Meaning and - Process of Chanting This Name Reveals the Answer and It Is So Wonderful

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HARYASHTAKAM Introduction Haryasthtakam is the first among the divine prayers. Prahla:da, the beloved disciple of Sage Na:rada, introduced this wonderful stho:thra, elaborating the power of Lord Srihari’s name, in each slo:ka. Great A:charyas say to chant the divine name HARI, 7 times while waking up. Why? The meaning and - process of chanting this name reveals the answer and it is so wonderful. Here it is.... The name contains only two letters. HA and RI. When we chant Ha, it brings out all the sins. The moment we chant the second letter Ri, it burns them into ashes. So, HARI na:ma means, the name that dispels the inner darkness, and burns all the sins committed innocently, to ashes. Prahlada explains it in this stho:thra beautifully. We can realize the power of the name HARI, once we learn this. So, with love and faith let us learn and chant this stho:thra every morning and get the divine blessings of Lord Hari. harir harathi pa:pa:ni dushta chitthair api smruthaha I anichchaya:pi samsprushto: dahathye:va hi pa:vakaha II Meaning harihi = Hari, the two syllable word smruthaha = when chanted api = even dushta + chiththaihi = by people with impure minds harathi = eradicates pa:pa:ni = all the sins hi = undoubtedly pa:vakaha = as the fire dahathi + e:va = surely burns api = though samsprushtaha = touched anichchaya: = unintentionally

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Purport The name of Lord Hari has a miraculous power. Uttering the divine name of Lord HARI has many benefits. Fire, even when touched unknowingly, never spares the person. It definitely burns. So also, the Lord’s name, even when uttered by the people with impure minds, has the power to destroy all their sins. What to say about the devotees, who always chant the name of Lord Hari with love, with real love. Can we imagine the power of this Nama?

sa ganga: sa gaya: se: thus sa ka:si sa cha pushkaram I jihva:gre: varthathe: yasya harir ithyakshara dvayam II 1 Meaning yasya = On whose jihva:gre: = tip of the tongue akshara + dvayam = the two syllable word ithi = as harihi = Hari varthathe: = exists saha = that person ganga: = becomes as pure as river Ganga: saha = he gaya: = becomes as sacred as Gaya se:thuhu = as strong as the stone bridge, Nala Se:thu saha = that person ka:si: = as pious as Ka:si saha = that person pushkaram cha = as divine as Lake Pushkaram too Purport One who always chants the name of Lord Hari with Love becomes very pure and worthy. He will be as sacred as The River Ganges. He will please his ancestors like the holy place Gaya. He will be loved by Lord as much as the Lord loved the Se:thu, the bridge constructed by the Va:naras, across the ocean to reach Mother Si:ta. He will be as sacred as Ka:si:, and as divine as Pushkar Thi:rttha. va:ra:nasya:m kurukshe:thre: naimisa:ranya e:va cha I yath krutham the:na ye:no:ktham harir ithyakshara dvayam II 2

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Meaning yath = whatever good krutham = has been done va:ra:nasya:m = at sacred place Va:rana:si kurukshe:thre: = at Kurukshe:tram naimisa:ranye: + e:va = and also at Naimisa:ranyam (thath = all that is done the:na cha = by Him ye:na = by whomever akshara dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as harihi = Hari uktham = is chanted Purport Va:rana:si is the place where Lord Siva always the name of Lord Rama, thus He makes the place sacred. Kurukshe:thra is the place which enriches our righteousness through the message of Bhagavad Gi:tha. Naimisa:ranya is the place where God exists in the form of trees, and that is the place from where all the Pura:nic knowledge spread around the world. Good deeds performed in these places will give manifold results. One can reap all the above benefits, just by chanting the two letter, word HARI. Pruthivya:m ya:ni thi:rtha:ni punya:ny a:yathana:ni cha I tha:ni sarva:nyase:sha:ni harir ithyakshara dvayam II 3 Meaning ya:ni = whichever thi:rtha:ni = sacred rivers ha = and also ase:sha:ni = innumerable punya:ni = holier a:yathana:ni = temples

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prutthivya:m = (are there) on this Earth Akshara + dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as harihi = Hari sarva:ni = is all tha:ni = of them Purport The benefit of visiting all the sacred temples and rivers on the Earth is equivalent to chanting the two letter word Hari.

gava:m ko:ti sahasra:ni he: makanya: sahasrakam I daththam sya:th the:na ye:no:ktham harir ithyakshara dvayam II 4 Meaning sya:th = blesses with the benefit daththam = of donating ko:ti + sahasra:ni = billions gava:m = of cows & ahasrakam = a marriage celebration in which 1000s he:ma+kanya = of girls decorated with gold jewellery the:na = by one; ye:na = by whom akshara +dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as harihi = Hari uktham = is uttered Purport Uttering the two letter word HARI gives the same benefit as that of donating countless cows or giving away thousands of girls fully decked up in gold in a mass marriage celebration. Rug ve:do:ttha yajur ve:das sa:ma ve:do:py attharvanaha I adhi: thas the:na ye:no:ktham harir ithyakshara dvayam II 5

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Meaning rug+ve:daha = Rug Ve:da attha = then yajur+ve:daha = Yajur Ve:da sa:ma+ve:daha = Sa:ma Ve:da attharvanaha api = and also Attharva Ve:da adhi:thaha = is recited the:na = by him ye:na = by whom akshara +dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as Harihi = Hari uktham = is uttered Purport

Whatever good happens to those who recite the four Vedas is obtained by those who utter simply the two letter word ‘Hari’. asvame:dhair maha:yajnyair nara me:dhais thatthaiva cha I ishtam sya:ththe:na ye:no:ktham harir ithyakshara dvayam II 6 Meaning Sya:th = blesses the benefit ishtam = of performing maha: + yajnaihi = with great sacrifices asva + me:dhaihi = like that of Aswame:dha Yajnas thattha + e:va = similarly nara + me:dhaihi cha = with Narame:dha Yajnas the:na = by him ye:na = by whom akshara dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as harihi = Hari uktham = is uttered

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Purport

When a person chants the two letter word HARI, he obtains the same great benefit of performing many ya:gas like that of ‘Aswame:dha’and ‘Narame:dha’. pra:na praya: na pa:tthe:yam samsa:ra vya:dhi na:sanam I dukha:thyantha parithra:nam harir ithyakshara dvayam II 7 Meaning ye:na = by whom akshara + dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as harihi = Hari uktham = is uttered pa:tthe:yam = it becomes the food packed for journey praya:na = used in the final journey pra:na = of the soul na:sanam = the destroyer vya:dhi = of the disease samsa:ra = called samsa:ra, the mundane life pari + thra:nam = the overall protector athyantha = from immense dukha: = grief Purport

When the two letter word HARI is uttered during this life, that itself would feed him in his final journey from this world. The two letters ‘Hari’ would wipe off the ego that pushes one into this life cycle. The two letter word Hari alone protects one from the ‘rajo: guna’ which is the root cause for all grief. baddhah parikaras the:na mo:ksha:ya gamanam prathi I sakrud uccha:ritham ye:na Harir ithyakshara dvayam II 8

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Meaning parikaraha = all the paraphernalia baddhaha = is kept packed ready gamanam + prathi = to proceed mo:ksha:ya = towards liberation the:na = by him ye:na = by whom akshara + dvayam = the two letter word ithi = as hari = Hari uccha:ritham = is uttered sakruth = once Purport The two letter word HARI, even if uttered once in a life time, will provide the necessary equipment needed for the final journey of the soul, while in the path of liberation. haryashtakam idam punyam pra:thar uttha:ya yah patte:th I a:yushyam balam aro:gyam yaso: vruddhis sriya:vaham II 9 Meaning yaha = whoever pate:th = reads idam = this hary + ashtakam = 8 slo:ka:s about Lord Hari uttha:ya = after waking up pra:thaha = in the morning (saha = he gains) balam = Physical strength a:ro:gyam = health vruddhihi = growth yasaha = of fame a:yushyam = and long life sriya:+a:vaham = that bestows prosperity

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Purport Upon recitation of this holy ‘Haryashtakam’ early in the morning one is blessed with a long and prosperous life. He acquires the needed strength to perform good activities and maintains good health. Such devotee of ‘Hari’ will become world famous and wealthy. prahla:de:na krutham stho:thram dukha sa:gara so:shanam I yah patte:th sa naro: ya:thi thad vishno:h paramam padam II 10 Meaning yaha = whoever patte:th = chants stho:thram = Haryashtakam so:shanam = that dries up dukha + sa:gara = the ocean of sorrows krutham = as composed Prahla:de:na = by Prahla:da saha = that naraha = person ya:thi = attains thath = that paramam = supreme padam = Abode vishno:ho = of Lord Vishnu Purport Chanting this stho:thra composed by Prahla:da, has the power to dry up one’s miseries that are unlimited like the vast ocean. Whoever chants this Haryashtakam attains Vaikunttha, the divine Adobe of Lord Vishnu.

1. Haryashtakam describes the greatness of which thing? Ans: The word “Hari”

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KRUSHNA:SHTAKAM Introduction To become the best person one should think of the best of this Universe. We recall it daily early in the morning to make our lives more powerful. The Lord, the quintessence of Holy Ve:das, making the whole Universe as His divine body, appeared on this Earth as Krushna. He is the embodiment of love, divine bliss and compassion. He is adored as Jagad Guru, the great world teacher, because He revealed Bhagavad Gi:tha, the quintessence of Holy Ve:das. All the objects of this Universe are the results of His compassion, love and divine beauty. Meditating of Him as indweller of these objects is a wonderful art. We need a few similes or metaphors to help us visualize His presence right from His toes to tip. Our ancient gurus composed a beautiful stho:thram on Krushna to worship, remember and meditate upon Him. This stho:thram named ‘krushna:shtakam’, is easy to learn for even small kids and beginners. Basically, ‘ashtakam’ means a cluster of 8 slo:kas. Let us chant this stho:thram every morning and illuminate our mind with the power of love, compassion and concentration.

vasude:va sutham de:vam kamsa cha:nu:ra mardanam I de:vaki: param a:nandam krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 1 Meaning

vande: = I Prostrate krushnam = to Lord Sri Krushna jagad+gurum = the guru of the Universe, vasude:va+sutham = the son of Vasude:va, de:vam = the Supreme God mardanam = who pounded kamsa = evil Kamsa cha:nu:ra = demons like Cha:nu:ra, parama:nandam = the infinite joy de:vaki: = of De:vaki:de:vi

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Purport

Lord Sri Krushna was born as the obedient son of Vasude:va. He became jagad guru the Master of this Universe because He preached a celestial song called Bhagavad Gi:tha to the world. He is the ever glowing Supreme God who is worshipped even by the eternal souls called Nithyas & Mukthas, in the divine abode called Parama Padam. He destroyed the evil demons like Kamsa, Cha:nu:ra and Mustika:sura, who were troubling the innocent people. I bow down to that Lord Sri Krushna, who gave immense joy to His mother De:vaki:. athasi: pushpa samka:sam ha:ra nu:pura so:bhitham I rathna kankana ke:yu:ram krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 2 Meaning vande: = I prostrate krushnam = to Lord Sri Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru sanka:sam = who glows like athasi:+pushpa = a flax, a deep blue flower, so:bhitham = who is decorated with ha:ra = necklace, nu:pura = anklets, kankana = bracelets rathna = embed with gems, ke:yu:ram = shoulder ornaments etc. Purport

I offer my salutations to Lord Sri Krushna, the Universal Master. He shines like a deep blue coloured flower called Athasi:. This implies that Lord Sri Krushna calms down the anxieties of His devotees with His tenderness. He is decorated with much jewellery like necklaces that shine brilliantly on His dark complexion; tinkling anklets on His little lotus feet; that sports gem studded bracelets on His wrists and arms. All this docoration covers and protects His divine beauty. kutila:laka samyuktham pu:rna chandra nibha:nanam I vilasath kundala dharam krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 3

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Meaning vande: = I Prostrate krushnam = to Lord Sri Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru samyuktham = who has kutila+alaka = curly hair, a:nanam = face nibha = shining like the pu:rna = full chandra = moon dharam = wears vilasath = shiny kundala = ear rings Purport

I am prostrating to the Lord Sri Krushna, the Jagad Guru, the beauty personified with curly hair on His forehead. His divine face showers pleasant cool grace on His devotees, like the full moon. His dancing earrings add beauty to already bewitching face. manda:ra gandha samyuktham cha:ru ha:sam chathur bhujam I barhi pinchha:va chu:da:ngam krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 4 Meaning vande: = I Prostrate krushnam = to Lord Sri Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru samyuktham = possessing gandha = the fragrance manda:ra = of a divine tree called Kalpa tharu, cha:ru+ha:sam = an enchanting smile chathur+bhujam = with four hands ava+chu:da+angam = crowning His head with barhi+ = peacock pinchha = feather

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Purport

My prostrations are to jagad Guru, Lord Sri Krushna. It is the Kalpatharu, the wish-fulfilling tree also known as Manda:ra, that is the original source of all the fragrances. Lord Krushna is the source even to that tree. His bewitching smile with gleaming white teeth allows us to approach Him. He shows four hands, indicating His readiness to grant the four human pursuits called purusha:rttha:s, He cares for every devotee with utmost respect and holds them like the peacock feather decorated on His crown. uthphulla padma pathra:ksham ni:la ji:mu:tha sannibham I ya: dava:na:m siro:rathnam krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 5 Meaning vande: = I prostrate krushnam = to Lord Sri Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru aksham = whose eyes uth+phulla = are wide like fully blossomed padma+pathra = lotus petals, sannibham = whose complexion ni:la = is like deep blue ji:mu:tha = cloud siro:+rathnam = who is like the jewel in the crown ya:dava:na:m = of Ya:dava dynasty Purport

I am prostrating to Jagad Guru Lord Sri Krushna, whose glittering, wide and pink eyes show His care and empathy for His devotees. They are like the fully blossomed red lotus petals. His divine body is like a dark blue cloud that showers equally on all the surfaces indiscriminately. He is accessible and very down to earth. He not only moved with highly innocent cowherd boys and Ya:davas, but also made that Yadu clan world renowned. rukmini: ke:li samyuktham pi:tha:mbara suso:bhitham I ava:ptha thulasi: gandham krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 6

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Meaning vande: = I prostrate krushnam = to Lord Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru ke:li = plays blissfully samyuktham = with rukmini: = his wife Rukmini suso:bhitham = magnificent pi:tha:mbara = in yellow silk garment ava:ptha = who is filled with gandham = aroma of thulasi: = basil leaves Purport

I prostrate to the Jagad Guru, Lord Krushna. He is influenced by His divine spouse Rukmini De:vi, who stands guard for devotees. He shines in yellow silk garments and sports ‘thulasi’ the basil, that has a natural fragrance of its own and is fit to be offered to Him alone. He has the sweet scent of thulasi as His perfume.

go:pika:na:m kucha dvandva kumkuma:nkitha vakshasam I sri:nike:tham mahe:shva:sam krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 7 Meaning vande: = I prostrate krushnam = to the Lord Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru vakshasam = whose wide chest ankitha = has imprints kumkuma = of saffron flowers kucha+dvandva = decorated on the breast go:pika:na:m = of cowherd girls mahe:shva:sam = who has a great bow sri:nike:tham = who is the abode of Lakshmi

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Purport

I prostrate to the Jagad Guru, Lord Krushna. who has the colours of the decorative designs on the breast of cowherd girls stuck to His chest. He made His heart the abode for the compassionate mother Sri Maha:lakshmi - the mediator and pacifier of our sins. He holds the great divine bow Sa:rngam, to protect the worlds.

sri:vathsa:nkam maho:raskam vanama:la: vira:jitham I sankha chakra dharam de:vam krushnam vande: jagad gurum II 8 Meaning

vande: = I prostrate krushnam = to Lord Krushna jagad+gurum = the universal guru de:vam = the divine light maho:raskam = having wide chest filled with grace sri:vathsa:nkam = with a mole called Srivathsa on it vira:jitham = glows vanama:la: = with a garland called Vyjayanthi dharam = who wore sankha = divine conch, Pa:nchajanya charka = divine discus, Sudarsana Purport

I bow before the Jagad Guru, Lord Krushna, who bears all the sentient and non-sentient beings on His chest as a mole, called Sri:vathsa. His heart is big enough to save all the souls. He protects all the beings during maha: pralaya, the great deluge, even though they cannot recognize Him.

He wears an attractive garland called vyjayanthi, made of flowers of vivid vibrant colours in bewitching combinations. He holds the divine discuss Sri: Sudarsanam and the divine conch Sri. Pa:nchajanyam, that are adored by the devotees and feared by the evil forces.

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krushna:shtakam idam punyam pra:thar uttha:ya yah patte:th I ko:ti janma krutham pa:pam smarane:na vinasyathi II 9 Meaning yah = whoever patte:th = chants idam = this punyam = virtuous krishna+ashtakam = cluster of eight sloka:s on Lord Sri Krushna uttha:ya = after waking up pra:thah = at dawn pa:pam = sin krutham = committed by him ko:ti+janma = since millions of births vinasyathi = is destroyed completely smarane:na = just by remembering this Purport

All the sins of any devotee, accumulated since millennia will be nullified, if he remembers this stho:thram and recalls it early in the morning with faith and devotion every day.

1. Krushna is an incarnation of Lord...... Ans: Vishnu

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PANCHA:YUDHA STHO:THRAM Introduction Man has many difficulties. Animals and birds have problems too. But they ask never ask anyone for help. They are completely capable of looking after themselves. They can also predict some of the calamities in near future due to their oneness with Nature. Man thinks himself independent from Nature. Alas! he thinks he is superior and more knowledgeable too. This assumption makes him morally weak. He begins to suspect his own shadow and becomes a victim of his own arrogance. It is the thought process that moulds a man to either be fearful or brave. So, if his thought process is in the wrong direction, he lives in constant fear. Braves die once, whereas, cowards die time and again. If man is able to channelize his mind in the right direction, he becomes brave and will be able to do any activity and survive anywhere in the Universe. Faith gives us courage and strength to put our thoughts in proper direction. Hence, the seers and A:cha:ryas showed us the divine form of God with all His weapons and ornaments. The weapons provide protection and the ornaments enrich our faith with love and attraction. As a matter of fact, God needs no weapons or jewellery. The entire Universe is His own form. Yet, for the sake of devotees, He accepts a form, a few weapons and some ornaments. Meditating on them enhances our faith multifold. This stho:thra provides us not only with the names of those weapons, but also the prayers for each of them. A devotee who chants them all time strengthens his faith and confidence in God. Now, let us proceed...... sphurath sahasra:ra sikha:thi thi:vram sudarsanam bha:skara ko:ti thulyam I sura dvisha:m pra:na vina:si vishno:s chakram sada:ham saranam prapadye: II 1 Meaning aham = I sada: = always prapadye: = surrender chakram = to the divine discus

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vishno:h = of Sri Maha:vishnu. sudarsanam = named as Sudarsana saranam = as my protector Which 1 athi+thi:vram = is highly furious sikha = with flamrs of fire sphurath = radiating sahasra+ara = from thousands of blades 2. thulyam = is at par ko:ti = with millions bhaskara = of suns & 3 vina:si = destroys pra:na = the life sura+dvisha:m = of the enemies of de:vathas, the demons Purport Oh! The divine discuss Sudarsana! The ornament in the right hand of Lord Vishnu having innumerable sharp edges, you are emitting amazing flames with blazing lights, enabling us to have the vision of the divine auspicious form of the Lord. Your astonising beauty never satiates a devotee. Your radiance is equal to millions of scorching suns at noon.

I always surrender to you, destroyer of demons, who create obstacles path of de:vathas.

vishno:r mukho:ththa:nila pu:rithasya yasya dhvanir da:nava darpa hantha: I tham pa:ncha janyam sasi ko:ti subhram sankham sada:ham saranam prapadye: II 2

Meaning aham = I sada: = always prapadye: = surrender tham = to that sankham = divine conch of Lord Vishnu Pa:nchajanyam = named as Pa:nchajanya saranam = as my protector

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subhram = who is lustrous white sasi+ko:ti = like millions of full moons dhvanihi = the resonance yasya = of whose pu:rithasya = filled anila = with the wind mukha+uttha = released from the mouth vishno:ho = of Lord Vishnu hantha: = destroys darpa = the ego da:nava = of Demons Purport Oh! The divine conch Pa:nchajanya! You are adorn the left hand of Lord Sri Maha: Vishnu. The fragrant breath of the Lord is your chosen food. He keeps filling the air in you to blow. The horrifying sounds you release blow the hearts of the demons to pieces. Zour effulgence is equal to millions of lustrous full moons. I always surrender to you as my protector ! hiranmayi:m me:ru sama:na sa:ra:m koumo:daki:m daithya kulaika hanthri:m I vaikuntta va:ma:gra kara:bhimrishta:m gada:m sada:ham saranam prapadye: II 3 Meaning aham = I sada: = always prapadye: = surrender gada:m = to the mace kaumo:daki:m = called Koumo:daki: saranam = as my protector abhimrushta:m = which is in constant touch va:ma+agra+kara+ = with the palm of left hand vaikuntta = of Lord Vaikunttana:ttha, e:ka+hantri:m = the only destroyer daithya+kula = of the demon dynasty sa:ra:m = possessing strength sama:na = at par with Me:ru = Mount Me:ru & hiranmayi:m = made of gold

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Purport Oh Kaumo:daki ! The Divine Mace ! I surrender to you. You are constantly blessed, touching the lower left palm of Lord Vaikunttana:ttha. You are made of gold. You have all the potency of Mount ‘Me:ru’, You, single handedly, can destroy all the evil forces of demons. I take your shelter. raksho:sura:na:m kattino:gra kantta chhe:da kshara chcho:nitha digdha dha:ram I thun nandakam na:ma hare:h pradi:ptham khadgam sada:ham saranam prapadye: II 4 Meaning aham = I sada: = always prapadye: = surrender thath = to that pradi:ptham = highly effulgent khadgam = divine sword hare:he = of the Lord na:ma = named nandakam = Nandakam saranam = as my protector dha:ram = whose edge digdha = is drenched so:nitha = with the blood ksharath = dripping chhe:da = of chopped ugra = plump kattina = hard kantta = throats rakshaha = of the wicked & asura:na:m = of the demons Purport O Nandaka! The Divine Sword in the hand of the Lord, You chop off the strong arrogant necks of the cruel ra:kshasa:s and the asura:s, who harass and harm the righteous devotees of The Lord and try to accuse the Lord Himself. Your sharp edges are shining bright, emitting flames of rage, soaked with the blood of the wicked. O Divine Nandakam! I always surrender to you.

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Yaj jya: nina:da sravana:th sura:na:m che:tha:msi nirmuktha bhaya:ni sadyaha I bhavanthi daithya:sani ba:na varshi sa:rngam sada:ham saranam prapadye: II 5 Meaning aham = I sada: = always prapadye: = surrender sa:rngam = to Sa:rngam, the divine bow saranam = as my protector sravana:th = by hearing yath = whose nina:da = thunderous sounds jya: = echoed from its strings che:tha:msi = the hearts sura:na:m = of de:vathas sadyaha = instantly bhavanthi = becoming nirmuktha+ = free bhaya:ni = from terror varshi = you shower ba:na = arrows asani = like thunderbolts daithya = on demons Purport O Sa:rngam!The divine bow! The roarings of your string in the fierce battle between the demons and de:vathas, release de:vathas from the fear and bless them with the victory. On the contrary, the same sound shatters the hearts of cruel demons, like thunderblot. Thus you adorn the hand of our Lord. O Sa:rngam I always surrender to you. PHALA SRUTHI imam hare:h pancha maha:yudha:na:m sthavam patte:d yo:nudinam prabha:the: I samastha dukha:ni bhaya:ni sadyah pa:pa:ni nasyanthi sukha:ni santhi II 6

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Meaning sukha:ni = all the joys santhi = are there sadyaha = at once samastha = all dukha:ni = miseries bhaya:ni = fears & papa:ni = sins nasyanthi = are also destroyed sadyaha = immediately yaha = whoever pathe:th = chants imam = this sthavam = stho:thram, the eulogy pancha = of five maha+a:yudha:na:m = great weapons hare:he: = of Lord Sri Hari anudinam = everyday praha:the: = early in the morning Purport Reciting this valuable pancha:yudha stho: thram is a great virtue. This eulogy on five divine weapons of Lord Sri Hari, chanted early in the morning every day will eradicate all the sins and miseries of any devotee. He will also be bestowed with eternal bliss right away. vane:rane: sathru jala:gni madhye: yadrucchaya:pathsu maha: bhaye:shu I idam pattan stho: thram ana:kula:thma: sukhi: bhave:th thathkrutha sarva rakshaha II 7 Meaning pattan = chanting idam = this stho:thram = pancha:yudha stho:thram bhave:th = turns out to be ana:kula+a:thma: = steady minded

21 TWILIGHT PRAYERS BOOK FIRST PROOF 5/3/2015

sukhi: = and blissful sarva+rakshaha = all kinds of protection thath+ krutha = is provided by those pancha:yudhas maha: bhaye:shu = during all fearful conditions a:pathsu = all troubles yadruchaya: = fall out of the blue vane = either in the forest rane: = or in the war madhye: = or in the middle sathru = of enemies jala = waters or agni = fire accidents Purport

Chanting this stho:thra in any kind of frightening situation with true faith in Lord will relieve us of all kinds of troubles. When stuck in a dense forest or in a battle field, when surrounded by enemies or flooding waters or when trapped in or terrified by fire or any unexpected sudden calamities for that matter, just think of these five divine weapons chant this sto:thra; you will be relieved of your distress and attain joy.

sa snkha chakram sa gada:si sa:rngam pi:thambaram kausthubha vathsa chinham I sriya: same:tho:jjvala so:bhitha:ngam vishnum sada:ham saranam prapadye: II 8 Meaning aham = I sada: = always prapadye: = surrender vishnum = to Sri Maha: Vishnu saranam = as my Protector angam = whose divine form so:bhitha = shines

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ujjvala = luminously sriya:same:tha = along with Goddess Lakshmi sa+sankha+chakkram = being with sankha & chakra sa+gada+asi+sa:rngam = a mace, a sword and a bow pitha:mbaram = decorated in yellow silk garments kausthubha+ = holding a gem called kausthubham vathsa+chinham = and with a mole Sri:vathsa Purport

I always surrender to you Lord Vishnu! Your five divine weapons sankha, chakra, gada:, asi and sa:rngam look like ornaments adorning You, giving comfort to you devotees while arousing fears in the hearts of the wicked. I bow to You, glowing bright in yellow silk garments; wearing a great gem ‘kousthubham’ in the neck, with a birth mark ‘sri:vatsam’ on the chest. Your celestial form glows like a dense cloud surrounded by brilliant lightning bolts, because of the lovely presence of our Divine Mother Lakshmi.

Jale: rakshathu va:ra:has stthale: rakshathu va:manaha I atavya:m na:rasimahas cha savathah pa:thu ke:savaha II 9 Meaning

Va:ra:haha = Let the Avantha:ra Vara:ha rakshathu = protect us jele: = in the water Va:manaha = Lord Va:mana rakshathu = guard us stthale: = on the land Na:rasimhaha cha = Lord Narashimha also rakshathu = watch over us atavya:m = in the forest Ke:savaha = Let Lord Ke:sava pa:thu = keep an eye on us sarvatah = from all corners

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Purport The Avanth:ra of Lord Vara:ha, the divine boar, protects us from as risks in water. Lord Va:mana, another incernation of Lord Vishnu, who measured all the three worlds, safeguards us from the calamites on the land. Lord Narasimha, one more aatha:ra of Lord Vishnu, the lion-god, protects us from the dangers in the woods. Lord ke:sava the protectosr of this universe looks after us at all times.

1. List the weapons of Lord Vishnu Ans: Sudarsanam, Pa:nchajanyam, Koumo:daki, Sarngam, Nandakam.