Friday, April 8, 2011

Vinay Patrika: HariShankari *Pada [49]

Raag Ramkali


Lord Harihara


dev-

danuj-ban-dahan, gun-gahan, govind nandaadi-aanand-daataivinaashee |

shumbh, shiv, rudra, shankar, bhayankar, bheem, ghor, tejaaytan, krodh-raashee ||1||

anant, bhagwant-jagdant-antak-traas-shaman, shriraman, bhuvnaabhiraamam |

bhoodhraadheesh jagdeesh eeshaan, vigyaanghan, gyaan-kalyaan-dhaamam ||2||

vaamanaavyakt, paavan paraavar, vibho, prakat parmaatmaa, prakriti-svamee |

chandrashekhar, shoolpaani, har anagh, aja, amit, avichhinn, vrishbhesh-gaamee ||3||

neeljaldaabh tanu shyaam, bahu kaam chhavi raam raajeevlochan kripaalaa |

kanbu-karpoor-vapu-dhaval-nirmal maauli jataa, sur-tatini, sit suman maalaa ||4||

vasan kinjalkadhar, chakra-sarang-dar-kanj-kaaumodkee ati vishaalaa |

maar-kari-mat-mrigraaj,traainaain, har naaumi apharann sansar-jaala ||5||

krishna- karunnaabhavan, davan kaaleeya khal, vipul kansaadi nirvanshakaaree |

tripur-mad-bhangkar, matgaj-charmdhar, andhkorag-grasan panngaaree ||6||

brahma, vyaapak, akal, sakal, par, parmahit, gyaan, goteet, gunn-vriti-hartaa |

sindhusut-garv-giri-vajra, gaaureesh, bhav, daksh-makh akhil vighvanskarta ||7||

bhaktipriya, bhaktjan-kaamdhuk dhenu, hari harann durghat vikat vipati bhaaree |

sukhad, narmad, varad, viraj, anvadhyakhil, vipin-aanand-veethin-vihaaree ||8||

ruchir harishankaree naam-mantraavlee dvandvadukh harni,aanandkhaanee |

vishnu-shiv-lok-sopaan-sam sarvadaa vadti tulseedaas vishad baanee ||9||


HariShankar

[In every verse of this devotional hymn, the stuti (lavish praise) of Lord Vishnu has been done in the first half and stuti of Lord Shiva in the next half, and that is precisely the reason why it is named Hari-Shankari.]


Harihara, a combined deity form of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) from the Hindu Pantheon

By raving about the glories of Lord Vishnu and Shiva, Gosain ji Maharaj has proved that there is absolutely no distinction between *Harihara.


Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu-is the one who burns the jungle of demons, is a thicket of virtues or is abundantly endowed with sattvic qualities, is a ruler of the senses, is the one who delights *Nanda plus his subordinates, and is indestructible.


Lord Shiva as Rudra

Lord Shiva-is renowned by auspicious names like Shambu, Shiv, Rudra, Shankar and so on; He is gravely fearsome, supremely energetic and the repository of anger.||1||


Lord Vishnu & Goddess Lakshmi

Lord Vishnu-is eternal, is endowed with six kinds of superhuman powers, brings about the destruction of this illusory world, eliminates the fear of Yama (god of death), is the husband of goddess Lakshmi and the one who grants joy to the entire Brahmand or universe.


Lord Shiva in Kailash

Lord Shiva-is the ruler of *Kailash, the master of this world, the repository of *Ishaan, of solid knowledge, wisdom and moksha or salvation||2||


Vamana Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu-the one who assumes the form of *Vamana,(the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu), imperceptible by the mind and senses, is pure (changeless reality), the svami or master of the lifeless and conscious,and lokas (cosmological regions)-parlokas (next world after death),a manifestation of the Supreme Spirit and Lord of the material world.


Lord Shiva Rides Nandi

Lord Shiva-the one who bears the crescent moon on his head and holds the trident in his hand, the destroyer of creation,devoid of sins, unborn, boundless, indestructible and the one who travels by riding Nandi, the bull which is his vehicle||3||


Dark-hued Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu-having a dark-hued body like the blue cloud, possessing the majestic beauty of several Kamdevs (god of love) and having beautiful eyes which look like the lotus; is the merciful one who takes delight in the entire universe.


Lord Shiva is Fair in Colour & Bears the Ganges

Lord Shiva-is smoothly glossy like the conch shell and camphor, endowed with a fair-hued and fragrant body, devoid of dirt, having matted hair and bearing the sacred river Ganges on his head. He wears a garland of white flowers||4||


The Four-Armed Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu-is wearing the yellow-coloured pitambar like a lotus filament and holding the conch shell, discus, lotus, the Shaarnga Bow and the extremely huge mace named 'Kaumodaki.'


Three-Eyed Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva-is like a lion for killing the intoxicated elephant of Kamdev(god of love),three-eyed, and a destroyer of the worldly web of birth and death; I make obeisance before such a Shiva||5||


Krishna, an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on Kaliya Naag

Lord Vishnu-the one who attracts everyone, the reservoir of compassion, the one who suppressed Kaliya Naag and the one who wiped out the races of Kansa and other evil-doers.


Lord Shiva Crushes Tripurasura with a Single Arrow

Lord Shiva-the one who crushed the frenzy of Tripurasura,the who wears the hide of an intoxicated elephant and who is Garuda for devouring the snake of *Andhakasura||6||


Lord Vishnu is the Supreme Being

Lord Vishnu-is the *Supreme Being, surpassing the kalas, the most supreme, extremely benevolent, an icon of knowledge, beyond the final inner actions and the outward senses of *hearing and the one who gets rid of the three constituents of the *three gunas.


Lord Shiva Ruins the Yagna of Daksha

Lord Shiva-is like a thunderbolt for shattering the mountain of *Jalandhar's arrogance, the husband of Parvati, is the site from which the world is *created and is the one who ruined the entire yagna of *Daksha.||7||


Lord Vishnu is Like Kamadhenu, the Cow of Plenty

Lord Vishnu-bhakti or religious devotion is very dear to Him, the one who is like Kamadhenu for fulfilling the heart-felt desires of bhaktas and is the destructor of their tough and terrifying adversities, and is fondly called Hari.


The Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Lord Shiva-grants the boon of happiness, delight and cherished desires, is detached, is beyond all kinds of disorders and drawbacks, and is the one who dallies in the lanes of Kashi, the delightful forest||8||


Goswami Tulsidas

These beautiful lines of Hari and Shankar's names plus mantras (incantations), alleviate the suffering which is caused by the foes of passion and jealousy, are the reservoir of delight and are forever like the ladder which leads to the lokas of Vishnu and Shiva. With a pure voice Tulsidas endorses this truth||9||


Pada: a verse of devotional poetry especially intended to be sung

Harihara: is the name of a combined deity form of both Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) from the Hindu tradition and is thus worshipped by both Vaishnavites and Shaivities as a form of the Supreme God, as well as being a figure of worship for other Hindu traditions in general. Harihara is also sometimes used as a philosophical term to denote the unity of Vishnu and Shiva as different aspects of the same Supreme God.

Nanda: the foster father of Krishna.

Mount Kailash: main abode of Shiva, name of a mountain supposed to be located in Tibet and the Mansarovar Lake),

Ishaan: guardian of the north-eastern direction

solid knowledge: acquired knowledge of the world as distinct from knowledge of brahman acquired by meditation and study

Vamana: the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Tripurasura: generally connotes the Asuras who inhabited Tripura, a mythological triplet fortress made of iron, silver and gold, constructed by Mayasura and destroyed by Lord Shiva.

Andhakasura: the demon who had lusted after Shiva's wife Parvati

Supreme Being: regarded as personal and especially in his capacity as creator of the world.

Sense of Hearing: one of several usually nine traditionally recognised avenues or procedures for cultivating devotion

Three gunas: of sattva or goodness, rajas or passion, and tamas or darkness.

Jalandhar: a demon who was attracted to Parvati, the wife of Shiva

Shiva as Creator: the Lasya and the Tandava are just two aspects of Shiva's nature; for he destroys in order to create, tearing down to build again.

Daksha: One of the daughter of Daksha was Shakti or Dakshayani, who had always wished to marry Shiva. Daksha forbade it, but she did so anyway, finding in Shiva husband. Daksha disliked Shiva intensely This enmity culminated in a great sacrifice where Shiva was not invited.

Vinay Patrika: Aarti of Shri Ram [48]

Raag Ramkali


The Aarti of Shri Ram


harti sab aartee aartee raamkee |

dahan dukh-dosh, nirmoolinee kaamkee ||1||

surabh saaurabh dhoop deepbar maalikaa |

udhat agh-bihang suni taal kartaalikaa ||2||

bhakt-hridi-bhavan, agyan-tam haarinee |

bimal bigyaanmay tej-bistaarinee ||3||

moh-mad-koh-kali-kanj-himjaaminee |

muktikee dootikaa, deh-duti daaminee ||4||

pranat-jan-kumud-ban-indu-kar-jaalikaa |

tulsi abhimaan-mahishes bahu kaalikaa ||5||


The Worship of Shri Ram & Sita

The *aarti of Shri Ram annihilates all the painful afflictions, burns sorrows and sins, and ravages desire from its very roots||1||


It is a garland of beautiful fragrant incense


and the best of lighted lamps.


Hearing the sound of clapping hands during the specific time of aarti, the bird of sins instantly flies away ||2||


Shri Ram's Aarti Spreads the Light of Spiritual Knowledge

This aarti destroys the darkness of ignorance dwelling in the abode of devotees' hearts and spreads the bright light of pure knowledge||3||


Kaliyuga, the Age of Spiritual Darkness

It is a cold winter night for devastating infatuation, intoxication and anger, the lotuses of Kaliyuga; is a love-messenger for helping us meet the nayika of mukti (salvation); and the sparkling flash of its body is like lightening ||4||


A Water Lily

The aarti is a garland of moonbeams for the blossoming of water-lily thickets of bhaktas who have taken refuge.


Goddess Durga Killing Mahishasur

And is equivalent to several Durga Goddesses for crushing the Mahishasur of Tulsidas's arrogance ||5||



aarti: a ceremony performed in worshipping a god:a dish holding a lamp, burning ghi, incence or other articles is moved in a series of circles in front of the idol.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Vinay Patrika: Shri Ram Stuti [46]

Raag Ramkali


Forever, Chant the Name of Lord Ram


sadaa

raam japu, raam japu, raam japu, raam japu, raam japu, moodh man, baar baaram |

sakal saubhagya-sukh-khaani jiya jaani shath, maani vishvaas vad vedsaaram ||1||

koshalendra nav-neelkanjaabhatanu, madan-ripu-kanjhridi-chanchareekam |

jaankeeravan sukhbhavan bhuvnaaikaprabhu, samar-bhanjan, param kaaruneekam ||2||

danuj-van-dhoomdhuj, peen aajaanubhuj, dandd-kodanddvar chand banam |

arunakar charann mukh nayan raajeev, gun-achan, bahu mayan-shobha-nidhaanam ||3||

vaasnaavrind-kaairav-divaakar, kaam-krodh-mad-kanj-kaanan-tusshaaram |

lobh ati mat naagendra panchaananam bhakthit harann sansaar-bhaaram ||4||

keshavam, kalesham, kesh-vandit pad-dvandva mandaakinee-moolbhootam |

sarvdaanand-sandoh, mohaapaham, ghor-sansar-paathodhi-potam ||4||

shok-sandeh-paathodpatlaanilam, paap-parvat-kathin-kulishroopam |

santjan-kaamdhuk-dhenu, vishraamprad, naam kali-kalush-bhanjan anoopam ||6||

dharam-kalpadrumaaraam, haridhaam-pathi sanbalam, moolmidmev ekam |

bhakti-vairaagya-vigyaan-sham-daan-dam, naam aadheen saadhan anekam ||7||

ten taptam, hutam, datmevaakhilam, ten sarv kritam karmjaalam |

yen shriraamnaamaamritam paankritmanishamnavadhyamavlokya kaalam ||8||

shavpach, khal, bhill, yavnaadi harilokgat, naambal vipul mati mal na parsee |

tyaagi sab aas santraas, bhavpaas, asi nisit harinaam japu daastulsee ||9||


The Name of Shri Ram is the Essence of the Vedas

O foolish heart of mine ! Repeatedly and forever just do japa (chant) of the name of Shri Ram; he is the reservoir of absolute good fortune plus joy, and He is very the essence of the Vedas, grasping this fact mentally and having implicit faith, always say Shri Ram ||1||


Shri Ram's Hue is Like The Fresh Blue Lotus

The bodily lustre of Shri Ramchandra ji, the king of Kosala, is like a fresh blue lotus; He is the black bee who is attracted to the lotus of Lord Shiva's heart. He dallies with Janaki (title of Sita), is the repository of happiness, is the sole Supreme God of the entire universe, is the destroyer of the wicked in battle, and is supremely compassionate ||2||


Shri Ram is a Blazing Fire for Demons

He is like a blazing fire for the forest of demons. He is holding the beatiful bow and raging arrows in his sturdy and muscular arms which extend upto his knees. His hands, feet, face and eyes are lovingly tender like the red lotus. He is a reservoir of virtues and a repository of the beauty of several Kamdevs (god of love) ||3||


Shri Ram Annihilates Demons for the Well-Being of Bhaktas

He is the veritable sun in destroying lotus clusters of various passions and the frost for destroying lotus forests of lust, anger and intoxication. He is a lion, the king of the jungle, for the extremely exhilirated gajraaj (leader of a herd of elephants) of greed, and he annihilates the burden of the world by killing demons for the well-being of bhaktas ||4||


Shri Ram is Keshava who Helps us Cross the Mundane Ocean

The one who name is Keshav (a title of Vishnu/Krishna), the one who gets rid of anguish, whose sacred pair of feet are adulated by Lord Brahma and Shiva. He is a source of the sacred river Ganges, is forever abounding with delight, is the destructor of delusion and the Ship which helps us cross the terrifying ocean of existence||5||


The Name of Shri Ram is Like the Kamadhenu for Saints

Shri Ram is like the wind for piercing through gathered clouds of sorrow and anxiety, and is like the vajra ( thunderbolt of Indra which becomes also an emblem of Krishna) for shattering the tough mountain of sins. The one whose excellent name gives the desired fruit to saints like the Kamdhenu (the cow of plenty, a fabulous cow produced at the churning of the ocean and supposed to yield whatever is requested of her), bestows peace and has no equivalent in destroying the grave sins of Kaliyuga (age of spiritual darkness)||6||


Shri Ram's Name is The Basis of Kalpavrikshas

This Shri Ram Naam is the basic essence of a garden of kalpavrikshas (one of the fabulous trees of Indra's or Krishna's paradise, that grants all desiress) of religion, the path which leads to travellers heading for the abode of God, and all the means and siddhis (having supernatural powers because of being perfected & sanctified as if by penance). Several sources of getting moksha or salvation like bhakti (religious devotion), asceticism,spiritual knowledge, sensual restraint, self-control and charity are all dependent on chanting the name of Ram||7||


Relish the Nectar of Shri Ram's Name

The one who constantly relishes the innocent nectar of Shri Ram Naam daily, on seeing this fearsome age of Kali-has done all the tapas (religious austerities), has performed all yagyas (sacrificial offerings), has donated the whole of one's possessions and done all the Vedic karmas (actions) as per conventional norms ||8||


Chanting the Name of Shri Ram Releases us from This Material World

Several idlers, evil-doers, bhils(tribals of central India) and yavanis (Greeks) reached the supreme abode of Shri Hari (Vishnu) just by the vehement energy of chanting the name of Lord Ram. Destructive thoughts were not able to even touch their intelligence. O Tulsidas! Discarding all hope and fear, forever chant the name of Shri Ram-Naam which is just like a sharp sword for slashing the bondage of this material world||9||

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Vinay Patrika: Shri Ram Stuti [45]

Raag Gauri


Shri Ram's Pitambar Flashes Like Lightning on His Dark-Hued Body


shriramchandra kripaalu bhaju man harann bhavbhay darunnam |

navkanj-lochan, kanj-mukh, kar-kanj, pad kanjaarunnam ||1||

kandarp agnnit amit chhavi, navneel neerad sundaram |

pat peet maanhu tadhit ruchi shuchi naaumi janak sutaavaram ||2||

bhaju deenbandhu dinesh daanav-daaitya-vansh nikandanam |

raghunand aanandkand koshalchand dashrath-nandanam ||3||

sir mukut kundal tilak chaaru udaaru ang vibhooshannam |

aajaanubhuj shar-chaap-dhar, sangraam-jit-khardooshannam ||4||

iti vadati tulseedaas shankar-shesh-muni-man-ranjanam |

mam hriday kanj nivaas kuru, kaamaadi khal-dal-ganjnam ||5||


The Merciful Shri Ramchandra ji

O heart of mine! Sing devotional hymns for the merciful Shri Ramchandra ji. He is the one who dispels the terrifying fear of the worldly cycle of birth and death, His eyes are like freshly budding lotuses;


Shri Ram is Likened to a Red Lotus

His face, hands and feet are similar to a red lotus||1||


Shri Ram, the Husband of Janaki

The lustre of His beauty surpasses innumerable Kamdevs put together. His body is lovely-hued like a fresh, blue water-laden cloud,the pitambar or yellow sash seems to flash like lightning on His body which is like the condensed cloud. I respectfully salute such an embodiment of purity, Shri Ram ji who is the husband of Janaki||2||


Shri Ram, the Darling Son of Dashratha

O heart of mine! Worship Shri Ram, the darling son of Dashratha. A friend of the poor, brilliant like the sun, the one who destroys the races of demons and fiends by their very roots, is a source of bliss and is so like the pristine moon in the sky of the Kosal Kingdom ||3||


Shri Ram Decked in Finery

The one on whose head rests the bejewelled crown, kundals (large ear-rings) adorn his ears, a beautiful tilak (sectarian mark) is made on His forehead, and lovely ornaments decki every limb of His; whose long arms extend upto His knees, who bears a bow and arrow; and has triumphed over *Khar-Dushan in battle ||4||


Shri Ram Makes Lord Shiva Joyous

Tulsidas prays that the same Shri Raghunath ji who delights the minds of Lord Shiva, *Adishesha and sages, and annihilates foes like lust,anger and greed, should forever dwell in the lotus of his heart||5||


Shri Ram Kills Khar-Dushan

*Khar-Dushan: In their 14th year of exile, demoness Surpanakha, widowed sister of Ravana, came to Panchavati. She was infatuated by Ram and asked him to marry her. Ram refused since he was married to Sita and asked her to approach Laxman instead. When Lakshmana also refused, enraged Surpanaka rushed to kill Sita. Lakshama intervened and cut off her nose. Bleeding, Surpanaka ran to her brother, Khar-Dushan and narrated the incident. Khar-Dushan headed towards Panchavati and attacked Ram but was killed in the battle.


Lord Vishnu Resting on Adisesha

*Adisesha: In Hindu Vedic tradition, Adishesha (Sheshanaag) is the king of all nagas and one of the primal beings of creation. In the Puranas, Shesha is said to hold all planets of the Universe on his hoods and constantly sing the glories of Vishnu from his mouths. It is said that when Adi-Shesha uncoils the time moves and creation takes place. When he coils back, the universe ceases to exist.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Vinay Patrika: Shri Sita Stuti [42]

Raag Kedaara


Lord Ram with Wife Sita


kabhun samay sudhi dhaaybee, meree maatu jaankee |

jan kahaai naam leit haaun, kiye pan chaatak jyon, pyaas prem-paankee ||1||

saral kahaaee prakriti aapu jaaniae karuna-nidhaankee |

nijgun, arikrit anhitau, daas-dosh surti chit rahat na diye daankee ||2||

baani bisaaranseel haai maanad amaankee |

tulseedaas na bisaariye, man karam bachan jaake, sapanehun gati na aankee ||3||


Ma Janaki with Shri Ramchandra ji

O Mother Janaki ! Finding an opportunity, remind Shri Ramchandra ji of me, at some point of time. I am called his daas (devotee), chant only His name,


The Pied Crest Cuckoo

and like a papiha (pied crested cuckoo supposed to live only on rain-drops) I have taken a vow for Him, I am ardently thirsting for the rain of His sweet love falling in the autumn asterism svati.||1||


Lord Ram, the Reservoir of Compassion

You very well know that the nature of Ram ji, a treasury of compassion, is very simple; He just does not remember His own guna or virtuousness, the harm caused by a foe, the offence of a devotee and the gifts He has liberally given away in charity ||2||


Goswami Tulsidas

He has a trait of forgetting; He gives honour to a person who is not respected anywhere; but forgets even this fact! O Mother ! You tell Him not to forget Tulsidas because he does not have the support of anyone else by way of heart, vow, and karmas (action with its fruit and implications of merit) even in his dreams ||3||