Thiruppavai Paasuram 17 - Ambarame thanneere - 1st January

The gopis get inside the palace of Nandagopan after besieging the gatekeepers and now, they have to wake up Krishna's parents, Nandagopan and Yasodha, and Lord Krishna himself and his brother Balarama. So, they reach their chambers and try to awaken one-by-one.

Paasuram - 17 of Thiruppavai

Ambarame thaNNeere SoRe aRam Seyyum
Emberumaan Nandagopaalaa eZhundiraay
Kombanaarkellaam kozhunDe kulaviLakke
Emberumaatti Yasodhaa aRivuraay
AmbaramoodaRiththu ONgiuLagaLandha
UmbaR komaane uRangaaDu eLundiRaay
SemboR kazhaLadi chelvaa BalaDevaa
Umbiyum neeyum uRangelor embaavaay

Outer, explicit literal meaning of this paasuram

The gopis first awaken Nandagopan by praising his virtues.
Oh, King Nandagopan, who generously gifts away clothes, water, and food in abundant quantities, Oh, our Lord kindly awaken.
Oh, Queen Yasodha, who is the slimmest, young beautiful lady (being like a tender child) among all the gentle women and is the brightest light of the entire clan, please wake up.
Oh Krishna, who pierced through the sky with your gigantic form and measured all worlds with two steps, please awaken.
Oh Baladeva, whose feet are adorned with reddish golden anklets, please wake up along with your brother.

The inner, in-depth meaning of the Thiruppavai paasuram 17 

Andal here refers to the four essentials required for accomplishing union with God.
One should first seek an Acharyan, thereafter the Thirumantram, next, he should understand the meaning of it and the last one is to get to the essence of that Thirumantram.
Nandagopan is the Acharyan here. Lord Vishnu himself has imparted the Thirumantram to Goddess Lakshmi. Nandagopan is compared to Vishnu and so got praised as the giver of all essentials.
Yasodha is Compared to Vishnu's consort Lakshmi and so being praised as the most virtuous lady who possessed Lord Krishna in her womb. So, she is the Thirumantram,
Krishna and Balarama are the meaning and essence of Thirumantram. Both are inseparable as they are Sriman Narayan and Adi Seshan themselves. So, along with Krishna, Balarama also gets awakened. The gopis request Balarama to awaken Krishna also along with himself.

Thiruppavai Paasuram 16 - naayaganaay ninRa - 31st December

Thiruppavai paasuram 16 is an important one as it is the stage where the gopis enter the house (temple or Vaikuntham) of Lord Narayana in the form of Krishna to besiege for his darshan and blessings.

Paasuram 16

Naayaganaay ninRa Nandagopan udaiya
Koil kaappaane kodi thhonrum thoraNa
Vaasal kaappaane maNi kaDavam thaaL thiRavaay
Aayar siRumiyomukku arai paRai
Maayan maNi vaNNan nennele vaay neRundaaN
Thooyomaay vandhom thuyiLeda paaduvaan
Vaayaal munnamunNam maatRaadhe amma nee
Nesanilai kadhavam neekkeLor embaavay

Outer, literal meaning of this paasuram
Oh, dear (embaavay) guard of our king Nandagopan's (temple) palace, oh guard at the highly visible flag-staff (the Garuda dhwaja) that is decorated with thoraNams (festoons), please unlock the bejeweled door to let us in.
Lord Krishna, who is full of wondrous deeds and whose complexion is like that of blue sapphire gems, has already promised us to bestow with Parai.
We have come here without sleeping (with a pure heart) to awaken Him with praising songs.
Please don't say no to us immediately, kindly open the door without hesitation listening to our request.

In-depth inner meaning of this paasuram 16 of Thiruppavai
The gopis are the devotees. In order to enter the Lord's Vaikuntham, they have to first cross the doors by appeasing the gate-keepers.
The gate-keepers here refer to the teachers or acharyas who show us the path to moksha.
The temple is the abode of Lord Narayana, Vaikuntham. There are two Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers), one who guards the building and the other who guards the entrance to Lord's presence. Here, the guards are the two mantras of moola mantra and dhvaya mantra as revealed by Lord Narayana to Goddess Lakshmi and through her to other Acharyas. So, the devotees should seek the help of these two mantras to possess God's blessings.
Hence, the request is made to the Acharyas to kindly accept us into their presence as disciples without refusing our prayers instantly (as we have come to them with a pure heart) and impart us these two mantras so that we can reach the abode of Lord Narayana who has already promised through his various avatars that he will grant moksha to all those who seek his protection with a pure heart and sincere efforts.

Thiruppavai- A Holy Composition of 30 Verses by Andal (Goda Devi)

Thiruppavai is a collection of 30 stanzas or verses (known as paasurams in Tamil and Telugu languages). Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya people regard this Tiruppavai book as very auspicious. They narrate the performance of a ceremony known as Holy Penance (Thiru Pavai) as construed by Goda Devi also known as Kodai in Tamil Language (and as Choodikudutha Naachhiyar).

Goda Devi, Author & Devotee 

These Tiruppavai paasurams were composed by Sri Goda Devi, also known as Andal, who was a great devotee and lover of Lord Krishna (presently in the form of Sri Ranganathaswamy in Srirangam Temple). She was the adopted child of a great priest named Vishnu Chitta of Srivilliputtur temple near Madurai. She was attracted to God since childhood and developed pure love and attachment to Him as she grew up. She decided to marry God and not any human being. To achieve unity with Him, she performed the ritual of Pavai as a vow or penance. She would offer garlands to God after testing them for freshness. So, she came to be known as Choodikudutha naachhiyaar.

Tiruppavai Significance

Thiruppavai refers to the revered Pavai, a type of penance performed primarily by young women to achieve specific desires. Kothai, also known as Andal, undertakes this significant ceremony under the guise of a religious ritual. This practice takes place during the auspicious month of Marghazhi, which runs from December 16 to January 14, a time deemed part of the celestial dawn in heaven.

In her role as a cowherdess, Goda Devi invites other young girls to join her in performing this ritual to seek eternal bliss for all. She continues this practice for all 30 days, rising early at Brahma Muhurtam each morning and worshiping God with a verse she composed in praise of Him. So, she wove 30 paasurams, one each per day, and performed this ritual. On completion of this penance, God appears in a dream to her father and orders him to get her married to Him in the Sri Rangam Temple. 

To know how to perform Dhanurmasam rituals, view this article about "Dhanurmasam".

Tiruppavai Contents

The first five verses of Tiruppavai introduce us to the main purpose and theme of this ritual. While common people seek happiness in life, Andal pursues a deeper form of eternal happiness and bliss—attaining unity with God. Although other members of her group may believe she is seeking worldly happiness like them, Goda Devi emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from worshiping God rather than from material luxuries. She encourages people to rise early in the morning, take a bath, and make offerings of flowers and sincere prayers to God, seeking His blessings and true happiness in their lives. Goda Devi also asserts that honest prayers can bring rain and prosperity.

The next ten stanzas of Thiruppavai emphasize the importance of collective participation and highlight how nature and surroundings contribute to the success of one's penance. Andal stresses the significance of honestly fulfilling daily duties rather than avoiding them under the guise of being busy with spiritual rituals. She goes around her neighborhood, waking up each friend to join her in the ritual and describing the beautiful aspects of nature, such as the chirping of birds, the vibrant colors of the sky and clouds, the blooming flowers, their enchanting fragrances, the bells ringing from the necks of cattle, the reverberating echoes of chants from temples, and the sounds of conches. 

Andal reminds everyone that these elements are part of daily life and encourages them to rise early to find inspiration in their surroundings. She urges them to perform their daily routines while also engaging in spiritual meditations and rituals. Furthermore, she advises that we should restrain ourselves from indulging in worldly pleasures by curtailing our desires, ego, prestige, and pride. Only then will God be pleased, granting us all blessings and happiness.

In verses 16 to 22, the text describes the awakening of Lord Krishna's father, mother, brother, consort Neela, and finally, Lord Krishna himself. In these verses, the author praises their great virtues while emphasizing that God is not limited to certain chosen individuals but is accessible to all His devotees. It’s important for everyone to remember this truth and not to hinder others from seeking His companionship and blessings.

In the following five stanzas, from 23 to 27, Andal asks for Krishna's forgiveness for waking Him up so early in the morning, while also glorifying Him by listing all His virtues. The 28th verse highlights the humbleness and ignorance of people in recognizing or realizing God, and it requests that He kindly bestow His gifts upon them in the form of eternal bliss.

Verse 29 describes her vow and the determination of other devotees to perform the Pavai ritual in order to attain eternal happiness and find relief from worldly problems.

Verse 30 serves as the concluding stanza, summarizing her collection of these 30 verses, known as Pasurams. This verse emphasizes their dedication to God and states that anyone who recites them daily for 30 consecutive days without fail will receive all the pleasures and blessings from God.

This text captures the essence, importance, and purpose of Thiruppavai, which is recited by Sri Vaishnava devotees, especially during Dhanurmasam, a month that occurs from December 16 to January 14 each year.

To learn more about the story of Andal or Goda Devi view this "article on Andal's life and her greatness".

Each one of these 30 paasurams has been provided by me with full meanings in my other posts tagged with the label "Tiruppavai".

How to Manage the Problem of Cash Crunch in India after Demonetization 2016

Demonetization of the high valued currency notes of Rs.1000 and Rs.500 by our PM Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016, has gripped the country with a severe problem of cash crunch or cash crisis.

All banks and ATMs have gone cashless and people are left with no money at all to meet their daily requirements essential for the everyday existence. Poor people with no knowledge of online transactions or e-payments are the worst hit. They had to depend on the mercy of vendors and traders who could offer them their daily essentials on credit.

The media and the political parties have expressed their own views and launched much criticism of the step taken by our PM Modi and our central bank RBI in their varying comments and at public meetings.

Many of them opined that it was the result of the lack of proper planning and foresight on the part of Reserve Bank of India and our Government. But, they didn't think of the circumstances that lead to taking such a sudden step overnight by our PM.

I appreciate the bold move taken by our government even though most of us had to face many difficulties in coping with our daily necessities due to the lack of cash.

I thought of presenting my own opinions here in this regard and to offer my own suggestions to tackle the situation in a better manner.

How to tackle the problem of the cash crunch in our country?

1) First of all, I would like to suggest that RBI should not release all the amount of withdrawn currency notes that they print. They should print only 65% of the withdrawn currency as advised by some thinkers of the economy. Even after printing the 65%, they should make available only half of the notes to be circulated again among the public. So, only up to 35% of the total withdrawn currency should be in circulation and the balance 30% should be kept in reserve for emergencies with RBI and not with the commercial Banks.

The real position of currency notes and their printing is as follows:

Suppose that the total demonetized notes were as follows according to some reliable reports in media.
1650 crore notes of Rs.500  =Rs 8.25 lakh crore in value
  670 crore notes of Rs.1000=Rs 6.70 lakh crore in value
The total value of demonetized =Rs 14.95 lakh crore in value

RBI sources informed according to a media report published in the economictimes.com dated 19/12/2016 that as on 8/11/2016, RBI had printed 2473 million pieces of Rs 2000 denomination notes before announcing the demonetization. The value of those notes amounts to Rs 4.946 lakh crores.

So, RBI already had a fund of Rs 4.95 lakh crore to meet the demonetization effect.

Now, if RBI should print only 65% of the demonetized value of notes, it should print (14.95 lakh crore x 65% = Rs 9.72 lakh crore value of the currency.

But, we already have Rs 4.95 lakh crore in the shape of Rs 2000 notes.
So, we need to print only (9.72 less 4.95 = 4.77) Rs 4.77 lakh crore value of the currency.

If all this value of the currency is printed in the shape of Rs 500 notes, we need to print 954 crore notes.

According to these same reports, the currency printing machines have a capacity of printing only 7.4 crore notes a day in their present working conditions of two shifts per day.

So, to print 954 crore notes, it will take (954 divided by 7.4) 129 days roughly or say 4 months.

If RBI started printing the notes from 1st December itself at this rate, the notes will be ready by 8th April 2017. So, we have to bear another 3 months till the position improves.

2) Establishments and business companies should disburse only Rs.10,000 in cash as salaries and the rest amount should be credited to the bank accounts of their employees. This will control the cash shortage by limiting the cash in the hands of people.

As of now, our population is around 134 crores. So, if RBI is printing a total of 972000 crore value of the currency (9.72 lakh crore value including Rs 2000 notes), each individual including the just born child will be having a sum of Rs 7250 with him for immediate needs. This is excluding the other notes of Rs.100, 50, 20, and 10 denominations.

So, if a family has 4 members, it will have roughly Rs 30,000 with them. This is too much for meeting your cash transactions. That is why I advocate for releasing only half of the printed currency for circulation among the public.

3) Banks should allow only a maximum of Rs.20,000 as cash withdrawals and nothing more than that limit during any month excepting some special cases where it is necessary.

4) Government and Banks should provide safer and quicker means of making cashless transactions.

5) I think all people should open savings or other current accounts with Banks and get their ATM cards. These ATM cards can be used very safely for making any kind of payment with no threats of security if properly maintained.

6) Mobile apps can also be taken to make other transactions but they should be properly guarded.

7) Public awareness should be promoted to educate people regarding the various types of safer apps and tools available for going cashless and regarding their proper usage with public demonstrations conducted throughout all the corners of the country. 

P.V.Sindhu - Top Badminton Player | Shining Star Player of India

You are a great star, PV Sindhu! Thank you very much for making us proud of you.

We are so much proud of you, Dear daughter of India. You have been the shining star at Rio Olympics.

You played it so talentedly and confidently and fought it till the end and got that Silver for India- the first ever Indian woman to clinch a silver medal in Olympics history.

The Badminton finals game at Rio 2016 has been a great sight to be watched. The strokes played by you were simply perfect and smart and well-calculated. It has been a great feast watching both of you, PV Sindhu and Spain's Carolina Marin, playing such superb strokes and with such equal skills.

It doesn't matter (even though it matters for history and records purpose) whether you got the Gold or not. It is the talent and the sportsmanship you displayed that counts.

You displayed a very wonderful talent and played the entire game with so much endurance, determination, sportsmanship and without losing your confidence until the last minute. That's a great point and quality which makes you shine even more.

And, in the end, when you could not make the Gold you never did break out. You simply went to the winner, Carolina Marin, who was crying with joy laying on the ground and hugged her so warmly and congratulated her with your full heart. That is what is required here in sports.

Sports and games always mean one would win and the other will lose. But taking it as it comes and accepting the fact is a great quality. You kept that dignity of the sportsmanship.

Keep up your spirit and go ahead with challenges and never lose the confidence in yourself.

Medals will keep coming on.

Best of luck, Sindhu, India's Top Badminton Player!

Hanuman Karya Siddhi Mantra | Mantra for Accomplishing Jobs Without Hindrance or Failure

Hanuman Karya Siddhi mantra is a small mantra of two lines which is advised to be recited for 11 times daily for your daily success and happiness in life.

This can be also known as the Hanuman mantra for success.

For accomplishing extra-ordinary tasks or overcoming serious problems of life, some pundits/sages or seers recommend chanting this mantra for 108 times or 11 times for 40 days.

Most of this depends upon your belief and true devotion also.


What is a mantra?
A mantra is a sacred utterance of some word or words with true devotion and faith in God in the Vedic culture. A mantra can be either a single syllable like "om" or a word or phrase or a verse. It is uttered repeatedly (mostly in a melodious style) to invoke God and to obtain his blessings.


Some Examples of 'mantra'

• "Om" is a single syllable mantra invoking the eternal soul by sending vibrations throughout the entire universe with the sound of 'om'. It is used mostly for concentrating oneself on meditation.
• "Om Namah Shivaya" is a mantra uttered many times to please Lord Shiva.
• "Om Namo Narayanaya" is another mantra recited many times to please and obtain blessings from Lord Vishnu.
• There are many other mantras designed for pleasing and invoking God in different forms to achieve particular goals.

Below is the "Karya Siddhi Hanuman mantra" with lyrics and meanings. It can also be known as the Hanuman mantra for success (for achieving success or overcoming problems in life): 

"tvamasmin kaarya niryOgE pramaaNam hari sattama,

Hanuman yatnamaastaaya dukkha kshaya karO bhava".

Meaning of above mantra (word-by-word):
tvam = you; asmin = my or mine; kaarya = work or job; niryoge = accomplishment, or achieving something with a balance of mind; pramaanam = witness or example; hari sattama = noble or good among monkeys; hanuman = name of the monkey king and devotee of Sri Rama; yatnam = efforts; aasthaaya= to keep in control; dukkha = sorrow; kshaya = destruction or depletion; karo = to do; bhava = let it be (Amen).

Full meaning (essence) of the above mantra:
O Hanuman, you are the greatest example of the accomplishment of any kind of difficult tasks. (Hanuman had crossed the ocean in search of Sita defeating many demons in the way and performed many other miracles also).
Please take control of my efforts and protect me by destroying the sorrows and problems of my life. Amen.

So, you may please recite the mantra and get the blessings of Hanuman.

P.S.
For those who are interested in the story of Hanuman's Wonderful Flight over the ocean to reach Lanka in search of Sita during which journey he encountered many demons and obstructions, I have done an elaborate description of his crossing the ocean till reaching Lanka in this below-linked article.

https://hubpages.com/literature/A-beautiful-scene-from-valmiki-ramayana-describing-Hanuman-flight-over-ocean-to-Lanka 

Sri Venkateswara Stotram Lyrics | Tirupati Balaji Stotram Lyrics With Meanings in English

The Venkateswara stotram lyrics are prayers addressed to Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara Swamy also known as Tirupati Balaji.

These lyrics are rendered to describe the glory and virtues of God Vishnu and his beauty and for seeking his protection and blessings.

It is believed that reciting these lyrics makes God much happy and pleasant and in return, he bestows his graceful eyes on his devotees and grants their wishes.

Venkatesa Stotram is generally recited at early morning hours during routine worship. It is a part of the four parts that constitute the overall "Venkateswara Suprabhatam" that is being daily recited in the Tirumala Tirupati Temple and other temples; and also in many houses.

The Venkateswara stotram is the second part or section that follows after the Suprabhatam section.

This section starts with the first sloka of "Kamala Kucha chu..." and contains 11 sloka or verses.

The entire Suprabhatam containing four sections is composed by Prativadi Bhayamkaram Annan, a disciple of Manavala Mahamuni during the early 15th century.

The four sections of Venkateswara Suprabhatam are as follows:
1) Suprabhatam  (29 verses)
2) Venkateswara stotram (11 verses)
3) Venkatesa prapatti  (16 verses)
4) Mangalasasanam  (14 verses)


Normally, all the four sections are recited, especially on Saturdays. But, one may not be able to spare so much time to recite all the four sections. So, for such people who may not be able to devote more time to worship, they can directly recite the second part containing Venkateswara stotram to seek the blessings and grace of God.

I am providing these lyrics of "Tirupati Balaji Stotram" in English text with their meanings at the end of each verse.


Venkateswara Stotram

Kamalaakucha choochuka kumkumatO
niyataa ruNitaa tulaneelatanO
kamalaayata lOchana lOkapatE
vijayeebhava venkata shailapatE ||     (1)

Meaning: Lotus like breasts of Lord are ever red with the stains of kumkum that is being sprinkled on his chest during the daily worships, whereas his body is blue-colored.
Victory to Thee, O Lord of Venkata hill, whose eyes are wide like lotus petals.


Sachaturmukha, shanmukha, panchamukha
pramukhaakila daivata mouLimaNE
sharaNaagata vatsala saaranidhE
paripaalayamaam vrisha shailapatE ||  (2)

Meaning: Including the four-faced Brahma, six-faced Kumaraswamy (Subrahmanya swami), and five-faced Hanuman, you are the greatest crown jewel among all angels. You are the abode of kindness to those who submit themselves at your feet.
O Lord of Vrisha hill, save me.


AtivElatayaa tava durvishai
anuvEla kritair aparaadha shatai
bharitam tvaritam vrisha shailapatE
parayaa krupayaa paripaahi harE ||    (3)

Meaning: Extremely trembling on being committed various sins and hundreds of wrong deeds, I came running speedily to submit myself at your feet.
O Lord of Vrisha hill, shower mercy on me.


AdhivEnkata shaila mudaaramatE
janataabhi mataadhika daanarataat
para dEvatayaa gaditaannigamai
kamalaa dayitaanna param kalayE ||   (4)

Meaning: O bounteous Lord of Venkata hill, who gives away always more than what your devotees desire, all the other angels (gods) are also saluting to you, and none is equal to you.


KalavENuravaa vasha gOpa vadhoo
shatakOti vrutaatsmarakOti samaat
prativallavi kaabhi mataatsukhadaat
vasudEva sutaa nnaparam kalayE ||    (5)

Meaning: With an enchanting music from your flute, you attracted the gopis and bestowed each one of them with their desired happiness that is equal to the happiness obtained from hundred crore penances or crores of prayers.
O Son of VasudEva (Krishna), none is equal to you.



Abhiraama guNaakara daasharathE
jagadEka dhanurdhara dheera matE
Raghunaayaka raama ramEsha vibhO
varadObhava dEva dayaajaladhE ||     (6)

Meaning: You have been the lovely and virtuous son of Dasharatha; you are the only courageous and great archer of the entire world, the chief of Raghukula, the pleasing and entertaining Lord.
Please grant the boon to me, O Lord and Ocean of Mercy. 


Avanee tanayaa kamaneeyakaram
rajaneekara chaaru mukhaamburuham
rajaneechara raaja tamomihiram
mahaneeya maham raghuraama mayE || (7)

Meaning: Your pretty hands are held by the daughter of Earth, Sita; and you are beautiful with your lotus-like face resembling the moon. You are the king dispelling all the darkness by walking in the nights.
Grant me refuge O Rama of Raghu clan.


Sumukham suhrudam sulabham sukhadam
svanujam cha sukhaaya mamOgha sharam
apahaaya raghoodvaha manyamaham
na kathancha na kanchana jaatu bhajE || (8)

Meaning: You are pleasant-faced, good-hearted, easily reachable, and you are the provider of happiness along with your brothers and with a never-ending flow of arrows.
So, I never pray to anyone else even for a while except you, O Rama.

                                                                                                                                             
Vinaa venkatEsam nanaadhO nanaadhah
sadaa venkatEsam smaraami smaraami
harE venkatEsa praseeda praseeda
priyam venkaEesa prayachcha prayachcha || (9)  (two times)

Meaning: Without you, O Venkateshwara, I am an orphan. I always keep remembering your name.
O Venkatesa, kindly be pleased with me and bestow me with your love and grace.


Aham dooratastE padaambhOja yugma
pranaamEchcha yaagatya sEvaam karOmi
sakrutsEvayaa nitya sEvaa phalam tvam
prayachcha prayachcha prabhO venkatEsa || (10)

Meaning: I have been far away from your lotus-like feet and have now come with a wish to serve the feet.
So, Lord Venkatesha, I request you, again and again, please allow me the benefit of performing a good service to you.


Ajnaaninaa mayaa dOshaa nasEshaan vihitaan harE
kshamasva tvam kshamasva tvam shEsha saila shikhaamaEe || (11) (two times)

Meaning: The sins committed by me are all simply due to the sheer ignorance of mine; so kindly please pardon me, pardon me, O jewel of Sesha Shaila Mountain.

Shiva Panchakshari | Shiva Mantra | Powerful Lyrics of Lord Shiva

Do you know the importance of Shiva "panchakshari" in Hindu religion which gets recited daily morning by millions of people?

"Pancha" means five. "Akshara" means letter.
The mantra "Namah Shivaya" contains five letters or syllables of 'na', 'ma', 'shi', 'va' 'ya'.

This Shiva mantra refers to five slokas or hymns based on these five syllables praising the glory of Lord Shiva as well as the power of these syllables.

One who recites these lyrics daily morning (or during any period of problems), will get an instant relief from all his problems and attains moksha after his death.



I am providing the lyrics in three languages of Hindi, Telugu, and English and the full meanings of the mantra at the end of this post in the English language.

Shiva Mantra in Hindi / Sanskrit text


ओम नमः शिवाय 

Shiva with Parvati and Ganesha

नागेन्द्र हाराय त्रिलोचनाय
भस्मांग रागाय महेश्वराय
नित्याय शुध्धाय दिगम्बराय
तस्मै नकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ (1)

मंदाकिनी सलिल चन्दन चर्चिताय
नन्दीश्वर प्रमधः नाथ महेश्वराय
मन्दार मुख्य बहुपुष्प सुपूजिताय
तस्मै मकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ (2)

शिवाय गौरी वदनारविन्द
सूर्याय दक्षाध्वर नाशकाय
श्री नीलकंठाय वृषध्वजाय
तस्मै शिकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ (3)

वशिष्ट कुम्भोद्भव गौतमादि
मुनीन्द्र देवार्चित शेखराय
चंद्रार्क वैश्वानर लोचनाय
तस्मै वकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥ (4)

यक्ष स्वरूपाय जटाधराय
पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय
सुदिव्य देहाय दिगम्बराय
तस्मै यकाराय नमः शिवाय ॥  (5)

पंचाक्षर मिदम्  पुण्यम् , यह पठेत शिव सन्निधौ
शिवलोक मावाप्नोति शिवोन सहमोदते ॥

ओम नमो शिव पार्वतये नमः ॥ 


Shiva panchakshari stotram in Telugu language

శివ పంచాక్షరి స్తోత్రమ్ 

ఓం నమ శ్శివాయ 

నాగేంద్ర హారాయ త్రిలోచనాయ
భస్మాంగ రాగాయ మహేశ్వరాయ
నిత్యాయ శుద్ధాయ దిగంబరాయ
తస్మై నకారాయ నమశ్శివాయ ॥ (1)

మందాకినీ సలిల చందన చర్చితాయ
నందీశ్వర ప్రమథనాథ మహేశ్వరాయ
మందారముఖ్య బహుపుష్ప సుపూజితాయ
తస్మై మకారాయ నమశ్శివాయ ॥ (2)

శివాయ గౌరీవదనారవింద
సూర్యాయ దక్షాధ్వరనాశకాయ
శ్రీ నీలకంతాయ వృషధ్వజాయ
తస్మై శికారాయ నమశ్శివాయ ॥ (3)

వశిష్ట కుంభోద్భవ గౌతమాది
మునీంద్ర దేవార్చిత శేఖరాయ
చంద్రార్క వైశ్వానర లోచనాయ
తస్మై వకారాయ నమశ్శివాయ ॥ (4)

యక్షస్వరూపాయ జటాధరాయ
పినాకహస్తాయ సనాతనాయ
సుదివ్య దేహాయ దిగంబరాయ
తస్మై యకారాయ నమశ్శివాయ ॥ (5)

పంచాక్షరమిదం పుణ్యం యః పటేత్ శివసన్నిధౌ
శివలోక మావాప్నోతి శివేన సహమోదతే  ॥


Lord Shiva Mantra in English Text

naagEndrahaaraaya trilOchanaaya
bhasmaangaraagaaya mahEswaraaya
nityaaya sudhdhaaya digambaraaya
tasmai nakaaraaya namashshivaaya || (1)

mandaakinii salila chandana charchitaaya
nandiishwara pramatha naatha mahEshwaraaya
mandaara mukhya bahupushpa supoojitaaya
tasmai makaaraaya namashshivaaya || (2)

shivaaya gourii vadanaaravindaaya
suuryaaya  dakshaadhwara naashakaaya
shri neelakhantaaya vrushadhwajjaaya
tasmai shikaaraaya namashshivaaya || (3)

vashishta kumbhOdbhhava gauthamaadi
munindra dEvaarchita shEkharaaya
chandraarka vaishwaanara lOchanaaya
tasmai vakaaraaya namashshivaaya  || (4)

yakshaswaroopaaya jataadharaaya
pinaakahastaaya sanaatanaaya
sudivya dEhaaya digambaraaya
tasmai yakaaraaya namashshivaaya || (5)

panchaakshara midam punyam yah patEth shiva sannidhau
shivalOka maavaapnOti shivEna sahamOdatE ||                                                                                  

Meanings of the Panchakshari mantra

Stotram (1)
Nagendra haaraaya = one wearing the serpent king as a garland in his neck, trilochanaaya = three-eyed (Shiva), bhasmaanga raagaaya = one whose body is draped with ash, maheshwaraaya = greatest lord of universe, nityaaya = eternal, sudhdhaaya = purest, digambaraaya = wearing the four directions as his clothes, tasmai = to Him, nakaaraaya = embodiment of syllable "na", namashshivaaya = salutations to Shiva.

Essence: I salute to Him (Lord Shiva), who wears the serpent king in his neck, who is three-eyed; draped with ash all over his body; who is the great Lord, eternal, pure; and having the 4 directions of east, west, north, and south as his clothes; and is the embodiment of syllable 'na'.

Stotram (2)
Mandakini  = river Mandakini, salila = water, Chandana = sandal powder or paste, charchitaaya = worshipped, Nandishwara = the great bull who is the gatekeeper and also carrier for Shiva, pramatha naath = lord of ghosts and spirits, mandaara = a flower name (hibiscus), mukhya = chief, bahu pushpa = lots of flowers, supoojithaaya = well worshipped

Essence: I salute Lord Shiva who is worshipped with waters of Mandakini and sandal paste and with many flowers - chief among them being hibiscus flowers, one who is the Lord of Nandi bull and all ghosts and spirits and who is the embodiment of the syllable 'ma'.

Stotram (3) 
Shivaya = virtuous or auspicious, Gauri vadanaaravinda = brings joy to the face of Gauri (Parvati), sooryaya = sun, dakshaadhwara = Daksha's sacrifice, naashakaaya = destroyer, neelakanthaaya = blue-necked, vrishadhwajaaya = having a bull as the emblem of his flag,

Essence: I salute to Him who is virtuous, who is like the Sun causing Parvati's face to bloom; who is the destroyer of Daksha's yajna (sacrifice); whose neck (throat) is blue and who holds the Nandi emblem on his flag; I salute to that Shiva the embodiment of syllable "shi".

Stotram (4)
vashishta kumbhodbhava gautamaadi munindra = the great sages like Vasishta, Agasthya, and Gautama, etc. (Agastya Rishi is known as kumbhodbhava as he was believed to have born in a Kumbha/Kalash or jar);  deva+archita = worshipped by angels, sekharaaya = greatest being (like a mountain), Chandra = moon, arka = sun, vaishvaanara = universal self, lochanaaya = having eyes,

Essence: I salute to Shiva who is worshipped by great sages like Vasishta, Agasthya, and Gautama and also by all the gods and angels; one who is the universal self- having the sun and the moon as his eyes.
In this context, as Shiva is believed to be three-eyed, vaishvanara may also refer to fire which is his third eye.
I salute to that Shiva who is the embodiment of syllable "va".

Stotram (5)
yaksha swaroopaaya = whose appearance is like the yaksha (the caretaker of all natural treasures);
jataadharaaya = whose hair is matted, pinaka hasthaaya = holding a pinaka or long three-headed spear (trident); sanaathanaaya = eternal being; sudivya = miraculous, divine; dEhaaya = bodied; digambaraaya = having the four directions as his clothes

Essence: I salute Shiva who looks like yaksha with his matted hair, holding the trident spear in his hand, who is an eternal being possessing a divine body that is covered by all the four directions, to Him who is the embodiment of syllable "ya".

The concluding verse
panchaksharam = 5 letters ( five syllables of na, ma, shi, va, ya and it also refers to the five hymns as above); idam = this or these; punyam = (opposite of sin) virtuous result; yah pateth = on reciting this;
shiva sannidhou = in presence of Shiva, Shiva lokam = Shiva's abode, aavaapnoti = will be in possession; Shivena= Shiva's; Saha mOdatE = to become one or attain bliss in Shiva's company.

Essence: One who recites these 5 hymns containing the five syllables of Shiva's name in His proximity, will reach Shiva's abode and possess his eternal bliss.

To know more about Shivaratri celebration and its religious or spiritual implications, you may view at this link.

Wish You Happy New Year 2016

WISH YOU ALL 

                  A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

May the New Year bring Happiness and Prosperity in your lives

आप सभी को  (सन 2016 )   नया साल मुबारक हो