Rudrashtakam

Rudrashtakam is an eight verse Octet (Ashtakam) or a rhyming prayer dedicated to the Vedic god Rudra. Rudra is regarded as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Rudrashtakam finds its origins in the –epic of Ramcharitmanas written by the Great Goswami Tulsidas (16th century AD) in Varanasi, the Holy city of Lord Shiva. He was writing the Ramayan in the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga temple and it was due to the grace of Lord Shiva that it could be composed and thus dedicated this hymn in his praise.

 

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं। विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपं।

निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं। चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजे हं॥1॥

Namam Meesana Nirvana Roopam
Vibhum vyapakam Brahma Veda Swaroopam
Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Nireeham
Chidakasamaakasa Vasam Bhajeham

I bow to the Ruler of the Universe, whose very form is Liberation, the omnipotent and all pervading Brahma, manifest as the Vedas. I worship Shiva, shining in his own glory, without physical qualities, Undifferentiated, desireless, and changeless all pervading sky of consciousness and wearing the sky itself as His garment. ||1||

निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयं। गिरा ग्यान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशं।

करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं। गुणागार संसारपारं नतो हं॥2॥

Niraakara Monkaara Moolam Thureeyam
Giraa Jnana Gotheethamesam Gireesam
Karalam Maha Kala Kalam Krupalam
Gunaa Gara Samsara Param Nathoham

I bow to the supreme Lord who is the formless source of “OM” The Self of All, transcending all conditions and states, beyond speech, understanding and sense perception, Awe-full, but gracious, the ruler of Kailash, Devourer of Death, the immortal abode of all virtues. ||2||

तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गम्भीरं। मनोभूत कोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरं। 

स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारु गंगा। लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजंगा॥3॥

Thushaaraadhi Sankasa Gowram Gabheeram,
Mano Bhootha Koti Prabha Sree Sareeram,
Sphuran Mouli Kallolini Charu Ganga,
Lasaddala Balendu Kante Bhujanga

I worship Shankar, whose form is white as the Himalayan snow, Radiant with the majestic beauty of countless Cupids, Whose head sparkles with the Ganga, With crescent moon adorning his brow and snakes coiling his neck.. ||3||

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालं। प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालं।

मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं। प्रियं शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि॥4॥

Chalath Kundalam Bru Sunethram Vishaalam,
Prasannananam Neela Kandam Dhayalam,
Mugadheesa Charmambaeam Munda Malam,
Priyam Shankaram Sarva Nadham Bhajami

The beloved Lord of All, with shimmering pendants hanging from his ears, Beautiful eyebrows and large eyes, Full of Mercy with a cheerful countenance and a blue speck on his throat, wearing a lion skin around the waist and a garland of skulls.  ||4||

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं। अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशम्।

त्रय: शूल निर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं। भजे हं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यं॥5॥

Prachandam Prakrushtam Prakalbham Paresam, 

Akhandam Ajam Bhanu Koti Prakasam,
Thraya Soola Nirmoolanam Soola Panim,
Bhajeham Bhavani Pathim Bhava Gamyam

I worship Shankar, Bhavani’s husband, the fierce, exalted, luminous supreme Lord. Indivisible, unborn and radiant with the glory of a million suns; Who, holding a trident, tears out the root of the three-fold suffering, And who is reached only through Love. ||5||

कलातीत कल्याण कल्पांतकारी। सदासज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी।

चिदानन्द संदोह मोहापहारी। प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी॥6॥

Kalatheetha Kalyani Kalpanthakari,
Sada Sajjananda Datha Purari,
Chidananda Sandoha Mohapahari,
Praseeda Praseeda Prabho Mamamadhari

You who are without parts, ever blessed, the cause of universal destruction at the end of each round of creation, a source of perpetual delight to the pure of heart, Slayer of the demon, Tripura, consciousness and bliss personified, Dispeller of delusion Have mercy on me, foe of Lust. ||6||

न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविंदं। भजंतीह लोके परे वा नराणां।

न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं। प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं॥7॥

Na Yavad Umanada Padaravindam,
Bhajantheeha Loke Pare Vaa Naraanaam,
Na Thath Sukham Shanthi Santhapa Nasam,
Praseedha Prabho Sarva Bhoothadhivasam

Oh Lord of Uma, so long as you are not worshipped there is no happiness, peace or freedom from suffering in this world or the next. You who dwell in the hearts of all living beings, and in whom all beings have their existence, Have mercy on me, Lord. ||7||

न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां। नतो हं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यं।

जराजन्म दु:खौघ तातप्यमानं। प्रभो पाहि आपन्न्मामीश शंभो॥8॥

Na Janami Yogam, Japam, Naiva Poojaam,
Nathoham Sada Sarvadha Shambhu Thubhyam,
Jara Janma Dukhogha Thathpyamanam,
Prabho Pahi Aapannamameesa Shambho

I don’t know yoga, prayer or rituals, but everywhere and at every moment, I bow to you, Shambhu! Protect me my Lord, miserable and afflicted as I am with the sufferings of birth, old-age and death. ||8||.

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये।

ये पठन्ति नरा भक्तया तेषां शम्भु: प्रसीदति॥

Rudhrashtakam Idham Proktham Viprena Hara Thoshaye,
Ye Padanthi Naraa Bhakthya Thesham Shambhu Praseedathi

This eightfold hymn of praise was sung by the Brahman to please Shankar. Shambhu will be pleased with those whoever recites it with full devotion.

What is need of doing sadhna ?

 

SAPTA SHLOKI DURGA STOTRAM

This Sapta Shloki Durga Stotra is in Sanskrit and it is told to Bhagwan Shiva by Durga Mata herself. The Durga Saptashloki Stotram is an alternate prayer for Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path stotram.

Many Durga devotees read Durga Sapta shati on many occasions in a year mostly during Navratri Durga Puja. However all devotees can’t read it since it is very difficult and is of 700 stanzas. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete it. So for such devotees this Sapta Shloki Durga Stotra is an alternate. These 7 shlokas of the stotra are from Durga Sapta Shati only. They can recite this stotra daily with faith, devotion and concentration and get blessings of Maa.

शिव उवाच
देवी त्वं भक्त सुलभे सर्व कार्य विधायिनी |
कलौ ही कार्य सिद्ध्यर्थम उपायम ब्रूहि यत्नतः ||

Shiva uvacha
devi tvaM bhakta sulabhe sarvakArya vidhAyini |
kalau hi karya siddhyarthaM upAyaM bruhi yatntaH ||

Shiva asked Durga “tell me what your devotees should do to achieve success in their endeavor easily and without any troubles?”

देवी उवाच
शृणु देव प्रवक्ष्यामि कलौ सर्वेष्ट साधनं |
मया तवैव स्नेहेन प्यम्बा स्तुतिः प्रकाश्यते ||

Devi uvacha
shruNu deva pravakshyAmi kalau sarveshta sAdhanam |
mayA tavaiva snehenA pyambA stutih prakashyate ||

Durga Mata told him that my devotees may worship me by reciting 7 shlokas with faith, devotion and concentration. By doing this they will receive all my blessings and will be successful in there every endeavor. Besides they will receive wealth, health, good memory, knowledge, success, good family life and victory. All their troubles, fear, sorrow and poverty will be removed from their life.

The 7 Sholaka are ---

ॐ ज्ञानिनामपि चेतांसि देवी भगवती हि सा ।
बलादाकृष्य मोहाय महामाया प्रयच्छति ॥१॥

Om jñānināmapi cetāṁsi devī bhagavatī hi sā

balādākṛṣya mohāya mahāmāyā prayacchati

It is the Divine mother who spreads the veil of illusion over the hearts of even the wise men.

दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तोः

स्वस्थे स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि ।
दारिद्रयदुःखभयहा� �िणि का त्वदन्या

सर्वोपकारकरणाय सदार्द्रचित्ता ॥२॥

Durge smṛtā harasi bhītimaśeṣajantoḥ 

svasthaiḥ smṛtā matimatīva śubhāṁ dadāsi

dāridryaduḥkhabhayahāriṇi kā tvadanyā 

sarvopakārakaraṇāya sadā "rdracittā

O Mother Durga! You rob us of our fear when we contemplate you. You bestow wisdom on us. You are the cosmic benefactress. Who else can remove our poverty, sorrow and fear?

सर्वमंगलमंगलये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३॥

Sarvamaṁgalamāṅgalye śive sarvārthasādhike

śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi namo'stu te

Devi! Narayani! You are the embodiment and Provider of Auspiciousness to one and all; You are Shiva Swarupa or the Form of Propitiousness fulfilling all our wishes; You are Traimbika or the composite personification of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati; we seek shelter from you, as we bend down and greet!    

शरणागत दीनार्त परित्राण परायणे
सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥४॥

Saraṇāgatadīnārta paritrāṇaparāyaṇe

sarvasyārtihare devi nārāyaṇi namo'stu te

Our greetings to You Narayani! Devi! We seek refuge and safety from You as we are helpless and harassed.

सर्वस्वरुपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्वित� �।
भयेभ्यस्त्राहिनो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥५॥

Sarvasvarūpe sarveśe sarvaśaktti samanvite

bhayebhyastrāhi no devī durge devī namo'stu te

Devi! You are the all-comprehensive Form, the Supreme Sovereign, and the all- Powerful; kindly shield us from diverse types of fears and apprehensions; our earnest salutations to You, Durga Devi!

रोगानशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा,

रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभिष्टान् ।
त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां,

त्वामाश्रिता ह्याश्रयतां प्रयान्ति ॥६॥

Rogānaśeṣānapahaṁsi tuṣṭā ruṣṭā tu kāmān sakalānabhīṣṭān

tvāmāśritānāṁ na vipannarāṇāṁ tvāmāśritā hyāśrayatāṁ prayānti

As You assume compassion, all our diseases disappear; but if indignant, all our wishes get to nought. Those who have already taken asylum from You would never face difficulties any way; on the other hand, such persons saved by You could as well provide protection to others too in their turn!

सर्वबाधाप्रशमनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिल� �श्वरी ।
एवमेव त्वया कार्यमस्मद्वैरीव� �नाशनम् ॥७॥

Sarvābādhāpraśamanaṁ trailokyasyākhileśvari

evameva tvayā kāryam asmadvairivināśanam

Mother, this is our only prayer; may no one in all the worlds experience pain or sorrow. Save us from our (inner) enemies.

Om Shree Durgaya Namah !

Deep and Meaningful Quotes

Here are some Inspirational, meaningful quotes to help you love the life you live.

"Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow."~ Mahatma Gandhi

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” -~ Albert Einstein

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."  ~ Norman Vincent Peale

"Within each of us, nature has provided all the pieces necessary to achieve exceptional health and wellness, then left it up to us to put them all together."  ~ Diane McLaren

"Your imagination is your preview to life's coming attractions." ~ Albert Einstein

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.”  - Henry Ford

“I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.“  - Author Unknown

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard

"What comes out of you when you are squeezed is what is inside you." ~ Wayne Dyer

"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."  ~ Author Unknown

A man who doesn't trust himself can never really trust anyone else. ~ Cardinal De Retz

"Lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action." ~ Anthony Robbins

"Hope has two beautiful daughters - their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are." 
~ St. Augustine

"The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." ~ Lao Tzu

"There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them." ~ Denis Waitley

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do" ~ John Wooden

"Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~ Mark Twain

Teachings of Shivyog

Baba ji says that in life problems arise when we look for attribution in work. That is, when we bring "Kartabhaav". This kartabhaav creates expectations. Expectations of praise, expectations of applause, reciprocation in relationships so on and so forth. Never perform any action to seek credit. Consider even the pettiest of the pettiest tasks as God's work. Take every small action as...whatever you do think that it is God's work, DONE FOR GOD, DONE BY GOD Himself. The results leave it on Him. You just do the karmas as a divine service to God. That way there will not be any concerns of reaping the fruits of your karmas and karma dosh will fizzle out in thin air. Because Nishkaam sewa is a sewa without a prior motive. Never bring the "egoistic sense of doer ship". That is the best way to learn detachment.

"Accept everyone the way they are". So says Baba ji. He may not cite forthrightly the basis of the teachings but they have a very rich underpinning to them. When we accept a person, we appreciate a creation of nature. We acknowledge the fact that everyone is unique. We appreciate their uniqueness. By accepting someone the way he/she is, we automatically stop being judgemental since o...nly non acceptance leads us to pass remarks, whether good or bad. Acceptance means unconditional love; it doesn’t mean "My husband/brother/mother/sister is a boring/temperamental/jealous/lazy person but I still accept". This is not acceptance. This is complaining. The words of a Shiv Yogi must be "Thank you God for this unique experience of existing with unique individuals which do not have any parallel in this world". This way, no hatred will breed. One will come to respect the unique soul agenda of every person. And whether shunning "kartabhaav" or starting "nishkam sewa" or acceptance, start from your home. Your soul group is the first place where your Guru's teachings must be applied. If not there then it will be nowhere. There will be different kinds of people. But only one mantra is to be followed for everyone---Unconditional love.

Baba ji says "या तो तुम आसुरी प्रवृत्तियाँ चुनते हो या दैव्य भाव| तीसरा और कुछ भी नहीं है| यदि कोई कहता है की मैं तो दोनों करता हूँ तो वह मिथ्या भाषण करता है| संसार में सिर्फ़ दो प्रकार की ऊर्जाएँ हैं- Positive और Negative | घृणा आसुरी है, प्रेम दैव्य है| क्रोध आसुरी है, सहनशीलता दैव्य है| ईर्ष्या और लोभ आसुरी हैं, आस्तेय और संतुष्टि दैव्य हैं| अक्षमाशीलता और अकृतज्ञता आसुरी हैं, क्षम...ा और कृतज्ञता दैव्य हैं| अस्वीकार्यता आसुरी है, और किसी को स्वीकार करना दैव्य है| मन तुम्हारा है| तुम्हें ही चुनने का अधीकार है| गुरु तो बस मार्ग दिखाता है| उस मार्ग का अनुसरण करना तुम्हारे उपर है| उर्जा को एक ही दिशा में लेकर आओ| सिर्फ़ दिव्यता चुनो| चुनने का अधीकार तुम्हारे पास है| कोई भी कर्म करने से पहले अपने से पूछना मेरा भाव क्या है इसको करने के पीछे ? मैं चाहता क्या हूँ ? यदि उत्तर में आसुरी गुण आएँ तो तत्क्षण गुरु की वाणी को याद करना| शिव योगी हो उत्तम ही चुनना अब|"

For sadhaks unable to comprehend Hindi, here is the English translation of the status: In life you either choose devilish or angelic tendencies. There is no third tendency. If someone contends that he has both, he is deluding. There are only two types of energies in this World – positive and negative. Hate is devilish, love is divine. Anger is devilish, forbearance is divine. Jealousy... and greed are devilish, whereas contentment and honesty are divine. Unforgiveness and ungratefulness are devilish whereas forgiveness and gratefulness are divine. Non acceptance is devilish, acceptance is divine. You are the master of your mind. You have the power to choose. The Guru can only show the way. Walking on that way is entirely on you. Direct your energies in one direction. Select only divinity. Before undertaking any action, ask yourself the intention behind it. If the intention has any of the aforementioned devilish traits, remember the Guru’s divine words. As a shivyogi now onwards you have to choose the best.

Baba ji likens ego to the deadly demon Mahishasur. He calls ego as the most astute of the vices or "avagunas". One would wonder why call a negative trait clever? Because it is only ego which can take multifarious forms, at times deceiving the individual to the extent of unawareness about its very presence too. Some recognized forms of ego are- administrative ego, wealth ego, power driven ego, health and size driven ego. Ego it should be remembered does not only imply establishing your supremacy on others and give vent to the Alpha male tendency as Ishan Shivanand ji harps time and again, but a harmless statement too can have egoistic undertones. Even saying that "I’m a very good person", "I’m a very spiritual person", "I have a very good nature" is ego. Till the time the consciousness remains in the physical body, the false "I" remains. That’s why Baba ji advises uttering these words before sadhna "I’m not this body. This body is mine. I’m not this mind also. This mind is mine" Then who am I? I AM THE SOUL, Purest of the purest creations of Shiva. Shun ego. Be humble. Wondering whom to look up to as an idol for humility? Who else but the down- to-earth achiever Avadhoot Baba Shivanand ji Himself.

Baba ji talks of detachment and unconditional love in the same vein. One would ponder on the impossibility of the co-existence of the two. That’s because we have come to associate detachment with hate. Detachment is not repulsion or hate. The righteous way of living is respecting and loving everyone despite their drawbacks and at the same time being aware of the fact that everything is transient and temporary and that one day every soul including you and your loved ones have to leave for your Higher abode. "साकार रूप धरा है तो मृत्यु तो एक दिन आएगी ही" says Baba ji. This is true detachment. Play your part on the planet for the duration you are here to perfection, leaving nothing for tomorrow. And one day when your time is up, may it be by your own will, being satisfied with how you lived your life. For that, leave nothing for tomorrow. Enjoy life every moment. Do not delay or postpone any wish, joy, leisure or any task for that matter. This is true detachment.

Baba ji hails sewa as one of the ways of facilitating one's spiritual growth and extricating oneself from the karmic cycle of give and take. It is sewa which teaches an individual the real significance of non duality. Philanthropy isn’t done in a condescending manner. It is done with the feeling that "I am administering food to my own self". Shiva is in me. Shiva is in everyone. Shiva is serving Shiva. With the same pure thought in mind, Ishan ji commenced his birthday celebrations last week to have the most divine of build-ups to the day itself. This is true celebration. This is what is really called as celebrating the meaningful existence, a privilege with which the Almighty has bestowed us with. Find inspiration to do the same on your birthday.