ESSENCE of POPULAR STOTRAS.Pdf
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1 2 Edited and translated by V.D.N.Rao, Retd. General Manager of India Trade Promotion Organisation of Ministry of Commerce of Govt. of India, New Delhi presently at Chennai Other Scripts by the same Author: Essence of Puranas:-Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata;Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Dwadasha Divya Sahasranaama: a) Devi Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Sahasra naama-Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas and Maha Bhagavata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama-Padma-Skanda- Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Stotra Kavacha- A Shield of Prayers -Purana Saaraamsha; Select Stories from Puranas Essence of Dharma Sindhu - Dharma Bindu - Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana-Essence of Paraashara Smriti Essence of Pradhana Tirtha Mahima Essence of Upanishads : Brihadaranyaka , Katha, Tittiriya, Isha, Svetashwara of Yajur Veda- Chhandogya and Kena of Saama Veda-Atreya and Kausheetaki of Rig Veda-Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna of Atharva Veda ; Also ‘Upanishad Saaraamsa’ (Quintessence of Upanishads) Essence of Virat Parva of Maha Bharata- Essence of Bharat Yatra Smriti Essence of Brahma Sutras Essence of Sankhya Parijnaana- Also Essence of Knowledge of Numbers Essence of Narada Charitra; Essence Neeti Chandrika-Essence of Hindu Festivals and Austerities Latest releases: Essence of Manu Smriti- Quintessence of Manu Smriti- Essence of Paramartha Saara; Essence of Pratyaksha Bhaskra; Essence of Maha Narayanopashid; Essence of Maitri Upanishad Essence of Vidya-Vigjnaana-Vaak Devi; Essence of Bhagya -Bhogya-Yogyata Lakshmi Essence of Soundarya Lahari* Note: All the above Scriptures already released on www. Kamakoti. Org/news as also on Google by the respective references. The one with * is under process] 3 PREFACE ‘Pathana- Shravana- Manana- Nidhidhyaasa’ are the four corverstones of ‘Bhakti’. Familiar scenes are often seen at Temples-Religious Meetings-Auspicious Occasions- small groups and even one -to - one meetings; one tends to exchange casual views on Dharma and Nyaaya or Virtue and Justice. While doing so, the penchant is to quote a stanza or a stotra, say from a Scripture. Mainly though to impress, partly as a habit, and sometimes to lead to a further conversation, a stotra is quoted or a stanza is to show off; but rather rarely to learn! After all, there is a plethora of dharmic literature down from the ages. But, being closely knitted in to the Contemporary Society, the old principles gather dust and the so called modernism remains to be a mirage; thus we tend to remain as losers often! Be that as in may, stotras are convenient inputs as social tools. It is from that kind of background the ‘pathana’ and ‘shravana’ of a hymn or a song or a poem might hopefully lead to ‘mananam’. The distance from the stage of Introspection to application or practice is goalless or mythical. This is why ‘genuine’ spiritual guides are far seek in a so called ‘Vibrant’ Society where as Silence is eloquent than noise! Hence the Term ‘nidhidhyasa’ is far far cry; Maha Swami of Kanchi defines: ‘mananam’ is that which is a deep analysis and ‘nidhidhyaasana’ is about churning. Shankaraharya’s express view is samaana pratyaya pravaha karanam/ Gita Bhashya XII.3: ‘just as the flow of a flood of water converges in one direction, so also the converging of thoughts in one direction and that is what dhyana means! A handful variety of Stotras has been collected together in this Booklet extolling on a Divine Symbol- be He or She- Ganesha or Vishnu or Lakshmi or Shiva or Durga or Sarasvati or Gayatri or Surya and Navagrahas . Shri Sukta or Purusha Sukta- Kavachas - select Bhagavad Gita shlokaas; - Mantra Pushpa and an over view of select Upanishad Shlokas too have been knit as a flower garland. In the staggering variety Gods and Goddesses, one decisive conclusion emerges! One’s Ataratma is Paramatma! The Inner Conscience is what the Supreme all about. One is driven in a chariot drawn by Panchendriyas as horses- Five Jnaanedriyas and Five Karmendriyas on either side. The charioteer is One’s own Mind. In the ‘Kaala Maana’, one’s body- changes are inevitable like the dresses of bodies - as a grass piece, a dog, a human as a man or a woman. The Measuring Apparatus is the Recorder of ‘Karma phala!’ To Maha Swami of Kanchi who always brought spiritual vibrations to countless families of His, may I place this Essence of Popular Stotraas at his His Lotus Feet! VDN Rao Chennai 4 CONTENTS PAGE MAHA GANESHA PRARDHANA (10 stotras) 5 Ganesha Panchakam(5 stotras) Morning Prayers- Stanzas for Snaana- Tilaka Vidhi VISHNU STOTRAS (60 stotras) 9 Bhu Devi’s Prayer to Varaha- Maharshis pray to Kurma-Brahma extols to Vamana- 15 Prahlada Stuti to Nrisimha- Anjaneya Sthutis ( 8 stotras) 19 Bhagavad Gita -select stanzas (20) 20 Purusha Sukta 23 LAKSHMI STOTRAS (25 stotras) 25 Bhuri Dhanadha Sadhana-Shri Suktam- Ashta Lakshmi Swarupas Shri Kanaka Dhaaraa Stotra - Kalyana Vrishti Stotra Prayer to Kolhapuri Lakshmi - Indra Stuti to Devi Lakshmi DURGA STOTRAS 39 Durga Stuti- Maha Bharata-Virat Parva - Shri Durga Sapta Shloki- Indra’s Prayer to Durga on killing Mahishasura- Sarva Mangala Mangalye- Identity of Gauri and Shiva Gayatri Svarupas and Celestial Images (10 stanzas) SHIVA STOTRAS (14 stotras) 51 Shiva Bhakti- Shiva Shakti- Shiva Tatva-Haalahala Shiva-Shiva’s Vishva Rupas- Shiva Dwaadashaakaara/ Shiva Kavacha-Kalpa Vriksha Mantra Raja- Ashta Rupas of Shiva- Shiva Tatva Contradictions-Shiva’s Self Explanation-Shiva Linga Patana at Daaru Vana- Shiva Tanava/ the Cosmic Dance-Pashu Paasha Pashupati-Dwaadasha Lingas-Shiva Ashta Murtis- Vishnu Stuti of Maheshwara-Shivaya Vishnu Rupaya Shiva Rupaya Vishnave! Kartikeya Stotras (5stotras)-Kartikeya Janma and Tarakasura Vadha 64 Namaka- Chamaka Parayana (P.66); Pancha Mukha Dhyana 74 SASRASVATI STOTRAS (6 stotras) 75 Sarasvati Kavacha- Shymala Kavacha- and Shyamala Dandaka by Kalidasa. 79 SURYA DEVA STOTRAS - Aditya Hridayam- Suryashtakam- Suryaaraadhana 84 NAVA GRAHAS- Features of Navagrahas and Araadhana 92 ANNEXTURE I : Sandhya Vandana Details (95)---ANNEXTURE II: Mantra Pushpam- 100 ANNEXTURE III: Famed Stanzas from Upanishads (104) ; ANNEXURE IV: Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam (113) ANNEXTURE V: Devi Aparaadha Kshama Prardhana (116) ANNEXTURE VI: Yoga Practice (118) 5 Maha Ganesha Prayers 1. Shuklaambara dharam Devam shashivarnam chaturbhujam, prasanna vadanam dhyaayet sarva vighnompashantaye/ The singular Deva who dons spotless clothes with four arms and ever pleasant face viz. Ganesha be prayed to with devotion to root out all kinds of impediments and difficulties. 2. Agajaanana padmaarkam Gajaananamaharnisham aneka dantam bhaktaanaam eka dantam upaasmahe/ May we worship Gajaanana the elephant faced God with a single tusk who is the darling boy of Devi Parvati and delight her face like Sun blooms the lotus and thus please the devotees like me ensuring our safety and fulfilment of desires. 3.Om Ganaanaamtva Ganapatigm havaamahe kavim kaveenaamupashravastamam,Jyeshtha raajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspat aa nah shrunvaritibhih seeda saadanam/ May we appeal to you the very First Deity, the Lord of Lords, the foremost Poet and Scripter, the Supreme of Spritual Knowledge and wisdom. Be with us in our hearts to bless and purify all our deeds and duties. 4. Vakratunda mahaa kaaya koti Suryasamaprabha, nirvighnam kurumedeva sarva kaaryeshu sarvadaa/Maha Ganesha with collossal body and elephant head resplendent with the radiance of billion Suns! we beseech you with all humility and devotion to destroy all obstacles and ensure success in our deeds of virtue. 5. Gajaananam bhuta ganaadi sevitam kapittajambuphalasaarabhakshitam, Umaasutam shoka vinaasha kaaranam namaami Vighneshwara paada pankajam/ Gajaanana Deva! You are ever followed by a huge band of ‘bhuta ganas’ as your followers as you enjoy your favorite fruits of kapittha and jamboo / wood and rose apples! As the elder son of Devi Uma, you have the reputation of being as ‘Avighna Deva’ as the destroyer of sorrows and impediments. May we prostrate at your lolus feet for success in our deeds. 6. Sumukhaschaika dantascha kapilo gaja karnikah, Lambodarascha vikato Vighna naasho Ganaadhi - pah/Dhumraketurganaadhyaksho phaalachandro Gajaananah, dwaadashaitaani naamaani yah pathe- cchrunu yaadapi/ Vidyaarambhe Vivaahecha praveshe nirgame tathaa,sangraame sankate chiva vighna- stasya na jaayate/ Sumukha - Ekadanta -.Kapila - Gajakarnika -Lambodara -Vikata- Vighnanaasha - Ganaadhipa- Dhumraketu - Ganaadhyaksha - Phalachandra - Gajaanana-- these are the twelve titles of Ganesha once recited, no obscacles could ever be faced at the beginnings of Vidyaaramba- Vivaha- the Beginning or even Exit such as of successful battle field and any such of Acts of auspiciousness. 7. Eka dantam maha kaayam tapta kanchana sannibham, lambodaram vishaalaaksham, vandeham Gananaayakam/ We bow with awe stricken admiration and veneration the single tusked, giant bodied, huge bellied, large eyed and of molten gold like complexion. 8. Eka dantaaya vidmahe vakra tundaaya dheemahe, tannno Danti prachodayaat/ May the Glorious Ganesha with Single Tusk and Curved Trunk induce and inspire of all of us to lead us to the path of Dharma or Unfailing Righteousness. 9. Vinayako Vighnakaro Gajasyo Ganesha naamaacha Bhavasya Putrah, Yethecha Sarvam