Monday, October 24, 2016

Mukunda Mala 13/40

13. Bhava-jaladhim agadham dustharam nisthareyam
     Katham aham ithi cheto ma sma gah kaatharathvam
     Sarasija-drisi deve thavaki bhaktir eka

     Naraka-bhidi nishanna tarayishyaty avasyam 


            Narakasura Vadham




















 Our unilateral Bhakthi to the lotus eyed Narayana 
 Who killed Narakasura will protect us

       1.       Bhava jaladhim – Cycle of worldly existence, circuit of mundane existence
       2.       Agadham – deep
       3.       Dustharam – unsurmountable, difficult to be passed or overcome by ones own effort
       4.       Aham – I
       5.       Katham – how will
       6.       Nisthareyam – cross
       7.       Ithi – it is
       8.       Kaatharathvam – Cowardice, fear
       9.       Ma smakaha – Do not be afraid, fear not
     10.   Naraka – bhidi – One who killed the demon Narakasura
     11.   Sarasija-drisi – he- the who ha lotus like eyes
     12.   Deve – Lord Narayana
     13.   Nishanna – rested
     14.   Thavaki – Thy. Thine
     15.   Bhakti  eka – devotion only
     16.   Avasyam  - necessary, essential
     17.   Tarayishyaty – surpass, get through


Herein Alwar says "Oh mind do not be a coward and be afraid as to how I will cross the unsurmountable deep ocean of the cycle of worldly existence”. Be rest assured the your unilateral devotion to lotus eyed Lord Narayana who killed the demon Narakasura will tide you through the deep waters of the samsara sagaram

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Mukunda Mala 12/40

12.   Bhava-jaladhi-gathanam dvandva-vata hatanam
       Suta-duhitru-kalatra-thrana-bhararditanam
       Vishama-vishaya-thoye majjatam aplavanam
       Bhavati saranam eko vishnu-poto naranam.


     Humans drowned in         Humans struggling in
      worldly attractions            the ocean of life


Sriman Narayana is the only boat to reach the shores

     1.       Bhava-jaladhi-gathanam – people  who are entrapped in worldly existence
     2.       dvandva-vata ahatanam – people who are hurt by the heavy wind or cyclone
     3.       Suta- children
     4.       duhitru- daughter
     5.       kalatra- wife
     6.       thrana - protecting
     7.       bhara - burden
     8.       arditanam – afflicted
     9.       Vishama – rude, bad, wicked
   10.   Thoya – water
   11.   majjatam  - one who has drowned
   12.   aplavanam – without a boat
   13.   naranam – humans, mankind
   14.   Vishnu – Lord Sriman Narayana
   15.   pota – ship
   16.   eko – only
   17.   charanam – support, protection
   18.   bhavathu – may it be so

 In this verse Kulasekara Azhwar describes the human beings and their nature. He says that people are afflicted in the burden of taking care of their wives, children and daughter and drowned in the bad ocean of deriving the small pleasures of life. For us humans Sriman Narayana is the only boat to reach the shores.  This can be equated to Andal Naachiar’s  saying in Naachiar Thirumozhi as “Thunba kadal puuku vaikunthan enbathor thoni pera thuzhalginren”





Mukunda Mala 11/40

11.      Mabhir manda-mano vichintya bahudha yamis chiram yatana
           Nami na: prabhavanti papa-ripavah svami nanu sridharah
           Alasyam vyapaniya bhakti-sulabham dhyayasva narayanam

           Lokasya vyasanapanodana-karo dasasya kim na kshamah       


Punishment for our sins



Incessant prayer to                Most compassionate to 
  Sriman Narayana                 his bhakthas –
                                           Will remove our sins and
                                            take us into his fold

  1.        manda-mano   - Foolish mind
       2.        vichintya – to be thought of
       3.        Bahudha -     in many ways
       4.       Yami: that which belongs to Yama
       5.       Chiram – For a long time
       6.       Yatana – the punishments
       7.       Naivami
       8.        na: prabhavanti – not presiding
       9.        Papa – ripavan – our sins and enemies
      10.    Na Swami  our master
      11.    Sridhara – Lord Vishnu, Sriman Narayana
      12.    Alasyam – idle, lazy
      13.   vyapaniya  -  having lost
      14.     bhakti-sulabham  - easy prayers
      15.    Dhyayasva – you meditate on
      16.    Narayanam – Lord Narayana
      17.   Lokasya – in this world
      18.    Vyasana  apa nodana – One who removes hardship
      19.   Karo – do
      20.   Dasasya – I am his slave/ servant
      21.   Kim na kshamah – Will he not pardon

In this slokam Kulasekara Azhwar appeals his mind, Oh mind, please do not worry and fear being sent to hell due to our misdeeds on earth. The sins cannot prevent Sriman Narayana our Sridharan reaching us. But we should worship him incessantly without any interruption. Do not worry thinking he is not reachable even to the very learned yogis, “how can I reach him”. Sriman Narayana is very compassionate to his bhakthas. Will he not remove all our sins and take us into his fold if we surrender to him as his servant?

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Mukunda Mala 10/40

10.  Sarasija-nayane sa-sankha-chakre
       Mura-bhidi ma viramasva chitta rantum
       Sukha-taram aparam na jathu jane

       Hari-charana-smarana amrithena tulyam


       Lotus feet of the lord is like Amrutham (Nectar)  

            Krishna killing Murasura




Oh Mind always reminisce the lord as Sanka Chakra Gadha Pani 

          1.       Sarasija Nayane –lotus like eyes
          2.       Sa - Sanka – chakre – one who is always with the  sanka – conch and chakra – discuss
          3.       Mura bhidi  – Krishna who killed the demon Murasura
          4.       Ma Virama – do not stop thinking even for a moment
          5.       Sva Chitta – my beautiful mind
          6.       Ranthum – To enjoy
          7.       Sukha -   joy, happiness
          8.       Taram – shining
          9.       Aparam – besides, none other
        10.   Na Jatu Jane – I do not know at all
        11.   Hari- Vishnu
        12.   Charana – feet
        13.   Smarana  -  reminiscence
        14.    Tulyam -    equal to

Kulasekara Azhwar in this  stanza emphasizes that,  thinking of the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana is like the best nectar. He also says he does not know of anything that can equal that joy. Therefore he tells the mind to stop wavering and to reminisce always without interruption even for a moment the roopam of the Sriman Narayana who killed Murasura and always has the Sankam and Chakram in his hands.


Mukunda Mala 9/40

9.  Kara-charana-saroje kantiman-netra-mine
     Srama-mushi bhuja-vichi-vyakule agadha-marge
     Hari-sarasi vigahyapiya tejo-jalaugham

     Bhava-maru-parichinnah klesam adya tyajami    


Sojourn of life is like a desert and Lord Narayana  is like 
a cool pond in the desert


Lord Nayarana with lotus like hands and feet and fish 
like eyes is like a cool pond in the desert 

          1.        Kara – hand
          2.       Charana – feet
          3.       Saroja – Lotus
          4.       Kantiman – full of radiance, effulgence, splendor
          5.       Nethra – eyes
          6.       Srama mushi – that which answers questions
          7.       Bhuja – shoulders
          8.       Vichi – wave
          9.       Vyakula – filled with
        10.   Agadha – deep
        11.   Marge -   wave, pathway
        12.   Hari -  Vishnu. Charming
        13.   Sarasi – pond, pool 
        14.   Vigahya – having a deep bath                
        15.   Tejas – splendor
        16.   Jalougham – pond of water
        17.   Bhava – worldly life
        18.   Maru – desert
        19.   Parikinna – exhausted, tired
        20.   Klesam – hardship, burdensomeness
        21.   Adya – today
        22.   Tyajami – I give up, abandon

In this verse Kulasekara Azhwar compares the difficult path of the worldly life to a sojourn in a vast desert. One is exhausted and tired and is ready to give it up due to the hardship and burdensomeness that one has to face. At this point when we see Hari or Vishnu it is like seeing a vast pond in the middle of the desert. When we enjoy Hari Bhakthi it is like having a deep bath in the coolest pond. The poet compares Lord Narayana to the cool pond and his broad shoulders to the waves and imagines the depth of Bhagavat vishayam. The hands and legs of the charming Lord Vishnu are compared to the lotus in the pond and his effulgent eyes full of splendor that answers all our questions (agnana nashakam mayam Devam) is compared to the fish in the pond.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Mukunda Mala 8/40

8. Chintayami harim eva santatam
    Manda-manda hasitananambujam
    Nanda-gopa-tanayam parat param
    Naradadi-muni-vrinda-vanditham 



      
Manda Manda Hasitham        Naradadi muni vanditam
Nandagopa Tanayam
Paratparam


      1.       Chintayami – think
      2.       Harim – Lord Narayana – destroyer of sins
      3.       Santatam – eternal
      4.       Manda - gentle
      5.       Hasitam – smile
      6.       Anana – face
      7.       Ambujam – lotus
      8.       Nanadagopa tanayam – son of Nanadagopa – Lord Krishna
      9.       Parat param – superior to the best
    10.   Naradadi muni – sage Narada
    11.   Vrinda – many. Numerous
    12.   Vanditham – worshipped

In this verse Kulasekara Azhwar describes his devotion and prayers only to the eternal Lord Narayana referred to as Hari – the destroyer of sins. He who has a gentle smile on his face as a lotus just blooming lotus that will make even the person drowned in sorrow smile. Krishna the son of Nandagopa is the most superior of the superiors and is worshipped by sage Narada and many other sages




Mukunda Mala 7/40

7.  Krishna tvadiya-pada-pankaja-panjarantam
     Adyaiva me visatu manasa-raja-hamsah
     Prana-prayana-samaye kapha-vata-pittaih
     Kanthavarodhana-vidhau smaranam kutas te    


Prana-prayana-samaye -
Hari smaranam kutas te

      1.  Krishna – Oh Krishna
            2.       Tvadiya – thine
            3.       Pada – feet
            4.       Pankaja – lotus
            5.       Panjaranta – within the cage
            6.       Adyaiva – this very moment
            7.       Me – my
            8.       Visatu – enter
            9.       Manasa Raja Hamsa – mind that is as an elegant 
                    swan
          10.      Praana Prayana samaye – at time of death
          11.       Kapa – phlegm
          12.      Vatha -  wind
          13.       Pitha: - bile
          14.      Kanthavarodhana-vidhau – when the throat – when 
                   the throat is blocked and swallowing is difficult
          15.      Smaranam – thought
          16.      Kuthasthe- from where will it come

Here Kulasekara Azhwar prays to Lord Narayana saying that during my last days when I am in my death bed when phlegm, wind and bile are blocking my throat how will I ever remember you. Hence let my mind that is like an elegant swan enter the cage of your lotus feet right now, please grant me moksham. This sloka explains our helplessness as very ordinary humans. 

The above prayer is very similar to periyazhwar pasuram

'Eippu ennai vandhu naliyum pOdhu 
angu Ethum naan unnai ninaikka mAtten
appodhaikku ippodhe solli vaithen
arangatharavanai palliyAne"

Where in periazhwar prays to Lord Ranganatha, that when old age and poor health takes over me I will not be able to remember you. Therefore I surrender to you right now, please grant me moksha when I am destined have to leave this earth.

      

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Mukunda mala 5 & 6/40

5. Nastha dharmenavasu nichaye naiva kamopabhoghe,
    Yadyath bhavyam bhavathu bhagawan poorva karmanuroopam,
    Ethath prarthyam mama bahumatham janma janamatharepi,
   twatpadambhoruha yuga gatha nischala bhakthirasthu











Shadguna Roopa Narayana                     



 Nishchala – un shakable bhakthi

           1.       Hey Bhgavan – Sriman Narayana with the six qualities Shad Guna Roopam – Gnanam - knowledge), balam - strength    aishwaryam - wealth, veeryam - valor, shathi - power and tejas - splendor
          2.       Mama – my,me
          3.       Dharme – the dharma as doing, yagna, and good deeds providing water, planting trees etc.
          4.       Astha na – have no liking
          5.       Vasunichaye – money, wealth
          6.       Kamopabhoghe – sensual pleasures
          7.       Aastha na iva – do not have any liking at all
          8.       poorva karmanuroopam – in accordance to my previous deeds
          9.       Yadyath bhavyam – whatever should happen
        10.   Bhavathu – let it happen (but)
        11.   Twat pada ambhoruha yuga gatha – The one that the impressions of you lotus feet
        12.   Bhakthi – devotion
        13.   janma janamanthare api – birth after birth
        14.   nishchala – firm, undoubted
        15.   asthu – should be present
        16.   ethath – ithi+ath – this only
        17.   prarthyam – request, worthy of request
        18.   mama bahumatham – my liking, I would like to

Hey Bhagawan I am not interested in good deeds (dharma karyam) as doing yagnas, helping other people etc. that is supposed to take me to heaven, I also do not have lust for wealth. I never ever have any involvement or liking for sensual pleasures. Let everything happen in accordance to my past deeds. I feel the only thing worthy of requesting you is to bless me with firm, unshaken faith in you in all my brth after birth. “Twatpadambhoruha yuga gatha nischala bhakthirasthu” can also be interpreted as I should reach your lotus feet and be there forever.

6. Divi va bhuvi va mamastu vaso
   Narake va narakantaka prakramam
   Avadhirita-sarada  aravindau
   Charanau the marane api chintayami       


              Twat Charana aravindau sada  chinthayami

         1.       Narakantaka – one who ends life in hell
         2.       Mama – for me
         3.       Divi va – either in heaven (Swarga lokam)
         4.       Bhuvi va – either on earth – bhoo lokam
         5.       Narake va – or in hell
         6.       Prakramam – in accordance to your wish
         7.       Vasa: - life
         8.       Asthu – happen
         9.       Avadhirita-sarada  aravindau – beauty of the lotus that blooms in the autumn season
       10.   Charanam – feet
       11.   Marane api – at the time of death when all my sense do not function also
       12.   Chinthayami – I should think

Oh Bhagavan, Let it be your decision whether I happen to live in heaven the place where we enjoy the fruits of our good deeds or hell the place where we experience the results of my bad deeds or on earth where one experiences the results of both good and bad deeds . I am not happy or sad over that choice made by you. All I request is that even at my death bed when all my senses including my sight and muscular actions seize to function please bless me to think of your feet that is as beautiful as the lotus that blooms in the autumn season.

Narakantaka – (as referred from vyakyanam by Kanchipuram P.B.Annangaracharaiar Swamy) can mean as the one who can prevent going to hell or the one who killed Narakasura



Narakasura being killed by Sriman Narayana who came on his garuda with Sathyabhama an incarnation of Bhooma Devi

 Narakasura was born during perumals Varaha avataram when perumal pricked Bhoomi Devi with his boar. As he was born at an inauspicious time he had the qualities of an asura or a rakshasa. Living in his kingdom of  Pragjyotisha he captivated the daughters of the devas, gandharvas and many princesses with the intention of marrying them. Narakasura also carried away Lord varunas umbrella,  mandhakinis cliff rathaparvatham and Athithi Devis’s earings. He was also waiting for an opportunity to carry away Indras Iravatham elephant. Indra out of fear came to Lord Krishna requesting for be help. Lord Krishna summoned his Garuda and came along with his consert Sathyabhama who is the incarnation of mother earth Bhooma Devi to the town of Prakjothisha and his ministers and others in his army and eventually killed Narakasura himself with his Chakrayudham or the Sudarshana Chakram. Lord Krishna also released all the 10,100 women, took them to Dwaraka and married them.



                                                          

Friday, August 19, 2016

Mukunda Mala 4/40



4. Naham vandhe thave charanayor dwndwamadwandham hetho.
    Kumbhi pakam guru mapi hare, narakam napanothum,
    Ramya rama mrudhthu thanu  latha anandhanena  apirama
   Bhave bhave hridaya bhavane bhaveyayam bhavantham


    

             Azhwar    



  Mukunda in the residing in the heart

               1.       Naham = Na – Not,  aham  - I
               2.       Vandhe – pray
               3.       Thava – your
               4.       Charanam – feet
               5.       Dwam – two
               6.       Hetho – for the sake of
               7.       Guru – respectable, teacher
               8.       Narakam – hell
               9.       Kumbhipakam – That [art of the hell where people are tortured
             10.   Ra\mya- beautiful
             11.   Raamaa – lovely charming women
             12.   amRutham – sweeant nectar like food
             13.   thanu – minute little
             14.   latha – slender woman
             15.   anandhanena – with joy
             16.   Bhave Bhave – birth after birth
             17.   Hridaya – heart
             18.   Bhavanam – home
             19.   Bhava – situation
             20.   Bhavantham – you


Here the Azhwar describes what he is not praying for at the feet of Lord Mukunda. Azhwar says he is not praying for the sake of escape from the samsaric (family) difficulties. He also not praying to escape from Kumbhipakam (a place in hell where people are tortured). He is surely not praying in the least to enjoy playing with beautiful slender women  in Indra’s garden. He is praying only for one thing and that is for the enjoyment of sweet nectar of Lord Mukunda residing in his heart birth after birth and in every birth.