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Vishwanathashtakam

विश्वनाथाष्टकम्

Viśvanāthāṣṭakam

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गङ्गातरंगरमणीयजटाकलापं गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम् नारायणप्रियमनंगमदापहारं वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥१॥

Study note

Word breakdown

गङ्गातरंगरमणीयजटाकलापं: Whose cluster of matted locks is adorned by the charming waves of Ganga,
गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम्: whose left side is ever adorned by Gauri,
नारायणप्रियमनंगमदापहारं: beloved of Narayana, stealer of Kama's pride,
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम्: worship Vishvanatha, lord of the city of Varanasi.

Ganga on his locks and Gauri on his left image the Lord as the meeting of purifying stream and creative power; worship of Kashi's king turns pilgrimage outward into recognition of the Self that wears the whole cosmos as ornament.

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