Shastras, shlokas and devotional music

[swamykool]

ok, thanks.

[spidey]

Swamykool ji,
I have resized the picture and posted it again.

Thanks and regards,
Spidey

[R V RAMANAN]

Dear Swamykool

In this thread shastras, shlokas and devotional music i like the 3rd one and i simply prefer to call it a song.

Here are what I learnt about what a song is

A song is the best expression of a prayer. A fervent prayer turns out to be a virulent fever, if it does not explode into a song. Songs are sought through prayer.

And prayer is also sought through prayer. The former is prompted by the longing of the soul and the latter by the subtlety of its freedom.

Only in singing tears are beautiful to behold.

The sinners cannot circumvent retribution through a crash course in penance.

They can as well face it, if they learn to sing. You can choose singing but it is only the song that chooses you. Even the best of singers had a few masterpieces to their credit and this proves the point.

If singing is considered a pass time, their stay in heaven will only be part time. As the child breathes only to live, sing only to purify your heart.

Song is like honey that enhances the status and ensures eternity.

Tantra and Mantra can never match the simplicity and direction of a song.

In song, solace.

Soul is the sea; song is the swell.

You are neither a king nor a gnani if you do not sing.

Let the mind watch the song that is gushing forth - that is humility.

Let the intellect fall back in wonder when the song erupts, that is maturity.

Let every thing wait when the song meanders its way out of the womb of the soul - that is meditation.

Let your silence be the only piece of cloth on the naked rush of the song.

There you transcend your limitations.

The seers sang whatever they perceived so that they could comprehend whatever they received and remain undeceived.

Song clarifies where the scriptures confuse.

Only those who only do whatever only they should do can sing whatever will be will be.

If you know how to sing, then, Heaven is surely yours.

When the philosopher says that God is beyond emotions, the singer gives a mischievous smile.

If flowers had voices, they would only sing.

Dear Dev being a musician hope you will appreciate.

Warm Regards
Ramanan

[digitsoftime]

You write like Khalil Gibran

[kandhan]

Sir

can i have whatever you are having?

[R V RAMANAN]

Dear Sunny

these were the answers i received to my questions a very long time back and I am just trying to put across whatever i remember of the answers which came up during discussions.

hope you liked it.

Warm Regards
Ramanan

[R V RAMANAN]

Dear Kandhan

I dont understand. if you mean the beard you can have it. But you have to be patient.

Regards
Ramanan

[suniti]

Dear Ramanan Sir

I love a play called Our Town, about a deceased woman who gets the chance to live one day of life again,
at the end of the play she says goodbye to the clock ticking and the flowers and everything and asks
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every,every minute?"
and the Stage Manager answers
"No. The saints and poets, maybe--they do some."

Pranaams
suniti

[Dev]

Dear Ramanan:

Really wonderful. What you have written about music are all golden words. I would rather take a print out of those. Of course, your contributions towards spirituality, astrology reading and pariharas is highly commendable.
You along with Khoo, Raoji, Astroboy, Sonu, Shilpa, Anuradha, Krishna, Sudarshan, Swamycool, Suniti & Anupam and many more(I dont remember the names now) have been making tremendous contributions to this forum in terms of astrology, spirituality or both. You are all keeping this forum alive by your contributions and there won't be any second opinion on this.

Dev

[digitsoftime]

these were the answers i received to my questions a very long time back and I am just trying to put across whatever i remember of the answers which came up during discussions.

Ramanan ji, Thanks, I liked it very much. However I couldn't appreciate it as much as you intended it.
I am just wondering what questions you might have had if the answers were this poetic. May be it was more silent as Suniti once remarked.

can i have whatever you are having?

Kandhan ji, do you want what I have?

best regards,
s

[R V RAMANAN]

Dear sunny,

the elegance of silence is more than the eloquence of wisdom sunny.cos apart from all these answers i have felt their silence which taught me much more than these words.in that almost all my questions were burnt.

warm regards
ramanan

[mag]

Thanks for starting this interesting and useful thread.

I want to share one of my favourite devotional song here

http://www.paadal.com/singer/ms_viswanathan

The song is "Padiduga Padiduga" (the song is in tamil). In this song lyricist is explaining the relaity of life and he is also asking us to seek God.

[digitsoftime]

dear all,

As long as we are on the subject of devotional music, here is a song that you might like.
The song is totally carnatic. The raaga is Kapi. The composer is Thyagaraja. Thyagaraja is well known for his simple analogies in his songs yet not compromising the rigid carnatic framework. The bhava is most important and his devotion to Sri Rama is incomparable. In my opinion these are spiritual outburts through music of a very high order. Music really has the power to uplift one to very pure moods. Dev ji can explain the intricacies more (and better)

http://mio.to/u%3DH

Hi mag,

I couldn't play the song in the link you sent. Do you have any other link?
I am a big fan of MSV.

regards,
S

[Talib]

Dear all,

I am loving reading this thread. thanks to all.

This is a prayer i want to share wd all of you. Hope you will like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSVPK0o0 ... re=related

I have been advised by vaughan sir not to post youtube links. But i think this is relevant and not out off the topic.

Love

[mag]

Hi mag,

I couldn't play the song in the link you sent. Do you have any other link?
I am a big fan of MSV.

regards,
S

Hi digits of time and all,

Here is one more link.. rather will call it as a precious treasure

http://www.bhaktipaadal.com/album.php?ALBID=ALBKSN00033

Enjoy listening MSV songs.

best regards

[kandhan]

can i have whatever you are having?

Kandhan ji, do you want what I have?

best regards, s

Sure Sunny.

[R V RAMANAN]

Dear All:
Since there are 2 stotras on Shanidev by Sage Dasaratha, people ask me which one is better. In my personal experience, both of them are very good. The first one which is given in this post has been there for quite sometime and the source of the text is not known. Lot of people quote different sources.

In my next post, I will give you the devanagari script of the shani stotra as seen in Padma Purana

Here is the first stotra:
Dasaratha Shani Stotram
Om. asya shree shanaishchara stotrasya
dashratha rishi || shanaish-charo-devata|| trishtup chandahah ||
shanaish-chara preety-arthe jape viniyogah

dasharatha uvacha ||

Om. Sri Shani Stotra, Dasharatha is the Rishi (seer of the mantra). Shanaishchara is god
(related to this hymn). Trishtup is metre. Enjoined is repetition (of this hymn) for the
appeasement of Shanaishchara (Saturn).

konaantako roudra-yamotha babhruh
krishnah shanih pingala manda sourih
nityam smrito yo harate cha peedam
tasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana (Saturn), who when regularly remembered as (the ten names
listed in the first and second line of this verse) steals away the suffering (misfortune
of the devotee).

sura asurah kim purusho-ragendra
gandharva vidyadhara panna-gaash cha
peedyanti sarve vishama-stitena
tasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, by whose unfavourable position, gods, demons, celestial
beings, celestial musicians, celestial masters of various wisdom-teachings and even
celestial snakes succumb to sufferings.

naraa narendraa pashavo mrigendra
vanyaas-cha ye keeta-patanga-bringah
peedyanti sarve vishama-stitena
tasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, whose unfavourable position brings agony to laymen,
emperors, common animals, huge animals, forest creatures, insects, flies and humming bees
(irrespective of their status).

desaas-cha durgani vanani yatra
sena-nivesaah pura-puttanani
peedyanti sarve vishama-stitena
tasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, whose unfavourable position brings about suffering to
countries, citadels, forests, war-camps, houses and cities.

tilair yavair-maasha gudaanna daanaih
lohena neelaambara daanato va
preenaati mantrair-nijavaasare cha
tasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who is appeased by giving in charity things like sesame,
paddy, black-gram, molasses, rice pudding, iron, blue cloth etc., and by chanting mantras
on his own day (Saturday).

prayaaga-koole Yamuna thate cha
sarasvati punya-jale guhaayaam
yo yoginaam dhyana-gathopi sookshmas
tasmai namah shree ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who manifests in subtle form before the yogis who
meditate on him at any holy bank of prayag (confluence) of two rivers; Yamuna and
Saraswati, or in a cave.

anya-pradeshaat swagriham pravishtas
tadeeya-vare sa narah sukee syat
grihaad gatoyo na punah prayati
tasmai namah sri ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who bestows happiness to a person when He enters His own
house (constellation); (though) when He leaves the house, does not return for a long time.

srashtaa swayam-bhoor bhuvana trayasya
traata hareesho harate pinakee
ekas-tridhaah rig yajuh sama murtis
tasmai namah sri ravi-nandanaya

Prostrations to Sri Ravinandana, who is the creator of three worlds, who is the
self-manifested being, who is Hari the protector and Pinakin (Siva, bearer of the three
pointed spear or pinaka), the destroyer, all in one, as well as the embodiment of the
three-fold Vedas; Rig, Yajus and Saman.

Sanyashtakam ya prayatha prabathey
nithyam suputhrai pasu baandhvaicha
patethu sowkyam puviboga yuktha
praapnothi nirvaana patham thathanthey||

konasthah pingala babruh
krishno roudroantako yamah
sourih shanaish-charo manday
pippalandena sam stutah

Thus, Pippalada praises Thee (by chanting your ten names as contained in lines 1-3).

etani dasha-namani
pratar-uthaya yah pathet
shanaishchara-krita peeda
na kadachid bhavishyati

Harih Om

He who chants these ten names, getting-up early in the morning, will never suffer from the
pain caused by Saturn. Harih Om.

Warm Regards,
Ramanan

[R V RAMANAN]

Dear All:

This is the second stotra from Padma Purana on Shanidev by sage Dasaratha.
See the attachment for the Devanagari Script.

The English version is given below..

Dhyaathwa Saraswatim Devim Gananatham Vinayakam.
Raja Dasharathah sthothram Saureridhamathakaroth.

Namo Neela mayukhaya Neelothpala nibhaya cha,
Namo Nirmaansa dehaaya Deergha shmashru jataaya cha,
Namo Vishaala nethraaya Shushkodhara bhayaanaka
Namah parushagathraya sthularomaaya Vai namah
Namo nithyam Kshudhaarthaaya Nithyathapthaya Vai namah
Namah Kaalaagni rupaaya Krthaanthaka namoshthuthe,
Nameste Kotaraakshaaya Durnireekshyaaya Vai namah
Namo Ghoraaya Raudraaya Bheeshanaaya Karaaline
Nameste Sarva bhakshaaya Valeemukha namosthuthe
Surya putra namestesthu bhaskare bhaya dhayaka
Adho-drushte namasthubhyam vapuhshyaama namosthuthe
Namo Manda-gathe thubhyam nisthrinshaaya namo namah
Thapasa dagdha-dehaya nithyam yogarathaya cha
Namesthe gyaana nethraya kashyapathmaja sunave
Thushto dadasi Vai raajyam rushto harasi Thathkshanaath
Devaasura manushyaashcha pasupakshisareesrpaah
Thvaya vilokithaah saure dainyamaashu Vrjanti cha
Brahmaa shakro yamashchaiva rishayah saptha-tharakaah
Rajya bhrashtaashcha t’e sarve thava drishtyaa vilokithaah
Deshaa nagara graamaa dweepashechai vaadrayasththaa
Raudra Dhrushtyaa t’u ye drushtaah kshayam gacchanti thath kshanaath
Prasaadam Kuru me saure varaartheham thavaashrithah

Regards,
Ramanan

[suniti]

Sri Gurubhyo Namah

Hi Swamykoolji and all,

I am giving below the first three dhyaana shlokas of Dakshinamurti stotram. The stotram is of great beauty and has had commentary after commentary upon it, but the sweet dhyaana shlokas are my weak point.
Thinking of this Guru, ever young, giving the highest knowledge by remaning silent, with his fingers in chinmudra, somehow touches me very deeply.
Of all the things i've ever taught the chanting of, this is the one thing i could never teach because every time i tried to the beauty brought tears to my eyes.
So instead im putting it here with the translation that i have gathered from a few books. The remaining verses i will post later.


Dakshinamurti Dhyana Shlokas

Mauna-vyakhya-prakatita-parabrahma-tattvam yuvaanam
varshishthaante-vasadrishi-ganaih aavritam brahmanishtaih
aachaaryendram-karakalita-chimudram-aananda-rupam
svaatmaaraaman-mudita-vadanam Dakshinamurtim-ide


i worship Sri Dakshinamurti, the young One, who imparts the knowledge of the Self through Silence,
surrounded by the rishis and learned ones who are his disciples, the Teacher, whose hand is in Chin Mudra, and who is of the very nature of bliss, who revels in his Self, and who is ever silent.


Vata-vitapi-samipe-bhumi-bhaage-nishannam
sakala-muni-janaanam-jnaana-daataram-aarat
tribbhuvana-gurumisham- Dakshinamurti-devam
janana-marana-dukha-chheda daksham namaami

I salute Sri Dakshinamurti, the ruler of the three worlds, who destroys the sorrows of birth and death,,
who is seated under the banyan tree and grants knowedge to all the sages who are assembled near to Him.


Chitram vata-tarormule vrddha shishyaa gururyuvaa
Gurostu maunam vyakhyaanam shishyaasti chinnasamshayaah

How beautiful and strange! Under that tree were the elderly disciples and the young Guru.
The Guru taught them by remaining silent and all the disciples' doubts were dispelled


Pranaams
suniti

[swamykool]

The rules for Stotra are much more relaxed than the rules for Vedik chanting...
so with regard to the breathing in something vedic the breath is taken at the end of the line(inhalation), which in some cases is a bit difficult, like usually in Sri Rudram comes the famous
"Namaste astu bhavagan vishvesvaraaya mahadevaaya tryambakaaya triupuraantakaaya trikaalaagni kaalaaya kalaagni Rudraaya nilakanthaaya mrutyunjayaya sarveshvaraaya sadashivaya sriman mahadevaaya Namah "

There is no breathe taken in the middle of this in the tradition from which i learned, and i would like to add that though difficult it is honestly great fun as well, especially in group chanting

This is according to my limited knowledge, i am sure there are more who know much more than me so please correct me if there are any other ways so that i may learn.

Dear Suniti,

The easiest way to proper breathing is to inhale at the beginning of a line and then at the end of a line - this is so that the chanting is done while exhaling.

Another way is to chant one line while inhaling and the next line while exhaling. This needs a bit of practice, but actually gives you the benefits of pranayam.

I had a discussion with Ramanan ji in chat where he explained a complex system of breathing including Rechak, Purak, Kumbhak and Shyunak, aligning with the vowels and consonants or with the count of 16 (breath every 16th word). However we both agreed that this process is used by the yogis and is a very advanced method. Methods like these cannot be learnt 'off the net', they have to be learnt from a guru. Done right they bestow tremendous benefits, done wrong they can do serious damage. For our purpose its better to stick to the first two methods.

It feels real good to see that many have joined in and enioying the discussions of this thread.

Regards
swamykool

[spidey]

Adding one more of my favorites - the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam
Source : (http://www.shivavishnutemple.org/templhal/mahalx8.htm)

MAHA LAKSHMI ASHTAKAM
(The sloka chanted by Indra)
Indra Uvacha: Namasthesthu Mahamaye Sreepeethe Surapoojithe Sankha Chakra Gada Hasthe Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: I offer my worship to Maha Lakshmi, who symbolizes the great illusion and who is worshipped by all Devas. I worhip Maha Lakshmi who resides in Sri Peetam and who carries Sanku(Conch), Chakram(Disk) and Gadha(Club) in her hand.

Indra Uvacha: Namasthe Garudaroodhe Kolasura Bhayankari Sarva Papa Hare Devi Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: I offer worship to the one who has Garuda bird as her vehicle and who was feared by even Demon "Kola". I worship Maha Lakshmi who destroys all sadness.

Indra Uvacha: Sarvagne Sarva Varade Sarva Dushta Bhayankari, Sarva Duhkha Hare Devi Maha Lakshmi Namosthute

Indra speaks: I offer worship to the one who is all knowing, giver of all boons, remover of all dangerous enemies. I worship Maha Lakshmi who is remover of all afflictions.

Indra Uvacha: Siddhi Buddhi Pradhe Devi Bhukthi Mukthi Pradayini Manthra Moorthe Sada Devi Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: Maha Lakshmi confers great powers, desires, good intellect, enjoyment and Liberation (heaven). I worship Maha Lakshmi who is the personification of all mantras and who is ever shining and radiant.

Indra Uvacha: Adyantharahithe Devi Adi Sakthi Mahesvari Yogaje yoga Sambhoothe Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: Maha Lakshmi is the one who is without beginning or end. She is the primordial energy and Maheswari. I worship Maha Lakshmi who was created out of yoga and who sustains yoga sakthi.

Indra Uvacha: Sthoola Sookshma Maharowdhre Mahasakthi Mahodhare Maha Pape Hare Devi Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: Maha Lakshmi represents both the gross and the subtle manifestations of life. She is very scary to the bad. She is the great energy. I worship Maha Lakshmi who destroys the greatest sins.

Indra Uvacha: Padmaasana Sthithe Devi Para Bramha Swaroopini Paramesi Jaganmathar Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: Maha Lakshmi who has lotus as her seat symbolizes the ultimate reality. I worship Maha Lakshmi who is Parameswari and the mother of the universe.

Indra Uvacha: Svethambharadhare Devi Nanalankara Booshithe Jagat Stithe Jaganmathar Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe

Indra speaks: Wearing white clothes Devi Maha Lakshmi is adorned completely with jewels. I worship Maha Lakshmi who is the omnipresent Devine Mother.

Palasruthi:

Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam Stotram
Ya: patheth Bhakthiman Naraha
Sarva Siddhi Mavapnothi Rajyam Prapnothi Sarvadha
Yeka Kalam Pathem Nithyam Maha Papa Vinasanam
Dwi Kalam Ya: Pathen Nithyam
Dhana Dhanya Samanvithaha
Thri kalam Ya:Pathen Nithyam
Maha Shathru Vinasanam
Maha Lakshmir Baven Nithyam
Prasanna Varadha Subha

[swamykool]

Ramanan ji,

Your posts are a pleasure to read. And you have taken the words off my mouth regarding music. Our Rishis knew it very well that music has a 100 times more popular effect than scholarly expositions. This is why the Sama Veda has set elaborate rules about how every shloka and every stotra can be set to music and can be both chanted and sung.

Of course Dev ji, is the expert in these matters, not me. The Purusha Sukta says in the beginning there was nothing, neither air nor water, neither earth and other planets nor the sky. There was only infinite space and the Param Brahma decided to manifest himself through the sound OM. OM is music.

So to end on a musical note, given below is a Punjabi Bhajan sung by the legendary M S Subbulakshmi - Rama Simara Rama Simara yehi tero kaaj hain. This bhajan was written by Guru Nanak Dev himself and is given in one of his Janam Sakhis. Exactly which one I have forgotten. A Punjabi bhajan but sung in the South Indian style, gives it a very refreshing little twist. I found it to be rather mesmerising. Let me know how you people like it. Its a bit rare find, not easily available. Download it from the link below.

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1181364603/2 ... 00&s=19104

Mag ji, thank you for the link of the Tamil bhajan. I enjoyed the music but unfortunately couldn't understand the words. But thats no matter, pl keep contributing as you like.

Regards
swamykool

[swamykool]

Spidey,

Thanks a lot for the Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. Btw is there a sound file where is stotra is chanted? Would love to have that.

swamykool

[spidey]

Swamykool ji ,
Sure I have the MP3 too. I can email it across to you if you want.
Other than that this link is pretty good - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFq_qcSQXWo

Thanks and regards,
Spidey

[swamykool]

Spidey, thanks