From the Editor’s Desk...
During NavarAtri, I cherish connecting with the divine. As per tradition, I released videos for navarAtri for students to cherish the divine experience.
All the songs dedicated to the Goddess either speak of her benevolence, her valour or narrate tales from the multiple forms she chose to appear in. The narrative around each of these forms is focused on the Goddess’ courage, steadfast devotion and commitment.
This year, NavarAtri had a surprise in store for me! One of my rasikas Sri. Radhakrishna Prakhya appreciated the kritis using his eloquence in Samskritam, that I can't wait to share it with readers!
The nuance was, he appreciated the song, using raga, student names and essence of song through his verses. Without much ado, I would like our readers this month to dive into his penning and take this moment to
wish you all a happy Deepavali..
सदाशिवकृतं गीतं सन्ध्याऽऽनन्दप्रदायकम्।
काञ्चीपुरीश्वरी पातु सावेरीरागसन्नुता॥
sadāśivakṛtaṃ gītaṃ sandhyā''nandapradāyakam।
kāñcīpurīśvarī pātu sāverīrāgasannutā॥
The song composed by Sri Sadashiva Rao is a source of delight in the evening. May the presiding deity of Kanchipuram, the one who is praised in this song based on Saveri raga, Kamakshi, protect us!
ईशवशङ्करी गौरी मनोहरस्वरूपतः।
सदा भक्तवशीभूता कामाक्षी कुरुते शुभम्॥
īśavaśaṅkarī gaurī manoharasvarūpataḥ।
sadā bhaktavaśībhūtā kāmākṣī kurute śubham॥
Gauri, who enchants and controls Isha (Shiva)
With her captivating form
Is always captivated in turn by her devotees (through their intense devotion)
As Kamakshi, she blesses them with good fortune!
मार्गभ्रष्टाय सन्मार्गं दर्शयेत ध्रुवो यथा।
तथा शङ्कुरु कल्याणि त्वां विना न गतिर्भुवि॥
mārgabhraṣṭāya sanmārgaṃ darśayeta dhruvo yathā।
tathā śaṅkuru kalyāṇi tvāṃ vinā na gatirbhuvi॥
Just as Dhruva (the pole star) guides
Those who stray from their path
Oh Kalyani! Please offer good fortune (to those who are unfortunate)
Other than You, there is no other refuge in this world!
वाममार्गप्रिये शक्ते वामाचारप्रमोहितान्।सुप्तान् जागरयेः शीघ्रं त्वदीयकिङ्किणीध्वनेः॥
vāmamārgapriye śakte vāmācārapramohitān।suptān jāgarayeḥ śīghraṃ tvadīyakiṅkiṇīdhvaneḥ॥
Oh Shakti! Tantric practices please you immenselyWith the sounds of your ankletsPlease bring them back to their senses quicklyWho are bewitched and numbed by vile ways of living
त्वदीयकरुणादृष्ट्या केवलं कल्पकाम्बिके।महावाक्यप्रबोधस्य सम्भवोऽल्पमतौ मयि॥
tvadīyakaruṇādṛṣṭyā kevalaṃ kalpakāmbike।mahāvākyaprabodhasya sambhavo'lpamatau mayi॥
Oh Kalpakamba! Only with your benevolent glances on me,I, the feeble-minded one, can understand the mahavakyas!
मानसन्ध्यानमग्नं स्यात् त्वद्दीप्तपादपद्मयोः।
नान्या गतिर्विना ताभ्यां भुवनेश्वरि भूतले॥
mānasandhyānamagnaṃ syāt tvaddīptapādapadmayoḥ।
nānyā gatirvinā tābhyāṃ bhuvaneśvari bhūtale॥
Oh Bhuvaneshwari!
May my mind meditate
On Your radiant lotus feet
Other than them, there is none for me to seek!
शृङ्गेरीस्वामिभिर्यत् स्वयमभिरचितं स्रग्धरावृत्तमूलंसङ्गीतं ह्यष्टकं तत् श्रुतिसुखकरणं यैः स्मृतौ स्थापितं च।सन्ध्याऽनुश्रीध्रुवान् च त्रिभुवनपरिपाम् इन्दिरां सर्वकालंविद्यासद्बुद्धिदात्री कमलजदयिता पातु वागीश्वरी सा॥
śṛṅgerīsvāmibhiryat svayamabhiracitaṃ sragdharāvṛttamūlaṃsaṅgītaṃ hyaṣṭakaṃ tat śrutisukhakaraṇaṃ yaiḥ smṛtau sthāpitaṃ ca।sandhyā'nuśrīdhruvān ca tribhuvanaparipām indirāṃ sarvakālaṃvidyāsadbuddhidātrī kamalajadayitā pātu vāgīśvarī sā॥
The ashtakam written by the Shringeri Swami himself in the Sragdhara meter,Memorized fully as well as sung harmoniously and pleasingly,May Brahma's beloved, Vageeshwari who bestows knowledge and good intellect,Always protect Sandhya, Anushri, Dhruva, Bhuvaneshwari and Indira!
See you in next edition,
Sandhya Anand
Director of Samskritasangitam School of Music