Thursday 7 April 2016

Sri Manikarnika Ashtakam by Sri Adishankaracharya – Lyrics & meanings



|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||




|| Shankara ||













My humble salutation to Manikarnika, whose sacred river bank is sanctified by the eternal presence of Lord Hari and Lord Hara and providing liberation to all the living beings from the cycles of birth and death.  When a soul leave its body, Lord Hari and Lord Hara engages in an interesting discussion, Lord Hari express his desire to transform the deceased person in  to his glorious form, instantly that person changes into an commendable intellectual attired in majestic yellow garments and travels in a celestial vehicle drawn by Garuda.  Even the deities have to take rebirth after certain period; they may take birth as humans, animals, birds or reptiles.  Oh! Manikarnike, whoever takes holy dip in your waters would remain sinless and transforms into the glorious form of Lord Narayana, decked in gem studded crown and Kousthubham.  The sacred land of Kashi is capable to provide liberty from the cycles of birth and death, the sacred waters of Ganga in the Manikarnika is capable to provide eternal bliss.  Once, Lord Bhrama made a comparative study of Kashi and heaven, surprisingly Kashi was too heavier than the heaven, therefore it landed on Earth and heaven remained weightless.  The whole land where Ganga stretched out are considered as auspicious, importantly the land of Kashi is considered as superior to all, in that Manikarnika is considered as supreme land where Lord Eswara provides liberty to the souls.  The holy dip in the Manikarnika which is capable to remove all the sins is seldom available to the deities.  Holy dip in this sacred waters of Manikarnika is possible for whoever attained abundance of pieties in their previous birth.  Lord Bhrama was concerned about the fate of the living beings that are strangled in the worldy bondage, miseries and sorrows; he eventually created Kashi, a sacred land for the welfare of them.  But the living souls desires for the pleasures in the heavenly abode which is transitory, but Kashi is the only one sacred land which could provide Dharma/righteousness, Artha/wealth and Moksha/liberty from repeated births, therefore it is widely known as Mukthipuri.  Oh! Manikarnike, Lord Krishna is decked in flute, Srivathsam, carries Mount Govardhana, but Lord Shankara have bluish throat due to the venomous poison, carries Ganga on his matted hair locks and he is consort of Goddess Uma, but they are considered as one entity. Oh! Matha, it is surprising to witness that whoever take holy dip in your sacred waters transforms into various Rudras and Vishnu.  Oh! Manikarnike, even the deities eulogizes the death on this sacred land as highly auspicious, Lord Indra yearns to witness the person who attain liberty on this sacred land with his thousands of eyes, Lord Surya reverentially greet that person, ultimately he will attain iether the abode of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva in their respective celestial vehicles Garuda or divine Bull.  Whoever takes holy dip in the Manikarnika in the noon hours are not considered as meritorious, Lord Bhrama who gave the essence of Veda and Lord Shankara who is the personification asceticism and yoga transforms the deceased soul on the banks of Manikarnika into Lord Narayana or Lord Shiva.   Whoever takes holy dip in the Manikarna would attain the meritorious rewards of performance of various austerities and Ashwamedha Yaga,  whoever recites or listen to these glorious verses and take holy dip in the Manikarnika would cross the ocean of Samsara effortlessly just like a muddle, ultimately attains the absolute  Bhramam.




Thvath Theere Manikarnike Hariharou Sayoojya Mukthi Pradhou |
Vadham  Thou Kurutha: Parasparamubou Jantho: Prayanothsave |
Madhroopo Manujoyamasthu Harina  Proktha: Shivasthakshanath |
Thanmadhyath Bhrigulanchano Garudaga: Peethambaro Nirgatha: ||


Indhradhyasthridhasha: Pathanthi Niyatham  Bhogakshaye Ye  Puna-|
Jayanthe  Manujasthathopi Pashava: Keeda: Pathangadhaya: |
Ye  Matha: Manikarnike Thava Jale  Majjanthi Nishkalmasha: |
Sayujyopi Kireedakousthubhdhara  Narayana: Syurnara: ||


Kashi Dhanyathama  Vimuktha Nagari Salamkritha  Gangaya |
Thathreyam Manikarnika  Sukhakari  Mukthirhi Thathkinkari  |
Swarloka  Sthulitha: Sahaiva  Vibhudhai: Kashya Samam Bhramana |
Kashi Kshonithale Sthitha  Guruthara  Swargo Laguthvam  Gatha: ||


Ganga Theeramanuththamam Hi Sakalam Thathrapi Kashyuththama |
Thasyam Sa Manikarnikoththamaththama Yathrehwaro  Mukthidha: |
Devanamapi Dhurlabham Sthalamidham Papoughanasha Kshamam |
Poorvoparjitha Punya  Punjagamakam Punyarjanai: Prapyathe ||


Dhukkhambhodhigatho Hi  Janthu Nivaha : sthesham Katham  Nishkrithi: |
Jyathva Thadhhi Virinchina  Virachitha  Varanasi  Sharmadha |
Loka: Swarga Mukhasthathopi Lakhavo Bhoganthapatha Pradha |
Kashi Mukthipuri Sadha  Shivakari Dharma Artha Moksha Pradha ||


Yeko Venudharo  Dhara Dharadhara:Srivathsa Bhooshadhara: |
Yopyeka: Kila  Shankaro  Vishadharo  Gangadharo Madhava: |
Ye  Mathar Manikarnike  Thava Jale  Majjanthi The Manava: |
Rudra  Va  Harayo Bhavanthi Bahavasthesham Bahuthvam Katham ||


Thvath Theere  Maranam Thu Mangalakaram Devairapi Shlakhyathe |
Shakrastham Manujam Sahasra Nayanair Dhrushtum Sadha Thathpara: |
Ayantham  Savitha  Sahasrakiranai: Prathyugrathobhooth Sadha |
Punyo Sou Vrushagothava Garudaga: Kim Mandhiram Yasyathi ||


Madhyahne  Manikarnika Snapanajam Punyam Na  Vakthum Kshama: |
Sweeyairabdhagathai Chathurmukha Dharo Vedartha Dheeksha Guru: |
Yoga Abhyasa Balena Chandrashikhara:  Sthath Punya Parangatha: |
Thvath Theere Prakarothi Supthapurusham Narayanam Va Shivam ||


Krichrai: Kodishathai:Swa Papanidhanam Yacchrashvamedhai Phalam |
Thath Sarvam Manikarnika Snapanaye  Punye  Pravishtam Bhaveth |
Snathva  Sthothramidham Nara: Padathi Cheth Samsarapayonidhim |
Theerthva Pallavalavath Prayathi Sadhanam Thejomayam  Bhramana: ||