Sudarshnashtakam 1/8 and 2/8

SUDHARSHANASHTAKAM

Srimaan Venkata Nadhaarya Kavithaarkika kesari

Vedantaachaaryavaryome sannidhatththaam sadaahridi

Sudarshanam is the most power weapon of the Lord supreme Vishnu. Since Vishnu himself resides in the sudarshana chakram it is also known as Chakrathazhwar. Vishnu is always seen with his sudarshanam ( discus/chakram) in his right back hand and Sankam the conch in his left backhand. The chakram is used for the ultimate protection of his devotees from the harmful deeds of the asuras – bad people. Susarshanam has the brightness of a billion suns as mentioned in the Panchayudha stothram –   “Sudarshanam Bhaskara Koti thulyam”. In temples where the Sudarshana chakram is depicted in use as in Sri Ranganatha temple Srirangam it is known as Prayoga chakram – ready to use for the protection of his bhakthas.

Prayoga Chakram at Sri Ranganatha temple Srirangam.

Su – Good, auspicious

Darshanam – vision

Ashtakam – eight verses

Our Vedanta Desika has written this octet (8 verses, ashtakam on sudarshana). There are 2 thoughts about how and when this sloka was composed by swami. One thought is that Swami composed Sudarshanashtakam at Thiruputkuzhi when the people of the temple were afflicted by an epidemic fever. Others believe this very powerful sloka was composed at Thiruvahindrapuram by Swami to establish the supremacy of Sriman Narayana and visishtadwaihta when there was debate between Swami and a leader a follower of another hindu sampradaaya.

Sudarshanashtakam the very powerful sloka is recited traditionally when someone is sick at home or to ward off enemies.

1.      

              1. Pratibhatasreni Bhishana,Varagunasthoma Bhushana

Janibhayasthana Taarana , Jagadavasthaana Karana ,

Nikhiladushkarma Karsaana, Nigamasaddharma Darsana

Jaya Jaya Sri sudarshana, Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana . 

  Chakrathalwar      
             Srirangam                                             Thirumoghur   
                     

        1.       Pratibhata – enemy, rival

        2.       Sreni – swarm, flock, multitude

        3.       Bhishana – frightful, dreadful, that which can create fear

        4.       Vara – excellent, best

        5.       Guna – qualities

        6.       Sthoma – collection, multitude

        7.       Bhushana – adorning, embellishment

        8.       Jani – birth

        9.       Bhaya – fear

      10.   Sthana – place

      11.   Taarana – one who helps to overcome difficulties, redeemer

      12.   Jagad – world, lokam

      13.   Avasthaana – stability

      14.   Karana – the reason

      15.   Nikhila – entire, complete

      16.   Dushkarma – bad deeds

      17.   Karsaana – removing

      18.   Nigama – The vedas

      19.   Saddharma – true justice, good law

      20.   Darsana – One who shows or makes visible

      21.   Jaya – victory

      22.   Sri Sudarshana – Chakrathazhwar

Oh Sudarshana the enemies of your bhakthas run in fear at your sight. You are adorned with multitudes of excellent good qualities. You redeem your worshipers from of the fear of samsara and the cycle of birth and death. You are the one who stabilizes the world. You remove the bad thoughts and deeds from the people who worship you. You make your worshippers understand the good deeds and righteous conduct prescribed in the vedas. Victory be to Sudarshana. Victory be to Sudarshana

         2.  Subhajagadrupa Mandana, Suraganathrasa Khandana

       Satamakabrahma vandita ,Satapatabrahma Nandita ,

       Pratitavidvat Sapakshita ,Bhajata Ahirbudhnya Lakshita

       Jaya jaya Sri Sudarshana ,Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana 

     

Chakrapani Temple - Kumbakonam

1.       Subha – auspicious

2.       Jagam – world

3.       Rupa – appears as the almighty God

4.       Mandana – embellishment, being an ornament to

5.       Sura – devas

6.       Gana – crowd

7.       Thrasa – fear, anxiety

8.       Khandana – reducing to pieces, breaking, removing

9.       Satamaka – Indra who has performed 100 yagnas

10.   Vandita – worship

11.   Satapatabrahmana – Part of the Shukla yajur veda that describes about rituals and mythology

12.   Nandita – praise

13.   Pratita – wise, recognized

14.   Vidvat – educated

15.   Sapaksha  – on their side

16.   Bhaja – sing

17.   Ahirbudhnya - Siva

Oh Sudarshana you are being and embellishment beautifying the lord himself who appears in the form of the world. You reduce to pieces the difficulties faced by the Devas from the asuras. You are always worshipped by Indra and Brahma.  Satapatabrahmana – Part of the Shukla yajur veda that describes about rituals and mythology praises you, Oh sudarshana. The scholars seek your help to be on their side to win their opponents/ contestants.  Ahirbudhnya samhitha – the story of Siva states that Ahirbudhnya (Siva) worshipped you and got the boon to see your beautiful form. Victory be to Sudarshana. Victory be to Sudarshana

Gopala Vimsathi 20 & 21/21

 20.   vAso hRtvA dinakarasuta sam.nidhau vallavInAm

                lIlAsmero jayati lalitAm. Asthita: kuntasAkhAm. |
                savrItAbhi: tadhanu vasane tAbhirabhayArtyamAne
                kAmi kaScit kara kamalayo anjalIm. yAcamAna:

          

 

      1.       vAso – Garments, clothing

      2.       hRtvA – stolen

      3.       dinakarasuta – daughter of Sun – Yamuna river

      4.       sam.nidhau – near by

      5.       vallavInAm – cowherd girls, Gopis

      6.       lIlAsmero – play

      7.       jayati – win

      8.       lalitAm – pleasing, elegant

      9.       Asthita: - performed

    10.   kuntasAkhAm – fragrant oleander tree

    11.   savrItAbhi: - feeling of shame

    12.   Vasane – clothes

    13.   tAbhi: Those Gopikas

    14.   tAbhirabhayArtyamAne – pleaded to give back

    15.   kara kamalayo – in the two lotus like hands

    16.   anjalIm – having the palm of the two hands together – namaskaram

    17.   yAcamAna: - begged, pleaded

The Gopikas removed all their clothing and were bathing in the Yamuna river. Mischevious Krishna knew this and came to the river bank. He took all their clothes and went and sat on top of the fragrant oleander tree that was on the bank of the river. The Gopikas came to the bank after their bath and were perplexed by not finding their clothes. They then found Krishna with their clothes sitting on the tree. They pleaded with him to give back their clothes. But Krishna said It is mentioned in the shasthras that one should not bathe without any clothing, since you have not obeyed the shasthras to be rid of the sin you all will have to plead with both your hands above your head. Only then you will get your clothes”. The Gopis obeyed him and got their clothes back. Krishna was the smiling to himself when they did so. This lover is unequalled.

  

 Phala Sthuthi

 

 

     21. ityanayamanasA vinirmitAm 

            venkaTesa kavinA stutIm. patan |

           divyaveNurasikam samIkSate

          daivatam kimapi yauvata priyam. ||

 

 

     

1.       ithi – in this way

       2.       anayamanasA – the mind does not seek any other thing

       3.       vinirmitAm – composed

       4.       Venkatesa Kavi – Poet Venkatesa

       5.       stutI – eulogy

       6.       pata – read

       7.       divya – heavenly, celestial

       8.       Venu – flute

       9.       Rasikam – fond of

     10.   samIkSate – perceive

     11.   daivatam – God

     12.   yauvata - number of girls or young women

     13.   priyam – love

This stotra – eulogy has been created by Venkatesa poet who does not consider any one        other than Lord Krishna,  Narayana, Vishnu. One who reads this sloka will perceive the Lord who was fond of the melodious celestial flute and was the lover of the young girls the Gopis.

 

                      Kavithaarkika-Simhaya

                      Kalyana Gunasaline |

                      Srimathe Venkatesaya

                      Vedantha Gurave Namaha ||

 

 



 

 

Gopala Vimsathi 19/21

19. PrathyalIda sthitimadigatAm praptagAtAngapAlIm

             pascAdISan milita nayanAm prayasIm. prekSamAna: |
             bhastrA yantra pranihita karo bhaktajIvAturavyAt
             vAri krIDA nibitavasano vallavI vallabho na:

       

 

1.       PrathyalIda - Extended towards the left – a position in which the warriors stand  with one foot forward in readiness

      2.       Sthithim – psoition

      3.       adigatAm – obtained, acquired

      4.       prapta – gained, found

      5.       gAtAngapAlIm – embracing tightly

      6.       pascAd – backside

      7.       milita – meet

      8.       nayanAm – having eyes

      9.       prayasIm – beloved

     10.   prekSamAna: -  seeing, looking

     11.   bhastrA yantra – similar to water gun, a device in which

            color water is filled and children playing spouting on each

            other

     12.   pranihita kara: - having in his hand

     13.   bhaktajIvAtu – the medicine that gives life to the devotees

     14.   vAri krIDA – Water sport

     15.   nibitavasano – tight clothing

     16.   vallavI vallabho – beloved of the Gopis

     17.   na avyaath – should protect us

     Krishna wanted to play in the water with the Gopis. So he took a water sport device and filled with water. He had his clothes tied tightly. At that time a Gopi came and stood like a warrior in the water. At that time Krishna hugs her tighlty from the back without her knowledge. In this very happy moment they see each other and get engrossed. This Krishna who is playful with the Gopis and is a medicine giving life to his devotees should protect us.

Gopala Vimsathi 18/21

18. lIlayashtIm karakisalaye dakshine nyasya dhanyAm

      amse devyA: pulakaruchire sannivishTAnya bAhu: |

      meghaSyAmo jayati lalito megalA datta veNu:

      gunjApIta sphurita Sikaro gopakanyA bhujanga:

           1.       lIla -  Play, sport

           2.       yashtIm – support

           3.       kara - hand

           4.       kisalaye – tender

           5.       dakshine – on the right side

           6.       nyasya – holding

           7.        dhanyAm – blessed

           8.       Amse – on the shoulder

           9.       devyA: - devi Nappinnai

         10.   pulaka – goose bumps

         11.   ruchire – beautiful

         12.   sannivishTA - sitting

         13.   anya bAhu:– other left hand

         14.   meghaSyAmo – Krishna

         15.   jayati – win

         16.   lalito – beautiful

         17.   megalA – belt, oddiyanam, girdle

         18.   datta - placed

         19.   veNu: - flute

         20.   gunjApIta – kudhumani bead necklace

         21.   sphurita chikura – tresses of his hair

         22.   Gopa kanya – Cowherd girls – Gopis

         23.   Bhujanga – lover

Lord Krishna is standing with a stick in his tender right hand. The stick must should have been very blessed to be held by him. His left hand is on the shoulders of Nappinnai thayar who then gets goos bumps. He is having his flute placed in his girdle very aptly. He has a beautiful kundhumani string tying  his hair. With this the neela megha Shyamal Krishna wins the Gopis and becomes their lover. He roams in the forest with the desire to unite with the Gopis.

Gopala Vimsathi 17/21

17. citrAkalpa: Sravasi kalayan lankalI karNapUram.

      barhottamsa sphuritacikuro bandhujIvam dadhAna: |

      gunjA baddhA murasi lalitAm dharayan hArayaStim

      gopastrInAm. jayati kitava: ko'pi kaumArahAri |

    

   1.       citrA Akalpa:- one who is decorated with ornaments

         2.       Sravasi – in the ear

         3.       Kalayan – one who does it to himself

         4.       lankalI karNapUram – decorated with Lankali flower

         5.       barha utthamsa – wearing peacock feathers on his head

         6.       sphurita chikura – tresses of his hair

         7.       bandhujIvam – hibiscus flower

         8.       dadhAna: - wearing

         9.       gunjA – kundhumani

       10.   baddha – beaded

       11.   urasi  - chest

       12.   dharayan – wearing -

       13.   hArayaStim –wearing a  long necklace that goes down the chest from the neck

       14.   gopastrInAm – cow herd girls the Gopis

       15.   jayati – win, acquire

       16.   kitava: - mischievous Krishna

       17.   ko'pi - unusual

       18.   kaumArahAri – attracted by the youthfulness

Krishna is always roaming in the forest. So he adorns res himself with flowers from the forest. He wears the coconut tree flower in his ears for earrings. His hair tresses are beautified with peacock feathers. He wears hibiscus flower on his hair. He wears a long necklace strung with kundhumani (kunja ) beads. Mischecious Krishna thus decorates himself with all unusual ornaments and attracts the young Gopis with his vast experience.

Gopala Vimsathi 16/21

16. jayati lalitAvRttIm sikshito vallavInAm.

    Sitila valaya sincA SItalairhasta tAlai: |

   akhilabhuvanarakshA gopaveSasya viSno:

   AdhAra maNi sudhAyAm. amsavAn vam.AsnAla: |

     

 1.       Jayati – win

       2.       lalitA  AvRttIm – Dance pose

       3.       sikshita – to be taught

       4.       vallavInAm - Gopis

       5.       Sitila – loose

       6.       Valaya – bangles

       7.       sincA – melodious sound

       8.       sitalai – cool

       9.       hasta – hand

      10.   tAlai – beat for music

      11.   akhilabhuvanarakshA – one who protects the universe

      12.   gopaveSasya viSno: - Vishnu in the guise of a Gopa – the cow herd boy

      13.   AdhAra maNi – the coral reef colored lips

      14.   sudhAyAm – amudham

      15.   amsavAn vam.AsnAla: beautiful flute

Krishna and the Gopis are dancing together as Rasa kridai. Krishna manifests himself as multiple forms in such way that each one of the Gopis dance with a Krishna. Each one is able to see only her partner Krishna. The Gopis are wearing loose bangles. During the dance Krishna plays the flute and the Gopis accompany the music with thalam (beat). The thalam from their hand and the sound produced by the  bangles merge together making it very pleasant.  The Gopis hand movements during the thalam demonstrates the abhinaya for the dance pose “lalitham”. Lord Krishna has taken the human form and living as one amongst the human beings only to protect us. The flute resting on his coral red lips is also very proud about its participation just like the Gopis.

           

Gopala Vimsathi 15/21

     15. mahase mahitAya maulinA

Vina tenanAnjalimanjanatvise |

kalayAmi vimugdha vallavI

valayAbhAsita manju venave ||

1.       mahase – light

2.       mahitAya – honored, esteemed

3.       maulinA – lock of hair

4.       vinatena – bowing to

5.       Anjali – salutation, reverence

6.       Anjana – black pigment for eyes, khajal

7.       Tvise – light

8.       kalayAmi- I do

9.       vimugdha – very attractive and charming

10.   Vallavi – cowherd girls the Gopis

11.   valayA - bangles

12.   bhAsita – noise, speaking

13.   Manju – pleasant

14.   Venave – from the flute

Krishna is an effulgent light. This light is like the black pigment or kajal that is used to enhance the eyes. He plays the enchanting music with his flute. The melodious sound from the bangles the cowherd girls are wearing from the movement of the hands is like the beat or the thalam to his flute. To this Krishna who is praised by everyone for his playing the flute – venu ganam I raise my hand and pay my obeisance.