KASHMIR IN MY HEART

Its about the plight of my kashmir...my motherland

About Me

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Pandit Chaman Lal Gadoo Co-Chairman, JOINT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE Chairman, VIDYA GAURI GADOO RESEARCH CENTRE Email: cl.gadoo@gmail.com Blog: clgadoo.blogspot.com

Friday, March 17, 2017

The Spiritual Significance of “Navaratri”


  The Spiritual Significance of “Navaratri” 

The word Navaratri originates from Sanskrit, Ratri means, Night and Nava means, Nine. Sharada Navaratri is considered very sacred, auspicious when all the Divine forces are at their highest level of percipience. During the Navaratri time, the Divine Mother Goddess is worshipped in Her various forms as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Though the Goddess is one, She is represented and worshipped in three different essential aspects. On the first three nights of the festival, Durga is worshipped. On the following three nights, Divine Mother is worshipped as Lakshmi and then as Saraswati Devi on the last three nights. The Goddess Durga is Durgati Naashini: "One who destroys evil tendencies and evil forces". Thus renders, peace, success & prosperity. Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi not only represents material but spiritual wealth. Both are like two sides of a coin and one cannot remain without the other. Therefore Goddess Lakshmi is symbolic of both Spiritual wealth and material wealth with success comes or follows the former. For spiritual wealth, one must gain knowledge. For that we have to first purify our minds. Only a pure and concentrated mind can attain knowledge, which is true wealth and this is obtained through the worship of Goddess Lakshmi Devi. Knowledge is power. Victory over the mind, senses & body (sense organs) can be gained only through knowledge. It is Goddess Saraswati who represents this highest knowledge of the Self. She is the very embodiment of the Knowledge itself. Purify the mind and remove all negativities; cultivate positive virtues; gain spiritual knowledge and transcend limitations. During Navaratri, Goddess Durga is invoked first to remove impurities from the mind. The Goddess Lakshmi is invoked to cultivate the noble values and qualities. Finally, Saraswati is invoked for gaining the highest knowledge of the Self. These nine days are an opportunity to be completely in Sadhana, Seva, and Satsang. This is the significance of the three sets of three nights when all these three are gained subjectively, and then there will be Vijayadasami, the day of true victory!

Navaratri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, the Paush Navaratri and Magha Navaratri. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are important.

Basanta Navaratri: Basanta Navaratri, also known as Vasant Navaratri, is the festival of nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the spring season (March–April). It is also known as Chaitra Navaratri. The nine days of festival is also known as Rama Navaratri.

Gupt Navaratri: Gupt Navaratri, also referred as Ashadha or Gayatri or Shakambhari Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadha (June–July). Gupt Navaratri is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing of moon).

Sharada Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navaratris. It is simply called Maha Navaratri (the Great Navratri) and is celebrated in the month of Ashvina. Also known as Sharada Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharada (beginning of winter, September–October).

Paush Navaratri: Paush Navaratri is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Paush (December–January). Paush Navaratri is observed during the Paush Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).

Magha Navaratri: Magha Navaratri, also referred as Gupt Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Magha (January–February). Magha Navaratri is observed during the Magha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
But popularly Navratra is celebrated twice a year. First Navratra is from Pratipada of Chaitra month to Navami and the second is exactly after six months in Pratipada of Ashwin Shukla Paksha to a day before Vijayadashami. In the two Navratras Sharada Navratra is given more importance. The celebrations begin on the first day of the month of Ashvin (i.e. Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada) according to the Hindu calendar. 

First three days
 The goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in order to destroy all our impurities.

 Second three days
 The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.

 Final three days
The final set of three days is spent in worshiping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.
 We need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights. Each of the nine days of Navratri has special significance. Each day is dedicated to a particular Goddess who is worshipped on that day.

 First Day – Shailputri
 The first day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Shailputri', the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

Second Day – Brahmacharini
 She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. The name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water kamandal in her left hand. She is blissful, endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. She is the way to emancipation - Moksha.
Third Day – Chandraghanta
 The third day is dedicated to the goddess 'Chandraghanta', the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery. The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half-moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

 Fourth Day – Kushmanda
The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess 'Kushmanda', the creator of the entire Universe.
The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

Fifth Day - Skand Mata
 The fifth day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Skand Mata', the mother of the chief warrior of the Gods army, the Skanda. The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

 Sixth Day - Katyayani
 The sixth day is dedicated to the goddess 'Katyayani' with three eyes and four hands.
According to a legend: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

 Seventh Day – Kaalratri
 The seventh day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Kaalratri', meant to make the devotees fearless.
 This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. She is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good things.

 Eighth Day - Maha Gauri
 The eight day is dedicated to the Mata Rani or 'Maha Gauri' representing calmness and exhibits wisdom. She is worshipped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.

 Ninth Day – Sidhidatri
Sidhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Sidhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, Saints, Yogis, Tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Sidhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.


SHIV MAHIMA STROTAM

    ॥ अथ श्री शिवमहिम्नस्तॊत्रम् 

                                                      ‖ atha sri sivamahimnastotram ‖

Verse 1
महिम्नः पारं ते परमविदुषो यद्यसदृशी
स्तुतिर्ब्रह्मादीनामपि तदवसन्नास्त्वयि गिरः।
अथाऽवाच्यः सर्वः स्वमतिपरिमाणावधि गृणन्
ममाप्येष स्तोत्रे हर निरपवादः परिकरः॥ १॥

mahimnaḥ paraṁ te paramaviduṣo yadyasadṛsi
stutirbrahmadinamapi tadavasannastvayi giraḥ |
athavacyaḥ sarvaḥ svamatiparimaṇavadhi gṛṇan
mamapyeṣa stotre hara nirapavadaḥ parikaraḥ || 1 ||
(Sri Pushpadanta said:)

If it is unseemly to praise You when ignorant of the extent of Your greatness, then even the praises of Brahma and others are inadequate. If no one can be blamed when they praise You according to their intellectual powers, then my attempt to compose a hymn cannot be reproached. (1)

Verse 2
अतीतः पंथानं तव  महिमा वाङ्मनसयोः
अतद्व्यावृत्त्या यं चकितमभिधत्ते श्रुतिरपि।
 कस्य स्तोतव्यः कतिविधगुणः कस्य विषयः
पदे त्वर्वाचीने पतति  मनः कस्य  वचः॥ २॥

atitaḥ paṁthanaṁ tava ca mahima vaṅmanasayoḥ
atadvyavṛttya yaṁ cakitamabhidhatte srutirapi |
sa kasya stotavyaḥ katividhaguṇaḥ kasya viṣayaḥ
pade tvarvacine patati na manaḥ kasya na vacaḥ || 2 ||

Your greatness is beyond the reach of mind and speech. Who can properly praise that which even the Vedas describe with trepidation, by means of' 'neti-neti / not this, not this'? How many qualities does He possess? By whom can He be perceived? Yet whose mind and speech do not turn to the form later taken by Him (saguna) (2)  
                                                
                                                                Verse 3
                                           मधुस्फीता वाचः परममृतं निर्मितवतः
                                           तव ब्रह्मन्‌ किं वागपि सुरगुरोर्विस्मयपदम्
                                          मम त्वेतां वाणीं गुणकथनपुण्येन भवतः
                                          पुनामीत्यर्थेऽस्मिन्‌ पुरमथन बुद्धिर्व्यवसिता॥ ३॥

madhusphita vacaḥ paramamṛtaṁ nirmitavataḥ
tava brahman kiṁ vagapi suragurorvismayapadam |
mama tvetaṁ vaṇiṁ guṇakathanapuṇyena bhavataḥ
punamityarthesmin puramathana buddhirvyavasita || 3 ||

O Brahman! Do even Brihaspati's praises cause wonder to You, the author of the nectar like sweet Vedas? O destroyer of the three cities, the thought that by praising Your glories I shall purify my speech has prompted me to undertake this work. (3)

Verse 4
तवैश्वर्यं यत्तज्जगदुदयरक्षाप्रलयकृत्
त्रयीवस्तु व्यस्तं तिस्रुषु गुणभिन्नासु तनुषु।
अभव्यानामस्मिन्‌ वरद रमणीयामरमणीं
विहन्तुं व्याक्रोशीं विदधत इहैके जडधियः॥ ४॥

tavaisvaryaṁ yattajjagadudayarakṣapralayakṛt
trayivastu vyastaṁ tisruṣu guṇabhinnasu tanuṣu |
abhavyanamasmin varada ramaṇiyamaramaṇiṁ
vihantuṁ vyakrosiṁ vidadhata ihaike jaḍadhiyaḥ || 4 ||

O Giver of boons! Some stupid people produce arguments--pleasing to the ignorant but in fact hateful-- to refute Your Divinity, which creates, preserves and destroys the world, which is divided into three bodies (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) according to the three gunas, and which is described in the three Vedas. (4)

Verse 5
किमीहः किंकायः  खलु किमुपायस्त्रिभुवनं
किमाधारो धाता सृजति किमुपादान इति च।
अतर्क्यैश्वर्ये त्वय्यनवसर दुःस्थो हतधियः
कुतर्कोऽयं कांश्चित्‌ मुखरयति मोहाय जगतः॥ ५॥

kimihaḥ kiṁkayaḥ sa khalu kimupayastribhuvanaṁ
kimadharo dhata sṛjati kimupadana iti ca |
atarkyaisvarye tvayyanavasara duḥstho hatadhiyaḥ
kutarkoyaṁ kaṁscit mukharayati mohaya jagataḥ || 5 ||

To fulfill what desire, assuming what form, with what instruments, support and material does that Creator create the three worlds? This kind of futile argumentation about You whose divine nature is beyond the reach of intellect, makes the perverted vociferous, and brings delusion to men. (5)

                
Verse 6

अजन्मानो लोकाः किमवयववन्तोऽपि जगतां
अधिष्ठातारं किं भवविधिरनादृत्य भवति।
अनीशो वा कुर्याद्‌ भुवनजनने कः परिकरो
यतो मन्दास्त्वां प्रत्यमरवर संशेरत इमे॥ ६॥

ajanmano lokaḥ kimavayavavantopi jagataṁ
adhiṣṭhataram kim bhavavidhiranadṛtya bhavati |
aniso va kuryad bhuvanajanane kaḥ parikaro
yato mandastvaṁ pratyamaravara samserata ime || 6 ||

O Lord of gods! Can the worlds be without origin, though they have bodies? Is their creation possible with­out a creator? Who else but God can initiate the creation of the worlds? Because they are fools they raise doubts about Your existence. (6)

Verse 7
त्रयी साङ्ख्यं योगः पशुपतिमतं वैष्णवमिति
प्रभिन्ने प्रस्थाने परमिदमदः पथ्यमिति च।
रुचीनां वैचित्र्यादृजुकुटिल नानापथजुषां
नृणामेको गम्यस्त्वमसि पयसामर्णव इव॥ ७॥

trayi sankhyam yogaḥ pasupatimatam vaiṣṇavamiti
prabhinne prasthane paramidamadaḥ pathyamiti ca |
rucinam vaicitryadṛjukuṭila nanapathajuṣaṁ
nṛṇameko gamyastvamasi payasamarṇava iva || 7 ||

Different paths (to realization) are enjoined by the three Vedas, by Sankhya, Yoga, Pashupata (Shaiva) doctrine and Vaishnava Shastras. People follow different paths, straight or crooked, according to their temperament, depending on which they consider best, or most appropriate--and reach You alone just as rivers enter the ocean. (7)

Verse 8
महोक्षः खट्वाङ्गं परशुरजिनं भस्म फणिनः
कपालं चेतीयत्तव वरद तन्त्रोपकरणम्‌।
सुरास्तां तामृद्धिं दधति तु भवद्भूप्रणिहितां
 हि स्वात्मारामं विषयमृगतृष्णा भ्रमयति॥ ८॥

mahokṣaḥ khaṭvangam parasurajinam bhasma phaṇinaḥ
kapalam cetiyattava varada tantropakaraṇam |
surastam tamṛddhim dadhati tu bhavadbhupraṇihitam
na hi svatmaramam viṣayamṛgatṛṣṇa bhramayati || 8 ||

O Giver of boons! A great bull, a wooden hand rest, an axe, a tiger skin, ashes, serpents, a human skull and other such things--these are all You own, though simply by casting Your eyes on gods You gave them great treasures which they enjoy. Indeed one whose delight is in the Self cannot be deluded by the mirage of sense objects. (8)

Verse 9
ध्रुवं कश्चित्‌ सर्वं सकलमपरस्त्वध्रुवमिदं
परो ध्रौव्याऽध्रौव्ये जगति गदति व्यस्तविषये।
समस्तेऽप्येतस्मिन्‌ पुरमथन तैर्विस्मित इव
स्तुवन्‌ जिह्रेमि त्वां  खलु ननु धृष्टा मुखरता॥ ९॥

dhruvam kasacit sarvam sakalamaparastvadhruvamidam
paro dhrauvya dhrauvye jagati gadati vyastaviṣaye |
samaste pyetasmin puramathana tairvismita iva
stuvan jihremi tvam na khalu nanu dhṛṣṭa mukharata || 9 ||

O Destroyer of the demon Pura, some say that the whole universe is eternal while others say that all is transi­tory. Others still, hold that it is eternal and non-eternal -- having different characteristics. Bewildered by all this, I do not feel ashamed to praise You; indeed my loquacity is an indication of my boldness. (9)


Verse 10

तवैश्वर्यं यत्नाद्‌ यदुपरि विरिञ्चिर्हरिरधः
परिच्छेतुं यातावनिलमनलस्कन्धवपुषः।
ततो भक्तिश्रद्धा-भरगुरु-गृणद्भ्यां गिरिश यत्‌
स्वयं तस्थे ताभ्यां तव किमनुवृत्तिर्न फलति॥ १०॥

tavaisvaryaṁ yatnad yadupari virincirhariradhaḥ
paricchetum-yatavanilamanalaskandhavapuṣaḥ |
tato bhaktisraddha-bharaguru-gṛṇadbhyam girisa yat
svayaṁ tasthe tabhyam tava kimanuvṛttirna phalati || 10 ||

O Girisha, when You took the form of a pillar of fire, Brahma trying from above and Vishnu trying from below failed to measure You. Afterwards, when they praised You with great faith and devotion, You revealed yourself to them of Your own accord; does not surrender to You bear fruit? (10)
Verse 11
अयत्नादासाद्य त्रिभुवनमवैरव्यतिकरं
दशास्यो यद्बाहूनभृत-रणकण्डू-परवशान्‌।
शिरःपद्मश्रेणी-रचितचरणाम्भोरुह-बलेः
स्थिरायास्त्वद्भक्तेस्त्रिपुरहर विस्फूर्जितमिदम्‌॥ ११॥

ayatnadasadya tribhuvanamavairavyatikaraṁ
dasasyo yadbahunabhṛta-raṇakaṇḍu-paravasan |
siraḥpadmasreṇi-racitacaraṇambhoruha-baleḥ
sthirayastvadbhaktestripurahara visphurjitamidam || 11 ||

O Destroyer of Tripura, it was because of that great devotion, which prompted him to offer his heads as lotuses to Your feet, that the ten-headed Ravana was still with arms and eager for fresh war after he had effortlessly rid the three worlds of all traces of enemies. (11)

Verse 12
अमुष्य त्वत्सेवा-समधिगतसारं भुजवनं
बलात्‌ कैलासेऽपि त्वदधिवसतौ विक्रमयतः।
अलभ्यापातालेऽप्यलसचलितांगुष्ठशिरसि
प्रतिष्ठा त्वय्यासीद्‌ ध्रुवमुपचितो मुह्यति खलः॥ १२॥

amuṣya tvatseva-samadhigatasarambhujavanam
balat kailasepi tvadadhivasatau vikramayataḥ |
alabhyapatale pyalasacalitamguṣṭhasirasi
pratiṣṭha tvayyasid dhruvamupacito muhyati khalaḥ || 12 ||

But when he (Ravana) extended the valour of his arms-whose strength was obtained by worshipping You- to Kailas, Your abode, You moved the tip of Your toe, and hee did not find a resting place even in the nether world. Truly, when affluent the wicked become deluded. (12)

Verse 13
यदृद्धिं सुत्राम्णो वरद परमोच्चैरपि सतीं
अधश्चक्रे बाणः परिजनविधेयत्रिभुवनः।
 तच्चित्रं तस्मिन्‌ वरिवसितरि त्वच्चरणयोः
 कस्याप्युन्नत्यै भवति शिरसस्त्वय्यवनतिः॥ १३॥

yadṛddhim sutramṇo varada paramoccairapi satim
adhascakre baṇaḥ parijanavidheyatribhuvanaḥ |
na taccitraṁ tasmin varivasitari tvacaraṇayoḥ
na kasyapyunnatyai bhavati sirasastvayyavanatiḥ || 13 ||

O Giver of boons, since Bana was the worshipper of Your feet is it to be wondered at that he had the three worlds at his command and put to shame the wealth of Indra? What prosperity does not come from bowing down the head to You? (13)

Verse 14
अकाण्ड-ब्रह्माण्ड-क्षयचकित-देवासुरकृपा
विधेयस्याऽऽसीद्‌ यस्त्रिनयन विषं संहृतवतः।
 कल्माषः कण्ठे तव  कुरुते  श्रियमहो
विकारोऽपि श्लाघ्यो भुवन-भयभङ्गव्यसनिनः॥ १४॥

akaṇḍa-brahmaṇḍa-kṣayacakita-devasurakṛpa
vidheyasyasid yastrinayana viṣaṁ samhṛtavataḥ |
sa kalmaṣaḥ kaṇṭhe tava na kurute na sriyamaho
vikaropi slaghyo bhuvana-bhaya- bhanga- vyasaninaḥ || 14 ||

O Three-Eyed One, who drank poison out of compassion for gods and demons when they were distraught at the sudden prospect of the destruction of the universe, surely the dark blue stain on Your throat has beautified You. Even deformity is to be admired in one who is given to freeing the world of fear. (14)

Verse 15
असिद्धार्था नैव क्वचिदपि सदेवासुरनरे
निवर्तन्ते नित्यं जगति जयिनो यस्य विशिखाः।
 पश्यन्नीश त्वामितरसुरसाधारणमभूत्‌
स्मरः स्मर्तव्यात्मा  हि वशिषु पथ्यः परिभवः॥ १५॥

asiddhartha naiva kvacidapi sadevasuranare
nivartante nityam jagati jayino yasya visikhaḥ |
sa pasyannisa tvamitarasurasadharaṇamabhut
smaraḥ smartavyatma na hi vasiṣu pathyaḥ paribhavaḥ || 15 ||

O Lord, the god of love, whose arrows never fail in the world of gods and men, become nothing but an object of memory because he looked on You as an ordinary god (his body being burnt by Your look of wrath). An insult to the self-controlled is not conducive to good. (15) 
                                                    
Verse 16
मही पादाघाताद्‌ व्रजति सहसा संशयपदं
पदं विष्णोर्भ्राम्यद्‌ भुज-परिघ-रुग्ण-ग्रहगणम्‌।
मुहुर्द्यौर्दौस्थ्यं यात्यनिभृत-जटा-ताडित-तटा
जगद्रक्षायै त्वं नटसि ननु वामैव विभुता॥ १६॥

mahi padaghatad vrajati sahasa samsayapadaṁ
padam viṣṇorbhramyad bhuja-parigha-rugṇa-graha- gaṇam |
muhurdyaurdausthyaṁ yatyanibhṛta-jaṭa-taḍita-taṭa
jagadrakṣayai tvam naṭasi nanu vamaiva vibhuta || 16 ||

When You danced to save the world, the earth was suddenly thrown into a precarious state at the striking of Your feet; the spatial regions and the hosts of stars felt oppressed by the movement of Your massive club-like arms; and the heavens became miserable as their sides were constantly struck by Your waving matted hair. Indeed it is Your very mightiness which is the cause of the trouble. (16)
Verse 17
विय-द्व्या पी तारा-गण-गुणित-फेनोद्गम-रुचिः
प्रवाहो वारां यः पृषतलघुदृष्टः शिरसि ते।
जगद्द्वीपाकारं जलधिवलयं तेन कृतमिति
अनेनैवोन्नेयं धृतमहिम दिव्यं तव वपुः॥ १७॥

viya-dvya pi tara-gaṇa-guṇita-phenodgama-ruciḥ
pravaho varam yaḥ pṛṣatalaghudṛṣṭaḥ sirasi te |
jagaddvipakaram jaladhivalayam tena kṛtamiti
anenaivonneyam dhṛtamahima divyam tava vapuḥ || 17 ||

The river which pervades the sky and whose foam crests look all the more beautiful because of stars and planets, seems no more than a drop of water when on Your head. That same river has turned the world into islands surrounded by waters. From this can be judged the vastness of Your divine body. (17)

Verse 18
रथः क्षोणी यन्ता शतधृतिरगेन्द्रो धनुरथो
रथाङ्गे चन्द्रार्कौ रथ-चरण-पाणिः शर इति।
दिधक्षोस्ते कोऽयं त्रिपुरतृणमाडम्बर विधिः
विधेयैः क्रीडन्त्यो  खलु परतन्त्राः प्रभुधियः॥ १८॥

rathaḥ kṣoṇi yanta satadhṛtiragendro dhanuratho
rathange candrarkau ratha-caraṇa-paṇiḥ sara iti |
didhakṣoste ko'yaṁ tripuratṛṇamaḍambara vidhiḥ
vidheyaiḥ krīḍantyo na khalu paratantraḥ prabhudhiyaḥ || 18 ||

When You wanted to burn the three cities of the demons - which were but a piece of straw to You--the earth was Your chariot, Brahma Your charioteer, the great mountain Meru Your bow, the sun and the moon the wheels of Your chariot, Vishnu Your arrow. Why all this paraphernalia? The Lord is not dependent on others. He was only playing with things at His command. (18)
Verse 19
हरिस्ते साहस्रं कमल बलिमाधाय पदयोः
यदेकोने तस्मिन्‌ निजमुदहरन्नेत्रकमलम्‌।
गतो भक्त्युद्रेकः परिणतिमसौ चक्रवपुषः
त्रयाणां रक्षायै त्रिपुरहर जागर्ति जगताम्‌॥ १९॥

hariste sahasram kamala balimadhaya padayoḥ
yadekone tasmin nijamudaharannetrakamalam |
gato bhaktyudrekaḥ pariṇatimasau cakravapuṣaḥ
trayaṇam rakṣayai tripurahara jagarti jagatam || 19 ||

O Destroyer of the three cities, Hari rooted out His own lotus-eye to make up the difference when one flower was missing in His offering of 1,000 lotuses to Your feet. For this great devotion You awarded the discus (Sudarshan Chakra)  with which Hari protects the three worlds. (19)
Verse 20
क्रतौ सुप्ते जाग्रत्‌ त्वमसि फलयोगे क्रतुमतां
क्व कर्म प्रध्वस्तं फलति पुरुषाराधनमृते।
अतस्त्वां सम्प्रेक्ष्य क्रतुषु फलदान-प्रतिभुवं
श्रुतौ श्रद्धां बध्वा दृढपरिकरः कर्मसु जनः २०॥

kratau supte jagrat tvamasi phalayoge kratumataṁ
kva karma pradhvastam phalati puruṣaradhanamṛte |
atastvam samprekṣya kratuṣu phaladana-pratibhuvaṁ
srutau sraddham badhva dṛḍhaparikaraḥ karmasu janaḥ || 20 ||

When a sacrifice has ended, You ever keep awake to bestow its fruit on the sacrificer. How can any action bear fruit if not accompanied by worship of You, O Lord? Therefore, knowing You to be the Giver of fruits of sacrifices and putting faith in the Vedas, people become resolute about the performance of sacrificial acts. (20)

Verse 21
क्रियादक्षो दक्षः क्रतुपतिरधीशस्तनुभृतां
ऋषीणामार्त्विज्यं शरणद सदस्याः सुर-गणाः।
क्रतुभ्रंशस्त्वत्तः क्रतुफल-विधान-व्यसनिनः
ध्रुवं कर्तुं श्रद्धा विधुरमभिचाराय हि मखाः॥ २१॥

kriyadakṣo dakṣaḥ kratupatiradhisastanubhṛtam
ṛṣiṇamartvijyam saraṇada sadasyaḥ sura-gaṇaḥ |
kratubhramsastvattaḥ kratuphala-vidhana-vyasaninaḥ
dhruvam kartum sraddha vidhuramabhicaraya hi makhaḥ || 21 ||

O Giver of refuge, even that sacrifice where Daksha, the Lord of creation and expert in sacrifices, was the sacrificer, rishis were priests, Gods participants, was destroy­ed by You who are habitually the Giver of fruits of sacrifices. Surely sacrifices cause injury to the sacrificers in the absence of faith and devotion. (21)

Verse 22
प्रजानाथं नाथ प्रसभमभिकं स्वां दुहितरं
गतं रोहिद्‌ भूतां रिरमयिषुमृष्यस्य वपुषा।
धनुष्पाणेर्यातं दिवमपि सपत्राकृतममुं
त्रसन्तं तेऽद्यापि त्यजति  मृगव्याधरभसः॥ २२॥

prajanatham natha prasabhamabhikam svaṁ duhitaram
gatam rohid bhutam riramayiṣumṛṣyasya vapuṣa |
dhanuṣpaṇeryatam divamapi sapatrakṛtamamuṁ
trasantaṁ te'dyapi tyajati na mṛgavyadharabhasaḥ || 22 ||

O Lord, the fury of You who became a hunter with a bow in hand has not as yet left Brahma-who, overcome by incestuous lust and finding his own daughter transforming herself into a hind, desired to ravish her in the body of a stag-and keenly pierced by Your arrows, he (Brahma) has fled to the sky. (22)
Verse 23
स्वलावण्याशंसा धृतधनुषमह्नाय तृणवत्‌
पुरः प्लुष्टं दृष्ट्वा पुरमथन पुष्पायुधमपि।
यदि स्त्रैणं देवी यमनिरत-देहार्ध-घटनात्‌
अवैति त्वामद्धा बत वरद मुग्धा युवतयः॥ २३॥

svalavaṇyasamsa dhṛtadhanuṣamahnaya tṛṇavat
puraḥ pluṣṭam dṛṣṭva puramathana puṣpayudhamapi |
yadi straiṇaṁ devi yamanirata-dehardha-ghaṭanat
avaiti tvamaddha bata varada mugdha yuvatayaḥ || 23 ||

O Destroyer of the three cities, O Giver of boons, is Parvati who saw the god of love, bow in hand, burnt like a piece of straw in a minute by You, still proud of her beauty and believing that You are fascinated by her, because she was allowed to occupy half Your body because of her austerities? Ah, surely all women are under delusion. You have completely conquered Your senses. (23)
Verse 24
श्मशानेष्वाक्रीडा स्मरहर पिशाचाः सहचराः
चिता-भस्मालेपः स्रगपि नृकरोटी-परिकरः।
अमङ्गल्यं शीलं तव भवतु नामैवमखिलं
तथापि स्मर्तॄणां वरद परमं मङ्गलमसि॥ २४॥

smasaneṣvakriḍa smarahara pisacaḥ sahacaraḥ
cita-bhasmalepaḥ sragapi nṛkaroṭi-parikaraḥ |
amangalyam silaṁ tava bhavatu namaivamakhilaṁ
tathapi smartrṇam varada paramam mangalamasi || 24 ||

O Destroyer of the God of love, O Giver of boons, Your play is in cremation grounds, Your companions are ghosts, You smear Your body with the ashes of burnt bodies, human skulls are Your garland-all Your conduct is indeed inauspicious. But You promote the greatest good of those who remember You. (24)
Verse 25
मनः प्रत्यक्‌ चित्ते सविधमविधायात्त-मरुतः
प्रहृष्यद्रोमाणः प्रमद-सलिलोत्सङ्गति-दृशः।
यदालोक्याह्लादं ह्रद इव निमज्यामृतमये
दधत्यन्तस्तत्त्वं किमपि यमिनस्तत्‌ किल भवान्‌॥ २५॥

manaḥ pratyak citte savidhamavidhayatta-marutaḥ
prahṛṣyadromaṇaḥ pramada-salilotsangati-dṛsaḥ |
yadalokyahladam hrada iva nimajyamṛtamaye
dadhatyantastattvam kimapi yaminastat kila bhavan || 25 ||

You are indeed that inexpressible Truth which the yogis realize within through concentrating their minds on the Self and controlling the breath according to the directions laid down in the scriptures, and realizing which Truth they experience rapturous thrills and shed profuse tears of joy; swimming as it were in a pool of nectar they enjoy inner bliss. (25)        


  Verse26

त्वमर्कस्त्वं सोमस्त्वमसि पवनस्त्वं हुतवहः
त्वमापस्त्वं व्योम त्वमु धरणिरात्मा त्वमिति च।
परिच्छिन्नामेवं त्वयि परिणता बिभ्रति गिरं
 विद्मस्तत्तत्त्वं वयमिह तु यत्‌ त्वं  भवसि॥ २६॥

tvamarkastvam somastvamasi pavanastvam hutavahaḥ
tvamapastvaṁ vyoma tvamu dharaṇiratma tvamiti ca |
paricchinnamevam tvayi pariṇata bibhrati giram
na vidmastattattvam vayamiha tu yat tvam na bhavasi || 26 ||

The wise hold this limiting view of You: You are the sun, You are the moon, You are fire, You are air, You are water, You are space, You are the earth and You are the Self. But we do not know the things which You are not. (26)

Verse 27


त्रयीं तिस्रो वृत्तीस्त्रिभुवनमथो त्रीनपि सुरान्‌

अकाराद्यैर्वर्णैस्त्रिभिरभिदधत्‌ तीर्णविकृति।
तुरीयं ते धाम ध्वनिभिरवरुन्धानमणुभिः
समस्त-व्यस्तं त्वां शरणद गृणात्योमिति पदम्‌॥ २७॥


trayim tisro vṛtistribhuvanamatho trinapi suran
akaradyairvarṇaistribhirabhidadhat tirṇavikṛti |
turiyam te dhama dhvanibhiravarundhanamaṇubhiḥ
samasta-vyastam tvam saraṇada gṛṇatyomiti padam || 27 ||

O Giver of refuge, with the three letters A, U, M, indicating the three Vedas, three states, three worlds and the three gods, the word AUM (Om) describes You separately. By its subtle sound the word Om collectively denotes You - Your absolute transcendental state which is free from change. (27)
Verse 28
भवः शर्वो रुद्रः पशुपतिरथोग्रः सहमहान्‌
तथा भीमेशानाविति यदभिधानाष्टकमिदम्‌।
अमुष्मिन्‌ प्रत्येकं प्रविचरति देव श्रुतिरपि
प्रियायास्मैधाम्ने प्रणिहित-नमस्योऽस्मि भवते॥ २८॥

bhavaḥ sarvo rudraḥ pasupatirathograḥ sahamahan
tatha bhimesanaviti yadabhidhanaṣṭakamidam |
amuṣmin pratyekaṁ pravicarati deva srutirapi
priyayasmaidhamne praṇihita-namasyosmi bhavate || 28 ||

O Lord! Bhava, Sharva, Rudra, Pashupati, Ugra, Mahadeva, Bhima, and Ishana-these eight names of Yours are each treated in detail in the Vedas. To You, most beloved Lord Shankara, of resplendent form, I offer salutations. (28)

Verse 29
नमो नेदिष्ठाय प्रियदव दविष्ठाय  नमः
नमः क्षोदिष्ठाय स्मरहर महिष्ठाय  नमः।
नमो वर्षिष्ठाय त्रिनयन यविष्ठाय  नमः
नमः सर्वस्मै ते तदिदमतिसर्वाय  नमः॥ २९॥

namo nediṣṭhaya priyadava daviṣṭhaya ca namaḥ
namaḥ kṣodiṣṭhaya smarahara mahiṣṭhaya ca namaḥ |
namo varṣiṣṭhaya trinayana yaviṣṭhaya ca namaḥ
namaḥ sarvasmai te tadidamatisarvaya ca namaḥ || 29 ||

O Lover of solitude, my salutations to You who are the nearest and the farthest. O Destroyer of the god of love, my salutations to You who are the minutest and also the largest. O Three-eyed one, my salutations to You who are the oldest and also the youngest. My salutations to You again and again who are all and also transcending all. (29)

Verse 30
बहुल-रजसे विश्वोत्पत्तौ भवाय नमो नमः
प्रबल-तमसे तत्‌ संहारे हराय नमो नमः।
जन-सुखकृते सत्त्वोद्रिक्तौ मृडाय नमो नमः
प्रमहसि पदे निस्त्रैगुण्ये शिवाय नमो नमः॥ ३०॥

bahula-rajase visvotpattau bhavaya namo namaḥ
prabala-tamase tat samhare haraya namo namaḥ |
jana-sukhakṛte sattvodriktau mṛḍaya namo namaḥ
pramahasi pade nistraiguṇye sivaya namo namaḥ || 30 ||

Salutations to You as Brahma in whom rajas prevails for the creation of the universe. Salutations to You as Rudra in whom tamas prevails for its destruction. Salutations to You as Vishnu in whom sattva prevails for giving happiness to the people. Salutations to You, O Shiva, who are effulgent and beyond the three attributes. (30)

Verse 31
कृश-परिणति-चेतः क्लेशवश्यं क्व चेदं
क्व  तव गुण-सीमोल्लङ्घिनी शश्वदृद्धिः।
इति चकितममन्दीकृत्य मां भक्तिराधाद्‌
वरद चरणयोस्ते वाक्य-पुष्पोपहारम्‌॥ ३१॥

kṛsa-pariṇati-cetaḥ klesavasyam kva cedam
kva ca tava guṇa-simollanghini sasvadṛddhiḥ |
iti cakitamamandikṛtya mam bhaktiradhad
varada caraṇayoste vakya-puṣpopaharam || 31 ||

O Giver of boons, how poor is my ill-developed mind, subject to afflictions, and how boundless Your divinity- Eternal and possessing infinite virtues. Though terror--stricken because of this, I am inspired by my devotion to offer this hymnal garland at Your feet. (31)

Verse 32
असित-गिरि-समं स्यात् कज्जलं सिन्धु-पात्रे
सुर-तरुवर-शाखा लेखनी पत्रमुर्वी।
लिखति यदि गृहीत्वा शारदा सर्वकालं
तदपि तव गुणानामीश पारं  याति॥ ३२॥

asita-giri-samam syat kajjalam sindhu-patre
sura-taruvara-sakha lekhani patramurvi |
likhati yadi gṛhitva sarada sarvakalam
tadapi tava guṇanamisa param na yati || 32 ||

O Lord, if the black mountain be ink, the ocean the inkpot, the branch of the stout wish-fulfilling tree a pen, the earth the writing leaf, and if taking these the Goddess of Learning writes for eternity, even then the limit of Your virtues will not be reached. (32)

Verse 33
असुर-सुर-मुनीन्द्रैरर्चितस्येन्दु-मौलेः
ग्रथित-गुणमहिम्नो निर्गुणस्येश्वरस्य।
सकल-गण-वरिष्ठः पुष्पदन्ताभिधानः
रुचिरमलघुवृत्तैः स्तोत्रमेतच्चकार॥ ३३॥

asura-sura-munindrairarcitasyendu-mauleḥ
grathita-guṇamahimno nirguṇasyesvarasya |
sakala-gaṇa-variṣṭhaḥ puṣpadantabhidhanaḥ
ruciramalaghuvṛttaiḥ stotrametaccakara || 33 ||

The best of Gandharvas, Pushpadanta by name, composed in great devotion this beautiful hymn to the Lord, who is worshipped by demons, gods, and the best of sages, whose praises have been sung, who has the moon on His forehead, and who is attributeless. (33)

Verse 34
अहरहरनवद्यं धूर्जटेः स्तोत्रमेतत्‌
पठति परमभक्त्या शुद्ध-चित्तः पुमान्‌ यः।
 भवति शिवलोके रुद्रतुल्यस्तथाऽत्र
प्रचुरतर-धनायुः पुत्रवान्‌ कीर्तिमांश्च॥ ३४॥

aharaharanavadyam dhurjaṭeḥ stotrametat
paṭhati paramabhaktya suddha-cittaḥ puman yaḥ |
sa bhavati sivaloke rudratulyastatha'tra
pracuratara-dhanayuḥ putravan kirtimamsca || 34 ||

The person who with purified heart and in great devotion always reads this beautiful and elevating hymn to Shiva, becomes like Shiva (after death) in the abode of Shiva, and while in this world gets abundant wealth, long life, progeny and fame. (34)
              
    
                                                                   Verse 35
महेशान्नापरो देवो महिम्नो नापरा स्तुतिः।

अघोरान्नापरो मन्त्रो नास्ति तत्त्वं गुरोः परम्॥ ३५॥

mahesannaparo devo mahimno napara stutiḥ |
aghoranaparo mantro nasti tattvam guroḥ param || 35 ||

There is no God higher than Shiva, there is no hymn better than the hymn on the greatness of Shiva, there is no mantra more powerful than the name of Shiva, there is nothing higher to be known than the real nature of the Guru. (35)

Verse 36


दीक्षा दानं तपस्तीर्थं ज्ञानं यागादिकाः क्रियाः।

महिम्नस्तव पाठस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्॥ ३६॥

dikṣa danam tapastirtham jnanam yagadikaḥ kriyaḥ |
mahimnastava paṭhasya kalam narhanti ṣoḍasim || 36 ||

Initiation into spiritual life, charities, austerities, pilgrimages, practice of yoga, performance of sacrificial rites - none of these give even a sixteenth part of the merit that one gets by reciting the hymn on the greatness of Shiva. (36)


Verse 37


कुसुमदशन-नामा सर्व-गन्धर्व-राजः

शशिधरवर-मौलेर्देवदेवस्य दासः।

 खलु निज-महिम्नो भ्रष्ट एवास्य रोषात्
स्तवनमिदमकार्षीद् दिव्य-दिव्यं महिम्नः॥ ३७॥

kusumadasana-nama sarva-gandharva-rajaḥ
sasidharavara-maulerdevadevasya dasaḥ |
sa khalu nija-mahimno bhraṣṭa evasya roṣat
stavanamidamakarṣid divya-divyaṁ mahimnaḥ || 37 ||

The Lord of Gandharvas, Pushpadanta by name, is the servant of the God of gods who has the crescent moon on his forehead. Fallen from his glory due to the wrath of the Lord, he composed this very beautiful uplifting hymn on the greatness of Shiva to regain His favor. (37)


Verse 38


सुरगुरुमभिपूज्य स्वर्ग-मोक्षैक-हेतुं

पठति यदि मनुष्यः प्राञ्जलिर्नान्य-चेताः।

व्रजति शिव-समीपं किन्नरैः स्तूयमानः
स्तवनमिदममोघं पुष्पदन्तप्रणीतम्॥ ३८॥

suragurumabhipujya svarga-mokṣaika-hetum
paṭhati yadi manuṣyaḥ pranjalirnanya-cetaḥ |
vrajati siva-samipam kinnaraiḥ stuyamanaḥ
stavanamidamamogham puṣpadantapraṇitam || 38 ||

If one with single-minded devotion and folded palms reads this unfailing hymn composed by Pushpadanta, which is adored by great gods and the best of sages and which grants heaven and liberation, one goes to Shiva and is worshipped by Kinnaras (celestial beings). (38)


Verse 39



आसमाप्तमिदं स्तोत्रं पुण्यं गन्धर्व-भाषितम्।

अनौपम्यं मनोहारि सर्वमीश्वरवर्णनम्॥ ३९॥


asamaptamidam stotram puṇyam gandharva-bhaṣitam |
anaupamyam manohari sarvamisvaravarṇanam || 39 ||

Thus ends this unparalleled sacred hymn composed by Pushpadanta and describing the glory of God Shiva in a most fascinating manner. (39)


Verse 40


इत्येषा वाङ्मयी पूजा श्रीमच्छङ्कर-पादयोः।

अर्पिता तेन देवेशः प्रीयतां मे सदाशिवः॥ ४०॥


ityeṣa vanmayi puja srimacchankara-padayoḥ |
arpita tena devesaḥ priyatam me sadasivaḥ || 40 ||

This hymn worship is offered at the feet of Shiva. May the ever beneficent Lord of gods be pleased with me at this! (40)


Verse 41


तव तत्त्वं  जानामि कीदृशोऽसि महेश्वर।

यादृशोऽसि महादेव तादृशाय नमो नमः॥ ४१॥


tava tattvam na janami kidṛso'si mahesvara |
yadṛso'si mahadeva tadṛsaya namo namaḥ || 41 ||

I do not know the truth of your nature and who you are- O great God my salutations to your true nature. (41)

Verse 42


एककालं द्विकालं वा त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नरः।

सर्वपाप-विनिर्मुक्तः शिव लोके महीयते॥ ४२॥


ekakalam dvikalam va trikalam yaḥ paṭhennaraḥ |
sarvapapa-vinirmuktaḥ siva loke mahiyate || 42 ||

Whoever reads this once, twice or thrice (in a day) revels in the domain of Shiva, bereft of all sins. (42)


Verse 43


श्री पुष्पदन्त-मुख-पङ्कज-निर्गतेन

स्तोत्रेण किल्बिष-हरेण हर-प्रियेण।

कण्ठस्थितेन पठितेन समाहितेन
सुप्रीणितो भवति भूतपतिर्महेशः॥ ४३॥


sri puṣpadanta-mukha-pankaja-nirgatena
stotreṇa kilbiṣa-hareṇa hara-priyeṇa |
kaṇṭhasthitena paṭhitena samahitena
suprīṇito bhavati bhutapatirmahesaḥ || 43 ||

If a person learns by heart and recites this hymn, which flowed from the lotus mouth of Pushpadanta, which destroys sins and is dear to Shiva and which equally promotes the good of all, Shiva, the Lord of creation, becomes very pleased. (43)




 इति श्री पुष्पदन्त विरचितं शिवमहिम्नः स्तोत्रं समाप्तम्॥


|| iti sri puṣpadanta viracitam sivamahimnaḥ stotram samaptam ||



- thus ends the hymn called: -Shiva Mahimnaḥ Stotram- composed by Puṣpadanta –