Sarvathra Govinda Nama Sankeerthanam Govinda Govinda
सूर्यस्पर्धिकिरीटमूर्ध्वतिलकप्रोद्भासिफालान्तरं
कारुण्याकुलनेत्रमार्द्रहसितोल्लासं सुनासापुटम्।
गण्डोद्यन्मकराभकुण्डलयुगं कण्ठोज्वलत्कौस्तुभं
त्वद्रूपं वनमाल्यहारपटलश्रीवत्सदीप्रं भजे॥१॥
suuryaspardhikiriiTamuurdhvatilaka prOdbhaasiphaalaantaraM
kaaruNyaakulanetramaardra hasitOllaasaM sunaasaapuTam |
gaNDOdyanmakaraabha kuNDalayugaM kaNThOjvalatkaustubhaM
tvadruupaM vanamaalyahaarapaTala shriivatsadiipraM bhaje ||1||
In Narayaneeyam Dashakam 2 Verse 1, Bhattathiri beautifully portrays Lord Guruvayoorappan whom he worships as radiating like the sun, exuding kindness through his eyes, charming with a gentle smile, adorned with exquisite jewelry and the mystical Kaustubha gem, and embellished with a garland of forest greens, pearl chains, and the sacred Shrivatsa symbol – to this exquisite beauty, Bhattathiri dedicates his devotion.
केयूराङ्गदकङ्कणोत्तममहारत्नाङ्गुलीयाङ्कित-
श्रीमद्बाहुचतुष्कसङ्गतगदाशङ्खारिपङ्केरुहाम् ।
काञ्चित् काञ्चनकाञ्चिलाञ्च्छितलसत्पीताम्बरालम्बिनी-
मालम्बे विमलाम्बुजद्युतिपदां मूर्तिं तवार्तिच्छिदम् ॥२॥
keyuuraangada kankaNOttama mahaaratnaanguliiyaankitashriimadbaahu
chatuShka sangata gadaa shankhaari pankeruhaam |
kaa~nchit kaa~nchana kaa~nchilaanChita lasatpiitaambaraalambiniim
aalambe vimalaambujadyutipadaaM muurtiM tavaartichChidam ||2||
Bhattathiri expresses his admiration for the statue of Lord Vishnu, which is embellished with four hands holding a mace, conch shell, discus, and lotus flower. Each of these items symbolizes power, protection, righteousness, and purity. The pure light radiating from the Lord’s feet dispels all sorrows and showcases the indescribable beauty of his divine form.
यत्त्त्रैलोक्यमहीयसोऽपि महितं सम्मोहनं मोहनात्
कान्तं कान्तिनिधानतोऽपि मधुरं माधुर्यधुर्यादपि ।
सौन्दर्योत्तरतोऽपि सुन्दरतरं त्वद्रूपमाश्चर्यतोऽ-
प्याश्चर्यं भुवने न कस्य कुतुकं पुष्णाति विष्णो विभो ॥३॥
yatttrailOkyamahiiyasO(a)pi mahitaM sammOhanaM mOhanaat
kaantaM kaantinidhaanatO(a)pi madhuraM maadhuryadhuryaadapi |
saundaryOttaratO(a)pi sundarataraM tvadruupamaashcharyatO(a)-
pyaashcharyaM bhuvane na kasya kutukaM puShNaati viShNO vibhO ||3||
Here Bhattathiri expresses, “Dear Lord, Your divine appearance surpasses anything in the three worlds, surpasses any spellbinding beauty, outshines even the abode of beauty itself, is more delightful than any sweetness, surpasses worldly beauty, and is more astonishing than anything that inspires wonder. O Lord Guruvayoorappa, who wouldn’t be amazed by such a form in this world!”
तत्तादृङ्मधुरात्मकं तव वपु: सम्प्राप्य सम्पन्मयी
सा देवी परमोत्सुका चिरतरं नास्ते स्वभक्तेष्वपि ।
तेनास्या बत कष्टमच्युत विभो त्वद्रूपमानोज्ञक –
प्रेमस्थैर्यमयादचापलबलाच्चापल्यवार्तोदभूत् ॥४॥
tattaadR^i~N madhuraatmakaM tava vapuH sampraapya sampanmayii
saa devii paramOtsukaa chirataraM naaste svabhakteShvapi |
tenaasyaa bata kaShTamachyuta vibhO tvadruupamaanOj~naka
premasthairyamayaadachaapala balaat chaapalya vaartOdabhuut. ||4||
Regarded as the epitome of a devoted wife, Goddess Lakshmi’s unwavering dedication to her husband, Lord Vishnu, is truly remarkable. She bestows her blessings only upon those who display unparalleled commitment to him and never seeks praise or worship for herself. In the fourth verse of Narayaneeyam Dashakam 2, Bhattathiri elaborates on the fact that even when a devotee prays with pure sincerity, Lakshmi Devi will always choose to stand by her beloved Lord Vishnu. Bhattathiri expresses his worry that this could potentially result in unjust blame being placed upon Lakshmi Devi.
लक्ष्मीस्तावकरामणीयकहृतैवेयं परेष्वस्थिरे-
त्यस्मिन्नन्यदपि प्रमाणमधुना वक्ष्यामि लक्ष्मीपते ।
ये त्वद्ध्यानगुणानुकीर्तनरसासक्ता हि भक्ता जना-
स्तेष्वेषा वसति स्थिरैव दयितप्रस्तावदत्तादरा ॥५॥
lakshmiistaavaka-raamaNiiyaka-hR^itaiveyaM pareShvasthiretyasminnanyadapi
pramaaNamadhunaa vakshyaami lakshmiipate |
ye tvaddhyaanaguNaanukiirtanarasaasaktaa hi bhaktaa janaa
steShveShaavasati sthiraiva dayitaprastaavadattaadaraa ||5||
Here, Bhattathiri refers to the Lord as Lakshmikanthanaya Maya Vishnu, emphasizing the enchanting allure that keeps Goddess Lakshmi captivated. Her deep connection to Lord Vishnu’s heart prevents her from ever parting. Therefore, when a dedicated devotee sings praises of Bhagavan, it brings immense joy to Lekshmi Devi, prompting her to bless the devotee with abundant wealth and prosperity.
एवंभूतमनोज्ञतानवसुधानिष्यन्दसन्दोहनं
त्वद्रूपं परचिद्रसायनमयं चेतोहरं शृण्वताम् ।
सद्य: प्रेरयते मतिं मदयते रोमाञ्चयत्यङ्गकं
व्यासिञ्चत्यपि शीतवाष्पविसरैरानन्दमूर्छोद्भवै: ॥६॥
evaM bhuuta manOj~nataa navasudhaa niShyanda sandOhanaM
tvadruupaM parachidrasaayanamayaM chetOharaM shR^iNvataam |
sadyaH perarayate matiM madayate rOmaa~nchayatyangakaM
vyaasi~nchatyapi shiitabaaShpa visarairaanandamuurChOdbhavaiH ||6||
In the sixth verse of Dashakam Two of Narayaneeyam, Bhattathiri beautifully expresses the mesmerizing beauty and infinite wisdom of Lord Vishnu, which radiates boundless joy and heavenly bliss like an eternal river of divine nectar, captivating the hearts of all who delve into its mysteries. Spellbound by His enchanting aura, devotees are overwhelmed with pure delight and exhilaration, their eyes brimming with tears of ecstatic happiness that flow endlessly.
एवंभूततया हि भक्त्यभिहितो योगस्स योगद्वयात्
कर्मज्ञानमयात् भृशोत्तमतरो योगीश्वरैर्गीयते ।
सौन्दर्यैकरसात्मके त्वयि खलु प्रेमप्रकर्षात्मिका
भक्तिर्निश्रममेव विश्वपुरुषैर्लभ्या रमावल्लभ ॥७॥
evambhuutatayaa hi bhaktyabhihitO yOgassa yOgadvayaat
karmaj~naanamayaat bhR^ishOttamatarO yOgiishvarairgiiyate |
saundaryaikarasaatmake tvayi khalu premaprakarShaatmikaa
bhaktirnishramameva vishvapuruShairlabhyaa ramaavallabha ||7||
In this beautiful sloka, the esteemed Bhattathiri extols Bhakti Yoga as the most cherished route to liberation as advocated by the revered Yogis, who hold firm belief in the supremacy of devotion over both Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga. He showers praises upon Lord Rama, the beloved husband of Ma Sita, for his incomparable divine beauty that effortlessly draws individuals towards the path of Bhakti Yoga, adorned with the essence of pure and luminous spiritual love.
निष्कामं नियतस्वधर्मचरणं यत् कर्मयोगाभिधं
तद्दूरेत्यफलं यदौपनिषदज्ञानोपलभ्यं पुन: ।
तत्त्वव्यक्ततया सुदुर्गमतरं चित्तस्य तस्माद्विभो
त्वत्प्रेमात्मकभक्तिरेव सततं स्वादीयसी श्रेयसी ॥८॥
niShkaamaM niyatasvadharmacharaNaM yat karmayOgaabhidhaM
tadduuretyaphalaM yadaupaniShadaj~naanOpalabhyaM punaH |
tattvavyaktatayaa sudurgamataraM chittasya tasmaadvibhO
tvatpremaatmakabhaktireva satataM svaadiiyasii shreyasii ||8||
In the eighth sloka of Dashakam two, Bhattathiri beautifully explains the profound concept of karma yoga, emphasizing selfless actions and prescribed duties. It is truly inspiring to see how the supreme essence is revealed to those who detach themselves from the outcomes and immerse in the wisdom of the Upanishads. Through devotion fueled by love for Lord Vishnu, one can attain ultimate well-being, a truly remarkable journey. Bhattathiri words reaonate deeply as he proclaims- O Lord Guruvayoorappa, It is indeed a challenging yet rewarding process that requires unwavering dedication.
अत्यायासकराणि कर्मपटलान्याचर्य निर्यन्मला
बोधे भक्तिपथेऽथवाऽप्युचिततामायान्ति किं तावता ।
क्लिष्ट्वा तर्कपथे परं तव वपुर्ब्रह्माख्यमन्ये पुन-
श्चित्तार्द्रत्वमृते विचिन्त्य बहुभिस्सिद्ध्यन्ति जन्मान्तरै: ॥९॥
atyaayaasakaraaNi karmapaTalaanyaacharya niryanmalaaH
bOdhe bhaktipathe(a)thavaa(a)pyuchitataamaayaanti kiM taavataa |
kliShTvaa tarkapathe paraM tava vapurbrahmaakhyamanye punashchittaardratvamR^
ite vichintya bahubhissiddhyanti janmaantaraiH ||9||
By engaging in selfless acts, individuals can reach a state of mental purity and gain admiration on their journeys of knowledge or devotion. This is the exclusive method to genuinely benefit from their efforts. Some individuals opt to pursue the path of intellect in an attempt to find you. They concentrate on your formless nature, known as Brahman, however, their minds are troubled. It is not until after many lifetimes that they ultimately achieve liberation.
त्वद्भक्तिस्तु कथारसामृतझरीनिर्मज्जनेन स्वयं
सिद्ध्यन्ती विमलप्रबोधपदवीमक्लेशतस्तन्वती ।
सद्यस्सिद्धिकरी जयत्ययि विभो सैवास्तु मे त्वत्पद-
प्रेमप्रौढिरसार्द्रता द्रुततरं वातालयाधीश्वर ॥१०॥
tvadbhaktistu kathaarasaamR^itajhariinirmajjanena svayaM
siddhyantii vimalaprabOdhapadaviimakleshatastanvatii |
sadyassiddhikarii jayatyayi vibhO saivaastu me tvatpada
premaprauDhirasaardrataadrutataraM vaataalayaadhiishvara ||10||
In the final verse of Dashakam two of Narayaneeyam, the wise Bhattathiri beautifully imparts his advice on the unparalleled love and devotion we must offer to God. He explains that this devotion not only brings forth incredible blessings and positive outcomes, but it also grants us the joy of immersing ourselves in divine narratives, effortlessly acquiring profound spiritual wisdom, and most importantly, effortlessly paving the path to ultimate salvation. Indeed, such unwavering devotion is truly unmatched in every aspect. Moreover, he fervently declares, Oh Guruvayurappa! May I swiftly attain the deep affection that can only arise from loving and revering your divine feet.