Sarvathra Govinda Nama Sankeethanam Govinda Govinda
सान्द्रानन्दावबोधात्मकमनुपमितं कालदेशावधिभ्यां
निर्मुक्तं नित्यमुक्तं निगमशतसहस्रेण निर्भास्यमानम् ।
अस्पष्टं दृष्टमात्रे पुनरुरुपुरुषार्थात्मकं ब्रह्म तत्वं
तत्तावद्भाति साक्षाद् गुरुपवनपुरे हन्त भाग्यं जनानाम् ॥ १ ॥
SaandraanandaavabOdhaatmakamanupamitaM kaaladeshaavadhibhyaaM
nirmuktaM nityamuktaM nigamashatasahasreNa nirbhaasyamaanam .
aspaShTaM dR^iShTamaatre punarurupuruShaarthaatmakaM brahma tatvaM
tattaavadbhaati saakshaadgurupavanapure hanta bhaagyaM janaanaam .. (1)
The opening verses of Dashakam 1 beautifully portray the divine essence of Lord Vishnu’s presence in Guruvayur, transcending all limitations of time and space. Melpathur Bhattathiri highlights the invaluable blessing of experiencing this eternal, unparalleled manifestation in Guruvayur. Through heartfelt prayers and exultant praises, he encourages individuals to recognize the intricate ties that bind the seen and unseen worlds, prompting them to seek this divine connection repeatedly.
एवंदुर्लभ्यवस्तुन्यपि सुलभतया हस्तलब्धे यदन्यत्
तन्वा वाचा धिया वा भजति बत जन: क्षुद्रतैव स्फुटेयम् ।
एते तावद्वयं तु स्थिरतरमनसा विश्वपीड़ापहत्यै
निश्शेषात्मानमेनं गुरुपवनपुराधीशमेवाश्रयाम: ॥ २ ॥
evaM durlabhyavastunyapi sulabhatayaa hastalabdhe yadanyat
tanvaa vaachaa dhiyaa vaa bhajati bata janaH kshudrataiva sphuTeyam .
ete taavadvayaM tu sthirataramanasaa vishvapiiDaapahatyai
nishsheShaatmaanamenaM gurupavanapuraadhiishamevaashrayaamaH .. (2)
In Verse 2 of Dasakam 2 in Narayaneeyam Bhattathiri wisely points out that many individuals, when faced with the complexity of understanding God, turn to other sources for guidance. They often rely on material possessions, personal beliefs, or the advice of others, failing to realize that such paths can lead to adversity. Acknowledging their dilemma, it becomes evident that placing our trust in the divine Lord of Guruvayur is the optimal choice to navigate life’s challenges.
सत्त्वं यत्तत् पराभ्यामपरिकलनतो निर्मलं तेन तावत्
भूतैर्भूतेन्द्रियैस्ते वपुरिति बहुश: श्रूयते व्यासवाक्यम्।
तत् स्वच्छ्त्वाद्यदाच्छादितपरसुखचिद्गर्भनिर्भासरूपं
तस्मिन् धन्या रमन्ते श्रुतिमतिमधुरे सुग्रहे विग्रहे ते ॥ ३ ॥
sattvaM yattat paraabhyaamaparikalanatO nirmalaM tena taavat
bhuutairbhuutendriyaiste vapuriti bahushaH shruuyate vyaasavaakyam .
tat svachChatvaadyadachChaadita parasukhachidgarbhanirbhaasaruupaM
tasmin dhanyaa ramante shrutimatimadhure sugrahe vigrahe te .. (3)
In the third sloka, Bhattathiri joyfully reveals the words of Sage Vyasa, who lovingly emphasizes the incredible purity of Bhagavan’s form, which radiates the pure Sathwa aspect. This divine purity allows the lord’s form to exude a hidden pleasure, shining brightly and creating a delightful experience for devotees to admire and deeply immerse themselves in.
निष्कम्पे नित्यपूर्णे निरवधिपरमानन्दपीयूषरूपे
निर्लीनानेकमुक्तावलिसुभगतमे निर्मलब्रह्मसिन्धौ ।
कल्लोलोल्लासतुल्यं खलु विमलतरं सत्त्वमाहुस्तदात्मा
कस्मान्नो निष्कलस्त्वं सकल इति वचस्त्वत्कलास्वेव भूमन् ॥ ४ ॥
NiShkampe nityapuurNe niravadhiparamaanandapiiyuuSharuupe
nirliinaanekamuktaavalisubhagatame nirmalabrahmasindhau .
kallOlOllaasatulyaM khalu vimalataraM sattvamaahustadaatmaa
kasmaannOniShkalastvaM sakala iti vachastvatkalaasveva bhuuman.. (4)
In the eyes of Bhattathiri, Bhagavan’s pristine sathva character resembles the unwavering waves in the expanse of the ocean of ‘Brahmam’, embodying boundless joy derived from the unity of liberated souls. He praises Lord’s divine form that surpasses all other manifestations in its sheer completeness and splendor.
निर्व्यापारोऽपि निष्कारणमज भजसे यत्क्रियामीक्षणाख्यां
तेनैवोदेति लीना प्रकृतिरसतिकल्पाऽपि कल्पादिकाले।
तस्या: संशुद्धमंशं कमपि तमतिरोधायकं सत्त्वरूपं
स त्वं धृत्वा दधासि स्वमहिमविभवाकुण्ठ वैकुण्ठ रूपं॥५॥
NirvyaapaarO(a)pi niShkaaraNamaja bhajase yatkriyaamiikshaNaakhyaaM
tenaivOdeti liinaa prakR^itirasatikalpaa(a)pi kalpaadikaale .
tasyaaH samshuddhamamshaM kamapi tamatirOdhaayakaM satvaruupaM
sa tvaM dhR^itvaa dadhaasi svamahimavibhavaakuNTha vaikuNTha ruupam .. (5)
In the Fifth sloka of Dashakam 1 Bhattathiri praises Lord Guruvayoorappan as a wondrous spectacle, magnificently present yet humbly emitting the very essence of the moment. Holding the eternal gate, Bhagavan radiates as a flawless embodiment of nature, pure and unadorned. His authentic beauty shines forth from his untouched core.
तत्ते प्रत्यग्रधाराधरललितकलायावलीकेलिकारं
लावण्यस्यैकसारं सुकृतिजनदृशां पूर्णपुण्यावतारम्।
लक्ष्मीनिश्शङ्कलीलानिलयनममृतस्यन्दसन्दोहमन्त:
सिञ्चत् सञ्चिन्तकानां वपुरनुकलये मारुतागारनाथ ॥६ ॥
Tatte pratyagradhaaraadhara lalita kalaayaavalii kelikaaraM
laavaNyasyaikasaaraM sukRaitijanadRaishaaM puurNa puNyaavataaram .
lakshmii nishshanka liilaa nilayanamamRsitasyanda sandOhamantaH
si~nchat sa~nchintakaanaaM vapuranukalaye maarutaagaaranaatha.. (6)
The splendor of Guruvayoorappan’s divine presence shines through in this verse. Described as breathtaking as rain-kissed clouds, his wondrous form fills our hearts with the same happiness as the blooming of heavenly flowers. Lord Vishnu is described as the epitome of true beauty, a divine gift for those who walk the path of righteousness. As his heart is the dwelling place of Goddess Lakshmi, his blessing bestow pure bliss upon his devoted followers.
कष्टा ते सृष्टिचेष्टा बहुतरभवखेदावहा जीवभाजा-
मित्येवं पूर्वमालोचितमजित मया नैवमद्याभिजाने।
नोचेज्जीवा: कथं वा मधुरतरमिदं त्वद्वपुश्चिद्रसार्द्रं
नेत्रै: श्रोत्रैश्च पीत्वा परमरससुधाम्भोधिपूरे रमेरन्॥७॥
kaShTaa te sR^iShTicheShTaa bahutarabhavakhedaavahaa jiivabhaajaa-
mityevaM puurvamaalOchitamajita mayaa naivamadyaabhijaane .
nOchejjiivaaH kathaM vaa madhurataramidaM tvadvapushchidrasaardraM
netraiH shrOtraishcha piitvaa paramarasasudhaambhOdhipuure rameran .. (7)
In the seventh sloka, Bhattathiri shares his initial doubt about Bhagavan’s act of creation. He used to think that creation only brought suffering and hardship to living beings. However, he now understands that creation allows them to bask in the splendor of the Lord’s divine presence, filled with joy and enlightenment, and immerse themselves in the endless ocean of heavenly bliss.
नम्राणां सन्निधत्ते सततमपि पुरस्तैरनभ्यर्थितान –
प्यर्थान् कामानजस्रं वितरति परमानन्दसान्द्रां गतिं च।
इत्थं निश्शेषलभ्यो निरवधिकफल: पारिजातो हरे त्वं
क्षुद्रं तं शक्रवाटीद्रुममभिलषति व्यर्थमर्थिव्रजोऽयम्॥८॥
namraaNaaM sannidhatte satatamapi purastairanabhyarthitaana-
pyarthaan kaamaanajasraM vitarati paramaanandasaandraaM gatiM cha .
itthaM nishsheShalabhyO niravadhikaphalaH paarijaatO hare tvaM
kshudraM taM shakravaaTiidrumamabhilaShati vyarthamarthivrajO(a)yam .. (8)
In the eighth slokas of Narayaneeyam, Bhattathiri beautifully expresses, “Dear Lord, your divine presence is always bestowed upon those who worship you with utmost reverence. You not only fulfill their known desires but also graciously grant them blessings beyond their wildest dreams. Your guidance leads them to eternal joy and spiritual liberation. Just like a wish-fulfilling tree( Kalpaka Vriksham) offering unlimited fruits, you generously provide for all. Yet, there are some devotees who, consumed by greed, seek fulfillment from other sources (Kalpaka tree in Indra’s Garden) despite already having everything they need.”
कारुण्यात्काममन्यं ददति खलु परे स्वात्मदस्त्वं विशेषा-
दैश्वर्यादीशतेऽन्ये जगति परजने स्वात्मनोऽपीश्वरस्त्वम्।
त्वय्युच्चैरारमन्ति प्रतिपदमधुरे चेतना: स्फीतभाग्या-
स्त्वं चात्माराम एवेत्यतुलगुणगणाधार शौरे नमस्ते॥९॥
kaaruNyaatkaamamanyaM dadati khalu pare svaatmadastvaM visheShaa-
daishvaryaadiishate(a)nye jagati parajane svaatmanO(a)piishvarastvam .
tvaiyyuchchairaaramanti pratipadamadhure chetanaaH sphiitabhaagyaa-
stvaM chaatmaaraama evetyatulaguNagaNaadhaara shaure namaste .. (9)
Bhattathiri in the ninth sloka states that other divine beings may bestow varying wishes out of compassion, but Bhagavan, in his extraordinary benevolence, selflessly offer his very soul. Whereas some gods may be influenced by material riches, Lord remains the master of his own self and the ruler of his own spirit. An exclusive few consider Bhagavan to be a captivating being and derive immense joy from his presence. Nevertheless, Bhagavan is the ultimate source of joy himself. Bhattathiri therefore extends his heartfelt salutations to Lord Vishnu, for embodying such exceptional attributes.
ऐश्वर्यं शङ्करादीश्वरविनियमनं विश्वतेजोहराणां
तेजस्संहारि वीर्यं विमलमपि यशो निस्पृहैश्चोपगीतम्।
अङ्गासङ्गा सदा श्रीरखिलविदसि न क्वापि ते सङ्गवार्ता
तद्वातागारवासिन् मुरहर भगवच्छब्दमुख्याश्रयोऽसि॥१०॥
AishvaryaM shankaraadiishvaraviniyamanaM vishvatejOharaaNaaM
tejassanhaari viiryaM vimalamapi yashO nispRaihaishchOpagiitam .
angaasangaa sadaa shriirakhilavidasi na kvaapi tee sangavaartaa
tadvaataagaaravaasin murahara bhagavachChabdamukhyaashrayO(a)si .. (10)
In the Tenth sloka of Dashakam 1 of Narayaneeyam, Bhattathiri beautifully proclaims the greatness of Bhagavan, noting that even mighty deities like Shiva humble themselves before His divine presence. Lord Vishnu’s strength is demonstrated through His command over formidable powers, while His flawless character is extolled by selfless sages. The grace of Goddess Lakshmi envelops every aspect of His majestic being. With unparalleled wisdom and absolute detachment, the Lord of Guruvayur, the conqueror of Demon Mura truly embodies the essence of divinity.