Narayaneeyam Dasakam: 23 -- Daksha and Chitraketu

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 01

प्राचेतसस्तु भगवन्नपरो हि दक्ष-
स्त्वत्सेवनं व्यधित सर्गविवृद्धिकाम: ।
आविर्बभूविथ तदा लसदष्टबाहु-
स्तस्मै वरं ददिथ तां च वधूमसिक्नीम् ॥१॥

praachetasastu bhagavannaparO hi dakshastvatsevanaM
vyadhita sargavivR^iddhikaamaH |
aavirbabhuuvitha tadaa lasadaShTabaahustasmai
varaM daditha taaM cha vadhuumasikniim ||

Oh Lord ! Apart from the famous Daksha,,son of Prachetas,there was yet anotherDaksha, who propitiated Thee to fulfil his desire of multiplying creation,. Thou appearedbefore him in Thy divine form, radiant with Thy eight arms and granted him his wishalong with Asikni as his bride.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 02

तस्यात्मजास्त्वयुतमीश पुनस्सहस्रं
श्रीनारदस्य वचसा तव मार्गमापु: ।
नैकत्रवासमृषये स मुमोच शापं
भक्तोत्तमस्त्वृषिरनुग्रहमेव मेने ॥२॥

tasyaatmajaastvayutamiisha punassahasraM
shriinaaradasya vachasaa tava maargamaapuH |
naikatravaasamR^iShaye sa mumOcha shaapaM
bhaktOttamastvR^iShiranugrahameva mene ||

Oh Lord ! Ten thousand sons were born to him first and then yet another thousand were born, but all of them adopted the path to salvation instead of creation on the advice of Shree Naarada. Daksha was displeased with Naarada and so pronounced a curse on him that he would not have any fixed place of residence. Sage Naarada, the highest of devotees, considered it only as blessing.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 03

षष्ट्या ततो दुहितृभि: सृजत: कुलौघान्
दौहित्रसूनुरथ तस्य स विश्वरूप: ।
त्वत्स्तोत्रवर्मितमजापयदिन्द्रमाजौ
देव त्वदीयमहिमा खलु सर्वजैत्र: ॥३॥

ShaShTyaa tatO duhitR^ibhiH sR^ijataH kulaughaan
dauhitrasuunuratha tasya sa vishvaruupaH |
tvatstOtravarmitamajaapayadindramaajau
deva tvadiiyamahimaa khalu sarvajaitraH ||

Then Daksha multiplyied the species through his sixty daughters to multiply mankind through them,. His daughter's son's son named Vishwaroopa made Indra wins the battle against the Asuras. Indra was provided protection and victory by learning from Vishwaroopa the hymn addressed to Thee (Naaraayana Kavacha). O Lord! Thy glory can indeed conquer all.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 04प्राक्शूरसेनविषये किल चित्रकेतु:
पुत्राग्रही नृपतिरङ्गिरस: प्रभावात् ।
लब्ध्वैकपुत्रमथ तत्र हते सपत्नी-
सङ्घैरमुह्यदवशस्तव माययासौ ॥४॥

praakshuurasenaviShaye kila chitraketuH
putraagrahii nR^ipatirangirasaH prabhaavaat |
labdhvaikaputramatha tatra hate sapatniisanghairamuhyadavashastava
maayayaasau ||

Long ago, Chitraketu, the ruler of the country of Surasena, who wished for a son wasblessed with a son in his eldest wife, through the yogic power of Sage Angiras. But theother jealous wives of the king, killed the child. The king was grief stricken and lostcontrol over himself due to Thy Maya, causing him great agony

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 05

तं नारदस्तु सममङ्गिरसा दयालु:
सम्प्राप्य तावदुपदर्श्य सुतस्य जीवम् ।
कस्यास्मि पुत्र इति तस्य गिरा विमोहं
त्यक्त्वा त्वदर्चनविधौ नृपतिं न्ययुङ्क्त ॥५॥

taM naaradastu samamangirasaa dayaaluH
sampraapyataavadupadarshya sutasya jiivam |
kasyaasmi putra iti tasya giraa vimOhaM
tyaktvaatvadarchanavidhau nR^ipatiM nyayunkta ||

The merciful Naarada and sage Angirasa went to Chitraketu and showed him the soul of his dead son. The soul asked 'whose son am I?' These words dispelled the king's delusion. The sages then instructed him in the ways of Thy worship

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 06स्तोत्रं च मन्त्रमपि नारदतोऽथ लब्ध्वा
तोषाय शेषवपुषो ननु ते तपस्यन् ।
विद्याधराधिपतितां स हि सप्तरात्रे
लब्ध्वाप्यकुण्ठमतिरन्वभजद्भवन्तम् ॥६॥

stOtraM cha mantramapi naaradatO(a)tha labdhvaa
tOShaaya sheShavapuShO nanu te tapasyan |
vidyaadharaadhipatitaaM sa hi saptaraatre
labdhvaa(a)pyakuNThamatiH anvabhajadbhavantam ||

Then being initiated into Thy worship, by sage Narada, who taught him the appropriate hymn of praise and mantras to propitiate Thee, he performed penance to Thy Adiseshaform, to please Thee. Within seven nights he attained the Lordship of Vidyadharas; yethe continued to worship Thee as ardently as ever for Thy grace and pleasure.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 07

तस्मै मृणालधवलेन सहस्रशीर्ष्णा
रूपेण बद्धनुतिसिद्धगणावृतेन ।
प्रादुर्भवन्नचिरतो नुतिभि: प्रसन्नो
दत्वाऽऽत्मतत्त्वमनुगृह्य तिरोदधाथ ॥७॥

tasmai mR^iNaaladhavalena sahasrashiirShNaa
ruupeNa baddhanutisiddha gaNaavR^itena |
praadurbhavannachiratO nutibhiH prasannO
datvaa(a)(a)tmatattvamanugR^ihya tirOdadhaatha ||

Presently Thou revealed Thyself to him in Thy form of Aadishesha, with a thousand hoods and white like a lotus stalk,surrounded by bands of Sidhdhaas singing hymns of praise. Pleased with the hymns, Thou blessed him and imparted to him the knowledge of the self and then Thou disappeared.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 08त्वद्भक्तमौलिरथ सोऽपि च लक्षलक्षं
वर्षाणि हर्षुलमना भुवनेषु कामम् ।
सङ्गापयन् गुणगणं तव सुन्दरीभि:
सङ्गातिरेकरहितो ललितं चचार ॥८॥

tvadbhaktamauliratha sO(a)pi cha lakshalakshaM
varShaaNi harShulamanaa bhuvaneShu kaamam |
sangaapayan guNagaNaM tava sundariibhiH
sangaatirekarahitO lalitaM chachaara ||

This great devotee Chitraketu for many many years wandered about happily in all the worlds without much attachment. He led the troupe of beautiful Vidyaadharis and also caused Thy glories and excellences to be sung, to his hearts content.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 09अत्यन्तसङ्गविलयाय भवत्प्रणुन्नो
नूनं स रूप्यगिरिमाप्य महत्समाजे ।
निश्शङ्कमङ्ककृतवल्लभमङ्गजारिं
तं शङ्करं परिहसन्नुमयाभिशेपे ॥९॥

atyanta sanga vilayaaya bhavatpraNunnO

nuunaM sa ruupyagirimaapya mahatsamaaje |
nishshankamankakR^itavallabhamangajaariM
taM shankaraM parihasannumayaa(a)bhishepe

To rid himself completely of all sensuous hankerings, prompted by Thee, he once went to Mount Kailaash. There he saw the destroyer of Kaamadeva , Shankara, sitting in the assembly of sages with his consort Umaa seated on his lap without any concern. Chitraketu mocked at him and in turn was cursed by Umaa.

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 10निस्सम्भ्रमस्त्वयमयाचितशापमोक्षो
वृत्रासुरत्वमुपगम्य सुरेन्द्रयोधी ।
भक्त्यात्मतत्त्वकथनै: समरे विचित्रं
शत्रोरपि भ्रममपास्य गत: पदं ते ॥१०॥

nissambhramastvayamayaachitashaapamOkshO
vR^itraasuratvamupagamya surendrayOdhii |
bhaktyaa(a)(a)tmatattvakathanaissamare vichitraM
shatrOrapi bhramamapaasya gataH padaM te ||

Unperturbed, Chitraketu did not ask for relief from the curse, and was born as Vritraasura. By his devotion, while fighting in the battle against Indra, he imparted the knowledge of the self to Indra and he removed the delusion of even his enemy. Thereby he reached Thy abode. which is truly amazing!

Dasakam: 23-- Shlokam: 11त्वत्सेवनेन दितिरिन्द्रवधोद्यताऽपि
तान्प्रत्युतेन्द्रसुहृदो मरुतोऽभिलेभे ।
दुष्टाशयेऽपि शुभदैव भवन्निषेवा
तत्तादृशस्त्वमव मां पवनालयेश ॥११॥

tvatsevanena ditirindra vadhOdyataa(a)pi
taanpratyutendra suhR^idO marutO(a)bhilebhe |
duShTaashaye(a)pi shubhadaiva bhavanniShevaa
tattaadR^ishastvamava maaM pavanaalayesha ||

Diti, the mother of the Asuras, worshipped Thee in order to have a son who would kill Indra, but instead gave birth to Maruts who became friends of Indra. By worshipping Thee, even an evil minded person receives good only.. Oh Guruvayurappa ! May Thou of suchimmense glory, save me.

Narayaneeyam Dasakam: 22 -- Salvation of Ajamila

The Story of Ajamila

Long ago, there lived a Brahmin by name Ajamila, who followed the path of virtue,leading the life of a householder. He went to the forest at the command of his father.There he met a woman of immodest appearance and undesirable character, in a drunken state. Though by nature a man of self control his mind was attracted to her. He gave up all his duties and revelling in her company led a sinful life. As he became old, he became very much attached to his son who bore Thy name – Naaraayanaby turns he was eighty-eight years old and was now on his deathbed. The messengers of Yama, , the god of death ,appeared with fearful countenances with ropes inhand . They were wresting the soul from his heart when Ajamilain a quavering voice called for his youngest son who was named Narayana. “O! Narayana! Narayana!” Then a miracle happened!

A group of Vishnu Parshadas ,attendants of Sri Vishnu,immediately appeared from nowhere. They were all brilliantly clad. All were youthful and four armed like Sri Hari himself. They had lotus like eyes exuding energy. They scattered the messengers of Yama. Yama’s messengers enquired in great fear.“Who are you that prevent us from our duty. Are you gods? Wehave been ordered by our master Lord Yama to bring this oldsinner to Samyamani where he will be punished in the purgatoriesand purified”.

The angels, were curious and asked what he had done.Yama’s minions replied.“Ajamila has grievously strayed from Dharma. He was born to a pious father, well versed in all the shastras and married to a virtuous wife. He lead an ideal life. One day he went to the forest as usual and saw a hunter and his mistress singing lewd songs and engaged in shameless amorous play. Theirdifferent postures entwined together affected his mind badly. All the training and asceticism of the young brahmin were vain, hisheart was shaken by cupid. He left his aged parents and virtuous wife, squandered all his wealth for a shameless woman and took to brigandage and hunting for a livelihood. We are taking him tohell by our master’s orders.”The angels replied.” You say, you are the guardians of Dharma! It is a pity you have not fully understood the law of

Dharma which is as follows. However much a man has sinned, ifat the last moment of death he utters the four syllable  words -RA-YA-NA he is completely purified. No matter if he saysit in fun, in mockery or accidentally, he is completely absolved.You may say that he was only calling his son. That does not matter.”Yama’s followers were in doubt and they returned to theirmaster. The angels too vanished . Ajamila woke up as from a dream. But it was no dream. He could distinctly recall every word.“Alas ! What a fool I have been! Leaving my destitute old parents and my chaste virtuous wife I committed all kinds of ugly acts with a drunken bawd. Please Lord, have mercy on me!”

Thoroughly repentant, he spent the few remaining days of his lifeon the banks of the Ganges and when at last his last day came, hesaw the same heavenly messengers. He was given a new heavenlybody and the Lord’s messengers escorted him to Vaikunta  the abode of Sri Hari.

The great Dharma and therefore we have become immortal. Uttering the name of the Lord “Narayana” at the last moment absolves one of all sins and even the tendency to commit sin is destroyed. All other forms of worship and remedies remove only past sins but not the tendency to commit them. Theword “Narayana” though uttered chokingly, in a faltering voice purifies one forever and ushers him into the kingdom of God forever.”

And Yama Raja humbly added, “May the great Lord Hari forgive me for this one error.” And turning to his followers he added, “My dear followers, do not even approach hereafter any dying person who is uttering the holy name Hari or Narayana.

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 01

अजामिलो नाम महीसुर: पुरा
चरन् विभो धर्मपथान् गृहाश्रमी ।
गुरोर्गिरा काननमेत्य दृष्टवान्
सुधृष्टशीलां कुलटां मदाकुलाम् ॥१॥

ajaamilO naama mahiisuraH puraa
charan vibhO dharmapathaan gR^ihaashramii |
gurOrgiraa kaananametya dR^iShTavaan
sudhR^iShTashiilaaM kulaTaaM madaakulaam ||

Long ago, there lived a Brahmin by name Ajamila, who followed the path of virtue,leading the life of a householder. He went to the forest at the command of his father.There he met a woman of immodest appearance and undesirable character, in a drunken state.

 Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 02
 स्वत: प्रशान्तोऽपि तदाहृताशय:
स्वधर्ममुत्सृज्य तया समारमन् ।
अधर्मकारी दशमी भवन् पुन-
र्दधौ भवन्नामयुते सुते रतिम् ॥२॥

svataH prashaantO(a)pi tadaahR^itaashayaH
svadharmamutsR^ijya tayaa samaaraman |
adharmakaarii dashamii bhavan punardadhau
bhavannaamayute sute ratim ||

Though by nature a man of self control his mind was attracted to her. He gave up all his duties and reveling in her company led a sinful life. As he became old, he became very much attached to his son who bore Thy name

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 03

स मृत्युकाले यमराजकिङ्करान्
भयङ्करांस्त्रीनभिलक्षयन् भिया ।
पुरा मनाक् त्वत्स्मृतिवासनाबलात्
जुहाव नारायणनामकं सुतम् ॥३॥

sa mR^ityukaale yamaraajakinkaraan
bhayankaraamstriinabhilakshayan bhiyaa |
puraa manaaktvatsmR^iti vaasanaabalaat
juhaava naaraayaNanaamakaM sutam ||

At the time of death, he saw before him three fierce looking emissaries of Yama - the god of death. He called out in freight the name of his son Naaraayana, induced by the strength of the memory of his past devotion to Thee. In spite of his evil nature, by the glory of the letters of Thy name uttered by him, there appeared before him, Thy emissaries. They had four arms and were wearing yellow robes and were of enchanting appearance

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 04

 दुराशयस्यापि तदात्वनिर्गत-
त्वदीयनामाक्षरमात्रवैभवात् ।
पुरोऽभिपेतुर्भवदीयपार्षदा:
चतुर्भुजा: पीतपटा मनोरमा: ॥४॥

duraashayasyaapi tadaatvanirgatatvadiiya

naamaaksharamaatravaibhavaat
|purO(a)bhipeturbhavadiiyapaarShadaaH
chaturbhujaaH piitapaTaa manOharaaH ||

Seeing Ajaamil tied up with ropes and being dragged by the messangers of Yama, they were obstructed by Thy emissaries by force and were stopped to do so. Then the emissaries of Yama narrate all his sins. Thy attendants forcibly stopped Yama's messengers, who after tying him with ropes were dragging him along. Thus prevented by Thy attendants, Yama's servantsapprised them of all his sins.

 Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 05
अमुं च संपाश्य विकर्षतो भटान्
विमुञ्चतेत्यारुरुधुर्बलादमी ।
निवारितास्ते च भवज्जनैस्तदा
तदीयपापं निखिलं न्यवेदयन् ॥५॥

amuM cha sampaashya vikarShatO bhaTaan
vimu~nchate-tyaarurudhu-rbalaadamii |
nivaaritaaste cha bhavajjanaistadaa
tadiiya paapaM nikhilaM nyavedayan ||

O Lord! Thy emissaries told them that even if there were sins, how was it that there was punishment when atonement had been made. Did people like them who were learned, not know what atonement was?

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 06
भवन्तु पापानि कथं तु निष्कृते
कृतेऽपि भो दण्डनमस्ति पण्डिता: ।
न निष्कृति: किं विदिता भवादृशा-
मिति प्रभो त्वत्पुरुषा बभाषिरे ॥६॥

bhavantu paapaani kathaM tu niShkR^ite
kR^ite(a)pi bhO daNDanamasti paNDitaaH |
na niShkR^itiH kiM viditaa bhavaadR^ishaamiti
prabhO tvatpuruShaa babhaaShire ||

O Lord! Thy emissaries told them that in the Srutis and Smritis as per the vows which are laid down, they absolve a person from sins, but do not curb the sinful tendency. Whereas, the service of the Lord! Destroys both - the sins and the sinful tendencies.

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 07

श्रुतिस्मृतिभ्यां विहिता व्रतादय:
पुनन्ति पापं न लुनन्ति वासनाम् ।
अनन्तसेवा तु निकृन्तति द्वयी-
मिति प्रभो त्वत्पुरुषा बभाषिरे ॥७॥

shrutismR^itibhyaanvihitaa vrataadayaH
punanti paapaM na lunanti vaasanaam |
anantasevaa tu nikR^intati dvayiimiti
prabhO tvatpuruShaa babhaaShire ||

O Lord! Thy emmisaarries told the messengers of Yama that though overcome by fear, Ajaamil had uttered the Name of Hari. By that alone he had atoned for all the sins committed by him in innumerable lives.

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 08

अनेन भो जन्मसहस्रकोटिभि:
कृतेषु पापेष्वपि निष्कृति: कृता ।
यदग्रहीन्नाम भयाकुलो हरे-
रिति प्रभो त्वत्पुरुषा बभाषिरे ॥८॥
anena bhO janmasahasrakOTibhiH
kR^iteShu paapeShvapi niShkR^itiH kR^itaa |
yadagrahiinnaama bhayaakulO hareriti
prabhO tvatpuruShaa babhaaShire ||

Thy attendants told the messengers of Yama that even though Ajamila called out thename of Hari in fear, the very fact that he uttered the name of the Lord was atonementenough for the sins committed by him even in a thousand crore yearsO Lord! Thy emissaries told them that even if the chanting of The Name of Mukund is done unknowingly, by the human beings, it burns up all their sins. Its glory is like that of fire burning the fuel and like the medicine curing the diease.

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 09

 नृणामबुद्ध्यापि मुकुन्दकीर्तनं
दहत्यघौघान् महिमास्य तादृश: ।
यथाग्निरेधांसि यथौषधं गदा -
निति प्रभो त्वत्पुरुषा बभाषिरे ॥९॥

nR^iNaamabuddhyaa(a)pi mukunda kiirtanaM

dahatyaghaughaan mahimaasya taadR^ishaH |
yathaagniredhaamsi yathauShadhaM gadaaniti
prabhO tvatpuruShaa babhaaShire ||

The messangers of Yama left when they were told thus. The group of Thy emissaries also disappeared. Ajaamil remembered and worshipped Thee for some time and then attained Thy abode led by Thy emissaries.

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 10

इतीरितैर्याम्यभटैरपासृते
भवद्भटानां च गणे तिरोहिते ।
भवत्स्मृतिं कंचन कालमाचरन्
भवत्पदं प्रापि भवद्भटैरसौ ॥१०॥
itiiritairyaamyabhaTairapaasR^ite
bhavadbhaTaanaaM cha gaNe tirOhite |
bhavatsmR^itiM ka~nchana kaalamaacharan
bhavatpadaM praapi bhavadbhaTairasau ||

The soldiers of Yama, thus advised, withdrew and Thy attendants also went away.Ajamila after spending some time meditating on Thee, was taken to Thy abode by Thyattendants at the appropriate hour.

Dasakam: 022 -- Shlokam: 11

स्वकिङ्करावेदनशङ्कितो यम-
स्त्वदंघ्रिभक्तेषु न गम्यतामिति ।
स्वकीयभृत्यानशिशिक्षदुच्चकै:
स देव वातालयनाथ पाहि माम् ॥११॥ 

svakinkaraavedana shankitO yamastvadanghri
bhakteShu na gamyataamiti |
svakiiya bhR^ityaanashishikshaduchchakaiH
sa deva vaataalayanaatha paahi maam ||

Yama was very much concerned at the report of his messengers. He strictly instructed them not to go to the devotees of Thy feet. O Lord! O Lord of Guruvaayur! Who are such, protect me.