Invocations

Shlokas

varṇānāmarthasaṃghānāṃ rasānāṃ chandasāmapi.

maṅgalānāṃ ca karttārau vandē vāṇīvināyakau..1.. [1-1]

I reverence Vāṇī (the goddess of speech) and Vināyaka (Lord Gaṇeśa), the originators of sounds represented by the alphabet, of the multitudes of objects denoted by those sounds, of poetic sentiments as well as of metres, and the begetters of all blessings.(1)

Shlokas

bhavānīśaṅkarau vandē śraddhāviśvāsarūpiṇau.

yābhyāṃ vinā na paśyanti siddhāḥsvāntaḥsthamīśvaram..2.. [1-2]

I greet Goddess Pārvatī and Her consort, Bhagavān Śaṅkara, embodiments of reverence and faith respectively, without which even the adept cannot perceive God enshrined in their very heart.(2)

Shlokas

vandē bōdhamayaṃ nityaṃ guruṃ śaṅkararūpiṇam.

yamāśritō hi vakrō.pi candraḥ sarvatra vandyatē..3.. [1-3]

I make obeisance to the eternal preceptor in the form of Lord Śaṅkara, who is all wisdom, and resting on whose brow the crescent moon, though crooked in shape, is universally adored.(3)

Shlokas

sītārāmaguṇagrāmapuṇyāraṇyavihāriṇau.

vandē viśuddhavijñānau kabīśvarakapīśvarau..4.. [1-4]

I pay homage to the king of bards (Vālmīki) and the chief of monkeys (Hanumān), of pure intelligence, both of whom sport in the holy woods in the shape of glories of Sītā and Rāma.(4)

Shlokas

udbhavasthitisaṃhārakāriṇīṃ klēśahāriṇīm.

sarvaśrēyaskarīṃ sītāṃ natō.haṃ rāmavallabhām..5.. [1-5]

I bow to Sītā the beloved consort of Śrī Rāma, who is responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution (of the universe), removes afflictions and begets all blessings.(5)

Shlokas

yanmāyāvaśavartiṃ viśvamakhilaṃ brahmādidēvāsurā

yatsatvādamṛṣaiva bhāti sakalaṃ rajjau yathāhērbhramaḥ.

yatpādaplavamēkamēva hi bhavāmbhōdhēstitīrṣāvatāṃ

vandē.haṃ tamaśēṣakāraṇaparaṃ rāmākhyamīśaṃ harim..6.. [1-6]

I adore Lord Hari, known by the name of Śrī Rāma, who is superior to and lies beyond all causes, whose Māyā (illusive power) holds sway over the entire universe including gods from Brahmā (the Creator) downwards and demons, whose presence lends positive reality to the world of appearances-even as the false notion of a serpent is entertained with reference to a rope-and whose feet are the only bark for those who are eager to cross the ocean of mundane existence.(6)

Shlokas

nānāpurāṇanigamāgamasammataṃ yad

rāmāyaṇē nigaditaṃ kvacidanyatō.pi.

svāntaḥsukhāya tulasī raghunāthagāthā

bhāṣānibandhamatimañjulamātanōti..7.. [1-7]

For the gratification of his own self Tulasīdāsa brings forth this very elegant composition relating in common parlance the story of the Lord of Raghus, which is in accord with the various Purāṇas, Vedas and the Āgamas (Tantras), and incorporates what has been recorded in the Rāmāyaṇa (of Vālmīki) and culled from some other sources.(7)

Sortas

jō sumirata sidhi hōi gana nāyaka karibara badana.

karau anugraha sōi buddhi rāsi subha guna sadana..1.. [1-0-1]

May Lord Gaṇeśa, the leader of Śiva’s retinue, whose very thought, ensures success, who carries on his shoulders the head of a beautiful elephant, who is a repository of wisdom and an abode of blessed qualities, shower his grace.(1)

Sortas

mūka hōi bācāla paṃgu caḍhai giribara gahana.

jāsu kṛpāom sō dayāla dravau sakala kali mala dahana..2.. [1-0-2]

May that merciful Lord, whose grace enables the dumb to wax eloquent and a cripple to ascend an inaccessible mountain, and who burns all the impurities of the Kali age, be moved to pity.(2)

Sortas

nīla sarōruha syāma taruna aruna bārija nayana.

karau sō mama ura dhāma sadā chīrasāgara sayana..3.. [1-0-3]

May the Lord who ever sleeps on the ocean of milk, and who is swarthy as a blue lotus and has eyes resembling a pair of full-blown red lotuses, take up His abode in my bosom.(3)

Sortas

kuṃda iṃdu sama dēha umā ramana karunā ayana.

jāhi dīna para nēha karau kṛpā mardana mayana..4.. [1-0-4]

May the crusher of Cupid, Bhagavān Śiva, whose form resembles in colour the jasmine flower and the moon, who is the consort of Goddess Pārvatī and an abode of compassion and who is fond of the afflicted, be gracious.(4)