1^st Chapter (Pradhama Patalah)

Features of Teaching the Hymns

(Mantrōpadēśa Lakshaņam) 

 

श्रीजानकीपतिं रामं भ्रात्रुभिर्लक्ष्मणादिभि:।
सहितं परमं वन्दे रत्नसिंहासने स्थितम् ।। 1

Invocation

I bow to the Supreme Being and spouse of Mother Jānaki , Lord Rama, seated on the diamond studded throne, surrounded by Lakşhmaņa and other brothers of His.

एकदा सुखमासीनं पराशरमहामुनिम्
मैत्रेय: परिपप्रच्छ तपोनिधिमकल्मषम् ।। 2

Context

Seer Mytrēya once asked thus of the great sinless Sage Parāśara, abode of ascetic-power, as he was comfortably seated.

भगवन्योगिनां श्रेष्ठ! पराशर महामते।
किंचिद्विज्ञातुकामो स्मि तन्ममानुग्रहं कुरु ।। 3

“Oh! Pious one! Greatest among the wise thinkers! Oh! Inspired ascetic! I wish to know something. Please oblige me.”

प्राप्तं कलियुगं घोरं मोहमायासमाकुलम्।
अधर्मान्र्तसंयुक्तं दारिद्रयव्याधिपीडितम् ।। 4

“Fast approaching Kali Yuga, the fourth and the last Age of the World, that is frightening and harmful due to excesses of desire, illusion, unrighteousness, falsehoods, poverty, disease and others.”

तस्मिन् कलियुगे घोरे किं सेव्यं शिवमिच्छताम्।
पूर्वकर्मविपाकेन ये नरा: दु:खभागिन:।। 5

“What is that those unfortunate souls stricken by grief related to earlier life misdeeds, should worship for auspicious hopes in that terrible Kali?”

तेषां दु:खाभिभूतानां किं कर्तव्यं कृपालुभि:।
दस्युप्रायास्सदा भूपास्साधवो विपदान्विता:।। 6

“What is the duty of the kind souls towards such grief-stricken people? Rulers are always becoming thief like. Virtuous people are facing difficulties.”

पीडिता: कलिदारिद्र्याद्व्याधिभिश्चापरे जना:।
किं पथ्यं किं प्रजप्तव्यं सद्यो विजयकारकम्।। 7

“Some would be afflicted by the Kali related poverty. Some would be victims of diseases. What is the path they should follow for prompt success? Which Mantra – hymn – has to be taken up?”

संसारतारकं किं वा भोगस्वर्गापवर्गदम्।
कस्मादुत्तीर्यते पार: सद्य आपत्समुद्रत:।। 8

“Who would be the redeemer of the world? Which would give enjoyment, paradise and salvation? Which would take us across the sea of hazards to safety?”

किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन सद्यस्सकलसिद्धिदम्।
शिष्यं मां कृपया वीक्ष्य वद सारं कृपानिधे!।। 9

“Oh! Merciful one! Why so many words? What will give results promptly? Please be kind to me, your disciple, and reveal the essence of all that.”

एतत्पृष्ट्ं त्वया विद्धि लोकानामुपकारकम्।
घोरं कलियुगं सर्वमधर्मानृतसंकुलम्।। 10

The Holy Hymn – Mantra

Having been questioned thus, Saint Parāśara said, “Kali would be polluted fully by unrighteousness and untruths. Mytrēya! Know, I am revealing the sacred hymn that would help the world through you.”

वेदशास्त्रपुराणौघसारभूतार्थसंग्रहम्।
सर्वसिद्धिकरं वक्ष्ये शृणु त्वं सुमना भव।। 11

“I will let you know, along with excerpts of its meaning, that is the very essence of all the Vēdas (Knowledge), Śāstras (Sciences) and Purāņās (Sacred Scriptures) and that that gives instant results. Listen with a balanced mind.”

तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन सरयूतीरमागतम्।
मां वीक्ष्य कृपया साक्षाद्वसिष्ठो स्मत्पितामह:।। 12

“Having reached the River Sarayu on way of pilgrimage, my own grandfather, Ŗśi Vasişţa looked at me compassionately,”

उपादिदेश् विद्यां मे सद्यस्सिद्धिविधायिनीम 13

“And bestowed on me the knowledge that results in spiritual attainment and results promptly.”

शैववैष्णवशात्तार्कगाणपत्येन्दुसंभवा:।
न शीघ्र्ं सिद्धिदा: प्रोत्ताश्चिरकालफलप्रदा:।। 14

“The possible Mantras of the paths of worship of Śiva (the Liberator), Vişņu (the Sustainer), Śakti (the Mother goddess of power), Ark (the Sun God), Gaņapaty (the Obstacle Remover) do not fructify quickly; but take a long time to do so.”

लक्ष्मीनारायणी विद्या भवानीशंकरात्मिका।
सीताराममहाविद्या पंचवक्त्रहनूमत:।। 15

“The paths of Knowledge of Lakşmīnārāyaņa (Goddess of Wealth with Vişņu), Knowledge of Bhavānīśankara (Goddess of Power with Śiva), Knowledge of Sītārāma (Goddess of Virtue with Rāma, the ideal man), Knowledge of Panchavaktra Hanumān (the Five-Faced monkey-form God),”

विद्या चतुर्था संप्रोक्ता नृसिंहानुष्टुभाभिदा
ब्रम्हास्त्रविद्या षष्ठीस्यादष्टार्णामारुते:परा।। 16

“Was described as the fourth one. The Knowledge of Nŗisimha (Mani-Lion), the Knowledge of Brahmāstra (Power of the Creator) being the sixth, The Knowledge of Aşţārņamārutī (the Eight-sea Māruti).”

साम्राज्यलक्ष्मीस्त्वपरा महागणपतेरथ
महासौराभिधाविद्या दक्षिणाकालिका परा
चिंतामणिमहाविद्या द्वादशी परिकीर्तिता 17

“And another one, the Knowledge of Sāmrājyalakşmi (Lakşmi Goddess), the Knowledge of Mahāgaņapathi (the great elephant-headed God), and the Knowledge known as Mahāsouraka (the great Solar one), the Knowledge of Dakşiņakāli (the Southern Power Goddess) and the great Knowledge of Cintāmaņi (the Thought-Gem) was mentioned as the twelfth wisdom.”

एता द्वादश् विद्या स्यु: मन्त्रसाम्राज्यईरिता:
एतास्वपि महाविद्याश्शीघ्रसिद्धिप्रदा: तृणु || 18

“This knowledge is known as the Twelve Wisdoms (mantras). Listen! Among these great wisdoms, I will reveal those that give immediate achievement.”

दक्षिणाकालिका विद्या पुरश्चरणत:परम्
अनाचारेणैकरात्रौ सिद्धिदा चिरसाधनात्।। 19

“The Dakşiņakāli (southern Power Goddess) wisdom gives achievement just in one night by repeated oblations (puraścharaņa) even without sticking to tradition and rules.”

अष्टाख्या मारुते: प्रोक्ता ततो प्यचिरसिद्धिदा
पंचाशदक्षराण्यत्रानुलोमप्रतिलोमत:।। 20

Impartation of the Mantra

“The eight-lettered Mārutimantra gives achievement in even lesser time. It has fifty varieties in it in straight and contrary stipulations.”

विशिष्य मालया जप्या गुरुं संतोष्य यत्नतः
ग्रूहीत्वा गुरुसान्निध्याद्बगला परमेश्वरी। 21

“After learning from a Guru (teacher) and satisfying the Guru, following the system of Body-Organ-Touching (nyāsa) and the system of hand postures (mudrā) and repeating the names of Goddess Bagaļādēvi, the great wisdom goddess, with the help of a rosary, leads to attainment.”

प्रजप्य सिद्धिदा प्रोक्ता विद्या ब्रम्हास्त्रसंज्ञिका
अनुष्टुबाख्यां नृहरेस्ततो प्यचिरसिद्धिदा।। 22

“It was said that attainment occurs by perfect execution of the Knowledge of the Creator’s power (Brahmāstra). The knowledge of the eight-lettered-meter (anuştup) invocation to Lord Nŗsimha (man-lion God) gives attainment in even a lesser duration.”

ततो पि पंचवक्त्रस्य मारुतेर्जगदीशितु:
विद्या सिद्धिकरी शीघ्रं गुर्वनुग्रहतो मुने! 23

By the grace of a Guru, faster is the attainment with the Hymn of the Five-faced Hanumān (PañcavaktŗHanumān).

चुलुकोदकवत्पीतास्सागरास्सप्तयोगिना
अगस्त्येन पुरा जप्त्वा विद्यामेनां हनूमत:।। 24

Features of the Mantra

By following the recitation of these Hanumān hymns of knowledge only, water of the seven seas were taken in the hollow of his palm and drunk by the great Yōga philosopher, sage Agastya.

पार्थस्य जयसामथ्र्यं -भीमस्यारिनिबर्हणम्
अस्या एव प्रभावेन सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्।। 25

Power to win over enemies for Arjuna (the middle Pāndava prince), the skill of killing enemies for Bhīma (the second Pāndava prince) came due to this hymn only. I firmly confirm the veracity of these facts.

श्रीरामानुग्रहादेनां विद्यां प्राप्य विभीषण:
अचलां श्रियमासाद्य लंकाराज्ये वसत्यसौ।। 26

Vibhīşņa learnt this knowledge by the grace of Lord Śrīrāma and attained riches forever and live in Lanka.

अनया सदृशी विद्या नास्ति नास्तीति मे मति:
प्रवृत्त्यर्थं न प्रश्ंसा क्रियते सत्यमेव हि।। 27

I am sure that there is no other knowledge equal to this at all. This is the truth,not an empty praise, but acclaims to its greatness.

विजयो बहु सम्मानं राजवश्यमनुत्तमम्
स्त्रीवश्यं जनवश्यं च महालक्ष्मीरचंचला।। 28

Attainments of the Mantra

Victory, respect, liking by kings, women, and by people and enormous riches are obtained via this knowledge.

धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाश्च निवृत्ति: सकलापदाम्
शत्रूणामपि सर्वेषां निग्रहानुग्रहास्सताम्।। 29

Virtuousness (Dharma), wealth (Artha), wish (Kāma) and detachment from the world (Mōkşa); protection from all dangers, elimination of enemies and ability of self-control and compassion, are attained.

वाक्सिद्धि: पुत्रसंपत्तिर्भोगा अष्टविधा अपि
यद्यदिष्टतमं लोके तत्सिध्यति न संशय:।। 30

Attainment of perfect speech, male progeny, the eight riches and all that is dear in this world will definitely be achieved.

गुरुसंतोषतस्सिद्धि: शीघ्रमेव भविष्यति
एकाक्षरप्रदातारं यो गुरुं नाभिमन्यते।। 31

Perfection of hymns to the great happiness of the Guru leads to attainment faster. The one who does not respect a Guru that taught even a single letter,

स श्वयोनिशतं गत्वा चंडालत्वमवाप्नुयात्
गुरुं हुंकृत्य तुं कृत्य उल्लंघ्याज्ञां गुरोरपि।। 32

Bears the pathetic conditions for several lives as a dog. One who scolds are undermines one’s Guru, one who disobeys one’s Guru’s order,

अरण्ये निर्जले देशे भवति ब्रह्मराक्षस:
दरिद्रो गुरुशुश्रूषां वत्सरत्रयमाचरन्
विद्यां लब्ध्वा महासिद्धिमवाप्नोति न संशय:।। 33

Becomes a most heinous demon in uninhabited forests for three years. Even a pauper surely obtains great attainment via serving his Guru obediently for three months and learns this knowledge.

यत्कित्चिद्धनवांश्चापि वस्त्रालंकरणादिभि:
कलत्रं प्रीणयित्वा तं संतोष्य श्रीगुरुं विभुम्
गुरुत्वात्सिद्धिमाप्नोति नान्यथा व्रतकोटिभि:।। 34

Even a modestly rich person can be successful by simply presenting cloths and ornaments to one’s Guru and Guru’s wife. Such attainment cannot be achieved even by performing millions of the rituals.

गुरुवाक्येन मन्त्राणां पुरश्चर्यादिनापि च
संतोष: जायते तस्मादित्याह भगवान्शिव:।। 35

Lord Śiva said that by simply and sincerely following the Guru’s word, even without reciting the hymns one can achieve this knowledge by the dint of the grace of the Guru.

मन्त्रोपदेशसमये प्रांजलिशिश्ष्यको मुने!
स्वामिन्! गुरो! महाप्राज्ञ! यावज्जीवं महाविभो।। 36

Oh! Maitrēya! If the disciple stands before his Guru with folded hands and bowed head at the time of impartation of the hymns and prays, ‘My Lord!, great scholar!, greatly capable one!, For all my life,

भवच्चरणकैंकर्यं करोम्याज्ञां कुरु मे
इति स्वभाषयोच्चार्य प्रदाय गुरुदक्षिणाम्।। 37

“Give me permission” to serve at your lotus feet’ and presents the Guru gift (Gurudakşiņa),

विद्यासिद्धिमवाप्नोति नान्यथा व्रतकोटिभि:
मन्त्रोपदेश्काले तु- गुरुरिष्टप्रदं मनुम्।। 38

Can attain this knowledge. But even a million rituals cannot give the same. At the time of impartation of the hymns, a hymn dearest to the Guru

अष्टोत्तरशतं चैवाप्यष्टाविंशतिमेव वा
जप्त्वा शिश्यस्य शिरसि हस्तं निक्षिप्य दक्षिणम्।। 39

Has to be recited 108 times or 29 times; the Guru keeping his right hand gently on the head of the disciple all the while.

दक्षिणे कर्णमूले तु मूलमंत्रं वदेन्मुने!
वीर्यशिध्द्धयै च मन्त्रस्य जपं कुर्याच्च देशिक:।। 40

Oh! Maitrēya! The Seed-Hymn has to be told in his (disciple’s) right ear. The Guru has to continue recitation of hymns for ensuring virility.

अष्टोत्तरश्तावृत्या जपेत्संशुद्धमानस:
सर्वासामपि विद्यानामयं साधारणक्रम:।। 41

A hymn has to be recited 108 times. This procedure is common to impartation of all types of knowledge.

विशेषेण महाविद्या पंचवक्त्रहनूमत:
गुरुसंतोषतो लब्धा साम्राज्यं प्रददाति हि।। 42

The Five-faced Hanumān knowledge (mantra) gives vast capacity if acquired when the Guru is very happy.

सहस्त्रशिरसा साक्षाच्छेषस्या पि महामुने!
न शक्यते अस्य माहात्म्यं वक्तुं वर्षशतैरपि।। 43

Great Saint! The greatness of this Hanumān hymn knowledge cannot be described by even the thousand hooded (tounged) great snake Śēşa even in hundreds of years.

इति श्रीपराशरसंहितायां पंचमुखहनुमन्मन्त्रविवरणे पराशरमैत्रेयसंवादे मन्त्रोपदेशलक्षणं नाम प्रथमपटल:
Thus ends the 1st Chapter, entitled ‘Features of Teaching the Holy Hymn’ of Śrī Parāśara Samhitā

 

Devanagari transliteration

 

Click here to visit the Contents of the Part 1.