Ranganathashtakam

Ranganathashtakam
(Octet on Ranganatha)
By
Adhi Shankara
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(with assistance in editing the translation by Dr.Saroja Ramanujam)
Saptha prakara madhye sarasijamuklothbhasamane vimane,
Kaveri Madhya dese phanipathi sayane, sesha paryanga bhage,
Nidhramudhrabhiramam katinikatasira parswavinyastha hastham,
Padmadhathree karabhyam parichithacharanam rangarajam Bhajeham. 1
This Mangala sloka is written by Parashara Bhatta, a great Vaishnavite saint
(I salute that Lord of Ranga,
Who sleeps in the yogic pose,
On the bed of Adhisesha,
Below the tall dome**,
Which resembles a lotus bud ,
And is surrounded by seven ramparts,
And which is in between two Kaveri rivers,
With his right hand near his crown,
And his lotus like merciful left hand,
Pointing towards his feet which takes care of us all.
** Vimana )
Aanandarupe nijabodha rupe,
Brahma swaroope sruthi moorthi rupe,
Sasanka rupe ramaneeya rupe,
Sri ranga rupe ramatham mano mey. 2
(Let my mind revel in the form of Ranga
Whose form is the epitome of happiness,
Whose form is the true knowledge,
Whose form is as told in the Vedas,
And who is of the form of the comforting moon and beautiful .)
Kaveri theree karuna vilole,
Mandhara moole drutha charu khele,
Daithyanha kale akhila loka leele,
Sri Ranga leele ramatham mano mey. 3
(Let my mind revel in the form of Ranga
Who is on the banks of river Kaveri,
And playfully dispenses mercy,
Who is below the Mandhara tree,
Where he speedily and prettily plays,
And who destroys all asuras,
By his play spread over the whole world. )
Lakshmi nivase jagatham nivase,
Hrud padma vase ravi bimbha vase,
Krupa nivase Guna brunda vase,
Sri Ranga vase ramatham mano mey. 4
(Let my mind revel in Ranga,
As the one who lives in Sri Ranga,
In whom goddess Lakshmi lives,
Who is the abode of the universe
Who lives in the lotus of our heart,
Who lives in the face of the Sun.
Who is the abode of mercy,
And who lives where good conduct lives.)
Brahmadi vandye Jagadeka vandhye,
Mukunda vandhye, sura natha vandhye,
Vyasadhi vandhye, Sanakadhi vandhye,
Sri ranga vandhye ramatham mano mey. 5
(In Him let my mind revel
As the one who is saluted in Sri Ranga,
Who is venerated by gods like Brahma,
Who is venerated by the entire universe,
Who is venerated as Mukunda,
Who is venerated by lord of devas,
Who is worshipped by sages like Vyasa,
And who is venerated by sages like Sanaka. )
Brahmadhi raje, garudadhi raje,
Vaikunta raje sura raja raje,
Trilokya raje , akhila loka raje,
Sri Ranga raje ramatham mano mey. 6
(Let my mind revel in Him
Who is the king of Sri Ranga,
Who is the king of gods like Brahma,
Who is the king of the holy bird , Garuda,
Who is the king of Vaikunta,
Who is the king of the king of devas,
Who is the king of the three worlds,
And who is the king of the entire universe.)
Amogha mudhre Paripoorna nidhre,
Sri Yoga nidhre , sasamudhra nidhre,
Srithaika bhadre, jagathaika nidhre,
Sri ranga bhadre ramatham mano mey. 7
(Let my mind revel in Him
As one who protects the city of Sri Ranga,
Who has , whose sign is never failing
Who is in perfect sleep,
Who is in the Yogic sleep,
Who sleeps on the ocean,
Who takes care of goddess Lakshmi,
And in whom the whole world sleeps )
Sa chithra sayi, bhujagendra sayi,
Nandanga sayi , kamalanka sayi,
Ksheerabdhi sayi , vata pathra sayi,
Sri Ranga sayi , ramatham mano mey. 8
(Let my mind revel in Him
As the one who sleeps in the city of Sri Ranga,
Who sleeps pretty as a picture,
Who sleeps on the king of serpents,
Who sleeps on the lap of Nanda,
Who sleeps on the lap of Lakshmi,
Who sleeps on the ocean of milk,
And who sleeps on the banyan leaf. )
Idham hi rangam thyajathamihangam,
Punarnachangam yadhi changamethi,
Panou rathangam charanembhu gangam,
Yane vihangam sayane bhujangam. 9
(He who sheds his body in this ranga (ground)
Never gets embodiment again
As Ranga has chakra in His hand,
The Garuda is His vehicle,
The serpent is His bed
And his feet is wetted by river Ganga,)
Ranganathashtakam punyam prathruthaya ya padeth,
Sarvaan kamanavapnothirangi sayujyamapnuyath. 10
(Any one reading this octet on the lord of Ranga,
As soon as he gets up in the morning,
Will get his wishes fulfilled,
And in the end attain salvation.)

Narayana Suktham

Shanthi Pata
Sahana navathu.Sahanou bunakthu.
Saha veerya karavavahai.
Tejaswinaa vadheedamasthu maa vidwishavahaii.
Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthi.
(Let Brahmam protect the teacher-student duo,
And also protect us,
We would work with vigour,
Let our learning be lustrous,
Let not we quarrel among ourselves,
Let there be peace, peace and peace.
Narayana Suktham

Sahasra seersham devam viswaksham viswa sambhuvam.
Viswam narayanam devam aksharam paramam padam. 1
(I meditate on god Narayana,
Who has thousands of heads,
Who sees everywhere,
Who does good to all the world,
Who is the world,
Who is indestructible,
And who is the greatest destination. )
Viswatha paramanithyam viswam narayanam harim,
Viswamevedam purusha stadvischa mupajeevathi. 2
(I meditate on God Narayana,
Who is much greater than this world,
Who is forever,
Who is the world,
Who destroys sins and suffering,
And say, that this world is Purusha,
And is alive because he is inside it. )
Pathim viswasyatmeshwara, saswatha shivamachyutham,
Narayanam mahagneyam viswathmanam parayanam. 3
(I meditate on Narayana,
Who owns this world,
Who is the god of all souls,
Who is forever,
Who is personification of good,
Who never slips,
Who needs to be known with great effort,
Who is the soul of everything,
And who is the great destination. )
Narayana paro jyothirathma narayana para,
Narayana para brahma tatwam narayana para.
Narayana paro dyatha , dyanam Narayana para. 4
(Narayana is the great light,
Narayana is the great soul,
Narayana is the ultimate Brahmam,
Narayana is the great principle,
Narayana is the greatest among those who meditate on him,
And Narayana is the great meditation.)
Yachcha kinchid jagat sarvam drusyathe sruyathe bhi vaa,
Antharbahischa tatsarva vyapya narayana sthitha. 5
(Narayana is spread,
All over the world.
In everything that we see and hear,
And in its inside and outside. )
Anantham avyayam kavi samudrentham viswasambhuvam,
Padmakosa pratheekasa hrudhyam chapyadho mukham. 6
(I meditate on God Narayana,
Who is endless,
Who is indestructible,
Who is all knowing,
Who is inside the sea,
And who does good to all world.
I also state that the heart hangs like an inverted lotus bud.)
Adho nishtaaya vithasthyaanthe nabhyam upari thishtathi,
Jwalamalaakulam bhathi viswasya yatanam mahat. 7
(Inside the heart,
Which is Just below the collarbone,
And one hand above the belly button,
Shines .as if it is surrounded by a flame,
The greatest habitat of the universe)
Santhatha shilabhisthu lambatya kosa sannibham,
Tasyanthe sushira sookshmam tasmin sarve prathishtitham. 8
(The lotus like heart hangs,
Attached to the bones on all four sides,
And inside the heart is a very tiny hole,
And inside that hole everything exists. )
Tasya madhye mahan agni viswa archir viswatho mukha,
Sograbuk vibhajan thishtaa annahara majara kavi. 9
(Inside the center of the heart,
There is an ever-shining fire,
Which is spread in all directions,
And that fire which burns stable,
Sees everywhere,
Never gets old,
And divides and supplies the food. )
Tirya goordhwa madhasa sayee rasmayas tasya santhatha,
Santhapayathi swam deha mapada thala masthaka,
Tasya madhye vahni shika aneeryordhwa vyavasthitha. 10
(The rays of that fire is always spread,
All over from one end to other,
And throughout the length,
And from head to foot,
And the body of that fire,
Heats our body allover,
And its one thin flame,
Shines erect in the center of the heart. )
Neela thoyadha madhyastha dwidyullekheva bhaswaraa,
Neevara sooka vathanvee peetha bhaswat yanoopama. 11
(Like the sparkle of lightning,
From within a black dark cloud,
Like the sprout of a red paddy,
Thin and golden,
And as tiny as an atom,
That flame continues burning.)
Tasya shikhaya madhye paramathma vyavasthitha,
Sa brahma sa shiva sa hari sendra sokshara parama swaraat. 12
(In the center of the flame lives the all-pervasive God.
Who is Brahma,
Who is Shiva,
Who is Vishnu,
Who is Indra,
Who is perennial and ever living,
And He is the greatest emperor.)
Rhutha sathyam param brahma purusham Krishna pingalam,
Oordhwaretham viroopaksham viswa roopaya vai namo nama. 13
(Salutations and salutations,
To Him who is the beauty of everything,
To Him who is ever lasting truth,
To Him who exists as Para Brahmam in all bodies,
To Him who is the black Vishnu and reddish Shiva rolled into one,
To Him who looks after the progeny,
To Him who is three eyed,
And to Him who assumes the form of all beings of the universe. )
Narayanaya vidmahe vasudevaya deemahi,
Thanno Vishnu prachodayath. 14
(Let us try to know that Lord Narayana,
Let us try to meditate on that Vasudeva,
And let that Vishnu employ us to do good deeds. )

Vishnu Shodas Nama Sthothram

Vishnu Shodasa Nama Sthothram
(The prayer of sixteen names of Vishnu)
Translated
By
P.R.Ramachander

This is one of the prayers to be addressed to Lord Vishnu as soon as you wake up. It lists the twelve names of Lord Vishnu.

Oushade Chinthaye Vishnum,
Bhojane cha Janardhanam,
Sayane Padmanabham cha,
Vivahe cha Prajapathim.
Yuddhe Chakradharam devam,
Pravase cha Trivikramam,
Narayanam Thanu thyage,
Sreedharam priya sangame,
Duswapne smara , Govindam,
Sankate Madhu soodhanam,
Kanane Narasimham cha,
Pavake Jalasayinam,
Jalamadhye Varaham cha,
Parvathe Raghu nandanam,
Gamane Vamanam Chaiva ,
Sarva Karyeshu Madhavam.

Think him as Vishnu - while taking medicine,
As Janardhana while eating food,
As Padmanabha while in bed,
As Prajapathi at time of marriage,
As Chakra dhara while engaged in war,
As Trivikrama while on travel,
As Narayana on death bed,
As Sreedhara while meeting with the beloved,
As Govinda while tossing with bad dreams,
As Madhu sudhana while in trouble,
As Narasimha while in the forest,
As Jala Sayina while fire is ravaging,
As Varaha while struggling in water,
As Raghu nandana while lost in a mountain,
As Vamana while on the move,
And as Madhava while doing everything.

Shodasaithani Naamani,
Prathar uthaaya ya padeth,
Sarva papa vinirmuktho,
Vishnu lokam samopnuyath.

As soon as one wakes up in the morn,
If these sixteen names are read,
He would be bereft of all sins,
And reach the world of Vishnu at the end.

1-Vishnu --- He who is spread everywhere
2-Janardhana – He who punishes evil people
3-Padhmanabha – He who has a lotus in his belly button
4-Prajapathi – He who is the chief of people
5-Chakradhara- He who is armed with the holy wheel
6-Trivikrama- He who measured all the worlds in three steps
7-Narayana- He who resides in all things he creates
8-Sreedhara- He who carries Goddess of Wealth in his chest
9-Govinda- He who can be attained by Vedas
10-Madhu Soodhana-He who killed the ogre called Madhu
11-Naarasimha- He who took the shape of half lion, half human
12-Jalasayina- He who sleeps on water
13-Varaha- He who took the shape of the holy boar
14-Raghu Nandana- The darling of the clan of Raghu
15-Vaamana- He who took the shape of a dwarf
16-Madhava-He who is Lord of everything

Dasavathara stotram

Dasavathara Stotram
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Lord Vishnu took several incarnations in the world. Of them the most important are ten incarnations(Dasavathara).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.

Sri Runa Vimochana Nrusimha Sthothram

Sri runa vimochana nrusimha sthothram
(The prayer to Lord Narasimha to get rid of debts.)

(The debt could be explained also as the debt of Karma, which we have to get rid off to attain salvation.)

Deva karya sidhyartham , sabha sthambha samudbhavam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 1
(For the purpose of completion of the need of the devas,
You appeared from a pillar in a palace,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts.)

Lakshmyalingitha vamangam, bhakthanaam vara dayakam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 2
(Goddess Lakshmi embraces your left side,
And you give boons to your devotees,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts.)

Aantramaladaram , sankha charabjayudha darinam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 3
(God who wears the inner part of your enemy as garland,
God who holds conch wheel, lotus and other weapons,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts )
Smaranath sarva papagnam, khadruja visha nasanam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 4
(God whose very thought kills all sins,
God who destroys poison of all snakes,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts.)
Simhanadenaahath, digdanthi bhayanasanam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 5
(God of a terrible lion like roar,
Who removes fear of elephants, which guard all directions,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts.)
Prahlada varadam, srresam, daithyeswara vidharinam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 6
(God who was kind to Prahlada,
The lord of Lakshmi and he who ripped apart the king of demons,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts)
Krooragrahai peedithanam bhakthanam abhaya pradham,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 7
(God who gives freedom from fear to devotes,
Who are being troubled by cruel planets,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts.
Veda vedantha yagnesam , brahma rudradhi vandhitham,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye. 8
(God who is the lord of Vedas, Vedanta and sacrifices,
Who is worshipped by Brahma, Rudra and others,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts )
Ya idam padathe nithyam , runa mochana samgnakam,
Anruni jayathe sathyo , danam seegramavapnuyath. 9

He who reads daily this prayer for getting rid of debts,
Would surely become debtless and would soon earn lot of money.

12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Siva

1-Somnath
Somnath - Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra, Gujarat. Somnath is considered to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Somnath is situated on the south coast of Saurashtra.


2-Mallikarjun - Sree Sailam - 250 km From Hyderabad, near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. This is one of the greatest Saivite shrines in India and it constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingam shrines of Shiva. The presiding deities here are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi).
3-Mahakaleshwar - Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh. Ujjain, a historic capital of Central India in Madhya Pradesh is a venerated pilgrimage center enshrining Mahakaleshwara, one of the Jyotirlinga manifestations of Shiva.
4-Omkareshwar: 12 miles from Mortakka and close to Bhopal city in Madhya Pradesh on the Mandhata hill on the banks of the Narmada is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The river Narmada branches into two and forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center.
5- Kedarnath - Near Badrinath, Uttaranchal. This is one of the best known Shivastalams in India and is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers of the country, located in the lofty Himalayas. It is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingams
6-Bhimashankar - Village of Bhavagiri 50 km north west of Khed, near Pune in Maharashtra. It is an ancient shrine, enshrining Bhimashankara one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. It is located 110 km away from Pune in the ghat region of the Sahyadri hills. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows south east and merges with the Krishna river near Raichur. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Tryambakeshwar and Grishneshwar
7-Vishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi - Benares - Kaasi is considered to be the holiest of all pilgrimage sites in India. It is considered home to Shiva - Visweswara. Benares is also known as Kaasi because it is beleived that Supreme brilliance shines there, and lights the way to salvation (Kas - to shine). Varanasi is located between two rivers Varana and Asi, and hence the name Varanasi.
8-Tryambakeshwar - Near Nasik in Maharashtra. Tryambakeshwar located near at a distance of about 30 km from Nasik in Maharashtra is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Tryambakeshwar is the source of the river Godavari. This is an ancient shrine, however the current structure is a result of the reconstruction efforts undertaken by the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao in mid 18th century. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Bhimashankar and Grishneshwar
9-Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva. Lord Krishna Himself used to worship it and perform Rudrabhishekam. It is located on the route between Dwarka and the Bet Dwarka island, on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat
10-vaidhnath
Vaidyanath: Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar. This shrine represents one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of Shiva held in reverence throughout the country. Vaidyanath is located at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas region of Bihar
11-Ramesham: Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu. This Shivastalam is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in India. It represents the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India and has been a time honored pilgirmage center held on par with Banaras. The island-temple town is located off of the Sethu coast of Tamilnadu (south eastern).
12-Grishneshwar: It is located at a distance of 11 km from Daulatabad near Aurangabad, close to Near Ellora, in Maharashtra. Grishneshwar is an ancient pilgrimage site revered as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Daulatabad was once known as Devagiri. Located nearby are the popular tourist attractions Ellora - featuring ancient rock cut monuments from the 1st millennnium CE, and Ajanta known for its exquisite cave paintings again from the 1st millennium CE.

12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva

Saurashtre Somanaatham Cha

Sree Saile Mallikarjunam

Ujjayinyaam Mahaakaalam

Omkaare Mamaleswaram

Himalaye to Kedaram

Daakinyaam Bhimashankaram

Vaaranaasyaam cha Viswesam

Trayambakam Gowtameethate

Paralyaam Vaidyanaatham cha

Naagesam Daarukaavane

Setubandhe Ramesham Grushnesam cha Shivaalaye

Chidambareswara Stotram

Chidambareswara Stotram
(The prayer to Lord of Chidambara)
Translated by P.R.Ramachander
( The Lord of the Chidambara temple is Lord Shiva in the dancing pose called Nataraja. It is the holiest Shiva temple of the south India. It is also a Pancha Bhootha sthala glorifying Shiva in the form of ether (sky). The great Shaivite saints have written voluminously about this great temple. Here is a mellifluous stotra praising that “Sea of mercy”)
Krupa samaudram, sumukham, trinethram,
Jadadaharam, Parvathi vama bhagam,
Sada shivam, rudramanantha roopam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 1
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ocean of mercy,
Who has a pleasant mien,
Who has three eyes,
Who has matted locks,
Who keeps Parvathy on his left side,
Who is ever peaceful,
And who is limitless and angry.)
Vachamatheetham phani bhooshanangam,
Ganesa thatham dhanadasya mithram,
Kandarpa nasam, Kamlothpalaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 2
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is beyond words,
Who wears the serpent as ornament,
Who is the father of Ganesa,
Who is the friend of Kubhera,
Who destroys pride,
And who has eyes like the lotus flower.)
Ramesavandhyam rajathadrinatham,
Sri vamadevam bhava dukhanasam,
Rakshakaram rakshasa peedithanam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 3
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is worshipped by Lord Vishnu,
Who is the lord of the silver mountain,
Who judges and awards punishments,
Who destroys the sorrow of the future,
And who protects those troubled by rakshasas.)
Devathidevam jagadeka nadam.
Devesa vandyam sasi ganda choodam,
Gowri sametham krutha vigna daksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 4
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of all devas.
Who is the one lord of the universe,
Who is worshipped by Indra,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who is with goddess Gowri,
And who stopped the yaga of Daksha.)
Vedanthavedhyam, Sura vairi vignam,
Shubhapradam bhakthimadantharanam,
Kaalanthakam sri karuna kadaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 5
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ultimate end of Vedas,
Who destroys enemies of devas,
Who blesses with good his devotees,
Who killed the god of death,
And who has a merciful look.)
Hemadri chapam trigunathmabhavam,
Guhathmajam vyagrapureesamadhyam,
Smasana vasam, vrusha vaha nadam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 6
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who made the golden mountain as his bow,
Who is the soul principle of three qualities,
Who is the father of Lord Subhramanya,
Who is the lord of the town of tiger,
Who lives in cremation ground,
And who rides on a bull.)
Adhyantha soonyam tripurarimeesam,
Nandeesa mukhya sthuti vaibhavadyam,
Samastha devai pari poojithamgrim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 7
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is nothing from beginning to end,
Who is the god of the enemies of the three cities,
Who is the chief ,worshipped by lord Nandi,
And who is again and again worshipped by all devas.)
Thameva bhantham, hyanubhoothi sarvam,
Anekaroopam paramarthamekham,
Pinakapanim bhava nasa hethum,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 8
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is with in himself the end,
Who is all that is to happen,
Who has several forms,
Who is the only truth,
Who holds the bow called Pinaka,
And who is the reason for destruction in future.)
Visweswaram nithyamananthamadhyam,
Trilochanam chandrakalavathamsam,
Pathim pasoonam hrudhi sannivishtam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 9
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of the universe,
Who is stable from beginning to end,
Who has three eyes,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who lives in the mind of beings as their lord.)
Viswadhikam vishnumukhairupasyam,
Trilochanam pancha mukham prasannam,
Umapathim papaharam prasantham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 10
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is more than the universe,
Who is present in the face of Vishnu,
Who has three eyes,
Who has five faces which are having a pleasant look,
Who is the lord of Goddess Uma,
And who destroys sins and is ever peaceful.)
Karpoora gathram kamaneeya nethram,
Kamasari mithram kamalendu vakthram,
Kandarpa gathram kamalesa mithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 11
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Whose body shines like burning camphor,
Who has very pretty eyes,
Who is the friend of the enemy of Kamsa,
Who has a lotus and moon like face,
Who has a very strong and zestful body,
And who is the friend of Lord Brahma.)
Visalanethram paripoornagathram,
Gowri kalathram haridambaresam,
Kubhera mithram jagatha pavithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 12
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who has very broad eyes,
Who has a complete body,
Who is the consort of Gowri,
Who is the god of Lord Vishnu,
Who is the friend of Khubera,
And who makes the world holy.)
Kalyana murthim kanakadri chapam,
Kantha samakrantha nijardha deham,
Kapardhinam kamaripum purarim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 13
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the God of good,
Who makes the golden mountain as his bow,
Who has given and shares his body with his wife,
Who is the God with matted locks,
Who is the enemy of the lord of love,
And who is the destroyer of the cities.)
Kalpantha kalahitha chanda nrutham,
Samastha vedantha vacho nigoodam,
Ayugma nethram , girija sahayam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 14
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who at time of deluge dances the dance of destruction,
Who is not understood by all the philosophies,
Who has odd number of eyes,
And who helps the daughter of the mountain.)
Digambaram,sankha sithalpahasam,
Kapalinam soolinam aprameyam,
Nagathmaja vakthra payoja sooryam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 15
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who wears the directions as apparel,
Who laughs mildly like a conch,
Who carries a skull,
Who is armed with a trident,
And who is beyond description.)
Sadshivam sad purushair anekai,
Sadarchitham samasirassu geetham,
Vaiyagra charmambara mugra meesam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 16
(I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is always peaceful,
Who is always worshipped by many good people,
Who likes the songs of Sama Veda,
And who is the terrible god who wears a tiger hide.)
Phalasruthi
Chidambarasya sthavanam padedhya,
Pradosha kaleshu puman cha dhanya,
Bhogaan asesham anubhooya bhooya,
Sayujyamapyethi chidambarasya.

Telling of benefits.
(That blessed gentleman,
Who reads this prayer of Chidambara,
During the time of pradosha,
Will enjoy fully all the pleasures of this world,
And in the end attain the presence of the lord of Chidambara,

Sri Meenakshi Sthothram

Sri Meenakshi sthothram
By Adhi Sankara Bhagawat Pada
Translated by P.R.Ramachander

(Goddess Meenakshi along with her consort Sunderswarar is the presiding deity of the fabled temple of Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai, She is so called because

1. Her eyes have fish like pretty shape.

2. Like fish she keeps it always open to watch the interests of her devotees.)

Sri vidhye, shiva vama bhaga nilaye, sri rajarajarchithe,

Sri nadhadhi guru swaroopa vibhave, chinthamani peedike,

Sri vani giri janthamgri kamala, sri shambhavi, sri shive,

Madhyahne malayadwajadhipa suthe, maam pahi meenambike. 1

(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who is the holy knowledge of the occult,

Who resides in the left side of Lord Shiva,

Who is being worshipped by king of kings,

Who has varied forms like the holy trinity,

Who sits on the holy seat of thought,

Who is being worshipped by Saraswathi and Parvathi,

Who is the consort of Lord Shambhu.

Who is the wife o Lord Shiva,

Who is the epitome of sun shine,

And who is the daughter of king Malayadwaja.)

Chakrasthe chapale chara charajagannadhe jagat poojithe,

Aarthalivaradhe, natha abhayakare, vakshoja bharanwidhe,

Vidhye Veda kala mouli vidhithe vidhyllatha vigrahe,

Matha poorna sudha rasardhra hrudhaye,Maam pahi meenambike. 2
(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who resides in the Sri Chakra,

Who is the goddess of moving and nonmoving things of the world,

Who is being worshipped by the universe,

Who provides protection to the oppressed,

Who provides succour to those who salute her,

Who is bent because of her heavy breasts,

Who is the holy knowledge,

Who is being sung about by Vedas,

Who is like a streak of lightning,

And who has full nectar like heart of mercy.)

Kodeeranga rathna kundala dhare kodanda bananchithe,

Koka kara kucha dwayo parilasad pralambha haranchithe,

Sinja noopura pada sarasa mani sri pada kalamkruthe,

Madaridrya bhujanga garuda khage, Maam pahi meenambike. 3
(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who wears a crown , armlets and jeweled ear drops,

Who shines with bow and arrow in her hands,

Who shines with the jeweled garland worn over her breasts,

Who shines with slippers over her feet with jingling anklets,

And who is like the eagle poised over my serpent like poverty.)

Brahmesachyutha gheeyamana charithe prethasanantha sthithe,

Pasaod ankusa chapa bana kalithe balendu choodanchithe,

Bale bala kuranga lola nayane, balarkka kodyujjwale,

Mudhradhitha daivathe munisuthe , maam pahi meenambike. 4

(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who has the history of being worshipped by the trinity,

Who sits on the seat of corpse,

Who carries rope goad , bow and arrows with her,

Who wears the young moon as an ornament,

Who is a little girl and has eyes like the deer,

Who shines like crores of young suns,

Who is goddess being worshipped by signs,

And who is the daughter of a sage.)

Gandharwamara yaksha pannaga nuthe gangadharalingithe,

Gayathri garudasane kamalaje sushyamale susthire,

Khathhethe khaladhara pavaka shike khadhyotha kotyujjwale,

Manthraradhitha daivathe munisuthe , maam pahi meenambike. 5
(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who is being saluted by devas, gandharwas, yakshas ad Pannagas,

Who is being embraced by He who carries the ganga,

Who also has the form of Gayathri,

Who rides on the Garuda and sits on the lotus,

Who is of the holy colour of the black,

Who is always stable,

Who is spread much beyond the sky,

Who is the fire that burns the trees of bad people,

Who gives the light of billion suns,

Who is being worshipped by holy chants,

And who is the daughter of a sage.)

Nadhe Narada dumbaradhya vinuthe nadanda nadathmike,

Nithye neela lathathmike nirupame neevara sukhopame,

Kanthe, kamakale kadamba nilaye, kameshwaranga sthithe,

Mad vidhye madabheeshta kalpa lathike , maam pahi meenambike. 6

(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who is the sound of music,

Who is being worshipped by Narada and Dumburu,

Who is the end and soul of music,

Who is perennial, who is the colour of a blue climber,

Who does not have any comparison,

Who keeps a wild parrot in her hand,

Who is the ideal wife, who is store house of passion,

Who lives amidst Kadamba trees, Who lives as a part of Lord Shiva,

Who is the greatest knowledge,

And who is the divine plant fulfilling even great wishes.)

Veena nada nimeelithathardha nayane, visrastha choolibhare,

Thamboolaruna pallavadharayuthe thadanga haranwithe,

Syame Chandra kalavathamsa kalithe, kasthurika phalike,

Poone Poona kalabhi rama vadane. Mamm pahi meenambike. 7

(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who has half shut eyes due to her hearing music from veena,

Who has made up her crown of hair elaborately,

Who has reddish lips due to chewing of Thamboola,

Who wears ornaments like chain and large ear rings,

Who is dusky black in colour,

Who wears the crescent of moon as an ornament,

Who puts a thilaka using musk,

Who is in herself complete,

And who has a pretty face like the full moon.)

Shabdha brahma mayi, characharamayi, jyothirmayee vaagmayi,

Nithyanandamayi, niranchanamayi, thathwamayi chinmayi,

Thathwatheethamayi parathpara mayi mayamayi sreemayi,

Sarvaisvaryamayi sadshuvamayi, maama pahi meenambike. 8

(Be pleased to protect me, Oh , mother Meenakshi,

Who is the form of the eternal sound,

Who is the living and non living,

Who is the light and the speech,

Who is always filled with happiness,

Who is without any stain,

Who is the meaning of philosophy,

Who is the ultimate truth,

Who is beyond reason and theories,

Who is the knowledge which is beyond knowledge,

Who is enchantress as well as Goddess Lakshmi,

Who is full of all types of wealth,

And who is the perennial Lord Shiva.)

God of kuladevata

Kuldevatas mainFor purposes of worship the Hindu has three principal deities.

The first is the Gramadevata (the god of the village or town),

The second the Kuladevata (deity of his family or Gotra), and

The third the Ishtadevata (personal deity). Of these the first two are fixed for him at birth and the third he selects for himself from the many deities of the Hindu pantheon. Worship of the Kuladevata is generally performed daily in the family home shrine dedicated to this deity.
belong to the Siva or Shakti cult.
Many villages of Tamil Nadu in South India people are celebrating this Great God, KaruppaswamyMuneeswaran , kaaval deiyvangal! All along the highways in Tamil Nadu we can see huge Iyyanar statues riding on the horse, standing at the entrance to the villages keeping guard as believed by the naive, innocent,pious rural peopleas their life long Guardian God. Usually the idols of this Great God is situated at the entrance of every Hindu temple as security of other Gods present in the temples. In legend it is told that Karuppaswamy is the other image of Lord Shiva and He is given the same importance as given to Lord Shiva. Many hundreds of Boothas are coming under the administration of Lord Karuppaswamy and Boothas are also adorned by His devotees. In every Karuppaswamy temple where Karuppaswamy is the prime God the gaint Bootha Statues are standing on both sides of the temple. Lord Karuppaswamy has different images such as Muthu Karuppana Swamy, Punugu Karuppana Swamy and Sangili Karuppana Swamy,Sonai Karuppanasamy.Karuppusamy stands as a guard for the pathinettam padi.Sabarimalai,
There are different forms of karuppusamy, like Sangilli Karuppan
Lord Karuppaswamy is considered to be the guardian God of the village where His temple is situated. According to common belief not only do this Great God scare away evil spirits and protect villagers against evil diseases and ill fortunes but also punishing erring persons. Gods other than Karuppaswamy are Lord Ayyanar and Lord Madurai Veeran. The statues of these dieties are found at the boundaries of villages. It is common to find the statue of Lord Karuppaswamy riding on horse. It is also believed that Guardian Gods like Lord Karuppaswamy ride around villages on horse to protect people and His devotees. He has His peculiar image by having big crown made of cloth, big moustache and bright eyes. He is always equipped with spear and machete to protect His devotees from evil things.

On the day of Maha Shivarathri, a major Hindu festival, the various groups of Hindu people are celebrating and praying their own prime Gods including Lord Karuppaswamy. This festival comes on every new moon day of February last week or March first week of every year.

NAVAGRAHA SLOKAS

NAVAGRAHA SLOKAS
Om Namah Sooryaya Chandraya Mangalaya Budhaya Cha
Guru Shukra Shanibhyascha Raahave Ketave Namo Namaha
My Salutations to Soorya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars) and Budha
(Mercury). I also salute Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn) as well as
Rahu and Ketu.
Aarogyam praathuno Dhinakara:
Chandro yaso nirmalam
Boothim Boomi sutha: Sudham sutanaiya:
Pragnyam Gurur Gouravam
Kanyak komal Vak vilasamadulam
Mandho mudam sarvada
Raahur bhaahu balam,Virodha samanam
Kethus Kulasyonnidhim.
NAVA GRAHA STOTRA
Nava Graha Stotra means the nine old Stotra of the planets,
wherein the nine revolving heavens are invoked.
For the Sun
Japa Kusuma Sankasham
Kashyapeyam Mahadyuthim
Thamognam Sarvapapagnam
Pranathosmi Divakaram
O Destroyer of the Darkness of Ignorance !
O Annihilator of all sins !
My saluations to Thee !
For the Moon
Dhadhi Shankha Thusharabham
Ksheerodharnava Sambhavam
Namami Shashinam Somam
Shambhor Makuta Bhooshanam
O Thou who adorns the head of the mighty Lord Siva !
My obeisances to Thee !
For Jupiter
Devanamscha rishinamscha
Gurum kanchana sannibham
Bandhubhootam trilokesam
Tam namami brahaspathim
O Beloved of all Rishies and Yogins !
O Preceptor of all who follow the Path
Divine !
I bow down to Thee !
For Rahu ( North Node )
Ardhakayam Mahaveeryam
Chandradithya Vimardhanam
Simhika Garbha Sambhootam
Tham Rahum pranamamyaham
O Devourer of the Apollo and Diana !
I bow down to Thee !
For Mercury
Priyangu Kalika Shyamam
Roopena Prathimam Budham
Soumyam Soumya Gunopetham
Namami Shashinam Sutham
O Son of the Moon and Representer of all academic Knowledge !
My salutations
to Thee !
For Venus
Himakunda mrinalabham
Daityanam Paramam Gurum
Sarvashastra pravaktharam
Bharghavam prnamamyaham
O Preceptor of the Demons
O Representer of all Sciences ! I bow down to Thee !
For Ketu ( South Node )
Palasa pushpa sankasam
Tharakakara Vigraham
Ugrascha Vividhakara
Tham Ketum Pranamamyaham
O Destroyer and Terrible of Form !
I bow down to Thee !
For Saturn
Neelanjana Samabhasam
Raviputram Yamagrajam
Chaya Marthanda Sambhootham
Tham Namami Sanaiswaram
O Son of the Sun and the Imparter of Patience and Perseverance.
I bow down to
Thee !
For Mars
Dharanee Garbha Sambhootham
Vidyut Kantha Samaprabham
Kumaram Shakthi Hastham cha
Mangalam Pranamamyaham