Nandakumar Ashtakam!

   नन्दकुमाराष्टकम्  : Nandakumar Ashtakam

सुन्दरगोपालम् उरवनमालं नयनविशालं दुःखहरम् ।वृन्दावनचन्द्रमानन्दकन्दं परमानन्दं धरणिधरम् ॥वल्लभघनश्यामं पूर्णकामम् अत्यभिरामं प्रीतिकरम् ।भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ १॥

Translation:

Sundara-Gopaalam Ura-Vana-Maalam Nayana-Vishaalam Duhkha-Haram |
Vrndaavana-Chandram-Aananda-Kandam Paramaanandam Dharanni-Dharam ||
Vallabha-Ghanashyaamam Puurnna-Kaamam Atyabhiraamam Priiti-Karam |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||1||

Meaning:

1.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Who is the beautiful Gopala of  Vrindhavan with Vanamala (Garland of Forest Flowers) hanging on His chest and with large eyes captivating everyone; Whose very form removes the sufferings of His devotees;
1.2: Who is the bright moon of Vrindhavan and a source of immense joy; Who is the embodiment of supreme bliss and bears the earth within Him;
1.3: Who is the most beloved Ghanashyama (literally Dark-Coloured), Who is self-satisfied by being absorbed within His own divine nature, and extremely pleasing, inspiring love and affection from all;
1.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

     
       सुन्दरवारिजवदनं निर्जितमदनम् आनन्दसदनं मुकुटधरम् ।

       गुञ्जाकृतिहारं विपिनविहारं परमोदारं चीरहरम् ॥

       वल्लभपटपीतं कृतउपवीतं करनवनीतं विबुधवरम् ।

       भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ २॥

Translation:

Sundara-Vaarija-Vadanam Nirjita-Madanam Aananda-Sadanam Mukutta-Dharam |
Gun.jaa-Krti-Haaram Vipina-Vihaaram Paramodaaram Ciira-Haram ||
Vallabha-Patta-Piitam Krta-Upaviitam Kara-Navaniitam Vibudha-Varam |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||2||

Meaning:

2.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Who has a beautiful face like the lotus flower which subdues the pride of even Madana (God of Love) in beauty, Who is an abode of joy and Who wears a crown on His head;

2.2: Who wears a garland made of Gunja berries and wanders in the groves with the Gopis; Who is extremely generous and also extremely playful, stealing the clothes of the Gopis;
2.3: Who is beloved of all and loves to wear yellow garments, Who wears the sacred thread; Who stole butter in childhood and held it in His hand and Who is the supreme God;
2.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

       शोभितमुखधुलं यमुनाकूलं निपटअतूलं सुखदतरम् ।

       मुखमण्डितरेणुं चारितधेनुं वादितवेणुं मधुरसुरम् ॥

       वल्लभमतिविमलं शुभपदकमलं नखरुचि अमलं तिमिरहरम् ।

       भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ३॥

Translation:

Shobhita-Mukha-Dhuulam Yamunaa-Kuulam Nipatta-Atuulam SukhadaTaram |
Mukha-Mannddita-Rennum Chaarita-Dhenum Vaadita-Vennum Madhura-Suram ||
Vallabham-Ati-Vimalam Shubha-Pada-Kamalam Nakha-Ruci-Amalam Timira-Haram |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||3||

Meaning:

3.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Whose face is adorned with the dust of the shore of the Yamuna river in Vrindhavan; such a matchless adornment (of dust) gives great joy to the devotees;
3.2: Who, with the adornment of dust on His face wanders with the cows in Vrindhavan playing melodious tunes in His flute;
3.3: Who is the beloved of the devotees and pure divinity with no stain, Whose lotus feet is a source of auspicious blessings and the splendour of Whose pure toe-nails remove the darkness within (the heart of devotees);
3.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

     शिरमुकुटसुदेशं कुञ्चितकेशं नटवरवेशं कामवरम् ।

     मायाकृतमनुजं हलधरअनुजं प्रतिहतदनुजं भारहरम् ॥

     वल्लभव्रजपालं सुभगसुचालं हितमनुकालं भाववरम् ।

     भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ४॥

Translation:

Shira-Mukutta-Sudesham Kunchita-Kesham Nattavaravesham Kaama-Varam |
Maayaa-Krta-Manujam Haladhara-Anujam Pratihata-Danujam BhaaraHaram ||
Vallabha-Vraja-Paalam Subhaga-Suchaalam Hitam-Anukaalam Bhaava-Varam |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||4||

Meaning:

4.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Who has a crown well-decorating His head from which curly locks flow down; Who has assumed the dress of a dancing actor and the beauty of that form excels the God of Love;
4.2: Who has assumed a human form through His power of maya and became the younger brother of Haladhara (Balaram); Who checked the demons and removed the weight of sins from the Earth;
4.3: Who is the beloved protector of Vraja, bringing good fortune to the people and guiding them well; Who is always a benefactor of everyone and feels deeply for His devotees;
4.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

     इन्दीवरभासं प्रकटसुरासं कुसुमविकासं वंशिधरम् ।

     हृत्मन्मथमानं रूपनिधानं कृतकलगानं चित्तहरम् ॥

     वल्लभमृदुहासं कुञ्जनिवासं विविधविलासं केलिकरम् ।

     भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ५॥

Translation:

Indiivara-Bhaasam Prakatta-Suraasam Kusuma-Vikaasam Vamshi-Dharam |
Hrta-Manmatha-Maanam RoopaNidhaanam Krita-Kala-Ghaanam Chitta-Haram ||
Vallabha-Mrdu-Haasam Kunja-Nivaasam Vividha-Vilaasam Keli-Karam |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||5||

Meaning:

5.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Who shine like the blossom of a blue lotus and manifests His divine plays like the blossom of the flowers, holding the divine flute in His hand;
5.2: Who took away the pride of Manmatha through His repository of beauty and by playing melodious music with His flute steals the heart of all;
5.3: Who is extremely dear to all and has a gentle smile; Who dwells in the grooves of Vrindhavan and plays various divine plays with the Gopis.
5.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

     अतिपरमप्रवीणं पालितदीनं भक्ताधीनं कर्मकरम् ।

     मोहनमतिधीरं फणिबलवीरं हतपरवीरं तरलतरम् ॥

     वल्लभव्रजरमणं वारिजवदनं हलधरशमनं शैलधरम् ।

     भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ६॥

Translation:

Ati-Para-Praviinnam Paalita-Dhiinam Bhakta-Adhiinam Karma-Karam |
Mohanam-Ati-Dhiiram Phanni-Bala-Viiram Hata-Para-Viiram Tarala-Taram ||
Vallabha-Vraja-Ramannam Vaarija-Vadanam Haladhara-Shamanam Shaila-Dharam |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||6||

Meaning:

6.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Who is very skilful and wise, and protects the distressed; Who is under the control of His devotees and performs His duties in a steady manner;
6.2: Who is very captivating as well as composed and Who with His elder brother Balavira (Balram), the incarnation of Serpent Shesha, killed mighty enemies; Who is also extremely playful;
6.3: Who is very dear to the Gopis of Vraja and delights them with His lotus-like face; Who pacifies the anger of Haladhara (Balram) and lifted the Govardhana Mountain;
6.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

    जलधरद्युतिअङ्गं ललितत्रिभङ्गं बहुकृतरङ्गं रसिकवरम् ।

    गोकुलपरिवारं मदनाकारं कुञ्जविहारं गूढतरम् ॥

    वल्लभव्रजचन्द्रं सुभगसुछन्दं कृतआनन्दं भ्रान्तिहरम् ।

    भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ७॥

Translation:

Jaladhara-Dyuti-Anggam Lalita-Tri-Bhanggam Bahu-Krita-Ranggam Rasika-Varam |
Gokula-Parivaaram MadanaAakaaram Kunja-Vihaaram Guuddha-Taram ||
Vallabha-Vraja-Candram Subhaga-Suchandam Krtaanandam Bhraanti-Haram |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||7||

Meaning:

7.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Whose body has the splendour of rain clouds and bends in three parts in playful attitude, Who performed many plays and is a great rasika (One who delights in Rasa or Love plays);
7.2: Who treats the entire Gokula as a great family and with His beautiful Form which is like Madana (God of Love), moves about in the grooves of Vraja performing His divine plays; Who is also very mysterious;
7.3: Who is the beloved moon of Vraja, bringing good fortune to all and with His alluring form He gives great joy to all, taking away the delusion and monotony from life;
7.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

     वन्दितयुगचरणं पावनकरणं जगदुद्धरणं विमलधरम् ।

     कालियशिरगमनं कृतफणिनमनं घातितयमनं मृदुलतरम् ॥

     वल्लभदुःखहरणं निर्मलचरणम् अशरणशरणं मुक्तिकरम् ।

     भज नन्दकुमारं सर्वसुखसारं तत्त्वविचारं ब्रह्मपरम् ॥ ८॥

Translation:

Vanditha-Yuga-Charannam Paavana-Karannam Jagad-Uddharannam Vimala-Dharam |
Kaaliya-Shira-Gamanam Krita-Phanni-Namanam Ghaatita-Yamanam Mrdula-Taram ||
Vallabha-Duhkha-Harannam Nirmala-Charannam Asharanna-Sharannam Mukti-Karam |
Bhaja Nanda-Kumaaram Sarva-Sukhasaaram Tattva-Vichaaram Brahma-Param ||8||

Meaning:

8.1: (Salutations to Sri Nandakumara) Whose pair of feet is adorned by the Devotees; that pair of feet which make everything pure and uplift the world;  that pair of feet which has embodied purity itself;
8.2: Who moving about over the head of serpent, Kaliya, bent its hood and danced over them, after destroying its deadly bind with His soft and tender body;
8.3: Who is the beloved of the devotees and takes away their sorrows and His pure holy feet gives refuge to those who are without refuge, and finally grants them liberation;
8.4: Worship that Nandakumara, the essence of all joy, by reflecting on His divine essence (which is) of the nature of Supreme Brahman.

॥ इति श्रीमहाप्रभु वल्लभाचार्य विरचितं श्रीनन्दकुअमराष्टकं सम्पूर्णम्॥

Thus ends Sri Nandhakumarashtakam composed by Shri Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya.

Reference :

§  http://sanskritdocuments.org/

§  www.greenmesg.org

§  http://vishnudut1926.blogspot.in/

Hanuman and Arjuna

While the Pandavas were living in exile, Arjuna was on a pilgrimage covering various shrines all over India. He, as a part of his pilgrimage visited Rameshwaram.

     He visited the temple where the Shivlinga that was made by Lord Rama before starting for Sri Lanka in the Ramayan Era was kept. After seeking blessings from Lord Shiva, Arjuna went near the ocean and saw the remains of the Ram Setu Bridge built by monkeys and squirrels and other animals. Wondering at the looks of the bridge, Arjuna thought, “Lord Rama is God. He is a great archer than anyone. Why did he rely on monkeys and other animals, even tiny squirrels to build a bridge across the vast ocean? That too a bridge made out of stones! He, being the greatest archer, could have instead built the bridge with arrows in a blink of the eye. Why didn’t he do that?”

     Pondering with his queries, Arjuna was looking at the bridge for a long time trying to find the answer on his own. At that time, a monkey came near him and spoke, “Why are you staring at the bridge for a long time?”

Unsuccessful in acquiring the answer on his own, Arjuna placed his question in front of the monkey. Listening to Arjuna’s words, the monkey laughed and replied, “A bridge made out of arrows!? You are a prince! You are an archer and yet you don’t know what will happen to a bridge made out of arrows when mighty monkeys like Sugriva, Neela and Angadha step on it?!? And, not to forget the entire army of monkeys. They are the loyalists of Lord Ram! Greatest devotees of Lord Ram. Do you think an arrow bridge could hold them? The bridge will collapse. Even if the bridge is made by Lord Ram, it wouldn’t be able to hold us. Why them? Even a bridge made out of arrows won’t be able to hold my weight. No arrow bridge can hold this puny weak monkey. Then how can it hold them?”

Arjuna looked up at the monkey with an amaze and spoke, “You are a tiny monkey! A weaker one, in fact. You look old! Don’t you know who I am? Do you even know what my talent is? I, Arjuna, the disciple of Dronacharya, challenge you. Let us have a wager. I will build an arrow bridge that will have the strength to hold you. And, if I fail in it, if the bridge collapses, I will fall into pyre and kill myself.”

The monkey agreed to Arjuna’s trial. Arjuna, with the help of his Gandiva laid down an arrow bridge across the ocean while the monkey was sitting beside and chanting ‘Sri Ram… Jeya Ram’. After completing the bridge Arjuna asked the monkey to cross it. The monkey still chanting Lord Ram’s name, just placed its tail on the edge of the bridge and the bridge collapsed.

     Arjuna was startled. He looked at the monkey and asked for one final attempt. The monkey too agreed and sat beside, chanting Lord Ram’s name. Arjuna, this time built a bridge with the arrows closer to each other.  He asked the monkey to cross again anticipating that the bridge won’t plunge this time. Chanting Lord Ram’s name the monkey started walking on the bridge. Not even ten paces the monkey had walked, the bridge collapsed.  The monkey laughed at Arjuna-“See…Just as I told you!”

    Arjuna was speechless and felt ashamed for losing to a monkey. He felt awful to fail to a monkey and also felt that his knowledge in archery was of no use to him as he was not even able to build a bridge that can hold a monkey. As per the challenge, he prepared a pyre and was about to step on it when a young Brahmin who was passing by stopped him.

    The Brahmin enquired what the reason was for Arjuna to step on a pyre and Arjuna explained the challenge between him and the monkey. Hearing to Arjuna’s words on the challenge and the humiliating loss of Arjuna, the Brahmin looked around and spoke, “You people are having a trial. If there’s a trial then there should be someone to judge, right? Someone neutral has to be there to judge and to see whether both of you are playing fair, right? It’s meaningless and not valid when there’s no common judge. Construct another bridge and ask the monkey to walk on it. This time I will be the judge.”

     Arjuna and the monkey accepted the Brahmin’s argument and got prepared for one more round. Arjuna took his Gandiva and with a fear in him as a result of losing twice to the monkey, before building the bridge, he prayed to Krishna for hope and confidence. With a confidence that he got because of chanting Krishna’s name, he built the bridge using every ounce of his experience and skill. After constructing the bridge, he prayed to Krishna and looked at the monkey and spoke, “It’s done! Cross the bridge now!”

     Monkey was fully confident that anyways the bridge will collapse. After winning twice, it was more confident that the monkey didn’t even chant Lord Ram’s name. Happily the monkey stepped on the bridge. To Arjuna’s and the monkey’s surprise, the bridge didn’t collapse. Anxious, the monkey started walking and jumping on the bridge but yet the bridge stood firm and strong. The monkey was surprised to see the bridge holding him strongly.

  “Let me take my form and see whether the bridge can still hold me.”- Thinking so the monkey transformed into a huge and giant monkey. He, the great Hanuman was looking like a huge rock of mountain now. Arjuna was amazed and astounded to see the great Hanuman as his challenger. Humbled to see Hanuman, Arjuna kneeled on the ground and bowed his head in respect. He realized his imprudence in assuming that a bridge made out of arrow can hold warriors like Hanuman. He anticipated that the bridge would collapse in a matter of minutes succumbing to the strength of Lord Hanuman. But, to his surprise, the bridge was still holding Hanuman. 

   Baffled and furious, Hanuman started jumping on the bridge. It was looking like a huge mountain is falling on a piece of wood. He started stamping and hopping furiously. The bridge stood without even a scratch on it. Arjuna was puzzled to see what was happening in front of his eyes. He was unable to believe his eyes. Unable to grasp on what is happening and unable to find out an explication, Hanuman stood nonplussed and stumped, eyeing Arjuna and the young brahmin.

   While Hanuman was looking at the brahmin, he observed that the brahmin was smiling at him while Arjuna was full of surprise. There was no surprise or baffle or fear in the eyes of the brahmin. ‘Something is wrong. Only after his arrival, the bridge is strong. After seeing all those that I was doing on the bridge, no normal brahmin could stand like this. This kid is different. He is not a normal kid.’- Thinking so, Hanuman came down towards the brahmin.

Hanuman spoke in an intrigued voice, “I accept my defeat. But, who are you? How is it you are able to do this?”

     Still smiling, the brahmin revealed himself. Arjuna and Hanuman were both startled to see Lord Vishnu. They both fell at Lord Vishnu’s feet. Smiling at his devotees, Lord Vishnu spoke, “I am Rama and I am Krishna. I believe now you both have got your answers. Arjuna, there is a thin line of difference between ego and over confidence. You should always know where you are standing. And the knowledge to know where you are can be acquired only by understanding the truth and reality. In your first two attempts to build the bridge, you were full of pride. You thought that as a great archer you can achieve anything. There was more “I”. Pride and ego will bring no good to men. Hanuman was chanting my name those times and so there was no ego in him. With Ram’s power on his side, he won. This is a lesson for humble and modesty, Arjuna.”

     He turned towards Hanuman and spoke, “Beloved Hanuman, with winning twice, egoism went inside your head. Chastened by his loss twice, Arjuna was thinking of Krishna right from the moment he started building the bridge for the third time and he never stopped chanting Krishna’s name in his heart. So Krishna made him win. You were so sure that you will bring the bridge down by yourself and you even failed to chant Lord Ram’s name and so you failed. Neither of you failed. It’s only god’s power that won.”

Both Arjuna and Hanuman realized the truth and asked for forgiveness from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu smiled at both and blessed them. “Lord, forgive me for what I have done. I should not have driven Arjuna to the extent of giving up his life. As an act of remorse, I will be present in the flag on Arjuna’s chariot and will protect him.”

Lord Vishnu too accepted Hanuman’s wish and thus made sure Arjuna’s chariot remains indestructible in the Kurukshetra war that was about to come.