Let us hear this music before entering Her relm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMLOOh77TZg
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.
Annapurne Sada Purney Shankara Praana Vallabhe
Gyan Vairgya Siddhyatham, Bhiksham Dehi Cha Parvati
This is how Shiv praised Parvati and asked her for food & divine knowledge.
SRI ANNAPURNA TEMPLE, VARANASI
When Sri Sankaran Bhagavatpada visited the shrine of Sri Annapoorna, during his stay in the holy city of Kaasi, he composed a hymn in praise of the Devi in eight verses, known as Annapoornaashtakam. This hymn is recited with great reverence throughout India. Each one of these verses ends with the refrain, "Bikshaam dehi kripaavalambanakaree maataannapoornesvaree".
In the words of Kanchi seer, "Goddess Annapoorani's very form is Knowledge-personified. Sri Adi Sankaracharya describes her as the essence of all the alphabets from ‘a’ to ‘ksha’. ‘Aadi Kshaantha Samastha Varnanakaree’ (आदिक्षान्तसमस्तवर्णनकरी) which is the form of ‘Mantra Maatrukaa Roopini’. Since her form is such, she will not only give us alms to sustain our body but also bless us with the alms of Knowledge and give us wisdom.In the final stanza of the Shloka, Acharyal explains what type of knowledge it is. At that stage of realization, the Lord Himself will appear as Father and the Goddess as our Mother. Then all the living beings will become our brothers and sisters and entire universe will become our own home. This is Universal Integration".
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
श्रीअन्नपूर्णास्तोत्रम् (अन्नपूर्णाष्टकम् )॥-
SRI ANNAPURNA-STOTRAM ॥
ஶ்ரீ அன்னபூர்ணா ஸ்தோத்ரம்
Sri Shankara Bhagawadpada, our Adi Sankaracharya, had composed a hymn on Annapoorani, while he was staying at Kasi. In that hymn, at the end of each stanza he fervently prays ‘Oh Mother, Annapoorani, You who stands as the pillar of compassion, please give me alms’.
Verse 1
नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौन्दर्यरत्नाकरी
निर्धूताखिलघोरपावनकरी प्रत्यक्षमाहेश्वरी ।
प्रालेयाचलवंशपावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ १॥
nityanandakari varabhayakari saundaryarathnakari
nirdhutakhila dorapavanakari pratyakshaamaheshvari
praleyachalavamshapavanakari kashipuradhishvari
bhiksham dehi krpavalambanakari matannapurneshvari (1)
நித்யாநந்தகரீ வராபயகரீ ஸௌந்தர்ய ரத்நாகரீ
நிர்தூதாகில கோர பாவநகரீ ப்ரத்யக்ஷ மாஹேஶ்வரீ ।
ப்ராலேயாசல வம்ஶ பாவநகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 1 ॥
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.
Verse 2
नानारत्नविचित्रभूषणकरी हेमाम्बराडम्बरी
मुक्ताहारविलम्बमान विलसत् वक्षोजकुम्भान्तरी ।
काश्मीरागरुवासिता रुचिकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ २॥
nanaratnavichitrabhushanakari hemambaradambari
muktaharavilambamana vilasad vakshojakumbhantara
kashmiragaruvasita ruchikari kashipuradhashvari
bhiksham dehi krpavalambanakari matannapurneshvari (2)
நாநா ரத்ந விசித்ர பூஷணகரி ஹேமாம்பராடம்பரீ
முக்தாஹார விலம்பமாந விலஸத்-வக்ஷோஜ கும்பாந்தரீ ।
காஶ்மீராகரு வாஸிதா ருசிகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 2 ॥
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.
Verse 3
योगानन्दकरी रिपुक्षयकरी धर्मार्थनिष्ठाकरी
चन्द्रार्कानलभासमानलहरी त्रैलोक्यरक्षाकरी ।
सर्वैश्वर्यसमस्तवाञ्छितकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ३॥
yogánandakarè ripukshayakarè dharmaikanishtakari
chandrárkunalabhásamánalaharè trailokyarakshákari
sarvaishvaryakari tapaç phalakari kásèpurádhishvari
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari (3)
யோகாநந்தகரீ ரிபுக்ஷயகரீ தர்மைக்ய நிஷ்டாகரீ
சந்த்ரார்காநல பாஸமாந லஹரீ த்ரைலோக்ய ரக்ஷாகரீ ।
ஸர்வைஶ்வர்யகரீ தப: பலகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 3 ॥
Mother Annapurni, you are the one who delights the Yogis; youa re the one who destroys the enemies to establishes Dharma; You are the one who has the lusture of the Sun, Moon and Fire; you are the one who protects the three worlds; you are the one who grants all the wealth; You grant the fruits of tapas or penance. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Verse 4
कैलासाचलकन्दरालयकरी गौरी उमा शङ्करी
कौमारी निगमार्थगोचरकरी ओङ्कारबीजाक्षरी ।
मोक्षद्वारकपाटपाटनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ४॥
kailásácalakandarálayakari graurè hyumá sháñkari
kaumárè nigamárthagocarakarè hyonkárábèjáksharè
mokshadvárakaváûanakarè káshèpurádhèshvarè
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(4)
கைலாஸாசல கந்தராலயகரீ கௌரீ-ஹ்யுமாஶாஂகரீ
கௌமாரீ நிகமார்த-கோசரகரீ-ஹ்யோஂகார-பீஜாக்ஷரீ ।
மோக்ஷத்வார-கவாடபாடநகரீ காஶீபுராதீ4ஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 4 ॥
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.
Verse 5
दृश्यादृश्य विभूतिवाहनकरी ब्रह्माण्डभाण्डोदरी
लीलानाटकसूत्रभेदनकरी विज्ञानदीपाङ्कुरी ।
श्रीविश्वेशमनः प्रसादनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ५॥
drushyádrushyavibhutèvá hanakarè brahmánadabhánad odarè
lèlánáûakasutrakhelanakarè vijnyanádèpáñkurè
shrèvishveshamanah prasádanakarè káshèpurádhèshvari
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(5)
த்ருஶ்யாத்ருஶ்ய-விபூதி-வாஹநகரீ ப்ரஹ்மாண்ட-பாண்டோதரீ
லீலா-நாடக-ஸூத்ர-கேலநகரீ விஜ்ஞாந-தீபாஂகுரீ ।
ஶ்ரீவிஶ்வேஶமந:-ப்ரஸாதநகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 5 ॥
Mother Annapurna, you are the basis of all prosperities, both visible as well as invisible; you contain within you the entire creations in the Brahmanda; you play with your thread of Maya; you are the flame of the lamp of Wisdom and True knowledge; you bring happiness in the mind of Lord Shiva as Viswesa. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Verse 6
आदिक्षान्तसमस्तवर्णनकरी शम्भोस्त्रिभावाकरी
काश्मीरा त्रिजलेश्वरी त्रिलहरी नित्याङ्कुरा शर्वरी ।
कामाकाङ्क्षकरी जनोदयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ७॥
ádikshántasamastavarnaankari shambhostribhávákari
káshmirá tripureshvri trinayani vishveshvari sharvaè
svargadvárakaváûanakarè káshèpurádhèshvarè
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(6)
ஆதிக்ஷாந்த-ஸமஸ்தவர்ணநகரீ ஶம்போஸ்த்ரிபாவாகரீ
காஶ்மீரா த்ரிபுரேஶ்வரீ த்ரிநயநி விஶ்வேஶ்வரீ ஶர்வரீ ।
ஸ்வர்கத்வார-கபாட-பாடநகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 6 ॥
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.
Verse 7
उर्वी सर्वजनेश्वरी भगवती माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी
वेणीनीलसमानकुन्तलधरी नित्यान्नदानेश्वरी ।
सर्वानन्दकरी सदाशुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ६॥
urvi sarvajaneshvarè jayakarè mátá køpáságarè
venainilasamána kuntaladharè nètyánnadáneshvarè
sákshánmokshakarè sadá shubhakarè káshèpurádhèshvarè
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(7)
உர்வீஸர்வஜயேஶ்வரீ ஜயகரீ மாதா க்ருபாஸாகரீ
வேணீ-நீலஸமாந-குந்தலதரீ நித்யாந்ந-தாநேஶ்வரீ ।
ஸாக்ஷாந்மோக்ஷகரீ ஸதா ஶுபகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 7 ॥
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.
Verse 8
देवी सर्वविचित्ररत्नरचिता दाक्षायणी सुन्दरी
वामे स्वादुपयोधरा प्रियकरी सौभाग्य माहेश्वरी ।
भक्ताभीष्टकरी सदाशुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ८॥
devè sarvavicitraratnaracitá dáksháyanaè sundarè
vámá svádupayodhará priyakari# saubhágyamáheshvarè
bhaktábhèshûakarè sadá shubhakarè káshèpurádhèshvarè
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(8)
தேவீ ஸர்வவிசித்ர-ரத்நருசிதா தாக்ஷாயிணீ ஸுந்தரீ
வாமா-ஸ்வாதுபயோதரா ப்ரியகரீ ஸௌபாக்யமாஹேஶ்வரீ ।
பக்தாபீஷ்டகரீ ஸதா ஶுபகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 8 ॥
Mother Annapurna, you hold in your hands, a golden vessel and laddle adorned with various gems for serving food to all; as daughtr of Dakshan, you are the most beutiful in all worlds; you are the amrudhasurabhi, the bestower of nectar, who is very kind to devotees; as the greatest of all Godesses, you grant prosperity and fulfil the wishes of devotees. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Verse 9
चन्द्रार्कानलकोटिकोटिसदृशा चन्द्रांशुबिम्बाधरी
चन्द्रार्काग्निसमानकुण्डलधरी चन्द्रार्कवर्णेश्वरी ।
मालापुस्तकपाशसाङ्कुशधरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ ९॥
candarárkánalakoûikoûisadøshi candrámshubimbádharè
candrákágnidamánakunaãaladharè candrárkavarnaeshvarè
málápustakapáshasáñkushadhari káshèpurádhèshvarè
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(9)
சந்த்ரார்காநல-கோடிகோடி-ஸத்ருஶீ சந்த்ராம்ஶு-பிம்பாதரீ
சந்த்ரார்காக்நி-ஸமாந-குண்டல-தரீ சந்த்ரார்க-வர்ணேஶ்வரீ
மாலா-புஸ்தக-பாஶஸாஂகுஶதரீ காஶீபுராதீ4ஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 9 ॥
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.
Verse 10
क्षत्रत्राणकरी महाऽभयकरी माता कृपासागरी
साक्षान्मोक्षकरी सदा शिवकरी विश्वेश्वरी श्रीधरी ।
दक्षाक्रन्दकरी निरामयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी माताऽन्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥ १०॥
Kshatraránaakari mahábhayaharè mátá køpáshgari
sarvánandakarè sadá shivakarè visheshvari shridhari
dakshakrandakari nirámaykari káshipuradhèshvarè
bhikshám dehi krpávalambanakarè mátánnapurneshvari(10)
க்ஷத்ரத்ராணகரீ மஹாபயகரீ மாதா க்ருபாஸாகரீ
ஸர்வாநந்தகரீ ஸதா ஶிவகரீ விஶ்வேஶ்வரீ ஶ்ரீதரீ ।
தக்ஷாக்ரந்தகரீ நிராமயகரீ காஶீபுராதீஶ்வரீ
பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி க்ருபாவலம்பநகரீ மாதாந்நபூர்ணேஶ்வரீ ॥ 10 ॥
Mother Annapurna, the protector of kings and warriors, dispeller of profound fears, ocean of mercy, provider of all-round happiness, you always ensure good things happen to all. You are the consort of Lord Viswesvara. You are the form of Sri Mahalakshmi. You destroyed the attempts of Dhaksha to perform yaga without inviting Lord Shiva. You heal everyone of their diseases. You are the presiding deity of Kasi. Please grant us alms.
Verse 11
अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे ।
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति ॥ ११॥
annapurnae sadápurnae shañkarapránaavallabhe
jòánavarágya siddyartham bhikshám dehi ca párvati(11)
அந்நபூர்ணே ஸாதாபூர்ணே ஶஂகர-ப்ராணவல்லபே ।
ஜ்ஞாந-வைராக்ய-ஸித்தயர்தம் பிக்ஷாம் தேஹி ச பார்வதீ ॥ 11 ॥
Mother Annapurna, you are always complete with True knowledge. As Parvathi, you are the consort dearest of Sankara, Please grant us alms for the sake of securing knowledge and perseverance.
Verse 12
माता च पार्वती देवी
पिता देवो महेश्वरः ।
बान्धवाः शिवभक्ताश्च
स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयम् ॥ १२॥
mátá cha párvatè devè pitá devo maheshvaraç
bándhavaáç sivabhaktáshca swadesho bhuvanatrayam
மாதா ச பார்வதீதேவீ பிதாதேவோ மஹேஶ்வர: ।
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
ஸர்வ-மங்கல-மாங்கல்யே ஶிவே ஸர்வார்த ஸாதிகே ।
ஶரண்யே த்ர்யம்பகே கௌரி நாராயணி நமோஸ்து தே ॥
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Sri Shankara Bhagawadpada, our Adi Sankaracharya, had composed a hymn on Annapoorani, while he was staying at Kasi. In that hymn, at the end of each stanza he fervently prays ‘Oh Mother, Annapoorani, You who stands as the pillar of compassion, please give me alms’.
