An introduction to Chidambaram Natrajar temple followed by two great stotras on Lord Nataraja.
Ciompiled by
P.R.Ramachander
Chidamabaram
meaning “Sky of consciousness” or if you assume that its name is Chit+Ambalam
meaning “The stage of performing
arts” or if we refer to it by its
Tamil name , Thillai ambalam ((meaning
a place having Thillai trees-a species of mangrove tress) has a
very unique temple in India. It is a
temple of Lord Shiva as
Nataraja( the king of dancing)
.It is unique because more than 99% of
Shiva temples depict him in the form of
a Shiva Linga but here the Lord
stands six feet tall in a remarkable dancing pose (People say the
statue is made of Gold) , that too in
the pose of Ananda Thandava(The male dance
of ecstasy).He is also called
“Thillai Koothan (the dancer of Thillai) in Tamil To a Saivite in Tamil Nadu ” the word temple
“ would only indicate Chidambaram.
Though God has this unique form, in
this temple , he is also worshipped as the “Sky
of consciousness” and this temple is referred to as
Akasa Kshethra(the sky temple) . The God
is also worshipped here in the form of Emerald Linga as well as Crystal Linga . Another greatness about this temple is that , it is the
oldest temple in India with a golden roof (AD 907-950) . Due to this , it is called as Pon Ambalam (Golden temple)
. Another great peculiarity of the this temple
is the “Chidambara Rakasiyam (The secret of Chidambaram). This Rakasiyam can be seen by the devotees through
a window next to the sanctum sanctorum
of the main Nataraja temple. Most of the time it would be covered by a
curtain. When is is open we can see the
secret covered by layers
of musk over which a golden Vilwa garland will hang. The devotees
believe that the perennial dance of
joy of the god is going
on there.
There is an
interesting story of its origin .I am quoting
extensively from Wikipedia “The story of Chidambaram begins with Lord
Shiva strolling into the Thillai Vanam (vanam meaning forest
and thillai trees - botanical name Exocoeria agallocha a, a
species of mangrove trees - which currently grows in
the Pichavaram wetlands near Chidambaram). In the Thillai forests
resided a group of sages or 'rishis ‘ who believed in the supremacy of magic
and that God can be controlled by rituals and mantras or magical
words. Lord Shiva strolled in the forest with resplendent beauty and
brilliance, assuming the form of Bhikshatana (The temple has a very pretty
sub temple odf Bhikshandar) a simple mendicant seeking alms. He was
followed by His consort, Vishnu as Mohini . The sages and their wives were
enchanted by the brilliance and the beauty of The handsome mendicant and His
consort. On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the rishis got enraged and
invoked scores of serpents (nāgas ) by performing magical rituals. Lord Shiva
lifted the serpents and donned them as ornaments on His matted locks, neck and
waist. Further enraged, the sages invoked a fierce tiger, whose skins and dons
were used by Lord Shiva as a shawl around His waist and then followed by a fierce
elephant, which was devoured and ripped to death by Lord Shiva
(Gajasamharamurthy ).The rishis gathered all their spiritual strength and
invoked a powerful demon Muyalakan - a symbol of complete arrogance and
ignorance. Lord Shiva wore a gentle smile, stepped on the demon's back,
immobilized him and performed the Ánanda Tandava (the dance of
eternal bliss) and disclosed his true form. The sages surrender, realizing that
Lord Shiva is the truth and He is beyond magic and rituals.”,It seems K Lord
Vishnu who witnessed the cosmic dance of
Shiva informed Adhi Sesha about it and
he very much wished to see that dance once again and dis penance addressing Lord Shiva , Lord
Shiva appeared before him and agreed to his request but wanted Adhi Sesha to
take a human birth to witness that
dance. Adhi Sesha was born as sage Patanjali (The sage who wrote Sanskrit Grammar as well as possibly the first book on Yoga called Yoga Sastra) .He travelled all the way to
present Chidambaram and met there
another great sage called Vyagra
Pada (One with feet like tiger , to help
him to pluck unsullied flowers for worship of Shiva) who was worshipping the original Shiva Linga of Chidambaram
in that forest near the lotus
pond of the temple . They both continueds
their penance there and were later met
a king called Sveta Varman . The God Shiva
danced the Ananda Tandava to these
three people there. There is some
reference that 3000 sages also joined them there and Lord Shiva entrusted the upkeep of the temple to them. As a honour
to Vyagra pada , this temple town also
is referred as Vyagrapuram (The town of the tiger)
This temple
is spread over 64 acres and apart from the main temple of Nataraja , has
large temples to Lord Giovindaraja,
Shivakama Sundari (consort of lord Shiva) , Mukkuruni Ganesa , Lord Subramanya
besides several minor temples , a huge temple tank(Shiva Gangai tank) , a
thousand pillared hall, A hundred pillared hall and so so on. The entire temple except the Giovindaraja temple is owned, controlled
and managed by Deekshithars of
Chidambaram . They are believed to have been
3000 in number and brought by Lord Shiva himself to manage the temple . Unlike all other temples in Tamil Nadu
where God is worshipped according Agama
Sastras , in this temple worship is done according to Veda.
A deekshithar would get the Right to worship in this temple and
get a share of the temple’s income
only if he is married.Their caste
rule insists that they
should only marry a Deekshithar
girl .Also a Deekshithar
wouldlose his right and share if he moves out of the temple town or
gets employed in any other jobs . They were acknowledged great scholars. This can be dscerened from the fact that Mahakavi
Kamban was not
allowed to present his magnum
opus Kamba Ramayanam without their recommendation. The population of
Deekshithars as of now is about 300 only due to various reasons . It is interesting to
note that the Govindaraja temple inside
the Natarajja temple of Chidambaram is managed by the Relegious endowment board of Tamil Nadu and has a separate entrance as well as exit .
There are several worships
(deeparadhana) performed at the temple
The one performed after 10 PM
(after every Hindu temple in India is closed) is supposed to be visited
by all Hindu Gods in heaven as well as
from all the temples from India is
considered as the most important.
Only six times in a year the main idol iof Nataraja is anointed. At that time
it is brought out of the temple and placed
in the thousand pillared hall. Wikipedia says “They are the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in
December - January ) indicating the first puja, the fourteenth day after the
new moon (chaturdasi ) of the month of Masi (February - March) indicating the
second pooja, the Chittirai Thiruvonam (in April- May), indicating the third
pooja or uchikalam, the Uthiram of Aani (June–July) also called the Aani
Thirumanjanam indicating the evening or the fourth puja, the chaturdasi of Aavani
(August - September) indicating the fifth puja and the chaturdasi of the month
of Puratasi (October - November) indicating the sixth pooja or Arthajama. Of
these the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December - January) and the Aani
Thirumanjanam (in June - July ) are the most important. These are conducted as
the key festivals with the main deity being brought outside the sanctum
sanctorum in a procession that included a temple car procession followed by a
long anointing ceremony.” You can get
drowned in the greatness of this temple by reading the great dance Drama Nandanar Charitham which was
written by the great
composer Gopalakrishna Bharathi (http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.in/2013/01/nandanar-charithram-of-gopala-krishna_1266.html
)
Volumes and Volumes have to be written
to describe the greatness of this great temple and it
cannot be described in a small space , to which I am attempting to do it., The Darshan time and
list of festivals as given in http://www.chidambaramnataraja.org/darshan_time.html is given below:-
Dharshan Time
Morning 6.00.a.m to 12.00 noon
Evening 5.00.p.m. to 10.00 night
Morning 6.00.a.m to 12.00 noon
Evening 5.00.p.m. to 10.00 night
Daily Pooja
Time: 6.30.a.m. PAAL NIVEDHYAM
[PADHUKA (Lord's footwear) being brought from palliyarai to sanctum santorum in a palanquin]
Time: 6.30.a.m. PAAL NIVEDHYAM
[PADHUKA (Lord's footwear) being brought from palliyarai to sanctum santorum in a palanquin]
7.00.a.m. MAHA AARTHI
7.45 a.m.to 9.00.a.m. KALASANDHI POOJA ( first pooja of the day)
[During the time kalasandhi homam, spatika linga abhishekam and maha aarthi]
10.00a.m.to 11.00.a.m. IRANDAAM KAALAM ( 2nd pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam & Rathna sabhapathi-Rubi Natarajar abhishekam]
11.30.a.m.to 12.00noon UCHIKAALAM (3rd pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam and aarthi and the Temple will be closed]
5.15p.m. to 6.00.p.m. SAAYARAKSHAI ( 4th pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam and shotasopachaara aarthi]
7.00.p.m.to 8.00.p.m. IRANDAAM KAALAM (5th pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam,chidambara rahasya pooja, maha aarthi]
9.00.p.m. to 10.00.p.m. ARDHAJAAMAM (6th and last pooja of the day)
7.45 a.m.to 9.00.a.m. KALASANDHI POOJA ( first pooja of the day)
[During the time kalasandhi homam, spatika linga abhishekam and maha aarthi]
10.00a.m.to 11.00.a.m. IRANDAAM KAALAM ( 2nd pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam & Rathna sabhapathi-Rubi Natarajar abhishekam]
11.30.a.m.to 12.00noon UCHIKAALAM (3rd pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam and aarthi and the Temple will be closed]
5.15p.m. to 6.00.p.m. SAAYARAKSHAI ( 4th pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam and shotasopachaara aarthi]
7.00.p.m.to 8.00.p.m. IRANDAAM KAALAM (5th pooja of the day)
[During the time spatika linga abhishekam,chidambara rahasya pooja, maha aarthi]
9.00.p.m. to 10.00.p.m. ARDHAJAAMAM (6th and last pooja of the day)
Chidambaram
is a major railway station in trhe line
between Madras and Kumbhakonam . There
is are number of touts wandering
all over the place with an aim to cheat devotees. Be careful
with them. Most of the so called web
sites of the temple are maintained by the individual priests of the temple .I could not get any phone
number to contact the temple administration.
Since the Annamalai university campus
is situated in the temple town , there are no problems for accommodation
and food. The other important temples of Chidambaram are Thillai Kali kovil and Ilamayakkinaar kovil
apart from temples in every street corner.
I am giving
below two prayers with meaning
addressed to the God who is the king of
dancers:-
I.Chidambareswara Stotram
(The prayer to Lord of Chidambara)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( The Lord of the Chidambara temple is Lord Shiva in the dancing pose called Nataraja. It is the holiest Shiva temple of the south India. It is also a Pancha Bhootha sthala glorifying Shiva in the form of ether (sky). The great Shaivite saints have written voluminously about this great temple. Here is a mellifluous stotra praising that “Sea of mercy”)
Krupa samaudram, sumukham, trinethram,
Jadadaharam, Parvathi vama bhagam,
Sada shivam, rudramanantha roopam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 1
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ocean of mercy,
Who has a pleasant mien,
Who has three eyes,
Who has matted locks,
Who keeps Parvathy on his left side,
Who is ever peaceful,
And who is limitless and angry.
Vachamatheetham phani bhooshanangam,
Ganesa thatham dhanadasya mithram,
Kandarpa nasam, Kamlothpalaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 2
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is beyond words,
Who wears the serpent as ornament,
Who is the father of Ganesa,
Who is the friend of Kubhera,
Who destroys pride,
And who has eyes like the lotus flower.
Ramesavandhyam rajathadrinatham,
Sri vamadevam bhava dukhanasam,
Rakshakaram rakshasa peedithanam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 3
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is worshipped by Lord Vishnu,
Who is the lord of the silver mountain,
Who judges and awards punishments,
Who destroys the sorrow of the future,
And who protects those troubled by rakshasas.
Devathidevam jagadeka nadam.
Devesa vandyam sasi ganda choodam,
Gowri sametham krutha vigna daksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 4
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of all devas.
Who is the one lord of the universe,
Who is worshipped by Indra,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who is with goddess Gowri,
And who stopped the yaga of Daksha.
Vedanthavedhyam, Sura vairi vignam,
Shubhapradam bhakthimadantharanam,
Kaalanthakam sri karuna kadaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 5
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ultimate end of Vedas,
Who destroys enemies of devas,
Who blesses with good his devotees,
Who killed the god of death,
And who has a merciful look.
Hemadri chapam trigunathmabhavam,
Guhathmajam vyagrapureesamadhyam,
Smasana vasam, vrusha vaha nadam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 6
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who made the golden mountain as his bow,
Who is the soul principle of three qualities,
Who is the father of Lord Subhramanya,
Who is the lord of the town of tiger,
Who lives in cremation ground,
And who rides on a bull.
Adhyantha soonyam tripurarimeesam,
Nandeesa mukhya sthuti vaibhavadyam,
Samastha devai pari poojithamgrim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 7
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is nothing from beginning to end,
Who is the god of the enemies of the three cities,
Who is the chief ,worshipped by lord Nandi,
And who is again and again worshipped by all devas.
Thameva bhantham, hyanubhoothi sarvam,
Anekaroopam paramarthamekham,
Pinakapanim bhava nasa hethum,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 8
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is with in himself the end,
Who is all that is to happen,
Who has several forms,
Who is the only truth,
Who holds the bow called Pinaka,
And who is the reason for destruction in future.
Visweswaram nithyamananthamadhyam,
Trilochanam chandrakalavathamsam,
Pathim pasoonam hrudhi sannivishtam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 9
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of the universe,
Who is stable from beginning to end,
Who has three eyes,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who lives in the mind of beings as their lord.
Viswadhikam vishnumukhairupasyam,
Trilochanam pancha mukham prasannam,
Umapathim papaharam prasantham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 10
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is more than the universe,
Who is present in the face of Vishnu,
Who has three eyes,
Who has five faces which are having a pleasant look,
Who is the lord of Goddess Uma,
And who destroys sins and is ever peaceful.
Karpoora gathram kamaneeya nethram,
Kamasari mithram kamalendu vakthram,
Kandarpa gathram kamalesa mithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 11
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Whose body shines like burning camphor,
Who has very pretty eyes,
Who is the friend of the enemy of Kamsa,
Who has a lotus and moon like face,
Who has a very strong and zestful body,
And who is the friend of Lord Brahma.
Visalanethram paripoornagathram,
Gowri kalathram haridambaresam,
Kubhera mithram jagatha pavithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 12
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who has very broad eyes,
Who has a complete body,
Who is the consort of Gowri,
Who is the god of Lord Vishnu,
Who is the friend of Khubera,
And who makes the world holy.
Kalyana murthim kanakadri chapam,
Kantha samakrantha nijardha deham,
Kapardhinam kamaripum purarim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 13
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the God of good,
Who makes the golden mountain as his bow,
Who has given and shares his body with his wife,
Who is the God with matted locks,
Who is the enemy of the lord of love,
And who is the destroyer of the cities.
Kalpantha kalahitha chanda nrutham,
Samastha vedantha vacho nigoodam,
Ayugma nethram , girija sahayam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 14
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who at time of deluge dances the dance of destruction,
Who is not understood by all the philosophies,
Who has odd number of eyes,
And who helps the daughter of the mountain.
Digambaram,sankha sithalpahasam,
Kapalinam soolinam aprameyam,
Nagathmaja vakthra payoja sooryam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 15
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who wears the directions as apparel,
Who laughs mildly like a conch,
Who carries a skull,
Who is armed with a trident,
And who is beyond description.
Sadshivam sad purushair anekai,
Sadarchitham samasirassu geetham,
Vaiyagra charmambara mugra meesam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 16
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is always peaceful,
Who is always worshipped by many good people,
Who likes the songs of Sama Veda,
And who is the terrible god who wears a tiger hide.
Phalasruthi
Chidambarasya sthavanam padedhya,
Pradosha kaleshu puman cha dhanya,
Bhogaan asesham anubhooya bhooya,
Sayujyamapyethi chidambarasya.
Telling of benefits.
That blessed gentleman,
Who reads this prayer of Chidambara,
During the time of pradosha,
Will enjoy fully all the pleasures of this world,
And in the end attain the presence of the lord of Chidambara,
(The prayer to Lord of Chidambara)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
( The Lord of the Chidambara temple is Lord Shiva in the dancing pose called Nataraja. It is the holiest Shiva temple of the south India. It is also a Pancha Bhootha sthala glorifying Shiva in the form of ether (sky). The great Shaivite saints have written voluminously about this great temple. Here is a mellifluous stotra praising that “Sea of mercy”)
Krupa samaudram, sumukham, trinethram,
Jadadaharam, Parvathi vama bhagam,
Sada shivam, rudramanantha roopam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 1
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ocean of mercy,
Who has a pleasant mien,
Who has three eyes,
Who has matted locks,
Who keeps Parvathy on his left side,
Who is ever peaceful,
And who is limitless and angry.
Vachamatheetham phani bhooshanangam,
Ganesa thatham dhanadasya mithram,
Kandarpa nasam, Kamlothpalaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 2
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is beyond words,
Who wears the serpent as ornament,
Who is the father of Ganesa,
Who is the friend of Kubhera,
Who destroys pride,
And who has eyes like the lotus flower.
Ramesavandhyam rajathadrinatham,
Sri vamadevam bhava dukhanasam,
Rakshakaram rakshasa peedithanam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 3
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is worshipped by Lord Vishnu,
Who is the lord of the silver mountain,
Who judges and awards punishments,
Who destroys the sorrow of the future,
And who protects those troubled by rakshasas.
Devathidevam jagadeka nadam.
Devesa vandyam sasi ganda choodam,
Gowri sametham krutha vigna daksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 4
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of all devas.
Who is the one lord of the universe,
Who is worshipped by Indra,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who is with goddess Gowri,
And who stopped the yaga of Daksha.
Vedanthavedhyam, Sura vairi vignam,
Shubhapradam bhakthimadantharanam,
Kaalanthakam sri karuna kadaksham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 5
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the ultimate end of Vedas,
Who destroys enemies of devas,
Who blesses with good his devotees,
Who killed the god of death,
And who has a merciful look.
Hemadri chapam trigunathmabhavam,
Guhathmajam vyagrapureesamadhyam,
Smasana vasam, vrusha vaha nadam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 6
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who made the golden mountain as his bow,
Who is the soul principle of three qualities,
Who is the father of Lord Subhramanya,
Who is the lord of the town of tiger,
Who lives in cremation ground,
And who rides on a bull.
Adhyantha soonyam tripurarimeesam,
Nandeesa mukhya sthuti vaibhavadyam,
Samastha devai pari poojithamgrim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 7
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is nothing from beginning to end,
Who is the god of the enemies of the three cities,
Who is the chief ,worshipped by lord Nandi,
And who is again and again worshipped by all devas.
Thameva bhantham, hyanubhoothi sarvam,
Anekaroopam paramarthamekham,
Pinakapanim bhava nasa hethum,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 8
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is with in himself the end,
Who is all that is to happen,
Who has several forms,
Who is the only truth,
Who holds the bow called Pinaka,
And who is the reason for destruction in future.
Visweswaram nithyamananthamadhyam,
Trilochanam chandrakalavathamsam,
Pathim pasoonam hrudhi sannivishtam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 9
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the lord of the universe,
Who is stable from beginning to end,
Who has three eyes,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who lives in the mind of beings as their lord.
Viswadhikam vishnumukhairupasyam,
Trilochanam pancha mukham prasannam,
Umapathim papaharam prasantham,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 10
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is more than the universe,
Who is present in the face of Vishnu,
Who has three eyes,
Who has five faces which are having a pleasant look,
Who is the lord of Goddess Uma,
And who destroys sins and is ever peaceful.
Karpoora gathram kamaneeya nethram,
Kamasari mithram kamalendu vakthram,
Kandarpa gathram kamalesa mithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 11
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Whose body shines like burning camphor,
Who has very pretty eyes,
Who is the friend of the enemy of Kamsa,
Who has a lotus and moon like face,
Who has a very strong and zestful body,
And who is the friend of Lord Brahma.
Visalanethram paripoornagathram,
Gowri kalathram haridambaresam,
Kubhera mithram jagatha pavithram,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 12
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who has very broad eyes,
Who has a complete body,
Who is the consort of Gowri,
Who is the god of Lord Vishnu,
Who is the friend of Khubera,
And who makes the world holy.
Kalyana murthim kanakadri chapam,
Kantha samakrantha nijardha deham,
Kapardhinam kamaripum purarim,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 13
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is the God of good,
Who makes the golden mountain as his bow,
Who has given and shares his body with his wife,
Who is the God with matted locks,
Who is the enemy of the lord of love,
And who is the destroyer of the cities.
Kalpantha kalahitha chanda nrutham,
Samastha vedantha vacho nigoodam,
Ayugma nethram , girija sahayam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 14
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who at time of deluge dances the dance of destruction,
Who is not understood by all the philosophies,
Who has odd number of eyes,
And who helps the daughter of the mountain.
Digambaram,sankha sithalpahasam,
Kapalinam soolinam aprameyam,
Nagathmaja vakthra payoja sooryam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 15
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who wears the directions as apparel,
Who laughs mildly like a conch,
Who carries a skull,
Who is armed with a trident,
And who is beyond description.
Sadshivam sad purushair anekai,
Sadarchitham samasirassu geetham,
Vaiyagra charmambara mugra meesam,
Chidambaresam hrudhi bhavayami. 16
I meditate on that Lord of Chidambaram,
Who is always peaceful,
Who is always worshipped by many good people,
Who likes the songs of Sama Veda,
And who is the terrible god who wears a tiger hide.
Phalasruthi
Chidambarasya sthavanam padedhya,
Pradosha kaleshu puman cha dhanya,
Bhogaan asesham anubhooya bhooya,
Sayujyamapyethi chidambarasya.
Telling of benefits.
That blessed gentleman,
Who reads this prayer of Chidambara,
During the time of pradosha,
Will enjoy fully all the pleasures of this world,
And in the end attain the presence of the lord of Chidambara,
II.Nataraja Dasakam
By
Sengalipuram Ananthrama Deekshithar
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This prayer is addressed to Nataraja(the king of
dancers) , a form of Lord Shiva. This has been composed by
one of the greatest scholars of the last generation who was an expert
in Upanayasas about stories of all Gods. Sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar (2
August 1903 - 30 October 1969) was a Śrauti scholar and also was a
great exponent of the art of upanyasas (discourses) on various
subjects in Hinduism. Born in the Thanjavur district of
Tamil Nadu as the first son to SriSubramanya Dikshithar, boy
Anantharaman was initiated into the learning of the Vedass under his
father Subramanya Dikshithar who was also known
as chinna Muthannaval brother
of Sengalipuram Vaidhyanatha Dikshithar or Periya Muthannaval.
After a very fruitfullife
, Sri Deekshithat took Apad Sanyasa and died. His
Samadhi is in Chinna Thiruppathi, Salem, Tamil Nadu)
1.Kanaka sabha gatha , kanchana Vigraha , kama
vinigraha , kantha thano,
Kali kalithakhila papamalapaha kruthi samavrutha deha
vibho,
Kuvalaya sannibha rathna vinirmitha ,
divya kireeta , subashta thano,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who lives in the golden hall, who has a
golden body ,
who killed God of love and has amagnetic body,
Who removes all the sins created by Kali age ,
who is the lord who covers his body
in elephant hide
Who wears a divine crown which
is embedded ,
With several gems and resembles the blue lotus
flower,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth in
plenty.
2.Karakalithamala , shula bhayangara , kala
nirasaka Padha vibho,
Padha kamala gatha bhakthajanaqvana , bhaktha
sukankana deva vibho,
Shiva nilayagatha bhoothi vibhooshitha, deekshitha
poojitha poojaya thano,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who holds the pure trident and is
the lord
Who kicked by his feet the
horrifying God of death,
Who is determined to look
after the pleasures,
Of the forest of devotees who come seeking
his lotus like feet ,
And whose form is worshipped by the
Deekshithas,
Who have applied sacred ash and came from Kailasa,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
3.Hara hara Sankara Bhaktha hrudambara vasa Chidambara nadha
Vibho,
Duritha niranthara, Dushta Bhayankara darasana sankara
divya thano,
Dasa satha kanthara sesha hrudanthara, sankara rakshitha
Partha guro,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who lives on the minds of devotees, who shout,
“Hara hara Sankara” and who is the lord of Chidambara,
Who is fearful loking to those bad
people ,
Who permenantly cause trouble to
others ,
Who has a holy body seeing which you grant peace ,
Who occupies the heart of Adhi sesha with
thousand heads,
AndWho s the teacher of Arjuna who gave
him protection,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
4.Shiva , shiva Sankara , Samba puranthara
poojitha sundara manthra nidhe,
Mura hara sannithi mangala Darsana Manthra
rahasya Chidathma thano,
Pura hara samharapapamapaa kuru, bheethimara
athikrutha makilaam,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh peace of peace who is Sankara , who
is with the Goddess,
Who is worshipped by Indra and is the
treasure of pretty chants,
Who grants auspicious looks near
the killer of Mura ,
Whose form is that of secret
chants and the ultimate divine,
Who destroyed the three cities, please destroy
my sins,
Fear which is created by all the
enemies,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
5.BHujaka vibhooshana , bhoothi vilepana , Phala
vilochana , loka thano,
Vrushabha suvahana , ganga payo dhara , Sundara
narthana , soma thano,
Sutha dhana Dhayaka , soukhya vidhayaka , sadhu
dayakara sathva thano,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who decorates himself with snake , who applies
sacred ash,
Who has an eye on forehead and whose
body is the world,
Who rides on a bull, who carries a
river ,
Who dances beautifully , who has a body with
Goddess,
Who grants sons and wealth , Who grants
pleasant life ,
Who shows mercy on the good and has a body
of pure conduct,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
6.SAkala hrudanthara , Chandra kala dhara , manthra
parakrutha , bhootha dhadhe,
Charana samarchana divya druhagatha, Deva
vararpitha BHaghya dadhe,
Vidhi , hari narada yaksha surasura ,
bhootha krutha sthuthi Thushata mathe ,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who is in the heart of all beings , who
carries crescent of moon,
Who is the one who has Bhoothas that can
be driven away by Manthras,
And who gets satisfied by
prayers of Vishnu, Brahma , Narada,
Devas, Asuras and the Bhoothas,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
7.Giri Thanayarpitha Chandana Champaka , kumkuma
pankaja gandha thano,
Dhimi dhimi dhindhimi vadhana noopura, pada thalothitha
nrutha guro,
Ravi kiranasthama yagatha daivatha drushta sunarthana
daksha thano,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who has a scented body due to
application,
Of Sandal paste , Champaka flowers ,Kukum and Lotus ,
Who is the teacher of dance
from whose feet ,
And anklet the sound of “Dhimi,dhimi,
dindhimi” arises,
And who is the body punished by good dance ,
When the devas come to see him at
time of sunset,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
8.Himi girija kara sangrahanothitha
modha supoorna , suvarna thano,
Guhagana nayaka, geetha gunarnava , gopura
suchitha viswa thano,
Guna gana bhooshana gopathi lochana gopa kuladhipa
mithramane,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
Oh God who got great joy by getting married ,
To the daughter of snow mountain, who has
a golden body,
Whose good qualities are sung by
Lord Ganesa and Subrahmanya,
Whose super great form is indicated by the tall
tower,
Whose decoration is good character , who has sun as an eye,
And who is the great friend of the
chief of the gopa clan,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
9.DAmaruka dharina , indhu kala dhara, indrapada
brutha magnikaram,
Guha jananiyutha matha mrugothama
marthijanakhila roga haram,
Bhaja bhaja manasa vismruthikaraka roga thanu pari
dathapadham,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
God who holds the small drum , who wears crescent of moon,
Who grants position of Indra, who carries fire
in his hand ,
Who is with mother of Subrhamanya , who
holds the deer,
Who destroys al diseases of devotees who
approach him,
Who removes diseases like epilepsy
by giving his leg,
To those who have mind always
singing him,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
10.Natha jana sankara , pinka jada dhara ,
gandala sathkara gaura thano,
Varada pathanjali sathkruthi sannutha mruga
charanapitha pushpa dathe ,
Damaruka Vadana bodhitha sarva
kalakhila , Veda rahasya thano,
Jaya jaya hey nataraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
God who gives pleasure to his devotees , who has a
brown matted hair,
Who holds poison in his neck , who
is white in colour ,
Who was pleased ny the prayers
of sage Pathanjali,
Whose feet was offered flowers by he who had a tiger’s
feet,
Who has all the arts in the universe due to
playing drum,
And who has the body which is the secret of
Vedas,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
The peaceful luck and wealth
in plenty.
11.Shivatha manantha padanvitha Rama sudeekshitha
sathkavi padyamitham,
Nadana padherathi thushtikaram , bahu
bhagyameepsitha sidhikaram,
Padathi, srunothi cha bhakthi yuktho yathi bhagya samrudhi
madholapathe ,
Jaya jaya hey nadaraja pathe shiva bhagya
samrudhi muparjaya may.
This poem composed by the good poet
Antharama Deekshitha,
Gives eternal peace, makes Lord Nataraja
happy,
Gives occult powers to those who read or
hear it with devotion,
And also grants them great
luck without doubt,
Victory, victory to Lord Nataraja, please
grant me ,
6 comments:
Mama,
Please Please start a series and continue it forever on Astrology-more like Pearls of Prediction etc, where you can use Planets/Placements etc to illustrtae a point.
Regards,
Sundar
Dear Sundar, It seems to be a good suggestion but I am more interested in spreading our Hindu culture than spreading astrology .There are hundreds of people who do it.May god bless you.
Very good information thanks for sharing
Maha Shivaratri Kala Pooja
Thanks Sir.Can you give these slokas in Sanskrit?Thank you.
Very Nice and Knowledgeable content. Will create a lot of awareness among the people. Varanasi is a holy place situated in Uttar Pradesh and is quite famous for Manikarnika Ghat where people believe to get salvation after their death. To know more, visit us.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful stuti with translation.
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