Shivmahima Stotr (Mahimnapar)
Commentary by:
Piyaray Lal Raina
Introduction
Shivmahimna
Stotr or Mahimnapar as it is
called by Kashmiri Pandits is one of the
earliest and one of the most recited Shiva prayer. It is said to have
been written by a Gandharva (a demigod or
heavenly musician) known as Pushpadanta. He was
a great devout of Lord Shiva. One day he could
not get flowers to offer during prayers. He cut
flowers from a neighbours garden without his
permission which he realised later on was a sin;
though a small one but to wash off that sin he
decided to compose his own hymn to Lord Shiva
for His forgiveness. Thus he composed thirty-two
hymns and at the end of each hymn he offered his
tooth as offering instead of flowers. In this
way, he composed thirty-two hymns for his
thirty-two teeth.
It is a practice in
writing of a Stotr (an appreciation) to conclude
with writing of a few stanzas stating the
rewards for those who conduct that prayer (e.g.
a student will succeed in exams, a poor man will
be rewarded with prosperity and so on). Thus at
the end of thirty-two hymns, we have eleven
stanzas offering rewards for those who recite
the original thirty-two hymns. However, it is
not a common practice to recite stanzas that are
written for those seeking rewards.
In Kashmir, we have a
tradition of reciting three hymns at the start
which may have been composed by some Kashmiri
devout or adopted from some other version. Thus
we have 35 hymns instead of thirty-two. Only
Kashmiri’s recite hymn number 23 and 30. They
may be from the original rendering but their
recitation by Hindus outside Kashmir has been
dropped They have different hymns for these two
in their version, which have been given at the
end of Kashmiri version.
It may be stated that
the hymns of this stotr are unintelligible to a
person who does not have the background
knowledge about the contents described in the
hymn. It is in this context that a commentary at
the end of each hymn has been written.
Recitation of this stotr
is rather difficult without some guidance. In
the sanskrit written language it is common to
write several words together and while reading
these words pronunciation changes depending at
what place the combination of words is broken by
the reader e.g. words ending with R or S change
to H .similarly when word is broken at M
the next word starts with A It is the grammar of
the language and in no way changes the meaning
of the word. In addition, there are various
methods of reciting this Stotrm. Therefore, it
is suggested that one may seek guidance from
some knowledgeable person or by reciting along
with the recitations rendered by some person on
a recorded audio. There are several recordings
available in the market The hymns in this write
up have been rendered as per the recitation of
Pandit Jasraj award winner of Padma Vibhushan.
The first three hymns of
Kashmiri version are:
1
AADHINAAM AGDM DIVYM
VYAADINAAM MUULKRNTNM
UPDRAVAANAAM DALNM
MHADEVAM UPASMHE
I am worshiping Mahadev
–which worship is medicine for mental agonies,
destroyer of physical pain, and remover of
obstacles.
2
AHM PAAPI PAP KHIPN
NIPUNH SHNKR BHVAAN
AHM BHITO BHITA BHY
VITRNE TE VYSNITA
AHM DINO DINO DHRN
VIDHI SNJS TVM ITRN
N JAANE HM VKTUMZZZ
KURU SKL SHAICHE MYI KRPAM
I am a sinner and O
Shanker you are quick in destroying sins. I am
one who is afraid and you are always there to
remove fears of fearful. I am poor and you are
always ready to help the poor. I do not know
anything more about you that I would like to
describe. Please help me to be exact.
3
JNAAS TVT PAADABJ SHRVN
MNN DHYAAN NIPUNH
SVYM TE NISTIRNA N KHLU
KRUUNA TESHU KRUUNA.
BHVE LEENE DEENE MYI
MNN HEENE N KRUUNH
KTHM NAATH KHYAATH TVM
ASI KRUUNA SAAGAR ITI
If you are graceful to
those who are perfect in praying you at your
feet with their mind and speech and get them
cross over to bhavsagar(Immortal Bliss) that
cannot be called as your grace? If you cannot
(will not) help me, who is poor and weak, and
deprived of praying at your lotus feet, then how
can you be known as Karunasagar (Ocean of
Compassion).
MAIN STROTM
1
MHIMNH PAARM TE
PRMVIDSHU YDH SDRSHI.
STO TIR BRHMAADINAAM
API TD VSNNAM TVYI GIRH.
ATH VACHY SRVH SVMTI
PRINAAMAA VIDHI GRNN
MMAA PYESH STOTRE HR
NIRP VAADH PRIKRH.
If the praise of thee by
one who is ignorant of the extent of Thy
greatness be unbecoming, then the praise of even
Brahma and others are inadequate for Thee, and
if all remain unblamable by praising Thee
according to their intellectual powers then even
an attempt on my part to compose a hymn in
praise of your greatness is free from any
blemish.
2
ATITH PNTHAANM TV CH
MHIMAAH VAN MNSYO
RTD VYAAVRTTYAA YM
CHIKTM ABIDHTE SHRUTIR API
S KSYS TO TVYHH KTI
VIDH GUNNH KSY VISHYH
PDE TVR VACHEENE PTIT N
MNH KSY N VCH
Thy greatness is beyond
the reach of mind and speech. Who (no one can)
will praise that which even Vedas describe with
trepidation by the method of not this, not this,
not this? (Because it is impossible to describe
what is Absolute) -How many qualities does that
possess and can be perceived by whom? Yet to the
form taken later* by Thee, whose mind and speech
do not turn to Him when He revealed Himself.
* This has reference to
the revelation of God in a physical form when He
appeared as Sadashiv (Brahamn) for the benefit
of His devot
3
MDHUS FEETA VAACH PRMM
AMRTM NIRMIT VTH
TV BRMN KIM VAAGPI
SURGUROR VISMY PDM
MM TVETAM VAANEEM GUN
KTHN PUNYEN BVTH
PUNAAMEE TYR THES MIN
PUR MTHN BUDHIR VYVSITAA
O Sadashiv Does the praise
of even Brahaspati(the teacher of Gods) cause
any wonderment to Thee who art the author of the
nectar like sweet Vedas?(Vedas are direct
revelation of God) O destroyer of Tripura ( a
powerful demon ), the thought that by praising
Thy glories I shall purify my speech has
prompted me to undertake this work.
4
TVAI SVRYM YT TT JGT
UDY RKSHA PRLY KRT
TRYEE VSTU YSTM TRSRSHU.
GUNBINAASU TNUSHU
ABVYA NAM ASMIN VRD
RMNEE YAAM RMNEEM
VIHNTUM VYAKROSHIM VID
DHT IHAI KE JD DHIYH.
O giver of boons in
refutation of Thy divinity which is described by
the three Vedas(Rig ved Yujer ved, and Sama ved)
who creates, preserves and destroys the world,
and who is divided into three bodies
(Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh) according to the
different qualities( Satvic Rajsic and Tamsic),
some thick headed (ignorant) persons offer
arguments which are pleasing to the ignorant but
(in reality) hateful*
* This has reference
to Mimaska system which is one of the six
systems of Vedanta whichdoes not recognize God
in form and He is not cause of creation
preservation and destruction of the world.
5
KIMEEHAH KIM KAYH
S KHLU KIM UPAAYS TRIBHUVNM
KIM AADHAARO DHAATAA
SRJIT KIM UPAADAANM ITI CH
ATR KYAI SHVRYAI TV YYN
VSR DHUSTHO HTIDHYH
KUTR KOYM KANSHCHN
MUKHR YTI MOHAY JGTH.
To fulfill what desire,
having what body, with what instruments, support
and materials does that creator indeed create
the three worlds?* This kind of vain
argumentation with regard to Thee whose Divine
nature is beyond the reach of intellect makes
the perverted vociferous to the delusion of
mankind**.
* This has reference to a
common belief among people that if they do
something they have a definite purpose for doing
so and that they need a physical body to do so.
Not only this, for making any physical object
one needs three things ie some instruments, some
materials and a support. Ignorant people want to
see these conditions fulfilled in Gods act of
creation as well. But such expectations are idle
for the simple fact that God is God. He can not
be judged by human standards
** This has again
reference to Mimasa system They cannot perceive
the fact that God is above human perception.
6
AJNMAANO LOKAH KIM AVYV
VNTOPI JGTAAM
MDHISHTHATARM KIM BV
VIDIR ANADRTY BHVTI
ANEESHO VA KURYAAD
BHUVAN JNNE KH PRIKRM
YTO MNDAAS TVAAM PRTY
MRVR SMSHO RT IME
O Lord of gods can the
worlds be without origin though they have parts?
Is the creation of the worlds (possible) without
a creator? Who else but god can begin the
creation of the worlds? Because they are fools,
they* raise doubt as regards Thy existence.
* This has again reference
to Mimasa System.
7
TRYEE SAANKHYM YOGH
PSHUPTI MTM VAISHNVM ITI
PRBHINNE PRSTHAANE PRM
IDM ADH PTHYM ITI CH
RUUCHINAAM VAICHITRYAD
RJU KUTIL NANA PTH JUSHAAM NRNAAMEKO GMYH TVM
ASI PYSAM ARNV IV
There are different paths
(of realization) as enjoined by the three
Vedas(Rig veda ,Sama veda, and Yajur veda),such
as, Samkhya ,Yoga, Pasupata and Vaishnava*
.Persons following different paths- straight or
crooked according as they consider that this
path is best or that one is proper due to the
difference in temperament, reach Thee alone just
as rivers enter the Ocean.
* This has reference to
six orthodox philosophical schools of thoughts
that accepted authority of Vedas. These are
regarded as complimentary views of the one truth
seen from different angles These are:
Samkhya This is
developed by saint Kapila It accepts two
eternal realities Purusha (spirit or non
matter)and Prakrati( subtle nature of
matter)which consists of three gunas(elements)
Rajas, Tamas and Sattwa which combine to
produce all existence.
Yoga. The
author of this school is Patanjali. He defines
yoga as means to control fluctuations of mind
which can be done in four ways .By knowledge (gyan
yoga),meditation (Dhyan yoga),Prayers (Bhakti
Yoga)and with the control development
unfolding of pertinent laws relating to mind
(Raja yoga)
Vedanta The
author of this school of thought is Badarayana
The main belief is that there is Supreme
Consciousness or Infinite Reality called
Imperishable Brahman and the main object of
life is to identify with this Supreme
Consciousness through the Atman, the eternal
sprit in every individual. This changeless
infinite reality is veiled by its own creative
power called Maya which projects the infinite
changes brought on this world through names
forms and activities.
Mimamsa The
author of this school is Jaimini.He does not
recognise god in form and that god is
responsible for changes brought about in the
world. They believe Vedas are eternal and
unchanging
Vaiesika The
author of this school of thought is Kanada.
They believe that every thing in this world is
composed of atoms in varying combinations
which are un-created, invisible, eternal
entities and realise their potentialities when
the soul and manas (mind) unite to activate
its faculties, whereupon these combine and
become visibly manifest as substances.
Nyaya The
author of this school of thought is Gautama
(Not to be confused with Gautam Budha)It
maintains that true knowledge can be attained
by an analysis and understanding of the nature
of knowledge, its source, the validity of its
arguments and its methodologies for
distinguishing true from false knowledge.
8
MHOKHSH KHTVANGM PRSHUR
AJINM BSM FNINH
KPAALM CHETI YT TV VRD
TNTROP KRNAAM
SURAASTAAM TAAM RDHIM
DDHTI TU BVD BRUU PRNIHITAAM
NHI SVATMA RAMM VISHY
MRG TRSHNAA BHRM YTIH
O Giver of boons, a great
bull, a wooden club, an axe, a tiger skin,
ashes, a human skull and the like - these are
Thy sole possessions, though by the mere casting
of eye Thou gave to gods great treasures which
they enjoy*. Indeed the mirage of sense objects
cannot delude one whose delight is in the self.
* Sadashiv is the master
of all and giver of boons and all treasures and
yet for Himself He enjoys a simple life. To save
Gods from asuras He participated in Sagar
Manthn(Churning of oceans).For Himself He kept
poison which was one of the objects that came
out of ocean to save His creation but gave
away all the whealth that came out of it to
Gods. He held all the poison in His throat which
made his throat blue, the colour of poison and
hence He is refered to Neelkanth (blue throat)as
well.
9
DHRUVM KSHCHIT SRV SKLM
APRS TV DHRVM IDM
PRO DHROUYA DHRDUYE
JGTI GDTI VYST VISHYE
SMSTE PYE TASMIN
PURMTHN TAIRVIS MIT IVH
STUVN JIRHEMI TVAAM N
KHULU NNU DHSTAV MUKHRTAA
O Destroyer of Pura,* some
say that the whole universe is eternal, while
others say that all is transitory. Yet others
maintain that all these are eternal and non
eternal having different characteristics**.
Bewildered, as it were by them I do not feel
ashamed to praise Thee. Indeed this garrulity
indicates my audacity.
* This has reference to
the destruction of Tripura sur A demon who was
very power full and was destroyed by lord Shiva.
** This refers to various
schools of thoughts as stated above (See Hymn7)
10
TVAI SHRVYM YT NAD
YDUPRI VIRMCHIR HRI RDH. PRICHCHETUM YATA VNLMN
ANLSKNDH VPUSHH
TTO BHKTI SRDHA BHR
GURUU GRND BYAM GIRISH YT
SVYM TSTHE TABYAM TV
KIM ANUVRTIR N FLTI
O Grisha,(One who lives on
the mountain Kailash –ie Lord Shiva), Brahma
trying above and Vishnu trying below failed to
measure Thee who took the form of a pillar of
fire. After wards when they praised Thee with
great devotion and faith Thou revealed Thyself
to them of Thy own accord, indicating Thy
worship can not go without bearing result.*
* This has reference to a
Puranic story. Brahma and Lord Vishnu had an
argument as to who among them is senior. Just
then a huge column of fire appeared in the sky.
They stopped their arguments and decided to find
about this column of fire and the one who came
back first to the spot after probing this column
would be declared senior. Bhrhma went in the
upper region while Vishnu went in the lower
region. .After travelling for thousands of years
they returned back to original spot without
finding the upper or lower end of this column.
Right at that time Sadashiv appeared on the
scene and told them that He has decided to
manifest Himself for the benefit of His devotees
and it is in this context that He manifest a
part of Himself as Brahma (for creation of
universe and as Vishnu (for its preservation)
and as Mahesh (for its cyclic destruction).This
is called as Trinity of Gods in Hindu belief.
11
AYT NAADAA PADHY
TRIBHUVNM AVAIR VYTI KRM
DSHAASYO YD BHAHUN ABRT
RNKNDU PRVSHAAN
SHRH PDM SHRENE RCHIT
CHRNAM BHORUH BLE
SITH RAA YAAHS TVD
BHKTE TRIPUR HR VISFUUR JITM IDM
O Destroyer of Tripura,
that the ten headed Ravana after ridding the
three worlds of any trace of enemies remained
with arms eager for (fresh) war is due to the
fact of his having great devotion to Thee-,
devotion which prompted him to offer his heads
as lotuses to Thy feet.*
* This has reference to
Ravana who was a great devout of Shiva. He
fought a war with Lord Rama.
12
AMUSHY TVT SEVA SM ADHI
GT SARM BHUJVNM
BHLAT KAILASE PI TVT
ADHI VSTOU VIKRM YTH.
ALBYAA PAATALE
PYLS CHLITAN GUSHTH SHIRSI
PRTISHTHA TVYYA SEED
HRUVM UPCHITO MUHYTI KHLH.
When Ravana extended the
valour of his arms whose strength was obtained
by worshipping Thee to Kailasa, Thy abode, Thou
moved the tip of Thy Toe and he did not get a
resting place even in the nether world. Verily
when affluent, the wicked becomes deluded.*
* Ravana got drunk with
power and decided to move the abode of Lord Shiv
to his own kingdom in Lanka so that he could
worship Him there without taking the trouble of
going to Kailash mountain. At this Shiv got very
angry and by just moving little finger of His
foot Ravana tumbled over and could not get
resting place any where, not even in Patal
(nether world)He got deluded by his affluence.
13
YDRDHIM SUTRAAMNO VRD
PRMO CHAIR API STEEM
ADHSH CHKRE VANH PARIJN
VIDHEY TRIBUVNH
N TCHITRM TSMIN VRI VSI
TRI TVT CHRNYOH
N KSYAH UNNTYAI BHVTI
SHR SSTV YV NTIH.
O giver of boons, that
Bana, who had the Three worlds at his Command
put to shade the wealth of Indra, is not to be
wondered at ,he being the worshipper of Thy
feet. What prosperity does not result from
bowing down the head to Thee?*
* Banasur was an
assur devotee of Shiv.He was son of Bali and
grand son of Prahlada.Lord shiva worship had
made him very prosperous so much so that even
the wealth of Indra, the Lord of heaven
was no match to him.
14
AKAAND BHRHMAAND
KHIY CHKIT DEVA SUR KRPA
VIDE YSYAA SEED YS
TRNYN VISHM SM HRT VTH
S KLMASH KNTHE TV N
KURUUTE N SHRIYM AHO
VIKAROPI SHLAAGYO BHUVN
BHY BHNG VYSNINH.
O, Three eyed one, (Lord
Shiva)* it is not that the dark stain on the
Throat of Thee who drank poison as an act of
favor to gods and demons at their being panicky
at the threatened destruction, does not beautify
Thee. Even deformity is admirable in One who is
given to freeing the world of fear.**
* Shiva is called
Triyambkum i.e. Three-eyed One. The third eye
refers to His mental vision with which He
reaches everywhere.
** See footnote of
Hymn 8 .The blue colour of His throat does not
make Him look ugly . It rather enhances His
looks.
15
ASIDDHAARTHA NAIV
KAUCHID API SDEVA SURNRE
NIVRTNTE NITYM JGTI
JYNO YSY VISHIKHAH
S PSHYNNISH TVAM ITR
SUR SAADAARNM ABUUT
SMRH SMR TVYAATMAA N HI
VSHISHU PTHYH PRIBHVH.
O, Lord, the god of love,
Kamdev, whose arrows(advances) do not fail any
where in the world of gods, demons and men but
are always successful, became simply an object
of memory by looking upon Thee as an ordinary
god. For an insult to the self-controlled (ie
Lord Shiv) does not conduce to good (was not a
good act)*
* This has reference to a
puranic story .The great Lord Shiva was in deep
meditation without any break. But gods wanted
that a son should be born to Him to lead them in
the battle against the demon Taraka, as it was
professed that only Shivas son could kill him.
Gods sought the help of Kamadev the god of love.
Kamadev threw an arrow of passion over Shiva
.Shiva was distracted in His meditation and as a
punishment burnt Kamadev to ashes with the fire
of His third eye.
16
MHEE PAADAA GHAATAAD
VRJTI SHSA SMSHY PDM
PDM VISHNOHR BRAAMYD
BUJ PRI GHRUUGN GRH GNM
MUHR DYOUR DOUSTHYM YAT
YNI BHRT JTI TDIT TTA
JGT RKHIIIAAYAAI TVM
NTSI NNU NAAMAIV VIBHUTA
In order to save the world
when Thou danced*, the earth wondered at the
striking of Thy feet, whether it would not come
to a sudden end; so felt the spatial region
along with the planets oppressed by the movement
of Thy iron club like arms; and the heaven
became then miserable -its side being stuck by
Thy waving matted hair. Ah, Thy** very
mightiness is the cause of the trouble
* This has a puranic
reference. Once a demon prayed for long to
Brahma for a boon to destroy the world. .Brahma
promised to give the boon at a specfic date.
This alerted gods who approached Lord Shiva for
protection. Shiva at this began to dance so that
the time for granting of the boon might pass un
noticed. It was such a mighty dance that the
three worlds were terror-stricken.
** Shiva danced for the
protection of the world but because of His
mightiness unknowingly caused trouble to many.
17
VIYD VYAAPEE TARA GN
GUNIT FENOD GM RUUCHI
PRVAAHO VARAM YH PRSHT
LGU DRSHTH SHIRSI TE
JGT DVEEPAKARM JLDHI
VLYM TEN KRTMI
TYNE NAIVONNEYM DHRTI
MHIM DIVYM TV VPUH.
The river which pervades
the sky and whose foams look all the more
beautiful because of the stars and planets,
seems no more than a drop of water when on Thy
head *.That again has turned the world in to
island surrounded by waters .And by this should
be inferred how vast is the divine body
* This has reference
to a puranic story. King Bhagirth prayed to
Brahma for a long time to allow Ganga river flow
on Earth to purify ashes of his ancestors. His
wish was granted by Brahma and Lord shiva held
it in His matted hair to reduce its impact of
falling from such height.The volume of water
flowing from Ganges filled the oceans and create
land masses of continents within it.
18
RTHH KHIONEE YNTA
STDHHHRTIR AGENDRO DHNURTHO
RTHANGE CHNDRAR KOU RTH
CHRNPANIH SHR ITI
DIDHKHIOSTE KOYM TRIPUR
TRNM AADMBR VIDHI VIDHEYAIH.
KRIDNTYO N KHULU PRTNTRA PRBHU DHYH
When Thou wanted to burn
the three cities* which were but a piece of
straw (to Thee) the Earth was Thy chariot,
Brahma Thy charioter, the great mountain Meru
Thy bow, the Sun and Moon the wheels of thy
chariot, Vishnu thy arrow. Why this
paraphernalia** ? The lord is not dependent on
others, He was playing with things at his
command
* See hymn
9.Tripurasur.He had three sons who had received
three cities in boon from Brahma. To show their
power they teased devas who prayed to lord Shiva
who decided to destroy all the three cities
along with their masters.
** Lord Shiva did
not need the help of all these but He wanted to
test the faithfulness of all of them towards
Him.
19
HRISTE SAAHASTRM KML
BLIM AADHAAY PD YOH
YD EKANE TSMIN NIJM
UDHRN NETR KMLM
GTO BKTY UDREKH PRINTM
ASOU CHKR VPUSHAA
TRYANAM RKHIYAI TRIPUR
HR JAGRTI JGTAAM.
To worship Destroyer of
Tripura( Lord Shiva), Lord Vishnu (Hari) rooted
out his lotus eye to make up the deficiency when
one flower was missing in his offerings to Shiva
of thousand flowers (lotuses )at Thy feet, this
great devotion transformed into a discus* which
was given as boon to him by Lord Shiva for
protecting the three worlds.
* The story goes that
Vishnu would worship Shiva daily with a thousand
lotuses. One day Shiva in order to test the
devotion of Vishnu stole away one lotus from His
offering of thousand lotuses. At this Vishnu
plucked one of His eyes and offered that for the
missing flower. Shiva was moved by this action
and as a reward gave Him the discus, Sudarshana
with which the latter protected the three
worlds.
20
KRTOU SUPTE JAAGRT TYM
ASI FLYOGE KRT MTAAM
KV KRM PRDVSTM FLTI
PURSHAA DHNM RTE
ATS TVAAM SMPRKHIY
KRTSHU FLDAN PRTI BHUVM
SHRTOU SHRDHAAM BDVAA
DRDHPRIKRH KRMSU JNH
The sacrifice being
destroyed. Thou ever remained the connecting
link between the sacrifice and the fruit of the
sacrifice. When does the destroyed sacrifice
bear fruit if not accompanied by the worship of
the Lord? Therefore knowing thee to be the giver
of the fruits and putting faith in the Vedas
people became resolute about the performance of
sacrificial rites*
* This has reference to
Mimasa school which believe that the fruits of
sacrifice are stored for some future date
without any divine intervention. That is being
refuted in this hymn.
21
KRIYADKIO DKIOH
KRUTUPTIR DHISHS TNUBHRTAAM
RSHINAAM AARTVIJYM
SHRND SDSYAH SURGNH
KRTUBRMSHS TVTH
KRTUFL VIDHAN VYSNINO
DHRUVM KURTUH SHRDHAA
VIDHURM ABHICHAARAAY HI -MKHAAH
Thou, giver of refuge
(even) the sacrifice where Daksha the lord of
creation, expert in the sacrifice, was the
sacrificer, Rishes were priests, gods were
supervisors, was destroyed by Thee *, (though
Thou art ) bent upon giving fruits of the
sacrifices. Surely the sacrifices cause injury
to the sacrificers in the absence of devotion.**
* There is a puranic story
that Daksha Prjapati, Lord Shivs father in law
by first wife Sati, organised a big sacrificial
yagnya in which all gods participated except
Lord Shiva as He was not invited, because He had
insulted His father in law by not respecting him
on some previous occasion. Lord Shiva destroyed
this sacrificial fire through His ganas as a
revenge for the insult.
** Though Lord is giver of
fruits of sacrifices but in the absence of
devotion there is no fruit.
22
PRJANAATHM NATH
PRSBHM ABHIKM SVAM DUHITRM
GTM ROHID BHUTAAM RIR
MYISHUM RSHYSU VPUSHAAM
DHNUSH PAANER YTIM DIVM
API SPTRA KRTMMUM
TRSNTM TEYDYAPI TYJTI N
MRGVYAADH RBSH
O Lord, the fury of Thee,
Who became a hunter with a bow in hand has not
as yet left Brahma though, keenly pierced by Thy
arrow and terror stricken, he has fled to the
sky.*
* The puranic story goes
like this that Brahma had a beautiful daughter (Sandya
in human form). Brahma was overcome by lust and
wanted to have sex with her. She escaped by
taking the form of a deer. Brahma also adopted
the same form to chase her into submission. Lord
Shiva saved situation by firing an arrow at
Brahma, which hurt Him and ever since He became
a combination of deer shaped stars in the sky
with an arrow of Shiva chasing Him that is
visible to naked eye even today.
23
APURVM LAVNM VIVSN
TNOSTE VIMRSHTAM
MUNANAM DARANAM SHJNI S
KOAPI VYTIKRH.
YTO BHGNE GUHY SKRD API
SPRYAM VIDDHTAAM
DHUVM MOKHIOSHLILM KIM
API PURUUSAARTH PRSVITE.
Oh !Lord the worship of
the most private part of your body when it was
cut off due to the curse of Rishis has liberated
its worshippers, then how much exalted it would
be to worship your body.*
As per puranic story
Rishis wives were driven to have sex with Lord
Shiva when they saw His naked body. This angered
Rishis and they cursed Him that resulted in the
detachment of Shivas sex organ that later on
became the object of His worship for the mortal
· (This hymn is not
included in non-Kashmiri version)
24
SVLAVNYAA SHMSAA DHRT
DHNUSHM AHNAAY TRNVT
PURH PLUSHTM DRSHTVA
PURMTHN PUSHPA YUDHM API
UDI STRAINM DEVI YM
NIRT DEHARDH GTNAD
AIVETI TVAM ADDHA VT
VRD MUGDHA YUVTYH.
O Destroyer of Tripura* ,O
Giver of booms ,even on seeing in front ,the god
of love, bow in hand, burnt like piece of straw
in a trice by Thee**. If Parvati proud of her
beauty, thinks that Thou art under her
fascination because she was allowed to occupy
half of Thy body on account of her austerities
,ah, surely the young women are under
delusion.***
* See hymn 11
** See
hymn 15
*** Parvati
performed much austerity to get love of Shiva.
Taking pity on her suffering Shiv allowed her to
become part of His body. If Parvati or other
young women think that Shiv accepted her for her
beauty then they are wrong.
25
SHMSHANESHVA KRIDA
SMRHR PISHACAH SHCHRAH
CHITA BHSMA LEPH SRGPI
NRKROTEE PRIKRH
AMNGLYM SHILM TV BHVTU
NAMAIVM AKHILM
TTHAAPI SMRTRNAM VRD
PRMM MNGLM ASI
O destroyer of god of
love, O giver of boons, Thy play is in the
cremation ground, Thy companions are ghosts,
Thou besmear Thy body with the ashes of burnt
bodies and human skulls are Thy garland -all Thy
conduct indeed is thus full of evil. But Thou
conducts to the great good of those who remember
Thee.
26
MNH PRTYK CHITE SVIDHM
AVIDHAAYAAT MRUUTH.
PRHSHY DROMANH PRMD
SLILOT SNJT DRSHH.
YDAA LOKYAA HLADM HRD
IV NIMJJYAA MRTMYE
DDH TYNTS TTVM KIM API
YAMINS TTKIL BHVAAN
Thou art indeed that
unspeakable truth which the Yogis realized
through meditation on thy self, on controlling
the breath according the scriptures directions
and realizing which they shed tears of thrilling
joy and swimming as it were, in a pool of
nectar, enjoying inner bliss.
27
TVM ARKS TVM SOMS TVM
ASI PVNS TVM HUTVHH.
TVM AAPS TVM VYOM TVM
UDHRNIR AATMA TVM ITI CH
PRICHCHNAAM EVM TVYI
PRINTAA VIBHRTU GIRM
N VID MS TT TT TVM
VYMHI HU YTTVM N BHVSI
The wise hold this
limiting opinion about Thee Thou art the Sun,
Thou art the Moon,Thou art the Fire, Thou art
the Air, Thou art the Water. Thou art the Space;
Thou art the Earth and Thou art the Self. We don
not know that thing which Thou art not.
28
TRYEEM TIS TRO VRTIS
TRIBHVNM ATHO TRIN API SURAN
AKAARAADYAI VRNAIS
TRIBHIR ABHI DDHTTIRN VIKRTI
TUREEYM TE DHAAM
DVNIBHIR AVRUUN DHANM ANUBHIH
SMST VYSTM TVAM SHRND
GRNA TYOM ITI PDM
O giver of refuge, with
the three letters -A, U, M, indicating the three
Vedas*,the three states**, the three worlds***
and the three Gods****, the word OM mentions
Thee separately. United by the scuttle sound the
world OM collectively***** mentions Thee - Thy
Absolute Transcendent State.
* Rig, Yajur
and Sam Ved
** Namely waking
,dreaming and sleeping states
*** Earth, Patal and
Swarg Lok
**** Three gods
–Namely, Bhrama Vishnu and Rudra
***** The mantra OM when
uttered as one word indicates the absolute
Bhrahman
29
BHVH SHRVO RUDRH
PSHUPTI RTHOGRH SH MHAAN
TTHA BHIMESHANOV ITI YD
ABHDHAANAASH TKM IDM
AMUSHMIN PRTYEKM
PRVICHRIT DEV SHRTIR API
PRIYAAYAASMAI DHAMNE
PRNIHIT NMSYOSMI BHVTE
O Lord, Bhava, Sarva,
Rudra, Pasupati, Ugra, Mahadeva, Bhima, and
Isana- those eight names* are mentioned even**
by the Vedas. To Thee who art beloved and
effulgent, I bow down
* Out of thousand names of
Lord Shiva the following eight are very common-
1. Bhava- One who
is creator
2. Shrva- One who
is destroyer
3. Rudra- One who
is terrible
4. Pashuoati- One
who takes care of all beings
5. Ugr- One who
removes ignorance
6. Maha- One who is
above all
7. Bhima- One who
is very powerful
8. Ishan- One who
is a great governor
** even here
refers to the fact that these names are refered
in Vedas which are the earliest reference books.
30
VPSH PRAADUR BHAAVAAD
ANUMITIM IDM JNMNI PURA
PURARE NAIVAHM KVCHD
API BHVNTM PRNTVAN
NMN MUKTH SMPR TYTNUR
AHM AGRE API PYNTIMAAN
MHESH KHINTVYM TD IDM
APRAADH DVYM API
O Lord! I feel my present
birth is due to the reason that I did not pray
to you in my previous life. Now that I prayed
and hope to be liberated but then I cannot pray
you any more. I beg to be excused for this
double fault of mine.
(This hymn is not included
in the non-Kashmiri versions)
31
NMO NEDISTHAAY PRIYDV
DVISTHAAY CH NMO
NMH KHIODISTHAAY SMRHR
MHISHTHAAY CH NMH.
NMO VRSHISHTHAAY TRINYN
YVISHTHAAY CH NMO
NMH SRVSMAI TE TD IDM
ITI SHRVAAY CH NMH
O lover of solitude my
salutations to Thee who art very near* as also
very far & far away**. O Destroyer of the
God of love, my salutation to Thee who art the
minutest as also the largest. O three eyed one
my salutation to Thee who art the oldest*** as
also the youngest. Thus my salutation to Thee
who art all as also transcending all.
* Because He is indwelling
Spirit of all
** Because He is
beyond mind and speech
*** He was existing even
before creation of universe
32
BHUL RJSE VISHVOT PTTOU
BHVAY NMO NMH
PRBL TMSE TT SMHARE
HRAY NMO NMH
JNSUKHKRTE STVO DRIKTOU
MRDHAY. NMO NMH.
PRMHSI PDE NISTRAIGUNYE
SHIVAAY NMO NMH.
Salutations to Brahma in
whom rajas preponderates for the creation of the
universe, Salutations to Rudra in whom tams
predominates for the destruction of the
same,Salutations to Vishnu in whom satva
predominates for giving happiness to the people,
Salutations to Shiva who is effulgent and beyond
the three attributes.
To make up the total to 32
the following two hymn are recited by Hindus
outside Kashmir as 31 and 32 hymn:
KRSHPRINTI CHETH KLESH
VSHYM KV CHEDM
KVCH TV GUNSEEM
ULLNGNEE SHSHVDRDHIH
ITI CHKITM AMNID KRTY
MAAM BHKTI RADHAD
VRD CHRNYOSTE VAKY
PUSHP UPAHARM
O giver of boons, where is
my ill developed mind subject to misery* and
where in Thy Divinity - eternal and possessing
infinite virtues? Though terror stricken because
of this, I am forced by my devotion to offer
this hymn at Thy feet.
* According to Patanjali
there are five kinds of misery –namely,
Ignorance, Egoism, Attachment, Aversion and
Clinging to life
ASITGRISMM SYAT KJLM
SINDHU PATRE
SUR TRUU VR SHAKHA
LEKHNI PTRMURVI
LIKHTI YDI GRHITVA
SHARDAA SRVKALM
TDPI TV GUNANAMISH PARM
N YATI
O Lord, if the blue
mountains be ink, the ocean the ink pot, the
branch of the heavenly Tree* be pen, the earth
the writing leaf, and by making these if the
goddess of leaning writes for eternity, even
then the limit of Thy virtues will not be
reached.
* Refers to mythological
tree Parijata
References
Swami Pavitrananda of
Advaita Ashrama of Calcutta has made the above
translation of hymns. The translation of hymns
23 and 30 and those of three hymns recited by
Kashmiri’s at the start is based on Hindi
translation made by Pandit Prem Nath Sadoo in
his book Mahimnastotrm. The commentary has
been written from references in Shiv puran and
other sources.
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