Shivananda Lahari by Adi Sankaracharya
[Waves of the Bliss of Shiva]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
This is one of the greatest poetic prayer couched in an undercurrent of practical philosophy by Sri.Adhi Sankara Bhagawat pada. Unlike Soundrya Lahari, this stotra does not seem to have tantric implication. It is more simpler and enriched with several alankaras (Figure of Speech). Any one reading this and understanding it would definitely become a richer man-rich because of the peace, steadfast mind and knowledge of God and Philosophy he gains.
Prayer to the teacher
Imkara hrimkara rahasya yuktha
Srimkara gudartha Maha vibhoothya
Om kara marma prathi paadinibhyam,
Namo nama Sri Guru Padukabyam
I bow before the wooden slippers of my teacher,
Who taught me the meaning of “OM”,
Which is the inner meaning of the sound “Srim”,
Being a holy combination of the sounds “Im” and “Hrim”.
Shivananda Lahari
1
Kalabhyam choodalankrutha sasi kalabhyam nija thapa
Phalabhyam bhaktheshu prakatitha phalabhyam bhavathu me
Shivabham sthoka thri bhuvana shivabhyam hridhi punar
Bhavaabhyam ananda sphura dhanubhavabhyam natheeriyam
Let my salutations be dedicated ,
To those who are dedicated to art,,
To them who wear the moon in their head,
To them who are the personification of mutual penance,
To them who teach devotees about the results of penance,
To them who grant only good to the three worlds,
To them whose every memory becomes newer and newer,
To them who are supremely happy due to their great knowledge,
And to the result of mystic union of Shiva and Shakthi.
2
Galanthi shambho twacharitha saritha khilbhisharajo
Dganthi dho kulya saranishu pathanthi vijayatham
Dhisanthi samsara bhramana parthapopa samanam,
Vasanthi machedho hrid bhavathi Shivananda Lahari.
Oh Lord Shambu who grants us happiness,
Let these waves of ecstasy Of Lord Shiva,
Flowing from the holy history of yours,
Calming the dusts of sin for ever,
Rushing from the canals of wisdom,
Falling in to the whirl pool of life,
Dousing the fires of sorrow,
Living in my hearts as senses,
Be always victorious.
3
Vrayi vedhyam tripura hara madhyam thrinayanam,
Jata bharodharam chala dhoora gaharam mriga dharma
Mahadevam devam mayi sadhata bhavam pasu pathim,
Chidalambam sambham shiva mathi vidambam hridhi bhaje
I pray with all my heart,
Him who is known by the three Vedas,
Him who is pleasant to the mind,
Him who destroyed the three cities,
Him who is first among every thing,
Him who has all seeing three eyes,
Him who carries the weight of matted lock,
With eminence great,
Him who wears the moving snake as necklace,
Him who holds the jumping deer in his hand,
Him who is greatest among devas,
Him who shines with glitter,
Him who has mercy on me,
Him who is the lord of all beings,
Him who is the only support to holy wisdom,
Him who is always with my Goddess,
And Him who is a great entertainer.
4
Sahasram varthanthe jagathi vibhutha kshudra phalada
Na manye swapne vaa thadanusaranam that krutha phalam
Hari brahmadeenamapi nikata bhaja masulabham
Chiram yache shambho shiva thava padombhoja bhajanam
Thousands of Gods abound,
Offering trifling gifts to them who pray,
And never even in my dreams would I pray.
Or request gifts from them.
To Shiva who is close to Vishnu, Brahma and other Gods,
But who is difficult for them to near,
I would beseech and beg always,
For his lotus like feet.
5
Smruthou shasthre vaidhye shakuna kavitha gana phanithou
Puranee manthre vaa sthuthi natana hasyeshwa chatura
Kadham ragman preethirbhavathi mayi koo aham pasu pathe
Pasum maam sarvagna pradhitha kripaya palaya vibho
Ignoramus I am in the science of law,
In the science of life,
In the art of medicine,
In interpretation of events,
In the art of poems and song,
In the difficult tomes of arty grammer,
In the holy books of yore,
In the psalms of Vedas.
In singing about your great deeds,
In the art of dance and in art of comedy,
And so how can I get favour of Kings?
Oh Lord of all beings,
Oh all knowing one,
Of most famous one,
And Oh , all pervading one,
Tell me who am I?
And be pleased to protect me ,
Showering on me your sea of mercy.
