Shivananda Lahari

शिवानन्दलहरी

Śivānandalaharī

All 100 verses

Verse 1

कलाभ्यां चूडालङ्कृतशशिकलाभ्यां निजतपः फलाभ्यां भक्तेषु प्रकटितफलाभ्यां भवतु मे शिवाभ्यामस्तोकत्रिभुवनशिवाभ्यां हृदि पुन र्भवाभ्यामानन्दस्फुरदनुभवाभ्यां नतिरियम् ॥१॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कलाभ्यां चूडालङ्कृतशशिकलाभ्यां निजतपः: with crescent-adorned moon-forehead, fruit of Your own austerity
फलाभ्यां भक्तेषु प्रकटितफलाभ्यां भवतु मे: fruit revealed to devotees, may there be for me
शिवाभ्यामस्तोकत्रिभुवनशिवाभ्यां हृदि पुन: with the little Shiva of the three worlds in the heart again
र्भवाभ्यामानन्दस्फुरदनुभवाभ्यां नतिरियम्: obeisance with experience sparkling bliss of becoming

Salutations to Shiva whose form embodies austerity's fruit and blissful becoming. The Lord of beings is the inner witness in whom devotion recognizes the Self as the source of all auspicious experience.

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Verse 2

गलन्ती शम्भो त्वच्चरितसरितः किल्बिषरजो दलन्ती धीकुल्यासरणिषु पतन्ती विजयताम् दिशन्ती संसारभ्रमणपरितापोपशमनं वसन्ती मच्चेतोह्रदभुवि शिवानन्दलहरी ॥२॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

गलन्ती शम्भो त्वच्चरितसरितः किल्बिषरजो: flowing, O Shambhu, from the river of Your conduct, sin-dust
दलन्ती धीकुल्यासरणिषु पतन्ती विजयताम्: washing away, falling on the channels of wisdom's streams, may it triumph
दिशन्ती संसारभ्रमणपरितापोपशमनं: granting relief from the burning of wandering in samsara
वसन्ती मच्चेतोह्रदभुवि शिवानन्दलहरी: dwelling in the lake of my heart, the wave of Shiva-bliss

The river of Shiva's conduct washes away the dust of sin in the mind's channels. When devotion lets that stream dwell in the heart, the burning of worldly wandering subsides in the wave of inner bliss.

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Verse 3

त्रयीवेद्यं हृद्यं त्रिपुरहरमाद्यं त्रिनयनं जटाभारोदारं चलदुरगहारं मृगधरम् महादेवं देवं मयि सदयभावं पशुपतिं चिदालम्बं साम्बं शिवमतिविडम्बं हृदि भजे ॥३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

त्रयीवेद्यं हृद्यं त्रिपुरहरमाद्यं त्रिनयनं: known to the three Vedas, heart's delight, destroyer of Tripura, primal, three-eyed
जटाभारोदारं चलदुरगहारं मृगधरम्: with lofty matted locks, moving serpent-garland, bearing the deer
महादेवं देवं मयि सदयभावं पशुपतिं: great Lord, God, with compassionate regard for me, O Pasupati
चिदालम्बं साम्बं शिवमतिविडम्बं हृदि भजे: support of consciousness, with Uma, Shiva beyond compare, I worship in the heart

Shiva is the primal consciousness known to the Vedas, compassionate Pasupati and support of pure awareness. Heart-worship of the Lord with Uma is the Advaitin's path of recognizing the Self as the destroyer of the three cities of bondage.

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Verse 4

सहस्रं वर्तन्ते जगति विबुधाः क्षुद्रफलदा न मन्ये स्वप्ने वा तदनुसरणं तत्कृतफलम् हरिब्रह्मादीनामपि निकटभाजामसुलभं चिरं याचे शम्भो शिव तव पदाम्भोजभजनम् ॥४॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सहस्रं वर्तन्ते जगति विबुधाः क्षुद्रफलदा: a thousand gods move in the world giving petty fruits
न मन्ये स्वप्ने वा तदनुसरणं तत्कृतफलम्: I do not esteem even in dream following them for their fruits
हरिब्रह्मादीनामपि निकटभाजामसुलभं: worship of Your lotus feet is hard even for those near Hari and Brahma
चिरं याचे शम्भो शिव तव पदाम्भोजभजनम्: long I beg, O Shambhu, Shiva, for worship of Your lotus feet

Lesser gods grant limited fruits; the poet seeks only Shiva's lotus feet. True fulfilment lies not in pursuing small rewards but in devotion to the one Lord who is the Self of all.

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Verse 5

स्मृतौ शास्त्रे वैद्ये शकुनकवितागानफणितौ पुराणे मन्त्रे वा स्तुतिनटनहास्येष्वचतुरः कथं राज्ञां प्रीतिर्भवति मयि कोऽहं पशुपते पशुं मां सर्वज्ञ प्रथितकृपया पालय विभो ॥५॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

स्मृतौ शास्त्रे वैद्ये शकुनकवितागानफणितौ: in memory, scripture, medicine, omens, poetry, song and speech
पुराणे मन्त्रे वा स्तुतिनटनहास्येष्वचतुरः: in Purana, mantra, praise, dance and jest I am unskilled
कथं राज्ञां प्रीतिर्भवति मयि कोऽहं पशुपते: how can kings be pleased with me; who am I, O Pasupati
पशुं मां सर्वज्ञ प्रथितकृपया पालय विभो: as a beast protect me, O all-knowing one, by Your famed grace, O Lord

The devotee confesses unworthiness in every worldly art yet asks only for the Lord's protection. Grace does not require skill; the Self accepts the sincere heart that turns from pretence to surrender.

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Verse 6

घटो वा मृत्पिण्डोऽप्यणुरपि च धूमोऽग्निरचलः पटो वा तन्तुर्वा परिहरति किं घोरशमनम् वृथा कण्ठक्षोभं वहसि तरसा तर्कवचसा पदाम्भोजं शम्भोर्भज परमसौख्यं व्रज सुधीः ॥६॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

घटो वा मृत्पिण्डोऽप्यणुरपि च धूमोऽग्निरचलः: jar or clay lump or atom or smoke, fire or mountain
पटो वा तन्तुर्वा परिहरति किं घोरशमनम्: cloth or thread, what does it remove of terrible death
वृथा कण्ठक्षोभं वहसि तरसा तर्कवचसा: in vain you strain your throat with hasty argumentative words
पदाम्भोजं शम्भोर्भज परमसौख्यं व्रज सुधीः: worship Shambhu's lotus feet, O wise one, go to supreme bliss

No material symbol removes the terror of death; argument avails nothing. The wise turn from empty disputation to worship of Shiva's feet, where supreme bliss is found as the nature of the Self.

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Verse 7

मनस्ते पादाब्जे निवसतु वचः स्तोत्रफणितौ करौ चाभ्यर्चायां श्रुतिरपि कथाकर्णनविधौ तव ध्याने बुद्धिर्नयनयुगलं मूर्तिविभवे परग्रन्थान् कैर्वा परमशिव जाने परमतः ॥७॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

मनस्ते पादाब्जे निवसतु वचः स्तोत्रफणितौ: may mind dwell at Your lotus feet, speech in hymn-recitation
करौ चाभ्यर्चायां श्रुतिरपि कथाकर्णनविधौ: hands too in worship, hearing in the manner of hearing Your tales
तव ध्याने बुद्धिर्नयनयुगलं मूर्तिविभवे: intellect in meditation on You, both eyes in Your form's glory
परग्रन्थान् कैर्वा परमशिव जाने परमतः: other books by whom, O supreme Shiva, do I know at all

Every faculty offered to Shiva becomes the path: feet for the mind, praise for speech, worship for hands. When all senses rest in the Lord, no other teaching is needed; the Self is known through integrated devotion.

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Verse 8

यथा बुद्धिः शुक्तौ रजतमिति काचाश्मनि मणि र्जले पैष्टे क्षीरं भवति मृगतृष्णासु सलिलम् तथा देवभ्रान्त्या भजति भवदन्यं जडजनो महादेवेशं त्वां मनसि च न मत्वा पशुपते ॥८॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

यथा बुद्धिः शुक्तौ रजतमिति काचाश्मनि मणि: as intellect sees silver in shell, jewel in glass, milk in water
र्जले पैष्टे क्षीरं भवति मृगतृष्णासु सलिलम्: water in mirage, so the dull worship another god in confusion
तथा देवभ्रान्त्या भजति भवदन्यं जडजनो: not thinking of You, O Pasupati, Mahadeva
महादेवेशं त्वां मनसि च न मत्वा पशुपते: O Lord of beings, supreme Shiva

Like mistaking shell for silver, the ignorant worship lesser gods. The Advaitin sees all such appearances as misapprehension; only Shiva, the supreme Self, is the reality behind every mistaken object of devotion.

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Verse 9

गभीरे कासारे विशति विजने घोरविपिने विशाले शैले च भ्रमति कुसुमार्थं जडमतिः समर्प्यैकं चेतः सरसिजमुमानाथ भवते सुखेनावस्थातुं जन इह न जानाति किमहो ॥९॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

गभीरे कासारे विशति विजने घोरविपिने: in a deep lake, entering a lonely terrible forest
विशाले शैले च भ्रमति कुसुमार्थं जडमतिः: on a vast mountain wandering for flowers with dull mind
समर्प्यैकं चेतः सरसिजमुमानाथ भवते: offering the one lotus of mind to You, O Uma's Lord
सुखेनावस्थातुं जन इह न जानाति किमहो: people here do not know how to abide in bliss; alas

The dull mind wanders through dangers seeking outward flowers while the simple offering of mind to Shiva brings abiding bliss. True peace is not found by roaming but by surrendering thought to the Lord within.

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Verse 10

नरत्वं देवत्वं नगवनमृगत्वं मशकता पशुत्वं कीटत्वं भवतु विहगत्वादि जननम् सदा त्वत्पादाब्जस्मरणपरमानन्दलहरी विहारासक्तं चेद्धृदयमिह किं तेन वपुषा ॥१०॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

नरत्वं देवत्वं नगवनमृगत्वं मशकता: human birth or godhood, forest-beasthood or gnathood
पशुत्वं कीटत्वं भवतु विहगत्वादि जननम्: beasthood or wormhood, birdhood and other births may be
सदा त्वत्पादाब्जस्मरणपरमानन्दलहरी: if the heart is steeped in remembrance of Your lotus feet, the wave of bliss
विहारासक्तं चेद्धृदयमिह किं तेन वपुषा: what need then of this body here

Any birth becomes bearable when the heart rests in Shiva's feet. The body matters little if consciousness is steeped in the bliss-wave of remembrance; the Self is untouched by the form it wears.

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Verse 11

वटुर्वा गेही वा यतिरपि जटी वा तदितरो नरो वा यः कश्चिद्भवतु भव किं तेन भवति यदीयं हृत्पद्मं यदि भवदधीनं पशुपते तदीयस्त्वं शम्भो भवसि भवभारं च वहसि ॥११॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

वटुर्वा गेही वा यतिरपि जटी वा तदितरो: whether student, householder, ascetic, matted ascetic or other
नरो वा यः कश्चिद्भवतु भव किं तेन भवति: whoever one may be, what of it, O Lord
यदीयं हृत्पद्मं यदि भवदधीनं पशुपते: if this lotus-heart belongs to You, O Pasupati
तदीयस्त्वं शम्भो भवसि भवभारं च वहसि: You become his, O Shambhu, and bear his worldly burden

Ashrama and status are irrelevant when the heart belongs to Shiva. The Lord Himself bears the devotee's burden; in Advaita this is the recognition that the Self carries all appearances while remaining free.

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Verse 12

गुहायां गेहे वा बहिरपि वने वाऽद्रिशिखरे जले वा वह्नौ वा वसतु वसतेः किं वद फलम् सदा यस्यैवान्तःकरणमपि शम्भो तव पदे स्थितं चेद्योगोऽसौ स च परमयोगी स च सुखी ॥१२॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

गुहायां गेहे वा बहिरपि वने वाऽद्रिशिखरे: in a cave, house, outside in forest or on mountain peak
जले वा वह्नौ वा वसतु वसतेः किं वद फलम्: in water or fire, where one dwells, what is the fruit
सदा यस्यैवान्तःकरणमपि शम्भो तव पदे: if the inner mind always rests on Your feet, O Shambhu
स्थितं चेद्योगोऽसौ स च परमयोगी स च सुखी: that yoga is supreme yoga and that one is happy

Place of residence does not determine spiritual fruit; resting the mind on Shiva's feet does. Supreme yoga is constant inward abiding in the Lord, which is the happiness of knowing the Self.

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Verse 13

असारे संसारे निजभजनदूरे जडधिया भ्रमन्तं मामन्धं परमकृपया पातुमुचितम् मदन्यः को दीनस्तव कृपणरक्षातिनिपुण स्त्वदन्यः को वा मे त्रिजगति शरण्यः पशुपते ॥१३॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

असारे संसारे निजभजनदूरे जडधिया: wandering in worthless samsara, far from worship, with dull intellect
भ्रमन्तं मामन्धं परमकृपया पातुमुचितम्: I am blind; it is right to save me with supreme grace
मदन्यः को दीनस्तव कृपणरक्षातिनिपुण: who else is wretched; O skilled saviour of the helpless
स्त्वदन्यः को वा मे त्रिजगति शरण्यः पशुपते: who else in the three worlds is my refuge, O Pasupati

The poet admits blindness in samsara and asks who else can save him. Shiva alone is refuge for the helpless; grace is the Self's own compassion turning the mind back from delusion.

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Verse 14

प्रभुस्त्वं दीनानां खलु परमबन्धुः पशुपते प्रमुख्योऽहं तेषामपि किमुत बन्धुत्वमनयोः त्वयैव क्षन्तव्याः शिव मदपराधाश्च सकलाः प्रयत्नात्कर्तव्यं मदवनमियं बन्धुसरणिः ॥१४॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

प्रभुस्त्वं दीनानां खलु परमबन्धुः पशुपते: You are the Lord of the wretched, indeed the supreme kinsman, O Pasupati
प्रमुख्योऽहं तेषामपि किमुत बन्धुत्वमनयोः: I am chief among them; how much more then is kinship between us two
त्वयैव क्षन्तव्याः शिव मदपराधाश्च सकलाः: by You alone may all my offences be forgiven, O Shiva
प्रयत्नात्कर्तव्यं मदवनमियं बन्धुसरणिः: this kinship-path of friends must be earnestly kept by me

Shiva is kinsman of the destitute; the devotee claims that bond and asks forgiveness. True kinship with the Lord is not birth but surrender; offences dissolve when the Self is recognized as one's own deepest friend.

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Verse 15

उपेक्षा नो चेत् किं न हरसि भवद्ध्यानविमुखां दुराशाभूयिष्ठां विधिलिपिमशक्तो यदि भवान् शिरस्तद्वैधात्रं न न खलु सुवृत्तं पशुपते कथं वा निर्यत्नं करनखमुखेनैव लुलितम् ॥१५॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

उपेक्षा नो चेत् किं न हरसि भवद्ध्यानविमुखां: if there is no neglect, do You not remove those averse to meditating on You
दुराशाभूयिष्ठां विधिलिपिमशक्तो यदि भवान्: burdened with many evil desires, if You are unable, O Pasupati
शिरस्तद्वैधात्रं न न खलु सुवृत्तं पशुपते: Brahma's head is not well-suited for that
कथं वा निर्यत्नं करनखमुखेनैव लुलितम्: how was it effortlessly crushed by nail and face

The poet argues from Shiva's power over Brahma that He can remove the devotee's sins. If the Lord can crush pride effortlessly, grace can surely turn the mind from evil desire toward meditation on the Self.

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Verse 16

विरिञ्चिर्दीर्घायुर्भवतु भवता तत्परशिर श्चतुष्कं संरक्ष्यं स खलु भुवि दैन्यं लिखितवान् विचारः को वा मां विशद कृपया पाति शिव ते कटाक्षव्यापारः स्वयमपि च दीनावनपरः ॥१६॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

विरिञ्चिर्दीर्घायुर्भवतु भवता तत्परशिर: may Brahma have long life, protecting his four heads
श्चतुष्कं संरक्ष्यं स खलु भुवि दैन्यं लिखितवान्: he has written poverty on earth
विचारः को वा मां विशद कृपया पाति शिव ते: what thought, O Shiva, protects me with clear grace
कटाक्षव्यापारः स्वयमपि च दीनावनपरः: Your sidelong glance's activity itself is devoted to saving the wretched

Brahma's long life and cosmic office do not erase worldly poverty; Shiva's compassionate glance does. The Lord's grace actively seeks the destitute; the Self's mercy is not distant but ever turned toward the suffering mind.

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Verse 17

फलाद्वा पुण्यानां मयि करुणया वा त्वयि विभो प्रसन्नेऽपि स्वामिन् भवदमलपादाब्जयुगलम् कथं पश्येयं मां स्थगयति नमस्सम्भ्रमजुषां निलिम्पानां श्रेणिर्निजकनकमाणिक्यमकुटैः ॥१७॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

फलाद्वा पुण्यानां मयि करुणया वा त्वयि विभो: whether from fruits of merit or from grace toward me, O Lord
प्रसन्नेऽपि स्वामिन् भवदमलपादाब्जयुगलम्: even when pleased, O Master, Your immaculate lotus-foot pair
कथं पश्येयं मां स्थगयति नमस्सम्भ्रमजुषां: how may I see; the row of gods' crowns
निलिम्पानां श्रेणिर्निजकनकमाणिक्यमकुटैः: hides those bowing with reverence in salutation

Merit or grace, the devotee longs to see Shiva's feet hidden by bowing gods. Even divine ranks veil the direct vision of the Lord; humility before the Self clears what pride of gods obscures.

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Verse 18

त्वमेको लोकानां परमफलदो दिव्यपदवीं वहन्तस्त्वन्मूलां पुनरपि भजन्ते हरिमुखाः कियद्वा दाक्षिण्यं तव शिव मदाशा च कियती कदा वा मद्रक्षां वहसि करुणापूरितदृशा ॥१८॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

त्वमेको लोकानां परमफलदो दिव्यपदवीं: You alone give the supreme fruit, the divine state
वहन्तस्त्वन्मूलां पुनरपि भजन्ते हरिमुखाः: bearing them, Hari and others worship again at Your source
कियद्वा दाक्षिण्यं तव शिव मदाशा च कियती: how great is Your kindness, O Shiva; how great my hope
कदा वा मद्रक्षां वहसि करुणापूरितदृशा: when will You protect me with a glance full of compassion

All gods derive their fruit from Shiva and return to His source. The devotee's hope rests on that compassion which is the Self's own grace, ever able to protect when the mind turns homeward.

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Verse 19

दुराशाभूयिष्ठे दुरधिपगृहद्वारघटके दुरन्ते संसारे दुरितनिलये दुःखजनके मदायासं किं न व्यपनयसि कस्योपकृतये वदेयं प्रीतिश्चेत्तव शिव कृतार्थाः खलु वयम् ॥१९॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

दुराशाभूयिष्ठे दुरधिपगृहद्वारघटके: in the jar of evil desire, the door of the wicked master's house
दुरन्ते संसारे दुरितनिलये दुःखजनके: in endless samsara, abode of misery, source of pain
मदायासं किं न व्यपनयसि कस्योपकृतये: why do You not remove my weariness; for whose benefit
वदेयं प्रीतिश्चेत्तव शिव कृतार्थाः खलु वयम्: if there is love for You, O Shiva, we are indeed fulfilled

Bound in desire and misery, the poet asks why Shiva does not remove his weariness. If the Lord's love is real, fulfilment is already present; suffering persists only while the mind clings to the jar of separate selfhood.

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Verse 20

सदा मोहाटव्यां चरति युवतीनां कुचगिरौ नटत्याशाशाखास्वटति झटिति स्वैरमभितः कपालिन् भिक्षो मे हृदयकपिमत्यन्तचपलं दृढं भक्त्या बद्ध्वा शिव भवदधीनं कुरु विभो ॥२०॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सदा मोहाटव्यां चरति युवतीनां कुचगिरौ: always roaming in the forest of delusion on the breast-mountain of young women
नटत्याशाशाखास्वटति झटिति स्वैरमभितः: dancing on branches of hope, running about freely
कपालिन् भिक्षो मे हृदयकपिमत्यन्तचपलं: O Kapalin, beggar, my heart-monkey is exceedingly restless
दृढं भक्त्या बद्ध्वा शिव भवदधीनं कुरु विभो: bind it firmly with devotion and make it dependent on You, O Lord

The restless heart-monkey roams the forest of desire. Binding it with devotion to Shiva is the practice of turning scattered mind toward the one Lord in whom thought finds stable refuge.

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Verse 21

धृतिस्तम्भाधारां दृढगुणनिबद्धां सगमनां विचित्रां पद्माढ्यां प्रतिदिवससन्मार्गघटिताम् स्मरारे मच्चेतःस्फुटपटकुटीं प्राप्य विशदां जय स्वामिन् शक्त्या सह शिव गणैः सेवित विभो ॥२१॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

धृतिस्तम्भाधारां दृढगुणनिबद्धां सगमनां: firmness as pillar-support, bound with strong virtues as rope
विचित्रां पद्माढ्यां प्रतिदिवससन्मार्गघटिताम्: wonderful, rich with lotuses, built daily on the good path
स्मरारे मच्चेतःस्फुटपटकुटीं प्राप्य विशदां: O foe of Kama, having obtained clear hut of my mind's banner
जय स्वामिन् शक्त्या सह शिव गणैः सेवित विभो: conquer, O Lord with Shakti, served by Shiva's hosts, O Lord

The mind's hut is built on virtue and firmness to host Shiva. Conquest over Kama comes when the inner dwelling is made fit for the Lord; the Self enters the heart prepared by disciplined devotion.

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Verse 22

प्रलोभाद्यैरर्थाहरणपरतन्त्रो धनिगृहे प्रवेशोद्युक्तः सन् भ्रमति बहुधा तस्करपते इमं चेतश्चोरं कथमिह सहे शङ्कर विभो तवाधीनं कृत्वा मयि निरपराधे कुरु कृपाम् ॥२२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

प्रलोभाद्यैरर्थाहरणपरतन्त्रो धनिगृहे: intent on entering the rich house with greed for stolen goods
प्रवेशोद्युक्तः सन् भ्रमति बहुधा तस्करपते: roaming in many ways, O lord of thieves
इमं चेतश्चोरं कथमिह सहे शङ्कर विभो: how do I bear this heart-thief here, O Shankara, O Lord
तवाधीनं कृत्वा मयि निरपराधे कुरु कृपाम्: having made it dependent on You, show mercy to me who am blameless

The heart-thief of desire roams seeking stolen pleasures. Surrendering that thief to Shiva transforms robbery into offering; the blameless Self is revealed when the mind is made dependent on the Lord alone.

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Verse 23

करोमि त्वत्पूजां सपदि सुखदो मे भव विभो विधित्वं विष्णुत्वं दिशसि खलु तस्याः फलमिति पुनश्च त्वां द्रष्टुं दिवि भुवि वहन् पक्षिमृगता मदृष्ट्वा तत्खेदं कथमिह सहे शङ्कर विभो ॥२३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

करोमि त्वत्पूजां सपदि सुखदो मे भव विभो: I perform Your worship; be my instant giver of joy, O Lord
विधित्वं विष्णुत्वं दिशसि खलु तस्याः फलमिति: You give Brahmahood and Vishnuhood as its fruit
पुनश्च त्वां द्रष्टुं दिवि भुवि वहन् पक्षिमृगता: then again, bearing bird and beast form in heaven and earth to see You
मदृष्ट्वा तत्खेदं कथमिह सहे शङ्कर विभो: how do I bear that sorrow here, O Shankara, O Lord

Worship of Shiva brings exalted births yet the devotee grieves separation from the Lord. Even divine status is sorrow if it obscures direct vision of the Self; only nearness to Shiva is true joy.

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Verse 24

कदा वा कैलासे कनकमणिसौधे सह गणै र्वसन् शम्भोरग्रे स्फुटघटितमूर्धाञ्जलिपुटः विभो साम्ब स्वामिन् परमशिव पाहीति निगदन् विधातॄणां कल्पान् क्षणमिव विनेष्यामि सुखतः ॥२४॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कदा वा कैलासे कनकमणिसौधे सह गणै: when shall I dwell on Kailasa in the golden mansion with the hosts
र्वसन् शम्भोरग्रे स्फुटघटितमूर्धाञ्जलिपुटः: before Shambhu with palms joined on raised head
विभो साम्ब स्वामिन् परमशिव पाहीति निगदन्: O Lord with Uma, O Master, supreme Shiva, saying 'protect me'
विधातॄणां कल्पान् क्षणमिव विनेष्यामि सुखतः: happily spend ages of Brahma as a moment

The poet longs for Kailasa worship before Shiva with joined palms. That vision compresses cosmic time into a moment of bliss; the Self known in devotion transcends the measure of worldly duration.

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Verse 25

स्तवैर्ब्रह्मादीनां जयजयवचोभिर्नियमिनां गणानां केलीभिर्मदकलमहोक्षस्य ककुदि स्थितं नीलग्रीवं त्रिनयनमुमाश्लिष्टवपुषं कदा त्वां पश्येयं करधृतमृगं खण्डपरशुम् ॥२५॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

स्तवैर्ब्रह्मादीनां जयजयवचोभिर्नियमिनां: with hymns of Brahma and others, with victorious words of ascetics
गणानां केलीभिर्मदकलमहोक्षस्य ककुदि: with sports of hosts on the hump of the great rutting bull
स्थितं नीलग्रीवं त्रिनयनमुमाश्लिष्टवपुषं: stands the blue-necked one, three-eyed, body embraced by Uma
कदा त्वां पश्येयं करधृतमृगं खण्डपरशुम्: when shall I see You holding deer and broken axe in hand

The beloved image is Shiva embraced by Uma, praised by gods and ascetics. To see Him holding deer and axe is to behold the Lord in whom stillness and power, asceticism and compassion, are one.

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Verse 26

कदा वा त्वां दृष्ट्वा गिरिश तव भव्याङ्घ्रियुगलं गृहीत्वा हस्ताभ्यां शिरसि नयने वक्षसि वहन् समाश्लिष्याघ्राय स्फुटजलजगन्धान् परिमला नलभ्यां ब्रह्माद्यैर्मुदमनुभविष्यामि हृदये ॥२६॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कदा वा त्वां दृष्ट्वा गिरिश तव भव्याङ्घ्रियुगलं: when shall I see You, O Girisha, taking Your auspicious foot-pair
गृहीत्वा हस्ताभ्यां शिरसि नयने वक्षसि वहन्: in both hands, placing on head, eyes and chest
समाश्लिष्याघ्राय स्फुटजलजगन्धान् परिमला: embracing, inhaling the clear lotus-fragrances
नलभ्यां ब्रह्माद्यैर्मुदमनुभविष्यामि हृदये: in heart experience joy unattainable by Brahma and others

The devotee yearns to hold Shiva's feet and inhale their fragrance. That embrace grants joy beyond gods' reach; touching the Lord's feet symbolizes grounding the mind in the Self's unmediated presence.

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Verse 27

करस्थे हेमाद्रौ गिरिश निकटस्थे धनपतौ गृहस्थे स्वर्भूजाऽमरसुरभिचिन्तामणिगणे शिरस्स्थे शीतांशौ चरणयुगलस्थेऽखिलशुभे कमर्थं दास्येऽहं भवतु भवदर्थं मम मनः ॥२७॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

करस्थे हेमाद्रौ गिरिश निकटस्थे धनपतौ: golden mountain in hand, Kubera standing near, hosts of celestial wish-gems
गृहस्थे स्वर्भूजाऽमरसुरभिचिन्तामणिगणे: cool moon on head, all auspiciousness at Your foot-pair
शिरस्स्थे शीतांशौ चरणयुगलस्थेऽखिलशुभे: for what purpose should I serve; let my mind be for Your sake alone
कमर्थं दास्येऽहं भवतु भवदर्थं मम मनः: let my mind be for Your sake alone

All cosmic wealth and auspiciousness rest in Shiva; the poet renounces serving lesser ends. When mind exists for the Lord alone, possession and rank lose their hold; the Self is sufficient.

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Verse 28

सारूप्यं तव पूजने शिव महादेवेति सङ्कीर्तने सामीप्यं शिवभक्तिधुर्यजनतासाङ्गत्यसम्भाषणे सालोक्यं च चराचरात्मकतनुध्याने भवानीपते सायुज्यं मम सिद्धमत्र भवति स्वामिन् कृतार्थोऽस्म्यहम् ॥२८॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सारूप्यं तव पूजने शिव महादेवेति सङ्कीर्तने: likeness in worshipping You, O great God, in chanting 'Mahadeva'
सामीप्यं शिवभक्तिधुर्यजनतासाङ्गत्यसम्भाषणे: nearness in Shiva-devotee company and conversation
सालोक्यं च चराचरात्मकतनुध्याने भवानीपते: world-lordship in meditating on You as the moving and unmoving universe
सायुज्यं मम सिद्धमत्र भवति स्वामिन् कृतार्थोऽस्म्यहम्: union I have attained; O Lord, I am fulfilled

The four goals of worship culminate in sayujya with Shiva. The devotee claims fulfilment through worship, nearness to saints, and cosmic meditation; in Advaita these are degrees of recognizing the Self as Mahadeva.

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Verse 29

त्वत्पादाम्बुजमर्चयामि परमं त्वां चिन्तयाम्यन्वहं त्वामीशं शरणं व्रजामि वचसा त्वामेव याचे विभो वीक्षां मे दिश चाक्षुषीं सकरुणां दिव्यैश्चिरं प्रार्थितां शम्भो लोकगुरो मदीयमनसः सौख्योपदेशं कुरु ॥२९॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

त्वत्पादाम्बुजमर्चयामि परमं त्वां चिन्तयाम्यन्वहं: I worship Your lotus feet daily and contemplate You always
त्वामीशं शरणं व्रजामि वचसा त्वामेव याचे विभो: I take refuge in You, O Lord, and with speech I beg only You
वीक्षां मे दिश चाक्षुषीं सकरुणां दिव्यैश्चिरं प्रार्थितां: bestow on me the divine compassionate glance long prayed for
शम्भो लोकगुरो मदीयमनसः सौख्योपदेशं कुरु: O Shambhu, world-teacher, teach comfort to my mind

Daily worship, refuge and prayer for the compassionate glance compose the devotee's life. The world-teacher Shiva instructs the mind in comfort that is not outward ease but the peace of abiding in the Self.

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Verse 30

वस्त्रोद्धूतविधौ सहस्रकरता पुष्पार्चने विष्णुता गन्धे गन्धवहात्मताऽन्नपचने बर्हिर्मुखाध्यक्षता पात्रे काञ्चनगर्भतास्ति मयि चेद् बालेन्दुचूडामणे शुश्रूषां करवाणि ते पशुपते स्वामिन् त्रिलोकीगुरो ॥३०॥

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Word breakdown

वस्त्रोद्धूतविधौ सहस्रकरता पुष्पार्चने विष्णुता: in fanning with cloth is Vishnuhood, in flower-worship
गन्धे गन्धवहात्मताऽन्नपचने बर्हिर्मुखाध्यक्षता: in fragrance the wind-god's nature, in cooking food lordship of fire
पात्रे काञ्चनगर्भतास्ति मयि चेद् बालेन्दुचूडामणे: if in the vessel is the infant-moon crest-jewel, O Pasupati
शुश्रूषां करवाणि ते पशुपते स्वामिन् त्रिलोकीगुरो: I shall serve You, O Lord of three worlds

Every humble service becomes divine when offered to Shiva whose crest holds the moon. The devotee sees Vishnu, Vayu and Agni in simple acts of worship; all roles resolve in service to the one Lord.

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Verse 31

नालं वा परमोपकारकमिदं त्वेकं पशूनां पते पश्यन् कुक्षिगतान् चराचरगणान् बाह्यस्थितान् रक्षितुम् सर्वामर्त्यपलायनौषधमतिज्वालाकरं भीकरं निक्षिप्तं गरलं गले न गिलितं नोद्गीर्णमेव त्वया ॥३१॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

नालं वा परमोपकारकमिदं त्वेकं पशूनां पते: is this not enough supreme kindness, O Lord of beasts
पश्यन् कुक्षिगतान् चराचरगणान् बाह्यस्थितान् रक्षितुम्: seeing creatures within the belly and those outside to protect
सर्वामर्त्यपलायनौषधमतिज्वालाकरं भीकरं: the terrible flame-like medicine of all mortals' escape
निक्षिप्तं गरलं गले न गिलितं नोद्गीर्णमेव त्वया: poison placed in the throat was neither swallowed nor spat out by You

Shiva held poison in His throat to save the worlds, neither swallowing nor rejecting it. That act symbolizes the Self's compassion that transforms deadly ignorance without being destroyed by it.

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Verse 32

ज्वालोग्रः सकलामरातिभयदः क्ष्वेलः कथं वा त्वया दृष्टः किं च करे धृतः करतले किं पक्वजम्बूफलम् जिह्वायां निहितश्च सिद्धघुटिका वा कण्ठदेशे भृतः किं ते नीलमणिर्विभूषणमयं शम्भो महात्मन् वद ॥३२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

ज्वालोग्रः सकलामरातिभयदः क्ष्वेलः कथं वा त्वया: how was the fierce flame that terrifies all gods seen by You
दृष्टः किं च करे धृतः करतले किं पक्वजम्बूफलम्: what is held in the hand; is it ripe jambu fruit in the palm
जिह्वायां निहितश्च सिद्धघुटिका वा कण्ठदेशे भृतः: what is placed on the tongue; the siddha pill, or borne at the throat
किं ते नीलमणिर्विभूषणमयं शम्भो महात्मन् वद: what is Your ornament, O Shambhu, O great soul, tell me

The poet marvels at Shiva's paradoxes: terror to gods yet holding fruit, poison and jewel alike. The Lord transcends opposites; what seems contradiction in form points to consciousness beyond all categories.

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Verse 33

नालं वा सकृदेव देव भवतः सेवा नतिर्वा नुतिः पूजा वा स्मरणं कथाश्रवणमप्यालोकनं मादृशाम् स्वामिन्नस्थिरदेवतानुसरणायासेन किं लभ्यते का वा मुक्तिरितः कुतो भवति चेत् किं प्रार्थनीयं तदा ॥३३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

नालं वा सकृदेव देव भवतः सेवा नतिर्वा नुतिः: is even once serving You, bowing or praising, worship or remembrance
पूजा वा स्मरणं कथाश्रवणमप्यालोकनं मादृशाम्: hearing Your tale or even beholding not enough for people like me
स्वामिन्नस्थिरदेवतानुसरणायासेन किं लभ्यते: O Lord, what is gained by effort in following other changeless gods
का वा मुक्तिरितः कुतो भवति चेत् किं प्रार्थनीयं तदा: what liberation from this, what else to pray for then

One moment's devotion to Shiva surpasses arduous pursuit of lesser gods. When the Lord is known, liberation is present; further seeking is unnecessary for the mind that has found the Self.

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Verse 34

किं ब्रूमस्तव साहसं पशुपते कस्यास्ति शम्भो भव द्धैर्यं चेदृशमात्मनः स्थितिरियं चान्यैः कथं लभ्यते भ्रश्यद्देवगणं त्रसन्मुनिगणं नश्यत्प्रपञ्चं लयं पश्यन्निर्भय एक एव विहरत्यानन्दसान्द्रो भवान् ॥३४॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

किं ब्रूमस्तव साहसं पशुपते कस्यास्ति शम्भो भव: what shall we say of Your boldness, O Pasupati; who has such courage, O Shambhu
द्धैर्यं चेदृशमात्मनः स्थितिरियं चान्यैः कथं लभ्यते: this standing of Yours, how could others obtain it
भ्रश्यद्देवगणं त्रसन्मुनिगणं नश्यत्प्रपञ्चं लयं: seeing gods fleeing, sages terrified, universe perishing in dissolution
पश्यन्निर्भय एक एव विहरत्यानन्दसान्द्रो भवान्: You alone sport fearlessly, dense with bliss

While gods flee the dissolution, Shiva sports alone in bliss. That fearless standing is the nature of the Self untouched by universal destruction; courage here is abiding in one's own being amid all change.

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Verse 35

योगक्षेमधुरन्धरस्य सकलश्रेयःप्रदोद्योगिनो दृष्टादृष्टमतोपदेशकृतिनो बाह्यान्तरव्यापिनः सर्वज्ञस्य दयाकरस्य भवतः किं वेदितव्यं मया शम्भो त्वं परमान्तरङ्ग इति मे चित्ते स्मराम्यन्वहम् ॥३५॥

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Word breakdown

योगक्षेमधुरन्धरस्य सकलश्रेयःप्रदोद्योगिनो: protector of welfare and gain of all good for yogis
दृष्टादृष्टमतोपदेशकृतिनो बाह्यान्तरव्यापिनः: teacher of seen and unseen, pervading inner and outer
सर्वज्ञस्य दयाकरस्य भवतः किं वेदितव्यं मया: O all-knowing gracious one, what need for me to inform You
शम्भो त्वं परमान्तरङ्ग इति मे चित्ते स्मराम्यन्वहम्: O Shambhu, You are my innermost; thus I remember You daily

Shiva already knows all, inner and outer; the devotee need not inform Him. Calling the Lord one's innermost is the Advaita recognition that the Self is the intimate witness of every thought.

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Verse 36

भक्तो भक्तिगुणावृते मुदमृतापूर्णे प्रसन्ने मनः कुम्भे साम्ब तवाङ्घ्रिपल्लवयुगं संस्थाप्य संवित्फलम् सत्त्वं मन्त्रमुदीरयन्निजशरीरागारशुद्धिं वहन् पुण्याहं प्रकटीकरोमि रुचिरं कल्याणमापादयन् ॥३६॥

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Word breakdown

भक्तो भक्तिगुणावृते मुदमृतापूर्णे प्रसन्ने मनः: with devoted mind placing Your foot-sprout pair in the pot
कुम्भे साम्ब तवाङ्घ्रिपल्लवयुगं संस्थाप्य संवित्फलम्: filled with the fruit of consciousness, uttering the mantra
सत्त्वं मन्त्रमुदीरयन्निजशरीरागारशुद्धिं वहन्: carrying purification of the body-house
पुण्याहं प्रकटीकरोमि रुचिरं कल्याणमापादयन्: I proclaim the auspicious day, bestowing welfare

Worship as pot, feet as sprouts, consciousness as fruit images inner purification. Proclaiming the auspicious day is recognizing that when Shiva dwells within, every moment becomes sacred.

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Verse 37

आम्नायाम्बुधिमादरेण सुमनस्सङ्घाः समुद्यन्मनो मन्थानं दृढभक्तिरज्जुसहितं कृत्वा मथित्वा ततः सोमं कल्पतरुं सुपर्वसुरभिं चिन्तामणिं धीमतां नित्यानन्दसुधां निरन्तररमासौभाग्यमातन्वते ॥३७॥

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Word breakdown

आम्नायाम्बुधिमादरेण सुमनस्सङ्घाः समुद्यन्मनो: good minds with intent mind churn the ocean of Veda
मन्थानं दृढभक्तिरज्जुसहितं कृत्वा मथित्वा ततः: with the rope of firm devotion, churning then
सोमं कल्पतरुं सुपर्वसुरभिं चिन्तामणिं धीमतां: they obtain for the wise the moon, wish-tree, fragrant wish-gem
नित्यानन्दसुधां निरन्तररमासौभाग्यमातन्वते: and spread endless bliss-nectar of joy forever

Churning the Veda-ocean with devotion yields the moon, wish-tree and nectar of bliss. Scriptural study becomes fruitful when powered by bhakti; the wise taste the endless nectar of the Self.

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Verse 38

प्राक्पुण्याचलमार्गदर्शितसुधामूर्तिः प्रसन्नः शिवः सोमः सद्गुणसेवितो मृगधरः पूर्णस्तमोमोचकः चेतः पुष्करलक्षितो भवति चेदानन्दपाथोनिधिः प्रागल्भ्येन विजृम्भते सुमनसां वृत्तिस्तदा जायते ॥३८॥

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Word breakdown

प्राक्पुण्याचलमार्गदर्शितसुधामूर्तिः प्रसन्नः शिवः: Shiva gracious, shown by the mountain of former merit, form of nectar
सोमः सद्गुणसेवितो मृगधरः पूर्णस्तमोमोचकः: moon served by good qualities, deer-bearer, full dispeller of darkness
चेतः पुष्करलक्षितो भवति चेदानन्दपाथोनिधिः: if the heart becomes the ocean with lotus marked
प्रागल्भ्येन विजृम्भते सुमनसां वृत्तिस्तदा जायते: then the mind's activity of good people arises boldly

Merit reveals Shiva as nectar-moon dispelling darkness. When heart becomes the lotus-marked ocean, virtuous activity flows naturally; the Self illumines conduct from within.

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Verse 39

धर्मो मे चतुरङ्घ्रिकः सुचरितः पापं विनाशं गतं कामक्रोधमदादयो विगलिताः कालाः सुखाविष्कृताः ज्ञानानन्दमहौषधिः सुफलिता कैवल्यनाथे सदा मान्ये मानसपुण्डरीकनगरे राजावतंसे स्थिते ॥३९॥

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Word breakdown

धर्मो मे चतुरङ्घ्रिकः सुचरितः पापं विनाशं गतं: virtue is my four-legged one, good conduct; sin has gone to destruction
कामक्रोधमदादयो विगलिताः कालाः सुखाविष्कृताः: lust, anger, pride and others have dissolved; times reveal happiness
ज्ञानानन्दमहौषधिः सुफलिता कैवल्यनाथे सदा: the great medicine of knowledge-bliss has borne good fruit
मान्ये मानसपुण्डरीकनगरे राजावतंसे स्थिते: O honoured one, when You stand as crest-jewel in the mind's lotus-city

With Shiva as mind's sovereign, virtue thrives and passions dissolve. Knowledge-bliss medicine bears fruit when the Lord is crowned in the heart; the Self's presence transforms the inner kingdom.

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Verse 40

धीयन्त्रेण वचोघटेन कविताकुल्योपकुल्याक्रमै रानीतैश्च सदाशिवस्य चरिताम्भोराशिदिव्यामृतैः हृत्केदारयुताश्च भक्तिकलमाः साफल्यमातन्वते दुर्भिक्षान्मम सेवकस्य भगवन् विश्वेश भीतिः कुतः ॥४०॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

धीयन्त्रेण वचोघटेन कविताकुल्योपकुल्याक्रमै: with intellect as churning-rope and speech as jar, drawing up
रानीतैश्च सदाशिवस्य चरिताम्भोराशिदिव्यामृतैः: with divine nectar-waters of Shiva's ocean of conduct
हृत्केदारयुताश्च भक्तिकलमाः साफल्यमातन्वते: devotion-plants in the heart-field bear fruit
दुर्भिक्षान्मम सेवकस्य भगवन् विश्वेश भीतिः कुतः: O Lord of universe, why fear of famine for Your servant

Churning Shiva's conduct-ocean with speech and intellect yields devotional fruit. The servant of the Lord knows no inner famine; the Self's nectar sustains when the heart-field is cultivated.

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Verse 41

पापोत्पातविमोचनाय रुचिरैश्वर्याय मृत्युञ्जय स्तोत्रध्याननतिप्रदक्षिणसपर्यालोकनाकर्णने जिह्वाचित्तशिरोङ्घ्रिहस्तनयनश्रोत्रैरहं प्रार्थितो मामाज्ञापय तन्निरूपय मुहुर्मामेव मा मेऽवचः ॥४१॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

पापोत्पातविमोचनाय रुचिरैश्वर्याय मृत्युञ्जय: for release from sin-rise, for sovereignty, for conquest of death
स्तोत्रध्याननतिप्रदक्षिणसपर्यालोकनाकर्णने: in hymn, meditation, bowing, circumambulation, service, hearing
जिह्वाचित्तशिरोङ्घ्रिहस्तनयनश्रोत्रैरहं प्रार्थितो: by tongue, mind, head, feet, hands, eyes, ears I am asked
मामाज्ञापय तन्निरूपय मुहुर्मामेव मा मेऽवचः: command me; examine again and again; do not refuse me

Every faculty is enlisted in Shiva's service for liberation and sovereignty over death. The devotee asks only to be commanded; surrender of refusal opens the path to the Self's unconditional grace.

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Verse 42

गाम्भीर्यं परिखापदं घनधृतिः प्राकार उद्यद्गुण स्तोमश्चाप्तबलं घनेन्द्रियचयो द्वाराणि देहे स्थितः विद्यावस्तुसमृद्धिरित्यखिलसामग्रीसमेते सदा दुर्गातिप्रियदेव मामकमनोदुर्गे निवासं कुरु ॥४२॥

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Word breakdown

गाम्भीर्यं परिखापदं घनधृतिः प्राकार उद्यद्गुण: depth as moat, firmness as wall, rising virtues as rampart
स्तोमश्चाप्तबलं घनेन्द्रियचयो द्वाराणि देहे स्थितः: mass as secured strength, sense-hosts as gates standing in the body
विद्यावस्तुसमृद्धिरित्यखिलसामग्रीसमेते सदा: wealth of knowledge and all equipment together always
दुर्गातिप्रियदेव मामकमनोदुर्गे निवासं कुरु: O beloved God of the fort, make my mind-fort Your dwelling

The body is imaged as a fort with virtues as walls and senses as gates. Inviting Shiva to dwell in the mind-fort transforms the person into a sanctuary of the Self protected by disciplined awareness.

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Verse 43

मा गच्छ त्वमितस्ततो गिरिश भो मय्येव वासं कुरु स्वामिन्नादिकिरात मामकमनःकान्तारसीमान्तरे वर्तन्ते बहुशो मृगा मदजुषो मात्सर्यमोहादय स्तान् हत्वा मृगयाविनोदरुचितालाभं च सम्प्राप्स्यसि ॥४३॥

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Word breakdown

मा गच्छ त्वमितस्ततो गिरिश भो मय्येव वासं कुरु: do not go from here to there, O Girisha; dwell in me alone
स्वामिन्नादिकिरात मामकमनःकान्तारसीमान्तरे: O primal hunter, in the border of my mind's forest
वर्तन्ते बहुशो मृगा मदजुषो मात्सर्यमोहादय: many deer drunk with pride, jealousy, delusion and others roam
स्तान् हत्वा मृगयाविनोदरुचितालाभं च सम्प्राप्स्यसि: having slain them, You shall obtain sport befitting the hunter

The poet asks Shiva the hunter to stay within and slay inner deer of passion. Spiritual hunt is not outward but the Lord's sport of destroying ego-passions in the forest of mind.

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Verse 44

करलग्नमृगः करीन्द्रभङ्गो घनशार्दूलविखण्डनोऽस्तजन्तुः गिरिशो विशदाकृतिश्च चेतः कुहरे पञ्चमुखोस्ति मे कुतो भीः ॥४४॥

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Word breakdown

करलग्नमृगः करीन्द्रभङ्गो: deer clinging to hand, elephant-king breaking
घनशार्दूलविखण्डनोऽस्तजन्तुः: cloud-leopard tearing, life-entity
गिरिशो विशदाकृतिश्च चेतः: Girisha of bright form and mind
कुहरे पञ्चमुखोस्ति मे कुतो भीः: in the five-faced cave I am; whence fear

Shiva's form in the heart's cave conquers all inner beasts. The five-faced Lord within dispels fear; the Self abiding in the cave of consciousness is fearless amid passions.

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Verse 45

छन्दःशाखिशिखान्वितैर्द्विजवरैः संसेविते शाश्वते सौख्यापादिनि खेदभेदिनि सुधासारैः फलैर्दीपिते चेतःपक्षिशिखामणे त्यज वृथासञ्चारमन्यैरलं नित्यं शङ्करपादपद्मयुगलीनीडे विहारं कुरु ॥४५॥

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Word breakdown

छन्दःशाखिशिखान्वितैर्द्विजवरैः संसेविते शाश्वते: served always by best twice-born with branches of metre
सौख्यापादिनि खेदभेदिनि सुधासारैः फलैर्दीपिते: lit by fruits of bliss and sorrow-dispelling nectar-waters
चेतःपक्षिशिखामणे त्यज वृथासञ्चारमन्यैरलं: O jewel-crest of the heart-bird, leave vain wandering to others
नित्यं शङ्करपादपद्मयुगलीनीडे विहारं कुरु: ever sport in the nest of Shankara's lotus-foot pair

The heart-bird should nest in Shiva's feet, not wander vainly. Saints and metres attend that nest; true sport is abiding in the Lord's lotus feet where bliss-fruits ripen.

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Verse 46

आकीर्णे नखराजिकान्तिविभवैरुद्यत्सुधावैभवै राधौतेपि च पद्मरागललिते हंसव्रजैराश्रिते नित्यं भक्तिवधूगणैश्च रहसि स्वेच्छाविहारं कुरु स्थित्वा मानसराजहंस गिरिजानाथाङ्घ्रिसौधान्तरे ॥४६॥

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Word breakdown

आकीर्णे नखराजिकान्तिविभवैरुद्यत्सुधावैभवै: with nail-king radiance spreading, with rising nectar-glory
राधौतेपि च पद्मरागललिते हंसव्रजैराश्रिते: washed too with ruby-lotus, resorting to swan-flocks
नित्यं भक्तिवधूगणैश्च रहसि स्वेच्छाविहारं कुरु: sport at will secretly with hosts of devotion-wives
स्थित्वा मानसराजहंस गिरिजानाथाङ्घ्रिसौधान्तरे: standing within the crystal mansion of Girija-natha's feet

The swan of mind sports in the crystal mansion of Shiva's feet. Radiance, nectar and ruby-lotus image the inner splendour revealed when devotion dwells in the Lord's refuge.

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Verse 47

शम्भुध्यानवसन्तसङ्गिनि हृदारामेऽघजीर्णच्छदाः स्रस्ता भक्तिलताच्छटा विलसिताः पुण्यप्रवालश्रिताः दीप्यन्ते गुणकोरका जपवचःपुष्पाणि सद्वासना ज्ञानानन्दसुधामरन्दलहरी संवित्फलाभ्युन्नतिः ॥४७॥

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Word breakdown

शम्भुध्यानवसन्तसङ्गिनि हृदारामेऽघजीर्णच्छदाः: in the heart-garden where Shiva-meditation-spring companionship blooms
स्रस्ता भक्तिलताच्छटा विलसिताः पुण्यप्रवालश्रिताः: shed coverings of sin, devotion-creeper shoots shining with merit-sprouts
दीप्यन्ते गुणकोरका जपवचःपुष्पाणि सद्वासना: virtue-buds, japa-flower-words, good-scents blaze
ज्ञानानन्दसुधामरन्दलहरी संवित्फलाभ्युन्नतिः: rise of consciousness-fruit from the nectar-wave of knowledge-bliss

Shiva-meditation spring makes the heart-garden bloom with devotion and japa. Knowledge-bliss nectar raises the fruit of consciousness; inner cultivation yields the harvest of the Self.

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Verse 48

नित्यानन्दरसालयं सुरमुनिस्वान्ताम्बुजाताश्रयं स्वच्छं सद्द्विजसेवितं कलुषहृत्सद्वासनाविष्कृतम् शम्भुध्यानसरोवरं व्रज मनो हंसावतंस स्थिरं किं क्षुद्राश्रयपल्वलभ्रमणसञ्जातश्रमं प्राप्स्यसि ॥४८॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

नित्यानन्दरसालयं सुरमुनिस्वान्ताम्बुजाताश्रयं: resort of eternal bliss, refuge of gods' and sages' heart-lotuses
स्वच्छं सद्द्विजसेवितं कलुषहृत्सद्वासनाविष्कृतम्: pure, served by good twice-born, revealed by good scents destroying impurity
शम्भुध्यानसरोवरं व्रज मनो हंसावतंस स्थिरं: go, mind, steady swan-crest, to Shiva-meditation-lake
किं क्षुद्राश्रयपल्वलभ्रमणसञ्जातश्रमं प्राप्स्यसि: why gain fatigue wandering to petty ponds

The mind-swans should seek Shiva's bliss-lake, not petty ponds. That lake purifies and eternally satisfies; wandering among small pleasures only wearies the seeker of the Self.

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Verse 49

आनन्दामृतपूरिता हरपदाम्भोजालवालोद्यता स्थैर्योपघ्नमुपेत्य भक्तिलतिका शाखोपशाखान्विता उच्चैर्मानसकायमानपटलीमाक्रम्य निष्कल्मषा नित्याभीष्टफलप्रदा भवतु मे सत्कर्मसंवर्धिता ॥४९॥

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आनन्दामृतपूरिता हरपदाम्भोजालवालोद्यता: filled with bliss-nectar, risen from the lotus-pool of Hari's feet
स्थैर्योपघ्नमुपेत्य भक्तिलतिका शाखोपशाखान्विता: devotion-creeper with branches and sub-branches reaching firmness
उच्चैर्मानसकायमानपटलीमाक्रम्य निष्कल्मषा: climbing stainless the lofty mind-body host without blemish
नित्याभीष्टफलप्रदा भवतु मे सत्कर्मसंवर्धिता: may it bear eternal desired fruit, nourished by good deeds

Devotion creeper rising from Vishnu's feet-pool climbs the mind toward Shiva. Nourished by good deeds it bears eternal fruit; the Self is the fulfilment of aspiration grown through virtue.

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Verse 50

सन्ध्यारम्भविजृम्भितं श्रुतिशिरःस्थानान्तराधिष्ठितं सप्रेमभ्रमराभिराममसकृत् सद्वासनाशोभितम् भोगीन्द्राभरणं समस्तसुमनःपूज्यं गुणाविष्कृतं सेवे श्रीगिरिमल्लिकार्जुनमहालिङ्गं शिवालिङ्गितम् ॥५०॥

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सन्ध्यारम्भविजृम्भितं श्रुतिशिरःस्थानान्तराधिष्ठितं: opening at twilight's start, established in the Veda's head-region
सप्रेमभ्रमराभिराममसकृत् सद्वासनाशोभितम्: adorned always with loving bees of good scents
भोगीन्द्राभरणं समस्तसुमनःपूज्यं गुणाविष्कृतं: ornament of serpent-king, worshipful to all good minds, glory-revealing
सेवे श्रीगिरिमल्लिकार्जुनमहालिङ्गं शिवालिङ्गितम्: I serve the great Mallikarjuna linga embraced by Sri-giri

The Mallikarjuna linga on Sri-giri embodies Vedic head and twilight opening. Worship of that linga unites place, scripture and Lord; the Self shines as the sacred symbol embraced by the Goddess.

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Verse 51

भृङ्गीच्छानटनोत्कटः करिमदग्राही स्फुरन्माधवा ह्लादो नादयुतो महासितवपुः पञ्चेषुणा चादृतः सत्पक्षः सुमनोवनेषु स पुनः साक्षान्मदीये मनो राजीवे भ्रमराधिपो विहरतां श्रीशैलवासी विभुः ॥५१॥

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भृङ्गीच्छानटनोत्कटः करिमदग्राही स्फुरन्माधवा: eager for Bhringi's wish-dance, with rutting elephant-madness, spring-glory
ह्लादो नादयुतो महासितवपुः पञ्चेषुणा चादृतः: delight with sound, great white body honoured by five-arrows
सत्पक्षः सुमनोवनेषु स पुनः साक्षान्मदीये मनो: that king-bee again in good-mind-groves, my mind
राजीवे भ्रमराधिपो विहरतां श्रीशैलवासी विभुः: may the Lord of Sri-shaila sport in the lotus

The mind-bee should sport in the lotus of Sri-shaila's Lord. Dance, spring and five-arrows image joyful devotion; the Self delights when thought becomes bee at Shiva's lotus.

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Verse 52

कारुण्यामृतवर्षिणं घनविपद्ग्रीष्मच्छिदाकर्मठं विद्यासस्यफलोदयाय सुमनःसंसेव्यमिच्छाकृतिम् नृत्यद्भक्तमयूरमद्रिनिलयं चञ्चज्जटामण्डलं शम्भो वाञ्छति नीलकन्धर सदा त्वां मे मनश्चातकः ॥५२॥

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कारुण्यामृतवर्षिणं घनविपद्ग्रीष्मच्छिदाकर्मठं: pouring compassion-nectar, cloud ending summer's grievous heat
विद्यासस्यफलोदयाय सुमनःसंसेव्यमिच्छाकृतिम्: form desired by good minds for knowledge-plant's fruit-rise
नृत्यद्भक्तमयूरमद्रिनिलयं चञ्चज्जटामण्डलं: blue-neck dweller of mountain, whirling matted-lock circle dancing
शम्भो वाञ्छति नीलकन्धर सदा त्वां मे मनश्चातकः: O Shambhu, my mind-chataka always desires You, O blue-neck

The chataka bird of mind thirsts only for Shiva, the compassion-cloud. He ends the heat of samsara and yields knowledge-fruit; single-pointed longing for the Lord is the chataka's wisdom.

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Verse 53

आकाशेन शिखी समस्तफणिनां नेत्रा कलापी नता ऽनुग्राहिप्रणवोपदेशनिनदैः केकीति यो गीयते श्यामां शैलसमुद्भवां घनरुचिं दृष्ट्वा नटन्तं मुदा वेदान्तोपवने विहाररसिकं तं नीलकण्ठं भजे ॥५३॥

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आकाशेन शिखी समस्तफणिनां नेत्रा कलापी नता: with sky as peacock, all serpents' eyes as tail, bowed
ऽनुग्राहिप्रणवोपदेशनिनदैः केकीति यो गीयते: praised as peacock by the teaching-sound of gracious Om
श्यामां शैलसमुद्भवां घनरुचिं दृष्ट्वा नटन्तं मुदा: seeing the dark mountain-born one of cloud-beauty dancing gladly
वेदान्तोपवने विहाररसिकं तं नीलकण्ठं भजे: in the Vedanta-garden sporting, I worship that blue-neck

Peacock of sky and serpent-eyes praise Om's teaching; the poet worships blue-neck Shiva dancing in the Vedanta-garden. Philosophy and devotion meet where the Lord sports as beauty in the garden of wisdom.

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Verse 54

सन्ध्या घर्मदिनात्ययो हरिकराघातप्रभूतानक ध्वानो वारिदगर्जितं दिविषदां दृष्टिच्छटा चञ्चला भक्तानां परितोषबाष्पविततिर्वृष्टिर्मयूरी शिवा यस्मिन्नुज्ज्वलताण्डवं विजयते तं नीलकण्ठं भजे ॥५४॥

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सन्ध्या घर्मदिनात्ययो हरिकराघातप्रभूतानक: twilight of hot day ending, drums from Hari's hand-striking
ध्वानो वारिदगर्जितं दिविषदां दृष्टिच्छटा चञ्चला: thunder of cloud-hosts, gods' glance-lines flickering
भक्तानां परितोषबाष्पविततिर्वृष्टिर्मयूरी शिवा: for devotees a spreading tear-rain, auspicious peacock
यस्मिन्नुज्ज्वलताण्डवं विजयते तं नीलकण्ठं भजे: in whom bright dance triumphs, I worship that blue-neck

Twilight thunder and devotees' tear-rain accompany Shiva's dance. The auspicious peacock of grace dances when hot day ends; the Self's dance triumphs in the cool rain of devotion.

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Verse 55

आद्यायामिततेजसे श्रुतिपदैर्वेद्याय साध्याय ते विद्यानन्दमयात्मने त्रिजगतः संरक्षणोद्योगिने ध्येयायाखिलयोगिभिः सुरगणैर्गेयाय मायाविने सम्यक्ताण्डवसम्भ्रमाय जटिने सेयं नतिः शम्भवे ॥५५॥

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आद्यायामिततेजसे श्रुतिपदैर्वेद्याय साध्याय ते: to the primal of immeasurable splendour, knowable by Veda-words, attainable
विद्यानन्दमयात्मने त्रिजगतः संरक्षणोद्योगिने: to the Self of knowledge-bliss, striving to protect the three worlds
ध्येयायाखिलयोगिभिः सुरगणैर्गेयाय मायाविने: meditated by all yogis, sung by gods, O magician
सम्यक्ताण्डवसम्भ्रमाय जटिने सेयं नतिः शम्भवे: to the matted-haired one of perfect dance-turmoil, this obeisance, O Shambhu

Morning salutation to Shiva as primal knowledge-bliss protecting worlds. Yogis meditate, gods sing; the perfect dance is the cosmic movement of the one Self appearing as protector and magician.

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Verse 56

नित्याय त्रिगुणात्मने पुरजिते कात्यायनीश्रेयसे सत्यायादिकुटुम्बिने मुनिमनः प्रत्यक्षचिन्मूर्तये मायासृष्टजगत्त्रयाय सकलाम्नायान्तसञ्चारिणे सायन्ताण्डवसम्भ्रमाय जटिने सेयं नतिः शम्भवे ॥५६॥

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नित्याय त्रिगुणात्मने पुरजिते कात्यायनीश्रेयसे: to the eternal of three-guna nature, city-conqueror, Katyayani's welfare
सत्यायादिकुटुम्बिने मुनिमनः प्रत्यक्षचिन्मूर्तये: to the true primal family-man, direct consciousness-form to sages' minds
मायासृष्टजगत्त्रयाय सकलाम्नायान्तसञ्चारिणे: wanderer to all Veda-ends of three-world illusion-creation
सायन्ताण्डवसम्भ्रमाय जटिने सेयं नतिः शम्भवे: to the matted-haired one of evening dance-turmoil, this obeisance, O Shambhu

Evening salutation honours Shiva as eternal consciousness beyond three gunas. He is welfare, truth and illusion's source; morning and evening praise mark the devotee's day centred in the Self.

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Verse 57

नित्यं स्वोदरपूरणाय सकलानुद्दिश्य वित्ताशया व्यर्थं पर्यटनं करोमि भवतः सेवां न जाने विभो मज्जन्मान्तरपुण्यपाकबलतस्त्वं शर्व सर्वान्तर स्तिष्ठस्येव हि तेन वा पशुपते ते रक्षणीयोऽस्म्यहम् ॥५७॥

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नित्यं स्वोदरपूरणाय सकलानुद्दिश्य वित्ताशया: always wandering uselessly with desire to fill the belly, all creatures
व्यर्थं पर्यटनं करोमि भवतः सेवां न जाने विभो: I do not know Your service, O Lord
मज्जन्मान्तरपुण्यपाकबलतस्त्वं शर्व सर्वान्तर: by merit of former births' fruit You stand, O Sharva, all-inner
स्तिष्ठस्येव हि तेन वा पशुपते ते रक्षणीयोऽस्म्यहम्: therefore I am to be protected by You, O Pasupati

Useless wandering for belly's sake contrasts with not knowing Shiva's service. Yet the Lord stands as all-inner witness; protection is the Self's promise to the mind that turns homeward.

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Verse 58

एको वारिजबान्धवः क्षितिनभोव्याप्तं तमोमण्डलं भित्त्वा लोचनगोचरोऽपि भवति त्वं कोटिसूर्यप्रभः वेद्यः किन्न भवस्यहो घनतरं कीदृग्भवेन्मत्तम स्तत्सर्वं व्यपनीय मे पशुपते साक्षात् प्रसन्नो भव ॥५८॥

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एको वारिजबान्धवः क्षितिनभोव्याप्तं तमोमण्डलं: the one sun-friend lotus breaks the pervading darkness-sphere
भित्त्वा लोचनगोचरोऽपि भवति त्वं कोटिसूर्यप्रभः: becoming visible to the eye, You are crore-sun splendour
वेद्यः किन्न भवस्यहो घनतरं कीदृग्भवेन्मत्तम: are You not knowable; alas, how much more for me, intoxicated
स्तत्सर्वं व्यपनीय मे पशुपते साक्षात् प्रसन्नो भव: removing all that, O Pasupati, become directly gracious

Shiva's splendour exceeds crores of suns and breaks darkness. The intoxicated devotee asks for direct grace after removing veils; the Self becomes visible when ignorance's sphere is shattered.

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Verse 59

हंसः पद्मवनं समिच्छति यथा नीलाम्बुदं चातकः कोकः कोकनदप्रियं प्रतिदिनं चन्द्रं चकोरस्तथा चेतो वाञ्छति मामकं पशुपते चिन्मार्गमृग्यं विभो गौरीनाथ भवत्पदाब्जयुगलं कैवल्यसौख्यप्रदम् ॥५९॥

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हंसः पद्मवनं समिच्छति यथा नीलाम्बुदं चातकः: as swan desires lotus-forest, chataka the blue cloud
कोकः कोकनदप्रियं प्रतिदिनं चन्द्रं चकोरस्तथा: cuckoo the red lotus, chakora the moon
चेतो वाञ्छति मामकं पशुपते चिन्मार्गमृग्यं विभो: so my mind desires, O Pasupati, the consciousness-sought path
गौरीनाथ भवत्पदाब्जयुगलं कैवल्यसौख्यप्रदम्: O Gauri's Lord, Your lotus-foot pair giving liberation-bliss

Creatures yearn each for its natural object; the mind yearns for Shiva's liberating feet. Single-pointed desire for the Lord is as natural as swan for lotus; fulfilment is the Self's bliss.

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Verse 60

रोधस्तोयहृतः श्रमेण पथिकश्छायां तरोर्वृष्टितो भीतः स्वस्थगृहं गृहस्थमतिथिर्दीनः प्रभुं धार्मिकम् दीपं सन्तमसाकुलश्च शिखिनं शीतावृतस्त्वं तथा चेतः सर्वभयापहं व्रज सुखं शम्भोः पदाम्भोरुहम् ॥६०॥

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रोधस्तोयहृतः श्रमेण पथिकश्छायां तरोर्वृष्टितो: traveller scorched by road-heat seeks tree-shade, rain from cloud
भीतः स्वस्थगृहं गृहस्थमतिथिर्दीनः प्रभुं धार्मिकम्: guest fears householder, wretch seeks righteous lord
दीपं सन्तमसाकुलश्च शिखिनं शीतावृतस्त्वं तथा: lamp in darkness, fire when cold, so too You
चेतः सर्वभयापहं व्रज सुखं शम्भोः पदाम्भोरुहम्: the mind goes happily to Shambhu's lotus feet

As traveller, guest and cold one seek shade, host, fire and lamp, mind seeks Shiva's feet. Every worldly need images the one need for the Lord who removes all fear.

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Verse 61

अङ्कोलं निजबीजसन्ततिरयस्कान्तोपलं सूचिका साध्वी नैजविभुं लता क्षितिरुहं सिन्धुः सरिद्वल्लभम् प्राप्नोतीह यथा तथा पशुपतेः पादारविन्दद्वयं चेतोवृत्तिरुपेत्य तिष्ठति सदा सा भक्तिरित्युच्यते ॥६१॥

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अङ्कोलं निजबीजसन्ततिरयस्कान्तोपलं सूचिका: ankola tree, needle, chaste woman, mountain tree, river seek their own
साध्वी नैजविभुं लता क्षितिरुहं सिन्धुः सरिद्वल्लभम्: so too the mind's movement reaching Shiva's lotus-foot pair
प्राप्नोतीह यथा तथा पशुपतेः पादारविन्दद्वयं: abides always there
चेतोवृत्तिरुपेत्य तिष्ठति सदा सा भक्तिरित्युच्यते: that is called devotion

Natural homing of seed, needle and river images devotion. Mind reaching Shiva's feet and abiding there is bhakti; the Self draws thought back as ankola draws its seed to the tree.

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Verse 62

आनन्दाश्रुभिरातनोति पुलकं नैर्मल्यतश्छादनं वाचाशङ्खमुखे स्थितैश्च जठरापूर्तिं चरित्रामृतैः रुद्राक्षैर्भसितेन देव वपुषो रक्षां भवद्भावना पर्यङ्के विनिवेश्य भक्तिजननी भक्तार्भकं रक्षति ॥६२॥

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आनन्दाश्रुभिरातनोति पुलकं नैर्मल्यतश्छादनं: with bliss-tears causing horripilation, purity as covering
वाचाशङ्खमुखे स्थितैश्च जठरापूर्तिं चरित्रामृतैः: with conch-mouth words filling belly with conduct-nectar
रुद्राक्षैर्भसितेन देव वपुषो रक्षां भवद्भावना: with rudraksha, ash, O God, body's protection by meditation on You
पर्यङ्के विनिवेश्य भक्तिजननी भक्तार्भकं रक्षति: placing on couch, mother devotion protects the devotee-child

Devotion-mother protects the child-devotee with tears, ash and rudraksha. Conduct-nectar fills the belly of speech; the Self as mother-devotion guards the body through constant remembrance.

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Verse 63

मार्गावर्तितपादुका पशुपतेरङ्गस्य कूर्चायते गण्डूषाम्बुनिषेचनं पुररिपोर्दिव्याभिषेकायते किञ्चिद्भक्षितमांसशेषकबलं नव्योपहारायते भक्तिः किं न करोत्यहो वनचरो भक्तावतंसायते ॥६३॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

मार्गावर्तितपादुका पशुपतेरङ्गस्य कूर्चायते: Pasupati's foot-sandal worn on the road becomes crown-crest
गण्डूषाम्बुनिषेचनं पुररिपोर्दिव्याभिषेकायते: mouth-water rinsing becomes divine ablution of the city-foe
किञ्चिद्भक्षितमांसशेषकबलं नव्योपहारायते: a little leftover meat-morsel becomes fresh offering
भक्तिः किं न करोत्यहो वनचरो भक्तावतंसायते: what does devotion not do; the forest-dweller becomes crest-jewel

Devotion transforms sandal into crown and rinsing into ablution. Nothing offered to Shiva is small; the Self magnifies every gesture of love into royal worship.

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Verse 64

वक्षस्ताडनमन्तकस्य कठिनापस्मारसम्मर्दनं भूभृत्पर्यटनं नमत्सुरशिरःकोटीरसङ्घर्षणम् कर्मेदं मृदुलस्य तावकपदद्वन्द्वस्य किं वोचितं मच्चेतोमणिपादुकाविहरणं शम्भो सदाङ्गीकुरु ॥६४॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

वक्षस्ताडनमन्तकस्य कठिनापस्मारसम्मर्दनं: chest-striking of Death, crushing hard epilepsy
भूभृत्पर्यटनं नमत्सुरशिरःकोटीरसङ्घर्षणम्: mountain-king's wandering, rubbing crowns of bowing gods
कर्मेदं मृदुलस्य तावकपदद्वन्द्वस्य किं वोचितं: what is fit to say of this action on Your soft foot-pair
मच्चेतोमणिपादुकाविहरणं शम्भो सदाङ्गीकुरु: O Shambhu, always accept the gem-sandal sport of my mind

Cosmic acts of Death and mountains touch Shiva's soft feet gently in the devotee's vision. Mind's sandal-sport at those feet is the true worship the Lord accepts.

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Verse 65

वक्षस्ताडनशङ्कया विचलितो वैवस्वतो निर्जराः कोटीरोज्ज्वलरत्नदीपकलिकानीराजनं कुर्वते दृष्ट्वा मुक्तिवधूस्तनोति निभृताश्लेषं भवानीपते यच्चेतस्तव पादपद्मभजनं तस्येह किं दुर्लभम् ॥६५॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

वक्षस्ताडनशङ्कया विचलितो वैवस्वतो निर्जराः: fearing chest-strike, Death and immortals
कोटीरोज्ज्वलरत्नदीपकलिकानीराजनं कुर्वते: perform crown-lamp worship with bright gem-flame
दृष्ट्वा मुक्तिवधूस्तनोति निभृताश्लेषं भवानीपते: seeing them, liberation-bride offers secret embrace
यच्चेतस्तव पादपद्मभजनं तस्येह किं दुर्लभम्: O Bhavani's Lord, what is hard for him who worships Your feet

Even Death worships Shiva with crown-lamps; liberation embraces the devotee. Foot-worship makes nothing impossible; the Self grants union when the mind bows at the source.

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Verse 66

क्रीडार्थं सृजसि प्रपञ्चमखिलं क्रीडामृगास्ते जना यत्कर्माचरितं मया च भवतः प्रीत्यै भवत्येव तत् शम्भो स्वस्य कुतूहलस्य करणं मच्चेष्टितं निश्चितं तस्मान्मामकरक्षणं पशुपते कर्तव्यमेव त्वया ॥६६॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

क्रीडार्थं सृजसि प्रपञ्चमखिलं क्रीडामृगास्ते जना: for sport You create the whole universe; people are sport-deer
यत्कर्माचरितं मया च भवतः प्रीत्यै भवत्येव तत्: whatever action I do is for Your pleasure alone
शम्भो स्वस्य कुतूहलस्य करणं मच्चेष्टितं निश्चितं: O Shambhu, my behaviour is certainly the instrument of Your curiosity
तस्मान्मामकरक्षणं पशुपते कर्तव्यमेव त्वया: therefore You must protect me, O Pasupati

The world is Shiva's sport and all acts may please Him. If life is His curiosity, protection follows; the Self cares for the roles it plays through the devotee.

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Verse 67

बहुविधपरितोषबाष्पपूर स्फुटपुलकाङ्कितचारुभोगभूमिम् चिरपदफलकाङ्क्षिसेव्यमानां परमसदाशिवभावनां प्रपद्ये ॥६७॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

बहुविधपरितोषबाष्पपूर: with abundant joy-tear-flood
स्फुटपुलकाङ्कितचारुभोगभूमिम्: marked with clear horripilation, charming enjoyment-ground
चिरपदफलकाङ्क्षिसेव्यमानां: served by those longing for long-desired foot-fruit
परमसदाशिवभावनां प्रपद्ये: I approach supreme Sadashiva contemplation

Approaching Sadashiva contemplation with tears and horripilation marks true worship. Longing for foot-fruit is fulfilled in supreme Shiva-awareness; the Self is approached through embodied devotion.

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Verse 68

अमितमुदमृतं मुहुर्दुहन्तीं विमलभवत्पदगोष्ठमावसन्तीम् सदय पशुपते सुपुण्यपाकां मम परिपालय भक्तिधेनुमेकाम् ॥६८॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

अमितमुदमृतं मुहुर्दुहन्तीं: milking unmeasured joy-nectar again and again
विमलभवत्पदगोष्ठमावसन्तीम्: dwelling at Your pure foot-hoof
सदय पशुपते सुपुण्यपाकां: O gracious Pasupati, ripened by great merit
मम परिपालय भक्तिधेनुमेकाम्: protect my single cow of devotion

The cow of devotion milks joy-nectar at Shiva's feet. The poet asks protection for that one cow ripened by merit; the Self sustains the devotion through which bliss flows.

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Verse 69

जडता पशुता कलङ्किता कुटिलचरत्वं च नास्ति मयि देव अस्ति यदि राजमौले भवदाभरणस्य नास्मि किं पात्रम् ॥६९॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

जडता पशुता कलङ्किता: dullness, animal-nature, stain, crooked conduct are not in me, O God
कुटिलचरत्वं च नास्ति मयि देव: if they are, O crested king
अस्ति यदि राजमौले: am I not fit to be Your ornament
भवदाभरणस्य नास्मि किं पात्रम्: am I not fit to be Your ornament

The devotee claims purity and fitness to be Shiva's ornament. Confessing faults yet asserting worthiness expresses faith that the Self accepts the sincere heart despite imperfection.

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Verse 70

अरहसि रहसि स्वतन्त्रबुद्ध्या वरिवसितुं सुलभः प्रसन्नमूर्तिः अगणितफलदायकः प्रभुर्मे जगदधिको हृदि राजशेखरोऽस्ति ॥७०॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

अरहसि रहसि स्वतन्त्रबुद्ध्या: You are easy to dwell with in secret by independent intellect
वरिवसितुं सुलभः प्रसन्नमूर्तिः: of gracious form, giver of countless fruits, my Lord
अगणितफलदायकः प्रभुर्मे: greater than the world, Rajashekhara dwells in the heart
जगदधिको हृदि राजशेखरोऽस्ति: greater than the world, Rajashekhara dwells in the heart

Shiva dwells easily in the heart's secrecy with gracious form. The Lord greater than worlds is Rajashekhara within; the Self is nearer than any outward king.

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Verse 71

आरूढभक्तिगुणकुञ्चितभावचाप युक्तैः शिवस्मरणबाणगणैरमोघैः निर्जित्य किल्बिषरिपून् विजयी सुधीन्द्रः सानन्दमावहति सुस्थिरराजलक्ष्मीम् ॥७१॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

आरूढभक्तिगुणकुञ्चितभावचाप: with devotion-virtue-curved bow, with unfailing Shiva-remembrance-arrow hosts
युक्तैः शिवस्मरणबाणगणैरमोघैः: having conquered sin-enemies, the wise king triumphs
निर्जित्य किल्बिषरिपून् विजयी सुधीन्द्रः: happily attains firm royal fortune
सानन्दमावहति सुस्थिरराजलक्ष्मीम्: happily attains firm royal fortune

Devotion's bow and remembrance-arrows conquer sin. The wise king attains stable sovereignty; inner victory over enemies is the fortune of the Self-established mind.

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Verse 72

ध्यानाञ्जनेन समवेक्ष्य तमःप्रदेशं भित्त्वा महाबलिभिरीश्वरनाममन्त्रैः दिव्याश्रितं भुजगभूषणमुद्वहन्ति ये पादपद्ममिह ते शिव ते कृतार्थाः ॥७२॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

ध्यानाञ्जनेन समवेक्ष्य तमःप्रदेशं: having surveyed darkness-regions with meditation-collyrium
भित्त्वा महाबलिभिरीश्वरनाममन्त्रैः: breaking through with great offering of Lord-name-mantras
दिव्याश्रितं भुजगभूषणमुद्वहन्ति: they bear the divine serpent-ornament
ये पादपद्ममिह ते शिव ते कृतार्थाः: those here, O Shiva, are fulfilled

Meditation collyrium reveals darkness; name-mantras break through. Those who bear Shiva's serpent-ornament are fulfilled; the Self is won by mantra and inner sight together.

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Verse 73

भूदारतामुदवहद्यदपेक्षया श्री भूदार एव किमतः सुमते लभस्व केदारमाकलितमुक्तिमहौषधीनां पादारविन्दभजनं परमेश्वरस्य ॥७३॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

भूदारतामुदवहद्यदपेक्षया श्री: O good-minded one, obtain the field of liberation-medicines
भूदार एव किमतः सुमते लभस्व: worship of the supreme Lord's lotus feet
केदारमाकलितमुक्तिमहौषधीनां: earth's firmness was borne for its sake
पादारविन्दभजनं परमेश्वरस्य: what more than that

Liberation-medicines grow in the field of Shiva's feet-worship. Earth itself was firm for that sake; nothing surpasses foot-worship as the path to the Self.

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Verse 74

आशापाशक्लेशदुर्वासनादि भेदोद्युक्तैर्दिव्यगन्धैरमन्दैः आशाशाटीकस्य पादारविन्दं चेतःपेटीं वासितां मे तनोतु ॥७४॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

आशापाशक्लेशदुर्वासनादि: with divine fragrances offered by rising hosts of desire, bad habit and the rest
भेदोद्युक्तैर्दिव्यगन्धैरमन्दैः: may Shiva's foot-lotus of hope
आशाशाटीकस्य पादारविन्दं: make fragrant the chest of my mind
चेतःपेटीं वासितां मे तनोतु: make fragrant the chest of my mind

Hope's foot-lotus should fragrance the mind-chest. Offering divine scents against desire and bad habit purifies thought; the Self dwells in the mind made fragrant by devotion.

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Verse 75

कल्याणिनं सरसचित्रगतिं सवेगं सर्वेङ्गितज्ञमनघं ध्रुवलक्षणाढ्यम् चेतस्तुरङ्गमधिरुह्य चर स्मरारे नेतः समस्तजगतां वृषभाधिरूढ ॥७५॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कल्याणिनं सरसचित्रगतिं सवेगं: mount the mind-horse, O foe of Kama, with beautiful swift gait
सर्वेङ्गितज्ञमनघं ध्रुवलक्षणाढ्यम्: knowing all gestures, faultless, rich in fixed signs
चेतस्तुरङ्गमधिरुह्य चर स्मरारे: ride; the leader of all worlds mounted on the bull
नेतः समस्तजगतां वृषभाधिरूढ: ride; the leader of all worlds mounted on the bull

Mind-horse ridden toward Shiva the bull-mounted leader conquers Kama. Steady signs and swift beautiful gait image disciplined devotion directed to the Lord of worlds.

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Verse 76

भक्तिर्महेशपदपुष्करमावसन्ती कादम्बिनीव कुरुते परितोषवर्षम् सम्पूरितो भवति यस्य मनस्त्तटाक स्तज्जन्मसस्यमखिलं सफलं च नाऽन्यत् ॥७६॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

भक्तिर्महेशपदपुष्करमावसन्ती: devotion dwelling at Mahesha's lotus-seat rains satisfaction
कादम्बिनीव कुरुते परितोषवर्षम्: whose mind-lake is filled
सम्पूरितो भवति यस्य मनस्त्तटाक: that one's life-crop is all fruitful
स्तज्जन्मसस्यमखिलं सफलं च नाऽन्यत्: and nothing else

Devotion at Shiva's seat rains satisfaction on the filled mind-lake. Then life's crop is entirely fruitful; when the Self is worshipped, every action bears good fruit.

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Verse 77

बुद्धिः स्थिरा भवितुमीश्वरपादपद्म सक्ता वधूर्विरहिणीव सदा स्मरन्ती सद्भावनास्मरणदर्शनकीर्तनादि सम्मोहितेव शिवमन्त्रजपेन विन्ते ॥७७॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

बुद्धिः स्थिरा भवितुमीश्वरपादपद्म: intellect fixed on Ishwara's lotus feet like separated wife always remembering
सक्ता वधूर्विरहिणीव सदा स्मरन्ती: good meditation, remembrance, sight, praise and the rest
सद्भावनास्मरणदर्शनकीर्तनादि: bewildered, I pine with Shiva-mantra repetition
सम्मोहितेव शिवमन्त्रजपेन विन्ते: bewildered, I pine with Shiva-mantra repetition

Intellect separated from Shiva pines like a wife from husband. Mantra repetition with remembrance and praise is the lover's yearning; the Self is the spouse mind longs to reunite with.

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Verse 78

सदुपचारविधिष्वनुबोधितां सविनयां सुहृदं समुपाश्रिताम् मम समुद्धर बुद्धिमिमां प्रभो वरगुणेन नवोढवधूमिव ॥७८॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सदुपचारविधिष्वनुबोधितां: uplift this intellect, O Lord, instructed in good service
सविनयां सुहृदं समुपाश्रिताम्: modest, well-disposed, as a newly wedded bride
मम समुद्धर बुद्धिमिमां प्रभो: uplift this intellect, O Lord
वरगुणेन नवोढवधूमिव: as a newly wedded bride

The poet asks Shiva to uplift intellect like a new bride. Modesty and good instruction prepare mind for union; the Self receives the devoted intellect as partner.

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Verse 79

नित्यं योगिमनः सरोजदलसञ्चारक्षमस्त्वत्क्रमः शम्भो तेन कथं कठोरयमराड्वक्षःकवाटक्षतिः अत्यन्तं मृदुलं त्वदङ्घ्रियुगलं हा मे मनश्चिन्तय त्येतल्लोचनगोचरं कुरु विभो हस्तेन संवाहये ॥७९॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

नित्यं योगिमनः सरोजदलसञ्चारक्षमस्त्वत्क्रमः: O Shambhu, Your foot-step is able to wander the mind-lotus-petal
शम्भो तेन कथं कठोरयमराड्वक्षःकवाटक्षतिः: how then the hard chest-breaking of cruel Death
अत्यन्तं मृदुलं त्वदङ्घ्रियुगलं हा मे मनश्चिन्तय: think, alas, how very soft is Your foot-pair
त्येतल्लोचनगोचरं कुरु विभो हस्तेन संवाहये: make it visible to eye; I shall massage with hand

If Shiva's feet wander soft lotus-petals, how can they break Death's chest? The devotee longs to see and massage those soft feet; tenderness of the Lord contradicts terror of death.

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Verse 80

एष्यत्येष जनिं मनोऽस्य कठिनं तस्मिन्नटानीति म द्रक्षायै गिरिसीम्नि कोमलपदन्यासः पुराभ्यासितः नो चेद्दिव्यगृहान्तरेषु सुमनस्तल्पेषु वेद्यादिषु प्रायः सत्सु शिलातलेषु नटनं शम्भो किमर्थं तव ॥८०॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

एष्यत्येष जनिं मनोऽस्य कठिनं तस्मिन्नटानीति म: thinking this body will perish, mind is hard
द्रक्षायै गिरिसीम्नि कोमलपदन्यासः पुराभ्यासितः: I shall see the gentle foot-placement on mountain-border practised before
नो चेद्दिव्यगृहान्तरेषु सुमनस्तल्पेषु वेद्यादिषु: if not in divine houses on flower-couches and Vedas
प्रायः सत्सु शिलातलेषु नटनं शम्भो किमर्थं तव: why then dance on stone-slabs, O Shambhu

The poet questions why Shiva dances on hard stone if feet are soft. Body's hardness should not meet the Lord's gentle feet; devotion asks the divine to dwell where comfort matches tenderness.

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Verse 81

कञ्चित्कालमुमामहेश भवतः पादारविन्दार्चनैः कञ्चिद्ध्यानसमाधिभिश्च नतिभिः कञ्चित्कथाकर्णनैः कञ्चित् कञ्चिदवेक्षणैश्च नुतिभिः कञ्चिद्दशामीदृशीं यः प्राप्नोति मुदा त्वदर्पितमना जीवन् स मुक्तः खलु ॥८१॥

Study note

Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

कञ्चित्कालमुमामहेश भवतः पादारविन्दार्चनैः: by foot-worship, meditation, samadhi, bowing, tales, praise, sight, some time
कञ्चिद्ध्यानसमाधिभिश्च नतिभिः कञ्चित्कथाकर्णनैः: who attains joy with mind offered to You
कञ्चित् कञ्चिदवेक्षणैश्च नुतिभिः कञ्चिद्दशामीदृशीं: lives indeed liberated
यः प्राप्नोति मुदा त्वदर्पितमना जीवन् स मुक्तः खलु: lives indeed liberated

Any one path offered to Shiva with surrendered mind brings liberation. Worship, meditation or praise suffices; the Self is attained when mind is offered without reservation.

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Verse 82

बाणत्वं वृषभत्वमर्धवपुषा भार्यात्वमार्यापते घोणित्वं सखिता मृदङ्गवहता चेत्यादि रूपं दधौ त्वत्पादे नयनार्पणं च कृतवान् त्वद्देहभागो हरिः पूज्यात्पूज्यतरः स एव हि न चेत् को वा तदन्योऽधिकः ॥८२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

बाणत्वं वृषभत्वमर्धवपुषा भार्यात्वमार्यापते: arrow-state, bull-state, half-body as wife-state, friend-state, drum-bearer and other forms
घोणित्वं सखिता मृदङ्गवहता चेत्यादि रूपं दधौ: Hari placed eye-offering and became part of Your body
त्वत्पादे नयनार्पणं च कृतवान् त्वद्देहभागो हरिः: more worshipful than the worshipful
पूज्यात्पूज्यतरः स एव हि न चेत् को वा तदन्योऽधिकः: if not, who else is greater

Gods took humble forms in Shiva's service; Vishnu offered his eye. The Lord surpasses all worshipful beings; the Self is the highest to whom even Vishnu bows.

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Verse 83

जननमृतियुतानां सेवया देवतानां न भवति सुखलेशः संशयो नास्ति तत्र अजनिममृतरूपं साम्बमीशं भजन्ते य इह परमसौख्यं ते हि धन्या लभन्ते ॥८३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

जननमृतियुतानां सेवया देवतानां: serving gods subject to birth and death brings no happiness; doubt not
न भवति सुखलेशः संशयो नास्ति तत्र: those who worship birthless immortal Lord with Uma
अजनिममृतरूपं साम्बमीशं भजन्ते: attain supreme bliss; they indeed are blessed
य इह परमसौख्यं ते हि धन्या लभन्ते: they indeed are blessed

Gods who die cannot give lasting joy; Shiva with Uma is birthless. Worship of the immortal Lord alone yields supreme bliss; the Self is beyond the cycle gods share.

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Verse 84

शिव तव परिचर्यासन्निधानाय गौर्या भव मम गुणधुर्यां बुद्धिकन्यां प्रदास्ये सकलभुवनबन्धो सच्चिदानन्दसिन्धो सदय हृदयगेहे सर्वदा संवस त्वम् ॥८४॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

शिव तव परिचर्यासन्निधानाय गौर्या: be for service near Gauri; I shall give intelligence-daughter in marriage
भव मम गुणधुर्यां बुद्धिकन्यां प्रदास्ये: O bond of all worlds, O ocean of consciousness-bliss
सकलभुवनबन्धो सच्चिदानन्दसिन्धो: dwell always with compassion in the heart-house
सदय हृदयगेहे सर्वदा संवस त्वम्: dwell always with compassion in the heart-house

The poet offers mind's daughter to Shiva near Gauri. Inviting the Lord to dwell in the heart-house expresses marriage of intellect to the Self, ocean of consciousness-bliss.

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Verse 85

जलधिमथनदक्षो नैव पातालभेदी न च वनमृगयायां नैव लुब्धः प्रवीणः अशनकुसुमभूषावस्त्रमुख्यां सपर्यां कथय कथमहं ते कल्पयानीन्दुमौले ॥८५॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

जलधिमथनदक्षो नैव पातालभेदी: not skilled in churning ocean, piercing earth, hunting
न च वनमृगयायां नैव लुब्धः प्रवीणः: flower-food ornament dress worship
अशनकुसुमभूषावस्त्रमुख्यां सपर्यां: tell how I shall arrange them, O moon-crested one
कथय कथमहं ते कल्पयानीन्दुमौले: tell how I shall arrange them, O moon-crested one

Unable to offer grand rituals, the devotee confesses inadequacy. True worship is not skill in ceremonies but sincerity; the Self accepts what the humble heart can give.

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Verse 86

पूजाद्रव्यसमृद्धयो विरचिताः पूजां कथं कुर्महे पक्षित्वं न च वा किटित्वमपि न प्राप्तं मया दुर्लभम् जाने मस्तकमङ्घ्रिपल्लवमुमाजाने न तेऽहं विभो न ज्ञातं हि पितामहेन हरिणा तत्त्वेन तद्रूपिणा ॥८६॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

पूजाद्रव्यसमृद्धयो विरचिताः पूजां कथं कुर्महे: wealth of worship-materials is made; not birdhood or wormhood easily gained
पक्षित्वं न च वा किटित्वमपि न प्राप्तं मया दुर्लभम्: I know not Your head or foot-sprout, O Uma's Lord
जाने मस्तकमङ्घ्रिपल्लवमुमाजाने न तेऽहं विभो: nor was it known truly even by Brahma-born Hari
न ज्ञातं हि पितामहेन हरिणा तत्त्वेन तद्रूपिणा: nor was it known truly even by Brahma-born Hari

Even Hari and Brahma could not fully know Shiva's head and feet. The devotee admits ignorance of the Lord's limits; the Self transcends every partial vision, even of greatest gods.

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Verse 87

अशनं गरलं फणी कलापो वसनं चर्म च वाहनं महोक्षः मम दास्यसि किं किमस्ति शम्भो तव पादाम्बुजभक्तिमेव देहि ॥८७॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

अशनं गरलं फणी कलापो: poison as food, serpent as garland, skin as garment, great bull as vehicle
वसनं चर्म च वाहनं महोक्षः: what will You give me, O Shambhu
मम दास्यसि किं किमस्ति शम्भो: give only devotion to Your lotus feet
तव पादाम्बुजभक्तिमेव देहि: give only devotion to Your lotus feet

Shiva's ascetic symbols contrast with what He might give devotees. The poet asks only for foot-devotion; the Self's gift is not outward wealth but love of the Lord.

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Verse 88

यदा कृताम्भोनिधिसेतुबन्धनः करस्थलाधःकृतपर्वताधिपः भवानि ते लङ्घितपद्मसम्भवः तदा शिवार्चास्तवभावनक्षमः ॥८८॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

यदा कृताम्भोनिधिसेतुबन्धनः: when You stepped on the lotus-born with world-bearing foot
करस्थलाधःकृतपर्वताधिपः: hand-pressed mountain-king
भवानि ते लङ्घितपद्मसम्भवः: O Bhavani, You stepped on lotus-born Brahma
तदा शिवार्चास्तवभावनक्षमः: then I became fit for Shiva-worship contemplation

Shiva's cosmic step on Brahma made the poet fit for worship. Humbling pride of creation opens devotion; the Self becomes approachable when ego's lotus is pressed down.

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Verse 89

नतिभिर्नुतिभिस्त्वमीश पूजा विधिभिर्ध्यानसमाधिभिर्न तुष्टः धनुषा मुसलेन चाश्मभिर्वा वद ते प्रीतिकरं तथा करोमि ॥८९॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

नतिभिर्नुतिभिस्त्वमीश पूजा: with bowings and praises, O Lord, worship
विधिभिर्ध्यानसमाधिभिर्न तुष्टः: You are not pleased by rules, meditation and samadhi alone
धनुषा मुसलेन चाश्मभिर्वा: with bow, pestle or stones either
वद ते प्रीतिकरं तथा करोमि: tell what pleases You; I shall do likewise

Ritual alone does not please Shiva; the devotee asks what truly delights the Lord. True worship is discovering the form of love the Self accepts, not mechanical repetition of methods.

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Verse 90

वचसा चरितं वदामि शम्भो रहमुद्योगविधासु तेऽप्रसक्तः मनसाकृतिमीश्वरस्य सेवे शिरसा चैव सदाशिवं नमामि ॥९०॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

वचसा चरितं वदामि शम्भो: with speech I tell Your conduct, O Shambhu
रहमुद्योगविधासु तेऽप्रसक्तः: not attached to other employments
मनसाकृतिमीश्वरस्य सेवे: with mind I serve the Lord's form
शिरसा चैव सदाशिवं नमामि: with head too I bow to Sadashiva

Speech tells Shiva's conduct, mind serves His form, head bows to Sadashiva. Integrated devotion uses every faculty; the Self is worshipped when life is wholly oriented to the Lord.

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Verse 91

आद्याऽविद्या हृद्गता निर्गतासी द्विद्या हृद्या हृद्गता त्वत्प्रसादात् सेवे नित्यं श्रीकरं त्वत्पदाब्जं भावे मुक्तेर्भाजनं राजमौले ॥९१॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

आद्याऽविद्या हृद्गता निर्गतासी: primal ignorance seated in the heart has gone out
द्विद्या हृद्या हृद्गता त्वत्प्रसादात्: second knowledge dear to heart has entered by Your grace
सेवे नित्यं श्रीकरं त्वत्पदाब्जं: I serve always Your lotus feet, giver of prosperity
भावे मुक्तेर्भाजनं राजमौले: O crested king, vessel of liberation in experience

Shiva's grace replaces primal ignorance with heart-knowledge. Serving His feet is serving the vessel of liberation; the Self enters when ignorance departs the heart.

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Verse 92

दूरीकृतानि दुरितानि दुरक्षराणि दौर्भाग्यदुःखदुरहङ्कृतिदुर्वचांसि सारं त्वदीयचरितं नितरां पिबन्तं गौरीश मामिह समुद्धर सत्कटाक्षैः ॥९२॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

दूरीकृतानि दुरितानि दुरक्षराणि: sins removed, hard letters gone
दौर्भाग्यदुःखदुरहङ्कृतिदुर्वचांसि: misfortune, sorrow, pride and harsh words
सारं त्वदीयचरितं नितरां पिबन्तं: drinking deeply the essence of Your conduct
गौरीश मामिह समुद्धर सत्कटाक्षैः: O Gauri's Lord, uplift me here with good glances

Drinking the essence of Shiva's conduct removes sin and harsh speech. The good glance of the Lord uplifts; the Self's gaze transforms the mind that contemplates divine conduct.

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Verse 93

सोमकलाधरमौलौ कोमलघनकन्धरे महामहसि स्वामिनि गिरिजानाथे मामकहृदयं निरन्तरं रमताम् ॥९३॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सोमकलाधरमौलौ: on crest bearing moon-fragment
कोमलघनकन्धरे महामहसि: on tender cloud-neck of great splendour
स्वामिनि गिरिजानाथे: O Master, Girija's Lord
मामकहृदयं निरन्तरं रमताम्: may my heart delight in You always

Moon-crested Shiva on Girija's Lord is the object of constant heart-delight. The Lord's splendour on tender neck invites perpetual inner joy; the Self is the beloved in whom heart rests.

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Verse 94

सा रसना ते नयने तावेव करौ स एव कृतकृत्यः या ये यौ यो भर्गं वदतीक्षेते सदार्चतः स्मरति ॥९४॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सा रसना ते नयने: that tongue and those eyes, those hands alone are successful
तावेव करौ स एव कृतकृत्यः: who speak, behold, worship and remember Bharga
या ये यौ यो भर्गं: who speak, behold, worship and remember Bharga
वदतीक्षेते सदार्चतः स्मरति: who speak, behold, worship and remember Bharga

Only the faculties devoted to Bharga, the radiant Lord, are fulfilled. Success is measured by orientation to Shiva; the Self is known when every sense serves the supreme light.

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Verse 95

अतिमृदुलौ मम चरणा वतिकठिनं ते मनो भवानीश इति विचिकित्सां सन्त्यज शिव कथमासीद्गिरौ तथा वेशः ॥९५॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

अतिमृदुलौ मम चरणा: my feet are very soft
वतिकठिनं ते मनो भवानीश: Your mind is hard, O Bhavani's Lord
इति विचिकित्सां सन्त्यज: abandon this doubt
शिव कथमासीद्गिरौ तथा वेशः: O Shiva, how was such dress on the mountain

The poet playfully contrasts soft feet with hard divine mind. Abandoning doubt about Shiva's mountain dress opens to mystery; the Self transcends easy categories of soft and hard.

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Verse 96

धैर्याङ्कुशेन निभृतं रभसादाकृष्य भक्तिशृङ्खलया पुरहर चरणालाने हृदयमदेभं बधान चिद्यन्त्रैः ॥९६॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

धैर्याङ्कुशेन निभृतं: restrained with firmness-elephant-goad
रभसादाकृष्य भक्तिशृङ्खलया: drawn forcibly with devotion-chain
पुरहर चरणालाने: O city-destroyer, at foot-post of the heart-elephant
हृदयमदेभं बधान चिद्यन्त्रैः: bind with consciousness-fetters

The restless heart-elephant must be bound at Shiva's foot-post. Firmness and devotion-chain image disciplined binding of mind; the Self is the post to which wild thought is tethered.

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Verse 97

प्रचरत्यभितः प्रगल्भवृत्त्या मदवानेष मनःकरी गरीयान् परिगृह्य नयेन भक्तिरज्ज्वा परम स्थाणुपदं दृढं नयामुम् ॥९७॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

प्रचरत्यभितः प्रगल्भवृत्त्या: this proud mind-elephant roams boldly about
मदवानेष मनःकरी गरीयान्: having seized it with justice, with devotion-rope
परिगृह्य नयेन भक्तिरज्ज्वा: lead it firmly to the firm post of the Lord
परम स्थाणुपदं दृढं नयामुम्: lead it firmly to the firm post of the Lord

Proud mind-elephant roams until seized with devotion-rope. Leading it to Shiva's firm post is yoga; the Self is the stable point to which scattered consciousness is brought.

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Verse 98

सर्वालङ्कारयुक्तां सरलपदयुतां साधुवृत्तां सुवर्णां सद्भिः संस्तूयमानां सरसगुणयुतां लक्षितां लक्षणाढ्याम् उद्यद्भूषाविशेषामुपगतविनयां द्योतमानार्थरेखां कल्याणीं देव गौरीप्रिय मम कविताकन्यकां त्वं गृहाण ॥९८॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

सर्वालङ्कारयुक्तां सरलपदयुतां साधुवृत्तां सुवर्णां: endowed with all ornaments, with simple words, good metre, golden
सद्भिः संस्तूयमानां सरसगुणयुतां लक्षितां लक्षणाढ्याम्: praised by good men, rich in flavour, marked, rich in signs
उद्यद्भूषाविशेषामुपगतविनयां द्योतमानार्थरेखां: bearing rising ornament-specialness, attained modesty, shining meaning-lines
कल्याणीं देव गौरीप्रिय मम कविताकन्यकां त्वं गृहाण: O God, beloved of Gauri, accept my poetry-daughter

The poet offers his poetry-daughter adorned with metre and modesty to Shiva. Offering creative work to the Lord marries art to devotion; the Self receives the gifts of speech refined by grace.

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Verse 99

इदं ते युक्तं वा परमशिव कारुण्यजलधे गतौ तिर्यग्रूपं तव पदशिरोदर्शनधिया हरिब्रह्माणौ तौ दिवि भुवि चरन्तौ श्रमयुतौ कथं शम्भो स्वामिन् कथय मम वेद्योऽसि पुरतः ॥९९॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

इदं ते युक्तं वा परमशिव कारुण्यजलधे: is this fitting for You, O supreme Shiva, ocean of compassion
गतौ तिर्यग्रूपं तव पदशिरोदर्शनधिया: with intent to see Your feet and head in crooked animal form
हरिब्रह्माणौ तौ दिवि भुवि चरन्तौ श्रमयुतौ: Hari and Brahma wander wearily in heaven and earth
कथं शम्भो स्वामिन् कथय मम वेद्योऽसि पुरतः: how, O Shambhu, O Lord, am I to know You before me

Gods weary themselves seeking Shiva's head and feet; the devotee asks how to know Him directly. Compassion's ocean makes the Lord knowable; the Self reveals itself when vain searching yields to humble presence.

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Verse 100

स्तोत्रेणालमहं प्रवच्मि न मृषा देवा विरिञ्चादयः स्तुत्यानां गणनाप्रसङ्गसमये त्वामग्रगण्यं विदुः माहात्म्याग्रविचारणप्रकरणे धानातुषस्तोमव द्धूतास्त्वां विदुरुत्तमोत्तमफलं शम्भो भवत्सेवकाः ॥१००॥

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Editorial Advaita reflection

Word breakdown

स्तोत्रेणालमहं प्रवच्मि न मृषा देवा विरिञ्चादयः: enough with hymn; I speak no falsehood; gods like Brahma
स्तुत्यानां गणनाप्रसङ्गसमये त्वामग्रगण्यं विदुः: at the time of counting praises know You foremost
माहात्म्याग्रविचारणप्रकरणे धानातुषस्तोमव: in the chapter examining greatness, like chaff-husks
द्धूतास्त्वां विदुरुत्तमोत्तमफलं शम्भो भवत्सेवकाः: Your servants know You as highest highest fruit, O Shambhu

The closing verse declares Shiva foremost among all praises. Devotees know Him as supreme fruit beyond gods' reckonings; the Self is the ultimate fulfilment that makes all stotra true.

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