ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಆರ್ಯಾಶತಕಮ್
(slokas ೭೬ to ೧೦೧ )
Mooka Panchashati is a devotional composition by Muka Kavi dedicated to Kamakshi. The real name of the poet is not known. Legend has it that he was born dumb but regained not only his voice by the grace of Goddess Kamakshi but also became a poet of considerable merit. Mooka Panchashati consists of five satakams, each Satakam containing ೧೦೦ verses. The Satakams are Arya Satakam, Padaravinda Satakam, Stuti Satakam, Kataksha Satakam and Mandasmita Satakam.
Goddess Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kancheepuram. Her consort is Ekamreshwara, an aspect of Lord Shiva. Kanchi is the Central Peetham established by Aadi Shankaracharya who installed and consecrated the idol of Kamakshi and established the system of worship there. The other Peethams are at Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in theWest, Puri in the East and Sringeri (Sringa giri) in the South.
The translation into English of a hymn of this nature is a delicate task and readers may kindly pardon the shortcomings, though every attempt has been made to make the translation as close as possible to the intended or perceived meaning.
ಕುಟಿಲಂ ಚಟುಲಂ ಪೃಥುಲಂ
ಮೃದುಲಂ ಕಚನಯನಜಘನಚರಣೇಷು |
ಅವಲೋಕಿತಮವಲಂಬಿತ-
ಮಧಿಕಂಪಾತಟಮಮೇಯಮಸ್ಮಾಭಿಃ || ೭೬||
Goddess Kamakshi, who is immeasurable, was seen by me on the banks of the Kampa river with her curly hair, fleeting glances, ample hips and soft, tender feet.
ಪ್ರತ್ಯಙ್ಮುಖ್ಯಾ ದೃಷ್ಟ್ಯಾ
ಪ್ರಸಾದದೀಪಾಙ್ಕುರೇಣ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷ್ಯಾಃ |
ಪಶ್ಯಾಮಿ ನಿಸ್ತುಲಮಹೋ
ಪಚೇಲಿಮಂ ಕಿಮಪಿ ಪರಶಿವೋಲ್ಲಾಸಮ್ || ೭೭||
Turning my glance inward I see the incomparable ripe joy of Paramasiva when Kamkshi’s face lights up indicating that she is pleased.
ವಿದ್ಯೇ ವಿಧಾತೃವಿಷಯೇ
ಕಾತ್ಯಾಯನಿ ಕಾಲಿ ಕಾಮಕೋಟಿ ಕಲೇ
ಭಾರತಿ ಭೈರವಿ ಭದ್ರೇ
ಶಾಕಿನಿ ಶಾಂಭವಿ ಶಿವೇ ಸ್ತುವೇ ಭವತೀಮ್ || ೭೮||
O Kamakshi ! who is the knowledge of creation in Brahma, who is the daughter of sage Katyayana, who is Kali the dark one, who is the end(Koti) of all desires, who is all fine art forms, who is Goddess of learning, who is the terrible Bhairavi, who is the most auspicious, who is shakini, who is consort of Shambhu and who is shivaa, I sing praises of You.
ಮಾಲಿನಿ ಮಹೇಶಚಾರಿಣಿ
ಕಾಞ್ಚೀಖೇಲಿನಿ ವಿಪಕ್ಷಕಾಲಿನಿ ತೇ |
ಶೂಲಿನಿ ವಿದ್ರುಮಶಾಲಿನಿ
ಸುರಜನಪಾಲಿನಿ ಕಪಾಲಿನಿ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು || ೭೯||
May our prostrations be dedicated to You O Kamakshi! who wears a garland, who seeks out Siva, who plays in Kanchi, Who is the death of enemies, who carries the trident, who wears a chain of corals, who protects the devas and who is the consort of Kapali (Shiva)
ದೇಶಿಕ ಇತಿ ಕಿಂ ಶಙ್ಕೇ
ತತ್ತಾದೃಕ್ತವ ನು ತರುಣಿಮೋನ್ಮೇಷಃ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಶೂಲಪಾಣೆಃ
ಕಾಮಾಗಮತನ್ತ್ರಯಜ್ಞದೀಕ್ಷಾಯಾಮ್ || ೮೦||
O Kamakshi! In Lord Shiva’s deeksha (vow) to perform the yagna invoking Kamadeva, the God of Love, there is no doubt that You, with your flowering youth, can be a competent teacher (aachaarya).
ವೇತಣ್ಡಕುಮ್ಭ ಡಮ್ಬರ-
ವೈತಣ್ಡಿಕಕುಚಭರಾರ್ತಮಧ್ಯಾಯ |
ಕುಙ್ಕುಮರುಚೇ ನಮಸ್ಯಾಂ
ಶಙ್ಕರನಯನಾಮೃತಾಯ ರಚಯಾಮಃ || ೮೧||
Our prostrations to Kamakshi who is nectar for the eyes of Shiva( i.e Shiva is filled with joy on seeing her), whose complexion is of the colour of saffron and whose ample bosom challenges the bulging forehead of the elephant and exerts pressure on her waist.
ಅಧಿಕಾಞ್ಚಿತಮಣಿಕಾಞ್ಚನ-
ಕಾಞ್ಚೀಮಧಿಕಾಞ್ಚಿ ಕಾಂಚಿದದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಮ್|
ಅವನತಜನಾನುಕಮ್ಪಾ-
ಮನುಕಮ್ಪಾಕೂಲಮಸ್ಮದನುಕೂಲಾಮ್ || ೮೨||
I saw on the banks of the river Kampa in Kanchi Goddess kamakshi who wears a gem-studded beautiful waist-band (girdle), who is kind to those who bow to her and who is favourably disposed towards me.
ಪರಿಚಿತಕಮ್ಪಾತೀರಂ
ಪರ್ವತರಾಜನ್ಯಸುಕೃತಸಂನಾಹಮ್|
ಪರಗುರುಕೃಪಯಾ ವೀಕ್ಷೇ
ಪರಮಶಿವೋತ್ಸಙ್ಗಮಙ್ಗಲಾಭರಣಮ್|| ೮೩||
.
By the grace of the supreme guru I see (before my mind’s eye) Kamakshi who is familiar with the banks of Kampa, who is the
fruit of the meritorious deeds (sukritam) of Himavan and who is the
auspicious ornament on the lap of Paramashiva.
ದಗ್ಧಮದನಸ್ಯ ಶಂಭೋಃ
ಪ್ರಥೀಯಸೀಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚರ್ಯ ವೈದಗ್ಧೀಮ್|
ತವ ದೇವಿ ತರುಣಿಮಶ್ರೀ
ಚತುರಿಮಪಾಕೋ ನ ಚಕ್ಷಮೇ ಮಾತಃ || ೮೪||
O Mother! The superb beauty of your youth could not tolerate the famed obstinacy of the celibacy of Shiva who had burnt Kamadeva (Cupid) in the fire of his third eye.
ಮದಜಲತಮಾಲಪತ್ರಾ
ವಸನಿತಪತ್ರಾ ಕರಾದೃತಖನಿತ್ರಾ|
ವಿಹರತಿ ಪುಲಿನ್ದಯೋಷಾ
ಗುಞ್ಜಾಭೂಷಾ ಫಣೀನ್ದ್ರಕೃತವೇಷಾ || ೮೫||
Goddess Kamakshi revels in the form of the hunter woman given to her by her consort Lord Shiva, applies tilak on her forehead using juice from the leaves of plants, wears a dress made of leaves, carries in her hand a tool for digging the earth and wears a garland of gunja berries as ornament.
ಅಙ್ಕೇ ಶುಕಿನೀ ಗೀತೇ
ಕೌತುಕಿನೀ ಪರಿಸರೇ ಚ ಗಾಯಕಿನೀ|
ಜಯಸಿ ಸವಿಧೇಽಮ್ಬ ಭೈರವ-
ಮಣ್ಡಲಿನೀ ಶ್ರವಸಿ ಶಙ್ಖಕುಣ್ಡಲಿನೀ || ೮೬||
You have a parrot on your lap, you are interested in music, you are surrounded by musicians and also by bhairavas and you wear Kundalas (globe-shaped ear-studs) made of conch shell in your ears. Victory to you always O Mother Kamakshi !
ಪ್ರಣತಜನಾಪವರ್ಗಾ
ಕೃತರಣಸರ್ಗಾ ಸಸಿಂಹಸಂಸರ್ಗಾ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮುದಿತಭರ್ಗಾ
ಹತರಿಪುವರ್ಗಾ ತ್ವಮೇವ ಸಾ ದುರ್ಗಾ || ೮೭||
O Goddess Kamakshi! You grant mukti to those who prostrate before you, create(fight) battles (to kill asuras), keep company with lions (on whom you ride), delight the heart of Lord Shiva, kill the horde of enemies and You alone are Durga
ಶ್ರವಣಚಲದ್ವೇತಣ್ಡಾ
ಸಮರೋದ್ದಣ್ಡಾ ಧುತಾಸುರಶಿಖಣ್ಡಾ
ದೇವಿ ಕಲಿತಾನ್ತ್ರಷಣ್ಡಾ
ಧೃತನರಮುಣ್ಡಾ ತ್ವಮೇವ ಚಾಮುಣ್ಡಾ || ೮೮||
O Kamakshi! You alone are Chamunda with your ear-globes oscillating, terrible in war, cutting off and tossing the heads of asuras, wearing the intestines of the asuras as garland and holding their chopped-off heads in your hands.
ಉರ್ವೀಧರೇನ್ದ್ರಕನ್ಯೇ
ದರ್ವೀಭರಿತೇನ ಭಕ್ತಪೂರೆಣ|
ಗುರ್ವೀಮಕಿಞ್ಚನಾರ್ತಿಂ
ಖರ್ವೀಕುರುಷೇ ತ್ವಮೇವ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ|| ೮೯||
O Kamakshi! Daugher of Himavan! You are the one who as Annapoorna removes the great suffering of the poorest of the poor with ladle-fulls of cooked food.
ತಾಡಿತರಿಪುಪರಿಪೀಡನ-
ಭಯಹರಣನಿಪುಣಹಲಮುಸಲಾ|
ಕ್ರೋಡಪತಿಭೀಷಣಮುಖೀ
ಕ್ರೀಡಸಿ ಜಗತಿ ತ್ವಮೇವ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ || ೯೦||
O Kamakshi ! You are the one with the frightening face of a boar as Varahi who plays in this world, removes the fear of torture by the enemies by striking at them and who is skilled in using the plough and the mace as weapons
ಸ್ಮರಮಥನವರಣಲೋಲಾ
ಮನ್ಮಥಹೇಲಾವಿಲಾಸಮಣಿಶಾಲಾ|
ಕನಕರುಚಿಚೌರ್ಯಶೀಲಾ
ತ್ವಮಮ್ಬ ಬಾಲಾ ಕರಾಬ್ಜಧೃತಮಾಲಾ || ೯೧||
O Mother Kamakshi! You are desirous of marrying Shiva, the destroyer of Kama. You are the hall of gem-studded walls for the Cupid to play and show his magic, you steal the brightness of gold by your lustre, you are a young girl with a garland in your hands (ready to put it around Lord Shiva’s neck)
ವಿಮಲಪಟೀ ಕಮಲಕುಟೀ
ಪುಸ್ತಕರುದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಶಸ್ತಹಸ್ತಪುಟೀ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷೀ ಪಕ್ಷ್ಮಲಾಕ್ಷೀ
ಕಲಿತವಿಪಞ್ಚೀ ವಿಭಾಸಿ ವೈರಿಞ್ಚೀ || ೯೨||
O Kamakshi! You are the who shines as Goddess Sarawati, consort of Bhrama, who is attired in bright white clothes, who abides in the lotus, who carries the book and rudrakaha in her hands, who has dense eye-lashes and who holds a Veena, Vipanchi in her hands
ಕುಂಕುಮರುಚಿಪಿಙ್ಗಮಸೃ-
ಕ್ಪಙ್ಕಿಲಮುಣ್ಡಾಲಿಮಣ್ಡಿತಂ ಮಾತಃ|
ಜಯತಿ ತವ ರೂಪಧೇಯಂ
ಜಪಪಟಪುಸ್ತಕವರಾಭಯಾಬ್ಜಕರಮ್ || ೯೩||
Victory to your form which has the complexion of saffron, which wears a garland of severed heads dripping blood, which holds a rosary and book and which displays abhaya ( protection from fear) and varada (dispensing boons) mudras (signs) by hands
ಕನಕಮಣಿಕಲಿತಭೂಷಾಂ
ಕಾಲಾಯಸಕಲಹಶೀಲಕಾನ್ತಿಕಲಾಮ್|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಶೀಲಯೇ ತ್ವಾಂ
ಕಪಾಲಶೂಲಾಭಿರಾಮಕರಕಮಲಾಮ್ || ೯೪||
O Kamkshi! I meditate on you who are adorned with gem-studded golden ornaments, whose complexion is dark as iron and who carries the trident and the skull in her beautiful lotus hands.
ಲೋಹಿತಿಮಪುಞ್ಜಮಧ್ಯೇ
ಮೋಹಿತಭುವನಂ ಮುದಾ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷನ್ತೇ|
ವದನಂ ತವ ಕುಚಯುಗಲಂ
ಕಾಞ್ಚೀಸೀಮಾಂ ಚ ಕೋಽಪಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ || ೯೫||
O Kamakshi! very few can have the vision of you, who have captivated the whole world, in the centre of effulgence of red and see your face, your breasts and your waist.
ಜಲಧಿದ್ವಿಗುಣಿತಹುತವಹ-
ದಿಶಾದಿನೇಶ್ವರಕಲಾಶ್ವಿನೇಯದಲೈಃ |
ನಲಿನೈರ್ಮಹೇಶಿ ಗಚ್ಛಸಿ
ಸರ್ವೋತ್ತರಕರಕಮಲದಲಮಮಲಮ್|| ೧.೯೬||
O the greatest of goddesses ! from the Mooladhara lotus at the base, You rise as Kundalini, the serpentine power, and passing through swahishthana, manipura, anahata, Vishuddhi and Aagna lotuses, reach and merge in the thousand petal lotus uniting with Shiva.
ಸತ್ಕೃತದೇಶಿಕಚರಣಾಃ
ಸಬೀಜನಿರ್ಬೀಜಯೋಗನಿಶ್ರೆಣ್ಯಾ|
ಅಪವರ್ಗಸೌಧವಲಭೀ-
ಮಾರೋಹಯನ್ತ್ಯಂಬ ಕೇಽಪಿ ತವ ಕೃಪಯಾ || ೯೭||
O Kamakshi! those who revere and worship the lotus feet of the guru, climb the mansion of Mukti (liberation), by your grace, using the steps of sabeeja and nirbeeja yoga.
ಅನ್ತರಪಿ ಬಹಿರಪಿ ತ್ವಂ
ಜನ್ತುತತೇರನ್ತಕಾನ್ತಕೃದಹಂತೇ|
ಚಿನ್ತಿತಸನ್ತಾನವತಾಂ
ಸಂತತಮಪಿ ತನ್ತನೀಷಿ ಮಹಿಮಾನಮ್ || ೯೮||
Kamakshi! You are inside and outside of every thing. You are the death to him who brings death to all beings. And to those who always think about you, meditate on you and worship you, you reveal Yourself, the Ultimate Reality.
ಕಲಮಞ್ಜುಲವಾಗನುಮಿತ-
ಗಲಪಞ್ಜರಶುಕಗ್ರಹೌತ್ಕಣ್ಠ್ಯಾತ್
ಅಮ್ಬ ರದನಾಮ್ಬರಂ ತೇ
ಬಿಮ್ಬಫಲಂ ಶಮ್ಬರಾರಿಣಾ ನ್ಯಸ್ತಮ್ || ೯೯||
O Kamakshi! Cupid has placed a bimba fruit covering your teeth in his anxiety to get hold of the parrot which, he thinks, is producing those sweet beautiful sounds from your throat.
ಜಯ ಜಯ ಜಗದಮ್ಬ ಶಿವೇ
ಜಯ ಜಯ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಜಯ ಜಯಾದ್ರಿಸುತೇ|
ಜಯ ಜಯ ಮಹೇಶ ದಯಿತೇ
ಜಯ ಜಯ ಚಿದ್ಗಗನಕೌಮುದೀಧಾರೇ || ೧೦೦||
Victory, victory to the consort of Shiva, mother of the Universe; victory,victory to Kamakshi; victory, victory to daughter of Himavan; victory, victory to darling of Mahesha; Victory, victory to the one who is the flood of moonlight in the consciousness-space.
ಆರ್ಯಾಶತಕಂ ಭಕ್ತ್ಯಾ
ಪಠತಾಮಾರ್ಯಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷೇಣ |
ನಿಃಸರತಿ ವದನಕಮಲಾ-
ದ್ವಾಣೀ ಪೀಯೂಷಧೋರಣೀ ದಿವ್ಯಾ || ೧.೧೦೧||
Whosoever chants this Arya Satakam with devotion to Kamakshi, from his mouth-lotus will flow, by the grace of Kamakshi, words as sweet as divine nectar.
ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಆರ್ಯಾಶತಕಮ್
(slokas ೫೧ to ೭೫ )
Mooka Panchashati is a devotional composition by Muka Kavi dedicated to Kamakshi. The real name of the poet is not known. Legend has it that he was born dumb but regained not only his voice by the grace of Goddess Kamakshi but also became a poet of considerable merit. Mooka Panchashati consists of five satakams, each Satakam containing ೧೦೦ verses. The Satakams are Arya Satakam, Padaravinda Satakam, Stuti Satakam, Kataksha Satakam and Mandasmita Satakam.
Goddess Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kancheepuram. Her consort is Ekamreshwara, an aspect of Lord Shiva. Kanchi is the Central Peetham established by Aadi Shankaracharya who installed and consecrated the idol of Kamakshi and established the system of worship there. The other Peethams are at Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in theWest, Puri in the East and Sringeri (Sringa giri) in the South.
The translation into English of a hymn of this nature is a delicate task and readers may kindly pardon the shortcomings, though every attempt has been made to make the translation as close as possible to the intended or perceived meaning.
ಅಧಿಕಾಞ್ಚಿಕೇಲಿಲೋಲೈ-
ರಖಿಲಾಗಮಯಂತ್ರತನ್ತ್ರಮನ್ತ್ರಮಯೈಃ|
ಅತಿಶೀತಂ ಮಮ ಹೃದಯಂ
ವಿಷಮಶರದ್ರೋಹಿಜೀವನೋಪಾಯೈಃ || ೫೧||
My mind is made very cool by Goddess Kamakshi who is fond of playing in Kanchi, who is the essence of all Vedas, yantras, trantras and mantras and who is the very life of Shiva, the enemy of Cupid.
ನನ್ದತಿ ಮಮ ಹೃದಿ ಕಾಚನ
ಮನ್ದಿರಯನ್ತೀ ನಿರನ್ತರಂ ಕಾಞ್ಚೀಮ್|
ಇನ್ದುರವಿಮಣ್ಡಲಕುಚಾ
ಬಿನ್ದುವಿಯನ್ನಾದಪರಿಣತಾ ತರುಣೀ || ೫೨||
Goddess Kamakshi who has made Kanchi her permanent abode, who has the Sun and the Moon as her breasts and who has transformed herself into the atom, the space and the primal sound delights in my heart.
ಶಮ್ಪಾಲತಾಸವರ್ಣಂ
ಸಂಪಾದಯಿತುಂ ಭವಜ್ವರಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾಮ್|
ಲಿಮ್ಪಾಮಿ ಮನಸಿ ಕಿಞ್ಚನ
ಕಾಮ್ಪಾತಟರೋಹಿ ಸಿದ್ಧಭೈಷಜ್ಯಮ್ || ೫೩||
For the effective cure of the fever of samsara (cycle of births and deaths) I apply on my mind the Siddha medicine which grows on the banks of river Kampa and which has the same colour as a streak of lightning (meaning that I always meditate on Goddess Kamakshi
for curing of the samasara fever)
ಅನುಮಿತಕುಚಕಾಠಿನ್ಯಾ-
ಮಧಿವಕ್ಷಃಪೀಠಮಙ್ಗಜನ್ಮರಿಪೋಃ|
ಆನನ್ದದಾಂ ಭಜೇ ತಾ-
ಮಾನಙ್ಗಬ್ರಹ್ಮತತ್ತ್ವಬೋಧಿಸಿರಾಮ್ || ೫೪||
I worship Goddess Kamakshi who delights her consort Shiva, the enemy of Kama, by the hardness of her breasts pressing against his chest and who imparts to Him the knowledge of Kamasastra (eroticism)
ಐಕ್ಷಿಷಿ ಪಾಶಾಙ್ಕುಶಧರ-
ಹಸ್ತಾನ್ತಂ ವಿಸ್ಮಯಾರ್ಹವೃತ್ತಾನ್ತಮ್|
ಅಧಿಕಾಞ್ಚಿ ನಿಗಮವಾಚಾಂ
ಸಿದ್ಧಾನ್ತಂ ಶೂಲಪಾಣಿಶುದ್ಧಾನ್ತಮ್ || ೫೫||
Goddess Kamakshi, whose story is wonderful, who is the final conclusion of all the Vedas and who is the consort of Shiva who holds the trident, is seen in Kanchi with the rope and the goad in her hands.
ಆಹಿತವಿಲಾಸಭಙ್ಗೀ-
ಮಾಬ್ರಹ್ನಸ್ತಂಬಶಿಲ್ಪಕಲ್ಪನಯಾ |
ಆಶ್ರಿತಕಾಞ್ಚೀಮತುಲಾ-
ಮಾದ್ಯಾಮ್ ವಿಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿಮಾದ್ರಿಯೇ ವಿದ್ಯಾಮ್ || ೫೬||
I take refuge in Kamakshi who is based in Kanchi, who is incomparable and has created this beautiful world by the imaginative sculpting of everything from the highest Brahma to the lowest blade of grass and who is the embodiment of the surge of primeval knowledge.
ಮೂಕೋಽಪಿ ಜಟಿಲದುರ್ಗತಿ-
ಶೋಕೋಽಪಿ ಸ್ಮರತಿ ಯಃ ಕ್ಷಣಂ ಭವತೀಮ್|
ಏಕೋ ಭವತಿ ಸ ಜನ್ತು-
ರ್ಲೊಕೋತ್ತರಕೀರ್ತಿರೇವ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ || ೫೭||
If someone who is dumb or who is suffering or is immersed in sorrow remembers you for a second , that person’s fame, O Kamakshi!, surpasses the fame of all the others in the world.
ಪಞ್ಚದಶವರ್ಣರೂಪಂ
ಕಞ್ಚನ ಕಾಞ್ಚೀವಿಹಾರಧೌರೇಯಮ್|
ಪಞ್ಚಶರೀಯಂ ಶಂಭೊ-
ರ್ವಞ್ಚನವೈದಗ್ಧ್ಯಮೂಲಮವಲಮ್ಬೇ || ೫೮||
I surrender to Kamakshi who has a fifteen-letter form, whose play field is Kanchi and who is at the root of the skill of Kamadeva (Cupid) in hoodwinking Shiva (into eroticism)
ಪರಿಣತವತೀಂ ಚತುರ್ಧಾ
ಪದವೀಂ ಸುಧಿಯಾಂ ಸಮೇತ್ಯ ಸೌಷುಮ್ನೀಮ್|
ಪಞ್ಚಾಶದರ್ಣಕಲ್ಪಿತ-
ಪದಶಿಲ್ಪಾಂ ತಾಂ ನಮಾಮಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷೀಮ್ || ೫೯||
I salute that Goddess Kamakshi who, travelling through the sushumna nadi of the wise, transforms herself into four-fold form and whose body is imagined as sculpted out of the fifty one letters of the alphabet.
ಆದಿಕ್ಷನ್ಮಮ ಗುರುರಾ-
ಡಾದಿಕ್ಷಾನ್ತಾಕ್ಷರಾತ್ಮಿಕಾಂ ವಿದ್ಯಾಮ್|
ಸ್ವಾದಿಷ್ಠಚಾಪದಣ್ಡಾಂ
ನೇದಿಷ್ಠಾಮೇವ ಕಾಮಪೀಠಗತಾಮ್ || ೬೦||
My spiritual guru taught me the vidya (knowledge) which is encompassed within the alphabets starting from ‘ಅ’ and ending in ‘ಕ್ಷ’, the essence of which is Goddess Kamakshi with sugar cane in her hands, abiding in the Kamakoti Peetha, and is very near (in the cave of my heart)
ತುಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ಹರ್ಷಿತಸ್ಮರ-
ಶಾಸನಯಾ ಕಾಞ್ಚಿಪುರಿ ಕೃತಾಸನಯಾ|
ಸ್ವಾಸನಯಾ ಸಕಲಜಗ-
ದ್ಭಾಸನಯಾ ಕಲಿತಶಮ್ಬರಾಸನಯಾ || ೬೧||
My heart fills with happiness when I think of Kamakshi who is the cause of joy of Shiva, who has stationed herself in the city of Kanchi, who is firmly established in the Self, who illuminates the whole world and who revived Kama, the enemy of Shambara.
ಪ್ರೇಮವತೀ ಕಮ್ಪಾಯಾಂ
ಸ್ಥೇಮವತೀ ಯತಿಮನಃಸು ಭೂಮವತೀ|
ಸಾಮವತೀ ನಿತ್ಯಗಿರಾ
ಸೋಮವತೀ ಶಿರಸಿ ಭಾತಿ ಹೈಮವತೀ || ೬೨||
Kamakshi loves the Kampa river, stays firmly in the hearts of sages, pervades the whole earth, is praised by the Sama Veda, wears the crescent moon on her head and shines as the daughter of Himavan
ಕೌತುಕಿನಾ ಕಮ್ಪಾಯಾಂ
ಕೌಸುಮಚಾಪೇನ ಕೀಲಿತೇನಾನ್ತಃ
ಕುಲದೈವತೇನ ಮಹತಾ
ಕುಡ್ಮಲಮುದ್ರಾಂ ಧುನೋತು ನಃ ಪ್ರತಿಭಾ || ೬೩||
By the grace of our great kuladevata (clan-deity) Kamakshi who is interested in Kampa river and who is pierced inside by the flower arrows of Kama, may our mind (intellect) blossom into a flower from the state of being a bud.
ಕೇನಾಪಿ ಮಿಲಿತದೇಹಾ
ಯೂನಾ ಸ್ವಾಹಾಸಹಾಯತಿಲಕೇನ|
ಸಹಕಾರಮೂಲದೇಶೇ
ಸಂವಿದ್ರೂಪಾ ಕುಟುಂಬಿನೀ ರಮತೇ || ೬೪||
Goddess Kamakshi whose form is that of Absolute Pure Consciousness revels in the role of a housewife, under the shade of the mango tree, as the consort of Youthful Shiva who has fire in the centre of his forehead (third eye).
ಕುಸುಮಶರಗರ್ವಸಂಪ-
ತ್ಕೋಶಗೃಹಂ ಭಾತಿ ಕಾಞ್ಚಿಮಧ್ಯಗತಮ್|
ಸ್ಥಾಪಿತಮಸ್ಮಿನ್ಕಥಮಪಿ
ಗೋಪಿತಮನ್ತರ್ಮಯಾ ಮನೋರತ್ನಮ್ || ೬೫||
Goddess Kamakshi abiding in the cetre of Kanchi is the treasury of riches which is the pride of Kama (Cupid) wherein I have somehow deposited the gem of my mind so that it will remain there concealed and protected.
ದಗ್ಧಷಡಧ್ವಾರಣ್ಯಂ
ದರದಲಿತಕುಸುಮ್ಭಸಂಭೃತಾರುಣ್ಯಮ್ |
ಕಲಯೇ ನವತಾರುಣ್ಯಂ
ಕಮ್ಪಾತಟಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಕಿಮಪಿ ಕಾರುಣ್ಯಮ್ || ೧.೬೬||
I see before my mind’s eye Goddess Kamkshi on the banks of the Kampa river, who has burnt the forests of six different paths, whose complexion is red as the kusumba flower, who is of fresh youthfulness and who is the very embodiment of compassion and mercy.
ಅಧಿಕಾಞ್ಚಿ ವರ್ಧಮಾನಾ-
ಮತುಲಾಂ ಕರವಾಣಿ ಪಾರಣಾಮಕ್ಷ್ಣೊಃ|
ಆನನ್ದಪಾಕಭೇದಾ-
ಮರುಣಿಮಪರಿಣಾಮಗರ್ವಪಲ್ಲವಿತಾಮ್ || ೬೭||
I feast my eyes on Goddess Kamakshi who is growing in Kanchi with different shades of joy every moment, who is beyond comparison and whose red complexion ends the pride of tender leaves.
ಬಾಣಸೃಣಿಪಾಶಕಾರ್ಮುಕ-
ಪಾಣಿಮಮುಂ ಕಮಪಿ ಕಾಮಪೀಠಗತಮ್|
ಏಣಧರಕೋಣಚೂಡಂ
ಶೋಣಿಮಪರಿಪಾಕಭೇದಮಾಕಲಯೇ || ೬೮||
I meditate on Goddess kamakshi who abides in Kamakoti Peetha, who carries in her hands arrows, goad, rope and bow, who sports the crescent moon on her forehead and whose complexion assumes different shades of red.
ಕಿಂ ವಾ ಫಲತಿ ಮಮಾನ್ಯೈ-
ರ್ಬಿಂಬಾಧರಚುಮ್ಬಿಮನ್ದಹಾಸಮುಖೀ|
ಸಂಬಾಧಕರೀ ತಮಸಾ-
ಮಮ್ಬಾ ಜಾಗರ್ತಿ ಮನಸಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷೀ || ೬೯||
Mother Kamakshi, whose face is lighted up by a smile kissing her lips which are red as the bimba fruit, dispels the darkness of ignorance. When She awakes (reveals Herself) in my heart, of what use to me are other things?
ಮಂಚೇ ಸದಾಶಿವಮಯೇ
ಪರಶಿವಮಯಲಲಿತಪೌಷ್ಪಪರ್ಯಙ್ಕೇ|
ಅಧಿಚಕ್ರಮಧ್ಯಮಾಸ್ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷೀನಾಮ ಕಿಮಪಿ ಮಮ ಭಾಗ್ಯಮ್ || ೭೦||
The bed of flowers which is Parashiva Himself is laid on the cot which is Sadashiva Himself. Goddess Kamakshi who is my fortune rests at the centre of the chakra (Circle) on this bed.
ರಕ್ಷ್ಯೋಽಸ್ಮಿ ಕಾಮಪೀಠೀ-
ಲಾಸಿಕಯಾ ಘನಕೃಪಾಮ್ಬುರಾಶಿಕಯಾ |
ಶ್ರುತಿಯುವತಿಕುನ್ತಲೀಮಣಿ-
ಮಾಲಿಕಯಾ ತುಹಿನಶೈಲಬಾಲಿಕಯಾ || ೧.೭೧||
May I be protected by Kamakshi, daughter of Himavan, who dances on the Kama Peetha, who is the ocean of deep compassion, who is the garland of gems worn in the tresses by the young damsels, the Vedas.
ಲೀಯೇ ಪುರಹರಜಾಯೇ
ಮಾಯೇ ತವ ತರುಣಪಲ್ಲವಚ್ಛಾಯೇ|
ಚರಣೇ ಚನ್ದ್ರಾಭರಣೆ
ಕಾಞ್ಚೀಶರಣೆ ನತಾರ್ತಿಸಂಹರಣೇ || ೭೨||
O Consort of Siva! (destroyer of tripura), who creates the illusion of the samsara, who adorns herself with the crescent moon, who abides in Kanchi and who removes the sufferings of those who bow to her, O Kamakshi! I merge (take refuge) in your lotus feet which is red and soft as the young leaf bud.
ಮೂರ್ತಿಮತಿಮುಕ್ತಿಬೀಜೇ
ಮೂರ್ಧ್ನಿ ಸ್ತಬಕಿತಚಕೋರಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯೇ|
ಮೋದಿತಕಮ್ಪಾಕೂಲೇ
ಮುಹುರ್ಮುಹುರ್ಮನಸಿ ಮುಮುದಿಷಾಸ್ಮಾಕಮ್|| ೭೩||
O Kamakshi!, who is the embodiment of the seed of mukti (liberation), who wears the crescent moon on her head, who gladdens the hearts of those living on the banks of Kampa, please fill our minds again and again with joy and happiness.
ವೇದಮಯೀಂ ನಾದಮಯೀಂ
ಬಿನ್ದುಮಯೀಂ ಪರಪದೋದ್ಯದಿನ್ದುಮಯೀಂ|
ಮನ್ತ್ರಮಯೀಂ ತನ್ತ್ರಮಯೀಂ
ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಮಯೀಂ ನೌಮಿ ವಿಶ್ವವಿಕೃತಿಮಯೀಂ || ೭೪||
I bow to Goddess Kamakshi who is the essence of the Vedas, who is all sounds, who is at the centre of Sri Chakra, who is the rising moon of the paramapada (the highest abode), who is the essence of all mantra and tantra, who is all nature and also all distortion of nature.
ಪುರಮಥನಪುಣ್ಯಕೊಟೀ
ಪುಞ್ಜಿತಕವಿಲೋಕಸೂಕ್ತಿರಸಧಾಟೀ|
ಮನಸಿ ಮಮ ಕಾಮಕೊಟೀ
ವಿಹರತು ಕರುಣಾವಿಪಾಕಪರಿಪಾಟೀ || ೭೫||
May goddess Kamakshi, who is the fruit of the good deeds of Lord Siva, destroyer of the three cities, who is the inspiration for the compositions of poets full of beautiful rasas (sentiments, emotions) and who is full of kindness, revel in my heart.
ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಆರ್ಯಾಶತಕಮ್
(slokas ೨೬ to ೫೦ )
Mooka Panchashati is a devotional composition by Muka Kavi dedicated to Kamakshi. The real name of the poet is not known. Legend has it that he was born dumb but regained not only his voice by the grace of Goddess Kamakshi but also became a poet of considerable merit. Mooka Panchashati consists of five satakams, each Satakam containing ೧೦೦ verses. The Satakams are Arya Satakam, Padaravinda Satakam, Stuti Satakam, Kataksha Satakam and Mandasmita Satakam.
Goddess Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kancheepuram. Her consort
is Ekamreshwara, an aspect of Lord Shiva. Kanchi is the Central Peetham established by Aadi Shankaracharya who installed and consecrated the idol of Kamakshi and established the system of worship there. The other Peethams are at Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in theWest, Puri in the East and Sringeri (Sringa giri) in the South.
The translation into English of a hymn of this nature is a delicate task and
readers may kindly pardon the shortcomings, though every attempt has been made to make the translation as close as possible to the intended or perceived meaning.
ಮೋದಿತಮಧುಕರವಿಶಿಖಂ
ಸ್ವಾದಿಮಸಮುದಾಯಸಾರಕೋದಣ್ಡಮ್ |
ಆದೃತಕಾಞ್ಚೀಖೇಲನ-
ಮಾದಿಮಮಾರುಣ್ಯಭೇದಮಾಕಲಯೇ || ೨೬||
I see before my mind’s eye that primordial effulgence of bright red that holds a bow which is the essence of sweetness, whose arrows are honey-bees and whose favourite play field is Kanchi
ಉರರೀಕೃತಕಾಞ್ಚೀಪುರೀ-
ಮುಪನಿಷದರವಿನ್ದಕುಹರಮಧುಧಾರಾಮ್|
ಉನ್ನಮ್ರಸ್ತನಕಲಶೀ-
ಮುತ್ಸವಲಹರೀಮುಪಾಸ್ಮಹೇ ಶಂಭೋಃ|| ೨೭||
We worship Goddess Kamakshi who abides in Kanchi, who is the nectar at the core of Upanishad-lotus ( i.e. who is the essence of the Upanishads), who has raised pot-shaped breasts and who is the source of the waves of joy for Shambhu.
ಏಣಶಿಶುದೀರ್ಘಲೋಚನ-
ಮೇನಃಪರಿಪನ್ಥಿ ಸಂತತಂ ನಮತಾಮ್|
ಏಕಾಮ್ರನಾಥಜೀವಿತ-
ಮೇವಂಪದದೂರಮೇಕಮವಲಮ್ಬೇ || ೨೮||
I am totally dependant on Goddess Kamakshi who has long eyes like those of the doe, who always destroys the sins of those who prostrate before her, who is the very life of Lord Ekamranatha and who is far removed from all verbal descriptions ( i.e.beyond the reach of words)
ಸ್ಮಯಮಾನಮುಖಂ ಕಾಞ್ಚೀ-
ಮಯಮಾನಂ ಕಮಪಿ ದೇವತಾಭೇದಮ್|
ದಯಮಾನಂ ವೀಕ್ಷ್ಯ ಮುಹು-
ರ್ವಯಮಾನನ್ದಾಮೃತಾಮ್ಬುಧೌ ಮಗ್ನಾಃ || ೨೯||
Seeing the smiling face of Goddess Kamakshi who has engulfed Kanchi by her divinity and who is full of mercy we are submerged in the nectarine ocean of bliss.
ಕುತುಕಜುಷಿ ಕಾಞ್ಚಿದೇಶೇ
ಕುಮುದತಪೋರಾಶಿಪಾಕಶೇಖರಿತೇ
ಕುರುತೇ ಜನೋ ಮನೋಽಯಂ
ಕುಲಗಿರಿಪರಿಬೃಢಕುಲೈಕಮಣಿದೀಪೇ || ೩೦||
My mind dwells on Goddess Kamakshi who is fond of Kanchi, who sports the crescent moon on her forehead and who is the jewel-lamp of the dynasty of Himavan, the chief among mountains.
ವೀಕ್ಷೇಮಹಿ ಕಾಞ್ಚಿಪುರೇ
ವಿಪುಲಸ್ತನಕಲಶಗರಿಮಪರವಶಿತಮ್|
ವಿದ್ರುಮಸಹಚರ ದೇಹಂ
ವಿಭ್ರಮಸಮವಾಯಸಾರಸಂನಾಹಮ್ || ೩೧||
We see Goddess Kamakshi in the city of Kanchi with her large pot-shaped breasts making her stoop slightly and her body with wonderfully sculpted limbs and surpassing bright red corals by her complexion.
ಕುರುವಿನ್ದಗೋತ್ರಗಾತ್ರಂ
ಕೂಲಚರಂ ಕಮಪಿ ನೌಮಿ ಕಮ್ಪಾಯಾಃ
ಕೂಲಙ್ಕಷಕುಚಕುಂಭಂ
ಕುಸುಮಾಯುಧವೀರ್ಯಸಾರಸಂರಭಮ್ || ೩೨||
I bow to Goddess Kamakshi whose body is bright as kuruvinda gems, who strolls on the banks of Kampa river, whose pot-like breasts rub against each other and who is the very essence of the valour of Kamadeva(Cupid)
ಕುಡ್ಮಲಿತಕುಚಕಿಶೋರೈಃ
ಕುರ್ವಾಣೈಃಕಾಞ್ಚಿದೇಶಸೌಹಾರ್ದಮ್|
ಕೂಂಕುಮಶೊಣೈರ್ನಿಚಿತಂ
ಕುಶಲಪಥಂ ಶಂಭುಸುಕೃತಸಂಭಾರೈಃ|| ೩೩||
Goddess Kamakshi who has budding breasts, who is friendly with Kanchi and whose complexion is that of saffron is the auspicious fruit of the meritorious deeds (punya) of Lord Shiva.
ಅಙ್ಕಿತಕಚೇನ ಕೇನಚಿ-
ದನ್ಧಂಕರಣೌಷಧೇನ ಕಮಲಾನಾಮ್|
ಅನ್ತಃಪುರೇಣ ಶಂಭೋ-
ರಲಂಕ್ರಿಯಾ ಕಾಪಿ ಕಲ್ಪ್ಯತೇ ಕಾಞ್ಚ್ಯಾಮ್ || ೩೪||
Goddess Kamakshi who is the consort of Shiva who wears the crescent moon on her head, is considered as adornment of the city of Kanchi
ಉರರೀಕರೋಮಿ ಸಂತತ-
ಮೂಷ್ಮಲಫಾಲೇನ ಲಾಲಿತಂ ಪುಂಸಾ
ಉಪಕಂಪಮುಚಿತಖೇಲನ-
ಮುರ್ವೀಧರವಂಶಸಂಪದುನ್ಮೇಷಮ್ || ೩೫||
I always remember in my heart Goddess kamakshi who is coddled by Lord Shiva (whose forehead is hot because of his the third eye of fire), whose play field is the bank of Kampa and who is the treasure of the dynasty of Himavan.
ಅಂಕುರಿತಸ್ತನಕೋರಕ-
ಮಙ್ಕಾಲಙ್ಕಾರಮೇಕಚೂತಪತೇಃ |
ಆಲೋಕೇಮಹಿ ಕೋಮಲ-
ಮಾಗಮಸಂಲಾಪಸಾರಯಾಥಾರ್ಥ್ಯಮ್ || ೩೬||
I see the very embodiment of Beauty, with budding bosom, adorning the (left side of) the body of Ekamreshwara (Lord Shiva), which is the essence of the Ultimate Reality talked about in the Vedas.
ಪುಞ್ಜಿತಕರುಣಮುದಞ್ಚಿತ-
ಶಿಞ್ಜಿತಮಣಿಕಾಞ್ಚಿ ಕಿಮಪಿ ಕಾಞ್ಚಿಪುರೇ
ಮಞ್ಜರಿತಮೃದುಲಹಾಸಂ
ಪಿಞ್ಜರತನುರುಚಿ ಪಿನಾಕಿಮೂಲಧನಮ್ || ೩೭||
The Goddess in Kanchi(Kamakshi) is full of kindness with the tiny bells in her waist belt making a tinkling sound, with a smile like a blossom of flowers and with a tender body which is the treasure of Lord Pinaki (Shiva)
ಲೋಲಹೃದಯೋಽಸ್ಮಿ ಶಂಭೋ-
ರ್ಲೋಚನಯುಗಲೇನ ಲೇಹ್ಯಮಾನಾಯಾಮ್|
ಲಾಲಿತಪರಮಶಿವಾಯಾಂ
ಲಾವಣ್ಯಾಮೃತತರಙ್ಗಮಾಲಾಯಾಮ್ || ೩೮||
I have a tender heart for Goddess Kamakshi who is lapped up by Shambhu with both of his eyes, who is coddled by Paramashiva and whose beauty is like a garland of waves of nectar.
ಮಧುಕರಸಹಚರಚಿಕುರೈ-
ರ್ಮದನಾಗಮಸಮಯದೀಕ್ಷಿತಕಟಾಕ್ಷೈಃ
ಮಣ್ಡಿತಕಮ್ಪಾತೀರೈ-
ರ್ಮಙ್ಗಲಕನ್ದೈರ್ಮಮಾಸ್ತು ಸಾರೂಪ್ಯಮ್ || ೩೯||
May I be blessed with sarupya (of identical form) with Goddess Kamakshi whose hairs are dark as honey-bees, whose sidelong glances cause passionate love (in Shiva), who adorns the banks of the river Kampa and who is the root of everything auspicious.
ವದನಾರವಿನ್ದವಕ್ಷೋ-
ವಾಮಾಙ್ಕತಟೀವಶಂವದೀಭೂತಾ |
ಪುರುಷತ್ರಿತಯೇ ತ್ರೇಧಾ
ಪುರಂಧ್ರಿರೂಪಾ ತ್ವಮೇವ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ|| ೪೦||
O Goddess Kamakshi! You are the one who abides in the three gods; in the lotus mouth of Brahma as Saraswati, on the chest of Vishnu as Lakshmi and on the left side of Shiva as Shakti
ಬಾಧಾಕರೀಂ ಭವಾಬ್ಧೇ-
ರಾಧಾರಾದ್ಯಂಬುಜೇಷು ವಿಲಸನ್ತೀಮ್ |
ಆಧಾರೀಕೃತಕಾಞ್ಚೀಂ
ಬೋಧಾಮೃತವೀಚಿಮೇವ ವಿಮೃಶಾಮಃ || ೧.೪೧||
We meditate on Kamakshi, who abides in Kanchi, who is the embodiment of the nectarine wave of Knowledge (Consciousness), who obstructs the ocean of samsara (cycle of births and deaths) and who shines in the chakras (plexuses) in the body thought of as lotuses. [Note: The six chakras are mooladhara, swadhishthana, manipuraka, anahata, vishuddhi and aagna. In Kundalini Yoga, the Kundalini shakti lying coiled at mooladhara is raised successively through the six chakras to unite with Shiva located at sahasrara, the thousand petal lotus at the crown of the head]
ಕಲಯಾಮ್ಯನ್ತಃ ಶಶಧರ-
ಕಲಯಾಙ್ಕಿತಮೌಲಿಮಮಲಚಿದ್ವಲಯಾಮ್|
ಅಲಯಾಮಾಗಮಪೀಠೀ-
ನಿಲಯಾಂ ವಲಯಾಙ್ಕಸುನ್ದರೀಮಮ್ಬಾಮ್ || ೪೨||
I remember in my heart Mother Kamakshi who is the paragon of beauty, who wears bracelets, who sports the crescent moon on her head, who is surrounded by the aura of Absolute Consciousness, who is without dissolution and who abides in the Vedas.
ಶರ್ವಾದಿಪರಮಸಾಧಕ-
ಗುರ್ವಾನೀತಾಯ ಕಾಮಪೀಠಜುಷೇ|
ಸರ್ವಾಕೃತಯೇ ಶೋಣಿಮ-
ಗರ್ವಾಯ ಸಮರ್ಪ್ಯತೇ ಹೃದಯಮ್ || ೪೩||
My heart is surrendered to Goddess Kamakshi who is propitiated by such great sadhakas as Lord Shiva, who abides in Kamakoti peetha, who takes all forms and who makes red colour proud (because her complexion is red).
ಸಮಯಾ ಸಾಂಧ್ಯಮಯೂಖೈಃ
ಸಮಯಾ ಬುಧ್ಯಾ ಸದೈವ ಶೀಲಿತಯಾ|
ಉಮಯಾ ಕಾಞ್ಚೀರತಯಾ
ನ ಮಯಾ ಲಭ್ಯೇತ ಕಿಂ ನು ತಾದಾತ್ಮ್ಯಮ್ || ೪೪||
When shall I become one with Uma ( Goddess Kamakshi) who is of the complexion of the setting sun, who is always meditated on by those with a balanced, equal mind and who is fond of Kanchi.
ಜನ್ತೋಸ್ತವ ಪದಪೂಜನ-
ಸಂತೋಷತರಙ್ಗಿತಸ್ಯ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ|
ಬನ್ಧೋ ಯದಿ ಭವತಿ ಪುನಃ
ಸಿನ್ಧೋರಮ್ಭಃಸು ಬಮ್ಭ್ರಮೀತಿ ಶಿಲಾ || ೪೫||
If a human being worships your lotus feet and is immersed in the waves of joy arising out of such worship and he is again bound in shackles of samsaara then stones will float in the waters of the sea (meaning he will not be bound in samsara again).
ಕುಣ್ಡಲಿ ಕುಮಾರಿ ಕುಟಿಲೇ
ಚಣ್ಡಿ ಚಾಚರಸವಿತ್ರಿ ಚಾಮುಣ್ಡೇ |
ಗುಣಿನಿ ಗುಹಾರಿಣಿ ಗುಹ್ಯೇ
ಗುರುಮೂರ್ತೇ ತ್ವಾಂ ನಮಾಮಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ || ೧.೪೬||
I prostrate before you O Kamakshi! who wears ear-studs who is a kumari (pre-pubescent girl), who is slightly bent, who is Chandi, who is the cause of moveable and immovable creation, who killed Chanda and Munda, who is rich in good qualities, who abides in the heart-caves of beings, who is secret and not visible and who takes the form of the spiritual guru (to help devotees cross the ocean of samsara)
ಅಭಿದಾಕೃತಿರ್ಭಿದಾಕೃತಿ-
ರಚಿದಾಕೃತಿರಪಿಚಿದಾಕೃತಿರ್ಮಾತಃ|
ಅನಹನ್ತಾ ತ್ವಮಹನ್ತಾ
ಭ್ರಮಯಸಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಶಾಶ್ವತೀ ವಿಶ್ವಮ್ || ೪೭||
O Eternal Mother Kamakshi! you are deluding and confounding the worlds with your undifferentiated as well differentiated forms, Conscious as well as inert forms and egoistic and realised forms.
ಶಿವ ಶಿವ ಪಶ್ಯನ್ತಿ ಸಮಂ
ಶ್ರೀಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷೀ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಿತಾಃ ಪುರುಷಾಃ|
ವಿಪಿನಂ ಭವನಮಮಿತ್ರಂ
ಮಿತ್ರಂ ಲೋಷ್ಠಂ ಚ ಯುವತಿಬಿಮ್ಬೋಷ್ಠಮ್ || ೪೮||
Those who are blessed with the sidelong glances of Kamakshi see with an equal vision whether it be a forest, a house, a foe, a friend, a lump of clay or the full red lips of a young woman.
ಕಾಮಪರಿಪನ್ಥಿಕಾಮಿನಿ
ಕಾಮೇಶ್ವರಿ ಕಾಮಪೀಠಮಧ್ಯಗತೇ|
ಕಾಮದುಘಾ ಭವ ಕಮಲೇ
ಕಾಮಕಲೇ ಕಾಮಕೋಟಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ || ೪೯||
O Kamakshi! consort of Shiva the enemy of Cupid!, Goddess of Love!, One seated in the centre of Kamakoti Peetha, One who ends all desires (Kamakoti) ! O Goddess Lakshmi ! please be the wish-yielding cow for us.
ಮಧ್ಯೇ ಹೃದಯಂ ಮಧ್ಯೇ ನೀಟಿಲಂ
ಮಧ್ಯೇ ಶಿರೋಽಪಿ ವಾಸ್ತವ್ಯಾಮ್|
ಚಣ್ಡಕರಶಕ್ರಕಾರ್ಮುಕ-
ಚನ್ದ್ರಸಮಾಭಾಂ ನಮಾಮಿ ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷೀಮ್ || ೫೦||
I bow to Kamakshi who is meditated in centre of the heart brilliant as the Sun, at the centre of the forehead (the space between the brows) with the brightness of the rainbow and in the centre of the head shining as the moon
ಮೂಕಪಂಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಆರ್ಯಾಶತಕಂ
(slokas ೧ to ೨೫ )
Mooka Panchashati is a devotional composition by Muka Kavi dedicated to Kamakshi. The real name of the poet is not known. Legend has it that he was born dumb but regained not only his voice by the grace of Goddess Kamakshi but also became a poet of considerable merit. Mooka Panchashati consists of five satakams, each Satakam containing ೧೦೦ verses. The Satakams are Arya Satakam, Padaravinda Satakam, Stuti Satakam, Kataksha Satakam and Mandasmita Satakam.
Goddess Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kancheepuram. Her consort is Ekamreshwara, an aspect of Lord Shiva. Kanchi is the Central Peetham established by Aadi Shankaracharya who installed and consecrated the idol of Kamakshi and established the system of worship there. The other Peethams are at Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in theWest, Puri in the East and Sringeri (Sringa giri) in the South.
The translation into English of a hymn of this nature is a delicate task and readers may kindly pardon the shortcomings, though every attempt has been made to make the translation as close as possible to the intended or perceived meaning.
ಕಾರಣಪರಚಿದ್ರೂಪಾ
ಕಾಂಚೀಪುರಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಕಾಮಪೀಠಗತಾ |
ಕಾಚನ ವಿಹರತಿ ಕರುಣಾ
ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರಸ್ತಬಕಕೋಮಲಾಂಗಲತಾ || ೧||
The effulgence of the nature of Absolute Consciousness, the First Cause of the Universe, has taken the form (of Kamakshi), soft and tender as a cluster of Kashmira flowers, embodiment of grace and compassion and occupies the Kamakoti Peetha in the city of Kanchi for her playful activities.
ಕಂಚನ ಕಾಂಚೀತಿಲಕಂ
ಕರಧೃತಕೋದಂಡಬಾಣಸೃಣಿಪಾಶಂ|
ಕಠಿನಸ್ತನಭರನಮ್ರಂ
ಕೈವಲ್ಯಾನಂದಕಂದಮವಲಂಬೇ || ೨||
I put my faith in One who adorns Kanchi (like the tilak on the forehead of a woman), who carries in her hands bow, arrows, goad and the rope, who is slightly bent by the weight of her breasts and who is the very essence of Supreme Bliss.
ಚಿಂತಿತಫಲಪರಿಪೋಷಣ-
ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿರೇವ ಕಾಂಚಿನಿಲಯಾ ಮೇ|
ಚಿರತರಸುಚರಿತಸುಲಭಾ
ಚಿತ್ತಂ ಶಿಶಿರಯತು ಚಿತ್ಸುಧಾಧಾರಾ || ೩||
May Goddess Kamakshi whose abode is Kanchi, who fulfils the desires (of devotees) like the wish-yielding Chintamani, who can be easily reached by one who has an unbroken record of good conduct for a long time, make my heart cool by the stream of nectarine Consciousness (which is her real nature).
ಕುಟಿಲಕಚಂ ಕಠಿನಕುಚಂ
ಕುಂದಸ್ಮಿತಕಾಂತಿ ಕುಂಕುಮಚ್ಛಾಯಂ|
ಕುರುತೇ ವಿಹೃತಿಂ ಕಾಂಚ್ಯಾಂ
ಕುಲಪರ್ವತಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮಸರ್ವಸ್ವಂ || ೪||
Goddess Kamakshi who is the darling of Himavan the king of mountains, who has curly hair, firm breasts, smile bright as jasmine flowers and complexion of saffron has made Kanchi her playground
ಪಂಚಶರಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಬೋಧನ-
ಪರಮಾಚೇರ್ಯೇಣ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತೇನ|
ಕಾಂಚೀಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಕುಮಾರೀ
ಕಾಚನ ಮೋಹಯತಿ ಕಾಮಜೇತಾರಂ || ೫||
Within the city of Kanchi, a teenage girl(kumari) with her glances which, like a great teacher, teaches the science of erotic love, captivates the heart of Shiva the conqueror of Kama (Cupid)
.
ಪರಯಾ ಕಾಂಚೀಪುರಯಾ
ಪರ್ವತಪರ್ಯಾಯಪೀನಕುಚಭರಯಾ |
ಪರತಂತ್ರಾ ವಯಮನಯಾ
ಪಂಕಜಸಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಾರಿ ಲೋಚನಯಾ || ೬||
The highest Sakti (Goddess Kamakshi), abiding in Kanchipura, with her ample bosom and eyes beautiful and wide as lotus petals, has enslaved us and captivated our hearts.
.ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯಮಿಂದುಮೌಲೇ-
ರೈಕಾತ್ಮ್ಯಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ಕಾಂಚಿಮಧ್ಯಗತಂ|
ಐಂದವಕಿಶೋರಶೇಖರ-
ಮೈದಂಪರ್ಯಂ ಚಕಾಸ್ತಿ ನಿಗಮಾನಾಂ || ೭||
Goddess Kamakshi who is the treasure of Lord Shiva, who is of identical nature with Him, who sports the crescent moon on her head, who is the meaning and purport of the Vedas, shines in the middle of Kanchi.
ಶ್ರಿತಕಂಪಾಸೀಮಾನಂ
ಶಿಥಿಲಿತಪರಮಶಿವಧೈರ್ಯಮಹಿಮಾನಂ|
ಕಲಯೇ ಪಾಟಲಿಮಾನಂ
ಕಂಚನ ಕಂಚುಕಿತಭುವನಭೂಮಾನಂ || ೮||
I meditate on Kamakshi who abides in the proximity of Kampa river, who has the reputation of loosening the courage and determination of Shiva (in the matter of passionate love), whose complexion is red and who shields all the worlds from destruction.
ಆದೃತಕಾಂಚೀನಿಲಯಾ-
ಮಾದ್ಯಾಮಾರೂಢಯೌವನಾಟೋಪಾಂ|
ಆಗಮ ವತಂಸಕಲಿಕಾ-
ಮಾನಂದಾದ್ವೈತಕಂದಲೀಂ ವಂದೇ || ೯||
I salute Kamakshi who abides in the famed city of Kanchi, who is the very first one, who celebrates her freshly ascending youth, who shines on the head of the Upanishads and who is of the essence of non-dual bliss.
ತುಂಗಾಭಿರಾಮಕುಚಭರ-
ಶೃಂಗಾರಿತಮಾಶ್ರಯಾಮಿ ಕಾಂಚಿಗತಂ|
ಗಂಗಾಧರಪರತಂತ್ರಂ
ಶೃಂಗಾರಾದ್ವೈತತಂತ್ರಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಂ || ೧೦||
I take refuge in Goddess Kamakshi who is adorned by pretty raised breasts, who abides in Kanchi, who has put herself in the hands of Gangadhara (Shiva) and who is the embodiment of the science of non-dual erotic love.
ಕಾಂಚೀರತ್ನವಿಭೂಷಾಂ
ಕಾಮಪಿ ಕಂದರ್ಪಸೂತಿಕಾಪಾಂಗೀಂ |
ಪರಮಾಂ ಕಲಾಮುಪಾಸೇ
ಪರಮಶಿವವಾಮಾಂಕಪೀಠಿಕಾಸೀನಾಂ|| | ೧೧||
I meditate on the supreme effulgence(Kala) that occupies the left side of the body of the most auspicious one (Shiva), that adorns Kanchi like a diamond and whose sidelong glances arouse passionate love (in Lord Shiva)
ಕಂಪಾತೀರಚರಾಣಾಂ
ಕರುಣಾಕೋರಕಿತದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಾನಾಂ|
ಕೇಲೀವನಂ ಮನೋ ಮೇ
ಕೇಷಾಂಚಿದ್ಭವತು ಚಿದ್ವಿಲಾಸಾನಾಂ || ೧೨||
May my mind be the play ground for the divine play of Goddess Kamakshi who strolls on the banks of river Kampa and from whose glances drip mercy (kindness)
ಆಮ್ರತರುಮೂಲವಸತೇ-
ರಾದಿಮಪುರುಷಸ್ಯ ನಯನಪೀಯೂಷಂ|
ಆರಬ್ಧಯೌವನೋತ್ಸವ-
ಮಾಮ್ನಾಯರಹಸ್ಯಮಂತರವಲಂಬೇ || ೧೩||
I meditate, in my heart, on (Goddess Kamakshi) who is nectar for the eyes of Lord Shiva, the very First purusha who dwells under the mango tree. Her flowering youth is cause for celebration as a festival and She is the secret which the Vedas seek to unveil.
ಅಧಿಕಾಂಚಿ ಪರಮಯೋಗಿಭಿ-
ರಾದಿಮಪರಪೀಠಸೀಮ್ನಿ ದೃಶ್ಯೇನ|
ಅನುಬದ್ಧಂ ಮಮ ಮಾನಸ-
ಮರುಣಿಮಸರ್ವಸ್ವಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯೇನ || ೧೪||
My mind is bound to (Goddess Kamakshi) who reveals herself on the ancient peetha (throne, Kamokoti Peetha) of Kanchi to great yogis and who appears as an effulgence of red.
ಅಂಕಿತಶಂಕರದೇಹಾ-
ಮಂಕುರಿತೋರೋಜಕಂಕಣಾಶ್ಲೇಷೈಃ
ಅಧಿಕಾಂಚಿ ನಿತ್ಯತರುಣೀ-
ಮದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಂ ಕಾಂಚಿದದ್ಭುತಾಂ ಬಾಲಾಂ || ೧೫||
I saw in Kanchi that wonderful ever-young baalaa (teenage girl) who left marks of her budding breasts and of her bangles on the body of Sankara (while embracing Him).
ಮಧುರಧನುಷಾ ಮಹೀಧರ-
ಜನುಷಾ ನಂದಾಮಿ ಸುರಭಿಬಾಣಜುಷಾ
ಚಿದ್ವಪುಷಾ ಕಾಂಚಿಪುರೇ
ಕೇಲಿಜುಷಾ ಬಂಧುಜೀವಕಾಂತಿಮುಷಾ || ೧.೧೬||
I delight in that effulgence of pure Consciousness, that holds in its hand a sweet bow (of sugarcane), that is born of the mountain (Himavan), that has sweet-smelling arrows (of flowers), that plays in the city of Kanchi and steals the beauty of the hibiscus flower by its bright red brilliance.
ಮಧುರಸ್ಮಿತೇನ ರಮತೇ
ಮಾಂಸಲಕುಚಭಾರಮಂದಗಮನೇನ |
ಮಧ್ಯೇ ಕಾಂಚಿ ಮನೋ ಮೇ
ಮನಸಿಜಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯಗರ್ವಬೀಜೇನ || ೧೭||
My mind is delighted by the sweet smile of Goddess Kamakshi abiding in Kanchi, by her slow gait on account of the weight of her heavy breasts and by her putting the seed of pride in the empire of Kama (Cupid)
ಧರಣಿಮಯೀಂ ತರಣಿಮಯೀಂ
ಪವನಮಯೀಂ ಗಗನದಹನಹೋತೃಮಯೀಂ|
ಅಂಬುಮಯೀಮಿಂದುಮಯೀ-
ಮಂಬಾಮನುಕಂಪಮಾದಿಮಾಮೀಕ್ಷೇ || ೧೮||
I see before my eyes, on the banks of the Kampa River, the very First Mother who has manifested herself as the Earth, the Sun, the Air, the Sky, the Fire and the Hota (the one who offers ghee into the sacrificial fire).
ಲೀನಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಮುನಿಹೃದಯೇ
ಧ್ಯಾನಸ್ತಿಮಿತಂ ತಪಸ್ಯದುಪಕಂಪಂ|
ಪೀನಸ್ತನಭರಮೀಡೇ
ಮೀನಧ್ವಜತಂತ್ರಪರಮತಾತ್ಪರ್ಯಂ || ೧೯||
I sing praises of Goddess Kamakshi who dwells in the hearts of sages in a state of complete merger, who is completely still in a state of meditation, who is doing penance on the banks of Kampa, who is bent by the weight of her ample bosom and who is the very essence of the science of erotic love (Kamatantra).
ಶ್ವೇತಾ ಮಂಥರಹಸಿತೇ
ಶಾತಾ ಮಧ್ಯೇ ಚ ವಾಙ್ಮನೋಽತೀತಾ|
ಶೀತಾ ಲೋಚನಪಾತೇ
ಸ್ಫೀತಾ ಕುಚಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಶಾಶ್ವತೀ ಮಾತಾ || ೨೦||
The eternal Mother has a bright white smile, has a slim middle, is beyond the reach of mind and speech, cools the one on whom her glances fall and is broad in the region of her breasts.
ಪುರತಃ ಕದಾ ನು ಕರವೈ
ಪುರವೈರಿವಿಮರ್ದಪುಲಕಿತಾಂಗಲತಾಂ |
ಪುನತೀಂ ಕಾಂಚೀದೇಶಂ
ಪುಷ್ಪಾಯುಧವೀರ್ಯಸರಸಪರಿಪಾಟೀಂ || ೨೧||
When shall I have the vision of Her (Kamakshi) who has a tender and slender body like a creeper, whose hairs stand on end when she is embraced by Puravairi (Shiva), who purifies the city of Kanchi and who is a good target for the Cupid to test the strength of his flower-arrows.
ಪುಣ್ಯಾ ಕಾಪಿ ಪುರಂಧ್ರೀ
ಪುಂಖಿತಕಂದರ್ಪಸಂಪದಾ ವಪುಷಾ|
ಪುಲಿನಚರೀ ಕಂಪಾಯಾಃ
ಪುರಮಥನಂ ಪುಲಕನಿಚುಲಿತಂ ಕುರುತೇ || ೨೨||
A holy young female with a body endowed with all the riches of Cupid, wandering on the banks of the river Kampa makes the destroyer of the three cities (Lord Siva) covered with hair which stand on end (overcome by passionate love)
ತನಿಮಾದ್ವೈತವಲಗ್ನಂ
ತರುಣಾರುಣಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯತನುಲೆಖಂ|
ತಟಸೀಮನಿ ಕಂಪಾಯಾ-
ಸ್ತರುಣಿಮಸರ್ವಸ್ವಮಾದ್ಯಮದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಂ || ೨೩||
I saw on the banks of the river Kampa Goddess Kamakshi, the very essence of youth, with a slender middle and with a bright red complexion like the colour of the rising sun
ಪೌಷ್ಟಿಕಕರ್ಮವಿಪಾಕಂ
ಪೌಷ್ಪಶರಂ ಸವಿಧಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಕಂಪಾಯಾಃ|
ಅದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಮಾತ್ತಯೌವನ-
ಮಭ್ಯುದಯಂ ಕಂಚಿದರ್ಧಶಶಿಮೌಲೇಃ || ೨೪||
I saw in the vicinity of river Kampa the result of the good work of Kama (Cupid) and the fortune of Shive who wears the half-moon on his head, in the form of Kamkshi in her freshness of youth.
ಸಂಶ್ರಿತಕಾಂಚೀದೇಶೇ
ಸರಸಿಜದೌರ್ಭಾಗ್ಯಜಾಗ್ರದುತ್ತಂಸೇ|
ಸಂವಿನ್ಮಯೇ ವಿಲೀಯೇ
ಸಾರಸ್ವತಪುರುಷಕಾರಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯೇ || ೨೫||
I merge myself in Goddess Kamakshi whose nature is Absolute Pure Consciousness, who is the divine kingdom of knowledge, who abides in Kanchi and who wears on her head the crescent moon which is not good for the lotus
