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| BRIHATHEESWAR, TANJORE |
“विद्यासु श्रुतिरुत्कृष्टा रुद्रैकादशिनी श्रुतौ ।
तत्र पञ्चाक्षरी तस्यां शिव इत्यक्षरद्वयम् ॥“
“Of Vidyas, Veda is the greatest; in Veda, ‘Sri Rudram’ containing 11 Anuvakams is the greatest; in that the Panchakshara ‘Nama: Sivaya’ is the greatest; there too, the two letters ‘Siva’ are the greatest.”
Hi viewer. Hope you are enjoying my blogs. We are now in the 8th & 9th sections. Before we take the first plunge, let us listen to the sacred chants of Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram by Sage Markandeya in the following link and drive away fear of death. What can Death do, when we are protected by the great Lord? The text and meaning of this great slokam is appended at the fag end of this blog for those interested.
Svetasvatara Upanishad states that relief from the misery of samsara will result only from knowledge of Sri Parameswara.
“यदा चर्मवदाकाशं वेष्टयिष्यन्ति मानवाः ।
तदा शिवमविज्ञाय दुःखस्यान्तो भविष्यति ॥“
Meaning:
“When men roll the sky like a piece of skin, it is only then that reief from the misery of samsara will result without knowing Siva.” The import is that just as sky can never be rolled, it is impossible to get relief from the troubles of samsara without the knowledge of Siva.
In the eighth Anuvaka, Rudra is described as He who illumines other Gods and confers powers on them. He is seen as ever present in holy rivers and He who can absolve all our sins. This Anuvaka is chanted for the destruction of enemies and possession of ones own kingdom (lands). In this eighth Anuvakam, Sri Parameswara is adored through 17 internal mantras, establishing that he is to be adored by all, bringing out some of his qualities and stating that he is the indwelling soul of all creation.
In the eighth Anuvaka, Rudra is described as He who illumines other Gods and confers powers on them. He is seen as ever present in holy rivers and He who can absolve all our sins. This Anuvaka is chanted for the destruction of enemies and possession of ones own kingdom (lands). In this eighth Anuvakam, Sri Parameswara is adored through 17 internal mantras, establishing that he is to be adored by all, bringing out some of his qualities and stating that he is the indwelling soul of all creation.
Anuvagam 8 of 11.
Mantra 1
नमस्सोमाय च रुद्राय च ।
nama somaaya cha rudraaya cha
nama somaaya cha rudraaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is always with Uma and relieves one of the misery of samsara.Explanation:
In order to establish that Parameswara’s greatness in such removal of the misery of samsara is only due to his being together wioth Uma, the term ‘सोमाय’ has been used in conjunction. Passages of Svetasvatara Upanishad like ‘ते ध्यानयोगानुगता अपश्यन् देवात्मशक्तिं स्वगुणैर्निगूढाम्’ make it clear that Atmagnanam was attained by Maharishis only through the grace of Uma. This has also been referred in detail in Talavakara Upanishad, Sivapuranam, Kurmapuranam etc. Parameswara is able to grant Moksha only because he is with Uma.
Mantra 2
नमस्ताम्राय चारुणाय च ।
nama staamraaya cha arunaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is of the form of Surya of copper-red hue at dawn and is like Surya of a little magenta hue after a while.
Explanation:
Surya appears every day before people and is ready to bestow the desired boons. It is enough if we worship that Surya, meditating on him as Sri Parameswara Himself.
Surya appears every day before people and is ready to bestow the desired boons. It is enough if we worship that Surya, meditating on him as Sri Parameswara Himself.
Mantra 3
नमश्शङ्गाय च पशुपतये च ।
nama̍ sangaaya cha pasupathaye cha
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is the giver of all riches and comforts and also to the protector of all persons.
Mantra 4
नम उग्राय च भीमाय च ।
nama ugraaya cha bhimaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is a terrible One, stronger and greater than anyone.
Mantra 5
नमो अग्रेवधाय च दूरेवधाय च ।
namo agrevadhaaya cha durevadhaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is the one who stands ahead of his devotees in the battlefield and kills the enemies, who are at a great distance from the devotees, even before commencement of battle.
That Sri Parameswara drains away the strength etc. of the distant enemies even before commencement of battle has also been stated by Sri Krishna to Arjuna in “Arjuna! Know that the person whom you saw going in front of you during the war is Rudra. You killed those enemies whom he initially attacked and killed."
Mantra 6
नमो हन्त्रे च हनीयसे च ।
namo hantre cha haniyase cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who torments those who disregard Him out of arrogance and abuse Him out of hatred.
Explanation:
As an example of Parameswara being ‘Hanta’, we can cite Ravana. Disregarding Parameswara out of arrogance born of physical strength and wealth, he inserted his fingers at the foot of the Kailasa mountain with a view to dislodging it. Parameswara pressed the big toe of His foot. Ravana felt miserable for long with crushed fingers. Parameswara released him later out of compassion.
For ‘Haniyaan’, one can cite the example of Daksha. Out of hatred for Parameswara, he abused Him in many ways and performed yaga without offering Him Havirbhaga. Virabhadra appeared at that time and cut off Daksha's head; the yagasala was burnt down; the altars were rendered impure and Agnis were put out; the sacrificial animal-pillars were removed and used for beating the Devas. The Ritviks were whipped; the moustache of Bhrigu, teeth of Pushan and eyes of Bhaga were gouged out. What a misery! There was none who could protect them at that time.
The import of this mantra is that as disregard and criticism of Parameswara is known to cause many troubles, all should worship Parameswara and avoid disregard.
Mantra 7
नमो वृक्षेभ्यो हरिकेशेभ्यः ।
namo vrkshebhyo hari kesebhyaha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is in the form of trees with green leaves resembling His matted hair.
Explanation:
The import of this mantra is that being in the form of trees like Palasa, Bilva, Peepul etc., Parameswara helps in performance of yagas in this world, and being in the form of Kalpaka tree in the upper world, he grants all enjoyments; hence Sri Parameswara should be worshipped by those desirous of these benefits.
Mantra 8
नमस्ताराय ।
nama sthaaraaya
Meaning:
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is of the form of Pranava and Who helps in rescuing Jivas from the ocean of samsara and bestows Mukti.
Mantra 9
नमश्शंभवे च मयोभवे च ।
nama sambhave cha mayobhave cha
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is the cause of happiness in this world and is the cause of comfort in the upper world.
Mantra 10
नमश्शङ्कराय च मयस्कराय च ।
nama sankaraaya cha mayaskaraaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who, through our father and mother, provides us comfort in this world and Who through our Guru, bestows happiness in the heavens.
Explanation:
The previous mantra means that he bestows happiness himself; this mantra should be interpreted to mean that he grants happiness through others. There is therefore no fault of repetition.
Mantra 11
नमश्शिवाय च शिवतराय च ।
nama sivaya cha sivatharaaya chaMeaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who is the bestower of all merits and the greatest among the bestowers of merits.
Mantra 12
नमस्तीर्थ्याय च कूल्याय च ।
namas theerthyaaya cha koolyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who resides in holy waters or rivers like Ganga and who resides in the banks of rivers.
Explanation:
After worshipping Sri Parameswara so far explaining the reasons for the necessity of everyone for adoring him, the Rishi prays till the end of this Anuvakam explaining his being the indweller of everything.
Mantra 13
नमः पार्याय चावार्याय च ।
nama̍ paaryaya cha vaaryaaya cha
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who resides on the opposite bank of the river and also resides on this bank.
Explanation:
Another interpretation has been that as one to be meditated upon by those who are keen on Moksha, he resides on the opposite bank of the ocean of samsara, and that as the bestower of desired objects, he resides in this side of the ocean of samsara.
Mantra 14
नमः प्रतरणाय चोत्तरणाय च ।
nama pratharanaaya cha uttharanaaya cha
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who, in the form of chant of mantra etc., enables us to tide over sins, whose form is the greatest Gnana, enabling us to cross the ocean of samsara.
Mantra 15
नम आतार्याय चालाद्याय च ।
nama̍ aathaaryaaya cha laaḏhyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who stays in the place of our return and Who inspires the jiva enjoying fully the fruits of karma.
Explanation:
‘आतार्याय च’ has also been interpreted as the bestower of grace on jivas, who, without obtaining true Knowledge, perform karmas with desire and keep returning to the ocean of samsara.
Mantra 16
नमः शष्प्याय च फेन्याय च ।
nama sashpyaaya cha phenyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who resides in tender grass and to One Who resides in foam.
Mantra 17
नमस्सिकत्याय च प्रवाह्याय च ।
namaa siskathyaaya cha pravaahyaaya cha ||
Meaning:
Prostrations to Parameshwara Who resides in sands as well as in torrential water flows.
Anuvagam 9
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| OHM, NAMASHIVAYA |
In the ninth Anuvaka the strength and power of his attendants is celebrated because they illumine the gods and the world and control the forces of the universe. This Anuvaka is chanted for obtaining gold, a good wife, a job, and the blessings of a son who will be devoted to Lord Shiva.
Mantra 1
नम इरिण्याय च प्रपथ्याय च ।
nama irinyaaya cha prapathyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in salty barren lands; is in the path well-trodden by many and is in all that is worn-out.
Explanation:
In this ninth Anuvakam also, Sri Parameswara is worshipped as the indweller in everything.
Mantra 2
नमः किँशिलाय च क्षयणाय च ।
nama̍ kigsilaaya cha kshayan̍aaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is present in a region full of stones (not suitable for living) and who is also present in a place very much suitable for living.
Mantra 3
नमः कपर्दिने च पुलस्तये च ।
nama̍ kapardhine cha pulasthaye cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who has matted locks of hairs and who also appears as having a nice hair.
Explanation:
These two terms convey that while giving darshan to devotees, he sometimes appears with matted tresses and at other times, with nice hair.
Mantra 4
नमो गोष्ठ्याय च गृह्याय च ।
namo goshyaaya cha ghyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in cow-sheds and is also in our houses as well.
Mantra 5
नमस्तल्प्याय च गेह्याय च ।
nama sthalpyaaya cha gehyaaya cha
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in a cot (He becomes the cot to Lalithambigai) and who resides in mansions.
Mantra 6
नमः काट्याय च गह्वरेष्ठाय च ।
nama̍ kaatyaaya cha gahvareshtaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is present even in inaccessible places which are full of thorns, creepers, plants, bushes etc. and Who is also present in caves.
Mantra 7
नमो हृदय्याय च निवेष्प्याय च ।
namo hrudhayyaaya cha niveshpyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in deep vortices and is in snowy water. This is the literal meaning. The other meaning could be that He is involved deeply in our day-to-day life and is also remains out of it in isolation without involving in anyway, like a celibate.
Mantra 8
नमः पाँसव्याय च रजस्याय च ।
nama̍ paangsavyaaya cha rajasyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is present in tiny invisible atoms and also is present in visible larger particles.
Mantra 9
नमः शुष्क्याय च हरित्याय च ।
nama sukyaaya cha harithyaaya cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in dry trees (in desert regions) and Who is in green trees (in wet lands).
Mantra 10
नमो लोप्याय चोलप्याय च ।
namo lopyaaya cha ulap̱yaaya cha
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in rocky places where even grass cannot grow and who is in thick grasses.
Mantra 11
नम ऊर्व्याय च सूर्म्याय च ।
nama̍ urvyaaya cha soormyaaya cha
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in present in the land and also in splashing rivers.
Mantra 12
नमः पर्ण्याय च पर्णशद्याय च ।
nama̍ parnyaaya cha parnasadhyaaya cha
Prostrations to the Lord Who is in (green) leaves and also is in heaps of dry leaves.
Mantra 13
नमोऽपगुरमाणाय चाभिघ्नते च ।
namo paguramaann̍aaya cha abhighnathe cha
Meaning:
Prostrations to the Lord Who raises weapons (ready to punish deserving sinners) and hits them hard for their sin.
Mantra 14
नम आक्खिदते च प्रक्खिदते च ।
nama akhkhidathe cha prakhkhidhathe cha
Prostrations to the Lord Who causes minor trouble or causes much misery, depending on severity of their sin.
Mantra 15
नमोवः किरिकेभ्यो देवानाँ हृदयेभ्यः ।
namo vah kirikebhyo devaanaang hrudhayebhya ha
Prostrations to Rudraganas, perceived only by Devas (and not by humans) and who torture the evil persons from unseen places as they wish.
Mantra 16
नमो विक्षीणकेभ्यः (देवानाँ हृदयेभ्यः)
namo vikshinakebhyah
Meaning:
Prostrations to those Rudraganas who torture the sinners in many ways.
Mantra 17
नमो विचिन्वत्केभ्यः (देवानाँ हृदयेभ्यः)
namo vichinvathkebhyahaProstration to those Rudraganas who seek out sinners for punishing them and also the virtuous for rewarding them.
Mantra 18
नम आनिर्हतेभ्यः (देवानाँ हृदयेभ्यः)
namo aarnihathebhyaha
Prostration to those Rudraganas who torture in accordance with the sins committed by sinners.
Mantra 19
नम आमीवत्केभ्यः(देवानाँ हृदयेभ्यः)
nama̍ aameevathkebhyaha̍ ||
Meaning:
Prostration to those Rudraganas who can pervade anywhere and everywhere for catching and punishing the sinners.
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Appendix
It is said that sage Markandeya was destined to die at the age of sixteen. Unaffected by this fateful reality of his life, he grew up as an exemplary child performing all his duties diligently. He did all his spiritual disciplines ardently and was an utmost devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, while he was engrossed in the worship of the Shiva Linga, Yama, the god of death appeared to make his transition to the other realms. At that instant Markandeya hugged the Shiva Linga tightly, taking refuge with all his love. Right as Yama was hurling his rope to take away the soul of Markandeya, Lord Shiva appeared from the Lingam and violently kicked the lord of death and ordained that the young sage will live for many years and grace the world with wisdom and knowledge. Markandeya had won the supreme compassion and grace of the great Lord. In that state of extreme bliss that he was, he composed the Mrityunjaya stotram hailing Lord Shiva as the conqueror of death, bestower of victory and pristine health.
This stotram is a great cleanser of one's aura. Continous chanting or listening the chant bestows one with peace and invites the powers of healing and confidence from deep within oneself, where the supreme Lord Shiva resides.
Following is the text and meaning of Maha Mrityujaya Stotram by Sage Markandeya:
Rudram, pasupathim, sthanum, neelakandam, umapathim,Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 1
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is the angry one,
Who is the lord of all beings,
Who is stable,
Who has a blue neck,
And who is the consort of Uma.
Neelakandam, kalamoorthim kalagnamr kalanasanam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 2
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is having a blue neck,
Who is the form of death,
Who knows paste, present and future,
And who destroyed the god of death.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is having a blue neck,
Who is the form of death,
Who knows paste, present and future,
And who destroyed the god of death.
Neelakandam, viroopaksham nirmalam vimalapradham, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 3
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has a blue neck,
Who has a different eye,
Who is clean,
And who is dazzlingly bright.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has a blue neck,
Who has a different eye,
Who is clean,
And who is dazzlingly bright.
Vamadevam mahadevam lokanadham jagatgurum, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 4
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who judges according to merit,
Who is the greatest god,
Who is the lord of the universe,
And who is the teacher of the world.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who judges according to merit,
Who is the greatest god,
Who is the lord of the universe,
And who is the teacher of the world.
Devadevam jagannatham devesam vrushabhadwajam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 5
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is the God of gods,
Who is the lord of the earth,
Who is the god of devas,
And who has a bull flag.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is the God of gods,
Who is the lord of the earth,
Who is the god of devas,
And who has a bull flag.
Traiksham chathurbhujam santham jata makuta dharanam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 6
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has three eyes,
Who has four hands,
Who is peaceful,
And who wears matted hair and a crown.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who has three eyes,
Who has four hands,
Who is peaceful,
And who wears matted hair and a crown.
Bhasmoddulitha sarvangam nagabharana bhooshitham, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 7
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is covered with ash,
All over his body,
And who wears the serpent,
As an ornament.
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is covered with ash,
All over his body,
And who wears the serpent,
As an ornament.
Anatham avyayam santham akshamala dharam haram,. Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 8
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is limitless,
Who cannot be explained,
Who is peaceful,
Who is the killer,
And who wears the garland of eyes
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is limitless,
Who cannot be explained,
Who is peaceful,
Who is the killer,
And who wears the garland of eyes
Aaandham paramam nithyam kaivalya pada dhayinam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 9
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is happiness,
Who is beyond thought,
Who is stable,
And who grants salvation.
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is happiness,
Who is beyond thought,
Who is stable,
And who grants salvation.
Ardhanaareeswaram devam parvathy prana nayakam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 10
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is the god half male half female,
And who is the darling of Parvathy.
Who salutes with his head that god
Who is the god half male half female,
And who is the darling of Parvathy.
Pralaya sthithi karthaaram adhi kartharameeswaram, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 11
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who creates the state of deluge,
And who is the god who made the beginning.
Who salutes with his head that god
Who creates the state of deluge,
And who is the god who made the beginning.
Vyomakesam viroopaksham chandrardha krutha shekaram, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 12
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Whose hair is the sky,
Who has a different eye,
And who has collected half of the moon.
Who salutes with his head that god
Whose hair is the sky,
Who has a different eye,
And who has collected half of the moon.
Gangadharam sasidharam sankaram shoolapaninam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 13
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god
Who carries the river ganga,
Who keep moon as an ornament,
Who is Lord Shankara,
And who carries a trident.
Who salutes with his head that god
Who carries the river ganga,
Who keep moon as an ornament,
Who is Lord Shankara,
And who carries a trident.
Swargapavarga datharam srushti sthithyanthakarinam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 14
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that God,
Who grant heaven and salvation,
Who looks after creation, upkeep and destruction.
Who salutes with his head that God,
Who grant heaven and salvation,
Who looks after creation, upkeep and destruction.
Kalpa ayur dehi mey punyam yavad ayur arogatham, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 15
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who can grant a life of an eon,
Who can bless you with a long life,
Bereft of any sickness.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who can grant a life of an eon,
Who can bless you with a long life,
Bereft of any sickness.
Shivesanam mahadevam vamadevam sadashivam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 16
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is Shiva as well as Easwara,
Who is the great god,
Who gives correct judgments,
And who is always peaceful.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who is Shiva as well as Easwara,
Who is the great god,
Who gives correct judgments,
And who is always peaceful.
Uthpathi sthithi samhara karthara meeswaram gurum, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi., 17
What can death do to the one,
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who takes responsibility,
Of creation, upkeep and destruction,
And who is a great teacher.
Who salutes with his head that god,
Who takes responsibility,
Of creation, upkeep and destruction,
And who is a great teacher.
Markandeya krutham stotram ya padeth shiva sannidhou, Thasya mruthyu bhayam nasthi na agni chora bhayaam kwachith., 18
Any one reading this prayer,
Written by Markandeya,
In front of Lord Shiva,
Would not have,
Fear of death,
Never fear of fire and thieves.
Written by Markandeya,
In front of Lord Shiva,
Would not have,
Fear of death,
Never fear of fire and thieves.
Shathavrutham prakarthavyam sankate kashta nasanam, Suchir bhoothwa padeth stotram sarva sidhi pradhayakam 19
Reading it one hundred times,
In times of misery,
Will get rid of it,
And reading it with a clean mind,
Would make one get all his wants.
In times of misery,
Will get rid of it,
And reading it with a clean mind,
Would make one get all his wants.
Mruthyunjaya mahadeva thrahi maam saranagatham, Janma mrutyu jara rogai, peeditham karma bandhanai., 20
Oh great god, Who has won over god of death,
Please save me as I am submitting to you,
From births, deaths, old age and disease,
And also the ties of Karma which affect me.
Please save me as I am submitting to you,
From births, deaths, old age and disease,
And also the ties of Karma which affect me.
Thaavaka stvad gatha prana thawa chithoham sada mruda, Ithi vignapya devesam thryambakakhyam japeth, Nama sivaya Sambaya haraye paramathmane, Pranatha klesa naasaya yoginaam pathaye nama., 21-22
Ohm Namasivaya
Sri Rudram is continued in the next blog.
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