OM TAT SAT: May 2015

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Gayatri Kavacham

shrIgaNeshAya namaH |

yAj~navalkya uvAcha |
svAmin sarvajagannAtha saMshayo.asti mahAnmama |
chatuHShaShThikalAnAM cha pAtakAnAM cha tadvada ||
muchyate kena puNyena brahmarUpaM kathaM bhavet |
dehashcha devatArUpo man{}trarUpo visheShataH ||
brahmovAcha |
kramataH shrotumicChAmi kavachaM vidhipUrvakam |
OM asya shrIgAyatrIkavachasya brahmaviShNurudrA R^iShayaH |
R^igyajuHsAmA.atharvANi ChandA.nsi |
parabrahmasvarUpiNI gAyatrI devatA |
bhUH bIjam | bhuvaH shaktiH | svaH kIlakam |
shrIgAyatrIprItyarthe jape viniyogaH |
OM bhUrbhuvaH svaH tatsavituriti hR^idayAya namaH |
OM bhUrbhuvaH svaH vareNyamiti shirase svAhA |
OM bhUrbhuvaH svaH bhargo devasyeti shikhAyai vaShaT |
OM bhUrbhuvaH svaH dhImahIti kavachAya hum |
OM bhUrbhuvaH svaH dhiyo yo naH iti netratrayAya vauShaT |
OM bhUrbhuvaH svaH prachodayAditi astrAya phaT |

atha dhyAnam |
muktAvidrumahemanIladhavalachChAyairmukhaistrIkShaNai\-
ryuktAmindunibaddharatnamukuTAM tattvArthavarNAtmikAm |
gAyatrIM varadAbhayA~NkushakashAM shubhraM kapAlaM guNaM
sha.nkha, chakramathAravinduyugalaM hastairvahantIM bhaje ||
OM gAyatrI pUrvataH pAtu sAvitrI pAtu dakShiNe |
brahmavidyA tu me pashchAduttare mAM sarasvatI || 1||
pAvakIM cha dishaM rakShetpAvakojjvalashAlinI |
yAtudhAnIM dishaM rakShedyAtudhAnagaNArdinI || 2||
pAvamAnIM dishaM rakShetpavamAnavilAsinI |
dishaM raudrImavatu me rudrANI rudrarUpiNI || 3||
UrdhvaM brahmANI me rakShedadhastAdvaiShNavI tathA |
evaM dasha disho rakShetsarvato bhuvaneshvarI || 4||
tatpadaM pAtu me pAdau ja.nghe me savituH padam |
vareNyaM kaTideshaM tu nAbhiM bhargastathaiva cha || 5||
devasya me tu hR^idayaM dhImahIti galaM tathA |
dhiyo me pAtu jihvAyAM yaH padaM pAtu lochane || 6||
lalATe naH padaM pAtu mUrddhAnaM me prachodayAt |
tadvarNaH pAtu mUrddhAnaM sakAraH pAtu bhAlakam || 7||
chakShuShI me vikArastu shrotraM rakShettu kArakaH |
nAsApuTe vakAro me rekArastu kapolayoH || 8||
NikArastvadharoShThe cha yaMkArastvadharoShThake |
Asyamadhye bhakArastu rgokArashchibuke tathA || 9||
dekAraH kaNThadeshe cha vakAraH skandhadeshayoH |
syakAro dakShiNaM hastaM dhIkAro vAmahastake || 10||
makAro hR^idayaM rakSheddhikAro jaTharaM tathA |
dhikAro nAbhideshaM tu yokArastu kaTidvayam || 11||
guhyaM rakShatu yokAra Uru me naH padAkSharam |
prakAro jAnunI rakShechchokAro ja.nghadeshayoH || 12||
dakAro gulphadeshaM tu yAtkAraH pAdayugmakam |
jAtavedeti gAyatrI tryambaketi dashAkSharA || 13||
sarvataH sarvadA pAtu ApojyotIti ShoDashI |
idaM tu kavachaM divyaM bAdhAshatavinAshakam || 14||
chatuHShaShThikalAvidyAsakalaishvaryasiddhidam |
japArambhe cha hR^idayaM japAnte kavachaM paThet || 15||
strIgobrAhmaNamitrAdidrohAdyakhilapAtakaiH |
muchyate sarvapApebhyaH paraM brahmAdhigachChati || 16||

|| iti shrImadvasiShThasaMhitAyAM gAyatrIkavachaM sampUrNam ||

1008 Names of Gayatri Devi

Monday, May 18, 2015

Prayer to the God of the Path

Photo by Colin Monteath, Minden Pictures

Margabandhu Stotram or Prayer to the God of the Path written by Appayya Deekshithar (1520-1593).
Lord Shiva, as Margabandhu, is believed to be with us during our journey and protect us from all hardships. Usually, this stotra is understood as an appeal to the divine help during a travel somewhere. But certainly, it can be understood in the widest sense of the spiritual journey or whole our life.

shambho mahAdeva deva shiva shambho mahAdeva devesha shambho shambho mahAdeva deva

phAlAvanamrat-kireeTam phAlanetrArchiShA dagdhapancheShukITam shoolAhatArAtikooTam shuddhamardhenduchooDam bhaje mArgabandhum
shambho mahAdeva deva …

I pray to that friend of the path,
Who wears a crown on his head,
Who kills his enemies by his trident,
Who wears a crescent which showers nectar,
And who burnt by the fire of his eyes,
Which are on his forehead,
Him who has the five arrows like an insect.

shambho mahAdeva deva ….

ange virAjad-bhujangam abhragangA-tangAbhirAmottamAngam omkAravATee-kurangam siddhasamsevitAnghrim bhaje mArgabandhum
shambho mahAdeva deva … 2
I pray to that friend of the path,
Whose limbs are adorned by a snake,
Who is a deer in the park of holy pranava,
Whose feet is worshipped by great sages,
And who looks charming with his head,
Adorned by the Ganga of the sky

shambho mahAdeva deva …

nityam chidAnandarUpam nihnutAsheSha-lokesha-vairipratApam kArtasvarAgendrachApam kruttivAsam-bhaje divya-sanmArgabandhum
shambho mahAdeva deva … 3
I pray to that friend of the good divine path,
Who is perennial and of the form of,
Truth, intelligence and bliss,
Who destroyed without reminder,
The glory of the fame of the enemy of Indra,
Who used the golden Mount Meru,
As his bow in the war against three asuras,
And who dresses himself in hides of trees.

shambho mahAdeva deva …

kandarpadarpaghnamIsham kAlakaNTham mahesham mahAvyomakesham kundAbhadantam suresham koTi sooryaprakAsham bhaje mArgabandhum
shambho mahAdeva deva … 4
I pray to that friend of the path,
Who put an end to the pride of God of love,
Who is the great Lord who has a deep blue throat,
Who has the great sky as his matted lock,
Whose teeth resemble the white jasmine flowers,
And who has the shine of billions of Suns.

shambho mahAdeva deva ...
mandArabhUterudAram mantharAgendrasAram mahAgouryadUram sindhoora-dooraprachAram sindhurAjAtidheeram bhaje mArgabandhum
shambho mahAdeva deva…5
I pray to that friend of the path,
Who is more generous than the wish giving tree,
Who is the strength behind the great Mandara Mountain,
Who is very close to the great Goddess Gauri,
Who has a red colour far intense than red lead,
And who is more resolute than the God of the ocean

shambho mahAdeva deva …

apyayya-yajvendragItam stotrarAjam paThedyastu bhaktyA prayANe tasyArthasiddhim pradatte mArgamadhye'bhayam chAshutoSho maheshah
This king of stotras written by Appayya who is the performer of sacrifices, if read with devotion during journey would ensure fulfillment of wishes, protection during journey, and Lord Shiva would be easily pleased.

Translated by P.R.Ramachander

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Sri Shani Chalisa

Doha
Jai Ganesh Girija Suwan Mangal karan kripaal
Deenan ke Dhuk dhoor kari Kheejai Naath Nihaal
JaiJai SriShanidev Prabhu Sunahu Vinay Maharaaj
Karahu Kruia hey Ravitanay Rakhahu Jan ki Laaj

Jayathi jayathi shani dayaala,

karath sadha bhakthan prathipaala

Chaari bhuja, thanu shyam viraajay,

maathey ratan mukut chavi chaajay

Param vishaal manohar bhaala,

tedi dhrishti bhrukuti vikraala

Kundal shravan chamaacham chamke,

hiye maal mukthan mani dhamkay

Kar me gadha thrishul kutaara,

pal bich karai arihi samhaara

Pinghal, krishno, chaaya, nandhan,

yum, konasth, raudra, dhuk bhamjan

Sauri, mandh shani, dhasha naama,

bhanu puthra poojhin sab kaama

Jaapar prabu prasan havain jhaahin,

rakhhun raav karai shan maahin

Parvathhu thrun hoi nihaarath,

thrunhu ko parvath kari daarath

Raaj milath ban raamhin dheenhyo,

kaikeyihu ki mathi hari linhiyo

Banhu mae mrag kapat dhikaayi,

maathu Janki gayi chooraayi

Lakanhin shakthi vikal kari daara,

machiga dhal mae haahaakaar

Raavan ki ghathi-mathi bauraayi,

Ramchandra so bair badaayi

Dheeyo keet kari kanchan Lanka,

baji bajarang beer ki danka

Nrip vikram par thuhin pagu dhaara,

chitra mayur nigli gai haara

Haar naulakka laagyo chori,

haath pair darvaayo thori

Bhaari dhasha nikrusht dhikaayo,

telhin ghar kholhu chalvaayo

Vinay raag dheepak mah khinho,

tab prasann prabhu hvai sukh dheenho

Harishchandra nrip naari bhikani,

aaphun bharen dome gar paani

Tasse nal par dasha sirani,

bhunji-meen koodh gayi paani

Sri Shankarhin gahyo jab jaayi,

Paarvathi ko sathi karaayi

Thanik vilokath hi kari reesa,

nabh udi gayo gaurisuth seesa

Paandav par bhay dasha thumhaari,

bachi draupadhi hothi udhaari

Kaurav ke bi gathi mathi maaryo,

yudh mahabharath kari daryo

Ravi kah mukh mahn dhari thathkala,

lekar koodhi paryo paathaala

Saish dhev-lakhi vinthi laayi,

Ravi ko mukh thay dhiyo chudaayi

Vaahan prabhu kay saah sujana,

jag dhigaj gadharbh mragh swaana

Jambuk singh aadhi nakh dhari,

so phal jyothish kahath pukari

Gaj vahan lakshmi gruha aavai,

hay thay sukh sampathi upjaavay

Gadharbh haani karai bahu kaaja,

singh sidh kar raaj samaja

Jhambuk budhi nasht kar darai,

mrag dhe kasht praan sangharay

Jab aavahi prabu swaan savaari,

chori aadi hoy dar bhaari

Thaishi chaari charan yeh naama,

swarn laoh chaandhi aru taama

Lauh charan par jab prabu aavain,

daan jan sampathi nashta karavain

Samatha thaamra rajath shubhkari,

swarn sarva sukh mangal bhaari

Jo yeh shani charithra nith gavai,

kabahu na dasha nikrushta sathavai

Adhbuth nath dhikavain leela,

karaen shaatru kay nashi bhali dheela

Jo pundith suyogya bulvaayi vidhyvath

Shani graha shanti karayi

Peepal jal shani diwas chadavath,

deep dhaan dai bahu sukh pawath

Kahath Ram Sundhar prabu dasa,

Shani sumirath sukh hoth prakasha

Doha
Paath Shanichar Dev ko, ko hoon Vimal Taiyaar
Karat Paath Chalis Din, ho Bhav Sagar Paar
Suryaputhro Deerghadeho Vishaalaakshah Shivapriyah |
Mandachaarah Prasannathmaa peedam harathu me Shanih ||

Om Sham Shanaishcharaye Namaha

Shanaishchara Sahasranamavali

Om Sham Shanishchraya Namaha

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Pushpanjali to Shani

Om yadnyen yadnyamayajant devastaani
dharmani pradhamanyasan |
Te ha nakam mahimanaha sachant yatra purve
sadhyaha santi devaha ||
Om rajadhirajaya prashyasahine namo
vayam vaishranaaya kurmehe |
Sa me kamanam kamkamaya mahyam
kamemavaro vaishrano dadaatu |
Kuberaaya vaishrano maharajaya namaha |
Om swasti samrajyam bhoujyam swarajyam
vairajyam parameshthyam
Rajyam maharajyamaadhiptyamayam
samantparyaayee syaatsarvabhoumaha |
Sarvayush aantadaparardhatpruthivyai
samudraparyantaya ekraliti
Aavikshitsya kamprervimve devaha sabhasad itee |

Om Sham Shanaishcharaye Namaha

Friday, May 15, 2015

Agajaanana Padmaarkam

agajānana padmārkam gajānanam aharniśam
anēka dam tam bhaktānām ēkadantam upāsmahē
Seeing the elephant-faced Ganesha all the time, Goddess Parvati's face lighted up, just like how a lotus opens up seeing the sun and I meditate upon the Lord with single tusk, the giver of many boons to the devotees.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Where is the Need of Words?

Where is the need of words,

when love has made drunken the heart?

I have wrapped the diamond in my cloak;

why open it again and again?

When its load was light, the pan of the balance went up:

Now it is full, where is the need for weighing?

The swan has taken its flight to the lake beyond the mountains;

Why should it search for the pools and ditches any more?

Your Lord dwells within you:

Why need your outward eyes be opened?

Kabir says:

"Listen, my brother!

my Lord,

Who ravishes my eyes,

has united Himself with me.'"

---By Kabir

Translated by Rabindranath Tagore

Friday, May 8, 2015

Experience Chan

By Master Xu Yun (1840 -1959), a Chinese-born Chan (zen) Buddhist master.

1.Experience Chan! It's not mysterious.
As I see it, it boils down to cause and effect.
Outside the mind there is no Dharma
So how can anybody speak of a heaven beyond?

2. Experience Chan! It's not a field of learning.
Learning adds things that can be researched and discussed.
The feel of impressions can't be communicated.
Enlightenment is the only medium of transmission.

3. Experience Chan! It's not a lot of questions.
Too many questions is the Chan disease.
The best way is just to observe the noise of the world.
The answer to your questions?
Ask your own heart.

4. Experience Chan! It's not the teachings of disciples.
Such speakers are guests from outside the gate.
The Chan which you are hankering to speak about
Only talks about turtles turning into fish.

5. Experience Chan! It can't be described.
When you describe it you miss the point.
When you discover that your proofs are without substance
You'll realize that words are nothing but dust.

6. Experience Chan! It's experiencing your own nature!
Going with the flow everywhere and always.
When you don't fake it and waste time trying
to rub and polish it,
Your Original Self will always shine through brighter than bright.

7. Experience Chan! It's like harvesting treasures.
But donate them to others.
You won't need them.
Suddenly everything will appear before you,
Altogether complete and altogether done.

8. Experience Chan! Become a follower who when accepted
Learns how to give up his life and his death.
Grasping this carefully he comes to see clearly.
And then he laughs till he topples the Cold Mountain ascetics.

9. Experience Chan! It'll require great skepticism;
But great skepticism blocks those detours on the road.
Jump off the lofty peaks of mystery.
Turn your heaven and earth inside out.

10. Experience Chan! Ignore that superstitious nonsense
That makes some claim that they've attained Chan.
Foolish beliefs are those of the not-yet-awakened.
And they're the ones who most need the experience of Chan!

11. Experience Chan! There's neither distance nor intimacy.
Observation is like a family treasure.
Whether with eyes, ears, body, nose, or tongue -
It's hard to say which is the most amazing to use.

12. Experience Chan! There's no class distinction.
The one who bows and the one who is bowed
to are a Buddha unit.
The yoke and its lash are tied to each other.
Isn't this our first principle... the one we should most observe?