Showing posts with label Sri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sri. Show all posts
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Vastu Purusha Mandala (Mandalam)
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Sripuram Mahalakshmi Golden Temple - The Sripuram or Spiritual Park is Amma's dedication to the world and mankind
Sripuram Golden Temple
A Mahalakshmi temple called 'Sripuram' and made of more than a tonne of pure gold will glitter and gleam under the sun on August 24 when it is unveiled for consecration by the Sri Narayani Peetam headed by a 31-year-old godman who calls himself Narayani Amma. Devotees hail the temple as 'one of the wonders of the world' and say that it is the only temple covered fully with gold.
More than 400 gold and coppersmiths from the Thirupath Thirumala Devasthanam are said to have worked for six years to craft the Rs 600-crore gold temple located on 55,000 sq ft of land on a 100-acre salubrious stretch in Malaikodi, about 6 km from Vellore in north Tamil Nadu. According to official sources, the gold bars were purchased through RBI in "a transparent manner."
First the coppersmiths set to work creating a copper base on the temple structure with engravings and etchings before the gold, beaten into nine layers of foils, was draped around it. The sanctum sanctorum will hold the deity of Mahalakshmi made of stone granite, but covered with gold kavacham (adornments).
"The Sripuram or Spiritual Park is Amma's dedication to the world and mankind," said P Murali, a trustee of the Peetam, adding that the temple has more gold than the Golden Temple of Amritsar.
Messages by 'Amma' have been laid out along the path to the temple with messages from the Gita, Bible and Quran. "When one enters the Sripuram, their focus is just on the magnificent temple. But when they leave, they cannot do so without taking some messages and gaining some wisdom," according to a booklet detailing the 'services' rendered by the Peetam. "In this quagmire of materialism, Sripuram rises as an inspiration to man to find the divinity within him," adds a brochure.
Murali said arrangements were being made to hire personnel to throw a security cover around the temple. "But the gold sheets have been laid out in such a manner that it would cost more to rip it off than purchase the gold," said a top Vellore district official.
LOCATION
Sripuram is located at Thirumalaikodi in Vellore.
For further information you can dial these numbers:
+91.0416.2271202,+91.0416.2271 844
From outside India
Ground travel arrangements to Peedam can be made by emailing in advance to the appropriate contact mentioned above; all you need to do is arrange for your flight to the Chennai Airport. The contact will arrange with the administration at Peedam for travelers to be picked up at the Chennai Airport and transported to the Peedam. It takes about 3 hours to get to Peedam.
For those who are not comfortable with night driving, arrangements can be made to stay overnight at the Radisson Hotel in Chennai at your own expense. Arrangements will be made to have you picked up the next day from the Radisson and taken to the Peedam. Road transportation to the Peedam costs about 2000/-Indian Rupees.
From Within India
By Train: Take a train to Katpadi, which is the nearest station to the Peedam. From the station take a bus or car to Sri Narayani Peedam via the town of Vellore in the direction of Usoor.
By Car: Drive to the town of Vellore and take the road in the direction of Usoor to Sri Narayani Peedam.
Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham
Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham
1. Kowsalya supraja Rama poorva sandhya pravarthathe
Uthishta narasardoola karthavyam daivamahnikam (Twice)
1. Sri Rama! Kausalya's endearing son! Wake up, dear;
You have to do Your day-to-day duties; Do wake up please.
2. Uthishtothishta Govinda uthishta garudadhwaja
Uthishta kamalakantha thrilokyam mangalam kuru (Twice)
2. Sri Govinda! All the three worlds are under Your rule; they have to prosper. Wake up, my child.
3. Mathassamasta jagatham madukaitabhare:
Vakshoviharini manohara divyamoorthe
Sree swamini srithajana priya danaseele
Sree Venkatesadayithe thava suprabhatham
3. Sri Lakshmi! You are in Venkateswara's's bosom, With Your lotus-eyes wide open to the world. Get up dear.
4. Thavasuprabhathamaravindalochane
Bhavathu prasanna mukhachandra mandale
Vidhisankarendra vanithabhirarchithe
Vrishasaila nathadavithel davanidhe
4. Sri Lakshmi! The celestials viz. Parvati, Saraswati, and Indrani stand in prayer to Thee. You have an endearing attachment to Your devotees.
5. Athriyadhi saptharushayssamupasyasandyam
Aakasa sindhu kamalani manoharani
Aadaya padhayuga marchayithum prapanna:
Seshadrisekhara vibho! Thava suprabhatham
5. Sri Srinivasa! Maharishis like Atri are forging ahead from far and near, for your darshan, Get up, dear.
6. Panchananabja bhava shanmukavasavadhya:
Tryvikramadhi charitham vibhudhasthuvanthi
Bhashapathipatathi vasara shuddhi marath
Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava subrabhatham
6. Aran, Ayan, Shanmuga and Devas are all anxious to adore You. The daily Panchangam is to be read and approved by You. Get up, Srinivasa, dear.
7. Eeshathprapulla saraseeruha narikela
Phoogadrumadi sumanohara Balikanam
Aavaathi mandamanilassaha divya gandhai:
Seshadri shekara vibho! thava suprabhatham
7. Dawn is ahead. Flowers are opening their petals. The morning breeze is bracing. Get up and bless Your devotees.
8. Unmeelya nethrayugamuththama panjarasthaa:
Paathraa vasishta kadhaleephala payasani Bhukthvaa
saleelamatha keli sukha: patanthi
Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
8. Parrots are chanting Your celestial names repeatedly to the ecstasy of Your Bakthas. Get up, God, to hear the Sahasranamams of Your Divine Self.
9. Thanthreeprakarshamadhuraswanaya
vipanchyaa Gayathyanantha charitham
thava naradopi Bhashasamagrama sakruthkara sararammyam
Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
9. Thumburu Narada is speeding up to You. His Veena is set to sing Your glory. Do hear these melodious songs of Narada.
10. Brungavaleecha makaranda rashanuvidda
Jhankara geetha ninadaissa sevanaya
Niryathyupaantha sarasee kamalodarebhyaha
Seshadri sekhara vibhol thava suprabhatham
10. Lotushidden bees, having come out in the open with the opening of the petals, are singing solemn hymns. Oh Srinivasa! You are omnipotent.
11. Yoshaganena varadhadni vimathyamaane
Ghoshalayeshu dhadhimanthana theevraghoshaaha
Roshaathkalim vidha-dhathe kakubhascha kumbhaha
Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
11. Ayarpadi, ladies are singing their sweet melodies as they are churning butter. They announce the day-dawn. Get up, Oh Govinda! Bless these endearing Gopis.
12. Padmeshamithra sathapathra kathalivargha
Harthum shriyam kuvalayasya nijanga Lakshmya
Bheree ninadamiva bibrathi theevranadam
Seshadri sekhara vibho! thava suprabhatham
12. The humming black bees seem to sing that they are far more attractive than the black 'Kuvali' flowers from which they draw honey.All the three of you namely, bees, flowers and Your Holy Self form a holy Trinity in colour and splendour.
13. Sreemannabheeshta varadhakhila lookabandho
Sree Sreenivasa Jagadekadayaika sindho
Sree devathagruha bhujanthara divyamurthe
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
13. You have changed Your abode from Heaven to Venkatam to give boons to Your devotees. Do Hurry up! Venkatesa, to bless them.
14. Sree swamy pushkarinikaplava nirmalangaa
Sreyorthino hara viranchi sanadadhyaha
Dware vasanthi varavethra hathothamangaha:
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
14. Ayan, Aran and Celestials, after taking bath in Swami Pushkarini, are awaiting Your Grace to receive blessings.
15. Sree seshasaila garudachala venkatadri
Narayanadri vrishabhadri vrishadri mukhyam
Akhyam thvadeeyavasathe ranisam vadanthi
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
15. You have made Venkatam your permanent abode. Aran, and celestials are chanting the glory of the Sapthagiri.
16. Sevaaparaashiva suresa krusanudharma
Rakshombhunatha pavamana dhanadhi nathaha:
Bhaddanjali pravilasannija seersha deSaha:
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
16. The Dikpalakars, eight in number, are seeking Your grace in prayerful mood to take orders for their allotted work.
17. Dhateeshuthevihagaraja mrugadhiraja
Nagadhiraja gajaraja hayadhiraja:
Swaswadhikara mahimadhika marthayanthe
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
17. Garuda, lion, Anata, Gaja, Aswa, all these five are awaiting Your Command to improve their way of doing things to serve You better and more effectively.
18. Sooryendhubhouma bhudhavakpathi kavya souri
Swarbhanukethu divishathparishathpradanaa:
Twaddhasa dasa charamavadhidaasa daasa:
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
18. Navagrahas are awaiting Your pleasure. Please wake up
19. Thwathpadadhulibharita spurithothha manga:
Swargapavarga nirapeksha nijantharanga:
Kalpagamakalanaya kulatham labhanthe
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
19. Surya and the rest of the Navagrahas are steadfast in their dutiful obeissance to Your devotees. They await Your Command to serve you through your devotees.
20. Thvadgopuragra sikharani nireekshmana
Swargapavarga padaveem paramam shrayantha:
Marthyaa manushyabhuvane mathimashrayanthe
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava Suprabhatham
20. Srinivasa! Mankind desires to be with you for ever and for ever in
Venkatam and to serve You life-long.
21. Sree bhoominayaka dayadhi gunammruthabdhe
Devadideva jagadeka saranya moorthe
Sreemannanantha garudadibhirarchithangre
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
21. Ananta and Garuda are eagerly standing at Your door. Their anxious to serve You at a moment's notice is telling.
22. Sree Padmanabha Purushothama Vasudeva
Vaikunta Madhava Janardhana chakrapane
Sree vathsachinha saranagatha parijatha
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
22. Bakthas are chanting Your names as Vasudeva, Madhava, Govinda, Janardhana, Chakrapani and other endearing names. Devotees are ever ready to obey Your Command.
23. Kandarpa darpa hara sundara divya murthe
Kanthaa kuchamburuha kutmialola drishte
Kalyana nirmala gunakara divyakeerthe
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
23. Sri Lakshmi is enchanted by Your beauty. She would not leave her Lord. For the sake of Bakthas get up please and afford them Dharshan.
24. Meenakruthe kamatakola Nrusimha varnin
Swamin parashvatha thapodana Ramachandra
Seshamsharama yadhunandana kalki roopa
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
24. Thy descent from Paramapada was heralded in Thy numerous avathars when You did immense good to Your devotees. Great God, do come to us to help us in our distress.
25. Elaa lavanga ghanasaara sugandhi theertham
Divyam viyathsarithi hemaghateshu poornam
Drutwadhya vaidika sikhamanaya: prahrushta:
Thishtanthi Venkatapathe! thava suprabhatham
25. Vedic Savants are in wait with Akasaganga theertham for Your morning Anushtanam. Vedic hymns sung by them are a delight to hear and cherish. Do get up Sri Srinivasa
26. Bhaswanudethi vikachani saroruhani
Sampoorayanthi ninadai: kakubho vihangha:
Sree vaishnavassathatha marthitha mangalasthe
Dhamasrayanthi thava Venkata! subrabhatham
26. The twitterings of birds on all sides proclaim the dawn of the day.
Devotees are gathered in numbers and they sing their vociferous adoration to You.
27. Bhramadayassuravarasamaharshayastthe
Santhassa nandana mukhastvatha yogivarya:
Dhamanthike thavahi mangala vasthu hasthaa:
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
27. Brahma and celestials are awaiting You with their choicest edibles to greet You, great God.
28. Lakshminivasa niravadya gunaika sindo:
Samsarasagara samuththaranaika setho
Vedanta vedya nijavaibhava bhakta bhogya
Sree Venkatachalapathe! thava suprabhatham
28. Devotees in ecstasy are at Your door in all eagerness. You are in duty bound to help them with your inimitable caress and affection; Great one!
29. ltnam vnsnacnala pamerlna suprabhatham
Ye manava: prathidinam patithum pravrutha:
Thesham prabhatha samaye smruthirangabhhajam
Pragnyam paraartha sulabham paramam prasoothe
29. Day-to-day prayers to You, Sri Vehkatesa! fetch untold
wealth of devotional culture and fervour. God, give us your grace.
Sri Venkatesa Sthotram
1. Kamalakucha choochuka kunkumatho
Niyatharunithathula neelathano
Kamalayatha lochana lokapathe
Vijayeebhava Venkatasaila pathe
1. Sri Sapthagiri-vasa! Your descent from Paramapadam
You are our leader and preceptor. Sri Padmavati, Your
heavenly spouse is our endearing refuge.
2. Sachadhurmukha shanmukha panchamukha
Pram ukakhila daivatha mouli mane
Saranagatha vathsala saranidhe
Paripalayamam vrishasailapathe
2. Superb Siva and ardent Ayan do adore You. Mortal
man appeals to you to dissipate his distress.
3. Athivelathaya thava durvishahai
Ranuvela Kruthairaparada sathai:
Paritham thvaritham vrishasailapathe
Paraya krupaya paripahi Hare
3. Many a fault have I committed. I am confident
You will extend Your grace to enable me to wade through this mire of misery.
4. Adhivenkata saila mudaramather
Janathabimathadhika danarathath Paradevathaya gathithannigamai:
Kamaladayithtanna param kalaye
4. Sri Lakshmi's Lord! Upanishads adore You.
There is none greater than you.
5. Kalavenuravavasa gopa vadhu
Sathakoti vrithath smarakoti samath
Prathivalla vikabhimathath sukhadhath
Vasudeva suthanna paramkalaye
5. Sri Venkatesa! You are Lord Krishna Himself. The
melody of Your flute enchants Gopis.
Your beauty is unassailable. You are brighter than brightness itself.
6. Abhirama gunakara dasarathe
Jagadeka danurdhara dheeramathe
Raghunayaka Rama Ramesa vibho
Varadho bhava deva daya jaladhe
6. Sri Srinivasa! You are Rama Himself, the dazzling
son off Dasaratha You have won our hearts
7. Avaneethanaya kamaneeyakaram
Rajaneechara charu mukhamburuham
Rajaneechara raja thamo mihiram
Mahaneeyamaham Raghuramamaye
7. Sri Sita, Your holy Spouse, laboured hard to share
your ordeals in the forest. You annihilated the
Ravana Race and restored confidence among the
Rishis who had all surrendered to you.
8. Sumukham Suhrudam Sulabham sukhadam
Swanujam cha Sukhayamamogha—
Saram Apahaya Raghudwaha manyamaham
Na kathnchana kanchana jathu bhaje
8. Valiant Rama! You gave succour with Your
brothers to humanity in distress. You are a beacon light to posterity.
9. Vinaa Venkatesam nanatho nanatha:
Sadaa Venkatesam smarami smarami
Hare Venkatesa Praseeda Praseeda
Priyam Venkatesa Prayachha Prayachha
9. Oh Rama! there is none equal to You. You are our
benefactor. You are ever in our thought and word.
10. Aham doorathasthe padamboja yugma
Pranamechaya gathya sevam karomi
Sakruthsevaya nithyasevapalam thvam
Prayachha prayachha prabho Venkatesa
10. Sri Venkatesa! I pray to You in abundant faith;
You hurried to my rescue. Pray, grant me
the favour of serving You till this life lasts.
11. Agnanina maya doshaanaseshan vihithan Hare
Kshamasvathm kshamasvathvam
Seshasailasikhamane
11. Great God! Many an error have I committed in
ignorance. Do take me out of this ocean of misery.
Your descent from the Heavens to Tirumala, the
Booloka vaikuntam is indeed for Humanity's sake.
Sri Venkatesa Prapathi
1. Eesanam jagothosya Venkatapathe: vishno:
paraam preyaseem—Thadhwakshasthala
nithyavasarasikam thath kshanthi samvardhineem
Padmalankrutha pani pallavayugam Padmasanasthaam
Sriyam—Vathsalyadi gunojwalam
Bhagavatheem vande jaganmatharam
1. Sri Srinivasa! Sri Lakshmi ever dwells in your broad
bosom. She appeals to you to excuse my errors
and to admit poor me in your rich presence.
2. Sreeman krupajaianidhe krithasarvaloka
Sarvagna Saktanathavathsala sarvaseshin
Swamin susheela sulabhasritha parijatha
Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
2. Sri Venkatesa! You are an ocean of Bliss. I am
Sri Lakshmi s endearing devotee. Pray allow me to you with my ardent prayers.
3. Aanupurarpitha sujatha sugandhi pushpa
Sowrabhya Sowrabhakarow samasannivesow
Sowmyow sadanubhavanepi navanu bhavyow
Sree Venkatesa charanow
saranam papadhye
3. Fragrant Flowers adorn your Holy Feet. I am
surrendering myself to these fragrant, flowerbedecked feet.
4. Sadyo vikasi samudithvara saandra raga
Sourabhya nirbhara saroruha soumya vaartham
Samyakshu sahasa padeshu vilekhayanthow
Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
4. Lotus, the queen of flowers, is more too equal
to Your dazzling Feet.
5. Rekamayadwaja sudhakala saathapatra
Vajraamkrusamburuha kalpaka sanka chakrai:
Bhawyai ralankruthathalow
parathathva chinnai: Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
5. Sri Srinivasa! You are Supremely omniscient. Conch
and Chakra line the soles of your Holy Feet.
6. Thamrodara dyuthi parajitha padmaraagow
Baahyairmahobhi rabhi bhootha
mahendra neelow Udhyannakhamsu—
bhirudastha sasaanka bhasow
Sree Venkatessa charanow saranam prapadhye
6. The soles of your Feet are the most dazzling,
surpassing the precious Padmaraga.
The white nails in your beautiful toes exceed the
full-moon splendour.
7. Saprema bheethi kamalakara pallavabhyam
Samvahanepi sapadiklamamatha dhanow Kantha
vavaangmanasa gochara sowkumaryow
Sree Venkatesa charanow saranam prapadhye
7. As Tirivikrama, your feet measured the world. As
Sri Rama, you roamed in the Dandakaranya Forests.
Sri Sita s caress removed the toil off thy legs.
8. Lakshmeemaheetha dhanuroopa nljanubhava
Neeladi divyamahisheekara pallavanam
Aarunya sankramanatha: kila saandra raagow
Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
8. The divine touch of Nappinnai, Thirumagal and
manamagal has rendered your feet attractively red
Your Holy feet have therefore become as
soft as flowers.
9. Nithyanamadvidhi sivadi kireetakoti
Prathyupthadeepta navarathna mahaprarohai:
Neerajanavidhi
mudaramupada dhanow
Sree Venkatesa charanow
saranam prapadhye
9. Ayan, Aran and Devas are constantly at your side,
praying incessantly for the general good.
Diamonds on the heads of celestials, and the brilliance from
the inset precious stones add lustre to thy feet.
10. Vishno: pade parama ithyuditha prasamsow
Yow madhwa uthsa ithi bhogyathayapyupaaththow
Bhooyasthathethi thava paanithala pradishtow Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
10. Upanishads announce your greatness in
Venghadam. Your imposing Tiruvadi are being
pointed out by you for mortals to cherish.
11. Parthaaya thathsadrusa saarathina
thvayaiva Yow darshithow swacharanow saranam vrajethi Shoyopi
mahyamihathow karadarsithowthe
Sree Venkatesa charanow
saranam prapadhye
11. You are Kannan of the Gita. You then asked
Arjuna to surrender to your feet.
And in like manner you are directing mortals to surrender
unto your feet.
12. Manmoordhni kaaliyapane
vikataataveshu Sree Venkatadri sikhare sirasi srutheenaam
Chithepyananyamanasam samamahithowthe Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
12. Sri Venkatesa! You were born as Sri Rama.
You then took an avathar as Sri Krishna.
Vedas proclaim you. We adore you forever.
13. Amiana hrushyadavaneethala
keernapushpow Sree Venkatadri
sikharabharanaya manow Aanandithaakila
manonayanow thavaithow Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
13. Devas and others extol you at your flower-be the
decked feet. These flowers are of an unfading kind,
as they are in constant touch at your
Tiruvadi. Bakthas are in ecstasy as they visualise
the heads of flowers at your Tiruvadi.
14. Praya: prasanna janatha
prathamavagahyow Mathu:
sthanaviva sisoramrtuhayamanow
Prapthow parasparathulamathulantharowthe Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
l4. Your Tiruvadi are invincible. Bakthas, drinking the
sweet sight of your endearing Tiruvadi, are ever
ready to serve you at your Holy Feet.
1 5. Sathvotharaissathathasevya
padambujena Samsaratharaka
dayadradruganchalena Soumyopayanthru
munina mamadarshithowthe Sree Venkatesa
charanow saranam prapadhye
l5. Manawala Mamuni, extolling your Tiruvadi,
announces to the devotee world that your Holy Feet should ever be in their
thoughts and words.
16. Sreesa sriya ghatikaya thvadupaya
bhave Prapye thvayi swayamu
peyathayaspuranthya ithyasrithaya
niravadya gunayathubhyam Syam
kinkaroo Vrishagireesanajathumahyam
16. Alarmelmangai, your Heavenly consort guides us all.
Oh, God Srinivasa! Help us to cross this sea of Samsara.
We are ever your slaves.
Sri Venkatesa Mangalasasanam
1. Sriyah kanthaya kalyana nidhaye nidhayerthinam
Sri Venkata nivasaya Srinivasaya Mangalam.
2. Lakshmi savibhramaloka-subhru vibhrama chakshushe
Chakshushe SarvaloKanam Venkatesaya Mangalam.
3. Sri Venkatadri Sringagra-Mangalaha bharananghraye
Mangalanam nivasaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
4. Sarvavayava soundarya Sampadha Sarvachethasam
Sada sammohanayasthu Venkatesaya Mangalam.
5. Nithyaya niravadhyaya Sathyananda chidhathmane.
Sarvantharathmane Srimad Venkatesava Mangalam.
6. Swathassarvavide sarvasakthaye Sarvaseshine.
Sulabhaya Suseelaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
7. Parasmai Brahmane Poorna Kamaya Paramathmane.
Prayunje Parathathvaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
8. Akalathathva masrantha mathmanamanu-pasyatham.
Athripthya mritha rupaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
9. Prayah swacharanow Pumsam Saranyathvena Panina.
Kripaya dhisathe Srimad-Venkatesava Mangalam.
10. Dhayamritha tharanginya-Stharangairiva Seethalaih.
Apagaissinchalhe viswam Venkatesava Mannalam.
11. Sragbhushambara hetheenam Sushamava hamurthaye.
Sarvarthi Samanavasthu Venkatesaya Mangalam.
12. Sri Vaikunta virakthaya Swami Pushkarineethate
Ramaya Ramamanaya Venkatesaya Mangalam.
13. Srimad sundarajamathru manimanasavasine.
Sarvaloka Nivasava Srinivasaya Mangalam.
14. Mangalasasana paraih madacharya Purogamaih.
Sarvaischa Purvairacharyaih Sathkrithayasthu, Mangalam.
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Sri Sivastakam - one of the most powerful mantras written to sing the glory of Lord Shiva
Sri Sivastakam
Shivaashtakam is one of the most powerful mantras written to sing the glory of Lord Shiva...its said that a devotee who sings it with full devotion after taking bath and wearing clean white clothes, goes to any Shiva Temple with some cow's milk, Bel leaves, Sandalwood, Flowers, Rice, Fruits etc...and most importantly, a pure heart, Shiva Shambho blesses him/her with immense strength and light to fight and get through all problems and obstacles that life offers.
Prayers glorifying Lord Shiva
namo namaste tri-dasheshvaraya
bhutadi nathaya mridaya nityam
gagga-taraggotthita-bala-chandra-
chudaya gauri-nayanotsavaya
"I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, the controller of the thirty primal demigods; unto you, the original father of all created beings; unto you, whose character is gracious; unto you, whose head is crested by the sickle moon arisen from the waves of the Ganga and unto you, who are a festival for the eyes of the fair goddess Gauri."
sutapta chamikara-chandra-nila-
padma-pravalambuda-kanti-vastraih
sa nritya-raggesta-vara-pradaya
kaivalya-nathaya vrisa-dhvajaya
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who are dressed in garments resembling molten gold, the moon, blue lotuses, coral, and dark rain clouds; unto you, who bestow the most desirable boons on your devotees by means of your delightful dancing; unto you, who are the master of the impersonalists and unto you, whose flag bears the image of the bull."
sudhamzu-suryagni-vilochanena
tamo-bhide te jagatah shivaya
sahasra-shubhramshu-sahasra-rashmi-
sahasra-sajjit-tvara-tejase'stu
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who dispells darkness with your three eyes - the moon, the sun and fire; unto you, who causes auspiciousness for all the living entities of the universe and unto you, whose potency easily defeats that of thousands of moons and suns."
nageza-ratnojjvala-vigrahaya
shardula-charmamzuka-divya-tejase
sahasra-patropari samsthitaya
varaggada-mukta-bhuja-dvayaya
"I offer my obeisances unto you, whose form is brilliantly illuminated by the jewels of Ananta, the king of snakes; unto you, who are clothed by a tiger-skin and thus radiate divine effulgence; unto you, who sits upon a thousand-petalled lotus and unto you, whose two arms are adorned by lusterous bangles."
su-nupura-ragjita-pada-padma
ksarat-sudha-bhritya-sukha-pradaya
vichitra-ratnaugha-vibhusitaya
premanam evadya harau videhi
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who brings happiness to your servitors, as you pour on them the liquid nectar from your two reddish lotus feet, which ring with charming anklebells. Obeisances unto you, who is adorned with an abundance of gems - please endow me with pure love for Lord Hari."
sri rama govinda mukunda shaure
sri krishna narayana vasudeva
ity-adi namamririta-pana-matta-
bhriggadhi-payakhila-dukha-hantre
"O Shri Rama, O Govinda, O Mukunda, O Shauri, O Shri krishna, O Narayana, O Vaasudeva!' I offer my obeisances unto you, Lord Shiva, the monarch of intoxicated bee-like devotees, maddened by drinking the nectar of these and other holy names of the Lord. Obeisances unto you, the destroyer of all grief."
sri naradadyaih satatam sugopya-
jijjasita-yashu vara-pradaya
tebhyo harer bhakti-sukha-pradaya
shivaya sarva-gurave namo namaha
"I offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto you, who is forever enquired of confidentially by Shri Narada and other sages; unto you, who also grants favors to them very quickly; unto you, who bestows the happiness of Hari-bhakti; unto you, who creates auspiciousness and unto you, who is the guru of everyone."
sri gaura-netrosava-maggalaya
tat-prana-nathaya rasa-pradaya
sada samutkantha-govinda-lila-
gana-pravinaya namo'stu tubhyam
"I offer my obeisances unto you, who are a festival of auspiciousness for the eyes of Goddess Gauri; unto you, who is the monarch of her life-breath; unto you, who is capable of bestowing transcendental rasa and unto you, who is expert in forever singing songs of the pastimes of Lord Govinda with great longing."
etat shivasyastakam adbhutam mahat
shrinvan hari-prema labheta shighram
jjanam ca vijjanam apurva-vaibhavam
yo bhava-purnah paramam samadaram
"A person, filled with loving feelings, who hears with rapt attention this wonderful eight-fold prayer to Lord Shiva, can quickly gain Sri Hari-prema as well as transcendental knowledge, the realization of that knowledge, and unprecedented powers."
Lord Vishnu represents the aspect of the Supreme Reality that preserves and sustains the universe
Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu represents the aspect of the Supreme Reality that preserves and sustains the universe. Although there are variations in images and pictures of Lord Vishnu, He is generally symbolized by a human body with four arms. In His hands He carries a conch (shankha), a mace (gada), and discus (chakra). He wears a crown, two earrings, a garland (mala) of flowers, and a gem around the neck. He has a blue body and wears yellow clothes. The Lord is shown standing on a thousand-headed snake (named Shesha Nag), and the snake stands with its hoods open over the head of the Lord.
The four arms indicate Lord's omnipresence and omnipotence. The two front arms signify the lord's activity in the physical world and the two back arms signify His activity in the spiritual world. The right side of the body represents the creative activities of the mind and the intellect. The left side symbolizes the activities of the heart; that is, love, kindness, and compassion.
A conch in the upper left hand indicates that the Lord communicates with His devotees with love and understanding. When blowing His conch, He reminds his devotes to live in this world with kindness and compassion towards all living beings. A chakra in His upper right hand conveys the idea that the Lord uses this weapon to protect His devotees from evil. The mace denotes energy and a mace in the Lord's left lower hand signifies that He sustains the manifest world by the energy that He holds in Himself. His front right hand is depicted bestowing grace on His devotees.
The snake denotes the mind and the thousand heads of the snake signify innumerable desires and passions of an individual. Just as a snake destroys its victim by its venom, an uncontrolled mind destroys the world by the venom of its possessiveness. The Lord has controlled all desires, and this is symbolized by showing Him seated on the two coils of the snake. When a sincere devotee of the Lord controls his desires, the Lord fulfills the devotee's genuine desires and helps him on his path.
The blue sky in the background of the Lord suggests that He pervades the entire universe. The blue color symbolizes infinity. The blue body of the Lord signifies that He has infinite attributes. He is nameless, formless, and immeasurable. The color yellow is associated with earthly existence and the yellow clothes of the Lord signify that He incarnates Himself on this earth to uphold righteousness and destroy evil and unrighteousness.
A flower garland around the Lord's neck is a symbol of the devotee's adoration for the Lord. A gem decorating His neck signifies that the Lord fulfills all genuine desires of His devotees and provides for their needs. The crown is a symbol of the Lord's supreme power and authority. The two earrings signify the dual nature of creation, such as knowledge and ignorance, happiness and unhappiness, and pleasure and pain.
The worship of Lord Vishnu is very popular among Hindus, especially among the followers of the Vaishnava tradition (Vaishnavism). He is the second member of the Hindu Trinity, with Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva as the other two. Lord Vishnu is also known by other names, such as Vasudeva and Narayana. The following ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are described in Hindu mythology and are popular among Hindus. These incarnations reveal the help rendered by God during various stages of human evolution. As shown below, the first two incarnations are in the animal form, the third one is half-human and half-animal, and the fourth and the subsequent ones are all in human form. These incarnations relate to human evolution from aquatic life to human life, and are consistent with the modern theory of evolution suggested by science:
Matsya (fish)---saves Sage Manu from floods and recovers the Vedas from demons.
Kurma (tortoise)---sustains the earth on his back.
Varaha (boar)---brings the earth back from the bottom of the ocean where it was dragged down by a demon, known as Hiranyaksha; Varaha kills the demon.
Narasimha (man-lion)---kills the demon King Hiranyakashipu, who was planning to kill his own son, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
Vamana (dwarf)---the first human incarnation of the Lord, kills the demon King Mahabhali, who had deprived the gods of their possessions.
Parasurama (the warrior with an axe)---saves Brahmins from the tyranny of the arrogant Kshatriyas.
Rama---kills Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.
Sri Krishna---the most popular incarnation; Krishna's contributions throughout his life include the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.
Buddha---Hindus consider Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and accept his teachings, but do not directly worship him.
Kalkin (a man on a white horse)---this incarnation is yet to come and will mark the end of all evil in the world.
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