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Ashtasloki by Sri Bhattar (with explanation in English)

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PROLOGUE
As asserted b !oi"ai A#$%Ar &mud$al '$iru(and$Ad$i - 33)* it is o+ no use to count t$e
c$ant o+ t$e mantras in t$e sand$A(andanam %it$out t$inkin" in t$e mind o+ t$e
,ualities o+ t$e Su-reme .ein" - +or instance His kindness in "i(in" a cit to d%ell +or t$e
+our-+aced .ra$ma in His lotus na(el and "rantin" $im t$e /edas +or bein" -ro-a"ated0
'$e s-irit o+ t$e A#$%Ar1s statement indicates t$e im-ortant messa"es o+ t$e /edas (i#0
am2(a 2s$a (r3ut2 t2na lab$a4 - He can be reac$ed b onl t$at soul %$ic$ He
c$ooses5 sa u Sr2An b$a(ati 6AamAna4 - He "ets more reno%ned b His birt$
&a(atAram) etc0 s$ould reac$ t$e %orld and con(ince t$e souls t$at He is makin" His o%n
e++orts &%it$out an e7-ectations +rom t$em) +or t$eir u-li+t0
'$e 8ord %illed t$at t$e A#$%Ars s$ould brin" out t$e messa"es o+ %$at ot$ers %ould
consider as mantras and do c$antin" &6a-a) or o++erin"s in +ire &$9ma)0 2(en t$e %ord
nArAa3a is inter-reted b t$e A#$%Ars0 :or instance* ;nArAa3an ennai A8i*
nara$att$ucc$2rAmal kAkkum t$irumAl; &nAnmu$an t$iru(and$Ad$i (erse 14)
inter-rets t$e %ord as -ossessor o+ t$e soul&s) and as remo(er o+ t$e obstacles in reac$in"
Him0 ;nAra3an mu#$u 2#$ula$ukkum nAt$an00 kAra3am kiriSai karumam i(ai;
&t$iru(Aimo#$i 20702) inter-rets t$e %ord as 1narA3Am aanam1 - t$e controller*
su--orter and conductor o+ t$e material and s-iritual %orld0
'$e A#$%Ars mention about t$e '$irumant$ram &as$tAks$arI - re+erred to as
mantrarA6am b some)* d%aam &re+erred to as mantraratnam b some) and t$e c$arama
Sl9ka indicatin" t$eir inter-retations0 '$ese t$ree bein" $ailed as ra$asa traam - t$e
t$ree -recious messa"es* it can be said* %it$out +ear o+ contradiction* t$at t$e A#$%Ars
%ere t$e +irst to inter-ret t$em as mantras con(ein" t$e -recious messa"es
1
0 SrI
!arASara .$attar
2
seems to be t$e +irst Ac$Ara to -ut t$e A#$%Ars1 im-ressi(e and
do%n-to-eart$ inter-retations o+ t$ese mantras in sim-le Sanskrit (erses +or t$e bene+it o+
Sanskrit-kno%in" -eo-le* $a(in" noticed t$at suc$ an attem-t %as not a(ailable in sources
in t$at lan"ua"e0 '$ese (erses constitute t$e as$taSl9kI %$ic$ are e7-lained in t$e
+ollo%in" -a"es in 2n"lis$0
Salutations to Sri Bhattar
Sloka
SrI !arASara b$attAra4 SrIran"2Sa -ur9$ita4
SrI(atsAnka suta4 SrImAn Sr2as2 m2stu b$<as2
!eaning
=a Sri !arASara b$attar* son o+ SrI(atsAnka or >ooratt$A#$%An* +or %$om t$e -rime
concern is t$e %ell-bein" o+ 8ord ?an"anAt$a* be +or m "reat %ealt$ &&o+ t$e kno%led"e
t$at t$e 8ord is m means and "oal)0
"ntro#u$tion
In t$e as$taSl9kI* Sri .$attar "i(es us t$e si"ni+icance o+ t$e t$ree im-ortant mantras o+
Sri /ais$3a(ism* (i#0 '$e '$iru-=antram or as$tAks$arI* t$e @%aa-mantram and t$e
C$arama Sl9ka0 '$is %ork consists o+ ei"$t (erses0
In t$e +irst +our Sl9kas* Sri .$attar elaborates t$e meanin" o+ t$e '$iru-=antram or
as$tAks$arI* t$e mantra consistin" o+ ei"$t letters ;aum nam9 nArAa3Aa; com-risin"
t$e t$ree %ords aum* nama4 and nArAa3a0
In t$e +i+t$ and si7t$ Sl9kas* Sri .$attar teac$es t$e meanin" o+ t$e d(aa-mantra* t$e
mantra consistin" o+ t%o -arts (i#0 ;SrImannArAa3a C$ara3au Sara3am !ra-ad2; and
;SrImat2 nArAa3Aa nama4;
In t$e se(ent$ and ei"$t$ Sl9kas* Sri .$attar d%ells on t$e messa"e "i(en b 8ord
>ris$na in t$e C$arama Sl9ka* t$e 66t$ (erse in t$e 18t$ c$a-ter o+ SrImad .$a"a(ad-
Aita0
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8ord So%rirA6a at '$irukkanna-uram
SLO%A & '
akArArt$9 (is$3u4 6a"adudaa raks$A -ra8aa krt
makArArt$9 6I(a4 tadu-akara3am (ais$3a(amidam
ukAr9nanAr$am niamaati samband$amana94
traI sAra4 trAtmA -ra3a(a imamart$am samadiSat
!eaning
'$e %ord ;aum;* considered to be t$e essence o+ t$e t$ree /edas and consistin" o+ t$e
t$ree letters ;a;* ;u; and ;ma;* (isuali#es t$e +ollo%in" conce-t4
8etter ;a; stands +or 8ord /is$nu as t$e creator* -rotector and destroer o+ t$e uni(erse0
8etter ;ma; stands +or t$e soul as a belon"in" o+ 8ord /is$nu and as His instrument0
8etter ;u; establis$es a relations$i- bet%een t$e soul and t$e 8ord t$at t$e soul belon"s
onl to t$e 8ord0
Purport
In t$is Sl9ka* Sri .$attar tells us %$at t$e %ord ;aum; si"ni+ies0
akArArthO VishNu: jagadudaya rakshA pralaya krt-
'$e letter ;a; stands +or t$e 8ord /is$nu* t$e in-d%eller o+ all* as t$e creator* -rotector and
destroer o+ t$e uni(erse* as t$e 8ord Himsel+ sas ;ask$arA3Am akAr9smi; in "ItA
&1B033)* %$ic$ means He is t$e letter ;a; amon" all letters0 '$e letter 1a1 smboli#es t$e
8ord +or it is considered to be t$e ori"in o+ all letters as t$e /edas sa ;akAr9 (ai sar(A
(Ak; %$ic$ means t$e letter ;a; itsel+ is all s-eec$0 !rotection $ere means is$ta--rA-ti
and anis$ta-ni(rtti0 '$is means makin" t$in"s desirable +or t$e 6ee(a a(ailable &so t$at $e
can reali#e t$e 8ord) and remo(in" t$ose %$ic$ are not re,uired &obstructions in attainin"
t$e 8ord)0
makArArthO jIva: tadupakaraNam vaishNavamidam -
'$e letter ;ma; stands +or t$e soul* as t$e belon"in" o+ 8ord /is$nu and as a tool in His
$ands at His dis-osal +or His acti(ities &lIlAs)0 Here* b usin" %ords ;tat; and ;idam;
%$ic$ belon" to neuter "ender* Sri .$attar indicates t$at t$e soul is like a non-sentient
ob6ect in t$e $ands o+ t$e 8ord and $ence is com-letel de-endent on Him0
ukArOnanyArham niyamayati sambandhamanayO:-
'$e letter ;u; establis$es a relations$i- bet%een t$e soul and t$e 8ord t$at t$e soul is
meant as a tool onl +or t$e 8ord and belon"s to Him e7clusi(el0
trayI sAra: tryAtmA praNava imamartham samadiSat-
'$e %ord ;aum;* consistin" o+ t$ree letters ;a;* ;u; and ;ma;* considered as t$e essence o+
t$e t$ree /edas* (isuali#es t$e abo(e conce-t0
Scri-tures sa ;aumit2kAks$aram; %$ic$ means ;aum; consists o+ onl one letter0 '$is
is in its ;sam$itAkAram; or undi(ided +orm0 In its ;asam$itAkAram; or di(ided +orm*
;aum; consists o+ t$e t$ree letters ;a;* ;u; and ;ma;0
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SLO%A & (
=antra bra$ma3i mad$am2na namasA -umsa4 s%ar<-am "ati4
"amam Siks$itamIks$it2na -urata4 -asc$Ada-i st$Anata4
s(Atantram ni6araks$a3am c$a samuc$itA (rttiSc$a nAn9c$itA
tasai(2ti $ar24 (i(ic$a kat$itam s(asA-i nAr$am tata4
!eaning
'$e middle %ord ;nama4; in t$e "reat mantra ;aum nama4 nArAa3Aa; teac$es t$e
6ee(a $is nature* %$en read alon" %it$ t$e +irst %ord ;aum;0 C$en read in its o%n -lace* it
teac$es t$e means o+ liberation +or t$e soul0 C$en read alon" %it$ t$e last %ord
;nArAa3Aa;* it teac$es t$e destination o+ t$e soul0 It is %ell-t$ou"$t and con(eed
t$rou"$ t$is %ord t$at inde-endence* -rotection o+ t$e 6ee(a and en"a"in" in t$e ser(ice
o+ t$e 8ord are suitable onl +or t$e 8ord Hari and not +or t$e soul0 '$ere+ore t$e 6ee(a
does not belon" to $imsel+0
Purport
In t$is (erse* Sri .$attar teac$es t$e meanin" o+ t$e %ord ;nama4;* t$e middle %ord in t$e
as$tAks$arI ma$Amantra0
Mantra brahmaNi madhyamEna namasA pumsa: swarUpam gati: gamyam
SikshitamIkshitEna purata: pashAdapi sthAnata:-
'$e %ord nama4 stands +or ;na mama; or not mine0 '$is con(es us %$at t$e nature o+ t$e
soul is* t$e means o+ liberation +or t$e soul and its destination0
C$en read alon" %it$ t$e +irst %ord o+ t$e mantra ;aum;* nama4 indicates t$e nature o+
soul0 Here nama4 means I &t$e soul) am not mine0 :rom t$e meanin" o+ t$e %ord ;aum;
%e understand t$at I &t$e soul) am a belon"in" o+ t$e 8ord0 '$us t$e %ord nama4* con(es
t$e subser(ience or S2s$at(a o+ t$e soul to t$e 8ord0
'$e %ord nama4 %$en read in its o%n -osition &st$Anata4)* indicates t$at t$e soul $as no
means o+ its o%n +or its liberation0 Here* since I &t$e soul) am not mine but a belon"in" o+
somebod else &t$e 8ord)* I cannot make m o%n e++orts to reac$ m 8ord0 It is +or Him
to take me0
'$e %ord nama4 %$en read alon" %it$ t$e %ord nArAa3a %$ic$ +ollo%s it
&-aSc$Ada-i)* con(es t$at t$e ultimate destination o+ t$e soul is 8ord nArAa3a on His
o%n0 Here nama4 means t$at t$e destination is not mine &t$e soul1s)* and t$e 8ord is m
destination not because o+ m t$inkin" but on His o%n status as nArAa3a0 '$e meanin"
o+ t$e %ord nArAa3a is e7-lained in t$e ne7t (erse0 Here* it is %ort$ notin" Sri
namma#$%Ar1s statement in '$iru(Aimo#$i &1B0D0D) - ;(aikund$am -u$u(ad$u
ma33a(ar (id$i2;* %$ic$ means t$e $abitants o+ t$e eart$ are destined to "o to
-arama-ada b Aod1s sankal-a %$ic$ is ;(id$i; or destin0
svAtantryam nijarakshaNam ha samuhitA vrttiSha nAnyOhitA tasyaivEti harE:
vivihya kathitam svasyApi nArham tata:-
:rom t$e abo(e e7-lanation* it is to be understood t$at t$e %ord nama4 con(es t$at
inde-endence* -rotection o+ sel+ and ser(ice to t$e 8ord* are kno%n to be +it onl +or 8ord
Hari and nobod else0 '$is means t$e soul is com-letel de-endent on Him and He alone
-rotects t$e soul and He alone en"a"es t$e soul in His ser(ice natural to t$e soul0 '$is is
t$ou"$t %ell and con(eed t$rou"$ t$e %ord nama40 '$ere+ore* t$e 6ee(a does not belon"
to $imsel+ but onl to Sri Hari0
:ollo%in" .$attar* later Ac$Aras call t$e as$tAks$arI - mantrabra$ma* as !eria
'$irumantram0
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SLO%A & )
akArArt$Aai(a s(amat$a ma$am na ni(a$A4
narA3Am nitAnAm aanamiti nArAa3a -adam
amA$Asmai kAlam sakalama-i sar(atra sakalA-
s(a(ast$As(A(issu4 mama sa$a6a kainkara (id$aa4
!eaning
I am meant +or 8ord /is$nu alone denoted b t$e letter ;a; and not +or me0 '$e %ord
nArAa3a stands +or t$e 8ord as t$e su--orter and conductor o+ t$e 6ee(as in material and
s-iritual %orlds &lIlA (ib$<ti and nita (ib$<ti)0 =a ser(ice to Him* natural to me and
ordained on me* $a--en at all times* all -laces and in all states0
Purport
akArArthAyaiva svamatha mahayam na nivahA: narANAm nityAnAm ayanamiti
nArAyaNa padam-
In t$e t$ird %ord o+ t$e '$iru-mantra ;nArAa3Aa;* t$e %ord nArAa3a stands +or t$e
8ord C$ose business is to su--ort and conduct t$e acti(ities o+ all t$e 6ee(as in t$e
material and s-iritual %orlds0 '$e su++i7 ;Aa; means I &t$e soul) am onl +or t$e 8ord
nArAa3a* -re(iousl indicated b t$e letter ;a; in t$e %ord ;aum; and $ence I am not
+or msel+0 '$is is indicated b Sri nammA#$%Ar in '$iru(Aimo#$i 20D04 as $e sas
;tanakk2A$a eneikko88um Id$2;0
asmai kAlam sakalamapi sarvatra sakalAsu avasthAsvAvissyu: mama sahaja kainkarya
vidhaya:-
'$e su++i7 ;Aa; also in(ol(es a -raer to t$e 8ord %is$in" t$e ser(ice to Him natural to
me &t$e soul) and ordained on me* to $a--en at all times* all -laces and in all states0 Here
natural ser(ice means t$e ser(ice %$ic$ does not in(ol(e t$e e"o t$at I am doin" it and it
is mine0 In ;o#$i(il kAlamellAm; (erse o+ '$iru(Aimo#$i &30301)* Sri nammA#$%Ar
%is$es t$e same ser(ice &(a#$u(ilA adimai)0 Sri '$iruman"ai A#$%Ar inter-rets t$is as a
%is$ +or bein" ser(iceable to His de(otees or b$A"a(ata S2s$at(a as $e sas
;'$iru(ette#$uttrum katru utralum unnadiArkadimai; in !eria '$irumo#$i &801B03)0
Ser(ice to His de(otees e0"0 Sri ?AmAnu6a1s dAsas is also %is$ed in ;nallAr -ara(um;
(erse o+ irAmAnuSa n<trand$Ad$i &(erse 8B)0
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SLO%A & *
d2$AsaktAtmabudd$i4 adi b$a(ati -adam sAd$u (idAt trtIam
s(AtantrAnd$9 adi sAt -rat$amamitara S2s$at(ad$ISc$2t d(itIam
Atma trA39nmuk$aSc$2t nama iti c$a -adam bAnd$a(Ab$Asa l9la4
Sabdam nArAa3Ak$am (is$aa c$a-ala d$ISc$2t c$aturt$Im -ra-anna4
!eaning
A -erson %$o considers t$e 8ord to be $is means and "oal $as to kno% %ell t$e +ollo%in"
t$in"s4
'$e t$ird letter o+ ;aum;* ;ma; i+ $e considers t$e bod and soul to be one0
'$e +irst letter o+ ;aum;* ;a;* i+ $e is blind %it$ t$e t$ou"$t t$at $e is inde-endent0
'$e second letter o+ ;aum;* ;u;* i+ $e considers $imsel+ to be subser(ient to
entities ot$er t$an 8ord nArAa3a0
'$e %ord nama4 i+ $e is +or -rotectin" $imsel+ +rom %orldl bonda"es
3
0
'$e %ord nArAa3a i+ $e is (er muc$ attac$ed to $is %orldl relati(es0
'$e su++i7 ;Aa; i+ $e $as a lust +or material en6oments0
Purport
In t$is (erse* Sri .$attar e7-lains t$e messa"e con(eed b '$iru-mantra and $o% it
-rotects 6ee(as +rom (arious material entan"lements and "uides t$em in t$e -ro-er -at$ b
-ointin" out attitudes "oin" a"ainst t$e messa"e0
A -ra-anna* or t$e -erson blessed %it$ t$e kno%led"e t$at t$e su-reme 8ord is t$e means
and "oal +or $im $as to kno% t$e +ollo%in" t$in"s %ell4
dEhasaktAtmabuddhi: yadi bhavati padam sAdhu vidyAt dvitIyam-
I+ one considers $is bod and soul to be one and $ence %$ate(er "ood $a--ens to t$e bod
is "ood +or t$e soul* t$e letter ;ma; in t$e %ord ;aum; comes to $is rescue as it sas t$at
t$e soul is not $is* but onl o+ 8ord /is$nu0 So it is +or t$e 8ord to do an "ood to t$e
soul0
svAtantryAndhO yadi syAt prathamam-
I+ one is blind %it$ t$e t$ou"$t t$at $e is inde-endent +rom t$e 8ord* $e $as to look at t$e
letter ;a; in aumkAra and learn t$at $e is not inde-endent since it is t$e 8ord %$o creates*
-rotects and destros t$e uni(erse0
itara SEshatvadhIShEt dvitIyam-
I+ one t$inks o+ subser(ience to entities ot$er t$an SrImannAraa3a* letter ;u; tells $im
t$at $e is e7clusi(el meant +or 8ord /is$nu0 '$is is indicated b Sri '$irumana"ai
A#$%Ar in !eria '$riumo#$i &801B03) as $e sas ;matrum 9r t$ai(am u8ad$ennu
iru--Ar9du utril2n00;0
Atma trANOnmukhaShEt nama iti ha padam-
I+ one is to%ards -rotectin" $imsel+ +rom t$e material bonda"e* $e $as to look at t$e %ord
nama4 %$ic$ tells $im t$at $e $as no means o+ $is o%n +or $is liberation and $ence $as to
de-end on t$e 8ord +or t$e same0
bAndhavAbhAsa lOla: Sabdam nArAyaNAkhyam-
I+ one $as "ot a lot o+ attac$ment %it$ -eo-le related to $im in t$is %orld* t$e %ord
nArAa3a %$ic$ stands +or t$e su--orter and conductor o+ all 6ee(as tells $im t$at it is
t$e 8ord %$o is t$e Atmaband$u or true relati(e o+ t$e soul0 '$is is indicated in t$e (erse
;ko3da -e3dir; o+ nammA#$%Ar in '$iru(Aimo#$i &D0101)0
vishaya hapala dhIShEt haturthIm-
I+ somebod $as a lust +or material en6oments* t$e su++i7 ;Aa; destros suc$ lust as it
con(es to $im t$at $e is meant +or 8ord nArAa3a onl0 '$is is indicated b Sri
'$iruman"ai A#$%Ar as $e sas ;k<din2n k<di ilaa(ard$amm9du00 nArAa3a ennum
nAmam; in !eria '$irumo#$i &10101)
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8ord Srini(asa and Aoddess !adma(ati
SLO%A & +
n2trt(am nita 9"am samuc$ita "u3a 6Atam tanuk$A-anam c$a
u-Aam karta(aba$A"am t(at$a mit$una -aram -rA-am2(am -rasidd$am
s(Amit(am -rArt$anAm c$a -rabalatara(ir9d$i -ra$A3am daSaitAn
mantAram trAat2 c$2tad$i"atani"ama4 s$at-ad9am d(ik$a3da4
!eaning
'$e d%aa mantra* consistin" o+ t%o -arts and si7 %ords* %$ic$ is t$ere in /edas* -rotects
t$e -erson %$o t$inks o+ t$e +ollo%in" ten -oints contained in it4
10 Aoddess laks$mI leadin" t$e 6ee(a to t$e 8ord
20 Her eternal association %it$ Him
30 '$e aus-icious ,ualities o+ t$e 8ord
40 His di(ine +orm
50 His +eet bein" t$e means +or our liberation
60 9ur acce-tance o+ His +eet as our means +or sal(ation
70 laks$mI and nArAa3a bein" our destination
80 His 8ords$i-
D0 9ur -raer to Him &%is$in" ser(ice as in '$iru-=antra)
1B0 '$e remo(al o+ our e"o and -ossessi(eness b Him &in t$e com-an o+ SrI or
kr-A
4
)* %$ic$ are t$e most se(ere enemies to our nature0
Purport
In t$is (erse* Sri .$attar tells us %$at t$e d%aa mantra* %$ic$ consists o+ t%o -arts and
si7 %ords* and %$ic$ is t$ere in /edas* si"ni+ies0
'$e +irst -art o+ t$e mantra is ;SrImannArAa3a c$ara3au Sara3am -ra-ad2; and t$e
second -art is ;SrImat2 nArAa3aa nama4;0
'$e si7 %ords are4
SrImannArAyaNaharaNau
SaraNam
prapadyE
SrImatE
nArAyaNAya
nama:
'$e +irst %ord SrImannArAa3ac$ara3au is made u- o+ t$e %ords SrImat* nArAa3a
and c$ara3au0
'$e d%aa-mantra con(es us t$e +ollo%in" 1B -oints4
', nEtrt-a.
'$e %ord SrI stands +or Aoddess laks$mI* t$e -ersoni+ication o+ His com-assion and
concern +or t$e 6ee(as* as t$e one %$o leads us to t$e 8ord0 '$is is because S$e is
a--roac$ed b t$e 6ee(a +or $is liberation &SrIat2 iti SrI4) and S$e in turn re-resents t$e
case o+ t$e 6ee(a to t$e 8ord0 3ote t$at t$is descri-tion is a-t %$en 1SrI1 is 6ust t$e 8ord1s
kr-A0
(, nityayOga.
'$e su++i7 ;mat; to t$e %ord SrI means Aoddess laks$mI is al%as in union %it$ t$e 8ord
as t$e 8ord is al%as merci+ul0 '$is is indicated b Sri nammA#$%Ar in t$e (erse
;a$ala$ill2n000; in '$iru(Aimo#$i &601B01B)0
), sa.u$hita gu/a 0Ata.
:rom t$e %ord nArAa3a t$e ,ualities o+ t$e 8ord said to be %ell-suited to Him are
con(eed0 '$is is because He $as to $a(e certain ,ualities to be nArAan3a i0e0* He $as to
$a(e ,ualities like (Atsala* sauSIla etc0 +or su--ortin" t$e 6ee(as and ,ualities like
"nAna* bala etc0 +or controllin" t$em0
*, tanukhyApana.
:rom t$e %ord c$ara3au t$e d%aa-mantra s$o%s us t$e most im-ortant -art o+ His
di(ine +orm i0e0 His +eet0 Conce-tuall* +eet are im-ortant as one cannot mo(e i+ %e catc$
$old o+ one1s +eet &kAl katti kai (idu(itt$ukko3da - '$iru(Aimo#$i n<trand$Ad$i (erse
D7)0
+,upAya.
. t$e %ord Sara3am* t$e mantra con(es to us t$at His +eet are t$e means +or us to reac$
Him0
1, karta-yabhAga.
:rom t$e %ord -ra-ad2* %e learn it our nature to acce-t His +eet as our means o+
liberation0
2, .ithuna para. prApya.
:rom t$e %ord SrImat2* in t$e second -art ;SrImat2 nArAa3Aa nama4;* it is con(eed
t$at our ultimate destination is t$e di(ine cou-le laks$mI and nArAa3a* i0e0* nArAa3a
%it$ kr-A* +or ot$er%ise He cannot acce-t us %$o are undeser(in"0 'o t$is* /edas sa
;Sradd$aA d2(9 d2(at(amaSnut2; - %$ic$ means His 8ords$i- is meanin"+ul onl due
to His concern &Sradd$A) +or t$e 6ee(as0 Here Sradd$A stands +or Aoddess SrI0
3, s-A.it-a.
'$e %ord nArAa3a +ormin" -art o+ ;nArAa3Aa; stands +or t$e 8ords$i- o+ Aod
/is$nu o(er t$e uni(erse* as He is its su--orter and conductor0
4, prArthanA.
'$e su++i7 Aa in t$e %ord nArAa3Aa in(ol(es a -raer to t$e 8ord +rom our -art*
%is$in" a ser(ice %it$out an de+ect to Him* as con(eed in '$iru-mantra0 '$is is
indicated b Sri nammA#$%Ar as $e sas ;(a#$u(ilA adimai Sea(23dum; in $is
;o#$i(il kAlamellAm; (erse in '$iru(Aimo#$i &30301)0 In t$e second -art* t$e %ord
SrImat2 is used as t$e 8ord $as to be merci+ul i0e0* %it$ laks$mI +or +ul+illin" our %is$ o+
ser(ice to Him0
'5, prabalatara-irO#hi prahA/a.
'$e %ord nama4 %$ic$ means ;not mine; destros our e"o* -articularl t$e t$ou"$t t$at I
am t$e en6oer o+ t$e ser(ice and t$e ser(ice I am doin" to Him is an ob6ect o+ en6oment
+or me0 Suc$ t$ou"$t is considered to be t$e most -o%er+ul enem &-rabalatara (ir9d$i)
to our nature0
C$oe(er understands and t$inks o+ t$e abo(e ten -oints con(eed b d%aa* %$ic$ is a
mantra i0e0* %$ic$ -rotects t$e -erson %$o t$inks o(er* understands and -ractises it
&%it$out an actionE)* is -rotected0
'$ese ten -oints are co(ered b nammA#$%Ar1s (erse&t$iru(Aimo#$i &601B01B)4
ahalahillEn iraiyum!nru alarmElmangai urai mArbA
niharil puha"hAi ulaham mUnrudayAi !nnai A#wAnE
niharil amarar munikkananga# virumbum thiruvEngadatthAnE
puhal$nrillA adiyEn un adikkI"h amarndhu puhundhEnE
nam-illai in $is Idu indicates t$is b t$e statement4 i--Attud$ammai d%aattu
-ad$an"al9dokka o6it$u t$alaikkattak kada(ad$u- one s$ould inter-ret t$is (erse b
matc$in" %it$ t$e %ords o+ d%aam0 An incident relatin" to t$e elucidation o+ d%aam b
Sri .$attar is also mentioned a-tl in Idu in t$is conte7t si"nallin" t$e in+luence o+ t$e
A#$%Ar on Sri .$attar0
10 alarm2l man"ai uraimArbA4 kr-A %$ic$ is not$in" but SrI li(es in His
$eart&c$est) and leads us to Him0
20 a$ala$ill2n iraum4 SrI is not read to lea(e Him e(en i+ He %ould intend to do so0
30 ni$aril -u$a#$Ai4 o+ all His ,ualities it is His (Atsalam %$ic$ $as none to e7cel0
40 unnadikkI#$4 His +eet are t$e im-ortant limbs o+ His di(ine +orm +or t$e soul0
50 -u$alonrillA000adi4 His +eet are t$e onl means0
60 amarnd$u -u$und$2n24 -lacin" onesel+ mentall incessantl under His +eet is t$e
soul1s nature0
70 alarm2l man"ai uraimArbA000unnadikkI#$4 t$e 8ord is t$e u-2a more because He
is en6oined %it$ SrI* i0e0 kr-A0
80 ula$am m<nrudaAi ennai A8(An2 ni$aril amarar munikkanan"al (irumbum4 He
is t$e 8ord o+ sentient and non-sentient ob6ects o+ t$e cosmos0
D0 adikkI#$4 t$e case and t$e %ord ;kI#$; indicates a %is$ +or -a3i&or kainkara) to
t$e 8ord& as also to His de(otees) on His ordinance0
1B0 t$iru(2n"adatt$An24 t$e %ord (2mkadam in 'amil means t$e anni$ilation o+
di++iculties and as inter-reted b nammA#$CAr in $is (erse ;inri--9$a;
&t$iru(Aimo#$i D0308) as remo(in" iru(inai (i#0 -u3a--A-a - a creation o+
a$ankAra and mamakAra0
.e"in | Sloka-1 | Sloka-2 | Sloka-3 | Sloka-4 | Sloka-5 | Sloka-6 | Sloka-7 | Sloka-8
SLO%A & 1
ISAnAm 6a"atAm ad$ISa daitAm nitAna-AAm Sriam
samSritASraa39c$itAk$ila "u3asAn"$rI $ar2rASra2
is$t9-AataA SriA c$a sa$itAAtm2S(arAArt$a2
kartum dAsamaS2s$ama-rati$atam nitam t(a$am nirmama4
!eaning
I take s$elter in SrI* t$e belo(ed consort o+ t$e "reat 8ord o+ t$e uni(erse* C$o is al%as
in union %it$ Him0 '$en I take s$elter in t$e lotus +eet o+ 8ord Hari* C$o $as all suitable
,ualities to o++er s$elter* %it$ t$e t$ou"$t t$at t$e are m desired means o+ sal(ation0
'$en I ur"e m 8ord C$o is al%as %it$ SrI* to enable me to do ser(ice to Him
incessantl* uninterru-tedl and eternall* %it$out an e"o and -ossessi(eness0
Purport
In t$is (erse Sri .$attar e7-lains t$e messa"e o+ d%aa mantra in t$e +orm o+ a statement
b 6ee(a* as +ollo%s4
ISAnAm jagatAm adhISa dayitAm nityAnapAyAm Sriyam samSritya -
I take s$elter in Aoddess SrI* t$e belo(ed consort o+ t$e "reat master o+ t$e uni(erse* C$o
is al%as %it$ Him %it$out an se-aration0 Here Sri .$attar uses t$e %ord ISAnAm
%$ic$ means S$e is t$e em-ress or t$e ruler o+ t$e %orld0 Ho%e(er* b usin" t$e %ord
6a"atAm ad$ISa daitAm $e clari+ies t$at S$e is t$e belo(ed s-ouse o+ t$e "reat master o+
t$e uni(erse0 Since daitA means one %$o is ,uali+ied +or daA or concern and since Sri
.$attar sas t$at S$e is t$e daitA o+ 8ord nArAa3a* it is establis$ed t$at S$e belon"s to
t$e class o+ 6ee(as as S$e is subser(ient to Him0
Also Aodess SrI is al%as blemis$less &nitAna-AA) as S$e ne(er lea(es Him0
;a$ala$ill2n iraiumenru000; sas Sri nammAF$%Ar in '$iru(Aimo#$i &601B01B)0 '$e
8ord is kind as S$e is al%as %it$ Him0
ASrayaNOhitAkhila guNasyAnghrI harErASrayE ishtOpAyatayA -
Ha(in" taken s$elter in "oddess laks$mI* I take s$elter in t$e lotus +eet o+ 8ord Hari* C$o
$as all suitable ,ualities +or o++erin" s$elter to e(erone* %it$ t$e t$ou"$t t$at His lotus
+eet are t$e desirable means +or me to attain Him0 Here t$e %ord is$ta or desired is used
+or t$e means since it in(ol(es no e++ort and $ence is (er eas0 '$e %ord Hari used $ere
is im-ortant as it means t$e one &t$e 8ord) %$o destros all our sins or obstacles to reac$
Him0
SriyA ha sahitAyAtmESvarAyArthayE kartum dAsyam aSEsham apratihatam nityam
tvaham nirmama:-
I ur"e m master nArAa3a* %$o is al%as %it$ Aoddess laks$mI* to en"a"e me in
incessant* uninterru-ted and eternal ser(ice to Him* %it$out an trace o+ e"o0
.e"in | Sloka-1 | Sloka-2 | Sloka-3 | Sloka-4 | Sloka-5 | Sloka-6 | Sloka-7 | Sloka-8

8ord !art$asarat$ %it$ His consorts* '$iru(allikkeni
SLO%A & 2
mat-rA-tart$ataA ma9ktamak$ilam santa6a d$aramam -una4
mAm2kam mada(A-ta2 Sara3amitArt9(asAam kuru
t(Am2(am (a(asAa uktamak$ila"nAnAdi -<r39$a$am
mat-rA-ti -ratiband$akai4 (ira$itam kurAm Suc$am mA krt$A4
!eaning
'$e 8ord sas4
?enounce all t$e -at$s told b =e to attain =e0 'ake =e alone in turn as t$e means +or
attainin" =e* and be e++ortless %it$ "reat interest in t$e t$ou"$t t$at I am our means0 'o
ou %it$ suc$ an e++ort* I* bein" com-lete and -er+ect in all ,ualities like "nAna* %ill
remo(e all obstacles in = "ettin" ou0 @o not "rie(e0
Purport
In t$is Sl9ka SrI .$attar e7-lains t$e messa"e o+ c$arama Sl9ka &.$a"a(ad-Aita 18066)*
b +ramin" it in t$e 8ord1s o%n %ords0
'$e 8ord sas4
matprAptyarthatayA mayOktamakhilam santyajya dharamam puna: mAmEkam
madavAptayE SaraNamityArtOvasAyam kuru-
?enounce all t$e -at$s like karma* "nAna* b$akti* -re(iousl told b =e to attain =e0
'ake =e alone in turn as t$e means +or attainin" =e and be e++ortless %it$ dee- interest in
t$e (er t$ou"$t t$at I am t$e onl means +or ou to attain =e0 '$is e7-lains t$e messa"e
con(eed b 8ord in t$e statement ;sar(a d$armAn -arita6a mAm2kam Sara3am
(ra6a;0
tvAmEvam vyavasAya yuktamakhilagnAnAdi pUrNOhyaham matprApti pratibandhakai:
virahitam kuryAm Suham mA krthA:-
'o ou %it$ suc$ an e++ort on our side &not makin" an)* I* com-lete in all ,ualities like
"nAna etc0 %ill make remo(e all obstacles in = "ettin" ou0 @o not %orr0 '$is e7-lains
t$e 8ord1s statement ;a$am t(A sar(a -A-2b$9 m9ks$ais$Ami mA Suc$a4;
Here Sri .$attar s-eci+icall mentions t$e ,ualit o+ 8ord* "nAna or kno%led"e* to
indicate t$at t$e 8ord is ca-able o+ kno%in" an e++ort on our side* i+ at all %e are makin"
one0 Also* b sain" t$at He is com-lete in all ,ualities Sri .$attar con(es t$at t$e 8ord
%ill liberate t$e soul on His o%n %it$out an e++ort on t$e -art o+ t$e latter* due to His
,ualities like (Atsala* sauSeela etc0
:rom t$is* %e understand t$at t$e Aod does not e7-ect an e++ort +rom t$e 6ee(a and does
not %ant $im to "rie(e +or $is inabilit to reac$ Him &b 6ee(a1s e++ort)0
.e"in | Sloka-1 | Sloka-2 | Sloka-3 | Sloka-4 | Sloka-5 | Sloka-6 | Sloka-7 | Sloka-8
SLO%A & 3
niSc$ita t(adad$InatAm mai sadA karmAdu-AAn $ar2E
kartum taktuma-i -ra-attumanalam sIdAmi du4k$Akula4
2tat "nAnamu-2us$9 mama -una4 sar(A-arAd$a ks$aam
kartAsIti dru@9smi t2 tu c$aramam (Akam smaran sArat$24
!eaning
9$ Hari* t$e c$arioteer o+ ar6una E .ein" con(inced t$at I am al%as under Gour control* I
am not able to make an e++ort in t$e +orm o+ karma etc0 to reac$ ou* or to submit msel+
to Gou0 I am %orried t$at I am not e(en able to lea(e all m e++ort as su""ested b Gou
and $a(e lost con+idence0 Ho%e(er* since I am blessed %it$ t$e kno%led"e o+ Gour
c$arama Sl9ka* I am +irm t$at ou %ill make all m +aults com-letel absent0
Purport
In t$is Sl9ka* Sri .$attar assures us t$at t$e 8ord is read to remo(e all our de+ects and
take us to Him0 '$is (erse is in t$e +orm o+ a statement b t$e 6ee(a0
niShitya tvadadhInatAm mayi sadA karmAdyupAyAn harE kartum tyaktumapi
prapattumanalam sIdAmi du:khAkula:-
. rememberin" t$e %ords o+ Gou* t$e c$arioteer o+ ar6una* I understand t$at I am
com-letel under Gour control0 Hence I am not able to make an e++ort in t$e +orm o+
>arma* .$akti* "nAna etc0 on m o%n to reac$ Gou or to submit msel+ to Gou takin" Gou
as m means to reac$ Gou0 At t$e same time* I am %orried and $a(e lost con+idence* as I
am not e(en able to lea(e suc$ e++orts0
Etat gnAnamupEyushO mama puna: sarvAparAdha kshayam kartAsIti dru%Osmi tE tu
haramam vAkyam smaran sArathE:-
Ho%e(er* since I am blessed %it$ t$e kno%led"e o+ Gour c$arama Sl9ka %$ic$ sas
;a$am t(A sar(a -A-2b$9 m9ks$ais$Ami mA Suc$a4;* I remain +irm t$at Gou %ill
make all m +aults com-letel absent* includin" t$e o++ence in(ol(in" t$e e"o t$at I $a(e
renounced all m e++orts* and take me to Gou0
.e"in | Sloka-1 | Sloka-2 | Sloka-3 | Sloka-4 | Sloka-5 | Sloka-6 | Sloka-7 | Sloka-8
EP"LOGUE
9t$er sc$ools o+ -$iloso-$ &e0"0 ad(aita* d(aita) do not consider t$e Sl9ka ;sar(a
d$armAn00 mA Suc$a4; as an im-ortant statement o+ t$e 8ord in .$a"a(ad-Aita0 '$e
A#$%Ars -oint out its im-ortance in t$e +ollo%in" (erses +or instance4
10 anr9d$ia (Akkad$anaikkallAr ula$att$il 2d$ilaram mei"nAnamil &nAnmu$an
'$riu(and$Ad$i (erse 71)
20 (Art$ai ariba(ar 00 S2mattai ennitteli(utr2 &'$iru(Aimo#$i 70501B)
30 Semmaiudaa000 meimai--eru(Art$ai00 Sad$i--ar Ar ini2 &nAcc$iAr
t$irumo#$i 11-1B)
40 9r Sol nanriA$um t$unai 000 &!eria '$iru(and$Ad$i (erse 77)
'$e Ac$Aras later to rAmAnu6a* startin" +rom Sri !arASara b$attar* called t$is Sl9ka
c$arama Sl9ka or t$e &inal m!ssag! and inter-reted it accordin" to nammA#$a(Ar
5
to
mean t$e messa"e t$at t$e 8ord is u-Aam and u-2am
6*

7
inter-retin" ;AlanriA(ar91 in
t$e t$iru(Aimo#$i (erse &70501B) as e,ui(alent to 1Sara3am (ra6a1 o+ t$e Sl9ka indicatin"
it as a state o+ mind and no action0
.e"in | Sloka-1 | Sloka-2 | Sloka-3 | Sloka-4 | Sloka-5 | Sloka-6 | Sloka-7 | Sloka-8
RE6ERE/7ES
10 AndA8 too mentions about SrIrAmac$arama Sl9kam &nAc$iArt$irumo#$i 1B-4)
and SrI(arA$a c$arama-Sl9kam &nAc$iArt$irumo#$i 11-3)0 H
20 He %as +urt$er ins-ired b t$e A#$%Ars to inter-ret t$e names in t$e Sri /is$nu
sa$asranAmam as re(ealin" ,ualities o+ t$e 8ord in $is ;.$a"a(ad"u3a
dar-a3am;* a -rose-commentar0 H
30 ;(2n"adatt$urai(Arkku nama ennalAmkadamai ad$u sumand$Ar"atk2
000000meim2l mutr(anum (2n"adan"al; - '$iru(Aimo#$i 30306 H
40 /2rimArAd$a -<m2liru--A8 (inai t$Irkum2 &t$iru(Aimo#$i 405011)0 H
50 Sara3amA$um t$anat$A8 adaind$ArkellAm mara3amAnAl (aikund$am
kodukkum -irAn &'$riu(Aimo#$i D01B05)0 Here ;adaind$ArkellAm; is to be
inter-reted like ;(ra6a; i0e0 takin" Him as t$e means o+ sal(ation in t$e c$arama
Sl9ka since t$e 8ord1s +eet $a(e been described as Sara3am or u-Aam and
;kodukkum; indicates t$is u-Aam %it$ ;(aikund$am; as u-2am0 H
60 neri(ASal t$An2A ninrAnai &mud$al t$iru(and$Ad$i (erse 4)0 H
70 nallarmA(ad$u(um 00000 nAra3an2A(ad$u &nAnmu$an t$iru(and$Ad$i (erse
72)0 H
A"hwAr thiruvadiha#E SaraNam
!mb!rumAnAr thiruvadiha#E SaraNam
'hattar thriuvadiha#E SaraNam
jIyar thiruvadiha#E SaraNam
& 3otes -re-ared b '0'$iru(en"ada(an* /0S0=0/is$nu and Smt0 C$andra Sam-at$kumar
based on t$e teac$in"s o+ Sriman 2mbar ?an"ac$ara S%ami0 )
SrImatE rAmAnujAya nama: