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Life History and contributions of Śrī Muthuswāmi Dīkṣitar and his Kamalāmbā Navāvarṇa kṛtīs
Life History and contributions of Śrī Muthuswāmi Dīkṣitar and his Kamalāmbā Navāvarṇa kṛtīs
Project by K. Shravan
Śyāmā Śāstri lived only a few steps from where Dīkṣitar was
staying (West Main Street). Both their fathers were good
friends in Tiruvārūr, and Dīkṣitar definitely wanted to meet
his elder contemporary. They both met, and as they were both
Dēvi upāsakās, they used to do pūjā to the Goddess every
day. After the pūjā, Dīkṣitar would ask his brothers to sing
his compositions and so will Śyāmā Śāstri ask his son,
Subbarāya Śāstri, to sing his compositions. Once, Śyāmā
Śāstri asked his son to sing his song Sarōjadaḷanētri in the
rāgā Śaṅkarābharaṇam from his Navaratnamālikā. Also
knowing that Dīkṣitar liked songs in vilamba kālā (slow
tempo), Śyāmā Śāstri asked his son to sing another one of his
songs, Dēvi Mīnanētri, which was in the very same rāgā and
group. Dīkṣitar was very pleased to hear both songs.
Knowing that it was the right time, the elder contemporary
asked our composer to accept Subbarāya Śāstri as his disciple.
Muthuswāmi Dīkṣitar was glad to do so. The influence of
Dīkṣitar can be seen in Subbarāya Śāstrī’s compositions like
Veṅkaṭaśaila vihāra in Hamīr Kalyāṇi, Intanuchu varṇimpa
in Śaṅkarābharaṇam and Śrī Kāmākṣi in Vasantā.
Once, Rāmaswāmi Dīkṣitar had started to compose a varṇam
in Śrīrañjani, but left it incomplete by composing only one
chiṭṭai swarā. Muthuswāmi Dīkṣitar asked Śyāmā Śāstrī’s
help in completing the uttarāṅgā. So, the 2nd Chiṭṭai swarā
was composed by Śyāmā Śāstri, the 3rd by Chinnaswāmi
Dīkṣitar and the 4th and final one by Muthuswāmi Dīkṣitar
himself.
The Navāvarṇa kṛtīs are only 9 in number, but there are two
additions to the group; a Dhyāna kṛti in the beginning and a
Maṅgaḷa kṛti in the end, totally making the group consist of
11 songs. Some also sing another two kṛtīs before the group;
Śrī Mahāgaṇapati ravatu mām in Gauḷa on Lord Gaṇapati
and Bālasubramaṇyam bajēham in Suraṭi on Lord Murugā.
The vāggēyakāra mudrā of Dīkṣitar, ‘Guruguha’, appears in
all the compositions. The rāga mudrā is not found in the
Dhyāna kṛtī and the Seventh Āvarṇam, partially in the first
and third and disguised in the fourth and the ninth. All other
kṛtīs have the Rāga mudrā properly.
No. Vibhakti Name Rāgā Tāḷā
The first composition, the Dhyāna kṛti, is in the rāgā Tōḍi, Rūpaka tāḷā
and the Sambōdhana Prathamā Vibhakti. It doesn’t have the Rāga Mudrā.
In the Dhyāna kṛti, Dīkṣitar basically talks about the Goddess Kamalāmbā.
He uses the word ‘Kamalā’ many times, to highlight her abode as
Kamalālayā, her feet as lotus feet - Kamalapadē, and her being worshiped
by Lord Brahmā and other Gods as Kamalāsanādi pūjita. Our composer
also mentions her as one who enjoys music and as one who bestows
poetic qualities to those singing her praise - Saṅgīta rasikē
sukavitvapradāyikē. He also describes Her as the embodiment of all
letters - Akacaṭatapādi varṇē. In this composition, the Goddess’ sitting
posture is also described as Vinōda charaṇē (enchanting feet).
Lyrics
Pallavi
Kamalāmbikē āśrita kalpa latikē chaṇḍikē
Kamanīyāruṇāmśukē kara vidhṛta śukē māmava
Anupallavi
Kamalāsanādi pūjita kamala padē bahuvaradē
Kamalālaya tīrtha vaibhavē śivē karuṇārṇavē
Charaṇam
Sakala lōka nāyikē saṅgīta rasikē
sukavitva pradāyikē sundari gatamāyikē
vikaḷēbara mukti dāna nipuṇe agha haraṇē
viyadādi bhūta kiraṇē vinōda charaṇē aruṇē
sakaḷē guruguha karaṇē sadāśivāntaḥkaraṇē
akacaṭatapādi varṇē akhaṇḍaika rasa pūrṇē
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Kamalāmbikē - Oh Goddess Kamalāmbikā.
Āśrita kalpa latikē - who is like a Kalpaka creeper (that grants all
boons) to those who seek refuge in you.
Chaṇḍikē - fierce one, one of the ten aspects of Śakti.
Kamanīyāruṇāmśukē - wearing the attractive red robe.
Kara vidṛta śukē - holding a parrot in one hand.
Mām - me.
Ava - protect.
Anupallavi
Kamalāsanādi pūjita kamalapadē - whose lotus feet are worshiped
by Brahmā, who has lotus seat, and other Gods.
Bahu varadē - showering plenty of boons.
Kamalālaya tīrtha vaibhavē - one who is the glory of the tank
Kamalālayā.
Śivē - auspicious one.
Karuṇārṇavē - ocean of mercy.
Charaṇam
Sakala lōka nāyikē - ruler of all worlds.
Saṅgīta rasikē - delighting in music.
Sukavitva pradāyikē - granting the boon of poetic genius.
Sundari - beautiful one.
Gatamāyikē - who helps transcend illusion.
Vikaḷēbara mukti dāna nipuṇē - adept in granting salvation without
body.
Agha haraṇē - one who dispels all sins.
Viyadādi bhūta kiraṇē - who enlightens the five elements.
Vinōda charaṇē - with enchanting feet.
Aruṇē - reddish.
Sakaḷē - complete, embedded with lunar digits.
Guruguha karaṇē - Mother of Guruguha.
Sadāśivāntaḥkaraṇē - inhabiting the heart of Lord Śivā.
Akacaṭatapādi varṇē - the embodiment of all letters, A, Ka, Ca, Ṭa,
Ta, Pa etc.
Akhaṇḍaika rasa pūrṇē - filled with complete bliss.
Summary
Pallavi
Oh Goddess Kamalāmbikā, Chaṇḍikā, the fierce one, protect
me. You wear the attractive red robe and hold a parrot in your
hands. You are like the Kalpaka creeper, who grants all boons
to those who seek refuge in you.
Anupallavi
Oh auspicious one, you are the ocean of mercy.You have lotus
feet and are worshiped by Brahmā and other gods. You are the
glory of the tank Kamalālayā, showering plenty of boons.
Charaṇam
Oh beautiful one, you are the ruler of allworlds, you delight
in music and grant the boon of poetic genius. You help
transcend illusion and are adept in granting salvation without
body. You enlighten the five elements and are the
embodiment of all letters, A, Ka, Ca, Ṭa, Ta, Pa etc. Oh
mother of Guruguha, you inhabit the heart of Lord Śivā and
are filled with complete bliss.
Kamalāmbā Samrakṣatu
Rāgā:Ānandabhairavi / Tāḷā:Tripuṭa
Lyrics
Pallavi
Kamalāmbā samrakṣatu mām
hṛtkamalānagara nivāsinī
Anupallavi
Sumanasārādhitābja mukhī sundaramanaḥ priyakara sakhī
kamalajānanda bōdha sukhī kāntātāra pañjara śukī
Charaṇam
Tripurādi chakrēśvarī aṇimādi siddhīśvarī nitya kāmēśvarī
kṣitipura trailōkya mōhana chakra vartinī prakaṭa yōginī
suraripu mahiṣāsurādi mardinī nigama purāṇādi samvēdinī
tripurēśī guruguha jananī tripura bhañjana rañjani
madhuripu sahōdarī talōdarī tripurasundarī mahēśvarī
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Kamalāmbā - Goddess Kamalāmbā.
Samrakṣatu - protect.
Mām - me.
Hṛtkamalānagara nivāsini - who resides in the lotus city of
the (human) heart.
Anupallavi
Sumanasārādhitā - worshiped by pure minded devotees
(also means Gods).
Abjamukhī - lotus faced.
Sundaramanaḥ priyakara sakhī - delighting the mind of
Sundarēśwarā i.e. Śivā as friend.
Kamalajānanda bōdha sukhī - one who enjoys the ultimate
knowledge, the bliss of Brahman.
Kāntātāra pañjara śukī - (one who is) the beautiful parrot
residing in the cage of the sound of Om.
Charaṇam
Tripurādi cakrēśwarī - The Goddess who rules over the
nine Chakrās beginning with Tripurā.
Aṇimādi siddhīśwarī - The Goddess who rules over
superhuman powers such as Aṇimā etc.
Nitya kāmēśwarī - who is the Nitya Kāmēśwarī (Also nitya
+ kāma + īśwarī: one who always fulfills desires).
Kṣitipura trailōkya mōhana cakra vartini - who is inherent
in the entire Earth (Kṣitipura - the name of the outermost
enclosure) and in the Trailōkya Mōhana Chakrā, the first
Chakrā, enchanter of all three worlds.
Prakaṭa yōgini - the manifest Yōgini.
Sura ripu mahiṣāsurādi mardini - slayer of the enemies of
Gods such as the demon Mahiṣāsurā, the buffalo-faced one
etc. (the animal instinct).
Nigama purāṇādi samvēdini - one with the knowledge of
the Vēdās, the sacred scriptures and Purāṇās, epics etc.
Tripurēśi - Goddess of the three cities.
Guruguha jananī - Mother of Lord Subraḥmaṇyā.
Tripura bhañjana rañjani - who enchants Śivā, the
destroyer of the three cities.
Madu ripu sahōdari - sister of Viṣṇu, the enemy of Madhu.
Talōdari - with abdomen as slender as the palm of the hand.
Tripurasundarī - Goddess Tripurasundarī.
Mahēśwarī - the great Goddess.
Summary
Pallavi
May the Goddess Kamalāmbā, who resides inthe lotus city of
human heart, protect me.
Anupallavi
The lotus faced goddess, who delights the mind of Sundarēśwarā,
is worshiped by pure-minded devotees. She is the beautiful parrot
residing in the cage ofthe primordial sound of om, enjoying the
ultimate knowledge, the bliss of Brahman.
Charaṇam
The great Goddess Tripura Sundarī, the one with knowledge
of the sacred scriptures and epics, and ruling over the nine
Chakrās beginning with Tripurā, controls the super human
powers such as Aṇimā etc. She is the Nitya Kāmēśwarī, who
always fulfills desires. She is the manifest Yōginī who is
inherent in the entire Earth and in the Trailōkya Mōhana
Chakrā. The goddess of the three cities slays demons such as
Mahiṣāsurā. She is the sister of Viṣṇu and enchants Śivā.
Kamalāmbām bhaja rē rē
Rāgā:Kalyāṇi / Tāḷā:Ādi
Lyrics
Pallavi
Kamalāmbām bhaja rē rē mānasa kalpita
māyākāryam tyajarē
Anupallavi
Kamalāvāṇī sēvita pārśvām kambujaya
grīvām nata dēvām kamalāpura sadanām
mṛdu gadanām kamanīyaradanām
kamalavadanām
Charaṇam
Sarvāśā paripūraka chakra svāminīm parama śivakāminīm
dūrvāsārcita gupta yōginīm duḥkha dhvamsinīm hamsinīm
nirvāṇa nija sukha pradāyinīm nitya kalyāṇīm kātyāyaṇīm
śarvāṇīm madhupa vijaya vēṇīm sad guruguha jananīm
nirañjanīm garvita bhaṇḍāsura bhañjanīm kāmākarṣiṇyādi
rañjanīm nirviśēṣa chaitanya rūpiṇīm ūrvī tattvādi
svarūpiṇīm
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Kamalāmbām - the goddess Kamalāmbā.
Bhaja - worship.
Rē rē mānasa - Oh mind!
Kalpita māyākāryam - attachment to worldly desires which are
illusory.
Thyaja rē - abandon.
Anupallavi
Kamalā vāṇī sēvita pārśvām - she who is flanked by Lakṣmī and
Sarasvatī on both sides.
Kambujaya grīvām - with neck that surpasses the beauty of the conch
shell.
Nata dēvām - one who received Gods bowed down.
Kamalāpura sadanām - who resides in the lotus city.
Mṛdu gadanām - whose speech is tender.
Kamanīya radanām - who has charming teeth.
Kamalavadanām - who has face like lotus.
Charaṇam
Sarvāśā paripūraka chakra svāminīm - the Goddess of the Sarvāśā
Paripūraka Chakrā (fulfiller of all wishes) (16 Dēvatās)
Parama śiva kāminīm - beloved of the supreme Lord Śivā.
Durvāsārchita gupta yōginīm - the secret Yōginī, worshiped by Sage
Durvāsā.
Duḥkha dhvamsinīm - who destroys all sufferings.
Hamsinīm - who rides the swan.
Nirvāṇa nija sukha pradāyinīm - who grants salvation, which is the
bliss of one’s own self.
Nitya kalyāṇīm - who is ever auspicious.
Kātyāyaṇīm - the daughter of sage Kātyāyaṇā.
Śarvāṇīm - who is Śarvāṇī, the consort of Śarvā (Lord Śivā).
Madhupa vijaya vēṇīm - whose hair conquers the blackness of honey
bees.
Sadguru guha jananīm - who is the mother of Lord Guruguha.
Nirañjanīm - who is unblemished, unattached.
Garvita bhaṇḍāsura bhañjanīm - who destroyed the arrogant demon
Bhaṇḍā.
Kāmākarṣiṇyādi rañjanīm - who delights Dēvatās such as
Kāmākarṣiṇī and others.
Nirviśēṣa chaitanya rūpinīm - who is the embodiment of unqualified
consciousness.
Urvī tattvādi svarūpiṇīm - who is manifest in the elements such as
Earth etc. (five elements).
Summary
Pallavi
Oh mind, worship the Goddess Kamalāmbā, and abandon
attachment to illusory worldly desires.
Anupallavi
She is worshiped by gods and is flanked by Lakṣmī and
Sarasvatī. Her neck surpasses the beauty of the conch shell,
her speech is tender and her teeth are charming.
Charaṇam
She is attended by the secret Yōginīs, worshiped by Sage
Durvāsā, is the goddess of Sarvāśā Paripūraka Chakrā, and is
the beloved of the supreme Lord Śivā. The goddess riding on
the swan destroys all the sufferings and grants salvation. She is
ever auspicious, the daughterof the Sage Kātyāyaṇā, the consort
of Śarva and the mother of Guruguha. She destroyed the demon
Bhaṇḍa, and delights the Dēvatās such as Kāmākarṣiṇī and
others. She is unblemished, the embodiment of unqualified
consciousness, and manifest in the elements.
Śrī Kamalāmbikayā
Rāgā:Śaṅkarābharaṇam / Tāḷā:Rūpakam
The third āvaraṇa kṛti is in the rāgā Śaṅkarābharaṇam, Rūpaka tāḷā and
the Tṛtiyā Vibhakti. The Rāga Mudrā is found partially in the Charaṇam
as “Śaṅkara”.
Lyrics
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbikayā kaṭākṣitōham
saccidānanda paripūrṇa brahmāsmi
Anupallavi
pākaśāsanādi sakala dēvatā sēvitayā
paṅkajāsanādi pañca kṛtya kṛt bhāvitayā śōkahara catura
padayā mūka mukhya vākpradayā kōkanada vijaya padayā
guruguhatatraipadayā
Charaṇam
anaṅga kusumādyaṣṭa śaktyākārayā
aruṇavarṇa samkṣōbhaṇa cakrākārayā
anantakōṭyaṇḍanāyaka śaṅkara nāyikayā
aṣṭa vargātmaka gupta tarayā varayā
anaṅgādyupāsitayā aṣṭadaḷābjasthitayā
dhanur bāṇadhara karayā dayā sudhā sāgarayā
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Śrī Kamalāmbikayā - by the auspicious Kamalāmbikā.
Kaṭākṣitaḥ - graced, protected.
Aham - I.
Sacchidānanda paripūrṇa brahma - the Brahman, the ultimate
reality, full with the consciousness and bliss.
Asmi - I am.
Anupallavi
Pākaśāsanādi sakala dēvita sēvitayā - by the one who is worshiped
by Indrā and all Gods.
Paṅkajāsanādi pañchakṛtya kṛtbhāvitayā - who is contemplated by
Lord Brahmā and others who perform the five cosmic acts.
Śōka hara chatura padayā - whose feet are adept in removing grief.
Mūka mukhya vākpradayā - who restores speech even to the dumb.
Kōkanda vijaya padayā - whose feet conquer the beauty of a red
lotus.
Guru guhatatraipadayā - who is the three worded sentence, which is
Guruguha himself.
Charaṇam
Anaṅga kusumādyāṣṭa śaktyākārayā - who is embodied as Anaṅga
Kusumā, and the rest of the Śaktīs.
Aruṇa varṇa samkṣōbhaṇa cakrākārayā - who is enshrined in the
reddish Samkṣōbhaṇa Chakrā.
Ananta kōṭyāṇḍa nāyaka śaṅkara nāyikayā - who is the beloved of
Lord Śivā, the master of millions of universes.
Aṣṭa vargātmaka guptatarayā - who is attended by more secret
yōginīs and the form of the alphabet grouped in eight sections.
Varayā - who is superb.
Anaṅgādyupāsitayā - who is worshiped by mānmathra and others.
Aṣṭa daḷābja sthitayā - who resides in the eight petaled lotus.
Dhanurbāṇa dhara karayā - who carries a bow and arrow in her
hands.
Dayā sudhā sāgarayā - who is the ocean of the nectar of compassion.
Summary
Pallavi
I am the Brahman, the ultimate reality, the ever existent
consciousness and bliss, graced by the auspicious
Kamalāmbikā.
Anupallavi
She is worshiped by Indrā and all gods and is contemplated by
Lord Brahmā and others. Her feet conquer the beauty of a red
lotus and are adept in removing grief. She herself is the three
worded sentence, which is Guruguha himself, and restores
speech to the dumb.
Charaṇam
She is embodied as Anaṅga-Kusuma, and the rest of the Śaktīs,
and is enshrined in the reddish Samkṣōbhaṇa Chakrā.The
goddess carrying a bow and arrow in her hands and residing in
the eight- petaled lotus, is attended by Yōginīs, more secret
being the form of alphabet grouped in eight sections. She is
the ocean of the nectar of compassion and is worshiped by
mānmathra and others.
Kamalāmbikāyai
Rāgā:Kāmbhōji / Tāḷā:Aṭa
Lyrics
Pallavi
kamalāmbikāyai kanakāmśukāyai
karpūra vīṭikāyai namastē namastē
Anupallavi
Kamalākāntānujāyai kāmēśvaryai ajāyai himagiritanujāyai
hrīmkāra pūjyāyai kamalānagara vihāriṇyai khalasamūha
samhāriṇyai kamanīya ratna hāriṇyai kali kalmaṣa
parihāriṇyai
Charaṇam
sakala saubhāgya dāyakāmbhōja caraṇāyai
samkṣōbhiṇyādi śaktiyuta caturthyāvaraṇāyai prakaṭa
caturdaśa bhuvana bharaṇāyai prabala guruguha
sampradāyāntaḥkaraṇāyai akaḷaṅkarūpa varṇāyai
aparṇāyai suparṇāyai sukara dhṛta cāpa bāṇāyai
śōbhanakara manukōṇāyai sakuṅkumādi lēpanāyai
carācarādi kalpanāyai cikura vijita nīlaghanāyai cidānanda
pūrṇa ghanāyai
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Kamalāmbikāyai - to Kamalāmbikā.
Kanakāmśukāyai - who is clad in golden robe.
Karpūra vīṭikāyai - who chews betel leaves flavored with camphor.
Namastē namastē - I offer my salutations, again and again.
Anupallavi
Kamalā kāntānujāyai - who is the younger sister of the husband of
Lakṣmī.
Kāmēśwaryai - who is Goddess Kāmeśwarī.
Ajāyai - who is unborn.
Himagiritanujāyai - who is the daughter of the mountain Himagiri.
Hrīm kārapūjyāyai - who is worshiped by the mystic sound Hrīm.
Kamalā nagara vihāriṇyai - who dwells in the city of the lotus.
Khala samūha samhāriṇyai - who destroys the evil people.
Kamanīya ratna hāriṇyai - who wears a garland of beautiful jewels.
Kali kalmaṣa parihāriṇyai - who dispels the sins of Kali.
Charaṇam
Sakala saubhāgya dāyakāmbhōja charaṇāyai - who possesses lotus
feet which grant all auspiciousness.
Samkṣōbhiṇyādi śakti yuta chaturthāvaraṇāyai - who residews in the
fourth enclosure containing the Śaktīs such as “Samkṣōbhiṇī” and
others.
Prakaṭa chaturdaśa bhuvana bharaṇāyai - who sustains the fourteen
manifest worlds.
Prabala guruguha sampradāyāntaḥkaraṇāyai - who is at the heart of
the well-known tradition to which Guruguha belongs.
Akaḷaṅka rūpa varṇāyai - who possesses flawless beauty and
complexion.
Aparṇāyai - who is Aparṇā.
Suparṇāyai - who is the mythical swan.
Sukara dhṛta cāpa bāṇāyai - whose hands hold the bow and arrow.
Śōbhana kara manukōṇāyai - who resides in the effulgent Chakrā
consisting of fourteen angles.
Sakuṅkumādi lēpanāyai - who is besmeared with red Kuṅkuma
(saffron powder).
Carācarādi kalpanāyai - who is the cause of both moving and inert
objects.
Cikura vijita nīla ghanāyai - whose black hair triumphs over the dark
clouds.
Cidānanda pūrṇa ghanāyai - who is the full essence of
consciousness and bliss.
Summary
Pallavi
I offer my salutations to you, the lotus faced goddess who is
clad in golden robe, and who chews betel leaves flavoured with
camphor.
Anupallavi
You are the goddess Kāmēśwarī, theyounger sister of Viṣṇu.
The daughter of the mountain Himagiri worshiped by him in
the city of the lotus and wears a garland of beautiful jewels.
The unborn goddess destroys dishonest people and dispels
the sins caused by the poison of the Kali Yugā.
Charaṇam
Your lotus feet grant all auspiciousness. You reside in the
fourth enclosure containing the Śaktīs such as Samkṣōbhiṇī
and so forth and sustain the fourteen manifest worlds. You are
at the heart of the well-known tradition to which Guruguha
belongs.You, possessing flawless beauty and complexion are
known as Aparṇā. You hold the bow and arrow in your hands
and reside in the effulgent Chakrā consisting of fourteen
angles. You are besmeared withred Kuṅkumā. You are the
cause of both moving and unmoving objects and are the full
essence of consciousness and bliss.
Śrī Kamalāmbāyāḥ
Rāgā: Bhairavi / Tāḷā:Jhampa
Lyrics
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbāyāḥ param nahirē re
citta kṣityādi śivānta tatva svarūpiṇyāḥ
Anupallavi
Śrīkaṇṭha viṣṇu viriñcādi janayitryāḥ śivātmaka
viśvakartryāḥ kārayitryāḥ śrīkara bahirdaśāra cakra
sthityāḥ sēvita bhairavī bhārgavī bhāratyāḥ
Charaṇam
Nādamaya sūkṣmarūpa sarva siddhipradādi daśa śaktyārādhita mūrthē
śrōtrādi daśakaraṇātmaka kuḷa kauḷikādi bahuvidhōpāsita kīrtē abhēda
nitya śuddha buddha mukta saccidānandamaya paramādvaita sphūrtē ādi
madhyānta rahitāpramēya guruguha mōdita sarvārtthasādhaka sphūrtē
mūlādi navādhāra vyāvṛtta daśadhvani bhedajña yōgivṛnda samrakṣaṇyā
anādi māyā vidyākārya kāraṇa vinōda karaṇa paṭutara kaṭākṣa
vīkṣaṇyāḥ
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbāyāḥ param - greater than Goddess Kamalāmbā
Na hi - there is nothing else
Rē rē citta - Oh mind!
Kṣityādi śivānta tattva svarūpiṇyāḥ - the one who is the quintessence
of all the principles, from the Earth to the ultimate Lord Śivā.
Anupallavi
Śrīkaṇṭha viṣṇu viriñcādi janayitryāḥ - who is the mother of Śivā,
Viṣṇu and Brahmā.
Śivātmaka viśva kartryāḥ - who is the creator of the universe which
is Śivā in essence.
Kārayitryāḥ - who is the agent of all actions.
Śrī kara bahirdaśāra chakra sthityāḥ - who resides in the auspicious
Chakrā of the outer ten triangles.
Sēvita bhairavī bhārgavī bhāratyāḥ - who is served by Bhairavī,
Bhārgavī and Bhāratī (Pārvatī, Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī)
Charaṇam
Nādamaya sūkṣma rūpa sarva siddhi pradādi daśa
śaktyārāditamūrthē - who subtle form is that of sound (Nādā)
propitiated by the ten Śaktīs, Sarvasiddhipradā and others.
Śrōtrādi daśakaraṇātmaka kuḷa kauḷikādi bahuvidhōpāsita kīrtē -
who is famous for being worshiped in various modes such as Kuḷa,
Kauḷa, as the power identical with the ten sense and motor organs.
Abhēda nitya śuddha buddha mukta saccidānandamaya
paramādvaita sphūrtē - who manifests the supreme eternal, pure,
enlightened and free self, who is the supreme non-dual Brahman,
characterized by existence, consciousness and bliss.
Ādi madhyānta rahitāpramēya guruguha mōdita sarvārttha sādhaka
sphūrtē - who is without beginning, middle and end, who is
unknowable, who is entertained by Guruguha, who is the manifest of
the Sarvārtthasādhaka Chakrā.
Mūlādi navādhāra vyāvṛtta daśa dhavani bhedajña yōgi vṛnda
samrakṣaṇyāḥ - who protects the Yōgīs who reside in the nine
centers of the astral body (Mūlādhāra etc), and who are adept at
piercing through them, by the knowledge of the ten sounds.
Anādi māyā vidyā kārya kāraṇa vinōda karaṇa paṭutara kaṭākṣa
vīkṣaṇyāḥ - who with her mere glance is capable of dispelling the
beginning-less delusion and ignorance and the laws of cause and
effect.
Summary
Pallavi
Oh mind! There is nothing greater than Goddess Kamalāmbā, the one
who is the quintessence of all the principles, from the earth to the ultimate
Lord Śivā.
Anupallavi
She is the mother of Śivā, Viṣṇū and Brahmā. She is the agent of all
actions, the creator of the universe which is Śivā in essence, and resides in
the auspicious Chakrā of the outer ten triangles. She is served by Bhairavī,
Bhārgavī and Bhāratī.
Charaṇam
Her subtle form is that of sound (Nādā) and she is propitiated by the ten
Śaktīs, Sarvasiddhipradā, and so forth. She is famous for being worshiped
in various modes such as Kuḷa, Kauḷa etc. She manifests the supreme,
enlightened and free self, who is the supreme non-dual Brahman,
characterized by existence, consciousness and bliss. She is without
beginning, middle and end, she is unknowable, is entertained by
Guruguha, and is the manifest of the Sarvārtthasādhaka Chakrā. She
protects the Yōgīs who reside in the nine centers of the astral body, and
who are adept at piercing through them, by the knowledge of the ten
sounds. Her mere glance is capable of dispelling the beginning-less
delusion and ignorance and the laws of cause and effect.
Kamalāmbikāyāḥ tava
Rāgā:Punnāgavarāḷi / Tāḷa:Rūpakam
The sixth āvaraṇa kṛti is in the rāgā Punnāgavarāḷi, Rūpaka tāḷā and the
Ṣaṣṭhī Vibhakti. The Rāga Mudrā is found properly in the Anupallavi.
Lyrics
Pallavi
kamalāmbikāyāstava bhaktōham
śrī śaṅkaryāḥ śrīkaryā saṅgītarasikāyāh śrī
Anupallavi
sumaśarēkṣu kōdaṇḍa pāśāṅkuśa pāṇyāḥ
atimadhurataravāṇyāḥ śarvāṇyāḥ kalyāṇyāḥ
ramaṇīya punnāgavarāḷi vijita vēṇyāḥ śrī
Charaṇam
daśakalātmaka vaḥni svarūpa prakāśāntardaśāra
sarva rakṣākara cakrēśvaryāḥ tridaśādinuta kacavarga dvaya maya
sarvajñādi daśaśaktisamēta mālinī cakrēśvaryāḥ tridaśavimśadvarṇa
garbhiṇī kuṇḍalinyāḥ daśamudrā samārādhita kauḷinyāḥ daśarathādinuta
guruguha janaka śiva bōdhinyāḥ daśakaraṇa vṛtti marīci nigarbha
yōginyāḥ śrī
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Kamalāmbikāyāḥ - of Kamalāmbikā
Tava - your
Bhaktaḥ - devotee
Aham - I (am)
Śaṅkaryāḥ - of the one who bestows auspiciousness
Śrīkaryāḥ - of the one who bestows prosperity
Saṅgīta rasikāyāḥ - of the one who enjoys music
Śrī - auspicious
Anupallavi
Suma śarekṣu kōdaṇḍapāśāṅkuśa pāṇyāḥ - of the one who holds in
her hands the flower arrows, sugarcane, the noose and the goad.
Atimadhura vāṇyāḥ - of the one whose speech is excessively sweet.
Śarvāṇyāḥ - of the wife of Śarvā (Śivā)
Kalyāṇyāḥ - of Kalyāṇī, the ever auspicious one
Ramaṇīya punnāgavarāḷi vijita veṇyāḥ - whose braided hair
conquers the lovely black bees swarming around the Punnāga tree.
Śrī - auspicious.
Charaṇam
Daśa kalātmaka vaḥni svarūpa prakāśāntardaśāra sarva rakṣākara
cakreśvaryāḥ - whose essential nature is the light of the ten-fold fire,
and who is manifest in the Sarvarakṣākara Chakrā.
Tridaśādi nuta kachavarga dvaya maya sarvajñādi daśa śakti samēta
mālinī cakrēśvaryāḥ - the Goddess, who is worshiped by Gods in the
Chakrā of Mālinī, which has ten Śaktīs, Sarvajñā etc, who are the ten
letters of the alphabet that belong to the “Ka” and “Ca” groups.
Tridaśa vimśadvarṇa garbhinī kuṇḍalinyāḥ - who is the Kuṇḍalinī
encompassing 50 letters of the alphabet.
Daśa mudrā samārādhita kauḷinyāḥ - who is the Goddess Kauḷinī
worshiped by the ten Mudrās.
Daśarathādi nuta guruguha janaka śivabōdhinyāḥ - who is
worshiped by Daśarathā and others, and who teaches Śivā, the father
of Guruguha.
Daśa karaṇa vṛtti marīci nigarbha yōginyāḥ - who is attended by
unmanifest Yōginīs which are the functions of the ten senses and the
motor organs (five Karmēndriyās, and five Jñānēndriyās)
Śrī - auspicious.
Summary
Pallavi
I am thy devotee, the devotee of the lotus faced goddess, bestowing
auspiciousness and prosperity, and enjoying the divine music.
Anupallavi
You hold in your hands the flower arrows, sugarcane, noose and the goad.
You are the wife of Śarvā. Your speech is excessively sweet. You are the
ever auspicious one, whose braided hair conquers the lovely black bees
swarming around the Punnāgā tree.
Charaṇam
Your essential nature is the light of the ten-fold fire, and you are manifest
in the Sarvarakṣākara Chakrā. You are worshiped by the thirty deities in
the Chakrā of Mālinī, which has ten Śaktīs, Sarvajñā etc, who are the
letters of the alphabet that belong to the “Ka” and “Ca” groups. You are
the Kuṇḍalinī encompassing 50 letters of the alphabet. You are the
Goddess Kauḷinī propitiated by the ten Mudrās. You are worshiped by
Daśarathā and others, and teaches Śivā, the father of Guruguha. You are
attended by unmanifest Yōginīs which are the functions of the ten senses
and the motor organs.
Śrī Kamalāmbikāyām
Rāgā: Sahānā / Tāḷā: Tripuṭa
The seventh āvaraṇa kṛti is in the rāgā Sahānā, Tripuṭa tāḷā and the
Saptamī Vibhakti. The Rāga Mudrā is found disguised in the Charaṇam
as “śāna”.
Lyrics
Pallavi
Śrī Kamalāmbikāyām bhaktim karōmi śritakalpa vāṭikāyām caṇḍikāyām
jagadambikāyām
Anupallavi
rākācandra vadanāyām rājīvanayanāyām pākārinuta caraṇāyām ākāśādi
kiraṇāyām hrīmkāra vipinahariṇyām hrīmkāra suśarīriṇyām hrīmkāra
taru mañjaryām hrīmkārēśvaryām gauryām
Charaṇam
śarīratraya vilakṣaṇa sukhatara svātmānu bhōginyām viriñci harīśāna
harihaya vēdita rahasyayōginyām parādi vāgdēvatārūpavaśinyādi
vibhāginyām carātmaka sarvarōgahara nirāmaya rājayōginyām
karadhṛta vīṇā vādinyām kamalānagara vinōdinyām suranaramunijana
mōdinyām guruguha varaprasādinyām
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbikāyām - (in) Kamalāmbikā, the auspicious one.
Bhaktim - devotion.
Karōmi - I do.
Śrita kalpa vāṭikāyām - who grants all desires to those devotees who
take refuge in her.
Chaṇḍikāyām - Chaṇḍikā, the fierce one.
Jagadambikāyām - the mother of all the universe.
Anupallavi
Rākā candra vadanāyām - whose face is like a full moon.
Rājīva nayanāyām - whose eyes are like lotuses.
Pākāri nuta charaṇāyām - whose feet are worshiped by Indrā.
Ākāśādi kiraṇāyām - who radiates out of the sky etc.
Hrīmkāra vipina hariṇyām - who is the deer in the forest of the Hrīm
sound.
Hrīmkāra suśāriṇyām - who is the embodiment of Hrīm.
Hrīmkāra taru mañjaryām - who is the beautiful bunch of flowers of
the Hrīm sound.
Hrīmkāraiśvaryām - who is the goddess of Hrīm.
Gauryām - who is Gaurī, the fair one.
Charaṇam
Śarīra traya vilakṣaṇa sukhatara svātmānubhōginyām - who rejoices
in the highest bliss of her own self, which transcends the three bodies;
gross, subtle and causal.
Viriñci harīśāna hari haya vēdita rahasya yōginyām - who is
attended by the secret Yōginīs known to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śivā and
Indrā.
Parādi vāgdēvatā rūpa vaśinyādi vibhāginyām - who is the Goddess
of pure speech and its forms, differentiated as the Śaktis Vaśinī etc.
Carātmaka sarva rōga hara nirāmaya rāja yōginyām - who is the
healing Rājayōgā that removes all transient illnesses.
Karadhṛta vīṇāvādinyām - who holds a Vīṇā in her hand.
Kamalānagara vinōdinyām - who resides in the lotus city.
Sura nara muni jana mōdinyām - who charms the Gods, men and
sages.
Guruguha vara prasādinyām - who grants boons to Guruguha.
Summary
Pallavi
I offer my devotion to Kamalāmbikā, the auspicious one. The Goddess
Caṇḍikā is the mother of all the universe and grants all desires to those
devotees who take refuge in her.
Anupallavi
Her face is like a full moon and her eyes are like the lotus bud. Her feet
are worshiped by Indrā. She radiates out the five elements. She is the
embodiment of Hrīm.
Charaṇam
She rejoices in the highest bliss of her own self, which transcends the
three bodies; gross, subtle and causal. She is attended by the secret
Yōginīs known to Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śivā and Indrā. She is the goddess of
pure speech and its forms, differentiated Śaktis Vaśinī etc. She is the
healing Rājayōga that removes all transient illnesses. She holds a Vīṇā in
her hand and charms the gods, men and sages. She grants Guruguha the
boon of her grace.
Śrī Kamalāmbikē avāva
Rāgā: Ghaṇṭā / Tāḷā: Ādi
The eighth āvaraṇa kṛti is in the rāgā Ghaṇṭā, Ādi tāḷā and the
Sambōdhana Prathamā Vibhakti. The Rāga Mudrā is found properly in
the Charaṇam.
Lyrics
Pallavi
śrī kamalāmbikē avāva śivē karadhṛta śuka śārikē
Anupallavi
lōkapālini kapālini śūlini lōkajanani bhagamālini sakṛdā lōkaya mām
sarva siddhipradāyikē tripurāmbikē bālāmbikē
Charaṇam
santapta hēma sannibha dēhē sadākhaṇḍaikarasa pravāhē santāpahara
trikōṇagēhē sakāmēśvari śaktisamūhē santatam mukti ghaṇṭāmaṇi
ghōṣāyamāna kavāṭadvārē ananta guruguha viditē karāṅguli nakhōdaya
viṣṇu daśāvatārē antaḥkaraṇēkṣu kārmuka śabdādi pañca tanmātra
viśikhātyanta rāgapāśa dvēṣāṅkuśa dharakarē atirahasya yōginīparē
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbikē - Oh Śrī Kamalāmikā!
Ava ava - protect (me) protect (me)
Śivē - the auspicious one.
Kara dhṛta śuka śarikē - holding a parrot and a myna in her hands.
Anupallavi
Lōka pālini - protector of the worlds!
Kapālini - carrying a skull!
Śūlini - carrying a trident!
Lōka janani - the mother of the worlds!
Bhagamālinī - you are Bhagamālinī.
Sakṛṭ - just once
Ālōkaya - glance at
Mām - me
Sarva siddhi pradāyikē - Oh giver of all powers!
Tripurāmbikē - Oh Mother, Tripurā
Bālāmbikē - Bālāmbikā!
Charaṇam
Santapta hēma sannibha dēhē - with body effulgent like molten gold!
Sadākhaṇḍaika rasa pravāhē - you are the eternal flow of
uninterrupted bliss!
santāpa hara trikōṇa gēhē - you reside in the triangle that removes
all sorrows!
Sakāmēśwari śakti samūhē - you are accompanied by three Śaktīs;
Kāmēśvari, Vajrēśvari and Bhagamālini!
Santatam - ever
Mukti ghaṇṭā maṇi ghōṣāyamāna kavāṭa dvārē - you are the door,
announced by the jeweled bell of the way to liberation!
Ananta guruguha viditē - you are known to Ananta and Guruguha!
Karāṅguli nakhōdaya viṣṇu daśāvatārē - the nails of your ten fingers
are the source of the ten incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu!
Antaḥkaraṇēkṣu kārmuka śabdādi pañca tanmātra viśikhā’tyanta
rāga pāśa dvēśāṅkuśa dhara karē - you hold the sugarcane bow
symbolizing the mind, the five arrows symbolizing the objects of the
five senses, the nooses of attachment and the goad of repulsion
Atirahasya yōginīparē - you are attended by the most secret Yōginīs.
Summary
Pallavi
Oh Śrī Kamalāmbikā, holding in hands aparrot and a myna bird, protect
me!
Anupallavi
You are the protector of the worlds.You carry a skull and a trident and
carry all the powers.
Charaṇam
Your body is effulgent like molten gold! You are eternal flow of
uninterrupted bliss! You reside in a triangle that removes all sorrows! You
are accompanied by the three Śaktīs Kāmēśwarī, Vajrēśwarī and
Bhagamālinī. You are the door, announced by the jeweled bell as the way
to liberation. You are known to Ananta and Guruguha. The source of your
ten fingers are the source of the ten incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu. You hold
the sugarcane bow symbolizing the mind, the five arrows symbolizing the
objects of the five senses, the noose of attachment and the goad of
repulsion.
Śrī Kamalāmbā jayati
Rāgā: Āhiri / Tāḷā: Rūpakam
The ninth āvaraṇa kṛti, the final one, is in the rāgā Āhiri, Tiśra Jāti Ēka
tāḷā, but now sung in Rūpaka tāḷā and it is in all the Vibhaktīs. The Rāga
Mudrā is found disguised in the Charaṇam as “āharī”.
Lyrics
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbā jayati ambā śrī kamalāmbā jayati jagadambā
śrī kamalāmbā jayati śṛṅgāra rasa kadambā madambā śrī kamalāmbā
jayati cidbimbā pratibimbēndu bimbā śrī kamalāmbā jayati śrīpura bindu
madhyastha cintāmaṇi mandirastha śivākāra mañcasthita
śivakāmēśāṅkasthā
Anupallavi
sūkarānanādyarccita mahātripurasundarīm rājarājēśvarīm śrīkara
sarvānandamaya cakra vāsinīm suvāsinīm cintayēham divākara
śītakiraṇa pāvakādi vikāsakarayā bhīkara tāpatrayādi bhēdana
dhurīṇatarayā pākaripu pramukhādi prārthitasukaḷēvarayā prākaṭya
parāparayā pālitō dayākarayā
Charaṇam
śrīmātrē namastē cinmātrē sēvitaramāharīśavidhātrē
vāmādi śaktipūjita paradēvatāyāḥ sakalam jātam kāmādi
dvādaśabhirupāsita kādi hādi sādi mantrarūpiṇyāḥ prēmāspada śiva
guruguha jananyām prītiyukta maccittam vilayatu brahmamaya
prakāśinī nāmarūpa vimarśinī kāmakalā pradarśinī sāmarasya nidarśinī
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbā - Goddess Kamalāmbā
Jayati - is victorious
Ambā - mother
Jagadambā - the Mother of the universe
Śṛṅgāra rasa kadambā - a flower of the Kadamba plant (the essence)
of the pleasure of love
Madambā - my Mother
Cidbimba pratibimbēndu bimbā - who is the form of pure
consciousness, and who is the reflection of the original pure
consciousness in the Bindu.
Śrī pura bindu madhyastha cintāmaṇi mandirastha śivākāra mañca
sthitha śiva kāmeśāṅkasthā - who is seated on the throne which is the
form of Śivā, in the embrace of Śivā, the lord of desire, in the wish-
fulfilling (Cintāmaṇi) temple which is in the Bindu Chakrā, the
abode of auspiciousness (Śrī)
Anupallavi
Sūkarānanādyarcita mahātripurasundarīm - Mahātripurasundarī,
who is propitiated by the Goddess Vārāhī (who has a boar’s face)
and others.
Rājarājēśvarīm - who is the ruler of all rulers.
Śrī kara sarvānandamaya cakra vāsinīm - who dwells in the
auspicious Sarvānandamaya Chakrā.
Suvāsinīm - the auspicious one.
Cintayē aham - I meditate upon
Divākara śītakiraṇa pāvakādi vikāsa karayā - the one who causes
the manifestation of the sun, moon and fire (sources of energy)
Bhīkara tāpatrayādi bhēdana dhurīṇatarayā - who is adept at
removing the three sufferings; physical, mental and supernatural.
Rāka ripu pramukhādi prārthita sukaḷēvarayā - who possesses a
beautiful form grants the prayers of Indrā and other Gods.
Prākaṭyaparāparayā - who is manifest both as the supreme and the
empirical objects
Pālitō - I am protected
Dayākarayā - by the compassionate one.
Charaṇam
Śrīmātrē - to the auspicious mother
Namastē - I prostrate
Cinmātrē - you are the pure consciousness!
Sēvita ramāharīśavidhātre - worshiped by Lakṣmī (Ramā), Viṣṇu
(Hari), and Brahmā (Vidhātṛ)
Vāmādi śakti pūjita paradēvatāyāḥ - (from) the supreme deity who is
worshiped by Vāmā and other Śaktīs
Sakalam - everything
Jātam - is born.
Kāmādi dvādaśabhirupāsita kādi hādi sādi mantra rūpiṇyāḥ - the
form of the Mantra which begins with the letters Ka, Ha or Sa - the
Mantra that is meditated upon by the twelve upāsakās beginning
with Kāmā etc.
Prēmāspada śiva guruguha jananyām - whose beloved is Śivā, and
who is Guruguhā’s mother.
prīti yukta maccittam - (let) my mind, with pleasing grace
Vilayatu - be dissolved
Brahmamayaprakāśinī - she embodies the light that is Brahman
Nāma rūpa vimarśinī - she reveals all forms and names
Kāmakalā pradarśinī - who reveals the Kāma-Kalā.
Sāmarasya nidarśinī - who reveals the perfect unity.
Summary
Pallavi
Goddess Kamalāmbā, the mother of the universe, is victorious. She is my
mother, a flower of the Kadambā plant which is the essence of the
pleasure of love. She is the form of pure consciousness, the reflection of
the original pure consciousness in the Bindu. She is seated on the throne
which is in the form of Śivā, in the embrace of Śivā, the lord of desire, in
the wish fulfilling temple which is in the Bindu Chakrā, the abode of
auspiciousness.
Anupallavi
I meditate upon Goddess Mahātripurasundarī, who is propitiated by the
Goddess Vārāhī and others and is the ruler of all rulers. She dwells in the
auspicious Sarvānandamaya Chakrā. I am protected by the ever
compassionate Goddess. She causes the manifestation of the Sun, the
Moon and fire. She is adept at removing the three sufferings; physical,
mental and supernatural. She possesses a beautiful form and grants the
prayers of Indrā and the other gods. She is manifest both as the supreme
and empirical objects.
Charaṇam
I prostrate to the auspicious mother! You are the pure consciousness and
are worshiped by Lakṣmī, Viṣṇu and Brahmā. Everything is born from the
supreme deity who is worshiped by Vāmā and other Śaktīs. Let my mind,
with pleasing grace, be dissolved in Guruguhā’s mother, who is the
beloved of Śivā. She has the form of the Mantrā which begins with the
letters Ka, Ha or Sa - the Mantrā that is meditated upon by the twelve
beginning with Kāma etc.
Śrī Kamalāmbikē śivē
Rāgā: Śrī / Tāḷā: Khaṇḍa ēka
The Maṅgaḷa kṛti is in the rāgā Śrī, tāḷā Khaṇḍa Ēka and the
Sambōdhana Prathamā Vibhakti. The Rāgā Mudrā is found properly
thrice in the composition. The first ‘śrī’ in the song is not counted as it is
just for paying the composer’s salutations to the Goddess.
Lyrics
Pallavi
śrī kamalāmbikē śivē pāhimām lalitē śrīpativinutē sitāsitē śiva sahitē
Samaṣṭi Charaṇam
rākācandramukhī rakṣitakōlamukhī ramāvāṇīsakhī rājayōga sukhī
śākambari śātōdari candrakalādhari śaṅkari śaṅkara guruguha bhakta
vaśaṅkari ēkākṣari bhuvanēśvari īśapriyakari śrīkari sukhakari śrī
mahātripurasundari
Word Meaning
Pallavi
Śrī kamalāmbikē - Oh Kamalāmbikā!
Śivē - the auspicious one!
Pāhi - protect
Mām - me
Lalitē - Lalitā
Śrī pati vinutē - worshiped by Viṣṇu, the husband of Lakṣmī
Sitāsitē - who is both fair and dark
Śiva sahitē - who is accompanied by Śivā
Samaṣṭi Charaṇam
Rākāchandramukhī - whose face resembles the full moon
Rakṣita kōlamukhī - who protects Kōlamukhī (the boar-faced
Goddess Vārāhī)
Ramāvāṇīsakhī - who is the friend of Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī
Rājayōga sukhī - who enjoys the bliss of Rājayōgā
Śakambari - who is dressed in lush vegetation (the earth goddess)
Śātōdari - whose waist is slim and tender
Chandrakaḷādharī - who wears the crescent moon
Śaṅkarī - who grants auspiciousness
Śaṅkara guruguha bhakta vaśaṅkari - who cherishes the devotees of
Śivā and Guruguha
Ēkākṣari - who is the single syllable (Om)
Bhuvanēśwarī - who is the ruler of the universe
Īśa priyakari - who is the beloved of Śivā
Śrīkari - who bestows auspiciousness
Sukhakari - who brings happiness
Śrī mahātripurasundarī - the supreme Tripurasundarī
Summary
Pallavi
Oh Kamalāmbikā, Lalitā, the auspicious one, protect me! You are both
fair and dark. You are worshiped by Viṣṇu and are accompanied by Śivā.
Samaṣṭi Charaṇam
Oh, the supreme Tripurasundarī! Your face resembles the full moon. You
protect Kōlamukhī (The boar-faced Goddess Vārāhī) and are the friend of
Lakṣmī and Saraswatī. You enjoy the bliss of Rājayōgā. You are dressed
in lush vegetation. Your waist is slim and tender and you wear the
crescent moon. You grant auspiciousness and cherish the devotees of Śivā
and Guruguha. You are the single syllable (om), the ruler of the universe,
and the beloved of Śivā. You bestow auspiciousness and bring happiness.