Morning, Evening Vesper
CONTENTS MORNING VESPER PAGE
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
A Morning Meditation A Hymns to God as Guru A Hymns to Sri Ramakrishna A Hymns to Sri Sarada Devi A Hymns to Swami Vivekananda A Bhajan on Sri Ramakrishna as Guru Song of the Sannyasin
4 8 9 12 15 17 20
CONTENTS EVENING VESPER PAGE
8. A hymn on the Divinity of Sri Ramakrishna 9. A Hymn to Sri Ramakrishna 10. A Hymn to the Divine Mother 11. A Hymn to Sri Sarada Devi
22 26 29 31
A MORNING MEDITATION CHANT
प्रातः स्मरामम ॥
प्रातः स्मरामम ह्रदि संस्फुरिात्मातत्त्वं
सच्चित्सख ु ं परमहं स गततम ् तरु रयम ्; यत्स्वप्न जागर सुषुप्तंवैतत तनत्यं तत्रह्म तनष्कलंहं न ि भूतसंघः
Pratah smarami hrdi samsphuradatma-tattvam Sacchit-sukham paramahamsa gatim turiyam; Yat svapna jagara-susuptam-avaiti nityam Tat brahma niskalam aham na ca bhuta sanghah.
I meditate in my heart at dawn on the luminous truth of the Atman, Existence-Knowledge-Bliss-Absolute, the goal of the highest yogis, which ever witnesses the state of waking, dream and deep sleep. I am that unchanging Brahman. I am not the body, that composite of matter. प्रातरभजामम मनसो विासांगम्यं वािो ववभाच्तत तनखखला यिनुग्रहे ण ; यत्नेतत नेतत विानैः तनगमा अवोिु
स्तं िे व िे वमजमचयुतमआहुअअग्र्यम ् Pratar bhajami manaso vacasam agamyam Vacho vibhanti nikhila yad-anugrahena; Yat neti neti vacanaih nigamah avochuStam deva-devam ajam-acyutam ahur-agryam.
I worship at dawn that Truth, inexpressible through speech or mind, Yet by Its grace, the manifest universe by speech is expressed. It is, the Vedas proclaim, by the utterance ‘not this, not this.’ It the sages call the God of gods, the Unborn, Imperishable and foremost.
प्रातः नमामम तमसः परमकअवणं पण ू ं सनातन पिं पुरुषोत्तमाख्यं यच्स्मतिं जगिशेषंशेस मूतौ
रज्ज्वां भुजतगम इवप्रततभमसतं वै Pratah namami tamasah param arka-varnam purnam sanatana-padam purusottamakhyam; yasmi idam jagad-asesam- asesa-murtau rajjvam bhujangama iva pratibhasitam vai
I salute at dawn that Truth, beyond the darkness of all ignorance and effulgent as the sun. It is infinite and eternal. It is the Supreme Being. Upon that Infinite reality this manifest universe is imposed, as the idea of a snake, as it were, is projected upon a mere rope. नमस्ते सते सवअ लोकाश्रयाय नमस्ते चिते ववश्वरुपात्मकाय नमोद्वैततत्त्वाय मुच्ततप्रिाय
नमो रह्मणे व्यावपने तनगण ुअ ाय Namaste sate sarva lokasrayaya Namaste cite visva-rupatmakaya; Namo’ dvaita-tattvaya mukti-pradaya Namo brahmane vyapine nirgunaya.
Salutation to Thee, the Real, the one basis of the entire universe; Salutation to Thee in the form of the universe as Pure Consciousness. Salutation to Thee, the Truth of non-duality, the giver of liberation; salutation to that Brahman, the impersonal and omnipresent being. त्वमेकं शरण्यं त्वमेकं वरे ण्यं त्वमेकं जगत्पालकं स्वप्रकाशं; त्वमेकं जगत ्-कतअ त पात त प्रहतअ त
त्वमेकं परम तनश्िलम ् तनववअकल्पं
tvamekam saranyam tvamekam varenyam tvamekam jagat-palakam sva-prakasam; tvamekam jagat-kartr-patr-prahartr tvamekam param niscalam nirvikalpam.
Thou art the one refuge; Thou art the truly adorable; Thou art the only protector of the world, the self-effulgent. Thou art the one creator, sustainer and destroyer of the universe. Thou art the one Supreme Reality, the immovable and the changeless. भयानां भयं भीषणं मभषनानां गततः प्राखणनां पावनं पावनानां महोचिैः पिानां तनयतत त त्वमेकं परे षां परम रक्षणं रक्षानानां
Bhayanam bhayam bhisanam bhisananam Gatih praninam pavanam pavananam; Mahoccaih padanam niyantr tvamekam Paresam param raksanam raksananam.
Thou art the dread of the dreadful, the terror of the terrible, the one goal of all beings and the one supreme purifier among purifiers. Thou art the one Ruler of all the highly exalted ones; the Supreme among the superior ones and the one protector among all protectors. परे श प्रभो सवअरुपाववनामशन अतनिे श्य सवेच्तियागम्य सत्य अचितत्याक्षर व्यापकाव्यतत तत्त्वः जगद्भासकाधीश पायिपायत Paresha prabho sarva-rupa-vinasin Anirdesya sarvendriya-gamya satya; Achintya-ksara vyapaka-vyakta-tattvah Jagad-bhasaka-dhisa payad-apayat.
O Supreme God, Lord, Universal One! O Imperishable One, Indefinable One, the Truth beyond the scope of the sense organs! O that Reality which is beyond thought, imperishable, all pervading and unmanifest! O Thou Light of the world, O Lord of all, protect us from all danger. तिे कं स्मरामस्तिे कं भजाम स्तिे कं जगत्साक्षक्षरूपं नमामः सिे कं तनधानं तनरालंबममशं भवाम्भोचधपोतं शरण्यं व्रजामः Tadekam smarama stadekam bhajama stadekam jagat-saksi-rupam namamah; Sadekam nidhanam niralamba-misam Bhavambhodhi-potam saranyam vrajamah.
That alone we contemplate, that alone we worship, that alone we salute as the Universal Witness, we seek refuge in that one Truth, the Lord, the final resting place, the Self-Sustained Who bears man across the ocean of sorrow and suffering.
HYMN TO GOD AS GURU
गुरुरअह्मा गुरुववअष्णुः ॥ गुरुरअह्मा गुरुववअष्णुः गुरुिे वो महे श्वरः गरु ु रे व परं रह्म तस्मै श्रीगरु वे नमः
Gurur brahma gurur visnuh gurur devo mahesvarah; Guru reva param brahm tasmai sri gurave namah.
The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the guru is the great God Siva, The Guru alone is the Supreme Brahman, I salute Him, the Holy Guru. अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन िरािरम ् तत्पिं िमशअतं येन तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः
Akhanda-mandala-karam vyaptam yena caracaram; Tat padam darsitam yena tasmai Sri Gurave namah.
Who pervades the universe, moving and unmoving, of divided form, as the universe, Who reveals that state, Him I salute, the Holy Guru.
A HYMN TO SRI RAMAKRISHNA
ॐ ववशद् ु ध ववज्ञानम ॥
ॐ ववशद् ु ध ववज्ञानमगाध सौख्यं ववश्वस्य बीजं करुणापयोचधः
अनाद्यनततं प्रक्रतेः परस्तात ् तत्तत्त्वं एकं भवु व रामकतष्णः
Vishuddha-vijnanam agadha-saukhyam Visvasya bijam karuna payodhih; Anadyanantam prakrteh parastat Tat tattvam ekam bhuvi ramakrsnah
Pure knowledge and infinite happiness, the seed of the world and the ocean of grace, beginningless and endless beyond material nature, that One Truth on earth is Sri Ramakrishna. न नेतत भीत्या श्रुतयो विच्तत
विच्तत सक्षात्न ि यं किाचित चििे क रूपः मशव ईश्वराणां महे श्वरोसौ भुवव रामकतष्णः Na neti bhitya srutayo vadanti Vadanti saksat na ca yam kadacit; cid-eka-rupah siva isvaranam mahesvaro sau bhuvi ramakrishnah.
The Upanishads speak if Him hesitantly as ‘not this, not this,’ but never refer directly to Him in positive language; He is Siva among the gods, the one undivided consciousness; the great God on earth is Sri Ramakrishna. यं तनत्यमानतिमनततमेकं मशवेतत नाम्ना श्रुतयो गण त च्तत
तस्यावतारो नररूपधारी कतपासध ु ाच्धधभवुअ व रामकतष्णः Yam nityam anandam anantam ekam Siveti namna srutayo grnanti; Tasyavataro nara-rupa dhari Krpasudhabdhih bhuvi ramakrishnah.
Whom the Upanishads proclaim as Siva, the eternal, the blissful, the infinite and the one; His incarnation on earth in human form, the ocean of the nectar of grace is Sri Ramakrishna. ववज्ञानपीयुष तनमग्न मूततअः
पस्पशअ यान ् यान ् ियया करे ण
ते काममनीकाञ्िनररततचित्ताः सद्यो बभव ू भ ु वुअ व रामकतष्णः Vijnana-piyusa-nimagna-murtih Pasparsa yam yam dayaya karena; Te kamini kancana rikta-cittah Sadyo babhuvuh bhuvi ramakrishnah
Whomsoever He, who is ever immersed in the nectar of wisdom, touched with His hands out of His grace, their hearts immediately became freed from lust and gold - He is born on earth as Sri Ramakrishna. प्रेमाच्धधगम्भीरतरङ्गभङ्गैः रातिोमलतो यो भगवद्ववल्नः भच्ततववअशुद्धा स्वयमाववरासीत पुंववग्रहो’हो भुवव रामकतष्णः
Premabdhi-gambhira-taranga-bhangaih Randolitoyo bhagavad-vilnah; Bhaktir visuddha svayam avirasit Pum-vigraho’ho bhuvi ramakrishnah.
He, the God-immersed One Who was the majestic ocean of Divine Love, breaking and rolling in waves, He Himself, the essence of pure devotion, appeared on earth as the man Sri Ramakrishna. तमिभुतं कच्ञ्ििचितत्य शच्ततम ् वतिे प्रशाततं पररपूणब अ ोधम ्
ज्ञानस्य भततेश्ि ववसुद्धमूततअम द्ववमतू तअमेकं भवु व रामकतष्णः
Tam adbhutam kancid-acintya-saktim Vande prasantam pari-[Irma-bodham; Jnanasya bhaktesca visuddha murtim Dvimurtiekam bhuvi ramakrishnah.
I salute that wonderful power which is beyond the reach of thought, which is all tranquillity, which is infinite Pure Consciousness, and which is the pure personification of devotion and knowledge, that one extraordinary form on earth is Sri Ramakrishna. वतिे जगद्बीजमखण्डमेकं वतिे सरु ै ः सेववतपािपीठं
वतिे भवेशं भवरोगवैद्यं तमेव वतिे भुवव रामकतष्ण Vande jagad-bijam akhanda-mekam Vande suraih sevita pada-pitham; Vande bhavesam bhava-roga-vaidyam Tam eva vande bhuvi Ramakrishna.
I worship the seed of the universe, the infinite one. I worship that One served by the gods with humility. I worship the Lord of the universe, physician of the disease of worldliness. Thee alone I worship, Sri Ramakrishna.
A HYMN TO SRI SARADA DEVI
प्रकतततं परमामभयां ॥ प्रकतततं परमामभयां वरिाम ् नररूपधरां जानतापहराम ् शरणागत सेवक तोषकरीं
प्रणमामम परां जननीं जगताम ् Prakrtim paramam abhyam varadam Nara-rupa-dharam janatapa-haram; Saranagata sevaka tosa-karim Pranamami param jananim jagatam.
O Divine Nature Supreme! Remover of all fears, giver of all boons, who has taken a human form, who removes the miseries of man, who confers joy on those who take refuge in Thee; O Supreme Mother of the Universe, I salute Thee. गुणहीन सुतान ् अपराधयुतान ्
कतपयाद्य समुद्धर मोहगतान तरणीं भवसागर पारकरीं
प्रणमामम परां जननीं जगताम ् Gunahina sutan aparadha-yutan Krpayadya samuddhara moha-gatan; Taranim bhava-sagara para-karim Pranamami param jananim jagatam.
Redeem now, out of Thy grace, Thy child, who is full of faults, who has fallen into delusion, and who has no virtues to speak of, Thou art the ship that bears us across the ocean of worldliness; O Supreme Mother of the universe, I salute Thee.
ववषयं कुसम ु ं पररह्र्तत्य सिा
िारणाम्बरु ु हामत ु ां त शाच्तत-सध वपब भङ् त ग मनो भवरोगहराम ्
प्रणमामम परां जननीं जगताम ् Visayam kusumam parihrtya sada Caranamburuha-mrta santi-sudham; Piba bhrnga-mano bhava-roga haram Pranamami param jananim jagatam.
Thou, bee of the mind, ever avoid the flowers of sense objects; but drink the peace bringing nectar of immortality at the lotus feet of the Mother, and the disease of worldliness will be cured. O Supreme Mother of the universe, I salute Thee. िे वीं प्रसतनां प्रणताततअहत्ीं योगीतिपूजयां युगधमअपा्ीं
तां सरािां भच्ततववज्ञानिा्ीं िया स्वरुपां प्रणमामम तनत्यम Devim prasannam pranatarti-hantrim Yogindra-pujyam yuga-dharma-patrim; Tam saradam bhakti-vijnana-datrim Daya-svarupam pranamami nityam.
The gracious Goddess, the destroyer of ills of the devotees, Who, adorned by Yogindra, is the personification of holiness in this age; who, through compassion, bestows devotion and wisdom everywhere; I salute Thee Sri Sarada Devi. प्रसीि मातववअनयेन यािे तनत्यं भव स्नेहवतत सुतष े ु प्रेमैकबबतिं ु चिरिग्ध चित्ते
ववमशञ्ि चित्तं कुरु नः सश ु ाततम ्
Prasida matarvinayena yace Nityam bhava snehavati sutesu; Premaika-bindum cira-dagdha-citte Visinca cittam kuru nah susantam
Be gracious to us Mother, hear our prayer; Thou art ever affectionate with Thy children; our hearts are parched with longing for Thee; One drop Thy love will soothe our burning hearts.
A HYMN TO SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
ॐ वववेकनतितनमग्नचित्तम ् ॥ ॐ वववेकनतितनमग्नचित्तम ् वववेकिानेक ववनोिशीलम
वववेकभासा कमतनयाकाच्ततम वववेककनम तम सततं नमामम Vivekajananda nimagna-cittam Vivekadanaika-vinodasilam; Vivekabhasa kamaniyakantim vivekinam tam satatam namami
To him, merged in the bliss of discrimination, delighting in the bestowing of discrimination, illumined by the light of discrimination, to him, the personification of discrimination, I bow. सूयो यथातधं ही तमो तनहच्तत
ववष्णुयथ अ ा िष्ु टजनान ् तिनवत्त तथैव यस्याखखलने्लोभं
रूपम ब्तापम ववमुखी-करोतत Suryo yathandham hi tamo nihanti vishnuh yatha dustajanamschinatti; tathaiva yasyakhila-netra-lobham rupam tritapam vimukhi-karoti
As the sun dispel the pitch-black darkness, as lord Vishnu subdues the wicked ones, likewise his totally benign gaze and his beauty dispel our threefold misery. तम िे मसकेतिं परमं पवव्ं ववश्वस्यपालम मधुरम यतीतिम; दहताय नण त ां नरमूततअमततं
वववेक आनतिमहं नमामम
Tamdesikendram paramam pavitram visvasya palam madhuram yatindram; hitaya nrnam nara-murtimantam Viveka anandamaham namami.
To him, the king of the monks, supremely pure, protector of the universe, benign; first among ascetics, born for our sake; to him, Vivekananda, I bow. नमः श्रीयततरजाय वववेकनतिसूरये
सच्चितसुखस्वरूपाय स्वामीने ताप-हररणे Namah sri-yatirajaya Vivekananda-suraye saccit-sukhasvarupaya svamine tapa-harine
I salute him, supreme among monks, a veritable god, embodiment of knowledge, existence and bliss, master and remover of misery; जननीं सरिाम िे वीं रामकतष्णम जगि-गुरुम पािपद्मे तयोः चश्रत्वा प्रणमामम मह ु रमुहुः
Jananim saradam devim ramakrsnam jagad-gurum pada-padme tayoh sritva pranamami muhur-muhuh
O mother, Sarada Devi, O Ramakrishna, Thou teacher of all the worlds, taking refuge at your feet, I salute both of you repeatedly.
A BHAJAN TO SRI RAMAKRISHNA
भव सागर तारण ॥ भव सागर तारण कारण हे रववनंिन बतधन खंडन हे शरनागत ककंकर भीत मने गुरुिे व िया कर दिन जने Bhava sagara tarana karana he ravi nandana bandhana khandana he; saranagata kinkara bhita mant gurudeva daya kara dina jane
O Thou art the means of crossing the worldliness; O destroyer of the bondage of death; to Thy lowly servant, whose mind is stricken with fear, please show compassion, and grants me refuge, O Divine Teacher. ह्रदिकंिर तामस भास्कर हे तुमम ववष्णु प्रजापतत शंकर हे पररह्म परात्पर वेि भने गुरुिे व िया कर दिन जने
Hrdi kandara tamasa bhaskara he tume vishnu prajapati sankara he; parabrahma paratpara veda bhane gurudeva daya kara dina jane
O Thou, like the sun You dispel the darkness in the heart-cave, You appear as Vishnu and Prajapati and Siva; the Vedas declare Thee as the Supreme Brahman, undifferentiated. Please shower compassion on Thy lowly servant O Divine Teacher. मनवारण शासन अंकुश हे नर्ाण तरे हरर िकसुष हे गुनगान परायण िे वगणे गुरुिे व िया कर दिन जने
Mana varana sasana ankusa he nara trana tare hari cakususa he; guna gana parayana deva gane gurudeva daya kara dina jane.
O Thou, discipline my mind, goading it like an unruly elephant; Thou art as a ship to carry us over the ocean of worldliness. O God incarnate, the gods joyfully praise Thy divinity. O Divine Teacher, have mercy on Thy humble servant.
कुलकुण्डमलनी घुम भंजक हे ह्रदिग्रंचथ वविारण कारक हे मम मनसा िंिल रा्दिने गुरुिे व िया कर दिनजने
Kula kundalini ghuma bhanaka he hrdi granthi vidarana karaka he; mama mansa cancala ratra dine gurudeva daya kara dina jane
O Thou, waken the primal energy from her sleep; O Thou, cut the knots of my heart asunder; my mind gives me no peace, restless day and night; O Divine Teacher, for Thy loving forgiveness I pray. ररपुसुिन मंगल नायक हे सुखशांतत वराभय िायक हे ्यताप हरे तव नम गन ु े गरु ु िे व िया कर दिनजने
Ripu sudana mangala nayaka he sukha santi vara bhaya dayaka he; traya tapa hare tava nama gune gurudeva daya kara dina jane.
O Thou, destroyer of mine enemies, lust and greed, O master of good, bestower of peace, joy and fearlessness; the power of Thy name destroys the threefold sorrows of man; O Divine Teacher, show compassion to this lowly one. अमभमान प्रभाव ववमिअ क हे गततहीनजने तुमम रकसक हे चितशंककत वंचित भच्तत धने गुरुिे व िया कर दिन जने
Abhimana prabhava vimardaka he gati hina jane tume raksaka he; cita sankita vancita bhakti dhane gurudeva daya kara dina jane.
O Thou, destroyer of egotism’s power, O Thou, protector of the hopeless, my mind doubts the wealth of my love for Thee. O Divine Teacher, be merciful to Thy lowly servant.
तव नाम सिा शुभ साधक हे पततताधम मानव पावक हे महीमा तव गोिर शद् ु धमने गरु ु िे व िया कर दिन जने
Tava nama sada subha sadhaka he patita dhama manava pavaka he mahima tava gocara suddha mane gurudeva daya kara dina jane.
O Thou whose name is ever a source of goodness; O Thou, purifier of all fallen and lowly people; Thy glory is manifest to the pure in thought; O Divine Teacher, be compassionate to Thy lowly servant. जय सिगुरु ईश्वर प्रापक हे भव रोग ववकार ववनाशक हे मन येन रहे तव श्री िरणे गरु ु िे व िया कर दिनजने
Jaya sad guru isvara prapaka he bhava roga vikara vinasaka he; mana yena rahe tava sri carane gurudeva daya kara dina jane
Victory to the true Teacher, who shows the way to God; O Thou destroyer of the many roots of the disease of worldliness; By Thy grace my mind will stay at Thy holy feet; O Divine Teacher, do not withhold Thyself from one lowly as I.
SONG OF THE SANNYASIN
Om tat sat, Om! Wake up the note! The song that had its birth Far off, where worldly taint could never reach; in mountain caves, and glades of forest deep, whose calm no sigh for lust or wealth or fame could ever dare to break; where rolled the stream of knowledge, truth, and bliss that follows both. Sing high that note, Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!" Strike off thy fetters! Bonds that bind thee down, of shining gold, or darker, baser ore; Love, hate-good, bad-and all the dual throng. Know slave is slave, caressed or whipped, not free; for fetters thou' of gold, are not less strong to bind. Then off with them Sannyasin bold! Say “Om tat sat, Om!" Let darkness go; the will-o’-the-wisp that leads with blinking light to pile more gloom on gloom. This thirst for life, forever quench; it drags, from birth to death and death to birth, the soul. He conquers all who conquers self. Know this and never yield, Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!" "Who sows must reap," they say, "and cause must bring the sure effect; good, good; bad, bad; and none Escape the law. But whoso wears a form must wear the chain." Too true, but far beyond both name and form is Atman, ever free. Know thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say“Om tat sat, Om!" They know not truth, who dreams such vacant dreams as father, mother, children, wife, and friend. The sexless Self! whose father He? whose child? Whose friend, whose foe is He who is but One? The Self is all in all, naught else exists; and thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say -"Om tat sat, Om!" There is but One-The Free-The Knower-Self! Without a name, without a form or stain; In Him is Maya dreaming all this dream. The Witness, He appears as nature, soul. Know thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say "Om tat sat, Om!" Where seekest thou? That freedom, friend, this world Nor that, can give. In books and temples vain Thy search. Thine only is
the hand that holds the rope that drags thee on. Then, cease lament, let go thy hold, Sannyasin bold! Say -"Om tat sat, Om!" Say - "Peace to all: From me no danger be to aught that lives; in those that dwell on high, in those that lowly creep, I am the Self in all! All life both here and there, do I renounce, all heavens, earths and hells; all hopes and fears." Thus, cut thy bonds, Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!" Heed then no more how body lives or goes, its task is done. Let Karma float it down, Let one put garlands on, another kick this frame; say naught. No praise or blame can be where praiser, praised- and blamer, blamed- are one. Thus, be thou calm, Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!" Truth never comes where lust and fame and greed of gain reside. No man who thinks of woman as his wife can ever perfect be; Nor he who owns the least of things, nor he Whom anger chains, can pass through’ Maya’s gates. So, give these up, Sannyasin bold! Say - “Om tat sat, Om!" Have thou no home. What home can hold thee, friend? The sky thy roof, the grass thy bed; and food What chance may bring, well-cooked or ill, judge not. No food or drink can taint that noble self which knows Itself. Like rolling river, be Thou ever free, Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!" Few only know the truth. The rest will hate and laugh at thee, great one; but pay no heed. Go thou, the free, from place to place, and help them out of darkness, Maya’s veil. Without The fear of pain or search for pleasure, go beyond them both Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!" Thus, day to day, till Karma’s powers spent Release the soul forever. No more is birth Nor I, nor thou, nor god, nor man. The "I" Has All become, the all is "I" and bliss. Know thou art That, Sannyasin bold! Say - "Om tat sat, Om!"
EVENING AARTI KHAṆḌANA BHAVA
खण्डन भव बतधन ॥ खण्डन भव बतधन जग वतिन वच्ति तोमाय। तनरञ्जन नर-रूप-धर तनगण ुअ गुणमय॥ khaṇḍana bhava bandhana jaga vandana vandi tomāy | nirañjana nara-rūpa-dhara nirguṇa guṇamay ||
We adore you, O breaker of the bondage of the world, worshipped by all humankind! You are stainless, yet have taken a human form. You are beyond all attributes, yet are the embodiment of all virtues. मोिन अघिष ू ण जगभूषण चिद्घनकाय।
ज्ञानाञ्जन-ववमल-नयन वीक्षणे मोह जाय॥ mocana aghadūṣaṇa jagabhūṣaṇa cidghanakāy | jñānāñjana-vimala-nayana vīkṣaṇe moha jāy ||
O purifier of all defects! O gem of the world! O embodiment of pure consciousness! Your stainless eyes, sanctified by the collyrium of knowledge, remove our ignorance at a mere glance. भास्वर भाव-सागर चिर-उतमि प्रेम-पाथार। भतताजअन-युगल िरण तारण-भव-पार॥ bhāsvara bhāva-sāgara cira-unmada prema-pāthār | bhaktārjana-yugala caraṇa tāraṇa-bhava-pār ||
You are verily a sea of light and divine moods, ever filled with the waves of inebriating love. Your holy feet, attained through devotion, are the raft that carries us across the ocean of this world. जच्त म्भत-युग-ईश्वर जगिीश्वर योगसहाय। तनरोधन समादहतमन तनरखख तव कतपाय॥
jṛmbhita-yuga-īśvara jagadīśvara yogasahāy | nirodhana samāhitamana nirakhi tava kṛpāy ||
You are the Lord of the universe, the manifest incarnation of the age and our guide along the path of yoga. We have realized this truth through your grace, you whose mind is established in samadhi. भञ्जन-िःु खगञ्जन करुणाघन कमअ-कठोर। प्राणापअण जगत-तारण कतततन-कमलडोर॥
bhañjana-duḥkhagañjana karuṇāghana karma-kaṭhor | prāṇārpaṇa jagata-tāraṇa kṛntana-kaliḍor ||
O destroyer of the mass of suffering! O embodiment of compassion! O tremendous performer of deeds! You have sacrificed your life to redeem the world and cut the bonds of the Kali Yuga. वञ्िन-कामकाञ्िन अतततनच्तित-इच्तियराग। त्यागीश्वर हे नरवर िे हपिे अनुराग॥ vañcana-kāmakāñcana atinindita-indriyarāg | tyāgīśvara he naravara dehapade anurāg ||
You have conquered lust and greed and have spurned the enticements of sense pleasure. O Lord of renouncers! O best among men! Grant us love for your blessed feet. तनभअय गतसंशय दृढ़तनश्िय-मानसवान। तनष्कारण-भकत-शरण त्यच्ज जातत-कुल-मान॥ nirbhaya gatasaṁśaya dṛṛhaniścaya-mānasavān | niṣkāraṇa-bhakata-śaraṇa tyaji jāti-kula-māna||
You are beyond fear and free from doubt. Your mind is unwavering in resolve. You have renounced all pride of birth and caste and, without any motive, are a refuge for all your devotees.
सम्पि तव श्रीपि भव-गोष्पि-वारर यथाय। प्रेमापअण समिरशन जगजन-िःु ख जाय॥ sampada tava śrīpada bhava-goṣpada-vāri yathāy |premārpaṇa samadaraśana jagajana-duḥkha jāy ||
O gift of love and embodiment of same-sightedness! Their suffering vanishes who look upon your holy feet as their greatest treasure. For them, this transitory world seems like the puddle that fills the hoofprint of the (passing cow) cow (easy to cross) in the clay. नमो नमो प्रभु वातय-मनातीत मनोविनैकाधार।
ज्योततर ज्योतत उजल-हृदिकतिर तुमम तमो-भञ्जन हार॥ namo namo prabhu vākya-manātīta manovacanaikādhār |jyotira jyoti ujala-hṛdikandara tumi tamo-bhañjana hār ||
Salutations to you, O Lord, salutations to you! You are beyond mind and speech, and are also the ground of mind and speech. Light of all lights, you shine forth in the cave of the heart. Destroy the darkness of ignorance there, O Lord, destroy the darkness of ignorance. धे धे धे लङ्ग रङ्ग भङ्ग बाजे अङ्ग सङ्ग मि त ङ्गदहिे िति भकतवतत ि आरतत तोमार॥ dhe dhe dhe laṅga raṅga bhaṅga bāje aṅga saṅga mṛdaṅga gāhiche chanda bhakatavṛnda ārati tomār ||
To the accompaniment of the mridanga, with its rhythmic tones, your devotees are singing this arati to you: jaya jaya, hara, hara, shiva shiva. जय जय आरतत तोमार हर हर आरतत तोमार मशव मशव आरतत तोमार॥
jaya jaya ārati tomār hara hara ārati tomār śiva śiva ārati tomār ||
To the accompaniment of the mridanga, with its rhythmic tones, your devotees are singing this arati to you: jaya jaya, hara, hara, shiva shiva. खण्डन भव बतधन जग वतिन वच्ति तोमाय॥ जय श्रीगुरुमहाराच्ज्ज कक जय॥ khaṇḍana bhava bandhana jaga vandana vandi tomāy | jay shree gurumaharajaki jai
We adore you, O breaker of the bondage of the world, worshipped by all mankind! You are stainless, yet have taken a human form. You are beyond all attributes, yet are the embodiment of all virtues. Victory to the great guru!
A HYMN TO SRI RAMAKRISHNA
ॐ ह्रीं ऋतं त्वमिलो ॥
ॐ ह्रीं ऋतं त्वमिलो गुणच्जद्गुणेड्यो नततं दिवं सकरुणं तव पािपद्मम ्। मोहङ्कषं बहुकततं न भजे यतोऽहं
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम िीनबतधो॥ १॥ om hrīṁ ṛtaṁ tvam acalo guṇajid-guṇeḍyo naktaṁ divaṁ sakaruṇaṁ tava pāda-padmam | mohaṅ-kaṣaṁ bahu-kṛtaṁ na bhaje yato’haṁ tasmāt tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama dīna-bandho
You are the mystic sounds Om and Hrim. You are truth and the immutable reality. You have conquered the gunas-nature, and yet are adored for your gunas-your virtues. Since I do not worship your holy feet, capable of destroying all delusion and full of compassion, with longing day and night, therefore, O friend of the lowly, you are my only refuge. भच्ततभअगश्ि भजनं भवभेिकारर गचितत्यलं सुववपुलं गमनाय तत्त्वम।्
वत्ोद्धत त ोवप हृदि मे न ि भातत ककच्ञ्ित ् तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम िीन बतधो॥ २॥
bhaktir-bhagaśca bhajanaṁ bhava-bheda-kāri gacchanty-alaṁ suvipulaṁ gamanāya tattvam | vaktrod-dhṛtopi hṛdi me na ca bhāti kiñcit tasmāt tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama dīna-bandho
Devotion, divine qualities, and worship, which break the bonds of the world, are indeed sufficient to take one to the highest truth. But though I utter these words with my lips, they find no echo in my heart. Therefore, O friend of the lowly, you are my only refuge.
तेजस्तरच्तत त्वररतं त्वतय तप्त ततष्त णाः रागं कतते ऋतपथे त्वतय रामकतष्णे। मत्याअमत त ं तव पिं मरणोममअनाशं
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम िीनबतधो॥ ३॥ tejas taranti tvaritaṁ tvayi tṛpta-tṛṣṇāḥ rāgaṁ kṛte ṛtapathe tvayi rāmakṛṣṇe | martyāmṛtaṁ tava padaṁ maraṇormi-nāśaṁ tasmāt tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama dīnabandho || 3||
They quickly transcend the fire of this world who are devoted to you; all their desires are fulfilled in you, O Ramakrishna, who are the path to truth. Your feet, like nectar to mortal beings, quell the waves of death. Therefore, O friend of the lowly, you are my only refuge. कतत्यं करोतत कलष ु ं कुहकाततकारर
ष्णाततं मशवं सवु वमलं तव नाम नाथ। यस्मािहमशरणो जगिे कगम्य
तस्मात्त्वमेव शरणं मम िीनबतधो॥ ४॥ kṛtyaṁ karoti kaluṣaṁ kuhakāntakāri ṣṇāntaṁ śivaṁ suvimalaṁ tava nāma nātha | yasmādaham aśaraṇo jagad-eka-gamya tasmāt tvameva śaraṇaṁ mama dīna-bandho || 4||
O Lord, your name, ending in “shna”, is auspicious and pure. It destroys all taint and turns evil into virtue. O sole goal of all the worlds, as I have no place to go for shelter, therefore, O friend of the lowly, you are my only refuge. ॐ स्थापकाय ि धमअस्य सवअधमअस्वरूवपणे। अवतारवररष्ठाय रामकतष्णाय ते नमः॥ om sthāpakāya ca dharmasya sarva-dharma-svarūpiṇe |avatāra variṣṭhāya rāmakṛṣṇāya te namaḥ ||
Salutations to you, O Ramakrishna, the establisher of dharma, the embodiment of all religions, and the paragon of avataras. ॐ नमः श्री भगवते रामकतष्णाय नमो नमः॥ ॐ नमः श्री भगवते रामकतष्णाय नमो नमः॥ ॐ नमः श्री भगवते रामकतष्णाय नमो नमः॥ om namaḥ śrī bhagavate rāmakṛṣṇāya namo namaḥ om namaḥ śrī bhagavate rāmakṛṣṇāya namo namaḥ om namaḥ śrī bhagavate rāmakṛṣṇāya namo namaḥ
Om, salutations to Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, salutations again and again.
A HYMN TO THE DIVINE MOTHER
ॐ सवअमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये ॥
ॐ सवअमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये मशवे सवाअथस अ ाचधके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरर नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते॥ om sarvamaṅgalamāṅgalye śive sarvārthasādhike | śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi namo’stu te ||
Auspiciousness of all things auspicious! O consort of Shiva, fulfiller of all our goals! Our only refuge! O three-eyed Gauri! O Narayani! Our salutations to you. सच्त ष्टच्स्थततववनाशानां शच्ततभूते सनाततन। गुणाश्रये गुणमये नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते॥
sṛṣṭisthitivināśānāṁ śaktibhūte sanātani | guṇāśraye guṇamaye nārāyaṇi namo’stu te ||
The power beyond all creation, preservation, and destruction! O eternal one! O ground of the gunas and embodiment of the gunas! O Narayani! Our salutations to you. शरणागतिीनातअपरर्ाणपरायणे। सवअस्याततअहरे िे वव नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते॥ śaraṇāgatadīnārtaparitrāṇaparāyaṇe | sarvasyārtihare devi nārāyaṇi namo’stu te ||
Ever devoted to the salvation of the lowly and suffering who seek shelter with you! O destroyer of all misery! O Divine Mother! O Narayani! Our salutations to you.
जय नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते जय नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते।
जय नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते जय नारायखण नमोऽस्तु ते॥ jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te | jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stu te ||
All victory to you, O Narayani. Our salutations to you. Victory and salutations to you again and again, O Narayani!
A HYMN TO SRI SARADA DEVI
प्रकतततं परमाम ॥
प्रकतततं परमामभयां वरिां नररूपधरां जनतापहराम ्।
शरणागतसेवकतोषकरीं प्रणमामम परां जननीं जगताम ्॥ prakṛtiṁ paramām abhayāṁ varadāṁ nararūpadharāṁ janatāpaharām | śaraṇāgatasevakatoṣakarīṁ praṇamāmi parāṁ jananīṁ jagatām ||
To the Divine Shakti embodied in human form, the giver of boons and dispeller of fear, who quenches the fire of misery and fills with joy the hearts of those who take refuge in Her; to Thee my salutations, O Supreme Being, O Mother of the worlds! गुणहीनसुतानपराधयुतान ् कतपयाद्य समुद्धर मोहगतान ्। तरणीं भवसागरपारकरीं प्रणमामम परां जननीं जगताम ्॥ guṇahīnasutān aparādhayutān kṛpayādya samuddhara mohagatān | taraṇīṁ bhavasāgarapārakarīṁ praṇamāmi parāṁ jananīṁ jagatām ||
Redeem Thy children, bestowing Thy mercy, full of faults, deluded, and without merit as we are! A veritable ship ferrying us across the ocean of Samsara art Thou; To Thee my salutations, O Supreme Being, O Mother of the worlds! ववषयं कुसुमं पररहृत्य सिा िरणाम्बुरुहामत त शाच्ततसुधाम ्।
वपब भङ् त गमनो भवरोगहरां प्रणमामम परां जननीं जगताम ्॥
viṣayaṁ kusumaṁ parihṛtya sadā caraṇāmburuhāmṛta-śāntisudhām| piba bhṛṅgamano bhavarogaharāṁ praṇamāmi parāṁ jananīṁ jagatām ||
Abandoning the flowers of worldly enjoyment, always drink, O honeybee of my mind, the nectar of eternal peace at the lotus of Mother’s feet-the sure panacea for the disease of worldliness. To Thee my salutations, O Supreme Being, O Mother of the worlds! कतपां कुरु महािे वव सुतष े ु प्रणतेषु ि।
िरणाश्रयिानेन कतपामतय नमोऽस्तु ते॥ kṛpāṁ kuru mahādevi suteṣu praṇateṣu ca | caraṇāśrayadānena kṛpāmayi namo’stu te ||
Bestow Thy grace, O great Divinity, on us Thy children, bowing in prostration before Thee, and grant us shelter at Thy feet, O Compassionate One. To Thee our salutations! लज्जापटावत त े तनत्यं सारिे ज्ञानिातयके।
पापेभ्यो नः सिा रक्ष कतपामतय नमोऽस्तु ते॥ lajjāpaṭāvṛte nityaṁ sārade jñānadāyike | pāpebhyo naḥ sadā rakṣa kṛpāmayi namo’stu te ||
Though ever covered with the veil of modesty, Thou, O Mother Sarada, art really the Power that bestows spiritual illumination on human beings. Protect us from sins evermore, O grace embodied! To Thee our salutations! रामकतष्णगतप्राणां ततनामश्रवणवप्रयाम ्।
तद्भावरच्ञ्जताकारां प्रणमामम मुहुमह ुअ ु ः॥ rāmakṛṣṇagataprāṇāṁ tannāmaśravaṇapriyām | tadbhāvarañjitākārāṁ praṇamāmi muhurmuhuḥ ||
To Her whose life is fused into one with Ramakrishna’s, whose delight consists in absorption in thought and talk of His glory, whose personality is soaked and suffused with His spirit; to Her our salutations! पवव्ं िररतं यस्याः पवव्ं हीवनं तथा। पवव्तास्वरूवपण्यै तस्यै कुमो नमो नमः॥ pavitraṁ caritaṁ yasyāḥ pavitraṁ jīvanaṁ tathā | pavitratāsvarūpiṇyai tasyai kurmo namo namaḥ ||
To Her whose nature is sanctity, to Her whose life is sanctity, to Her who is the very embodiment of sanctity; to Her I bow down, again and again! िे वीं प्रसतनां प्रणताततअहत्ीं योगीतिपूज्यां युगधमअपा्ीम ्।
तां सारिां भच्ततववज्ञानिा्ीं ियास्वरूपां प्रणमामम तनत्यम ्॥ devīṁ prasannāṁ praṇatārtihantrīṁ yogīndrapūjyāṁ yugadharmapātrīm | tāṁ sāradāṁ bhaktivijñānadātrīṁ dayāsvarūpāṁ praṇamāmi nityam ||
To the gracious Mother Sarada, the embodiment of mercy and the granter of devotion and knowledge, to Her who is worshipped by the chief of yogis, to Her who (with Sri Ramakrishna) has given a new revelation for the present age, and who assuages the miseries of devotees taking refuge at Her feet; to her do I ever bow down in worship. स्नेहेन बध्नामस मनोऽस्मिीयं िोषानशेषान ् सगण ु ीकरोवष।
अहे तुना नो ियसे सिोषान ् स्वाङ्के गह त ीत्वा यदििं ववचि्म ्॥ snehena badhnāsi mano’smadīyaṁ doṣānaśeṣān saguṇīkaroṣi | ahetunā no dayase sadoṣān svāṅke gṛhītvā yadidaṁ vicitram ||
Binding our mind to Thee with the bonds of Thy love, Thou does transmute our very vices into virtues. Compassionate as Thou art without any consideration of merit, Thou dost, lo! Take even unworthy ones into Thy lap! प्रसीि मातववअनयेन यािे तनत्यं भव स्नेहवती सुतष े ।ु
प्रेमैकबबतिं ु चिरिग्धचित्ते वववषञ्ि चित्तं कुरु नः सश ु ाततम ्॥ prasīda mātarvinayena yāce nityaṁ bhava snehavatī suteṣu | premaikabinduṁ ciradagdhacitte viṣiñca cittaṁ kuru naḥ suśāntam ||
Mother, be propitious and grant what I in humility beseech. May Thou be ever affectionate to us, Thy children; and casting even a drop of Thy love on our long-parched heart, render it cool and peaceful. जननीं सारिां िे वीं रामकतष्णं जगद्गरु ु म ्।
पािपद्मे तयोः चश्रत्वा प्रणमामम मुहुमह ुअ ु ः॥ jananīṁ sāradāṁ devīṁ rāmakṛṣṇaṁ jagadgurum | pādapadme tayoḥ śritvā praṇamāmi muhurmuhuḥ ||
Taking shelter at the lotus feet of the Mother, Sarada Devi, and Ramakrishna, the teacher of the world, I salute them again and again.