Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Narayaneeyam Dasakam-27The Tortoise Incarnation

The Tortoise IncarnationDasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 01

दर्वासास्सुरवनिताप्तदिव्यमाल्यं
शक्राय स्वयमुपदाय तत्र भूय: ।
नागेन्द्रप्रतिमृदिते शशाप शक्रं
का क्षान्तिस्त्वदितरदेवतांशजानाम् ॥१॥

durvaasaassuravanitaapta divyamaalyaM
shakraaya svayamupadaaya tatra bhuuyaH |
naagendra pratimR^idite shashaapa shakraM
kaa kshaantistvaditara devataamsha jaanaam || 1



The sage Durvaasaa once gave a celestial garland to Indra, which he had got from heavenly nymphs. When he saw the garland being crushed by Indra's elephant, Seeing this , the sage cursed Indra. Since Durvasa wasnot born of Thee, (but of Rudra), tolerance was not one of his qualities.Where can forebearance be seen except in those born of and blessed by Thee

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 02
शापेन प्रथितजरेऽथ निर्जरेन्द्रे
देवेष्वप्यसुरजितेषु निष्प्रभेषु ।
शर्वाद्या: कमलजमेत्य सर्वदेवा
निर्वाणप्रभव समं भवन्तमापु: ॥२॥


shaapena prathitajare(a)tha nirjarendre
deveShvapyasurajiteShu niShprabheShu |
sharvaadyaaH kamalajametya sarvadevaa
nirvaaNaprabhava samaM bhavantamaapuH || 2


O Bestower of Liberation! Indra known as the unaging one, became aged as a result of Durvaasaa's curse. His followers, the Devas lost all their glory and were defeated by the Asuraas. Oh Thou Source of Deliverance ! The gods along with Shiva and others went to Brahmaa and they all took refuge in Thee.

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 03

ब्रह्माद्यै: स्तुतमहिमा चिरं तदानीं
प्रादुष्षन् वरद पुर: परेण धाम्ना ।
हे देवा दितिजकुलैर्विधाय सन्धिं
पीयूषं परिमथतेति पर्यशास्त्वम् ॥३॥ 


brahmaadyaiH stuta mahimaa chiraM tadaaniiM
praaduShShan varada puraH pareNa dhaamnaa |
he devaa ditija kulairvidhaaya sandhiM
piiyuuShaM parimathateti paryashaastvam || 



Oh Varada ! Brahmaa and the other gods sung Thy excellences for long. O Bestower of Boons! Thou then manifested Thyself before them in great glory and commanded them to make peace with the Asuras and then prepare to churn the milk ocean for nectar.

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 04
सन्धानं कृतवति दानवै: सुरौघे
मन्थानं नयति मदेन मन्दराद्रिम् ।
भ्रष्टेऽस्मिन् बदरमिवोद्वहन् खगेन्द्रे
सद्यस्त्वं विनिहितवान् पय:पयोधौ ॥४॥


sandhaanaM kR^itavati daanavaiH suraughe
manthaanaM nayati madena mandaraadrim |
bhraShTe(a)smin badaramivOdvahan khagendre
sadyastvaM vinihitavaan payaHpayOdhau ||4


Devas made peace with the Asuras and with great pride carried the Mandara mountain for use as a churning rod. The mountain fell from their hands on the way. Then Thou seated on Garuda, picked it up as if it were a tiny berry and installed it in the milk ocean.

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 05
आधाय द्रुतमथ वासुकिं वरत्रां
पाथोधौ विनिहितसर्वबीजजाले ।
प्रारब्धे मथनविधौ सुरासुरैस्तै-
र्व्याजात्त्वं भुजगमुखेऽकरोस्सुरारीन् ॥५


aadhaaya drutamatha vaasukiM varatraaM
paathOdhau vinihita sarva biijajaale |
praarabdhe mathanavidhau suraasuraistairvyaajaattvaM
bhujagamukhe(a)karOssuraariin || 5


Then quickly placing Vasuki snake as the churning rope, the Devas and Asuras started the process of churning the milk ocean in which all kinds of herbs and seeds had been put. Thou then cleverly made the Asuras hold the head end of the snake

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 06
॥वज्रातिस्थिरतरकर्परेण विष्णो
विस्तारात्परिगतलक्षयोजनेन ।
अम्भोधे: कुहरगतेन वर्ष्मणा त्वं
निर्मग्नं क्षितिधरनाथमुन्निनेथ ॥७


kshubdhaadrau kshubhitajalOdare tadaaniiM
dugdhaabdhau gurutarabhaaratO nimagne |
deveShu vyathitatameShu tatpriyaiShii
praaNaiShiiH kamaThatanuM kaThOrapR^iShThaam || 6


When the ocean was thus vigorously churned, the churning stick, the Mandara mountain, due to its own heavy weight, began to sink in the rolling waters below. Seeing the gods becoming distressed by this, Thou, wishing to help them, took the form of a hard backed tortoise.

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 07
क्षुब्धाद्रौ क्षुभितजलोदरे तदानीं
दुग्धाब्धौ गुरुतरभारतो निमग्ने ।
देवेषु व्यथिततमेषु तत्प्रियैषी
प्राणैषी: कमठतनुं कठोरपृष्ठाम् ॥६॥


vajraatisthiratara karpareNa viShNO
vistaaraatparigata lakshayOjanena |
ambhOdheH kuharagatena varShmaNaa tvaM
nirmagnaM kshitidharanaathamunninetha || 7


O All pervading Being! by diving deep into the ocean Thou lifted up the sinking mountain on Thy back which was harder than a thunderbolt and more than a lakh of Yojanas in width. Entered the depths of the ocean,and lifted the lord of the mountains, that lay sunken there

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 08
वज्रातिस्थिरतरकर्परेण विष्णो
विस्तारात्परिगतलक्षयोजनेन ।
अम्भोधे: कुहरगतेन वर्ष्मणा त्वं
निर्मग्नं क्षितिधरनाथमुन्निनेथ ॥७॥


unmagne jhaTiti tadaa dharaadharendre
nirmethurdR^iDhamihasammadena sarve |
aavishya dvitayagaNe(a)pi sarparaaje
vaivashyaM parishamayannaviivR^idhastaan || 8



When the mountain was lifted up, they, the Devas and Asuras all churned with great force and enthusiasm. Thou at that time, entered the hearts of the two groups and the lord of serpents, enthusing them and driving away their fatigue 
Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 09
उन्मग्ने झटिति तदा धराधरेन्द्रे
निर्मेथुर्दृढमिह सम्मदेन सर्वे ।
आविश्य द्वितयगणेऽपि सर्पराजे
वैवश्यं परिशमयन्नवीवृधस्तान् ॥८॥


uddaama bhramaNa javOnnamadgiriindra
nyastaikasthiratara hastapankajaM tvaam |
abhraante vidhigirishaadayaH pramOdaadudbhraantaa
nunuvurupaatta puShpavarShaaH || 9


To prevent the Mandara mountain from being toppled, owing to the vigorous churningand the consequent speedy revolution, Thou, held it firmly in place with Thy lotus likehand. Seeing this, Siva, Brahma and others, showered flowers on Thee from theheavens and sang Thy praises full of wonder and delight.

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 10



दैत्यौघे भुजगमुखानिलेन तप्ते
तेनैव त्रिदशकुलेऽपि किञ्चिदार्ते ।
कारुण्यात्तव किल देव वारिवाहा:
प्रावर्षन्नमरगणान्न दैत्यसङ्घान् ॥१०॥


daityaughe bhujagamukhaanilena tapte
tenaiva tridashakule(a)pi ki~nchidaarte |
kaaruNyaattava kila deva vaarivaahaaH
praavarShannamaragaNaannadaityasanghaan || 10


The poisonous breath emanating from the serpent's mouth, made the demons feelparched and uncomfortable. The gods also felt the heat, but to a lesser extent, The Devas were also to some extent troubled. O Lord! By Thy compassion the clouds were made to rain on the Devas to cool them, but not on the Asuras.

Dasakam: 027 -- Shlokam: 11
उद्भ्राम्यद्बहुतिमिनक्रचक्रवाले
तत्राब्धौ चिरमथितेऽपि निर्विकारे ।
एकस्त्वं करयुगकृष्टसर्पराज:
संराजन् पवनपुरेश पाहि रोगात् ॥११॥



udbhraamyad bahu timi nakra chakravaale
tatraabdhau chiramathite(a)pi nirvikaare |
ekastvaM karayugakR^iShTa sarparaajaH
sanraajan pavanapuresha paahi rOgaat ||11



Inspite of being churned for long, the ocean remained unchanged, though many fish crocodile and other aquatic creatures were thrown up. Thou alone, then, shining brilliantly, with Thy two hands pulled the two ends of the serpant. OhGuruvayurappa ! May Thou, of such amazing prowess, Relieve me of my diseases.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Narayaneeyam Dasakam-26 Gajendra Moksha


Gajendra Moksha 

Gajendra Moksha, or Gajendramoksham, is an important incident found in the Bhagavad Purana and it shows the importance of Bhakti, prayer and true devotion.Indradyumna, Thy great devotee and the king of Paandya land was once engrossed in worshipping Thee on the Malaya mountain. He was so absorbed that he did not even notice sage Agastya who approached expecting his hospitality. Agastya who was overcome with anger cursed the king that as he was of such haughty nature he would be born as an elephant and departed. Indradyumna got the form of a lordly elephant with the good fortune of retaining a clear memory of Thee.
A  gandharva   his name was Huhu. He had been cursed by a sage that he would become a crocodile. And the sage had told him that he would be freed from the curse by Lord Vishnu. That had now happened.There was a beautiful mountain named Trikuta. The waves of the ocean lapped at the foot of Trikuta. There were thick forests on the mountain. And in the forests there lived a king of elephants named Gajendra. He ruled over all the other elephants in the herd.and he had thousands of queen elephants with whom he used to bathe and play in a huge lake. Gajendra was proud about his status and on a summer day he was arrogantly bathing in the lake with his friends.
One day Gajendra was playing with his family & friends, the other elephants in a lake in the forest.  Suddenly, a crocodile that lived in the pond caught Gajendra by his leg.  Gajendra, in spite of being an elephant could not break free.  He then, called out for help.  All his friends, the other elephants gathered around him and tried to help, but in vain. The crocodile was stronger than all the elephants put together.  They gave up. Gajendra tried for a long time to escape from the crocodile.  He trumpeted until he was hoarse.  The crocodile simply would not let go.
The elephant and the crocodile struggled for a thousand years. When a thousand years over, the elephant began to tire, although the crocodile’s strength was still undiminished. Gajendra lost a lot of blood and he became very weak. He finally realized that only God could help him and called out to Lord Narayana.
The elephant started to pray to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu heard Gajendra’s cries for help and appeared on his vehicle, Garuda.  He sent the Sudarshana Chakra whirling down.  The Chakra killed the crocodile and set Gajendra free.  Gajendra offered Lord Narayana a Lotus and thanked him for saving his life.
When we are caught in the jaws of death, there is no one who can save us. Friends flee, relatives disappear. Our own body fails us miserably. Like the elephant in the story, the only solution from suffering is to turn to the Lord. In the moment of that utter surrender, God rushes to our aid, destroys death, and releases our soul from the clutches of death – and that is liberation or Moksha that comes by the grace of the Supreme.
 
Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 01

इन्द्रद्युम्न: पाण्ड्यखण्डाधिराज-
स्त्वद्भक्तात्मा चन्दनाद्रौ कदाचित् ।
त्वत् सेवायां मग्नधीरालुलोके
नैवागस्त्यं प्राप्तमातिथ्यकामम् ॥१॥



indradyumnaH paaNDyakhaNDaadhiraajaH
tvadbhaktaatmaa chandanaadraukadaachit |
tvatsevaayaaM magnadhiiraalul
Oke naivaagastyaM praaptamaatithyakaamam || 1

Indradyumna, Thy great devotee and the king of Paandya land was once engrossed in worshipping Thee on the Malaya mountain. SageAgastya, came there, expecting to be welcomed as an honoured guest by the king; butthe king, his mind fully immersed in Thee, did not notice the sage at all.  
Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 02


कुम्भोद्भूति: संभृतक्रोधभार:
स्तब्धा
त्मा त्वं हस्तिभूयं भजेति ।
शप्त्वाऽथैनं प्रत्यगात् सोऽपि लेभे
हस्तीन्द्रत्वं त्वत्स्मृतिव्यक्तिधन्यम् ॥२॥



kumbhOdbhuutiH sambhR^itakrOdhabhaaraH
stabdhaatmaa tvaM hasti bhuuyaM bhajeti |
shaptvaa(a)thainaM pratyagaatsO(a)pi lebhe
hastiindratvaM tvatsmR^iti vyakti dhanyam || 2

Sage Agastya, overcome by rage, cursed him to become an elephant of inferior intellect, for his arrogance, and went away. The king became the lord of elephants, but was graced with Thy remembrance as he had been thinking of Thee, when he was cursed thus.
Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 03
दग्धाम्भोधेर्मध्यभाजि त्रिकूटे
क्रीडञ्छैले यूथपोऽयं वशाभि: ।
सर्वान् जन्तूनत्यवर्तिष्ट शक्त्या
त्वद्भक्तानां कुत्र नोत्कर्षलाभ: ॥३॥



dugdhaambhOdheH madhyabhaaji trikuuTe
kriiDan shaile yuuthapO(a)yaMvashaabhiH |
sarvaan jantuunatyavartiShTa shaktyaa
 tvadbhaktaanaaM kutranOtkarShalaabhaH || 3
 
This king of elephants was engaged in romantic sports with the female elephants in theTrikuta mountain, situated in the middle of the ocean of milk, and was superior instrength to all other animals. Oh Lord, Thy devotees attain glory, wherever they go.

 Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 04
स्वेन स्थेम्ना दिव्यदेशत्वशक्त्या
सोऽयं खेदानप्रजानन् कदाचित् ।
शैलप्रान्ते घर्मतान्त: सरस्यां
यूथैस्सार्धं त्वत्प्रणुन्नोऽभिरेमे ॥४॥



svena sthemnaa divyadeshatva shaktyaa sO(a)yaM
khedaanaprajaanan kadaachit |
shailapraante gharmataantaH sarasyaaM
 yuuthaissaardhaMtvatpraNunnO(a)bhireme || 4
Owing to his strength and by the power of the divine region, where he lived, the elephant king did not face any hardships of life. One day, roaming on the mountainious region, unable to bear the heat of the sun, he sought relief in a lake and sported therein with his herds, indeed prompted by Thee.

Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 05
हूहूस्तावद्देवलस्यापि शापात्
ग्राहीभूतस्तज्जले बर्तमान: ।
जग्राहैनं हस्तिनं पाददेशे
शान्त्यर्थं हि श्रान्तिदोऽसि स्वकानाम् ॥५॥



huuhuustaavaddevalasyaapi shaapaat
graahiibhuutastajjale vartamaanaH |
jagraahainaM hastinaM paadadeshe
shaantyarthaM hi shraantidO(a)sisvakaanaam
 
At that time, a gandharva, named Huhu, having become a crocodile, due to the curseof Sage Devala, was present there. This crocodile caught hold of the elephant's foot.Oh Lord, in order to give ultimate peace to Thy devotees, Thou tests them by puttingthem through trial and tribulation.

Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 06

 त्वत्सेवाया वैभवात् दुर्निरोधं
युध्यन्तं तं वत्सराणां सहस्रम् ।
प्राप्ते काले त्वत्पदैकाग्र्यसिध्यै
नक्राक्रान्तं हस्तिवर्यं व्यधास्त्वम् ॥६॥



tvatsevaayaa vaibhavaaddurnirOdhaM
yuddhyantaM taM vatsaraaNaaM sahasram |
praapte kaale tvatpadaikaagryasiddhyai
nakraakraantaM hasti varyaMvyadhaastvam || 6

Supported by the power derived from the glory of Thy worship, the elephant king was invincible and went on fighting for a thousand years. When the time for his redemption had come, and he was fit for one-pointed devotion to Thee, Thou subjected him to this situation.
Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 07


आर्तिव्यक्तप्राक्तनज्ञानभक्ति:
शुण्डोत्क्षिप्तै: पुण्डरीकै: समर्चन् ।
पूर्वाभ्यस्तं निर्विशेषात्मनिष्ठं
स्तोत्रं श्रेष्ठं सोऽन्वगादीत् परात्मन् ॥७॥



aartivyakta praaktana j~naanabhaktiH shuN
DOtkshiptaiHpuNDariikaissamarchan |
puurvaabhyastannirvisheShaatmaniShThaM
stOtra shreShThaMsO(a)nvagaadiitparaatman || 7

Under the stress of suffering, his inherent devotion and pure knowledge unfolded and he began to offer Thee worship with white lotus flowers plucked with his trunk. Relating to the attribute less Brahman, he sang continuously a great hymn which he had learnt in the past life.
  Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 08
श्रुत्वा स्तोत्रं निर्गुणस्थं समस्तं
ब्रह्मेशाद्यैर्नाहमित्यप्रयाते ।
सर्वात्मा त्वं भूरिकारुण्यवेगात्
तार्क्ष्यारूढ: प्रेक्षितोऽभू: पुरस्तात् ॥८॥



shrR^itvaa stOtraM nirguNasthaM samastaM
brahmeshaadyairnaahamityaprayaate |
sarvaatmaa tvaM bhuuri kaaruNya vegaat
taarkshyaaruuDhaH prekshitObhuuHpurastaat || 8
 
On hearing the entire hymn, Gods Brahma, Siva and others, knowing that it did not refer to them, did not comethere. But Thou, who art all knowing, manifested before him, seated on Garuda,impelled by Thy flow of mercy. 


Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam: 09
हस्तीन्द्रं तं हस्तपद्मेन धृत्वा
चक्रेण त्वं नक्रवर्यं व्यदारी: ।
गन्धर्वेऽस्मिन् मुक्तशापे स हस्ती
त्वत्सारूप्यं प्राप्य देदीप्यते स्म ॥९॥



hastiindraM taM hastapadmena dhR^itvaa
chakreNa tvaM nakravaryaMvyadaariiH |
gandharve(a)smin muktashaape sa hastii
tvatsaaruupyaM praapya dediipyatesma || 9

Thou with Thy lotus hands caught jolt of that elephant king and cut asunder the powerful crocodile with Thy discus. The crocodile was thus released from the curse of sage Devala and got back his Gandharva form. The elephant was, by Thee, then endowed with a brilliant form similar to Thy from.
Dasakam: 26-- Shlokam:10 एतद्वृत्तं त्वां च मां च प्रगे यो
गायेत्सोऽयं भूयसे श्रेयसे स्यात् ।
इत्युक्त्वैनं तेन सार्धं गतस्त्वं
धिष्ण्यं विष्णो पाहि वातालयेश ॥१०॥



etad vR^ittaM tvaaM cha maaM cha prageyO gaayets
O(a)yaM bhuuyase shreyasesyaat |
ityuktvainaM tena saardhaM gatastva
M dhiShNyaM viShNO paahivaataalayesha ||

Oh All pervading Lord, According to Thee, whoever sings this episode of GajendraMoksham, at dawn and chants the name of Gajendra and Thee, will attain all wealthand prosperity. Having said this, Thou departed for Vaikunta, along with him. OhGuruvayurappa ! May Thou protect me.