Charana Srnga Rahita Nataraja Stotram Audio

 

About six months ago, Mrs. Chitra Vaitheeswaran, a family friend of ours had invited us to her house for a Pooja for Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Paadukaa. 

The sandals ( Paadukaa ) of a Divine Being is considered to represent the Being “Itself”. The Paaduka had been brought in from New Jersey by a Devotee.

Since this post is based upon that event, the picture at the top is that of Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava displaying the bottom of His Feet. 

Just a glimpse is meritorious; hence “You” the visitor have had sufficient spiritual capital to have this darshan of Him here. ( No credit to the author ).

We were happy to have received the invitation and attended the function. After the offerings of flowers, fruits, etc., some learned scholars recited Vedic hymns. 

Towards the end, a couple of attendees recited a stotram that moved me quite a bit, due to its rhythmic wording. I decided to record a couple of minutes of it towards the end on my iPhone.

About a month later, Srimathy asked me as to what that hymn was and if I could find it and let her know. After looking around, it was determined to be the Charana Srnga Rahita Nataraja Stotram, authored by Sri Patanjali Maha Rishi.

I came across some recitations of it in the internet, but they did not satisfy Adiyen’s psyche. Hence, here is my rendering of the stotram; check it out as an alternative method of presentation.

This is a very short hymn: only 5 minutes ! But it will fill you “experience” the Divine dance of Sri Nataraja !

There is quite a bit of detailed explanation in the link to the lyrics given towards the end. These lyrics are available in other languages also in that site.

And now the audio: 5 minutes long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12qUww5SCmvIs4UrskCUrSYGPFjeLksUe/view?usp=sharing

The Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/nataraj.html

Om Shree Kanchi Maha Periyava Namo Namaha !

 

ArdhaNaareeshwara Sahasranama Stotram Audio

 

I had just completed a Shiva Sahasranama Homam at our home in the backyard and was in cloud nine. Usually, after such an event, I usually lie down and rest up. And just then I saw a comment by a visitor "Unknown" asking if the Ardhanaareeshwara Sahasranama Stotram can be made available in this blog in audio form.

It felt as though it was a Divine Order from Shiva and Parvathi. Hence it was taken seriously and here it is for all to enjoy and offer love and devotion to Shiva and Shakthi at the same time.

It was a bit difficult to recite but at the end I think it came out well.

This is a long hymn. 47MB

And now the audio: 32 minutes 54 seconds long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TejTgiTZzfY6avzR7197P_v--ariidjs/view?usp=sharing

The Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/ardhanArIshvarasahasranAmastotram.pdf

There are some errors in the audio as follows:

Approx 3:16 mins: Verse 19 - line 2: Utsedha NOT Utsodha

Approx 7:14 mins: Verse 43 - line 2: Madharchita NOT Madhaarchita

Approx 11:21 mins: Verse 68- line 2: Thaangi NOT Thaangri

Approx 13:08 mins: Verse 80 - line 1: Rava NOT Raava

Approx 14:35 mins: Verse 89 - line 1: Veejitha NOT Vaarjatha

Approx 17:16 mins: Verse 105 - line 2: Jashadhi NOT Ishadhi

Approx 18:22 mins: Verse 113 - line 1: Raamrta NOT Ramrta

Approx 21:06 mins: Verse 129 - line 2: Naagamani NOT Naagaamani 

Approx 24:00 mins: Verse 148 - line 1: Bhaktha NOT Bhakthaa

Om Namah Shivaya ! Om Sri Parvathi Devi Namo Namaha !

 

Kaala Bhairava Sahasranamam Audio

 

An “unknown” visitor to this blog commented asking that the Kaala Bhairava Sahasranamam Hymn be recited; later, another visitor said the same. Felt it was an order. Hence this post.

Lord Kaala Bhairava – a fierce form of Lord Shiva – is the Deity one worships to eliminate fear. There is a lot of information one can gather. One can get a brief treatise from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairava  . 

Per Brahma Vaivarta Maha Puranam, one is required to make offerings to the Eight Bhairavas: Asithanga, Ruru, Chanda, Unmaththa, Kapaala, Krodhana, Bheeshana and Samhaara every time a Maha Chandi Homam is conducted and Adiyen religiously follows this with Great Affection. There are so many temples for Sri Kaala Bhairava; personally loved the one in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

We are dealing here with the thousand name hymn for Lord Kaala Bhairava. Unusually, this hymn has some “benefits” of recitation noted right up front. Secondly, this has an extended Nyaasaa portion, wherein one “deposits” / “associates” sacred syllables to various parts of the body. After a brief Dhyaana portion, the main hymn starts.

This is a beautiful stotram; of course, there is a strong Phalasruthi portion after verse 176, where the Rishi ( Mahadeva Himself ) states that by listening to or reciting this stotram, one would become fearless of ghosts or diseases [verse 179], enemies, thieves, fire, tigers [verse180], be free of bad dreams and accidents [verse181]. One would be blessed with wealth, children and kept away from prisons [verse 183], to list a few. It certainly gives one peace of mind and tranquility as was experienced while rendering.

Enough of “looking for” benefits; enough of trading “I’ll give 35 minutes, You give me something”; enough havoc created by “greed” and “trade practices”. At least for a few minutes, let’s focus on thankfulness “just to be”.

This is a long hymn. 32 MB

And now the audio: 35 minutes 19 seconds long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JYpLIbJJ-95h948IegDwfFipNeaa8ilZ/view?usp=sharing

Two errors in the audio:

a. In the Nyaasa portion, Audio should be “Namaha Sarvaange” NOT “Naama Sarvaange”

b. Verse 92, Audio should be “Anaadhi” NOT “Dhanaadhi”.

The Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/kAlabhairavasahasra.pdf

Om Sri Kaala Bhairavaaya Namaha !

 

Mrtyunjaya Sahasranamam Audio

A visitor to this blog by the name of "OneUponALongLostRoad" commented on The Dhoomavati Mala Mantram Audio post asking that the Mrtyunjaya Sahasranamam Hymn be recited; there was something compelling there. Hence this post.

Lord Shiva – the Mrtyunjaya Devata is the main Deity of worship here. The term Mrtyunjaya that literally means conquering of Death has to be deeply contemplated upon. The common thought that all that come here exit anyway and so no conquering can take place is an oversimplistic view. Of course, as the physical frame weakens, it does one day fall off. But that is not the concern here.

The Mrtyunjaya Stotram ( hymn ) in the first place tries to ward off “untimely” departure. Secondly, it definitely gets rid of the fear of departure. Thirdly, it requests blessings from the Almighty to enable a painless separation of the soul from the body: this is the Maha Mrtyunjaya Mantra which requests Lord Shiva to allow one’s departure to be as painless as the process of a cucumber separating from its plant.

Volumes have been written about the “concept” of death ( and therefore “birth” ). Even the Maha Mrtyunjaya Mantra has been explained by various Sages looking at it from different views.

It is felt by the reciter that one should recite / listen to this hymn for the pure, unblemished love for the Great Lord Shiva. After all, He consumed the poison from the churning of the ocean, so the rest of us could survive. ( Hence Shiva is known as Neela Kantha – one with a blue throat ). Such a peaceful Shiva is certainly looking out for the best for all of us !

This is a beautiful stotram; especially verses 118 to 124 are interweaved with very powerful seed syllables – bija aksharams – this starts at 20 minutes 24 seconds into the audio. 

Of course, there is a strong Phalasruthi portion after verse 124 at 21 minutes and 37 seconds into the audio, where the Rishi states that by listening to or reciting this stotram, one would become resplendent as the God of Fire ( Agni Devata ) and develop poetic skills [verse 128]; reciting at midnight or in a cremation ground one could develop siddhis ( powers ) [verse 130,131]; one who recites ten times with minimal clothing and uncombed hair would become a king in this life and get salvation hereafter [verse 136], etc.

It has been a pleasure reciting this smooth flowing stotram from the Rudrayamale Tantra. Please enjoy for the love of it. We all have been given enough good things by the Divine. Let’s thank.

This is a very nicely flowing hymn and the lyrics are simply sweet. 

This is a long hymn. 22 MB

And now the audio: 24 minutes 23 seconds long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1345Y0TzRo2CHvRkm9CGkr1JxB0pCt5tG/view?usp=sharing

Errors in the printed lyrics have been corrected in the audio.:

The Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/mRityunjayasahasra.pdf

Here is a short 37 second clip from a Homam performed using this Sahasranamam in the backyard of our home on February 28, 2021.

Om Nama Shivaaya !

 

Shiva Maanasika Pooja Stotram - SSSBV Audio

The heart has been falling in love with Sri SadaShiva Brahmendra Swamigal of Nerur, Tamil Nadu, India, ever since reading various stories about the Great Mahaan. By Divine Grace, had the opportunity to visit His Adhistaanam in Nerur during the latest trip to India in July 2017. At the end of the darshan, they were selling some books and purchased one that had some stotrams composed by the Saint. Here is one of the hymns composed by Him called Shiva Maanasika Pooja Stotram.

The Shiva Maanasika Pooja Stotram can be recited or listened to by any devotee of Shiva and essentially by reciting or even listening with devotion, it is the equivalent of performing a Shiva Pooja mentally. This is also called “Atma Pooja”. It can be done anywhere, even when one is not at a temple or at the Pooja Area in the house. Simply focus on Lord Shiva mentally and imagine performing a Shiva Pooja, offering water for washing feet, water for sipping, water for a bath, offering of Madhuparka for eating, offering flowers, offering a lighted lamp, offering incense, offering a sacred thread (yagnopaveetham), offering damaru (hand drum), offering aabharanam (decorative jewellery), songs and hymns.

The whole hymn is less than 6 minutes long and so now, none of us have any excuse for not performing Shiva Manasika Pooja !! ( How many times we blame not having time to do Divine Service !! )

This stotram is in Maatra Chanda; the same as the Garuda Sahasranamam elsewhere in this blog. This is a difficult metre to recite; at the same time it is very beautiful when recited; at the same time this is a sophisticated metre. The key in the rendering is to club the tail end of each line; because it may not be obvious as to where to club, a copy of the original shlokam with the clubbed areas underlined has been scanned and a link to the same given for everyone to use; this is in the Sanskrit version only. One can use this audio and/or the marked up lyrics to do the same in other languages.

This is a short hymn. 5 MB

And now the audio: 5 minutes 41 seconds long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gr_u5VgT6nj1zWTYYBYewzjXpiLrQ0KS/view?usp=sharing

The Marked Up Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F5sRQtNBgUosa6O8PinAIUrN9cAvWcAU/view?usp=sharing

Om Nama Shivaaya !

 

Shiva Sahasranamam SMP Audio

Ever since Shiva Mahapuranam parayanam (recital) was completed over a year ago as of this writing, there has been a deep desire to take out and recite the Shiva Sahasranama Stotram that is addressed therein. And finally by the grace of Lord Shiva, it is here! It so happens that in the Shiva Mahapuranam, this thousand name hymn of Lord Shiva is actually composed and sung by Lord Vishnu, who happens to be the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva ( this is not a personal opinion, rather taken directly from Shiva Mahapuranam). While every name / quality is recited Lord Vishnu offers a lotus flower.

The pertinent lyrics is given at the bottom of this post. The one unique feature is that there is an English translation of every word and so listeners who “want to know” can do so; one can listen or recite without even knowing the meaning and that is perfectly fine – it is devotion and belief that mean more. Intellect and spirituality are far apart from each other; devotion, belief and spirituality go together; for in the former set, ahankara (ego) sets in and in the latter ahankara disappears.

This Sahasranamam appears in the Koti Rudra Samhita portion in Chapter 35 of Shiva Mahapuranam. The “Phalasruthi” or the benefits of recitation or listening is addressed in the following chapter. That is NOT included in this presentation. It is felt that at least for once, let us offer our praise to Lord Shiva residing in our hearts without expecting any results and benefits; let this be an offering of love for everything we have already been blessed with.

This is a very nicely flowing hymn and the lyrics are simply sweet. This is the same Sahasranama stotram with an "aahuti" at the end of every couplet with the inclusion of "Svahaa" that is used in Shiva Sahasranama Homams performed at home.

This is a long hymn. 20.8 MB

And now the audio: 22 minutes 48 seconds long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znc0FhRVQzLUoxWTg/view?usp=sharing

NOTE: BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY LARGE FILE ABOUT 21 MEGABYTES, YOU WILL HAVE TO DOWNLOAD AND THEN LISTEN. On mobile devices and some computers, you may get the message -- This file is too large for Google to scan, download anyway? -- You will have to answer "YES" and then listen after download. On some computers, when you hit the play button, if nothing seems to happen, click the Download arrow at the top, click download anyway and then listen. Sorry for the inconvenience -- but this is a big file and praise to Lord Shiva -- His Grace is magnificent !

There is one error in the printed lyrics as given here:

Verse 76/2^nd line: Print should be “Chandra” not  “Chanda”.

The Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znUG1fZXNDcUlTcXM/view?usp=sharing

Om Nama Shivaaya !

 

Aghora Murthy Sahasranamavali Audio

Shri Vasuramesh Dhayalan, a visitor to this blog had requested for an audio for Aghora Murthy Sahasranamam. The closest obtainable is the Sahasranamavali, which is the thousand name and qualities hymn for Shree Aghora Murthy Who is one of the forms of Shiva. One can imagine a Sahasranama Stotram to be a garland of roses tied by a string and a Sahasranamavali to be the roses without being tied by the string – they are still roses in both cases. In the former, there usually are statements about the associated Rishi, the associated Chanda or metre, the name of the Devata, a dhyaana shloka etc., while these are usually absent in the latter.

This is a very powerful hymn of Lord Shiva and in order to get the maximum physical effect and “feeling”, one is STRONGLY recommended to put on headphones and listen with the volume level fairly high – as opposed to hearing through computer or car speakers or on low volume. It is like watching a highly packed action thriller movie with a lot of special effects both video and audio in a 70 mm movie theater versus seeing the same on a mobile phone screen on Youtube ( interrupted by ads ) !

When listened with absolute devotion and focus with eyes closed, one WILL feel the dance of Shiva in this hymn. The words will feel strong, thunderous and the hymn will feel powerful. One note: The feeling of the display of power really starts after 1 minute of the start of the hymn and then never lets down, hence a little patience up front is needed. It was felt that Lord Shiva Himself through Shri Dhayalan wanted all of us to enjoy this bliss --  thanks to Shri Dhayalan, a Divine Soul !

There are several writings about Shri Aghora Murthy – including the trailing pages of the source of lyrics given at the bottom of this post.

This is a long hymn. 29 MB

And now the audio: 31 minutes 24 seconds long.

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znbnRJQ0lPS1hWS0E/view?usp=sharing

NOTE: BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY LARGE FILE ABOUT 29 MEGABYTES, YOU WILL HAVE TO DOWNLOAD AND THEN LISTEN. On mobile devices and some computers, you may get the message -- This file is too large for Google to scan, download anyway? -- You will have to answer "YES" and then listen after download. On some computers, when you hit the play button, if nothing seems to happen, click the Download arrow at the top, click download anyway and then listen. Sorry for the inconvenience -- but this is a big file and praise to Sri Aghora Murthy -- His Grace is magnificent !

The Sanskrit lyrics can be found at :

http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/aghoramUrtisahasranAmAvalI.pdf

The last few pages of above link has the anecdotes relating to Shri Aghora Murthy. You can also get lyrics in other languages on the referenced link above. : the picture on top of this post is from http://artistshilpi.blogspot.com -- credit goes to them.

Om Namah Shivaya !