In Hinduism, Hymns addressed to Gods/Goddesses are numerous.
These Hymns are classified thus.
Stotras, addressed by a Devotee, praising the God by perfect attributes and requesting grant of Relief/ Boons,
Slokas or verses composed by great writers of epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, or by great poets like Kalidasa.
Vishnu’s Discus.gif
These slokas form a part of the narrative where the Gods are praised.
Having been revealed/written by inspiration and impelled by creative urge these slokas are powerful and they can be recited.
Then one has Parayana and Pooja.
These two are the processes through which the Slokas and stotras are recited and one has to follow laid down procedures.
Poojas are performed daily and there are standard procedures.
Another is Japa when a specific` Mantra, initiated by a Guru is chanted.
Parayana is the recital of verses from the Puranas, like the Vishnu stuthi by Prahaladha or the Vishnu Sahasranama from Mahabharatha.
These recitals follow some rules, like the one from Ramayana Sundarakanda.
Then we have the Veda Mantras like the Five Sukthas, Purusha Suktham, Narayana Suktham,Vishnu Sukhtham,Sri Suktham and Durga Suktham and of course the SriRudram.
Excepting for Parayanas and daily Poojas, protection is necessary, though procedures for daily Poojas and Parayana are available.
For reciting specific Mantras, Veda Sukthas, Sri Rudram,Lalitha and Vishnu Sahasranama one has to take adequate protection for the Limbs, Anga and for organs of action.
There are two functions for any sense organ.
Eye has the function or act of seeing, this is called Karma function and in this aspect eye is a Karmendriya.(Organ of action)
Eye, apart from seeing , also forms judgement based on the act of seeing, it acquires knowledge of what is seen.
Whether it is a Right/wrong Knowledge , correct or incorrect is a different matter.
In this function of acquiring Knowledge eyes is a Gyanendriya( Organ of Knowledge)
Mantras being the sounds grasped from Ether by Seers, are sacred and our organs should e purified and protected.
-Purified from its impurities and protected from forces that are inimical to our welfare both spiritual.
This is the reason why Anganyasa and Karanyasa are prescribed for these Mantras.
And these form an Armour .
This is the Armour of Gods
In addition to this or in some cases, in place of these, are the Bandhanas are prescribed , for example in Vishnu Sahasranama ,Lalitha Sahasranama.
These are stated before the Dhyana Slokas.
These Mantras also contain details of the Rishi who grasped the mantra, , the Devatha of the mantra, the meter in which the Prayer is to be chanted
Meaning: 1.1: (Salutations to Sri Ganesha) Who Always has a Child-like Form, but can Destroy Mountains of Obstacles, 1.2: Who has an Elephant Face with a Huge Tusk, but is respected by the Five-Faced Shiva, 1.3: Who is sought after by Vidhi (Brahma), Indra and Others; and Who is known as Ganesha; To me … 1.4: … please bestow Sri (Glory and Prosperity), O the Lord with an Auspicious Form.
नजानामिशब्दंनजानामिचार्थं नजानामिपद्यंनजानामिगद्यम् । चिदेकाषडास्याहृदिद्योततेमे मुखान्निःसरन्तेगिरश्चापिचित्रम् ॥२॥ Na Jaanaami Shabdam Na Jaanaami Ca-Artham
Na Jaanaami Padyam Na Jaanaami Gadyam |
Cid-Ekaa Ssaddaasyaa Hrdi Dyota-Te Me
Mukhaan-Nihsarante Girash-Ca-Api Citram ||2||
Meaning: 2.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) I know neither Words, nor their Meanings O Lord, 2.2: And I know neither Poetry, nor Prose, but … 2.3: … within the Core of my Heart, I see the Conscious Effulgence of Your Six Faces, … 2.4: … which is making these various Words pour forth through my Mouth.
Meaning: 3.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Whose Form Mounted on a Peacock represents the deepest Secret of the UpanishadicMaha Vakyas, 3.2: Whose Heart-Stealing Beautiful Body Dwells within the Great Heart of Spiritual Consciousness, 3.3: Who is the Great God of the Devas and represents what the Great Vedas convey, 3.4: I Worship that Son of Mahadeva (another name of Shiva) Who is the Protector of the World.
Meaning: 4.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) When Persons come to My Presence (and completely surrender to me), 4.2: They have Indeed Crossed the Ocean of the Samsara, 4.3:Thus You seem to proclaim Manifesting on the Shore of the Sea (at Tiruchendur) and Dwelling there, 4.4: May I always Praise You, O the Ever Pure Son of Parashakti (Divine Mother).
यथाब्धेस्तरङ्गालयंयन्तितुङ्गाः तथैवापदःसन्निधौसेवतांमे । इतीवोर्मिपंक्तीर्नृणांदर्शयन्तं सदाभावयेहृत्सरोजेगुहंतम् ॥५॥ Yatha-Abdhes-Taranggaa Layam Yanti Tunggaah
Tathai[aa-E]va-[A]apadah Sannidhau Sevataam Me |
Iti-Ivo[a-Uu]rmi-Pangktiir-Nrnnaam Darshayantam
Sadaa Bhaavaye Hrt-Saroje Guham Tam ||5||
Meaning: 5.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Like the Huge Waves of the Sea Disappear within the Sea, … 5.2: … similarly, the Calamities of My Devotees will Disappear Who come to My Presence where I Dwell (and completely surrender to me), 5.3:Thus You seem to proclaim showing the Rows of Waves on the Sea (to the Devotees), 5.4: May I always Meditate on You, O Guha (another name of Subramanya) within the Lotus of my Heart.
Meaning: 6.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Those Persons who Ascend the Hills of My Abode (and completely surrender to me), … 6.2: … they thereby Ascend the Great Silvery Mountain which leads to the path of Liberation (referring to Mount Kailash which appears Silvery due to snow), 6.3:Thus You seem to proclaim Abiding on the Sugandha Hill, 6.4:Let me always Rejoice in the contemplation of You, O my Lord Shanmukha.
Meaning: 7.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) On the Shores of the Great Sea, the Place which Steals away the Great Sins of the People, … 7.2: … the Place which is very Favourable for Munis (Saints or Ascetics) to perform Sadhana, the Place which is known as the Sugandha Hill, … 7.3: … the Place where Guha Abides in His Own Splendour, … 7.4: … and Removes the Distress of the People; I Remember that Place and take Refuge in You, O Guha.
Meaning: 8.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Within the Shining Golden House (i.e. Temple Room), Granting the Wishes of theDevotees, … 8.2: … Abides the Lord on a Shrine which is covered with heaps of Flowers and various Gems, … 8.3: … the Lord Himself Shining with the Effulgence of Thousand Suns, 8.4: Let me always Meditate on that Form of Kartikeya, the Lord of the Devas.
रणद्धंसकेमञ्जुलेऽत्यन्तशोणे मनोहारिलावण्यपीयूषपूर्णे मनःषट्पदोमेभवक्लेशतप्तः सदामोदतांस्कन्दतेपादपद्मे ॥९॥ Rannad-Dhamsake Man.jule-Atyanta-Shonne
Manohaari-Laavannya-Piiyuussa-Puurnne
Manah-Ssatt-Pado Me Bhava-Klesha-Taptah
Sadaa Modataam Skanda Te Paada-Padme ||9||
Meaning: 9.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) On the Jingling Anklets on the Feet which are very Charming and Reddish, … 9.2: … the Feet which are Heart-Stealing, Lovely and filled with Nectar … 9.3: … On those Six pair of Feet (in Your Six Abodes), let me who is afflicted with the Distress and Heat of the World, … 9.4: … always Rejoice, O Skanda, keeping my Mind always on Your Lotus Feet.
Meaning: 10.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Clad in Divine Clothes which are Shining with the Lustre of Gold, … 10.2: … and wearing a beautiful Girdle on the Waist on which small Bells are Tinkling, … 10.3: … along with a Golden Silk Cloth which is Flashing like Lightning, … 10.4: … I Meditate on Your Waist, O Skanda, You Who Enlighten my Heart.
Meaning: 11.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Like how You Embraced the Woman of the Pulinda Tribe (i.e. Sri Valli, who meditated on You for long) who had Big and Round …. 11.2: … Bosom, and as a result of that Embrace, Your Chest became Red like Saffron (signifying deep attachment towards Devotees), … 11.3: … I Bow down to You, the Enemy of Taraka, and Who is extremely Powerful, … 11.4: … Please extend the same Anuraga (Love and Affection which You showed towards Valli) towards Your Devotees also,always, You Who are the Joy of the Devotees.
Meaning: 12.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) The Arms which Effected Punishment to Vidhi (Sri Brahma) and the Arms whichSupported the Universe as One’s Play, … 12.2: … The Arms which Casted off the Elephant (Valli Story) and the Arms which are like Kaaladanda (Staff of Death) to the Hostile, … 12.3: … The Arms which Killed the Multitude of Enemies of Indra, and the Arms which are Skilled in Protecting the World, … 12.4: … I Always take Refuge in Your Formidable Arms, O Subramanya (which are like a Mighty Protecting Staff for the World).
Meaning: 13.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) If Six Autumn Moons Continuously Shine, … 13.2: … Rising Together and Staying side by side, such that their Splendour is a Continuous Whole, … 13.3: … and they are Always Shining with Full Brightness, without any Spot on them, … 13.4: … Even then, they can be said to be like Your Face, only for the name’s sake, O Skanda, without the real Splendour matching.
Meaning: 14.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) With Shining Gentle Smile like a group of Swans Moving Happily, … 14.2: … and Side Glances like a group of Bees Shining with Splendour, … 14.3: … along with Lips like Bimba Fruit filled with Nectar; O the Son of the Lord of Earth, … 14.4: … I Behold Your Six Faces within my Heart; those Six Faces which blossom like Six Lotuses.
Meaning: 15.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) From Your Large and Long Eyes extending till the Ears, from which continually … 15.2: … pours forth Compassion; those Twelve Eyes, … 15.3: … If on me once Cast their Glance, … 15.4: … What Loss indeed will there be to You, O my Compassionate Lord?
Meaning: 16.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) “Son, you are born from my body, May your glory live (forever)”; Over Your SixHeads which Supports the World, … 16.2: … Mahadeva, the Great Lord, Joyfully uttered Mantras and Blessed You, 16.3: O Jagannatha (Lord of the World), You Who Bear the Burden of the World, … 16.4: … I Salute those Six Heads (blessed by Mahadeva and) which are Adorned with Shining Diadems.
Meaning: 17.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) With a Delightfully Pleasing Form adorned with Bracelets and Garlands studded withGlittering Gems, … 17.2: … and Beautiful Ear-Rings moving to and fro over the Shining Face, … 17.3: … With Golden Yellow Clothes over the Waist and the Beautiful Shakti Vel on His Hands, … 17.4: .. I See Your Beautiful Form before my eyes, O the Son of the Enemy of Tripurasura (referring to Shiva).
Meaning: 18.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) “Come here, my Son”, by Extending the Arms … 18.2: … When Shankara calls You, You from Your Mother’s Lap … 18.3: … Spring up and go towards the endearing Embrace of Your Father, O Kumara (another name of Subramanya), 18.4: I Worship that Form of Bala Kumara (Child Kumara) Whose Body was Embraced by Hara (another name of Shiva).
Meaning: 19.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) O Kumara, You Who are the Son of the Lord (Shiva), You Who are also called Guhaand Skanda, You Who are the Commandar of the Army of Devas, … 19.2: … You Who hold the Shakti Vel in Your Hands, You Who Mount the Peacock, … 19.3: … You Who are the Beloved of the Daughter of the hunter of Pulinda tribe (referring to Valli), … 19.4: … O Lord, You Who are the Enemy of Tarakasura, Please Protect me always.
Meaning: 20.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) During my Old Age, when my Senses will become Calm, when I will lose Consciousness and lie Motionless, … 20.2: … When my Face will Emit Phlegm and my whole Body will Tremble with Fear, … 20.3: … When I will lie Waiting for Death, O my Lord, during that time, for me, this Helpless creature, … 20.4: … Come to me Quickly and be before me, O Guha, the Compassionate Lord.
Meaning: 21.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) When the Messengers of the God of Death (Yama) who are Fierce, will say withFerocity, … 21.2: … “Burn him, Cut him, Split him”, threatening me, … 21.3: … (during that time) You, Mounted on Your Peacock and assuring “There is no need to be afraid”, … 21.4: … Please Come to me Quickly with Your Shakti Vel in Hand.
Meaning: 22.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) I Salute You by Falling at Your Feet right now, … 22.2: … Be Gracious, O Lord, I am Praying to You Many Times now, … 22.3: … For during that time (i.e. during my old age and when I am nearing death), I will not have the Strength to Speak, O the Ocean of Compassion, … 22.4: … Do not therefore Forsake me during the end of my life even for a little while.
सहस्राण्डभोक्तात्वयाशूरनामा हतस्तारकःसिंहवक्त्रश्चदैत्यः । ममान्तर्हृदिस्थंमनःक्लेशमेकं नहंसिप्रभोकिंकरोमिक्वयामि ॥२३॥ Sahasra-Anndda-Bhoktaa Tvayaa Shuura-Naamaa
Hatas-Taarakah Simhavaktrash-Ca Daityah |
Mama-Antar-Hrdistham Manah-Klesham-Ekam
Na Hamsi Prabho Kim Karomi Kva Yaami ||23||
Meaning: 23.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) The Enjoyer of Thousand Universes by name Soora (i.e. demon Soorapadma) was byYou … 23.2: … Slain along with the demons Taraka and Singhavaktra (i.e. demon Singhamukha), 23.3:Within the Core of my Heart lies one Mental Affliction, 23.4: You have still not Killed that, my Lord; What shall I do now? Where shall I go now?
Meaning: 24.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) I am always sunken with the burden of Sorrows, 24.2: You are the Friend of the Miserable in all the Worlds; apart from You, I Pray to None Else, 24.3:Preventing full Devotion towards You by always causing Obstacles … 24.4: … are my Mental Sorrows; O the Son of Uma, please Destroy them Quickly.
Meaning: 25.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Apasmara (Epilepsy), Kussttha (Leprosy), Kssaya (Consumption), Arsha (Piles),Prameha (Urinary diseases like Diabetes), … 25.2: … Jwara (Fever), Unmada (Madness, Insanity), Gulma (Enlargement of Spleen or other glands in the abdomen) and other formidable Diseases, … 25.3: … as also all types of Pisachas (Evil Spirits), … (when) in Your Bibhuti (Sacred Ash) contained in a Leaf, … 25.4: … sees You, Who is the Enemy of the formidable Taraka (i.e demon Tarakasura), they hasten to Run awayImmediately.
दृशिस्कन्दमूर्तिःश्रुतौस्कन्दकीर्तिः मुखेमेपवित्रंसदातच्चरित्रम् । करेतस्यकृत्यंवपुस्तस्यभृत्यं गुहेसन्तुलीनाममाशेषभावाः ॥२६॥ Drshi Skanda-Muurtih Shrutau Skanda-Kiirtih
Mukhe Me Pavitram Sadaa Tac-Caritram |
Kare Tasya Krtyam Vapus-Tasya Bhrtyam
Guhe Santu Liinaa Mama-Ashessa-Bhaavaah ||26||
Meaning: 26.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Always Seeing the Form of Skanda and Hearing the Glories of Skanda, … 26.2: … May my Mouth always Eulogize those Pure Deeds, 26.3: With my Hands always full with Your Works, may my Body always be Your Servant, 26.4:May All my Feelings (Bhava) be completely Absorbed in You, O Guha.
Meaning: 27.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Is it not that Worshipped by the Great Sages and Ascetics only, … 27.2: … the Devas (Gods) everywhere (i.e. in most cases) become the bestower of Desired Boons? 27.3: But even for the sake of Persons (i.e. Devotees) who are of the Lowest Births, to Grant them His Grace, … 27.4: … Apart from Guha, I do not know any other, I do not know any other.
कलत्रंसुताबन्धुवर्गःपशुर्वा नरोवाथनारिगृहेयेमदीयाः । यजन्तोनमन्तःस्तुवन्तोभवन्तं स्मरन्तश्चतेसन्तुसर्वेकुमार ॥२८॥ Kalatram Sutaa Bandhu-Vargah Pashurvaa
Naro Va-Atha Naari Grhe Ye Madiiyaah |
Yajanto Namantah Stuvanto Bhavantam
Smarantash-Ca Te Santu Sarve Kumaara ||28||
Meaning: 28.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Let my Wife, Children, Relatives or other People, … 28.2: … whether they are Men or Women, all those who stay in my House, … 28.3: … Let them all Worship You alone, let them all pay Obeisance to You alone, let them all Praise You alone, let them allTurn to You alone, … 28.4: … Let them all become absorbed in Your Rememberance only, O Kumara.
मृगाःपक्षिणोदंशकायेचदुष्टाः तथाव्याधयोबाधकायेमदङ्गे । भवच्छक्तितीक्ष्णाग्रभिन्नाःसुदूरे विनश्यन्तुतेचूर्णितक्रौञ्चशौल ॥२९॥ Mrgaah Pakssinno Damshakaa Ye Ca Dussttaah
Tathaa Vyaadhayo Baadhakaa Ye Mad-Angge |
Bhavac-Chakti-Tiikssnna-Agra-Bhinnaah Suduure
Vinashyantu Te Cuurnnita-Kraun.cashaula ||29||
Meaning: 29.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Those Animals, Birds and Biting Insects which are offensive, … 29.2: … and in like manner, those Diseases which cause Pain and afflict my Body, … 29.3: … Piercing them with Your Sharp Shakti Vel and casting them Far away, … 29.4: … Please Destroy them, O You Who Crushed the Krauncha Mountain.
जनित्रीपिताचस्वपुत्रापराधं सहेतेनकिंदेवसेनाधिनाथ । अहंचातिबालोभवान्लोकतातः क्षमस्वापराधंसमस्तंमहेश ॥३०॥ Janitrii Pitaa Ca Sva-Putra-Aparaadham
Sahete Na Kim Deva-Sena-Adhinaatha |
Aham Ca-Ati-Baalo Bhavaan Loka-Taatah
Kssama-Sva-Aparaadham Samastam Mahe[a-Ii]sha ||30||
Meaning: 30.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Mother and Father, seeing the Faults of their Children, … 30.2: … do they not Tolerate and Forgive those, O the Chief of the Army of Devas? 30.3:I am a mere Child and You are the Father of the World, 30.4: (So like a Father) please Forgive all my Faults, O the Great Lord.
Meaning: 31.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Salutations to Your Peacock and Your Shakti Vel, 31.2:Salutations to Your Goat, Salutations to Your Cock, 31.3:Salutations to Your Pilgrimage (referred to as Sindhudesha) by the side of the Sea, 31.4:Salutations, Salutations to You again and again, O Skanda, Salutations to Your Beautiful Form.
Meaning: 32.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Victory to You, the Inner World of Bliss Consciousness, Victory to You Whose Abodeis in that Shoreless (i.e. Unbounded) Bliss Consciousness, 32.2:Victory to You Whose Glory (both Inner and Outer) unfailingly extend everywhere, Victory to You Whose Form is an Embodiment of Bliss, 32.3:Victory to You Who is an Ocean of Bliss, Victory to You Whose Friendship is Unbounded (being the all pervading Consciousness), 32.4:Victory to You Always, Who is the Son of the Lord Who bestows Liberation (i.e. Lord Shiva).
Meaning: 33.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) This Hymn which is Arranged and set in Motion in the Bhujanga (Snake-like) Metre,the person who … 33.2: … Recites with deep Devotion and Reverentially Bowing before Guha, … 33.3: … will get good Spouse and Sons, Wealth and long Life … 33.4: … and finally that person will obtain the Sayujya (absorption in the Divine Essence) of Skanda.
-Subrahmanya Bhujangam by Adi Sankaracharya.
Begin the Mantra on any of the Thithis in Sukla Paksha(Waxing Moon)
Chaturthi,
Panchami,
Shashti.
Recite this in the morning,
Naivedyam. Honey/Dry Fruits.
On the concluding Day, Naivedyam Sakkarai Pongal and feed the poor.
Number of people to be fed depends on your budget.
In addition to this chant the Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra 108 times.
The Mantra.
Maha Mriytunjaya Mantra
The patient may recite these Mantras, if they can.
Problems faced by one in this life is attributed to three factors by Hinduism.
They are Aadi Baudhigam, that which is the result of the Elements of Nature, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ehter.
The second is Aadhi Deivagam, that which befalls in the absence of Divine Grace.
The third is Adyatmikam,which is the result of one’s actions.
Under this come most of our ills both physical and mental.
One such problem is the issue faced by the ill Will of one’s enemies.
Nobody will harm others unless they are wronged.
But we do not admit it.
There are Mantras to ward off the effects of enemies ill Will.
They are on Devi, Kaala Bhairava, Ganesha, Sudarshana , Hanuman and Subrahmanya.
I am posting the Subrahmanya Trisathi to ward off enemies’ machinations.
There are Mantras that will destroy the enemy.
I will not be posting them as creating problem for others will recoil on us either in this Life or later.
*This Subrahmanya Trisathi is very powerful and one may feel BODY Heat during the period in which it is chanted.
It is normal and do not worry and one need not take any medicine for this.
Ideally this Mantra is to be taken from A Guru.
But in the absence of such Gurus one can pray Subrahmanya who is the Guru of Guru Shiva and the favorite nephew of Vishnu and proceed with this mantra.
Begin on Shukla Paksha(waxing of Moon) on Shashti, Chaturthi, Panchami in the order of prefernce.
Number of days. 45.
Perform in the morning after bath.
Naivedyam. HONEY/ dry fruits.
On the concluding day Sakkarai pongal and feed the poor.
This depends on your budget.
For regular pooja procedures please check my posts on Pooja.
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