Archive | Astakams

Shankaracharya Krutha Gangashtakam [The octet on Ganga composed by Adi Sankara] Translated by P. R. Ramachander Bhagawathi thava theere neeramathrasanoham, Vigatha vishaya thurshna krishnamaradhayami, Sakala kalusha bhange swarga sopana sange, Tharala thara tharange Devi gange praseedha. 1 Goddess, I cam to your shore, And sat there praying on Krishna, And taking nothing else but water. […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Ganesha Pancha Ratnam [Five jewels about Ganesa] Translated By P. R. Ramachander Mudha karatha modhakam, sada vimukthi dayakam, Kaladaravathamsakam, vichithra loka rakshakam, Anayakaika nayakam vinasithebha daithyakam, Nathashubha pranasakam, namami tham vinayakam. 1 I salute that remover of obstacles, Who has modakas in his hand, Who always bestows salvation, Who wears a part of […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Dasa Sloki or Nirvana Dasakam Translated by S. N. Sastri Introduction: It is said that the Dasasloki was composed by Sri Sankara spontaneously when Sri Govindapada, whom he approached with a request to be accepted as a disciple, asked him who he was. The ten slokas which have become famous as ’Dasasloki’ were […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Dakshinamurthy Ashtakam Translated by P. R. Ramachander* [Adi Sankara has written very many great Stotras (prayers) but here is a unique prayer, which is not only a prayer but the summary of all the philosophy that he has taught. Even during his time, this stotra was difficult to comprehend and it became necessary […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Bhavani Bhujangam Translated by P. R. Ramachander Shadathara pangeruham, anthar virajath, Sushumnantharalethi thejollasanthim, Sudha mandalam dravayanthim pibanthim, Sudha moorthy meede chidananda roopam. 1 I bow before that personification of nectar, Who is the ever lasting immortal bliss, Who is the luster in the Sushumna, Which is in the six chakras of the body, […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Bhavani Ashtakam Translated by P. R. Ramachander [This great Sthothra by Adhi Sankara would move any one who reads it to tears. If a great soul like Him, had to describe himself, thus, Imagine the state of an ignoramus like any one of us.] Na thatho, na matha, na bandur na datha, Na […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Bhaja Govindam Translated by S. N. Sastri Bhaja Govindam is one of the most popular works of Sri Sankara. The essential teaching conveyed through this work is the need for cultivating an attitude of detachment towards all worldly matters and intense devotion to God. These two are necessary even for leading a happy […]

Bhagawan Manasa Pooja [Mental worship of God] By Adi Shankara Bhagwat Pada Translated by P. R. Ramachander [Here is a very pretty prayer describing the mental worship of Lord Krishna. In the reference book in Malayalam it is stated that it is written by Adi Shankara.] Hrudambhoje Krishna sakala jala shyamala thanu, Sarojaksha sragweemukuta kadagath […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s Atma Panchakam [The pentet on Soul] Translated by P. R. Ramachander Naham deho, nendriya nyantharangam, Nahamkara prana vargaa na budhi, Darapathya kshethra vithadhi dhoora, Sakshi nithya prathyagathma shivoham. 1 I am neither the body, nor the senses nor the mind, Neither am I pride, soul nor intellect, But I am Shiva, who is […]

Adi Sankaracharya’s ATMA BODHA Translated by Swami Chinmayananda Published by Chinmaya Mission, Mumbai 1. I am composing the ATMA-BODHA, this treatise of the Knowledge of the Self, for those who have purified themselves by austerities and are peaceful in heart and calm, who are free from cravings and are desirous of liberation. 2. Just as […]