MEENAKSHI PANCHA RATNAM
Syamabhaam kamalaasanarchitha padaam narayanasyaanujaam
Nanaa pushpavirajithangri yugalaam, narayanen archithaam,
Blogs on Hindu Vedic Culture
Blogs on Hindu Vedic Culture
MEENAKSHI PANCHA RATNAM
According to Hinduism, Shiva and Parvati are like the yin and yang of the Universe. Parvati being the Goddess of all the worldly material things or Maya, while her consort, Shiva being the founder of yoga and spirituality. According to legend, once Shiva and Parvati were having a conversation in which Shiva said that everything we possess was an illusion or Maya. Even the ‘food’ that we eat was just a part of Maya or materialistic pleasures and hence not permanent. This enraged Goddess Parvati as calling food an illusion was like calling her an illusion. She decided to take away all kinds of material things from the world in order to make Shiva and the world realize its importance. She wanted to see how will the world survive by merely practicing yoga and meditation. Consequently, the earth became barren and people suffered famine. Everyone, including the Gods, humans and demons kept begging for food.
However, soon the motherly love of Goddess Parvati couldn’t see her children die. So, she re-emerged as Maa Annapurna and started distributing food in the holy town of Kashi. Even Shiva had to come to Kashi for sustenance and confessed his mistake. This made him realize that he is incomplete without Shakti and both Shiva and Shakti are equally vital for the world to exist. Since then Annapurna is worshipped as the Goddess of food and nourishment.
Annapurna Devi Mandir was constructed in 1729 A.D by Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao in Nagara architecture and the large-pillared sanctum houses the idol of Goddess Annapurna. The temple has two idols of the Goddess, one of brass which is available for daily Darshana, and the other one of gold which can be seen only once a year.The temple gathers a huge crowd on the occasion of Annakoot, which is celebrated the day after Diwali every year. The golden icon of the Goddess can be only seen once a year on this day. Annakoot coins are distributed to all the devotees as a blessing of Goddess Annapurna. Located adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Goddess is present with a golden ladle in one hand and a jeweled bowl of rice in another, along with Bhu Devi & Sri Devi, located on the first floor of the temple complex.
This is how Shiv praised Parvati and asked her for food & divine knowledge.
Following are the 8 verses adorning the Annapurna Ashtakam:
The link to the Ashtakam is given below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWp6V_aZ8gE
Mother Annapurni, you are the one who grant us eternal happiness; you are the one who drives away our fears; you are the most beautiful in all the worlds; you are the one who destroys all our sins and therby purify us; you are the consort of the omnipotent Easwara (Lord Shiva); you are the one who purifies the family of Himavan, the great Mountain; You are the great one who resides in the holy town of Kasi (Varanasi); You are the most compassionate one. Please grant us alms.
Mother Annapurni, you shine with decorative jewels made of different gem stones; you are adorned with costly golden laced clothings; you wear garland of pearls and pendants on your bosom; you have the most beautiful body, fragrant with sandal paste from Kashmir. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Mother Annapurna, who resides in the caves of Kailasa Mountain; you are severally called as Gouri (of golden complexion), Uma Sankari (consort of Sankara) and Koumari (who always remain young); you reside in the meaning of the Vedas; you are the bija syllable of the mantra "Ohm"; you throw open the doors to liberation of your devotees. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Mother Annapurna, you are the source of all letters, starting from "a" and ending with "Ksha" of Sanskrit language, popularly known as 'Akshara Mala', or the garland of letters'; you are the cause of the three-fold aspects of Sambhu (creating, preserving and destroying); you shine in saffron colour; you are the consort of the destroyer of Tripuram, Lord Shiva; you are the one with three eyes; you are the Mother of the Universe, ever carrying out creations; you are the witness to the dissolution of the Universe in the dark nights; you are the gateway to liberation. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Mother Annapurna, you are Mother Earth as Bhuvaneswari, who grants victory in all spheres, who has won all on Earth, the Mother of boundless ocean of compassion. You possess neatly arranged braided dark hair similar to the flower of the Indigo plant, who grants food to all for ever. You are the one who grants liberation and all prosperity to all. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Mother Annapurna, your splendour is equal to the brightness of crores and crores of Sun, Moon and Fire. Your red lips reflect the beams of the Moon. Your ear rings shine bright as the Fire of the Sun and Moon. Your entire body has the glow and radiance of the Sun, Moon and Fire. You hold a pearl garland, book, pasam (rope of life) and angusam (weapon for control) in your four hands. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
ஜ்ஞாந-வைராக்ய-ஸித்தயர்தம் பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி ச பார்வதீ ॥ 11 ॥
Verse 12
பாந்தவா: ஶிவபக்தாஶ்ச ஸ்வதேஶோ புவநத்ரயம் ॥ 12 ॥
Goddess Parvati is my Mother, Lord Mahesvara is my Father. The devotees of Lord Siva are my relatives; and the three worlds are my own country.
Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvartha sathike
Saranye thriyambake devi Narayani namosthuthe
ஶரண்யே த்ர்யம்பகே கௌரி நாராயணி நமோஸ்து தே ॥
Om Ekadanthaya vidmahe Vakrathundaya dheemahi
Thanno danthi prachodayath.
Om Thatpurashaya vidhmahe Vakrathundaya dheemahi
Thanno danthi prachodayath.
Om That Purushaya Vidhmahe Maha Senaya Dheemahe
Thanno Shanmuga Prachodayath
Om That Purushaya Vidhmahe Maha Devaya Dheemahe
Thanno Rudra Prachodayath
Aum Panchavaktraya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi
Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat
Om Thath purushaya Vidhmahe Chakrathundaya Dheemahe
Thanno Nandi Prachodayath.
Om Narayanaya Vidhmahe Vasudevaya Dheemahe
Thanno Viṣṇu Prachodayath.
9. Sri Srinivasa Gayathri
ஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீனிவாச காயத்ரி
Nirnajanaya Vidmahe Nirapasaya Dheemahe
Thanno Srinivasa Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the god who is eternal truth and who does not have attachments. Let Him give me higher intellect. And let God Srinivasa illuminate my mind.
Om Dhamodharaya Vidhmahe Rukmani Vallabhay Dheemahe
Thanno Krishna Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the god whose belly was tied by a rope. Oh, consort of Rukhmani, give me higher intellect. And let God Krishna illuminate my mind.
Om Dasarathaya Vidhmahe Sita Vallabhaya Dheemahe
Thanno Rama Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the son of Daṣaratha. Oh, consort of Sita, give me higher intellect. And let God Rāma illuminate my mind.
Om Narasimhaya Vidmahe Vajra Nakhaya Dheemahe
Thanno Narasimha Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the god who is the lion man. Oh, God who has diamond claws, give me higher intellect. And let God Narasimha illuminate my mind.
13. Sri Hayagrivar Gayathri
தந்நோ ஹம்ச ப்ரசோதயாத்
Om Vaniswaraya Vidmahe Haya Greevaya Dheemahe
Thanno Hayagreeva Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the god of learning. Oh, God who has a horse face, give me higher intellect. And let God Hayagreeva illuminate my mind.
14. தன்வந்திரி காயத்ரி
Dhanvanthri Gayathri
ஓம் வாசுதேவாய வித்மஹே சுதாஹஸ்தாய தீமஹி
தந்நோ தன்வந்திரி ப்ரசோதயாத்
ஓம் தத் புருஷாய வித்மஹே அமிர்த கலச ஹஸ்தாய தீமஹி
தந்நோ தன்வந்திரி ப்ரசோதயாத்
“Om tat purushaaya vidmahae Amritha kalasa hastaaya dheemahi
Tanno Dhanvantri prachodayaat.”
I meditate upon Lord Dhanvantri who is the Supreme Being and holds a pot of immortal nectar in the hands. May the Lord dispel the darkness of ignorance and light the lamp of wisdom in my heart.
Om Sudharshanaya Vidmahe Maha Jwalaya Dheemahe
Thanno Chakra Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the holy wheel of Sudharshana. Oh, Wheel which has great brilliance, give me higher intellect. And let the wheel illuminate my mind.
Om Aanjaneyaya Vidhmahe Maha balaya Dheemahe
Thanno Hanumath Prachodayath.
Translation
He who was born from one of the five crossed over one of the five
and made a path through one of the five for the noble prince (Arya)
to the city and find the one who was born from one of the five
where he ‘let loose’/’set’ one of the five. He will always protect us.
Now it is left to the choice of the readers to guess who is described in the poetry.
Decoding the verses:-
Here 5 means 5 elements ( Pancha Bhootas)
He is the son of Vayu Bhagavan(Air, one of the 5 elements) वायु:
leaped into the Sky(आकाश)..crossing the ocean(water) अप: to reach Sita Dhevi (who was born to the earth पृथ्वी:…(another element of the 5) .and last ignited Fire ( अग्नि,) another..element of the 5 into a distant land .and this …………… Would definitely protect us
goes the meaning of the sloka..
Yes it is Ram Bakth Hanuman to be filled in the blank
Om Thathpurushaya Vidhmahe Suvarna Pakshaya Dheemahe
Thanno Garuda Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on that great living being. Oh, Bird with golden wings, give me higher intellect. And let the God Garuda illuminate my mind.
Om Thulsi devyai cha Vidhmahe Vishnu priyayai cha Dheemahe
Thanno Brindah Prachodayath.
ஓம் துளசி தேவ்யைச்ச வித்மஹே விஷ்ணு பத்னைஸ்ச தீமஹி
தந்நோ பிரிந்த ப்ரசோதயாத்
Om, Let me meditate on the Goddess Thulsi. Oh, Goddess who is dear to Vishnu, give me higher intellect. And let Brindha (another name for Tulsi plant) illuminate my mind.
Om Mahadevyaicha Vidhmahe Vishnu Pathniyaicha Dheemahe
Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the greatest goddess. Oh, wife of Lord Vishnu, give me higher intellect. And let Goddess Lakshmi illuminate my mind.
Om Vakdeviyai cha Vidhmahe Virinji Pathniyai cha Dheemahe
Thanno Vani Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the goddess of speech. Oh, wife of Lord Brahma, give me higher intellect. And let Goddess Vani illuminate my mind.
Om Bhaskaraya Vidhmahe Divakaraya DheemaheThanno Surya Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the Sun God. Oh, maker of the day, give me higher intellect. And let Sun God illuminate my mind.
Om Padmadwajaya Vidhmahe Hema roopaya Dheemahe
Thanno Chandra Prachodayath.Om, Let me meditate on God who has lotus in his flag. Oh, God of golden colour, give me higher intellect. And let moon God illuminate my mind.
ஓம் க்ஷீர புத்ராய வித்மஹே அமிர்தத்தவாய தீமஹிதந்நோ சந்திர ப்ரசோதயாத்Om Kshira puthraya Vidhmahe Amrithathvaya DheemaheThanno Chandra Prachodayath.
Om veeradhwajaaya vidmahae vighna hastaaya dheemahitanno bhouma prachodayaathOm, Let me meditate on him who has hero in his flag. Oh, He who has power to solve problems, give me higher intellect. And let the son of Bhoomi God illuminate my mind.
Om gajadhwajaaya vidmahae sukha hastaaya dheemahi
tanno budha: prachodayaath
Om vrishabadhwajaaya vidmahae kruni hastaaya dheemahi
tanno guru: prachodayaath.
Om aswadhwajaaya vidmahae dhanur hastaaya dheemahi
tanno shukra: prachodayaath
Om kaakadhwajaaya vidmahae khadga hastaaya dheemahi
tanno mandah: prachodayaath
Om naakadhwajaaya vidmahae padma hastaaya dheemahi
tanno raahu: prachodayaath
Om aswadhwajaaya vidmahae soola hastaaya dheemahi
tanno ketu: prachodayaath
Om Jala bimbhaya Vidhmahe Nila Purushaya Dheemahe
Thanno Varuna Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the reflection of water. Oh, person of ocean blue, give me higher intellect. And let the God Varuna illuminate my mind.
Om Maha jwalaya Vidhmahe Agni devaya Dheemahe
Thanno Agni Prachodayath.
Om, Let me meditate on the great flame. Oh, God of fire, give me higher intellect. And let the God Agni illuminate my mind.
37. Vayu Gayathri
வாயு காயத்ரி
ஓம் துவஜ ஹஸ்தாய வித்மஹே பிராணாதிபாய தீமஹி
தந்நோ வாயு பிரச்தயாத்
ohm dhwaja hasthaaya vithmahe praanathipaaya dheemahi
Thanno vayu prachothayathu
Om, Let me meditate on the one who dwajam in his hands. Oh, God of prana (breath), give me higher intellect. And let the God Vayu illuminate my mind.
Om, Let me meditate on The God who is the soul of Vedas. Oh God, who is the Golden Egg (Creator) of the universe, give me higher intellect, And let the Lord Brahma illuminate my mind.
Om, Let me meditate on the God with four faces. Oh, God who rides on the Swan, give me higher intellect. And let the Lord Brahma illuminate my mind.
There is a simple mantra to pray to all Gods.
"Sarva Devata Prayer".
This mantra is a simple and powerful way to offer respect and seek blessings from all the deities in the Hindu pantheon.
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु।मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Om. Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niraamayaah
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
Translation: May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May all beings experience prosperity. May none in the world suffer. Let peace prevail everywhere.
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MEENAKSHI PANCHA RATNAM (BY SRI ADI SANKARA) Goddess Meenakshi, Madurai. Hi Viewer, Welcome to my blog site. Presenting to you, yet anoth...