[Advaita-l] Shiva Manasa Puja

[Jaldhar H. Vyas]

On Sun, 19 Mar 2006, Muralidhar T.S. wrote:

>
> Pranam to all,
>
> I was interested to know if their is a website with explanation for the Shiva 
> Manasa Puja. I did search on the net but could not find any site which 
> offered a rendition of this.
> I would be grateful if anyone can help me on this.
>
> Murali
>

This is one of my favorite stotras.  I have attempted a translation below

[These verses are in shArdulavikriDita chhanda.]

ratnaiH kalpitamAsanaM himajalaiH snAnaM cha divyAmbaraM
nAnAratnavibhUShitaM mR^igamadAmodA~NkitaM chandanam.h |
jAtIchampakabilvapatrasahitaM puShpaM cha dhUpaM tathA
dIpaM deva dayAnidhe pashupate hR^itkalpitaM gR^ihyatAm.h || 1 ||

I have imagined a jewelled seat for you. cold water for you to bathe, and 
lustrous clothes studded with jewels for you to wear, kasturi and 
sandalwood paste, Jasmine and Champaka flowers with Bilva leaves to adorn 
you, incense and a lamp.  Oh God, abode of mercy, lord of creatures! 
Accept this which I have imagined in my heart. (1)


sauvarNe navaratnakhaNDarachite pAtre ghR^itaM pAyasaM
bhakshyaM paJNchavidhaM payodadhiyutaM rambhAphalaM pAnakam.h |
shAkAnAmayutaM jalaM ruchikaraM karpUrakhaNDojjvalaM
tAmbUlaM manasA mayA virachitaM bhaktyA prabho svIkuru || 2 ||

In a gold plate with nine types of gem on the sides I have prepared sweet 
rice and kheer made from ghee, curds, bananas, yogurt and milk, and many 
types of vegetables for you to eat, cold refreshing water to drink and 
betel nut flavored with camphor.  All this I have made in my mind with 
devotion.  Oh Lord! Accept it. (2)

chhatraM chAmarayoryugaM vyajanakaM chAdarshakaM nirmalam.h
vINAbherimR^idaN^gakAhalakalA gItaM cha nR^ityaM tathA |
sAShTAN^gapraNatiH stutirbahuvidhA hyetatsamastaM mayA
saN^kalpena samarpitaM tava vibho pUjAM gR^ihANa prabho || 3 ||

I give you shade with an umbrella, fan you with a fan and a whisk made of 
two yak-tails and present before you a spotless mirror.  The artistry of 
vina, dhol, mridang, and giant drum, singing and dancing entertains you. I 
offer you full prostrations, and many hymns of praise.  With resolve I 
offer this to You. Accept my puja oh Lord! (3)

AtmA tvaM girijA matiH sahacharAH prANAH sharIraM gR^ihaM
pUjA te viShayopabhogarachanA nidrA samAdhisthitiH |
sa~nchAraH padayoH pradakshiNavidhiH stotrANi sarvA giro
yadyatkarma karomi tattadakhilaM shambho tavArAdhanam.h || 4 ||

You are my Self, Parvati is my intellect. My vital breaths are Your 
attendants, My body is Your house, and all the pleasures enjoyed by my 
senses are materials for Your puja. My sleep is Your state of samaadhI. 
Wherever I walk, I am circumambulating You, Everything I say is a hymn of 
praise to You, Everything I do is in devotion to You oh Shambhu! (4)

[This verse us in mAlini chhanda.]

karacharaNa kR^itaM vAkkAyajaM karmajaM vA .
                   shravaNanayanajaM vA mAnasaM vAparAdham.h |
vihitamavihitaM vA sarvametatkshamasva .
                   jaya jaya karuNAbdhe shrImahAdevashambho || 5 ||

Whatever sins I have committed with my hands, feet, voice, body, or 
actions, ears, eyes, or mind, whether prohibited by the scriptures or not, 
please forgive them all.  Victory! Victory! to You Oh ocean of mercy! Oh 
great God! Shambhu! (5)

|| iti ShrimacchankarAchAryavirachitam.h shivamAnasapUjastotram.h ||

Thus ends the Shiva Manasa Puja stotra written by Shrimad Shankaracharya.

-- 
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>