Saturday, October 9, 2010

Ma Chandraghanta: Propitiated on the Third Navratra

Ma Chandraghanta


The name of the third Shakti is Chandraghanta who establishes righteousness. There is a crescent moon on her forehead. She is charming and radiant. Her colour is golden and She is endowed with three eyes and ten hands. Eight of her hands display weapons like swords and arrows while the remaining two are in the mudras of granting boons and warding off harm.


Chandra plus Ghanta signifies supreme bliss and knowledge, the showering of peace and serenity. This power of Durga rides a tiger ready for waging a battle. An unprecedented image of bravery, the frightful sound of her bell terrifies all the villains, demons and danavas. Goddess Changraghanta is mainly worshipped in Tamil Nadu.


Maha Kali

On the first three days of the navratras we pray to Maha Kali to destroy all our vices.She is the power that protects our spiritual aspiration from its many pitfalls and therefore we worship the destructive aspect of the Mother.



Friday, October 8, 2010

Navratras: Ma Brahmacharini is Worshipped on the Second Navratra

Ma Brahmacharini


Ma Brahmacharini

The second Durga Shakti is Brahmacharini. A personification of loyalty, she is spreading the message of pristine love to the world. A trove of knowledge and wisdom, the rudraksha beads are Her most treasured ornaments. Brahma means one who observes penance or tapa and is endowed with virtuous conduct. The idol of this Goddess is very gorgeous. There is a rosary in her right hand and a kumbha or water pot in the left one. She is awash with merriment.



Sage Narada
A tale is famed about her. In her previous birth she was Parvati or Hemvati the daughter of Himvan. Once when she was busy frolicking with her friends, Naradaji came and predicted on seeing her palm, "You will get married to a naked-terrible Bhole Baba who was with when you were Sati, the daughter of Daksha, in your previous birth. But now you have to perform penance to attain him."


Lord Shambu with Sati, His Consort
Thereupon Parvati insisted and told her mother Menaka that she would marry none other than Shambhu, or remain unwed. Saying this she did austere penance. Ever since she is famed as tapacharini or Brahmacharini and since then her name Uma became renowned the world over.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Shri Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak: English Transliteration


Baal samai ravi bhakshi liyo tab, teenahu loka bhayo andhiyaro |

Taahi so traas bhayo jag ko, yah sankat kaahu so jaat na taaro |

Dewan aani kari bintee tab, chaadhi diyo ravi kasht niwaaro ||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro||1||

Baali ki traas kapees basai giri, jaat mahaaprabhu panth nihaaro |

Chownki mahaa muni saap diyo tab chahiy kaun bichaar bichaaro |

Kai dwij roop liwaay mahaa prabhu so tum daas ke sok niwaaro ||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||2||

Angad ke sang lain gaye siya, khoj kapees yah baain uchaaro |

jeevat na bachihau hum son ju, bina sudhi laay ehaan pagu dhaaro |

Hayri thake tatt sindhu sabaai tab laay siya-sudhi praan ubaaro ||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||3||

Raavan traas dayee siya ko sab, raakshashi so kahi sok nivaaro |

Taahi samay hanuman mahaprabhu, Jaay mahaa rajneechar maaro ||

Chaahat seeya asoka so aagi su, dai prabhu mudrika soka nivaaro ||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||4||

Baan lagyo ur lakshiman ke tab, praan taje sut raavan maaro |

Lai griha baidya sushen samet, tabai giri dron su beer upaaro |

Aani sajeewan hath dayee taba lakshiman ke tum praan upaaro|

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro||5||

Raavan yudh ajaan kiyo tab, naag ki phaas sabhi sir daaro |

Sri Raghunath samet sabai dal, moh bhayo yah sankat bhaaro |

Aani khagesh tabai hanumaan ju, bandhan kaati sutraas nivaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||6||

Bandhu samet jabai ahiraavan, lai raghunath pataal sidhaaro |

Devhi puji bhalee vidhi so bali, deu sabai mili mantra vichaaro |

Jaay sahaay bhayo tab hi ahiraavan sainya samet sanhaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||7||

Kaaj kiye barh dewan kei tum, beer mahaaprabhu dekhi bichaaro |

Kaun so sankat mohin gareeb ko, jo tumso nahin jaat hai taaro |

Begi haro hanumaan mahaprabhu jo kuch sankat hoya hamaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||8||


Doha


Laal deh laalee lase, aru dhari laal langoor |

Bajra deh daanavdalan, jai jai jai kapi soor ||


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtak: Chaupais 5-8 & Doha


Baan lagyo ur lakshiman ke tab, praan taje sut raavan maaro |

Lai griha baidya sushen samet, tabai giri dron su beer upaaro |

Aani sajeewan hath dayee taba lakshiman ke tum praan upaaro|

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro||5||

Shri Hanuman Gets Mount Dronachal with the Sanjivani

The arrow shot by Meghnad (son of Rāvaṇa) struck the heart of Lakshman and his life was at stake. That is when you brought Sushen, an ayurvedic doctor, along with his house, and uprooting Mount Dronachal got the sanjivani, a medicinal herb.With these feats you saved the life of Lakshman.Who is there in this world, oh Kapi, who does not know that you are famed as the eliminator of obstacles!


Raavan yudh ajaan kiyo tab, naag ki phaas sabhi sir daaro |

Sri Raghunath samet sabai dal, moh bhayo yah sankat bhaaro |

Aani khagesh tabai hanumaan ju, bandhan kaati sutraas nivaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||6||

Shri Hanuman brings Garuda who Shreds the Nagpaash

Ravan fought a frightful battle war and bound all the troops in the nagapaash (noose made of cobras).Soon after, the entire faction along with Lord Rama was deluded into thinking that they were in great danger.That is when, oh Hanumanji! You brought Garuda (from Vaikunth) and had the snare of snakes shredded apart.Who in this world, oh Kapi, does not know that you are renowned as the remover of impediments!


Bandhu samet jabai ahiraavan, lai raghunath pataal sidhaaro |

Devhi puji bhalee vidhi so bali, deu sabai mili mantra vichaaro |

Jaay sahaay bhayo tab hi ahiraavan sainya samet sanhaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||7||

Shri Hanuman rescues Rama & Lakshman from Ahiraavan

When Ahiravan kidnapped Lord Rama along with his brother and took them to to pataal(the underworld of hell), he resolved to offer both these brothers in sacrifice after earnestly praying to Goddess Kaalratri and discussing with everyone. That is precisely when you reached there and killed Ahiravan along with his troops. Who in this world, oh Kapi, does not know that you are famed in dispelling misfortunes.


Kaaj kiye barh dewan kei tum, beer mahaaprabhu dekhi bichaaro |

Kaun so sankat mohin gareeb ko, jo tumso nahin jaat hai taaro |

Begi haro hanumaan mahaprabhu jo kuch sankat hoya hamaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||8||

Shri Hanuman Helps Lord Rama in Crossing the Ocean

Oh Mahaveer! (the greatly valiant hero)You have improved upon the tasks of many great deities.As of now, cast a glance on me and consider, which misery of a destitute like me can not be dispelled by you?


Goswami Tulsidas

Whatever may be my plight, oh Mahaveer Hanuman,you must get rid of it, soon enough!Who in this world is unaware, oh Kapi, that your name is renowned for being the eliminator of impediments!


Doha

Laal deh laalee lase, aru dhari laal langoor |

Bajra deh daanavdalan, jai jai jai kapi soor ||


Your body is red-hued, your tail is red, you have applied red vermilion (applied by married women to hair parting), and your clothes are also red in colour. Your body is hard as a diamond and you destroy the wicked. May you triumph over and over again, oh hero of the monkeys!

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak: Introduction & Chaupais 1-4

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtak, is a song in Hindi of a devotional nature dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Sankatmochan Hanuman Ashtakam was written by Goswami Tulsidas, a great devotee of Hanumanji. Ashtak or Ashtakam, literally means eight and the prayer consists of eight chaupais or quatrains in praise of Lord Hanuman, ending with a doha. In temples enshrining Lord Hanuman, the Sankatmochan Hanumanashtak is invariably chanted after the Hanuman Chalisa (forty chaupais on Hanuman.)


Baal samai ravi bhakshi liyo tab, teenahu loka bhayo andhiyaro |

Taahi so traas bhayo jag ko, yah sankat kaahu so jaakobh7uht na taaro |

Dewan aani kari bintee tab, chaadhi diyo ravi kasht niwaaro |

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro||1||


Baba Hanuman Leaping towards the Sun

Oh valiant svami Hanumanji! When you were a child you kept the sun in your mouth assuming it to be a fruit because of which darkness overcast all the three lokas (cosmological regions.)The entire world was terrified of this condition and no one could rectify this miserable plight.Disappointed from all sides, the deities came and requested You. And You released the sun.In this manner the crisis was overcome. Oh Kapi!Who in this world is not aware of the fact that your name is a dispeller of impediments.


Baali ki traas kapees basai giri, jaat mahaaprabhu panth nihaaro |

Chownki mahaa muni saap diyo tab chahiy kaun bichaar bichaaro |

Kai dwij roop liwaay mahaa prabhu so tum daas ke sok niwaaro ||2||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||


Hanuman meets Lord Rama & Gets Him to Sugriva

Sugrīva used to live in hiding in a mountain because he was terrified of Bali. He saw Lord Rama coming and sent you to find out about Him.You assumed the form of a brahman and meeting Rama, brought him along.By this act you got rid of Sugriva's fear and grief. Who is there in this world oh Hanumana, who is not aware that your name is the eliminator of obstacles.


Angad ke sang lain gaye siya, khoj kapees yah baain uchaaro |

jeevat na bachihau hum son ju, bina sudhi laay ehaan pagu dhaaro ||

Hayri thake tatt sindhu sabaai tab laay siya-sudhi praan ubaaro ||3||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tiharo ||


Shri Hanuman finds Sita, the daughter of Janaka

When the troops of monkeys was setting off in search of Sita along with Angad,Sugriva had warned that whosoever came back without finding Sita, his life would not be spared. Even after extensively scouting around when they could not get any clue of Sita,the monkeys were disheartened and sat on the coast of the ocean.That is when you found the whereabouts of Sita and saved the lives of the monkeys.In this world, who does not know oh Kapi, that You are the remover of hindrances!


Raavan traas dayee siya ko sab, raakshashi so kahi sok nivaaro |

Taahi samay hanuman mahaprabhu, Jaay mahaa rajneechar maaro ||

Chaahat seeya asoka so aagi su, dai prabhu mudrika soka nivaaro ||4||

Ko nahin jaanat hai jag mein kapi sankat mochan naam tihaaro ||


Ravana Pesters Sita

Oh Mahaveer (greatly valiant) Hanumanji!Rāvana petrified Sitaji and troubled her. He ordered all the demonesses to persuade Sita in surrendering to him.That is precisely when you reached and killed several demons who were warriors.Sitaji asked the Ashoka Tree for fire so that she could burn herself to ashes.


Hanuman gives Lord Rama's Ring to Sita

But at that very moment you dropped the signet ring of Rama so that Her anxiety was dispelled. In this world,oh Kapi, who is not aware that your name is the remover of hindrances!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Shri Hanuman Chalisa: Sanskrit Dohas & Chaupais in English

Doha

Shri guru charan saroj raj, nij mane mukuru sudhar |

Varnao raghuvar vimal jasu, jo dayaku phal chari ||

Budhiheen tanu jaanike, sumiraun pavan-kumar |

Bal budhi vidya dehu mohin, harhu kalesh vikar ||

Chaupais

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar |

Jai kapees tihun lok ujagar ||1||

Ram doot atulit bal dhaama |

Anjani-putra Pavan sut naamaa ||2||

Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi |

Kumati nivaar sumati ke sangi ||3||

Kanchan varan biraaj subesa |

Kaanan kundal kunchit kesaa ||4||

Haath vajra aur dhvaja viraaje |

Kaandhe moonj janeu saajai ||5||

Shankar suvan kesri nandan |

Tej prataap maha jag bandan ||6||

Vidyavaan guni ati chatur |

Ram kaaj karibe ko aatur ||7||

Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya |

Ram Lakhan Sita man basiya ||8||

Sukshma roop dhari siyahin  dikhava |

Vikat roop dhari lank jaraava ||9||

Bhim roop dhari asur sanhare |

Ramchandra ke kaaj sanvaare ||10||

Laye sajivan lakhan jiyaye |

Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye ||11||

Raghupati kinhi bahut badhai |

Tum mam priye bharat-hi sam bhai ||12||

Sahas badan tumhare jas gaavein |

As kahi shripati kanth lagaavein ||13||

Sankadik brahmadi muneesa |

Narad sarad sahit ahisaa ||14||

Yam kuber digpaal jahaan te |

Kabi kovid kahi sake kahaan te ||15||

Tum upkaar sugrivahi keenha |

Ram milaye raaj pad deenha ||16||

Tumaharo mantra Bibhishan maana |

Lankeshwar bhaye sab jag jaanaa ||17||

Jug sahastra jojan par bhaanu |

Leelyo taahi madhur phal jaanu ||18||

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh maheen |

Jaldhi laanghi gaye achrach naaheen ||19||

Durgam kaaj jagat ke jete ||

Sugam anugreh tumhare tete ||20||

Ram duare tum rakhvaare |

Hoat na aagya binu paisare ||21||

Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna |

Tum rakshak kaahu ko darnaa ||22||

Aapan tej samhaaro aapei|

Teenon lok haank te kaanpai ||23||

Bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aavai |

Mahavir jab naam sunaavai ||24||

Naasai rog hare sab peera |

Japat nirantar hanumat beera ||25||

Sankat te hanuman chhudhaavai |

Man kram bachan dhyaan jo laavai ||26||

Sab par ram tapasvee raja |

Tinke kaaj sakal tum saaja ||27||

Aur manorath jo koi laavai |

Soi amit jeevan phal paavai ||28||

Charon jug prataap tumhaaraa |

Hai prasidh jagat ujiyaara ||29||

Sadhu sant ke tum rakhvaare |

Asur nikandan ram dulaare ||30||

Asht siddhi nau niddhi ke daata |

As bar deen janki mata ||31||

Ram rasaayan tumhaare paasaa |

Sada raho raghupati ke daasaa ||32||

Tumhare bhajan ram ko bhaavei |

Janam janam ke dukh bisraavei ||33||

Anta kal raghubar pur jai |

Jahaan janam hari bhakt kahaai ||34||

Aur devta chitt na dharaee |

Hanumat sei sarv sukh karaee ||35||

Sankat katai mitey sab peeraa|

Jo sumirei hanumat balbeera ||36||

Jai jai jai Hanuman gosain |

Kripa karahu gurudev kee naeen ||37||

Jo sat baar paath kare koi |

Chhutahi bandi mahaa sukh hoi ||38||

Jo yah padhe hanuman chalisa |

Hoye siddhi saakhee gaureesaa ||39||

Tulsidas sada hari chera |

Keeje nath hriday manh dera ||40||

Doha

Pavantanay sankat haran, mangal moorti roop |

Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,hriday basahu sur bhoop||

Sunday, October 3, 2010

33-40 Chaupais & Last Doha

Tumhare bhajan ram ko paavei |

Janam janam ke dukh bisraavei ||33||

People can attain Lord Rama by worshipping you and get rid of the sufferings of several past births.


Anta kal raghubar pur jai |

Jahaan janam hari bhakt kahaai ||34||


On passing away such people gain entry into the eternal abode of Lord Rama at the hour of death.In case they take birth they will be acclaimed as bhaktas or devotees of Lord Rama.


Aur devta chitt na dharai |

Hanumat sei sarv sukh karai ||35||


Gods Bless Hanuman

Without making any other deity dwell in his heart, a living being can enjoy all the joys of life just by serving you.


Sankat katai mitey sab peeraa|

Jo sumirei hanumat balbeera ||36||

By Meditating upon Shri Hanuman one Gets Rid of Misery

Oh supremely valiant Shri Hanuman!The one who meditates upon you from the core of his heart, gets rid of his manifold misfortunes and all his pain vanishes.


Jai jai jai Hanuman gosain |

Kripa karahu gurudev kee nain ||37||

Gosain Hanuman

Hail, hail and hail to thee,oh Gosain (honorary title) Hanuman! Have mercy on me like my gurudev or spiritual preceptor.


Jo sat baar path kar koi |

Chutahi bandi mahaa sukh hoi ||38||

Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa a Hundred Times

Whosoever chants the Hanuman Chalisa a hundred times over, is freed from all worldly bonds and enjoys supreme bliss.


Joy yah padhe hanuman chalisa |

Hoye siddhi saakhee gaureesaa ||39||

Lord Shankar endorses Himself that the one who reads these forty verses is sure to succeed in his objective.


Tulsidas sada hari chera |

Keeje nath hriday manh dera ||40||

Goswami Tulsidas

Oh Shri Hanuman, my master! Considering that Tulsidas has always been the servitor of Lord Rama,kindly reside in his heart.


Doha

Pavantanay sankat haran, mangal moorti roop |

Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,hriday basahu sur bhoop||


Shri Hanuman Dwells in Tulsidas

Oh Shri Hanuman, the son of Pavana! You are the svarupa or icon of delightful good fortune! Kindly dwell in my heart along with Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, oh Devraj!