Thirumagal Thuthi

Thirumagal Thuthi

(Prayer to Goddess  of wealth)

By

Mahakavi  Bharathi

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam   CHakravakam

Thalam  THisra ekam

(This is not a popular  poem of the Mahakavi. There  is certain an amount of satire   in his words .He was a man  who lead a life of a courageous freedom fighter  , who used to rise up and fight   at anything  he considers   as injustice .In the first few lines he says , that  there is  no point in  living  a life  like a mad person in love   with money.)

1.Nitham unai vendi  manam,

Ninaipathellam  neeyai ,

Pithanai pol  vazzvathile ,

Perumayundo thiruve ,

Chitha uruthi kondirunthar  ,

Cheikai yellam  vetti konde  ,

Uthama nilai chervar yendre,

Uyarntha Vedamuraippthellam,

Sutha verum poyyodi

Chudar maniye, thiruve,

Metha mayyal  kondu vitten ,

Meviduvai   thiruve.

1.Oh Goddess  of wealth   ,  by daily  requesting you ,

And making all  thoughts of the day be engaged only in you ,

And living like a mad man , Was there  anything  great that was achieved?

Are the words   of the very great   Vedas, which tell,

That all acts  of people   with a stable mind ,

 Would   lead them to victory and they would attain great positions, a lie,

Oh gem of the flame  , Oh wealth ,

I have fallen greatly in love  with you, Oh Goddess Lakshmi

Please   develop desire   to me  .

2.Unnayandri  inbamundo,

Ulagamisai vere ?

Ponnai  vadivendrudayai ,

Puthamuthe  , Thiruve ,

Minnoli tharu nan manigal ,

Medai uyarntha maligaikal,

Vannamudaya  Thamarai poo,

Mani kulamulla   cholaikalum,

Annam, neryu nei palum,

Athisayamai  tharuvai,

Ninnarulai vazhthi yendrum ,

Nilaithiruppen, thiruve.

2.Is there  more  pleasure than you ,

Apart from eminence in the   world?

Oh Goddess   who has the form of Gold  ,

Oh newly made nectar , Oh  wealth !

The gems that  give out great  luster like lightning,

Huge buildings   whose stairs are  very tall,

The  lotus flower  which has  great colour,

The gardens with   gem studded  ponds  ,

Cooked rice , quality ghee   and milk ,

Are   given by you  in rare    cases,

Oh Goddess Lakshmi, I would ,

Praise your grace  and would be stable

3.AAdukalum ,maadukalum,

Azhagudaya  pariyum,

Veedukalum  nedu nilamum ,

Viraivinile tharuvai,

EEdu ninakkor   deivamundo?

Yenakku unnai andri charanamundo?

Vaadu nilathai  kandirangaa ,

Mazhayinai pola ullamundo?

Nadu m,ani chelvamellam m ,

Nangu arulvai thiruve  ,

Peedutaya   vaan porule,

Perum kaliye   thiruve.

3,Oh Goddess  give me with great  speed ,

Goats , cows, pretty horses, homes  and broad land,

Is there any  other thing  which can be compared  to you?

Is there  any other protection other than you to me?

Is there  a heart , which is like   the rain ,

Which does not take mercy seeing a fading land?

Oh Goddess Lakshmi  give me  countries, gems and wealth ,

Oh  noble material in the sky, Oh great sport , Oh Goddess  of weath.

Bhajanamrutha Paramananda

Bhajanamrutha  Paramananda

By

Oothukadu Venkata Subba iyer

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Nata

Talam  Aadhi

Pallavi

Bhajanamrutha  paramananda   bhagawatha Shantha,

Charana renum  nirantaram vahamyaham  hari nija

Pallavi

Oh Hari truly I would carry the dust of the   feet  of the peaceful God,

Who  becomes greatly joyous by the nectar of singing his names.

Anupallavi

Vraja  Rajakumara  , manohara   Venugana  Shravanananda   Vraja  Sundari,

Jana Pada pankaja  sama  anukampitrha   hrudhi    smara  sambhava  nija

Anupallavi

Oh prince of Vruja  who sings prettily  on the flute, I truly think of  you ,

With fluttering heart similar  to the lotus like feet   of the pretty ladies  of Vraja.

Charanam 1

Narayana nama   rasana  paramanandayutha hrudya jitakalmasha  nara ,

Simha  Daya   neethimiva  dharanas  sadaa  kanaka kasipu sutha adaya

Charanam 1

Due to  wearing  always  the   the merciful justice  of  Narasinha ,

The  Son of Hiranya Kasipu  attained great  joy,

Along   with a heart which won over  the  darkness  of mind.

Charanam 2

Para hitha  karunakara  vara  smitha   mukha bhava parabhaavs a parama pavana sara- ,

Sijabhava  sukumara  sanaka  sanandana   sanathana  Narada  sukha 

Charanam 2

Oh Lord who looks for the  welfare of others .oH  doer of  mercy  , who has a  blessed  smiling looks,

Oh Lord who loved others  who is  divine  ,who is like lotus flower who is pretty  ,

And who looked after  sages  Sanaka  , Sanandana   and the  beginningless  Narada

Charanam 3

Taraka manthra sadaa padanam  krutha tarakardala   sanjeevi girim  krutha,

Dasaratha Rajakumara   hitham   krutha   sadaa gathi   pavana  Kumaradhi   hari

Charanam3

The  son of wind god   who always  kept on chanting  “Rama” ,

Carrying   the sanjeevini  mountain   which  was  near the  stars,

And did acts of welfare   to the prince of Dasaratha, and Vishnu

Charanam 4

Dasa Mukha sodara   guha  , sabari  , Sugreeva , Angadha   sucharitha  maha bhagya,

Ramena  bahu basitha   bhavitha   veekshitha   rakshitha   mithra   pavitratha

Charanam 4

Vibheeshana . Guha , Sabari  , Sugreeva , Angadhha who   were pure and gretly lucky,

AS they  were made greatly lustrous by Rama  and became protected by Rama  due to his pure  friendship.

Charanam 5.

BHagawatha   gatha  patana  shravana   sada smarana bhajana  guna keerthayana,

Ta gathitha   Krishna  charitha varnanam   thathanukula  prakatana vitarana  Hari.

Charana 5

Read, hear , meditate  ,always sing   and appreciate  its qualities,

AS  it goes on describing  the story of Krishna and receive   the benefits arising of it  ,Hari

Charanam 6

Nandheesha   matanga   Vyagra pada  , Sahasra phana  makuta   dhara  tumburu,

Chandeesa  mrukandu   sutha  munigana   santha thanuja   rajathashailasthitha shiva

Charanam 6

Lord Shiva   who sits on silver mountain   who has peaceful body, the Lord of Chandi  ,Lord of Nandi

Who  is saluted by   sage  Matanga  , sage Vyagrapada,  the one who carries thousand heads ,

Sage Tumburu and  The  son of Mrukandu   and by singing  his  names

Charanam 7

 Shivahari   saravana bhava  guha  bhajana  nirantharam , Alankrutha shobha  ,

Vageesa   , shiva pada   hrudaya   sutha  manivachaka sundara dindima kaviraja  ,

Madhura kavi raja   Ramanuja  Kulashekara Vishu Chitha   para kala,

Purandara Thulasidasa   CHaranaravindha   dhooli hari shiva guha.

Singing   always  about  Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu   And Lord Subrahamanya,

The decorated  shining  Lord Brahma, The manikhya vachaka,

Who is the  spitual son of Shiva , The Madhura  kavi who is the king of poets,

The  pretty Dindima , Ramanuja  ,Kula Shekara, Vishnu Chitha, Sage Parakala ,

Sage Purandhara, Sage Thulasidasa  , who are the dust of the lotus feet  of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Charanam 8

Krishna   gata karnanvitha   japa  , thapa stotra ghanithi archana   yoga,

Rasa Mahothsava   vibhava   bhava  paramadhbutha  nartana  vara   nithya chathura,

Aganitha   Raga   nava vidha   tala  kramalaya   gatheeswara   tantrisamanvitha  ,

Anandathishaya  sukha nimagna   anantha   mahantha  Charanaravinda

The chanting, penance  , praising  , singing   and worshipping,

Which would reach  the ears of Lord Krishna  who  is  well known,

For his festival of dance where he performs wonderful dances ,

With great cleverness  travelling    along with   innumerable  ,

Musical tones   along with   several types of beats and wired musical instruments  ,

Which is joyfully wonderful   , steeped  in pleasures ,

With his   endless   great  lotus like   feet.

Chapter  9

Rama, Raghava, Krishna  , Raghu kula nandama  , Maithili Ramana

Krishna Gokula vaibhava nanda nandaana Kaliya phana Natana,

Somashekhara   sundara   Natana  Chidambara  shailaja   Ramana,

Bahuleya Shikhivaha dayapara paahi ithividha nama nija  hari,

Rama, Raghaba , Krishna , the son of   Raghu clam  , the consort of Sita

As the great  son of Nanda of Gokula   And who is well known  Fr the dance  on head of Kaliya,

The consort of the daughter of the mountain  who wears the moon,

And does pretty dances  in Chidambara ,

Lord Subrahmanya   who rides on a peacock   who is very kind ,

Please protect  us all Hari who has   all  these  names.

Charanam 10

Kshanamapi  hariguna   gathitha  mahothama  , kshanamapi   shravana  sukrutha,

Karmothama  , kshanamapi  darsitha   sad  sangha  parothama janma janmapi,

Pankaja   padamiha  snthakarana j kritha  Antharanga  Hari

Atleast for a second becoming great person   whose mind goes  towards The  greatness  of Hari,

At least for a second hear about the great one whose good deeds  due to our luck  ,

T least for a second  see that greatest one in his good company,

And for births after births making his lotus feet in to our mind and Take Hari in to our mind.

Vandeham Saradham

Vandeham Saradham

By

Swami Dayananda Saraswathi

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam  Yamuna Kalyani

Talam Chapu

Pallavi

Vandeham Saradham , Visharadam , Jnanadam Varadam

Pallavi

I salute  Goddess  SArada   who is very learned,

Who gives  wisdom and who blesses.

Anupallavi

Shudha Sathwa svaroopineem, SWacha hrudaya nivasinim , swaprakasa  roopineem

Anupallavi

She who  exists as purity  , She who lives in pure hearts ,

And she who is  self lustrous

Charanam

Parathpara vidhya bhooshitham ,

Suravara  Sujana  SEvitham,

Sulabham, suswara vidhya  niratham.

Charanam

She who is decorated with   the greatest knowledge  ,

Who is served by great devas   and good people  ,

Who can be easily attained,

And who is engaged  in  Knowledge  pronounced  well.

Poorna Bodoham

Poorna  Bodoham

By

SAdashiva Brahmendrar

Ragam Kalyani

Talam Aadhi

Pallavi

Poorna  bodhoham   Sadananda   poornam bododham

Pallavi

I  am the complete realization, I am the complete realization of eternal joy.

Anupallavi

Varnasramachara  karmadhi duroham swarna   vadakhila  vikara gathoham.

Anupallavi

 I am matters  which are  difficult   to be reached  by   the  rituals of Varnashrama ,

Which have   gone in to the way  of change  of golden debate.

Charanam

1.Prathyagathmaham   paravithatha sathyjnoham,

Sruthyantha satha koti  prakatitha  Brahmaham ,

Nithyoham abayoham  advithiyoham

Charanam

1.I am returning  , I am the expanded  teller of the truth,

I am that Brahmam that  is the end of Vedas where it has been told hundred crore times,

I am that  which is forever  , I am that  which gives protection  and I am that  which  has no second.

2.SAkshi mathroham  , pragalitha   paksha pathoham,

Moksha swaroopoham  , omkara gamyoham,

Sookshmoham   , Anagoham   Adbuthathmoham.

2,I  am only the witness  , I am the partiality that  has dropped down,

I am the form of salvation , I am the one   going towards  “Om”,

I am minute  , I am sinless  , I am  the soul that  causes  wonder

3.SWaprakasoham  , Vibhuraham  , nishprapanchoham,

Aprameyoham  , achaloham   akaloham,

Nishpratarkya  khandai karasoham

3.I am self illuminated  , I am the Lord  , I am honest and pure  ,

I am unfathomable., I cannot be moved , I am one without time  ,

I am the one who cuts  f actions which are uninterrupted

4. Ajanirmithoham   budha jana  bhajaniyoham,

Ajarohan   amaroham  Amritha swaroopaoham,

Nija   purna   mahimani   nihithamahitoham.

4.I am made by one who is not born,  And one who is prayed to by   wise people  .

I am one who never gets old . I am one   who never dies , I am the   form of nectar ,

I am the one  who does not like   full fame deposited   on any one.

5.Niravyayoham . nirupama nishkalankohsm,

Parama shivendra  Sri Guru soma samudhitha,

Niravadhi nirvana   sukha sagaroham.

I5.I am eternal, I am without comparison  , I am one without stains  ,

I   am  the ocean of pleasure  leading  to several  detachments .

Mentioned  by Lord Shiva, Indra  and the Guru Soma.

Bhaktha Bhagadeya Anjaneya Saptha Rathna 7

Anjaneya Saptha Rathna 7

Bhaktha Bhagadeya

Composed  by

OOthukadu Venkata  Subba iyer

Translated  By

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Madhyamavathi

Talam Aadhi

Pallavi

BHaktha bhagadeya   AAnjaneya

Madhyama  Kalam

Bhavitha Raghava   Janaki   dhootha, Pavaka taraka nama  sannadha,

Palayamaam Anjaneya

Anupallavi

Mukthi sukha  nada lola,.mathi dheera,

Mohana  Rama pada sarasa Vihara

Madhyama Kala

Muditha  sadaa  hrudaya  kaya   jitha sakala   maya   sukrta   anapaya

Charanam

Nalgama   saramrithas   vachana  nata   shubhakara  bhoosura hrudhi Ramana ,

Ayi karunarasa pooritha nayana   alalitha   durjana  bheekarana

Madhyama Kalam

Athi  dhrtkara   vara  putra   sucharitha   amala pavithra   raghurama  mithra

English translation

Pallavi

Oh Prosperity of devotees   , Anjaneya.

Madhyama Kalam

Who is known as the Emissary to  Sita , Who is pure and divine ,

Who   is ready with the Name of Rama which is Tharka(helps us to cross).

Anupallavi

Oh Lord who enjoys the pleasure of salvation , who enjoys music ,

Who is courageous   and who lives near the powerful feet of pretty Rama.

Madhyama Kalam

Oh Lord who has a joyful heart always  , who has won over his body and all Maya,

Who does  good   acts   eternally.

Charanam

Oh Lord whose words are essence  of Vedas, whse acts give good results,

Who lives  in the mind of Brahmins   and  make  their mind   happy,

Whose   eyes are filled with essence of mercy ,

And who has a fearful form  to the complex  people of evil

Madhyama Kalam

Oh Lord who is a blessed son with great haste , who has great  story  ,

Who is clean and  pure   and who is the friend of Raghu Rama.

Vahini Nayaka Anjaneya saptha rathna Krithi-6

Anjaneya  saptha rathna  Krithi-6

Vahini Nayaka 

By

OOthukadu Venkata  Subba Iyer

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Ragam   Madhyamavathi

Talam Roopakam

Pallavi

Vahini  nayaka  tarana Raghu veera Bhakthi vitharana

Anupallavi

Pahi maam   yeks chitha   saubhagya  varada  nipuna Suguna

Charanam

Rama  Rama  Nama  rakthi  hrudaya    sadaa paThana ,

Soma giri sama   sareera  sundaranga   sada Ramana

English Translation

Pallavi

Oh Lord whoi carried   your Lord abnd crossed ,

Oh Lord  who distributes the devotion   to the hero of Raghu clan

Anupallavi

Protect me , who has  only  one mind, who blesses prosperity ,

Oh Expert  , Oh Lord with good conduct

Charanam

Oh Lord who loves to repeat Rama, Rama, Rama ,

Who keeps on always reading name of Rama,

Who has  a body which was like  Lord Shiva’s  mountain,

And who always  entertains.

Raghuveer thumko meri laj (Sant Thulasi Das BHajan)

Raghuveer  thumko  meri laj

By

Sant Thulasidas

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Rag PIloo

Tal  Trital

   (Here is a very popular Bhajan written  by Sant Thulasidas.  It has been sung by

Bhimsen Joshi (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B8hx9Nx6q8&safe=active)  ,

Jesudas  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJmCwNyKML8&safe=active ) as well as  

Anup Jalota (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nTpUkxxnr8&safe=active ).)

1.Raghuvar  thumko  meri laaj  ,

Sada sada  main   saran thihari  ,

Thumhi garib nivaj

Oh best of Raghu clan, this is my promise to you  ,

Always and always  I  have surrendered to you,

As you are  the  home   for  the poor.

2, Pathith udaran  virad  thumhara,

Sravanan   suni aavaj

2,Uplifting of the  fallen one   is your penance  ,

As soon as   you hear  their  voice

3,Hum tho pathith   purathan   kahiye  ,

Paar utharo jahaj.

3. Tell that I am an ancient  degraded  one  ,

And so take me off the ship.

4.Aghh gandan   dukh banjan   jan ke  ,

Yahi   thiharo  kaaj,\

Thulsi das   par kirapaa keeje  , Bhakthi dhaan  dehum aaj

4.Destroying  sin and breaking  of sorrow ,

Is your   job  ,

Show mercy to Thulasidas  ,

And give  me the alms of devotion today.online hin

Velavare Ummai

Velavare Ummai

(Oh Lord Muruga searching you)

By

Ghanam Krishna Iyer

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam BHairavi

Talam Aadhi

Pallavi

Velavare  Umai thedi oru madanthai   vidiyum   alavum  kattirukindra  vagai yenna

Pallavi

Om Lord Muruga , how is  it one lady  searched for you and and is waiting till sun rise?

Anupallavi

Valibamum , CHelvizhi vil puruvam  vadivil (?)  idayum , Mathi Vadanamum ,

Melum aval  meni pasum pon nirame , minnal kodiyo, anna nadayaal  oyilaghave

Anupallavi

She blessed with youth, pretty eyes, bow like eye brows, narrow waist, moon like face  ,

And also her body  is of pure gold colour, Looks like  streak of lightning  , walk like a swan

Charanam

1,Vidham Vidhamai  pachilam Kongai  meedhinile  Veenapani dharithaval  Pallu varisayum,

Kadhali thodayum  adhara kanmiyum  soruuku azhagum  karuthai  urukka, kala kalena  nadayil vandhu

1.Keeping the Veena on   her  young breasts   in different different manner , With pretty row of teeth,

Banana stem like   thighs  , fruit like lips , prettiness  of her dress melting our mind, she comes walking with  “Kala-kala”  laugh

2.Chithira  por palakani vasalile   vandhu nindru  thayangi  mathi  mayangi  thigatta   thavikkiraal,

Kutthram kutilam endrum, than thalayil  ezhuthendrum  kumuri kumuri urugukindral migha Vaadi

2.She comes and stands in front of decorated outer door  with hesitation , and suffers due to  her intense  infatuation,

Telling herself that her crime is intense , that it is her fate , she fades and melts    sobbing and sobbing.

3.Kangal jalangi  muthu  muthai  ugukkiraal, Kaiyai  nerithu  , Thalai Kunindhu  nirkkiraal,

Pengalukku   ungal THiru ullam   irangadho, pesi  maruvi mun polave   chera

3.With great sorrow she is shedding pearl like tears, gnahes her palms and standing with a bent head,

Would not your mind  take pity on ladies so  that after  talking , hugging  uyou can join like earlier.

Appu linga of Jambukeswaram or Thiruvanaikaval and deekshithar’s pancha bhutha sthala Krithi

Appu linga of Jambukeswaram or Thiruvanaikaval  and deekshithar’s   pancha bhutha   sthala Krithi on Appu linga

    Jambukeswaram called as Thiruvanai kaval or  Thiruvanai kovil  is situated  in the  Srirangam Island between the rivers Cauvery  and Kollidam . It houses the temple  of Lord Shiva called  Jambukeswara, where the  linga  is always made   wet by the  waters  of  river Cauvery. There  is a  very interesting story  about the  origin of this temple . It  seems Goddess Parvathi mocked  at lord Shiva    about his  penance and he cursed her to do  penance  in a forest of  Jambu trees(Rose apple trees) . She went to the forest and  made a  linga out of the waters of river Cauvery and  was doing penance there under a Jambu tree  . Later Lord Shiva   appeared before her personally and Goddess  Parvathi  as Akhilandeswari(Goddess of all the world)   was given Upadesa  by him .At that time she was facing east and the God was facing west.

   Meanwhile   Two Shiva Ganas   called Malyavan and Pushpadantha kept on fighting with each other and caused  problem to the God. While fighting  Malyavan cursed  Pushpa dantha to be born as an elephant   and Pushpa dantha cursed  Malyavan to become a spider. Both of them came to this Jambu forest and started  worshipping  Lord Shiva.Pushpa Dantha used to bring water  in his trunk      and anoint   the God. The spider daily used to build nets and wanted to protect the linga from Sun light. The elephant was greatly agitated and during the fight the spider  entered the trunk of the   elephant and killed him. Due to that sin, the spider was born as a Chozha king called “Kochengol chozhan ” . It was this king who built this great  temple. It seems  that he was  very particular that  no elephant should be able to approach the God and so the final entrance of the temple is  only four feet high and two and half feet wide.

   Akhilandeswari   is outside the sanctum and is  facing east .It seems she was  having a look of great   anger. Adhi Sankara   who happened to come here   consecrated an idol of Ganapathi before her   and  she became extremely peaceful, for how can a mother   be angry while seeing her eldest son. Akhilandeswari  is supposed to do the noon Pooja at  this temple  and so the priest wears a Sari  while doing pooja.

   There are five prakaras around the  temple and It is believed that Lord built the fifth Prakara himself .IN that prakara  is a wall which is one mile long, 25 feet high and   two feet thick. In the fourth prakara  the wall is 2436 feet long  there   are 796 pillars. The temple runs a  school for learning Nadaswaram.I am giving below the  krithi of Muthuswamy deekshithar   about this temple

Jambu pathe

By

Muthuswamy Deekshithar

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Yamuna kalyani

Thalam Roopakam

Pallavi

Jambu pathe maam pahi , nija ananda amrutha bodham   dehi

Pallavi

Oh lord of rose apple tree , protect me  and give me   true joy  of nectar like consciousness.

Anupallavi

Ambujasanadhi   sakala   deva  namana ,

THumburu   nutha   hrudaya   thapopasamana  ,

Ambudhi ganga Cauvery Yamuna  ,

Kambu kandya akhilandeswari Ramana.

Anupallavi

Oh Lord saluted  ny Lord  Brahma  and all other  devas ,

Who  is prayed to by THumburu, who  pacifies  the  pain of the mind  ,

Who is like the ocean, river ganges , Cauvery and  Yamuna  ,

Who is   the consort  of Akhilandeswari with conch  like neck.

 (note the mention of several water bodies by   the composer)

Charanam

Parvathja   prarthitha  appu  linga  Vibho,

Pancha  bhootha maya  prapancha  prabho,

SArva jeeva   dayakara  shambho,

Samajatavi   nilaya  swayambho,

SArva   karuna  sudhaa  sindho,

Saranagatha   vathsalartha  bandho  ,

Anirvachaneeya   nadha  bindho,

Nithya mouli vidrutha  gangendho,

(Madhyama kala  sahithyam)

Nirvikalpaka   Samadhi nishta   shiva kalpaka tharo  ,

Nirvisesha  chaithanya   niranjana   guru guha  guro.

Charanam

Oh Lord of  linga of water   prayed to by  daughter  of mountain,

Oh Lord of the world which is made   of the five elements  ,

Oh Shambho  who  is kind    to all beings  ,

Oh self made  one   who stays  in the  forest of Sama Veda/elephants ,

Oh sea of  nectar  of mercy called Sarva,

Oh friend  of those suffering people who have surrendered  to you,

Oh  indefinable  musical  sound ,

Oh Lord who carries the  Ganga   on  his head daily  .

(Madhyama kala   Sahithya)

Oh divine tree  of Lord Shiva who is  in  unwavering Samadhi  ,

Oh Guru of  Lord Subramanya  who has absolute  spirit and is stainless

Akasa Linga of Nataraja temple , Chidambaram and Deekshithar’s Krithi on Akasa Lingam

Akasa  Linga  of Nataraja  temple , Chidambaram  and Deekshithar’s  Krithi  on Akasa  Lingam

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

    Chidambaram temple is located   255 km from Chennai  and  is  a unique temple with  Golden roof with a huge temple complex of 50 acres. Chidambaram means the “Divine  sky of consciousness”. Childamabaram is called  Thillai in  tamil. To any Tamil Shaivite “koil(temple)”   would indicate this great temple of Chidambaram .The God presiding over this temple  is Nataraja(The king of dancers)   who is  doing the cosmic dance of  divine ecstasy. The story goes like this. It seems Chidambaram was  once a forest populated by sages who believed in magic and were confidant that they  could control God by their mystic   powers. .It seems Shiva assumed  an extremely pretty form of Bhikshandar  and along with Vishnu as Mohini   he walked through that forest and the wives of sages were  greatly attracted by   the pretty Lord Shiva. The  sages living there  then  sent  serpents to attack Lord Shiva and he wore them as ornament over his matted hair. Then the rishis  sent a fierce tiger to attack lord Shiva and he killed the tiger and wore its hide as  his dress. Then the rishis  created an evil spirit called Muyalaka  and send him to destroy lord Shiva. Lord Shiva stepped on the back of Muyalaka   and  danced , the dance of eternal bliss. This news spread all over heavens  and Adhi Sesha  wanted to see  the dance again.Lord Shiva asked him to be born in Chidambaram  as  sage Patanjali(the great grammarian of Sanskrit) ,He was joined there by another sage called Vyagrapada  , who got the feet of tiger by penance so that  he would be able to climb the trees and pluck pretty flowers for Lord Shiva.. It seems Lord Shiva   again did Ananda Tandavam for  the sake of two great sages and in that place where a temple of temple of Thirumoolataaneswar temple  existed , the present temple of Nataraja  was built.In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple  there are  two sections. In one section is the  majestic lord Nataraja and near him there is another  Sannidhi called  Chidambara Rahasyam(secret  of Chidambaram)   and here the lord  exists  as formless  ether(sky) . There  is a huge  emerald linga and a crystal linga  inside the sanctum.  Goddess Shivakamasundari is the  consort of Lord Nataraja   and she has a separate temple  in side the temple complex.. The temple  from its inception has been managed  by  a group of Brahmins  called Deekshithars.  In the olden times they were  referred to as Thillai moovayiram (The 3000 of Thillai) .Once a Deekshithar either crosses the border of  Chidambaram or  undertakes  any other  work other than temple  maintenance  , he  loses  his position. Also a Deekshithar has necessarily  get married to another Deekshithar girl. Now the Deekshithar population has come down to around 300. But even today the huge temple  complex is managed by them.

     All the kings of Tamil Nadu from the earliest times have donated  properties and ornaments to the God . The most interesting is a  Padakkam of emerald donated  by Tippu Sultan.All the Shivaite saints  have visited and sung about this great temple .

Ananda Natana prakasam

By

Muthuswami Dekshithar

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Kedaram

Thalam  Mishra  Chapu

Pallavi

Ananda natana prakasam  chithsabhesam,

Aasrayami   Shivakama vallesam

Pallavi

I take shelter in the luster  of the joyful dance,

Of the Lord of the divine stage who is the consort of Shivakami.

Anupallavi

Bhanu koti  samkasam,

Bhakthi mukthi prada daharakasam,

Dheena jana  samrakshanachanam.

Anupallavi

He who is like the billions of Suns ,

He who is like   the thin sky which gives wealth and salvation,

And who is  one who protects the oppressed men.

Madhya Kala Sahithyam

Divya patathanjali   Vyagrapada   darsitha kunjithabja Charanam

Madhyama kala  Sahithyam

The dancing feet  which was  seen by the divine Vyagrapada  and Pathanjali.

Charanam

Sheethamsu gangadharam , neela kandharam,

Sri Kedaraa dhi Kshethraadhaaram,

Bruthesam  sardula charmambaramn  Chidambaram,

Bhoosura  trisahasra muneeswaram Visweswaram,

Nava neetha hrudayam  sadaya  guru guha  thathamaadhyam,

Veda Vedhyam  veetharaginam  apremeya advaitha prathipadhyam,

Sangeetha vaadhya  vinodha   thandavajatha bahuthara bedachodhyam.

Charanam

He who carries  the moon and the ganges , He who has a blue neck,

He who is  the basis of Kedhara and other   temples,

He who has a butter like heart , The Shiva  who is the father  of Guru Guha,

He who is studied by Vedas, who is dispassionate, who is dealt by the unfathomable Advaitha,

He who is entertained by music   and dance  in its very many different forms.

Agni lingam of Arunachaleswarar temple , Thiruvanna malai and Deekshithar krithi on Agni lingam

Agni lingam of Arunachaleswarar temple  , Thiruvanna malai

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

       Thiruvannamalai (Literally the  divine brother’s mountan)  is a town in Tamil Nadu. The temple of Arunachaleswarar , possibly the biggest  Shiva temple  any where  in the world is  located here  on the foothills  of Arunachala  mountain. IT occupies an area of  10 hecatres and has its eastern Gopuram  which is 66 meters  tall. There is a thousand pillar  mantapa there.  There  is a very interesting story  behind this temple  .It seems once  Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma   had   a difference of opinion  about the relative superiority of each other and they approached  Lord Shiva to judhe. Lord Shiva  stood before them as  a column of fire    and asked them to find either his feet  or head.Lord Brahma took the form of a swan and went  to the  top searching  for the head of Shiva and Lord Vishnu   took the form of a  boar  and went searching for the  feet of Lord Shiva. After  trying their  best , when Lord Vishnu admitted that  he failed in his task, Lord Brahma   said  that he had seen the head of Shiva   and quoted a  Thazham poo flower  as the flase  witness .Lord Shiva then cursed  Lord Brahma  that there should be no temple for  Lord Brahma  in this earth and that  Thazham poo flower  should not be used  for worship of God. Then Shiva stood as a column of fire   during Kritha yuga  , was an emerald  during thretha  yugam , gold during Dwapara yugam and as a stone in Kaliyuga. Carbon dating has indicated that the rock of Arunachala  mountains is of very ancient  origin.That stone is the present Arunachala hills   and a temple to Lord Shiva  was  built  for Shiva in the  foot hills,There is a Sanskrit  saying that  , you  would get salvation   if you see God of Chidambaram, , if you  take birth at Tiruvarur  , if you die in Benares   and just by thinking  of Arunachalam. Another  sloka says , that   all the stones  of  Arunachala  are Shiva lingas.The Goddess  at this temple is called Apeetha Kuchambal (Unna mulai  amman.)  ,Arunachala the mountain has been for ages  has been the place of  stay and penance  of very many great sages.

Arunachala Nadham

By

Muthuswami Deekshithar

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Saranga

Thalam Roopakam

Pallavi

Arunachala Nadham   smarami anisam,

Apeetha kuchambha samedham

Pallavi

I meditate  on the lord of Arunachala(Red mountain)  without interruption,

Along with the Goddess Apeetha Kuchamba. (Mother with  unfed breasts)

Anupallavi

Smaranath   kaivalyapradha   charanaravindham,

Thaunadhithya  koti  sankasa  Chidanantham.

Anupallavi

The lotus like fet which on remembering would give salvation,

Which has the luster of billions  of young Suns and which is divinely joyous.

Madhyama Kala Sahithyam

Karuna rasadhi kandham  saranagatha  sura vrundham

Madhyama Kala Sahithyam

The flower full of juice of mercy  to which groups of devas surrender

Charanam

Apraakrutha thejomaya lingam , athyadhbutha kara drutha sarangam,

Aprameyamaparnaabja brungam  AAroodathunga vrusha  thurangam

Charanam

The  shining  Linga which is not natural , who holds in his hand a wonderful deer,

The unfathomable measure of lotus like Parvathi, who rides   on bull which travels fast.

Madhyama  Kala Sahithyam

Viprothama visesha antharangam , veera guruguha thara prasangam,

SWapradheepa mouli vidrutha gangam , swaprakasa jitha   somagni pathangam.

Madhyama Kala Sahithyam

God who is in the special mind of great Brahmins*, who is  the protector of the valorous guru Guha,

Who shines with    The ganges decorating his head   and shines himself      with  the spark  fire and the moon

       *this refers   to the great honour   shown to  Thirujnana  Sambandar   at  this temple

Prithvi linga in Ekambareswarar temple of Kanchipuram and Muthuswami deekshithar kruthi

Prithvi  linga in Ekambareswarar    temple  of Kanchipuram   and Muthuswami deekshithar kruthi

       Ekambareswarar temple (Derived from Eka amreswarar  i.e Lord of the single  mango tree-He is also called as Ma moola natha)   is located  in the town of Kanchipuram.There   is a great story attached  to this temple. It  seems just for fun Goddess Parvathi    closed the eyes of Lord Shiva . His eyes being Sun and moon  , the entire   world became very dark and there  was a chaos in the world. Then Lord Shiva cursed  Goddess   to be born as   a human being. Later   he pardoned  her and told her   to do his worship and penance  under a great mango tree  in Kanchipuram .In order  to test her devotion it seems  he  sent fire to destroy the  idol of sand which she was worshipping .Goddess Parvathi requested her brother  Lord Vishnu  to save her .Lord Vishnu  took the moon from Shiva’s head and showed  it  to the fire  and the fire got cooled down .Later Lord   shiva sent river ganges to destroy the Linga. Since river ganges   was the  sister  of Goddess Parvathi   she also did not destroy  the lingam.(some legends say that  Shiva sent river Vegavathi to destroy the Linga and God vishu lay down on the way to  prevent the  river water   from reaching the Linga).But when Goddess Parvathi hugged the Linga for saving it, God Shiva  was pleased and came there  and married her beneath  that mango tree.(Because of this Lord Shiva  there is called in Tamil as THazhuva Kuzhaindanar-He who got pleased by an embrace and Ekamra Natha-Lord of single mango tree). This mango tree is supposed to be 3500 years old and yields four different type of mangoes in its four main branches). The name of the Goddess  is Kamakshi but she does not have  a temple in this complex or any other Shiva temple in Kanchipuram and has a separate temple  of her own  as Kamakshi in Kanchipuram .It is also believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Kamakshi danced in this place   to save  the world. The temple occupies an area of  23 acres. The Raja Gopuram(main tower at entrance) to this temple  is 59 meters high and is one of the tallest  in South India. The temple has a thousand pillared hall  .Since the Linga worshipped by Goddess  Parvathi  was made of sand , this Linga is believed to be Prithivi Lingam.  Muthuswamy Deekshithar, one of the trinity of Carnatic music has composed  the following Krithi  in praise of the Lord Ekambareswarar:-

Chinthayaa  maa  kandha   moola kandham

By

Muthuswami deekshithar

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam  BHairavii

Thalam Roopakam

Pallavi

Chinthaya maa kandha   moola kandha  ,

Chetha sri Somaskandham.

Pallavi

Oh mind , meditate  on  the Somaskandha* ,

Who sits  under the mango tree and who is  the basic God

        *A panel of Shiva, with uma and Skana(Somaskanda) is there  below the  mango tree.

Anupallavi

SAnthatham akhanda  sachid anandam  ,

Samrajya pradha*  charanara vindham

      *Lord  is believed have given kingdom to Pallavas

Anupallavi

He is always   the  endless  divine  joy  ,

Whose lotus  like feet   would give an empire.

Charanam

Mangala kara  mandahasa  vadanam,

Manikhya  maya   Kanchi sadanam,

Anga soundharya   vijitha  madanam

Anthaka soodanam KUndha radhanam,

(Madhyama  kala SAhithyam)

Uthunga   kamaneeya   vrusha thurangam bhairavi prasngam*,

Guru guhantharangam Pruthvee  lingam.

    *Embraced by Parvathi

Charanam

He has an auspicious  shining  face  ,

He lives  in Kanchi   which is filled  with Manikhya gems,

He has won over God of love   by his  beauty  ,

He is the killer of  God  of death   and has teeth like  jasmine,

(Madhyama  Kala  Sahithyam)

He rides  on a tall  and very pretty bull and is the consort of Bhairavi,

He is in the mind of Guruguha and is there as a  Linga made of earth.

The Vayu Linga in Srikalahasthi and deekshithar’s krithi on Kalihastheeswara.

The Vayu  Linga in Srikalahasthi and deekshithar’s krithi  on Kalihastheeswara.

By

P.R.Ramachander

   Kalahasthi  temple  is situated   36 km  from the temple  town of  Thirupathi. This temple  is usually referred   top as Dakshina Kailasam. This temple has been named after  a spider(sri) , serpent(Kala)   and an elephant (Hasthi)   who were  very great devotees  of the Lord.It seems once upon a time the elephant used  to daily do Abhishekam by bringing   water in its trunk and  later worship the Linga   by BIlwa leaves.It seems  the spider was protecting the Linga by spinning a web and the serpent  was guarding the linga and used to place the  SArpa rathna(Gem  of serpent) on the  top of the LInga for decoration.

It seems once Goddess  Parvathi  was cursed  by Lord Shiva to take a human form  and she did penance here  to get normal divine form. It seems Lord Shiva   was pleased by her great penance and gave back her divine body   and also  taught her divine  wisdom.Because of this the  Goddess   at this temple   is called Jnanaprasoonambika .There  is also another story of  this temple associating  it with  a hunter  king Kannappa. It seems this hunter was daily  worshipping the linga  .One day he saw  blood flowing   from  one of the eyes of Linga.Greatly perturbed he plucked one of his own eye   and replaced   that wounded eye . But then blood started   flowing from the other   eye. Greatly shocked  , it seems  he plucked another  of his eyes   and replaced   the other eye .God was pleased personally came there and granted him salvation.

   The lamp I lit in the sanctum of the  temple  , which does not have any windows it seems keeps on waving  proving the existence of wind in the  sanctum sanctorum. This  is the reason why people believe that   God here  is the Vayu Linga. This temple is also a  pariharasthala    for sarpa dosha. It is believed  that if this parihara  pooja is done in the  Rahu Kala    it is extremely effective.

    This temple also has sub temples for Shiva  Lingas  dedicated to all the five elements.

   Muthuswami Deekshithar  one of the  musical trinity  of Tamilnadu had visited   this temple and has  composed   a Krithi extolling    the Lord and the Goddess.. Here  is that Krithi with English translation:-

Sri Kalahastheesa

By

Muthuswami deekshithar

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Huseini

Talam Jampa

Pallavi

 Sri Kalahatheesa   sritajanavanasameerakara,

Maam pahi  Rajamaule   ehi

Pallavi

Please protect me  oh God of Kalahasthi , who protects  those who take refuge  in you,

Who is the form   of air   and who is Rajamauli

Anupallavi

Pakari   vidhi   hari pranamaya kosa anila  aksha 

Bhumi  salilagni  praksha  shiva,

Anupallavi

You are  the soul   of  Indra, Brahma    and Lord Vishnu 

And you are the air who illuminates the ether  , earth  , water and fire,

Charanam

Jnana   prasomnnambika pathe , bhakthabhimana  ,

Dakshina Kailasa vasa, abheeshta dana chathura karabja,

Deena Karuna nidhe  soona shara suda, ajnana hara pasupathe ,

(Madhyama kala sahithyam)

Jnana  Guruguha  sachidanandamaya murthe,

Hina jathi kiratakena   poojitha  keerthe

Charanam

Lord of Jnanaprasoonambika   who lives  in Dakshina Kailasa,

Recognised  by devotees  , who fulfills desires  ,

Who using his able lotus  like hands  is the treasure of mercy of the   suffering,

Who killed  God who has arrows of flower , who destroys ignorance  , Who is lord of all beings ,

Who was taught Jnana  by Subrahmanya  , who is pervaded   with divine  joy 

And who has   the fame of being worshipped  by a lower caste  hunter.