The Sivanada Lahiri Shankara

The Sivanada Lahiri
Shankara
Part I - Verses 1- 50

STANZAS 1 TO 25

        Let this be my salutation to the Auspicious ones, who are the embodiment of art, whose heads are adorned by the crescent moon, who are the fruits of mutual penance, whose bounteousness is displayed amongst (their) devotees, who are lavishly auspicious to the three worlds, who appear repeatedly in (my) heart and who experience the bliss that wells up.

        Oh Sambhu, let the wave of Siva's bliss, which trickles forth from the river of your life, which destroys the dust of sin, which falls into the paths of the streams of the intellect, which grants the mitigation of the agony of wandering in the circuit of worldly life and which tarries in the heart of my heart, be victorious.

        I worship that Siva in my heart, who is known through the three Vedas, who is dear to the heart, who is the destroyer of the three bodies (of man), who is pre-eminent, who is three eyed, who is distinguished with his matted locks, who wears a moving serpent as a necklace, who bears the deer(the symbol of Maya), that Mahadeva, the self luminous, who is compassionate to me, who is the lord of all, who is the basis of the intellect, who is with the mother and who is very good at imitation.

         Oh Sambhu, a thousand gods exist in the world, who are the bestowers of trifling    rewards. Not even in my dreams do I consider following them nor the benefits conferred by them. Oh Siva, I beg always to worship your lotus feet, difficult though it is even for
Vishnu, Brahma and (such) others, who have obtained proximity to you.

        I am unskilled in the canons of law, the scriptures, in medicine, augury, poetry, music, grammar, ancient history, prayer, eulogy, dance and in humour. How will kings favour me? Who am I Oh Pasupati ? Beast though I am, Oh Sarvagnya, Oh Vibhu, save me by your famous compassion.

      Earthern pot or clod of earth or even an atom, smoke or fire on the mountain, cloth or thread, will this (logic) remove the terrible death ? You display    in vain agitation of your throat, by (such) vigorous argument. Oh wise one, worship the lotus feet of Sambhu and seek supreme happiness.

        Let my mind dwell on your lotus feet, my speech in effortless praise (of you), my hands in worshipping (you) and my ears in the practice of hearing your tale. Let my intellect meditate on you, and my eyes (dwell) on the greatness of your image. Oh Paramasiva, by what other means, beyond this, can I know other texts ?

        Just as the intellect considers the oyster shell as silver, the glass flint as a gem, the flour and water paste as milk and the mirage as water, likewise, the dull witted in delusion as to who is god, worships one other than you, Oh Pasupati, not having considered you, the supreme self luminous lord in their minds.

        For the sake of a flower, the dull witted one enters the deep lake and the lonely, terrible forest and wanders in the huge mountain. Having submitted the one lotus flower of the mind to you Oh Umanatha, man does not know to remain in a state of
happiness. Why alas !

        Whether the birth is in human form or divine form, the form of an animal in the mountain or forest, a mosquito, a domestic beast, a worm or bird etc., how does that body matter if the heart here is intent always in taking pleasure in the wave of supreme bliss by remembrance of your lotus feet.

        Celibate student or (married) householder, ascetic (shaven headed) or one with matted hair, or a man other than these, whoever he is, let him be. Oh Bhava, what of it ?. If the lotus of this heart is ubservient to you, Oh Pasupati, you are his Oh Sambhu and you bear the burden (of his) wordly life.

        Let him live in a cave or a home, outside or in a forest or on the mountain top, in the water or in fire. Do tell, what purpose is (such) a residence ? He whose mind also (in addition to the external senses) is always fixed on your feet, Oh Sambhu, he alone is a supreme saint, he alone is a happy man.

        In the worthless circuit of worldly life, not condusive to self contemplation, I, the blind one am wandering, by virtue of (my) dull wit and am worthy of protection by your supreme compassion. Who other than me is more pitiable to you, a great expert in the protection of the poor? Oh Pasupati, in all three worlds who can be my protector other than you ?

        You are the lord Oh Pasupati who is indeed the best relative of the poor. I am moreover very prominent amongst them (the poor). What more (needs to be said) of the relationship between these two (the poor man and his best relative) ? Oh Siva, all my sins are pardonable by you alone. You must (engage) by endeavour to protect me, (because) this is the mode (of behaviour) amongst relatives.

        If not indifferent, why do you not remove the writings of Brahma, (which make me) indifferent to meditating on you and which are largely composed of evil desires ? If you are incapable Oh Pasupati, how is it that you effortlessly and by the mere tips of your finger nails, crushed that head of Brahma, which cannot be (easily) plucked and which is well rounded ?

        Let Brahma have a long life. His other four heads are deserving of protection by you, for it was he who has written (the fate of) poverty in earth (for me). What doubt is there Oh Vishada ? Oh Siva, the effect of your glance, which by itself is intent on protecting the poor, protects me tenderly.

        Either as a result of merits or because of your compassion for me, Oh Vibhu, Oh Swami, though you are present, how will I see your pure pair of lotus feet ? They are concealed from me by the ruby studded gold crowns of the groups of gods taking delight in offering reverential salutations.

        You alone are the giver of the supreme object (liberation) to mankind. Those who occupy divine positions because of you, the principal of whom is Vishnu, worship you repeatedly. Oh Siva, how (great) is your kindness and how (great) is my desire ! When will you bear (responsibility) for my protection, by a look full of compassion ?

        In the endless circuit of worldly life, composed mainly of evil desire, which brings one to the door of the evil master, which is the abode of harm and which produces pain, why do you not diminish my fatigue ? Whom does it favour, tell ? If this be    your affection Oh Siva, we are indeed fulfilled.

        It (my mind) roams always in the forest of delusion, it dances on the physique of young women, it wanders on the branches of desire rapidly, at will all around. Oh Kapali, Oh Bhikshu, tie my exceedingly fickle monkey like heart, firmly by devotion. Oh Siva, Oh Vibhu, make it subservient to you.

        Oh Smarari, having reached along with Sakthi, the spotless tent of my heart, made of white cloth, which has firmness for a pillar, which is bound by the rope of steadiness, capable of movement, which is beautiful, which is lotus shaped, which is placed near the proper path (towards the Supreme) every day and worshipped by the demi god troops of Siva, Oh Swami, Oh Vibhu, may you be victorious

        Oh Taskarapati, it ( the thief of a heart) wanders in many ways, subservient to robbing wealth through avarice etc., and diligent in entering the home of the wealthy. How will I bear this theif of a heart here Oh Sankara ? Oh Vibhu, having made it subservient to you, bestow compassion on me the sinless one.

        I worship you. Oh Vibhu, be the bestower of happiness to me immediately. If you verily grant the position of Brahma or Vishnu as a result of it (the worship), (I will be) traversing the sky and earth as a bird or beast in order to see you again. Having not seen you, Oh Sankara, how will I bear that sorrow here, Oh Vibhu ?

        I would like to know when I will be living with the demigod attendants in the gold and gem studded mansion in Kailasa mountain, in front of Sambhu, displaying hands clasped in salutation on the head. I will (then) pass the days of Brahma, as if (it is but) a moment, in comfort, crying, Oh Vibhu, Oh Swami who is with the mother, Oh Paramasiva "save" (me).

        When will I see you with the deer (and) hatchet borne in the hand, the blue necked three eyed one, whose body was embraced by Uma, seated on the hump of the rutting great bull, with the jests of the demigod attendants, the praises of Brahma and others and the ascetics saying "may you be victorious, may you be victorious"

STANZAS 26 TO 50

         I would like to know when I will experience joy in my heart, not obtainable (even) to Brahma and others, having seen you Oh Girisa, and having grasped your auspicious pair of feet by the hands, and carrying    it on (my) head, eyes and chest, having embraced well and inhaled the fragrant smell of the lotus blossom (in it).

        In your hand is the Meru mountain Oh Girisa, Kubera is near you, the group (consisting of) the wish yeilding tree, cow and gem are in (your) home. On your head is the moon and in your feet are all things auspicious. What object shall I give (you, then) ? Let my mind be yours.

        Saarupyam is in your worship. Saamipyam is in devotional glorification by words such as Oh Siva, Oh Mahadeva ! Saalokyam is in conversing together with the assemblage of people with devotion to Siva as the foremost responsibility. Saayujyam is in meditation on your body composed of the moveable and the immoveable and is a certainty for me here Oh Bhavanipati. Oh Swami I am fulfilled.

        I worship your lotus feet. I think of you the supreme one every day. I approach you the lord for refuge. By words I beg only of you Oh Vibhu. Bestow on me the glance of the eye (endowed) with compassion, sought for long by the celestials. Oh Sambhu, Oh Preceptor of the world, instruct for the happiness of my mind.

        Oh one with the waxing moon for the crest jewel, if only I were pocessed of a thousand arms for the ceremonial throwing on of the garment, if only I were all pervasive for the worship with flowers, if only I were capable of wafting fragrance for the offering of fragrance, if only I were the leader of the fire for the offering of cooked food, if only I were Brahma for creating the vessel (of worship), (then alone) can I do service to you Oh Pasupati, Oh Swami, Oh Preceptor of
the three worlds.

        This one great help alone, is it not enough Oh lord of beings ? Seeing the groups of the moveable and immoveable, those within and without, and in order to protect (them), the poison which is the medicine causing flight of all the immortals, which blazes excessively and which is frightening was placed by you in the neck. It was not swallowed nor was it spat out.

        How was it possible that the poison which blazes fiercely, and which is the cause of excessive fear (amongst) all the immortals was seen by you and moreover borne in the hand ? Was it a ripe rose apple in the palm of the hand ? And placed on the tongue, was it a medicinal pill? Held in the area of the neck, was it your ornament with a blue gem ? Oh Sambhu, Oh Supreme soul, speak (of) this.

        Oh Deva, your worship, bowing in salutation and praising, adoration and mental recitation of your name, listening to your story and beholding you has been done only once. Is it not enough for one like me ? Oh Swami, what is obtained by the fatigue of following the impermanent gods ? What is liberation? Where is it if not here? In that case, what (further) is to be prayed for ?

        What do we say about your courage Oh Pasupati ? Oh Sambhu, who has your composure and such a state of the self ? And how can others obtain this ? The assemblage of gods run away, the assemblage of ascetics tremble, the universe is destroyed to dissolution. Seeing (this), fearless and all alone, being intensely joyful, you go about for pleasure.

        To you, who is laden with the duties of acquisition and preservation, who perseveres for all good, who is skilled in the instruction of the known and unknown doctrines, whois all pervading, without and within, who is all knowing, who is compassionate, what needs to be told by me ? Oh Sambhu, you are the most beloved, thus I recollect every day in my mind.

        Oh Samba, I the devotee, seeking the most cordial auspiciousness, display the ceremonial purificatory day (for) bringing purity of the dwelling place of one's body, with the pure pitcher of the mind, surrounded by the thread of devotion, filled with the water of joy, having placed the sprout of the pair of your feet and the fruit of knowledge (on it) and uttering excellent prayer.

        The multitude of Vedic students, having made the diligent mind as the churning stick and firm devotion as the rope, and having churned the ocean of the Vedas with reverence, then reach him who is with Uma, who is (like) the wish yeilding tree, the divine cow and the wish yeilding gem, who is the nectar of eternal happiness and the blessedness of eternal riches (liberation).

        If by way of steady former virtue, he who is the embodiment of ambrosia, who is bright, who is auspicious, who is with Uma, who is the resort of virtue, who bears the deer of Illusion, who is complete, and is the liberator from darkness is seen in the atmosphere of the mind, the ocean of happiness swells greatly. And (only) then, for those of good mind, subsistence occurs. (Interestingly, this verse can be taken to describe the moon by virtue of paronomasia)

        When in the lotus like city of my mind, the lord of emancipation, who is like the crest jewel of kings, was present and always revered, Dharma with it's four supports was well observed, sin was destroyed, desire, anger, arrogance etc. vanished, the seasons manifested hapiness, the sovereign medicinal plant of knowledge and joy yeilded good fruit.

        When the divine nectar like mass of water has been brought from the story of Sadasiva, by the machinery of the intellect, by the pots of speech and by the series of canals and subcanals of poetry and have united with the paddy crop of devotion in the field of the heart, they cause productiveness. Oh Bhagavan, Oh Visvesa, where is fear from famine for me (your) servant ?

        Oh Mrityunjaya, I am requested by the tongue, mind, head, feet, hands, eyes and ears for engaging in (your) praise, meditation, bowing in salutation, circambulation, worship, beholding (you) and listening (to your praise), for release from the calamity of sin and a taste of supremacy. Command me (to do these). Ascertain it with me repeatedly. Do not be mute with me thus.

        Oh Deva who loves Durga, (please) reside always in the fortress of my mind, with profundity (of charecter) for a protective moat, solid courage for a wall, with the multitude of uplifting virtues as the trustworthy army, with the assemblage of fully developed sense organs present in the body as doors, with knowledge as the abundance of materials and thus endowed    with all provisions.

        Oh Girisa, do not go here and there, reside only within me. Oh Swami, Oh primeval hunter, within the boundaries of the dreary forest of my mind, there are many rutting animals, (such as) envy, delusion etc. Having killed them, you will get enjoyment from a taste of (such) an amusing hunt.

        He who has the deer (symbol of Maya) attached to the hand, the destroyer of the elephant demon, the annihilator of the violent tiger demon, into whom all beings vanish, who is the lord of mountains, who has a bright form and who is five faced exists in the cave of my mind. Where can fear come from for me? (Interestingly, this verse can be taken as a description of a lion by virtue of paronomasia)

        Oh chief bird of my mind, give up purposeless roaming. Enough of all that. Sport always in the nest of the pair of lotus feet of Sankara, in the tree having Vedas for branches and possessed of (Upanishads as) tree tops, which is well worshipped by the birds of Brahmins, which is eternal, which causes happiness, destroys pain and shines with fruits having ambrosia for juice.

        Oh royal swan of the mind, staying always in the great mansion of the feet of Girijanatha, which is spread over by the greatness of the luster from the series of nails (of Siva's feet), which glistens with the glorious welling up of nectar (from Siva's feet), which is made beautiful by rubies (red lotus like feet), and which ascetics are dependent on, you sport at will, in privacy with devotion
(personified) as a group of brides.

        When the garden of the heart is in union with the spring of meditation on Sambhu, the old leaves of sin fall off, the assemblage of the creepers of devotion appear, the shoots of merit spread, the buds of virtue, the flowers of the words of prayer, the fragrance of goodness, the wave of flower juices which is the ambrosia of knowledge-joy and the exalted fruit of knowledge blaze forth.

        Oh swan of the mind which is like a crest jewel, you withdraw permanently to the lake of meditation on Sambhu, which is the abode of the essence of eternal happiness, which is the resort of the lotus like minds of the celestial sages, which is clear, which is worshipped by the birds of brahmins, which removes sin, and which is possessed of the fragrance of virtue. Why do you incur the fatigue arising from roaming in the puddle which is the resort of the mean ?

        Let the creeper of devotion, filled by the ambrosia of happiness, rising from the trench around the lotus feet of Hara, having pocessed firmness for support, having branches and sub branches, having spread over the thatch frame of the lofty mind, being free of sin and reared by good deeds, be the giver of the fruit of the eternal object of desire (liberation) to me.

        I worship the great image of Mallikarjuna in SriGiri, who dances at the commencement of the evening, who occupies the interior of the pinnacle of the Vedas, who is always pleasing with the loving Parvati, who is graced by the fragrance of virtue, who is adorned by the lord of serpents, who is worshipped by all the gods, who is possessed of good qualities, and who is embraced by Sivaa. (Interestingly, this verse can be taken as a description of a jasmine flower by virtue of paronomasia

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