Vasantha Navarathri—An opportunity to remember My Mother

Embodiments of Love!

Today it  is Ugadi—Telugu New Year Beginning;

Also the beginning of VASANTHA NAVARATHRI! My father always used to say that there are 3 NAVRATHRIs; on this day, with greatest Love and Humility I submit the next slogam of Bhavani ashtakam; May My mother Abhirami bless you all

Vasantha Navarathri is the 9 Holy nights of Spring!

I am sharing a portion of the story;

Courtesy: Swamy Sivananda

In days long gone by, King Dhruvasindu was killed by a lion when he went out hunting. Preparations were made to crown the prince Sudarsana. But, King Yudhajit of Ujjain, the father of Queen Lilavati, and King Virasena of Kalinga, the father of Queen Manorama, were each desirous of securing the Kosala throne for their respective grandsons. They fought with each other. King Virasena was killed in the battle. Manorama fled to the forest with Prince Sudarsana and a eunuch. They took refuge in the hermitage of Rishi Bharadwaja.

Fortune smiled on Prince Sudarsana. A hermit’s son came one day and called the eunuch by his Sanskrit name Kleeba. The prince caught the first syllable Kli and began to pronounce it as Kleem. This syllable happened to be a powerful, sacred Mantra. It is the Bija Akshara (root syllable) of the Divine Mother. The Prince obtained peace of mind and the Grace of the Divine Mother by the repeated utterance of this syllable. Devi appeared to him, blessed him and granted him divine weapons and an inexhaustible quiver.

I again submit myself at the feet of My Mother

भवाब्धावपारे महादुःखभीरु
पपात प्रकामी प्रलोभी प्रमत्तः ।
कुसंसारपाशप्रबद्धः सदाहं
गतिस्त्वं गतिस्त्वं त्वमेका भवानि ॥२॥

Bhavaabdhaav-Apaare Mahaa-Duhkha-Bhiiru
Pa-Paata Pra-Kaamii Pra-Lobhii Pra-Mattah |
Ku-Samsaara-Paasha-Pra-Baddhah Sada-[A]ham
Gatis-Tvam Gatis-Tvam Tvam-Ekaa Bhavaani ||2||

Meaning:
In this Ocean of Worldly Existence (SAMSARA) which is Endless, I am full of Sorrow and Very much Afraid,

I have Fallen with Excessive Desires and Greed, and is drunken and Intoxicated,
I am always Tied in the Bondage of this miserable Samsara (worldly existence),
You are my Refuge, You Alone are my Refuge, Oh Mother Bhavani.

Bhava—world/existence

Abdha--cloud

AvaPare—in crossing off

Maha—b ig

Dukkam—worry

Bhiru—fearful/afraid of

Papata—flight/falling down

Pra—means excess—prakaamii—excess desires

Pralobii—excess greed

Pramataah— excessively intoxicated

Ku—to moan/cry

Samsara—worldly illusion

Paasa—chain/bondage

Prabadhdha—bound/catured

Sada--always

Aham—me

Gatihi—refuge( the visarga -: along with the consonant of “ th” of thwam makes the combination gatisthwam—you are the refuge)

Thwam—you

Thwam--you

Ekaa—one

धन्यवाद:

See you in the next episode

With lots of love

rajagopal

23.03.2012