Mantra Matrika Pushpamala Stavah

मन्त्रमातृकापुष्पमालास्तवः

Mantramātṛkāpuṣpamālāstavaḥ

All 17 verses

Verse 1

कल्लोलोल्लसितामृताब्धिलहरीमध्ये विराजन्मणि द्वीपे कल्पकवाटिकापरिवृते कादम्बवाट्युज्ज्वले रत्नस्तम्भसहस्रनिर्मितसभामध्ये विमानोत्तमे चिन्तारत्नविनिर्मितं जननि ते सिह्मासनं भावये ॥१॥

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कल्लोलोल्लसितामृताब्धिलहरीमध्ये विराजन्मणि: On a jewel island shining in the midst of a wave of the nectar-ocean swelling with billows,
द्वीपे कल्पकवाटिकापरिवृते कादम्बवाट्युज्ज्वले: surrounded by wish-fulfilling groves, in a bright kadamba garden,
रत्नस्तम्भसहस्रनिर्मितसभामध्ये विमानोत्तमे: in an excellent aerial car within an assembly hall built with a thousand jewel pillars,
चिन्तारत्नविनिर्मितं जननि ते सिह्मासनं भावये: O Mother, I meditate your lion-throne fashioned from the jewel of thought.

The throne made of the jewel of thought shows that mental worship builds its shrine from purified imagination. When the seat is thus fashioned, the Mother is invoked not outside but in the heart's radiant assembly.

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Verse 2

एणाङ्कानलभानुमण्डललसच्छ्रीचक्रमध्ये स्थितां बालार्कद्युतिभासुरां करतलैः पाशाङ्कुशौ बिभ्रतीम् चापं बाणमपि प्रसन्नवदनां कौसुम्भवस्त्रान्वितां तां त्वां चन्द्रकलावतम्समकुटां चारुस्मितां भावये ॥२॥

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एणाङ्कानलभानुमण्डललसच्छ्रीचक्रमध्ये स्थितां: Standing in the Sri Chakra blazing with the sun-disc marked by the deer,
बालार्कद्युतिभासुरां करतलैः पाशाङ्कुशौ बिभ्रतीम्: splendid with young-sun radiance, holding noose and goad in her palms,
चापं बाणमपि प्रसन्नवदनां कौसुम्भवस्त्रान्वितां: also bow and arrow, of gracious face, clothed in saffron silk,
तां त्वां चन्द्रकलावतम्समकुटां चारुस्मितां भावये: I meditate you, with crescent crest and sweet smile.

She who stands in the Sri Chakra is the power that governs the universe from its geometric centre. Meditating her weapons and smile together, the devotee holds both discipline and grace in one vision.

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Verse 3

ईशनादिपदं शिवैकफलदं रत्नासनं ते शुभं पाद्यं कुङ्कुमचन्दनादिभरितैरर्घ्यं सरत्नाक्षतैः शुद्धैराचमनीयकं तव जलैर्भक्त्या मया कल्पितं कारुण्यामृतवारिधे तदखिलं सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम् ॥३॥

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ईशनादिपदं शिवैकफलदं रत्नासनं ते शुभं: The seat beginning with Ishana, yielding the sole fruit of Shiva, your auspicious jewelled throne,
पाद्यं कुङ्कुमचन्दनादिभरितैरर्घ्यं सरत्नाक्षतैः: foot-water, arghya rich with saffron and sandal, with jewelled rice,
शुद्धैराचमनीयकं तव जलैर्भक्त्या मया कल्पितं: pure sipping-water with your waters, prepared by me with devotion,
कारुण्यामृतवारिधे तदखिलं सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम्: O ocean of the nectar of compassion, may all that be fit for your satisfaction.

Offerings prepared with devotion are accepted by the ocean of compassion, not by ritual skill alone. The fruit of Shiva is granted when worship is offered to the Mother as the source of every mantra and grace.

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Verse 4

लक्ष्ये योगिजनस्य रक्षितजगज्जाले विशालेक्षणे प्रालेयाम्बुपटीरकुङ्कुमलसत्कर्पूरमिश्रोदकैः गोक्षीरैरपि नारिकेलसलिलैः शुद्धोदकैर्मन्त्रितैः स्नानं देवि धिया मयैतदखिलं सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम् ॥४॥

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लक्ष्ये योगिजनस्य रक्षितजगज्जाले विशालेक्षणे: O goal of yogis, wide-eyed protectress of the world's web,
प्रालेयाम्बुपटीरकुङ्कुमलसत्कर्पूरमिश्रोदकैः: with waters mixed with camphor, saffron, and snow-cooled patira,
गोक्षीरैरपि नारिकेलसलिलैः शुद्धोदकैर्मन्त्रितैः: with cow's milk, coconut water, and pure mantra-charged waters,
स्नानं देवि धिया मयैतदखिलं सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम्: this bath, O Goddess, I offer in the mind; may all of it please you.

Bath offered in the mind purifies the subtle body of thought. The yogis' goal is pleased when every stream of imagination is poured out in service to the one who protects the world.

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Verse 5

ह्रीङ्काराङ्कितमन्त्रलक्षिततनो हेमाचलात्सञ्चितैः रत्नैरुज्ज्वलमुत्तरीयसहितं कौसुम्भवर्णांशुकम् मुक्तासन्ततियज्ञसूत्रममलं सौवर्णतन्तूत्भवं दत्तं देवि धिया मयैतदखिलं सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम् ॥५॥

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ह्रीङ्काराङ्कितमन्त्रलक्षिततनो हेमाचलात्सञ्चितैः: O body marked by the mantra stamped with Hrim, with jewels gathered from the golden mountain,
रत्नैरुज्ज्वलमुत्तरीयसहितं कौसुम्भवर्णांशुकम्: a flashing upper garment and saffron-hued silk,
मुक्तासन्ततियज्ञसूत्रममलं सौवर्णतन्तूत्भवं: a pure sacred thread of gold thread strung with pearls,
दत्तं देवि धिया मयैतदखिलं सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम्: given, O Goddess, by me in the mind; may all of it please you.

Garments marked with Hrim clothe the deity in the very sound of her power. The golden thread is the thread of knowledge linking the worshipper to the Mother who is both mantra and meaning.

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Verse 6

हम्सैरप्यतिलोभनीयगमने हारावलीमुज्ज्वलां हिन्दोलद्युतिहीरपूरिततरे हेमाङ्गदेकङ्कणे मञ्जीरौ मणिकुण्डले मकुटमप्यर्धेन्दुचूडामणिं नासामौक्तिकमङ्गुलीयकटकौ काञ्चीमपि स्वीकुरु ॥६॥

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हम्सैरप्यतिलोभनीयगमने हारावलीमुज्ज्वलां: A flashing pearl necklace, of gait desirable even to swans,
हिन्दोलद्युतिहीरपूरिततरे हेमाङ्गदेकङ्कणे: golden armlets and bracelets filled with the lustre of swinging sapphires,
मञ्जीरौ मणिकुण्डले मकुटमप्यर्धेन्दुचूडामणिं: anklets, jewelled earrings, crown, and crescent crest-jewel,
नासामौक्तिकमङ्गुलीयकटकौ काञ्चीमपि स्वीकुरु: nose-pearl, finger-rings, bracelets, and girdle; accept them all.

Ornaments offered to the Goddess adorn the devotee's own inner life with virtue and steadiness. Each jewel stands for a quality that makes the mind a fit temple for her presence.

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Verse 7

सर्वाङ्गे घनसारकुङ्कुमघनश्रीगन्धपङ्काङ्कितं कस्तूरीतिलकञ्च फालफलके गोरोचनापत्रकम् गण्डादर्शनमण्डले नयनयोर्दिव्याञ्जनं तेऽञ्चितं कण्ठाब्जे मृगनाभिपङ्कममलं त्वत्प्रीतये कल्पताम् ॥७॥

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सर्वाङ्गे घनसारकुङ्कुमघनश्रीगन्धपङ्काङ्कितं: On every limb, paste of thick sandal, saffron, and heavy sacred fragrance,
कस्तूरीतिलकञ्च फालफलके गोरोचनापत्रकम्: musk tilaka and a leaf of gorochana on the brow,
गण्डादर्शनमण्डले नयनयोर्दिव्याञ्जनं तेऽञ्चितं: mirror on the cheeks, divine collyrium on the eyes,
कण्ठाब्जे मृगनाभिपङ्कममलं त्वत्प्रीतये कल्पताम्: on the lotus throat pure musk paste; may it please you.

Fragrance and cosmetic adornment symbolize the refinement of every faculty toward the divine. When the whole body is anointed in the mind, the devotee sees the world itself as pervaded by sacred scent.

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Verse 8

कल्हारोत्पलमल्लिकामरुवकैः सौवर्णपङ्केरुहै र्जातीचम्पकमालतीवकुलकैर्मन्दारकुन्दादिभिः केतक्या करवीरकैर्बहुविधैः कॢप्ताः स्रजो मालिकाः सङ्कल्पेन समर्पयामि वरदे सन्तुष्टये गृह्यताम् ॥८॥

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कल्हारोत्पलमल्लिकामरुवकैः सौवर्णपङ्केरुहै: With white lotus, jasmine, maruvaka, and golden lotuses,
र्जातीचम्पकमालतीवकुलकैर्मन्दारकुन्दादिभिः: jasmine, champaka, malati, bakula, mandara, kunda, and others,
केतक्या करवीरकैर्बहुविधैः कॢप्ताः स्रजो मालिकाः: ketaki, oleander, and many kinds, garlands and wreaths fashioned,
सङ्कल्पेन समर्पयामि वरदे सन्तुष्टये गृह्यताम्: by resolve I offer, O giver of boons; accept them for your satisfaction.

Each flower in the garland is a matrika-letter, a petal in the alphabet of worship. Offering them by resolve alone, the devotee learns that the Mother accepts the intent behind the offering.

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Verse 9

हन्तारं मदनस्य नन्दयसि यैरङ्गैरनङ्गोज्ज्वलै र्यैर्भृङ्गावलिनीलकुन्तलभरैर्बध्नासि तस्याशयम् तानीमानि तवाम्ब कोमलतराण्यामोदलीला गृहा ण्यामोदाय दशाङ्गगुग्गुलुघृतैर्धूपैरहं धूपये ॥९॥

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हन्तारं मदनस्य नन्दयसि यैरङ्गैरनङ्गोज्ज्वलै: With limbs bright as love-god, by which you delight the slayer of Madana,
र्यैर्भृङ्गावलिनीलकुन्तलभरैर्बध्नासि तस्याशयम्: with masses of dark hair like swarms of bees, binding his mind,
तानीमानि तवाम्ब कोमलतराण्यामोदलीला गृहा: those limbs of yours, O Mother, softer than play-houses of fragrance,
ण्यामोदाय दशाङ्गगुग्गुलुघृतैर्धूपैरहं धूपये: with tenfold guggulu and ghee incense I offer smoke.

Even the power that conquers desire is charmed by the Mother's beauty. Incense offered to her limbs is the rising of purified thought, fragrant with surrender.

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Verse 10

लक्ष्मीमुज्ज्वलयामि रत्ननिवहोत्भास्वत्त्तरे मन्दिरे मालारूपविलम्बितैर्मणिमयस्तम्भेषु सम्भावितैः चित्रैर्हाटकपुत्रिकाकरधृतैःगव्यैर्घृतैर्वर्धितै र्दिव्यैर्दीपगणैर्धिया गिरिसुते सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम् ॥१०॥

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लक्ष्मीमुज्ज्वलयामि रत्ननिवहोत्भास्वत्त्तरे मन्दिरे: I brighten the temple with hosts of jewels flashing radiance,
मालारूपविलम्बितैर्मणिमयस्तम्भेषु सम्भावितैः: on jewelled pillars hung with garlands,
चित्रैर्हाटकपुत्रिकाकरधृतैःगव्यैर्घृतैर्वर्धितै: with bright ghee-lamps held by golden maidens, fed with cow's ghee,
र्दिव्यैर्दीपगणैर्धिया गिरिसुते सन्तुष्टये कल्पताम्: and divine rows of lamps in the mind, O daughter of the mountain; may they please you.

Lamps in the mind illumine the temple where the Goddess dwells. Brightness offered to her is the awakening of knowledge that dispels the darkness of ignorance in the heart.

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Verse 11

ह्रीङ्कारेश्वरि तप्तहाटककृतैः स्थालीसहस्रैर्भृतं दिव्यान्नं घृतसूपशाकभरितं चित्रान्नभेदं तथा दुग्धान्नं मधुशर्करादधियुतं माणिक्यपात्रे स्थितं माषापूपसहस्रमम्ब सफलं नैवेद्यमावेदये ॥११॥

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ह्रीङ्कारेश्वरि तप्तहाटककृतैः स्थालीसहस्रैर्भृतं: O mistress of Hrim, borne in a thousand bowls of refined gold,
दिव्यान्नं घृतसूपशाकभरितं चित्रान्नभेदं तथा: divine food filled with ghee, soups, and vegetables, and varied delicacies,
दुग्धान्नं मधुशर्करादधियुतं माणिक्यपात्रे स्थितं: milk-rice with honey, sugar, and curd in a ruby vessel,
माषापूपसहस्रमम्ब सफलं नैवेद्यमावेदये: and a thousand bean-cakes, O Mother; I present this fruitful food offering.

Food offered in the ruby vessel nourishes the conviction that the Mother accepts the devotee's sustenance of love. The highest naivedya is the life lived as offering to the Goddess.

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Verse 12

सच्छायैर्वरकेतकीदलरुचा ताम्बूलवल्लीदलैः पूगैर्भूरिगुणैः सुगन्धिमधुरैः कर्पूरखण्डोज्ज्वलैः मुक्ताचूर्णविराजितैर्बहुविधैर्वक्त्राम्बुजामोदनैः पूर्णा रत्नकलाचिका तव मुदे न्यस्ता पुरस्तादुमे ॥१२॥

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सच्छायैर्वरकेतकीदलरुचा ताम्बूलवल्लीदलैः: With betel leaves bright as fine ketaki leaves with their shade,
पूगैर्भूरिगुणैः सुगन्धिमधुरैः कर्पूरखण्डोज्ज्वलैः: areca nuts of many virtues, sweet and fragrant, and flashing camphor lumps,
मुक्ताचूर्णविराजितैर्बहुविधैर्वक्त्राम्बुजामोदनैः: adorned with pearl powder and many fragrances for the lotus mouth,
पूर्णा रत्नकलाचिका तव मुदे न्यस्ता पुरस्तादुमे: a full jewelled betel-box placed before you for your joy, O Uma.

Betel offered with camphor and pearl is the sweet conclusion of the feast of worship. The joy of the Mother is the devotee's own joy when every sense is turned toward her lotus face.

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Verse 13

कन्याभिः कमनीयकान्तिभिरलङ्कारामलारार्तिका पात्रे मौक्तिकचित्रपङ्क्तिविलसद्कर्पूरदीपावलिः उतत्तत्तालमृदङ्गगीतसहितं नृत्यत्पदाम्भोरुहं मन्त्राराधनपूर्वकं सुविहितं नीराजनं गृह्यताम् ॥१३॥

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कन्याभिः कमनीयकान्तिभिरलङ्कारामलारार्तिका: With maidens of lovely radiance performing bright arati worship,
पात्रे मौक्तिकचित्रपङ्क्तिविलसद्कर्पूरदीपावलिः: rows of camphor lamps flashing in pearl-decked vessels,
उतत्तत्तालमृदङ्गगीतसहितं नृत्यत्पदाम्भोरुहं: with song to drum and cymbal, and dancing lotus feet,
मन्त्राराधनपूर्वकं सुविहितं नीराजनं गृह्यताम्: well-arranged waving of light after mantra-worship; accept it.

Arati with song and dance is the circling of light around the one who is already light. When preceded by mantra, the waving lamp becomes the visible sign of consciousness honouring its own source.

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Verse 14

लक्ष्मीर्मौक्तिकलक्षकल्पितसितच्छत्रं तु धत्ते रसाद् इन्द्राणी च रतिश्च चामरवरे धत्ते स्वयं भारती वीणामेणविलोचनाः सुमनसां नृत्यन्ति तद्रागव द्भावैराङ्गिकसात्त्विकैः स्फुटरसं मातस्तदाकर्ण्यताम् ॥१४॥

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लक्ष्मीर्मौक्तिकलक्षकल्पितसितच्छत्रं तु धत्ते रसाद्: Lakshmi joyfully holds a white parasol fashioned with pearl lac,
इन्द्राणी च रतिश्च चामरवरे धत्ते स्वयं भारती: Indrani and Rati hold fine fly-whisks; Bharati herself attends,
वीणामेणविलोचनाः सुमनसां नृत्यन्ति तद्रागव: celestial maidens with vina-deer eyes dance to that melody,
द्भावैराङ्गिकसात्त्विकैः स्फुटरसं मातस्तदाकर्ण्यताम्: with expressive and true gestures; O Mother, hear that clear rasa.

Goddesses themselves serve the Mother, showing that all powers are her attendants. The rasa of dance and music offered to her is the taste of bliss when the arts are dedicated to the divine.

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Verse 15

ह्रीङ्कारत्रयसम्पुटेन मनुनोपास्ये त्रयीमौलिभि र्वाक्यैर्लक्ष्यतनो तव स्तुतिविधौ को वा क्षमेताम्बिके सल्लापाः स्तुतयः प्रदक्षिणशतं सञ्चार एवास्तु ते संवेशो नमसः सहस्रमखिलं त्वत्प्रीतये कल्पताम् ॥१५॥

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Word breakdown

ह्रीङ्कारत्रयसम्पुटेन मनुनोपास्ये त्रयीमौलिभि: Worshipped by Manu with the triple Hrim, by the crest-jewels of the three Vedas,
र्वाक्यैर्लक्ष्यतनो तव स्तुतिविधौ को वा क्षमेताम्बिके: O Ambika, who could be equal in the rite of praising your subtle form?
सल्लापाः स्तुतयः प्रदक्षिणशतं सञ्चार एवास्तु ते: May conversation and hymns be yours, a hundred circumambulations, walking as service,
संवेशो नमसः सहस्रमखिलं त्वत्प्रीतये कल्पताम्: and a thousand prostrations; may all be for your pleasure.

When praise falls short, the devotee offers every act as worship: speech, walking, and prostration. The Mother is pleased not by eloquence but by the life consecrated to her.

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Verse 16

श्रीमन्त्राक्षरमालया गिरिसुतां यः पूजयेच्चेतसा सन्ध्यासु प्रतिवासरं सुनियतस्तस्यामलं स्यान्मनः चित्ताम्भोरुहमण्डपे गिरिसुता नृत्तं विधत्तेरसा द्वाणी वक्त्रसरोरुहे जलधिजा गेहे जगन्मङ्गला ॥१६॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

श्रीमन्त्राक्षरमालया गिरिसुतां यः पूजयेच्चेतसा: Whoever worships the mountain's daughter in the mind with the garland of sacred mantra-letters,
सन्ध्यासु प्रतिवासरं सुनियतस्तस्यामलं स्यान्मनः: at dawn and dusk each day, with good discipline, his mind becomes pure,
चित्ताम्भोरुहमण्डपे गिरिसुता नृत्तं विधत्तेरसा: in the heart-lotus pavilion the mountain's daughter dances with delight,
द्वाणी वक्त्रसरोरुहे जलधिजा गेहे जगन्मङ्गला: and in the lotus face-home, Lakshmi, auspiciousness of the world, dwells.

Daily worship with the matrika garland purifies the mind until the Goddess dances in the heart. Where she dances, fortune and world-auspiciousness are not additions but the natural fruit of her presence.

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Verse 17

इति गिरिवरपुत्रीपादराजीवभूषा भुवनममलयन्ती सूक्तिसौरभ्यसारैः शिवपदमकरन्दस्यन्दिनीयं निबद्धा मदयतु कविभृङ्गान्मातृकापुष्पमाला ॥१७॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

इति गिरिवरपुत्रीपादराजीवभूषा: Thus this matrika flower-garland, adorning the lotus feet of the mountain king's daughter,
भुवनममलयन्ती सूक्तिसौरभ्यसारैः: purifying the world with the essence-fragrance of sacred speech,
शिवपदमकरन्दस्यन्दिनीयं निबद्धा: bound to drip the honey of Shiva's feet,
मदयतु कविभृङ्गान्मातृकापुष्पमाला: may this flower-garland of mother-letters intoxicate the poet-bees.

The hymn closes by naming itself a garland of matrika flowers at the Mother's feet. When sacred words are strung thus, they carry the honey of Shiva's grace to every mind open like a bee to the nectar of the Self.

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