a Brahmin to please the Lord,
And the man who reads this with devotion,
Would be blessed by the Lord Shambhu.)
Ithi Sri Goswami Thulasi dasa krutham Sri Rudhrashtakam sampoornam.
Thus ends The octet on Rudra, composed by Goswami Thulasidas

Subrahmanya Karavalambam

Subrahmanya Karavalambam
(Support of the hands of Subrahmanya)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This prayer is also called “Swaminatha Karavalambam”. It sings the glory of Lord Subrahmanya, who is the consort of Valle to give a helping hand to the devotees.)
Hey Swaminatha karunakara deena bandho,
Sree Paravatheesa mukha pankaja padma bandho,
Sreesadhi deva gana poojitha pada padma,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 1(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is the chief of gods, who is merciful,
Who is friend of the oppressed,
Who is the son of the lotus faced lord of goddess Parvathi,
And whose lotus feet is worshipped
By all gods and also by Lord of Goddess Lakshmi. )
Devadhi deva sutha , deva ganadhi nadha,
Devendra vandhya mrudu pankaja manju pada,
Devarshi narada muneendra sugeetha keerthe,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 2(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is the son of God of gods, who is the chief of all gods,
Whose soft lotus like feet is worshipped by Devendra,
And whose fame is sung by deva sage Narada and others.)
Nithyanna dana nirathakhila roga harin,
Bhagya pradhana paripooritha bhaktha kama,
Sruthyagama pranava vachya nija swaroopa,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 3(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who gives food daily in charity, who cures all prevalent diseases,
Who bestows luck , who fulfills all wishes of devotees,
And whose real form is the pranava given in Vedas.)
Krouncha surendra parigandana sakthi soola,
Chapa thi sasthra parimanditha divya panai,
Sree kundaleesa drutha thunda sikheendra vaha,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 4(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is the Lord of mountains, who holds,
Shakthi, Soola, bow and arrows in his holy hands,
Who wears ear rings and who rides the fast moving peacock.)
Devadhi deva radha mandala Madhya methya,
Devendra peeda nagaram druda chapa hastha,
Sooram nihathya sura kotibhiradyamana,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 5(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is the god o gods,
Who rides the central Chariot among a group of chariots,
Who prevents problems for Devendra,
Who can send arrows very fast,
And who by killing Sura became,
The object of adulation of billions of devas.)
Heeradhi rathna vara yuktha kireeda hara,
Keyura kundala lasath kavachabhirama,
Hey Veera tharaka jayaa amara brunda vandhya,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 6(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who wears crowns and chains with diamonds and gems,
Who wears armlet, ear rings and strong armour,
And who is the valorous one who killed Tharaka,
And was saluted by the groups of devas.)
Panchaksharadhi manu manthritha ganga thoyai,
Panchamruthai praudhithendra mukhair muneendryai,
Pattabhishiktha maghavatha nayasa nadha,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 7(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who was crowned as their leader by Indra,
With the chanting of the holy five letters,
With the bathing of the holy water of Ganga,
After strengthening it further by holy chants,
And who was anointed with the five holy nectars,
By very learned and holy sages.)
Sree karthikeya karunamrutha poorna drushtya,
Kamadhi roga kalushi krutha drushta chitham,
Sikthwa thu mamava kala nidhi koti kantha,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 8(Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is known as Karthikeya , who with his ,
Fully nectar like looks of mercy cures,
Passion, diseases and mind which has made been dirty
Who is the treasure house of arts and
Who shines like billions of suns.)
Subrahmanyashtakam punyam yeh padanthi dwijothama,
They sarve mukthimayanthi subrahmanya prasadatha,
Subrahmanyashtakamidham prathar uthaya ya padeth,
Kodi janma krutham papam thath kshanad thasya nasyathi.(The twice born who reads this octet on Subrahmanya,
Would attain salvation by the grace of Lord Subrahmanya,
And for him who reads this octet on Subrahmanya , as soon as,
He gets up in the morning , the sins committed in billons,
Of previous births will vanish in a second. )

Bhavani Ashtakam

Bhavani Ashtakam
An Octet to the “Giver of Life”
By,
(Adhi Sankara Bhagwat Pada)
Translated By,
P.R.Ramachander
(This great Sthothra by Adhi Sankara would move any one who reads it to tears. If a great soul like Him, had to describe himself, thus, Imagine the state of an ignoramus like any one of us.)
Na thatho, na matha, na bandur na datha,
Na puthro, na puthri , na bruthyo , na bartha,
Na jayaa na Vidhya, na Vruthir mamaiva,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam Thwam ekaa Bhavani.
(Neither the mother nor the father,
Neither the relation nor the friend,
Neither the son nor the daughter,
Neither the servant nor the husband,
Neither the wife nor the knowledge,
And neither my sole occupation,
Are my refuges that I can depend, Oh, Bhavani,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani. )
Bhavabdhava pare , Maha dhukha Bheeru,
Papaatha prakami , pralobhi pramatha,
Kam samsara pasa prabadha sadaham,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam thwam ekaa Bhavani.
(I am in this ocean of birth and death,
I am a coward, who dare not face sorrow,
I am filled with lust and sin,
I am filled with greed and desire,
And tied I am, by the this useless life that I lead,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani. )
Na Janaami Dhanam, Na cha dhyana yogam,
Na janami thathram, na cha sthothra manthram,
Na janami poojam, na cha nyasa yogam,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam thwam ekaa Bhavani
(Neither do I know how to give,
Nor do I know how to meditate,
Neither do I know Thanthra*,
Nor do I know stanzas of prayer,
Neither do I know how to worship,
Nor do I know the art of yoga,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani)
Na janami Punyam, Na janami theertham,
Na janami mukthim, layam vaa kadachit,
Na janami bhakthim, vrutham vaapi maatha,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam, thwam ekaa Bhavani.
(Know I not how to be righteous,
Know I not the way to the places sacred,
Know I not methods of salvation,
Know I not how to merge my mind with God,
Know I not the art of devotion,
Know I not how to practice austerities, Oh, mother,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani )
Kukarmi, kusangi, kubudhi, kudhasa,
Kulachara heena, kadhachara leena,
Kudrushti, kuvakya prabandha, sadaham,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam, thwam ekaa Bhavani.
(Perform I bad actions,
Keep I company of bad ones,
Think I bad and sinful thoughts,
Serve I Bad masters,
Belong I to a bad family,
Immersed I am in sinful acts,
See I with bad intentions,
Write I collection of bad words,
Always and always,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.)
Prajesam, Ramesam, Mahesam, Suresam,
Dhinesam, Nisidheswaram vaa kadachit,
Na janami chanyath sadaham saranye,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam thwam ekaa Bhavani
(Neither Do I know the creator,
Nor the Lord of Lakshmi,
Neither do I know the lord of all,
Nor do I know the lord of devas,
Neither do I know the God who makes the day,
Nor the God who rules at night,
Neither do I know any other Gods,
Oh, Goddess to whom I bow always,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani )
Vivadhe, Vishadhe, pramadhe, pravase,
Jale cha anale parvathe shatru madhye,
Aranye, saranye sada maam prapahi,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam, thwam ekaa Bhavani.
(While I am in a heated argument,
While I am immersed in sorrow,
While I am suffering an accident,
While I am travelling far off,
While I am in water or fire,
While I am on the top of a mountain,
While I am surrounded by enemies,
And while I am in a deep forest,
Oh Goddess, I always bow before thee,
So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani)
Anadho, dharidro, jara roga yuktho,
Maha Ksheena dheena, sada jaadya vakthra,
Vipathou pravishta, pranshata sadhaham,
Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam, thwam ekaa Bhavani.
(While being an orphan,
While being extremely poor,
While affected by disease of old age,
While I am terribly tired,
While I am in a pitiable state,
While I am being swallowed by problems,
And While I suffer serious dangers,
I always bow before thee,
So you are my refuge and only refuge, Bhavani

Kasi Viswanathashtakam

Viswanathashtakam
By Adhi Sankara Bhagawat Pada
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
Ganga tharanga ramaneeya jata kalapam,
Gowri niranthara vibhooshitha vama bhagam,
Narayana priya mananga madapaharam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 1

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who has the tufted hair made by waves of river Ganga,
Who for ever has Gowri as ornament on his left side,
Who is the friend of Lord Narayana ,
And who destroyed the pride of the god of love.)

Vachamagocharamanekaguna swaroopam,
Vageesa Vishnu sura sevitha pada padmam,
Vamena vigraha varena kalathravantham,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 2

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who is beyond the meaning of words,
Who is the store house of several good qualities,
Who has the lotus feet,
Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,
And who keeps his better half on his left side.)

Bhoothadhipam bhujaga bhooshana bhooshithangam,
Vygrajinambaradharam, jatilam, trinethram,
Pasungusa bhaya vara pradha soola panim,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 3

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who is the lord of all beings,
Who is having a body decorated by snakes,
Who clothes himself with the skin of a tiger,
Who is having matted hair,
Who is having three eyes,
And who holds trident , rope and goad ,
And is the giver of boons.)

Seethamsu shobitha kireeta virajamanam,
Balekshananila visoshitha pancha banam,
Nagadhiparachitha basaura karma pooram,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 4

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who shines with the crown decorated by moon,
Who burnt the god of love by the fire of his eyes,
And who wears king of snakes as an ear ring.)

Panchananam durutha matha mathangajanaam,
Naganthagam danuja pungava pannaganam,
Davanalam marana soka jarataveenam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 5

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who is like a lion to the pride called elephant,
Who is like Garuda the king of birds to the snake like asuras,
And who is like the forest fire that swallows sorrow, death and old age.)

Thejomayam suguna nirgunamadweetheeyam,
Anandakandamaparajithamaprameyam,
Nagathmakam sakala nishkalamathma roopam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 6

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who has a glittering mien ,
Who is the first among those with and without shape,
Who is the reason for happiness in this world,
Who is never defeated,
Who is beyond the subject of reasoning,
Who is the soul of all serpents,
And who has a soul which is both pure and mixed.)

Aasam vihaya parihruthya parasya nindam,
Pape rathim cha sunivarya mana samadhou,
Aadhaya hruth kamala Madhya gatham paresam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 7

(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
And Sing of him who is in the middle of your lotus like heart,
When it is bereft of all desires and nature of finding fault,
When it is not attached to the sinful acts,
And when it is parked in the deep meditation of Samadhi.)

Ragadhi dosha rahitham sujananuraga,
Vairagya santhi nilayam girija sahayam,
Madhurya dhairya subhagam garalabhi ramam,
Varanasi pura pathim Bhajhe Viswanadham, 8


(Sing and praise that lord of the Universe,
Who is the Lord of the town of Benares,
Who does not have faults like passion,
Who loves good people,
Who is the home of detachment and peace,
Who is helped by the daughter of the mountain,
Who has a pleasing form, full of sweetness and courage,
And wears the strongest poison.)

Phala Sruthi.

Varanasi pura pathe sthavanam sivasya,
Vyakhyathamashtakamitham patahe manushya,
Vidhyam sriyaam vipula soukhya manantha keerthim,
Samprapya deva nilaye labhathe cha moksham.


Narration of fruits

That man who reads this octet with its meaning,
Which sings the praise of Siva who is the lord of Varanasi,
Would get knowledge, wealth, great pleasure and great fame,
And in the end also attain salvation.