ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಶತಕಮ್
(slokas ೭೬-೧೦೧)
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.
ಆಕಾಙ್ಕ್ಷ್ಯಮಾಣಫಲದಾನವಿಚಕ್ಷಣಾಯಾಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕಕಟಾಕ್ಷಕಕಾಮಧೇನೋಃ |
ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಏವ ಕಥಮಸ್ಯ ವಿಮುಕ್ತಪಾಶ-
ಬನ್ಧಾಃ ಸ್ಫುಟಂ ತನುಭೃತಃ ಪಶುತಾಂ ತ್ಯಜನ್ತಿ || ೭೬||
O Kamakshi ! your Kataksha is the wish-yielding cow which will grant whatever is requested of it. How is it that the very association with this cow releases one from all bondage (to desires) and human beings give up their pashuta (animal behaviour)
ಸಂಸಾರಘರ್ಮಪರಿತಾಪಜುಷಾಂ ನರಾಣಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಶೀತಲತರಾಣಿ ತವೇಕ್ಷಿತಾನಿ|
ಚನ್ದ್ರಾತಪನ್ತಿ ಘನಚನ್ದನಕರ್ದಮನ್ತಿ
ಮುಕ್ತಾಗುಣನ್ತಿ ಹಿಮವಾರಿನಿಷೇಚನನ್ತಿ|| ೭೭||
O Kamakshi! For people who are scorched by the heat of this samsara, your glances are very cool. They are like the moonlight, sandal paste, string of pearls and bathing in ice water.
ಪ್ರೇಮಾಮ್ಬುರಾಶಿಸತತಸ್ನಪಿತಾನಿ ಚಿತ್ರಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷನಿರೀಕ್ಷಣಾನಿ|
ಸಂಘುಕ್ಷಯನ್ತಿ ಮುಹುರಿನ್ಧನರಾಶಿರೀತ್ಯಾ
ಮಾರದ್ರುಹೋ ಮನಸಿ ಮನ್ಮಥಚಿತ್ರಭಾನುಮ್ || ೭೮||
O Kamakshi! your sidelong glances are ever bathed in the waters of love. It is therefore a wonder that the same glances do the work of fuel by fanning the fires of passionate love in the enemy of Cupid (Shiva, your consort).
ಕಾಲಾಞ್ಜನಪ್ರತಿಭಟಂ ಕಮನೀಯಕಾನ್ತ್ಯಾ
ಕನ್ದರ್ಪತನ್ತ್ರಕಲಯಾ ಕಲಿತಾನುಭಾವಮ್|
ಕಾಞ್ಚೀವಿಹಾರರಸಿಕೇ ಕಲುಷಾರ್ತಿಚೋರಂ
ಕಾಲ್ಲೋಲಯಸ್ವ ಮಯಿ ತೇ ಕರುಣಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮ್|| ೭೯||
O Kamakshi who likes to sport in Kanchi! bathe me in the compassion of your sidelong glances which are prettier than the black anjana, which are well-versed in the art of love and which wipe out all evil.
ಕ್ರಾನ್ತೇನ ಮನ್ಮಥಮದೇನ ವಿಮೋಹ್ಯಮಾನ-
ಸ್ವಾನ್ತೇನ ಚೂತತರುಮೂಲಗತಸ್ಯ ಪುಂಸಃ|
ಕಾನ್ತೇನ ಕಿಂಚಿದವಲೋಕಯ ಲೋಚನಸ್ಯ
ಪ್ರಾನ್ತೇನ ಮಾಂ ಜನನಿ ಕಾಞ್ಚಿಪುರೀವಿಭೂಷೇ || ೮೦||
O Adornment of Kanchi! cast on me, from the corners of your eyes just for a moment, a glance which is dear to your consort Ekamreshwara, who abides under the shade of a mango tree, whose mind, invaded by the god of Love Manmatha has succumbed to his arrows (i.e. He is passionately in love).
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕೋಽಪಿ ಸುಜನಾಸ್ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಸಂಗೇ
ಕಣ್ಠೇನ ಕನ್ದಲಿತಕಾಲಿಮಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯಾಃ|
ಉತ್ತಂಸಕಲ್ಪಿತಚಕೋರಕುಟುಂಬಪೋಷಾ
ನಕ್ತಂದಿವಪ್ರಸವಭೂನಯನಾ ಭವನ್ತಿ || ೮೧||
A few noble souls blessed with your sidelong glances become like Lord Shiva, with their necks darkened ( by poison), top of their heads accommodating and sustaining families of chakora birds (which depend on the moon for food) and eyes which cause days and nights.
ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲಪ್ರಸವಕಾನ್ತಿನಿದರ್ಶನೇನ
ಕಾರುಣ್ಯವಿಭ್ರಮಜುಷಾ ತವ ವೀಕ್ಷಣೇನ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕರ್ಮಜಲಧೇಃ ಕಲಶೀಸುತೇನ
ಪಾಶತ್ರಯಾದ್ವಯಮಮೀ ಪರಿಮೋಚನೀಯಾಃ || ೮೨||
O Kamakshi! Your glances are radiant like the blue lily, they are full of compassion and they are like Agastya (who drank the waters of the ocean) for the ocean of karmas. May we be liberated from the three bonds of
son, wealth and wife.
ಅತ್ಯನ್ತಚಞ್ಚಲಮಕೃತ್ರಿಮಮಞ್ಜನಂ ಕಿಂ
ಝಙ್ಕಾರಭಙ್ಗಿರಹಿತಾ ಕಿಮು ಭೃಙ್ಗಮಾಲಾ |
ಧೂಮಾಙ್ಕುರಃ ಕಿಮು ಹುತಾಶನಸಂಗಹೀನಾ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನೇತ್ರರುಚಿನೀಲಿಮಕನ್ದಲೀ ತೇ || ೮೩||
Is the dark blue lustre of your eyes extremely fleeting natural anjan? Is it a string of honey-bees without their buzzing sound? Is it a source of dark smoke without the company of fire ? Tell me O Kamakshi!
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನಿತ್ಯಮಯಮಞ್ಜಲಿರಸ್ತು ಮುಕ್ತಿ-
ಬೀಜಾಯ ವಿಭ್ರಮಮದೋದಯಘೂರ್ಣಿತಾಯ|
ಕನ್ದರ್ಪದರ್ಪಪುನರುದ್ಭವಸಿದ್ಧಿದಾಯ
ಕಲ್ಯಾಣದಾಯ ತವ ದೇವಿ ದೃಗಞ್ಚಲಾಯ || ೮೪||
O Kamakshi! May this anjali (palms of the hand pressed together and held above the head or at the level of the heart as a sign of devotion, surrender, bhakti etc) be dedicated to your glances which are the seed for mukti (liberation), which are roving with intoxication, which bestow the power of reviving the pride of Kama (Cupid) and which do good always.
ದರ್ಪಾಂಕುರೋ ಮಕರಕೇತನವಿಭ್ರಮಾಣಾಂ
ನಿನ್ದಾಂಕುರೋ ವಿದಲಿತೋತ್ಪಲಚಾತುರೀಣಾಮ್|
ದೀಪಾಂಕುರೋ ಭವತಮಿಸ್ರಕದಮ್ಬಕಾನಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಪಾಲಯತು ಮಾಂ ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಪಾತಃ|| ೮೫||
O Kamakshi May I be protected by the fall on me of your sidelong glance which is the pride for the activities of Cupid, which decries the beauty of the blue lily and which is the light banishing the darkness of this samsara.
ಕೈವಲ್ಯದಿವ್ಯಮಣಿರೋಹಣಪರ್ವತೇಭ್ಯಃ
ಕಾರುಣ್ಯನಿರ್ಝರಪಯಃಕೃತಮಜ್ಜನೇಭ್ಯಃ |
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಿಂಕರಿತಶಂಕರಮಾನಸೇಭ್ಯ-
ಸ್ತೇಭ್ಯೋ ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ತವ ವೀಕ್ಷಣವಿಭ್ರಮೇಭ್ಯಃ|| ೪.೮೬||
O Kamakshi ! prostrations to your dazing glances which are like mountains producing precious gems of kaivalya ( (the state of being one with the Ultimate Reality), which have immersed themselves in the waters of the stream of compassion and which have subjugated the heart of Shiva.
ಅಲ್ಪೀಯ ಏವ ನವಮುತ್ಪಲಮಮ್ಬ ಹೀನಾ
ಮೀನಸ್ಯ ವಾ ಸರಣಿರಮ್ಬುರುಹಾಂ ಚ ಕಿಂ ವಾ|
ದೂರೇ ಮೃಗೀದೃಗಸಮಞ್ಜಸಮಞ್ಜನಂ ವಾ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣರುಚೌ ತವ ತರ್ಕಯಾಮಃ || ೮೭||
O Kamakshi! the beauty of the blue lily or that of the eyes of fish, or that of the lotus or the doe or anjana is nothing compared to the beauty and radiance of your glances.
ಮಿಶ್ರೀಭವದ್ಗರಲಪಙ್ಕಿಲಶಂಕರೋರಃ-
ಸೀಮಾಙ್ಗಣೇ ಕಿಮಪಿ ರಿಙ್ಗಣಮಾದಧಾನಃ|
ಹೇಲಾವಧೂತಲಲಿತಶ್ರವಣೋತ್ಪಲೋಽಸೌ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಬಾಲ ಇವ ರಾಜತಿ ತೇ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ || ೮೮||
O Kamakshi! Your Kataksha, which playfully beats the beauty of the nilotpala adorning your ears, playing on your consort Shiva’s chest, flanked by His neck bearing the mark of poison, looks like curly hair (on Lord Shiva’s chest).
ಪ್ರೌಢೀಕರೋತಿ ವಿದುಷಾಂ ನವಸೂಕ್ತಿಧಾಟೀ-
ಚೂತಾಟವೀಷು ಬುಧಕೋಕಿಲಲಾಲ್ಯಮಾನಮ್|
ಮಾಧ್ವೀರಸಂ ಪರಿಮಲಂ ಚ ನಿರರ್ಗಲಂ ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣವಿಲಾಸವಸನ್ತಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀಃ|| ೮೯||
O Kamakshi! the play of your glances is like the Spring season where forest of mango trees is the picturesque and fresh verses composed by the learned men, cuckoos are the wise men who enjoy those compositions which are full of the sweetness of honey and fragrance and which flow without restraint.
ಕೂಲಂಕಷಂ ವಿತನುತೇ ಕರುಣಾಮ್ಬುವರ್ಷೀ
ಸಾರಸ್ವತಂ ಸುಕೃತಿನಃ ಸುಲಭಂ ಪ್ರವಾಹಮ್|
ತುಚ್ಛೀಕರೋತಿ ಯಮುನಾಮ್ಬುತರಙ್ಗಭಙ್ಗೀಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಿಂ ತವ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮಹಾಮ್ಬುವಾಹಃ || ೯೦||
O Kamakshi! the cloud of your Kataksha rains kindness, compassion. It makes the river of poetic output of blessed souls overflow its banks making the waves in the Yamane look insignificant.
ಜಾಗರ್ತಿ ದೇವಿ ಕರುಣಾಶುಕಸುನ್ದರೀ ತೇ
ತಾಟಙ್ಕರತ್ನರುಚಿದಾಡಿಮಖಣ್ಡಶೋಣೇ |
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನಿರ್ಭರಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮರೀಚಿಪುಞ್ಜ-
ಮಾಹೇನ್ದ್ರನೀಲಮಣಿಪಞ್ಜರಮಧ್ಯಭಾಗೇ || ೯೧||
O Kamakshi ! the beautiful parrot of your compassion is awake in the centre of the cage which is formed by the cluster of deep blue rays emitted by the glances from your eye-corners and in which is reflected the colour of the diamonds in your tatanka, red as the seeds of the dadima fruit.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸತ್ಕುವಲಯಸ್ಯ ಸಗೋತ್ರಭಾವಾ-
ದಾಕ್ರಾಮತಿ ಶ್ರುತಿಮಸೌ ತವ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಃ|
ಕಿಂ ಚ ಸ್ಫುಟಂ ಕುಟಿಲತಾಂ ಪ್ರಕಟೀಕರೋತಿ
ಭ್ರೂವಲ್ಲರೀಪರಿಚಿತಸ್ಯ ಫಲಂ ಕಿಮೇತತ್|| ೯೨||
O Kamakshi! because of their friendship with the kuvalaya flower(blue lily) which is also dark blue, your glances encroach upon the ears which are adorned by kuvalaya.
Do not your glances manifest crookedness because of its association with the eye-brows which are arched?
ಏಷಾ ತವಾಕ್ಷಿಸುಷಮಾ ವಿಷಮಾಯುಧಸ್ಯ
ನಾರಾಚವರ್ಷಲಹರೀ ನಗರಾಜಕನ್ಯೇ|
ಶಙ್ಕೇ ಕರೋತಿ ಶತಧಾ ಹೃದಿ ಧೈರ್ಯಮುದ್ರಾಂ
ಶ್ರೀಕಾಮಕೋಟಿ ಯದಸೌ ಶಿಶಿರಾಂಶುಮೌಲೇಃ || ೯೩||
O Kamakoti! Daughter of Himavan! the beauty and radiance of your eyes raises the doubt whether it is not the rain of arrows of Cupid which breaks the courage of Lord Shiva’s heart into a hundred pieces.
ಬಾಣೇನ ಪುಷ್ಪಧನುಷಃ ಪರಿಕಲ್ಪ್ಯಮಾನ-
ತ್ರಾಣೇನ ಭಕ್ತಮನಸಾಂ ಕರುಣಾಕರೇಣ|
ಕೋಣೇನ ಕೋಮಲದೃಶಸ್ತವ ಕಾಮಕೋಟಿ
ಶೋಣೇನ ಶೋಷಯ ಶಿವೇ ಮಮ ಶೋಕಸಿನ್ಧುಮ್ || ೯೪||
O Kamakot! Please dry up the ocean of my sorrows by the red of the corners of your beautiful eyes which are an ocean of kindness and which save the hearts of devotees from the arrows of Cupid.
ಮಾರದ್ರುಹಾ ಮುಕುಟಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಲಾಲ್ಯಮಾನೇ
ಮನ್ದಾಕಿನೀಪಯಸಿ ತೇ ಕುಟಿಲಂ ಚರಿಷ್ಣುಃ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕೋಪರಭಸಾದ್ವಲಮಾನಮೀನ-
ಸನ್ದೇಹಮಙ್ಕುರಯತಿ ಕ್ಷಣಮಕ್ಷಿಪಾತಃ || ೯೫||
O Kamakshi! Your glances raise the doubt whether they are not fish because of the crookedness and anger and hurry with which they are directed towards Ganga to whom the enemy of Kama, Shiva, has accommodated on His head.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸಂವಲಿತಮೌಕ್ತಿಕಕುಣ್ಡಲಾಂಶು-
ಚಞ್ಚತ್ಸಿತಶ್ರವಣಚಾಮರಚಾತುರೀಕಃ
ಸ್ತಮ್ಭೇ ನಿರನ್ತರಮಪಾಙ್ಗಮಯೇ ಭವತ್ಯಾ
ಬದ್ಧಶ್ಚಕಾಸ್ತಿ ಮಕರಧ್ವಜಮತ್ತಹಸ್ತೀ || ೯೬||
O Kamakshi ! the rays from the pearls on your ear-globes look like the chamara-like ears of the aggressive Kama-elephant which shines tied to the pillar formed of your continuous glances.
ಯಾವತ್ಕಟಾಕ್ಷರಜನೀಸಮಯಾಗಮಸ್ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವದಚಿರಾನ್ನಮತಾಂ ನಾರಾಣಾಮ್|
ಆವಿರ್ಭವತ್ಯಮೃತದೀಧಿತಿಬಿಮ್ಬಮಮ್ಬ
ಸಂವಿನ್ಮಯಂ ಹೃದಯಪೂರ್ವಗಿರೀನ್ದ್ರಶೃಙ್ಗೇ || ೯೭||
O Mother Kamakshi! When the night of your glances falls then, for those who prostrate before you, the moon of Knowledge(consciousness) rises on the peak of the eastern mountain.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಲ್ಪವಿಟಪೀವ ಭವತ್ಕಟಾಕ್ಷೋ
ದಿತ್ಸುಃ ಸಮಸ್ತವಿಭವಂ ನಮತಾಂ ನರಾಣಾಮ್|
ಭೃಙ್ಗಸ್ಯ ನೀಲನಲಿನಸ್ಯ ಚ ಕಾನ್ತಿಸಂಪ-
ತ್ಸರ್ವಸ್ವಮೇವ ಹರತೀತಿ ಪರಂ ವಿಚಿತ್ರಮ್ || ೯೮||
O kamakshi! your sidelong glances are desirous of bestowing all the riches on those prostrating before you. It is therefore a wonder that you snatch away the wealth of radiance of the honey-bee and the blue lotus.
ಅಜ್ಞಾತಭಕ್ತಿರಸಮಪ್ರಸರದ್ವಿವೇಕ-
ಮತ್ಯನ್ತಗರ್ವಮನಧೀತಸಮಸ್ತಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಮ್|
ಅಪ್ರಾಪ್ತಸತ್ಯಮಸಮೀಪಗತಂ ಚ ಮುಕ್ತೇಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನೈವ ತವ ಕಾಂಕ್ಷತಿ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಃ || ೯೯||
O Kamakshi Your glances do not want to fall on those who do not know the taste of bhakti, who lack discrimination, whose vanity is great, who have not studied the shastras, who have not embraced truth and who are nowhere near mukti.
ಅತ್ಯನ್ತಶೀತಲಮನರ್ಗಲಕರ್ಮಪಾಕ-
ಕಾಕೋಲಹಾರಿ ಸುಲಭಂ ಸುಮನೋಭಿರೇತತ್|
ಪೀಯೂಷಮೇವ ತವ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಮಮ್ಬ ಕಿಂ ತು
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನೀಲಮಿದಮಿತ್ಯಯಮೇವ ಭೇದಃ || ೧೦೦||
O Kamakshi! like the divine nectar your glances are very cool, always counteract the poison of the effect of bad karma, easy of attainment by the good (by devas). The only difference is that those glances have a dark blue tinge unlike the divine nectar.
ಪಾತೇನ ಲೋಚನರುಚೇಸ್ತವ ಕಾಮಕೋಟಿ
ಪೋತೇನ ಪಾತಕಪಯೋಧಿಭಯಾತುರಾಣಾಮ್ |
ಪೂತೇನ ತೇನ ನವಕಾಞ್ಚನಕುಣ್ಡಲ್ಲಾಂಶು-
ವೀತೇನ ಶೀತಲಯ ಭೂಧರಕನ್ಯಕೇ ಮಾಮ್ || ೪.೧೦೧||
O Daughter of Himavan ! Kamakoti (end of all desires)! let your glance which is the boat for those frightened by the ocean of sins, which reflects the rays from your golden ear-globes, fall on me bringing me refreshing coolness ( peace of mind).
ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಶತಕಮ್
(slokas ೫೧-೭೫)
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.
ಕಾಷಾಯಾಂಶುಕಮಿವ ಪ್ರಕಟಂ ದಧಾನೋ
ಮಾಣಿಕ್ಯಕುಣ್ಡಲರುಚಿಂ ಮಮತಾವಿರೋಧೀ|
ಶ್ರುತ್ಯನ್ತಸೀಮನಿ ರತಃ ಸುತರಾಂ ಚಕಾಸ್ತಿ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಯತೀಶ್ವರೋಽಸೌ || ೫೧||
O Kamakshi! Your kataksha is like a sanyasi, the rays from the ear-globes of manikya being clothes of yellow-red which negate mamata (the sense of mine). It shines revelling in the proximity of the ears ( also Vedas) [Sruti means both ear and the Vedas]
ಪಾಷಾಣ ಏವ ಹರಿನೀಲಮಣಿರ್ದಿನೇಷು
ಪ್ರಮ್ಲಾನತಾಂ ಕುವಲಯಂ ಪ್ರಕಟೀಕರೋತಿ|
ನೈಮಿತ್ತಿಕೋ ಜಲದಮೇಚಕಿಮಾ ತತಸ್ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಶೂನ್ಯಮುಪಮಾನಮಪಾಙ್ಗಲಕ್ಷ್ಮ್ಯಾಃ || ೫೨||
The blue gemstone is only a stone. The lily fades during the day time. The dark colour of the cloud is not inherent but for external reasons. Therefore O Kamakshi! there is nothing with which your sidelong glances can be compared.
ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರವಿಭ್ರಮವತೀ ಸುತರಾಂ ಸಲಜ್ಜಾ
ನಾಸಾಗ್ರಮೌಕ್ತಿಕರುಚಾ ಕೃತಮನ್ದಹಾಸಾ|
ಶ್ಯಾಮಾ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಸುಷಮಾ ತವ ಯುಕ್ತಮೇತತ್-
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಚುಮ್ಬತಿ ದಿಗಮ್ಬರವಕ್ತ್ರಬಿಮ್ಬಮ್ || ೫೩||
O Kamakshi! your glance is shiny dark, it manifests sringara
and is shy and it smiles by the radiance of the pearls worn at the tip of the nose. It is but proper that it kisses the face of Lord Shiva who is digambara, having the quarters as the clothing.
ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲೇನ ಮಧುಪೇನ ಚ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತುಲ್ಯ ಇತಿ ತೇ ಕಥಮಾಮನನ್ತಿ |
ಶೈತ್ಯೇನ ನಿನ್ದತಿ ಯದನ್ವಹಮಿನ್ದುಪಾದಾ-
ನ್ಪಾಥೋರುಹೇಣ ಯದಸೌ ಕಲಹಾಯತೇ ಚ || ೫೪||
O Kamakshi! How can your Kataksha be compared with the dark blue lily or the honey-bee? Kataksha puts down the moon (which makes the blue lily blossom) as it is cooler than the moon. Therefore the blue lily is no comparison. Kataksha scores over the lotus in beauty. But the honey bee drinks the honey from lotus on which it is dependent. Therefore honey-bee is also no comparison.
.
ಒಷ್ಠಪ್ರಭಾಪಟಲವಿದ್ರುಮಮುದ್ರಿತೇ ತೇ
ಭ್ರೂವಲ್ಲಿವೀಚಿಸುಭಗೇ ಮುಖಕಾನ್ತಿಸಿನ್ಧೌ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವಾರಿಭರಪೂರಣಲಮ್ಬಮಾನ-
ಕಾಲಾಮ್ಬುವಾಹಸರಣಿಂ ಲಭತೇ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ || ೫೫||
O Kamakshi! your kataksha bears the stamp of the coral-like radiance of your lips, it is pretty with the waves of eye-brows in the effulgence of the face which is like the ocean. It (kataksha )looks like the path of dark clouds surcharged with water and looming large in the sky.
ಮನ್ದಸ್ಮಿತೈರ್ಧವಲಿತಾ ಮಣಿಕುಣ್ಡಲಾಂಶು-
ಸಂಪರ್ಕಲೋಹಿತರುಚಿಸ್ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಮಾಲಾ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಕುಸುಮೈರ್ನವಪಲ್ಲವೈಶ್ಚ
ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲೈಶ್ಚ ರಚಿತೇವ ವಿಭಾತಿ ಮಾಲಾ || ೫೬||
O Kamakshi ! your dark blue glances, get mixed with bright white colour from your smiles and red colour from the rays of your ear-globes. The result is that the string of your glances shines like a garland made of jasmine flowers, tender leaf buds and blue lilies.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಶೀತಲಕೃಪಾರಸನಿರ್ಝರಾಮ್ಭಃ
ಸಂಪರ್ಕಪಕ್ಷ್ಮಲರುಚಿಸ್ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಮಾಲಾ|
ಗೋಭಿಃ ಸದಾ ಪುರರಿಪೋರಭಿಲಷ್ಯಮಾಣಾ
ದೂರ್ವಾಕದಮ್ಬಕವಿಡಮ್ಬನಮಾತನೋತಿ || ೫೭||
O Kamakshi! the chain of your sidelong glances, in contact with the waters of the cool stream of kindness become greenish and resembles a bundle of durva grass which is dear to Lord shiva, the destroyer of the triple cities.
ಹೃತ್ಪಙ್ಕಜಂ ಮಮ ವಿಕಾಸಯತು ಪ್ರಮುಷ್ಣ-
ನ್ನುಲ್ಲಾಸಮುತ್ಪಲರುಚೇಸ್ತಮಸಾಂ ನಿರೋದ್ಧಾ |
ದೋಷಾನುಷಙ್ಗಜಡತಾಂ ಜಗತಾಂ ಧುನಾನಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣವಿಲಾಸದಿನೋದಯಸ್ತೇ || ೫೮||
O Kamakshi! may the sunrise of your glances make my heart-lotus bloom and steal the joy of the lily of darkness (ignorance) and destroy the dullness accompanying evil.
ಚಕ್ಷುರ್ವಿಮೋಹಯತಿ ಚನ್ದ್ರವಿಭೂಷಣಸ್ಯ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷತಮಃಪ್ರರೋಹಃ|
ಪ್ರತ್ಯಙ್ಮುಖಂ ತು ನಯನಂ ಸ್ತಿಮಿತಂ ಮುನೀನಾಂ
ಪ್ರಾಕಾಶ್ಯಮೇವ ನಯತೀತಿ ಪರಂ ವಿಚಿತ್ರಮ್ || ೫೯||
O Kamakshi! the rising darkness of your kataksha captivates the eyes of Shiva, who adorns his locks with the crescent moon. It is a wonder that the steady eyes of saints turned inward are led to enlightenment by the same kataksha
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣರುಚಾ ಯುಧಿ ನಿರ್ಜಿತಂ ತೇ
ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲಂ ನಿರವಶೇಷಗತಾಭಿಮಾನಮ್|
ಆಗತ್ಯ ತತ್ಪರಿಸರಂ ಶ್ರವಣಾವತಂಸ-
ವ್ಯಾಜೇನ ನೂನಮಭಯಾರ್ಥನಮಾತನೋತಿ || ೬೦||
O Kamakshi! the blue lily is won over by the radiance of your glances with all its pride wiped out. It seems it has made a return in the guise of adornment of your ears as if requesting refuge.
ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯಮಮ್ಬ ಮದನಾಭ್ಯುದಯಾವಲಮ್ಬಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಚಞ್ಚಲನಿರೀಕ್ಷಣವಿಭ್ರಮಸ್ತೇ|
ಧೈರ್ಯಂ ವಿಧೂಯ ತನುತೇ ಹೃದಿ ರಾಗಬನ್ಧಂ
ಶಂಭೋಸ್ತದೇವ ವಿಪರೀತತಯಾ ಮುನೀನಾಮ್ || ೬೧||
O Kamakshi ! Your beautiful ambulatory glances, which cause the rise of love, demolishes the courage of Shiva’s heart and creates in him bondage of love. But quite the opposite happens in the case of munis (sanyasis, those who have renounced the world). The very same glances cut their attachments; it is wonder of wonders.
ಜನ್ತೋಃ ಸಕೃತ್ಪ್ರಣಮತೋ ಜಗದೀಡ್ಯತಾಂ ಚ
ತೇಜಸ್ವಿತಾಂ ಚ ನಿಶಿತಾಂ ಚ ಮತಿಂ ಸಭಾಯಾಮ್|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮಾಕ್ಷಿಕಝರೀಮಿವ ವೈಖರೀಂ ಚ
ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀಂ ಚ ಪಕ್ಷ್ಮಲಯತಿ ಕ್ಷಣವೀಕ್ಷಣಂ ತೇ || ೬೨||
O Kamakshi! Just one glance of yours for the fraction of a second on those who prostrate before you just once make them praised by the whole world. It makes them radiant and sharp-witted in assembly. Their speech becomes sweet as honey and they are blessed with abundance of wealth.
ಕಾದಮ್ಬಿನೀ ಕಿಮಯತೇ ನ ಜಲಾನುಷಙ್ಗಂ
ಭೃಙ್ಗಾವಲೀ ಕಿಮುರರೀಕುರುತೇ ನ ಪದ್ಮಮ್|
ಕಿಂ ವಾ ಕಲಿನ್ದತನಯಾ ಸಹತೇ ನ ಭಙ್ಗಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನಿಶ್ಚಯಪದಂ ನ ತವಾಕ್ಷಿಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀಃ || ೬೩||
Does not the cloud associate with water? Do not honey-bees embrace the lotus? Does not the Yamuna bear the waves? But the beauty of your eyes does not seem to have a definite abode.
ಕಾಕೋಲಪಾವಕತೃಣೀಕರಣೇಽಪಿ ದಕ್ಷಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಬಾಲಕಸುಧಾಕರಶೇಖರಸ್ಯ|
ಅತ್ಯನ್ತಶೀತಲತಮೋ ಽಪ್ಯನುಪಾರತಂ ತೇ
ಚಿತ್ತಂ ವಿಮೋಹಯತಿ ಚಿತ್ರಮಯಂ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ || ೬೪||
O Kamakshi! It is a wonder that Your kataksha, very cool and continuous, disturbs the mind of Lord Shiva though He treats the fire of the terrible poison with contempt and sports the crescent moon on his locks.
ಕಾರ್ಪಣ್ಯಪೂರಪರಿವರ್ಧಿತಮಮ್ಬ ಮೋಹ-
ಕನ್ದೋದ್ಗತಂ ಭವಮಯಂ ವಿಷಪಾದಪಂ ಮೇ|
ತುಙ್ಗಂ ಛಿನತ್ತು ತುಹಿನಾದ್ರಿಸುತೇ ಭವತ್ಯಾಃ
ಕಾಞ್ಚೀಪುರೇಶ್ವರಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಕುಠಾರಧಾರಾ || ೬೫||
O Queen of Kanchi! the poisonous tree of my samasara has grown and become tall by my greed and delusion (or attachment). O Daughter of Himavan! May the axe of your kataksha cut down this tree with its sharp blade.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಘೋರಭವರೋಗಚಿಕಿತ್ಸನಾರ್ಥ-
ಮಭ್ಯರ್ಥ್ಯ ದೇಶಿಕಕಟಾಕ್ಷಭಿಷಕ್ಪ್ರಸಾದಾತ್|
ತತ್ರಾಪಿ ದೇವಿ ಲಭತೇ ಸುಕೃತೀ ಕದಾಚಿ-
ದತ್ಯನ್ತದುರ್ಲಭಮಪಾಙ್ಗಮಹೌಷಧಂ ತೇ|| ೬೬||
O Kamakshi ! One may approach a guru for the treatment of the terrible disease of samsara and by the grace of the guru, who is the physician, his disease may be cured. But only very few will ever receive the greatest medicine, your kataksha, by the magnitude of punya (merit) earned by their good deeds
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ದೇಶಿಕಕೃಪಾಙ್ಕುರಮಾಶ್ರಯನ್ತೋ
ನಾನಾತಪೋನಿಯಮನಾಶಿತಪಾಶಬನ್ಧಾಃ|
ವಾಸಾಲಯಂ ತವ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮಮುಂ ಮಹಾನ್ತೋ
ಲಬ್ಧ್ವಾ ಸುಖಂ ಸಮಧಿಯೋ ವಿಚರನ್ತಿ ಲೋಕೇ || ೬೭||
O Kamakshi! Saints, relying on the grace of the guru and after cutting asunder all bonds by observing different austerities obtain the grace of your kataksha and live happily in the world with a mind which takes all dualities with equanimity.
ಸಾಕೂತಸಂಲಪಿತಗರ್ಭಿತಮುಗ್ಧಹಾಸಂ
ವ್ರೀಡಾನುರಾಗಸಹಚಾರಿ ವಿಲೋಕನಂ ತೇ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಾಮಪರಿಪನ್ಥಿನಿ ಮಾರವೀರ-
ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯವಿಭ್ರಮದಶಾಂ ಸಫಲೀಕರೋತಿ|| ೬೮||
O Kamakshi! Your glances are accompanied by smile, shyness, love and other sentiments. It is successful in establishing the empire of Cupid so far as His enemy Shiva is concerned.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವಿಭ್ರಮಬಲೈಕನಿಧಿರ್ವಿಧಾಯ
ಭ್ರೂವಲ್ಲಿಚಾಪಕುಟಿಲೀಕೃತಿಮೇವ ಚಿತ್ರಮ್|
ಸ್ವಾಧೀನತಾಂ ತವ ನಿನಾಯ ಶಶಾಙ್ಕಮೌಲೇ-
ರಙ್ಗಾರ್ಧರಾಜ್ಯಸುಖಲಾಭಮಪಾಙ್ಗವೀರಃ || ೬೯||
O Kamakshi! The valiant soldier of your kataksha, by arching the bow of eye-brows, has gained control over Lord Shiva, who sports the crescent moon on his matted locks, and has annexed half the kingdom of one half of His body.
ಕಾಮಾಂಕುರೈಕನಿಲಯಸ್ತವ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಭಕ್ತಮನಸಾಂ ಪ್ರದದಾತಿ ಕಾಮಾನ್|
ರಾಗಾನ್ವಿತಃ ಸ್ವಯಮಪಿ ಪ್ರಕಟೀಕರೋತಿ
ವೈರಾಗ್ಯಮೇವ ಕಥಮೇಷ ಮಹಾಮುನೀನಾಮ್ || ೭೦||
O Kamakshi ! your kataksha is the source from which all erotic love proceeds and it fulfils the wishes of devotees. Though it encompasses attachment how is it that it manifests only detachment in the saints
ಕಾಲಾಮ್ಬುವಾಹನಿವಹೈಃ ಕಲಹಾಯತೇ ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಾಲಿಮಮದೇನ ಸದಾ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ |
ಚಿತ್ರಂ ತಥಾಪಿ ನಿತರಾಮಮುಮೇವ ದೃಷ್ಟ್ವಾ
ಸೋತ್ಕಣ್ಠ ಏವ ರಮತೇ ಕಿಲ ನೀಲಕಣ್ಠಃ || ೭೧||
O Kamakshi ! the dark clouds, proud of their dark colour, always quarrel with your dark glances. It is a wonder that seeing those very same glances Nilakantha (Shiva) excitedly dances in joy. (Nilakantha, the peacock, also starts dancing with joy seeing the black clouds).
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮನ್ಮಥರಿಪುಂ ಪ್ರತಿ ಮಾರತಾಪ-
ಮೋಹಾನ್ಧಕಾರಜಲದಾಗಮನೇನ ನೃತ್ಯನ್|
ದುಷ್ಕರ್ಮಕಞ್ಚುಕಿಕುಲಂ ಕಬಲೀಕರೋತು
ವ್ಯಾಮಿಶ್ರಮೇಚಕರುಚಿಸ್ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಕೇಕೀ|| ೭೨||
O Kamakshi! May the peacock of your shiny black kataksha, dancing on the arrival of clouds of infatuation of Lord Shiva brought about by Kama (Cupid), swallow the snakes of my bad deeds.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮನ್ಮಥರಿಪೋರವಲೋಕನೇಷು
ಕಾನ್ತಂ ಪಯೋಜಮಿವ ತಾವಕಮಕ್ಷಿಪಾತಮ್|
ಪ್ರೇಮಾಗಮೋ ದಿವಸವದ್ವಿಕಚೀಕರೋತಿ
ಲಜ್ಜಾಭರೋ ರಜನಿವನ್ಮುಕುಲೀಕರೋತಿ || ೭೩||
O Kamakshi! the fall of your glances which are beautiful as the lotus on the enemy of Kama produces love in the eyes of Shiva making them blossom or because of shyness make them close.
ಮೂಕೋ ವಿರಿಞ್ಚತಿ ಪರಂ ಪುರುಷಃ ಕುರೂಪಃ
ಕಂದರ್ಪತಿ ತ್ರಿದಶರಾಜತಿ ಕಿಂಪಚಾನಃ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕೇವಲಮುಪಕ್ರಮಕಾಲ ಏವ
ಲೀಲಾತರಙ್ಗಿತಕಟಾಕ್ಷರುಚಃ ಕ್ಷಣಂ ತೇ || ೭೪||
O Kamakshi! the very moment your playful kataksha falls on a dumb person, he becomes Brahma (consort of Goddess of speech). When it falls on an ugly person, he becomes Kama (consort of Rati). When it falls on a extremly poor person he becomes Indra, the King of devas
ನೀಲಾಲಕಾ ಮಧುಕರನ್ತಿ ಮನೋಜ್ಞನಾಸಾ-
ಮುಕ್ತಾರುಚಃ ಪ್ರಕಟರೂಢಬಿಸಾಂಕುರನ್ತಿ |
ಕಾರುಣ್ಯಮಮ್ಬ ಮಕರನ್ದತಿ ಕಾಮಕೋಟಿ
ಮನ್ಯೇ ತತಃ ಕಮಲಮೇವ ವಿಲೋಚನಂ ತೇ || ೭೫||
O Kamakshi! your dark blue tresses resemble honey bees. Your beautiful nose with the radiance of the pearl on it looks like the tender stem of the lotus. The compassion in your kataksha is the flower-honey. Surely, O mother! your eyes verily are lotus flowers.
ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಶತಕಮ್
(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.
ತ್ರೈಯಮ್ಬಕಂ ತ್ರಿಪುರಸುನ್ದರಿ ಹರ್ಮ್ಯಭೂಮಿ-
ರಙ್ಗಂ ವಿಹಾರಸರಸೀ ಕರುಣಾಪ್ರವಾಹಃ
ದಾಸಾಶ್ಚ ವಾಸವಮುಖಾಃ ಪರಿಪಾಲನೀಯಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವಿಶ್ವಮಪಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಭೂಭೃತಸ್ತೇ || ೨೬||
Your glance is the King the abode of which is Lord Shiva, the flow of compassion from it is the lake for its sporting, Indra and others are servants (they obey the glances ) and this whole world is sustained and protected by it.
ವಾಗೀಶ್ವರೀ ಸಹಚರೀ ನಿಯಮೇನ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ-
ರ್ಭ್ರೂವಲ್ಲರೀವಶಕರೀ ಭುವನಾನಿ ಗೇಹಮ್|
ರೂಪಂ ತ್ರಿಲೋಕನಯನಾಮೃತಮಮ್ಬ ತೇಷಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಯೇಷು ತವ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಪಾರತನ್ತ್ರೀ || ೨೭||
O Kamakshi! those on whom fall your glances, for them the goddess of learning is companion, goddess of wealth is under the control of their eye-brows, all the worlds are their abodes and their form is nectar for the eyes of the three worlds.
ಮಾಹೇಶ್ವರಂ ಝಟಿತಿ ಮಾನಸಮೀನಮಮ್ಬ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಧೈರ್ಯಜಲಧೌ ನಿತರಾಂ ನಿಮಗ್ನಮ್|
ಜಾಲೇನ ಶೃಙ್ಖಲಯತಿ ತ್ವದ್ಪಾಙ್ಗನಾಮ್ನಾ
ವಿಸ್ತಾರಿತೇನ ವಿಷಮಾಯುಧದಾಶಕೋಽಸೌ || ೨೮||
Cupid who is the fisherman uses your sidelong glances as the fishing net and captures the mind of Shiva which is the fish fully immersed in the ocean of courage (determination)
ಉನ್ಮಥ್ಯ ಬೋಧಕಮಲಾಕರಮಮ್ಬ ಜಾಡ್ಯ-
ಸ್ತಮ್ಬೇರಮಂ ಮಮ ಮನೋವಿಪಿನೇ ಭ್ರಮನ್ತಮ್|
ಕುಣ್ಠೀಕುರುಷ್ವ ತರಸಾ ಕುಟಿಲಾಗ್ರಸೀಮ್ನಾ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮಹಾಙ್ಕುಶೇನ || ೨೯||
The elephant of ignorance, having destroyed the lotus forest of knowledge, is wandering in the forest of my mind. O Kamakshi! kindly bind him quickly with the goad of your sidelong glance which has a sharp hook at the end.
ಉದ್ವೇಲ್ಲಿತಸ್ತಬಕಿತೈರ್ಲಲಿತೈರ್ವಿಲಾಸೈ-
ರುತ್ಥಾಯ ದೇವಿ ತವ ಗಾಢಕಟಾಕ್ಷಕುಞ್ಜಾತ್|
ದೂರಂ ಪಲಾಯತು ಮೋಹಮೃಗೀಕುಲಂ ಮೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸತ್ವರಮನುಗ್ರಹಕೇಸರೀನ್ದ್ರಃ|| ೩೦||
O Kamakshi! Let the King Lion of your grace get up exuberant, blooming and playful, from the arbour of your sidelong glances, and drive away the herd of does which are my delusions and attachments.
ಸ್ನೇಹಾದೃತಾಂ ವಿದಲಿತೋತ್ಪಲಕಾನ್ತಿಚೋರಾಂ
ಜೇತಾರಮೇವ ಜಗದೀಶ್ವರಿ ಜೇತುಕಾಮಃ |
ಮಾನೋದ್ಧತೋ ಮಕರಕೇತುರಸೌ ಧುನೀತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕಕಟಾಕ್ಷಕೃಪಾಣವಲ್ಲೀಮ್ || ೩೧||
O Kamakshi ! Cupid, conceited about his powers, wanted to win over Shiva who had conquered him. For this he relies on your glances which are full of affection, which compete with the utpala in beauty and brightness and which is sharp like a sword.
ಶ್ರೌತೀಂ ವ್ರಜನ್ನಪಿ ಸದಾ ಸರಣಿಂ ಮುನೀನಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸನ್ತತಮಪಿ ಸ್ಮೃತಿಮಾರ್ಗಗಾಮೀ|
ಕೌಟಿಲ್ಯಮಮ್ಬ ಕಥಮಸ್ಥಿರತಾಂ ಚ ಧತ್ತೇ
ಚೌರ್ಯಂ ಚ ಪಙ್ಕಜರುಚಾಂ ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಪಾತಃ || ೩೨||
O Kamakshi! your glances always take the path of the shruti (ears, Vedas) and the path of smriti (remembrance, code of conduct) of the sages. How is it that those very glances are crooked, not stable and steals the beauty of lotuses?
ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಶ್ರುತೇಃ ಪರಿಚಿತೌ ಯತಮಾನಮೇವ
ನೀಲೋತ್ಪಲಂ ನಿಜಸಮೀಪನಿವಾಸಲೋಲಮ್|
ಪ್ರೀತ್ಯೈವ ಪಾಠಯತಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣದೇಶಿಕೇನ್ದ್ರಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಿಂ ನು ತವ ಕಾಲಿಮಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯಮ್|| ೩೩||
The nilotpala flowers(blue lily), are familiar with your ears (also means Vedas) because they adorn the ears. They are eager to be near the eyes and are trying for it. Your glance, as it were, takes on the role of a teacher and lovingly teaches the nilotpala your system of kalima ( being dark).
ಭ್ರಾನ್ತ್ವಾ ಮುಹುಃ ಸ್ತಬಕಿತಸ್ಮಿತಫೇನರಾಶೌ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವಕ್ತ್ರರುಚಿಸಞ್ಚಯವಾರಿರಾಶೌ|
ಆನನ್ದತಿ ತ್ರಿಪುರಮರ್ದನನೇತ್ರ್ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ-
ರಾಲಮ್ಬ್ಯ ದೇವಿ ತವ ಮನ್ದಮಪಾಙ್ಗಸೇತುಮ್ || ೩೪||
The eyes of Shiva, the enemy of Tripura, after wandering in the dense foam of the smile and the waters of the radiance of the face finally enjoy themselves coming to rest on your sidelong glances which are like a bridge or dam.
ಶ್ಯಾಮಾ ತವ ತ್ರಿಪುರಸುನ್ದರಿ ಲೋಚನಶ್ರೀ:
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕನ್ದಲಿತಮೇದುರತಾರಕಾನ್ತಿಃ|
ಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸ್ನಾವತೀ ಸ್ಮಿತರುಚಾಪಿ ಕಥಂ ತನೋತಿ
ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಾಮಹೋ ಕುವಲಯೈಶ್ಚ ತಥಾ ಚಕೋರೈಃ || ೩೫||
O Tripurasundari! Your eyes are dark, they sparkle as the star and your smile provides the moonlight. This being the case how is it that your eyes quarrel with the blue lily which blossoms when the moon rises and the chakora bird which absorbs moonlight as food.
ಕಾಲಾಞ್ಜನಂ ಚ ತವ ದೇವಿ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಣಂ ಚ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸಾಮ್ಯಸರಣಿಂ ಸಮುಪೈತಿ ಕಾನ್ತ್ಯಾ |
ನಿಃಶೇಷನೇತ್ರಸುಲಭಂ ಜಗತೀಷು ಪೂರ್ವ-
ಮನ್ಯತ್ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರಸುಲಭಂ ತುಹಿನಾದ್ರಿಕನ್ಯೇ|| ೩೬||
The anjan (with which women beautify their eyes) and the glances from the corners of your eyes sail in the same boat as both are dark. But the first is easily available to the eyes of all in this world, but your glances O daughter of Himavan!, is easily available only to your consort Shiva.
ಧೂಮಾಙ್ಕುರೋ ಮಕರಕೇತನಪಾವಕಸ್ಯ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನೇತ್ರರುಚಿನೀಲಿಮಚಾತುರೀ ತೇ|
ಅತ್ಯನ್ತಮದ್ಭುತಮಿದಂ ನಯನತ್ರಯಸ್ಯ
ಹರ್ಷೋದಯಂ ಜನಯತೇ ಹರಿಣಾಙ್ಕಮೌಲೇಃ || ೩೭||
O Kamakshi! the dark blue radiance of your eyes is like the sprout of smoke from the fire of the god of love (Cupid). It is a wonder how it gladdens the heart of Shiva who sports the crescent moon on his locks (and who is the enemy of Cupid)
ಆರಮ್ಭಲೇಶಸಮಯೇ ತವ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಸ್ಯ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮೂಕಮಪಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಮಾತ್ರನಮ್ರಮ್|
ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞತಾ ಸಕಲಲೋಕಸಮಕ್ಷಮೇವ
ಕೀರ್ತಿಃ ಸ್ವಯಂವರಣಮಾಲ್ಯವತೀ ವೃಣೀತೇ || ೩೮||
O Kamakshi! When at the moment your glances fall even on a dumb fellow and at that moment he bents down bowing, he becomes all-knowing before all the world and Fame (personified as the young bride) awaits him with the garland of swayamvara (the system of marriage where the girl has freedom to choose her husband)
ಕಾಲಾಮ್ಬುವಾಹ ಇವ ತೇ ಪರಿತಾಪಹಾರೀ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಪುಷ್ಕರಮಧಃ ಕುರುತೇ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ|
ಪೂರ್ವಃ ಪರಂ ಕ್ಷಣರುಚಾ ಸಮುಪೈತಿ ಮೈತ್ರೀ-
ಮನ್ಯಸ್ತು ಸನ್ತತರುಚಿಂ ಪ್ರಕಟೀಕರೋತಿ || ೩೯||
O Kamakshi! your sidelong glance, like the dark cloud, removes the heat of sufferings. It puts down the lake by its depth. The friendship of the cloud is only for a few minutes but the lake manifests permanent friendship.
ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮೇಽಪಿ ದುರ್ಗಮತರೇಽಪಿ ಗುರುಪ್ರಸಾದ-
ಸಾಹಾಯ್ಯಕೇನ ವಿಚರನ್ನಪವರ್ಗಮಾರ್ಗೇ|
ಸಂಸಾರಪಙ್ಕನಿಚಯೇ ನ ಪತತ್ಯಮುಂ ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಗಾಢಮವಲಮ್ಬ್ಯ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಯಷ್ಟಿಮ್ || ೪೦||
O Kamakshi! One treading the path to liberation, which is subtle and difficult to traverse, with the help of a guru will not fall into the mire of this samsara by taking the support of the staff of your kataksha
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸಂತತಮಸೌ ಹರಿನೀಲರತ್ನ-
ಸ್ತಮ್ಭೇ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷರುಚಿಪುಞ್ಜಮಯೇ ಭವತ್ಯಾಃ |
ಬದ್ಧೋಽಪಿ ಭಕ್ತಿನಿಗಲೈರ್ಮಮ ಚಿತ್ತಹಸ್ತೀ
ಸ್ತಂಭಂ ಚ ಬನ್ಧಮಪಿ ಮುಞ್ಚತಿ ಹನ್ತ ಚಿತ್ರಮ್ || ೪೧||
O Kamakshi ! my mind-elephant is tied (baddhah) firmly with the chains of devotion to the pillar (sthambham) of dark blue diamond which is made of the strings of your glances. But wonder of wonders, in this process, the mind gives up both the sthambham (conceit) and the bandham ( attachment)
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಾರ್ಷ್ಣ್ಯಮಪಿ ಸಂತತಮಞ್ಜನಂ ಚ
ಬಿಭ್ರನ್ನಿಸರ್ಗತರಲೋಽಪಿ ಭವತ್ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ|
ವೈಮಲ್ಯಮನ್ವಹಮನಞ್ಜನತಾಂ ಚ ಭೂಯಃ
ಸ್ಥೈರ್ಯಂ ಚ ಭಕ್ತಹೃದಯಾಯ ಕಥಂ ದದಾತಿ || ೪೨||
O Kamakshi! your kataksha is dark and always has anjana applied to it and is, by nature, wavering and ambulatory. How then is it possible for it grant to the heart of the devotee purity, unattachment (ananjanata)
and stability.
ಮನ್ದಸ್ಮಿತಸ್ತಬಕಿತಂ ಮಣಿಕುಣ್ಡಲಾಂಶು-
ಸ್ತೋಮಪ್ರವಾಲರುಚಿಂ ಶಿಶಿರೀಕೃತಾಶಮ್
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ರಾಜತಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷರುಚೇಃ ಕದಮ್ಬ-
ಮುದ್ಯಾನಮಮ್ಬ ಕರುಣಾಹರಿಣೇಕ್ಷಣಾಯಾಃ || ೪೩||
O Kamakshi! You eyes are full of mercy and are beautiful as the doe’s. Your bright smiles are blossoms, the radiances from the ear-globes shining as corals are leaf buds. Your sidelong glances cools all the quarters. All this make for a garden for your kataksha.
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮಹೇನ್ದ್ರನೀಲ-
ಸಿಂಹಾಸನಂ ಶ್ರಿತವತೋ ಮಕರಧ್ವಜಸ್ಯ|
ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯಮಙ್ಗಲವಿಧೌ ಮಣಿಕುಣ್ಡಲಶ್ರೀ-
ರ್ನೀರಾಜನೋತ್ಸವತರಙ್ಗಿತದೀಪಮಾಲಾ || ೪೪||
O Kamakshi! Kamadeva has taken his seat in the throne of blue stone which is your kataksha. The bright radiance from your ear-globes form the garland of lamps for the neeraajana festival of this coronation
ಮಾತಃ ಕ್ಷಣಂ ಸ್ನಪಯ ಮಾಂ ತವ ವೀಕ್ಷಿತೇನ
ಮನ್ದಾಕ್ಷಿತೇನ ಸುಜನೈರಪರೋಕ್ಷಿತೇನ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕರ್ಮತಿಮಿರೋತ್ಕರಭಾಸ್ಕರೇಣ
ಶ್ರೇಯಸ್ಕರೇಣ ಮಧುಪದ್ಯುತಿತಸ್ಕರೇಣ || ೪೫||
O Mother! for a few seconds bathe me by your glances which are soft, realised before their very eyes by the saints, the brilliant sun dispelling the darkness of bad karma and contributing to the welfare of the good and which steals the radiance of honey-bees.
ಪ್ರೇಮಾಪಗಾಪಯಸಿ ಮಜ್ಜನಮಾರಚಯ್ಯ
ಯುಕ್ತಃ ಸ್ಮಿತಾಂಶುಕೃತಭಸ್ಮವಿಲೇಪನೇನ |
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕುಣ್ಡಲಮಣಿದ್ಯುತಿಭಿರ್ಜಟಾಲಃ
ಶ್ರೀಕಣ್ಠಮೇವ ಭಜತೇ ತವ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಃ || ೪೬||
O Kamakshi ! your glance is bathed in the river of love. The bright white rays from your smile is the smearing of ashes (bhasma) and the rays of red from your ear-globes are matted hair. With these it looks like one doing tapas and offering worship only to Nilakantha (Lord Shiva).
ಕೈವಲ್ಯದಾಯ ಕರುಣಾರಸಕಿಂಕರಾಯ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕನ್ದಲಿತವಿಭ್ರಮಶಂಕರಾಯ
ಆಲೋಕನಾಯ ತವ ಭಕ್ತಶಿವಂಕರಾಯ
ಮಾತರ್ನಮೋಽಸ್ತು ಪರತನ್ತ್ರಿತಶಂಕರಾಯ || ೪೭||
O Mother Kamakshi! prostrations to your glances which grant kaivalya (liberation), which is full of the sentiment of mercy, which has deepened the wonderment of Sankara, which does good to the devotees and which has brought Sankara under its control.
ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯಮಙ್ಗಲವಿಧೌ ಮಕರಧ್ವಜಸ್ಯ
ಲೋಲಾಲಕಾಲಿಕೃತತೋರಣಮಾಲ್ಯಶೋಭೇ|
ಕಾಮೇಶ್ವರಿ ಪ್ರಚಲದುತ್ಪಲವೈಜಯನ್ತೀ
ಚಾತುರ್ಯಮೇತಿ ತವ ಚಞ್ಚಲದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಃ|| ೪೮||
O Kameshwari! In the coronation celebrations of Kamadeva, your beautiful tresses form the decorative garlands (torana maalaa) and your ambulatory glances form the garland of blue lilies.
ಮಾರ್ಗೇಣ ಮಞ್ಜುಕಚಕಾನ್ತಿತಮೋವೃತೇನ
ಮನ್ದಾಯಮಾನಗಮನಾ ಮದನಾತುರಾಸೌ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ದೃಷ್ಟಿರಯತೇ ತವ ಶಂಕರಾಯ
ಸಂಕೇತಭೂಮಿಮಚಿರಾದಭಿಸಾರಿಕೇವ || ೪೯||
O Kamakshi! Your lovelorn glances travel by the path, which is enveloped
By the darkness of your tresses, slowly moving towards the meeting place as an abhisarikaa wanting to join her lover in secret.
ವ್ರೀಡಾನುವೃತ್ತಿರಮಣೀಕೃತಸಾಹಚರ್ಯಾ
ಶೈವಾಲಿತಾಂ ಗಲರುಚಾ ಶಶಿಶೇಖರಸ್ಯ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಾನ್ತಿಸರಸೀಂ ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀ-
ರ್ಮನ್ದಂ ಸಮಾಶ್ರಯತಿ ಮಜ್ಜನಖೇಲನಾಯ || ೫೦||
O Kamakshi The Lakshmi of Your sidelong glance enters the lake of effulgence of Lord Shiva for the sport of taking a dip accompanied by the damsel of shyness. The the mark left on the neck of Shiva by the poison appears as moss in this lake.
ಮೂಕಪಞ್ಚಶತೀ (ಮೂಕಕವಿ ಪ್ರಣೀತಾ)
ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಶತಕಮ್
(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.
ಮೋಹಾನ್ಧಕಾರನಿವಹಂ ವಿನಿಹನ್ತುಮೀಡೇ
ಮೂಕಾತ್ಮನಾಮಪಿ ಮಹಾಕವಿತಾವದಾನ್ಯಾತ್ |
ಶ್ರೀಕಾಞ್ಚಿದೇಶಶಿಶಿರೀಕೃತಿಜಾಗರೂಕಾ-
ನೇಕಾಮ್ರನಾಥತರುಣೀಕರುಣಾವಲೋಕಾನ್ || ೧||
I pray to the compassionate glances of the consort of Ekamranatha that they dispel the darkness of my delusion and attachment. Those glances are generous enough to make even those who are dumb great poets and are alive to the need for keeping Kanchi a cool place (i.e. happy and contented),
ಮಾತರ್ಜಯನ್ತಿ ಮಮತಾಗ್ರಹಮೋಕ್ಷಣಾನಿ
ಮಾಹೇನ್ದ್ರನೀಲರುಚಿಶಿಕ್ಷಣದೀಕ್ಷಣಾನಿ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕಲ್ಪಿತಜಗತ್ತ್ರಯರಕ್ಷಣಾನಿ
ತ್ವದ್ವೀಕ್ಷಣಾನಿ ವರದಾನವಿಚಕ್ಷಣಾನಿ || ೨||
O Mother! victory to those glances of yours which release from the clutches of attachment and possessiveness, which are dark blue as the blue gemstone, which have taken on the job of protecting the three worlds and which are generous in giving boons.
ಆನಙ್ಗತನ್ತ್ರವಿಧಿದರ್ಶಿತಕೌಶಲಾನಾ-
ಮಾನನ್ದಮನ್ದಪರಿಘೂರ್ಣಿತಮನ್ಥರಾಣಾಮ್|
ತಾರಲ್ಯಮಂಬ ತವ ತಾಡಿತಕರ್ಣಸೀಮ್ನಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಖೇಲತಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷನಿರೀಕ್ಷಣಾನಾಮ್|| ೩||
O Kamakshi! your glances exhibit skill in the art of love expounded in Kamashastra. They are the source of ananda ( joy,happiness), they are long reaching up to the ears and they are extremely flitting and playful.
ಕಲ್ಲೋಲಿತೇನ ಕರುಣಾರಸವೇಲ್ಲಿತೇನ
ಕಲ್ಮಾಷಿತೇನ ಕಮನೀಯಮೃದುಸ್ಮಿತೇನ|
ಮಾಮಞ್ಚಿತೇನ ತವ ಕಿಂಚನ ಕುಞ್ಚಿತೇನ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತೇನ ಶಿಶಿರೀಕುರು ವೀಕ್ಷಿತೇನ|| ೪||
O Kamakshi! Cool me (give me peace and happiness) by your glances which are wave-like, full of compassion, dark, accompanied by a beautiful soft smile, pretty and slightly crooked.
ಸಾಹಾಯ್ಯಕಂ ಗತವತೀ ಮುಹುರರ್ಜುನಸ್ಯ
ಮನ್ದಸ್ಮಿತಸ್ಯ ಪರಿತೋಷಿತಭೀಮಚೇತಾಃ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಪಾಣ್ಡವಚಮೂರಿವ ತಾವಕೀನಾ
ಕರ್ಣಾನ್ತಿಕಂ ಚಲತಿ ಹನ್ತ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀಃ|| ೫||
O Kamakshi! The Lakshmi of your glances reach out to help the bright smile and gladden the heart of Shiva. (Your glances reach out to help Arjuna and gladden the heart of Bhima). Like the army of Pandavas it moves towards Karna ( it reaches up to the ears)
[Arjuna, besides being the name of one of the sons of Pandu, also means ‘white’ which qualifies the ‘smile’.
Similarly Bhima refers to one of the Pandavas and also means Lord Shiva. Karna refers to Karna of Mahabharata and also means ‘ear’. shleshalamkara]
ಅಸ್ತಂ ಕ್ಷಣಾನ್ನಯತು ಮೇ ಪರಿತಾಪಸೂರ್ಯ-
ಮಾನನ್ದಚನ್ದ್ರಮಸಮಾನಯತಾಂ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಮ್ |
ಕಾಲಾನ್ಧಕಾರಸುಷಮಾಂ ಕಲಯನ್ದಿಗನ್ತೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕೋಮಲಕಟಾಕ್ಷನಿಶಾಗಮಸ್ತೇ || ೬||
O Kamakshi! Let the beautiful side- glances which are like the arrival of night spreading dense darkness in all quarters cause the scorching sun of my misery to set and let the moon of joy rise spreading its light.
ತಾಟಙ್ಕ ಮೌಕ್ತಿಕರುಚಾಂಕುರದನ್ತಕಾನ್ತಿ:
ಕಾರುಣ್ಯಹಸ್ತಿಪಶಿಖಾಮಣಿನಾಧಿರೂಢಾ|
ಉನ್ಮೂಲಯತ್ವಶುಭಪಾದಪಮಸ್ಮದೀಯಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ತಾವಕ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮತಙ್ಗಜೇನ್ದ್ರ: || ೭||
O kamakshi! your side-glance is like an intoxicated elephant. The radiance of pearls in your ear-ornaments appears as the tusk of this elephant. The expert mahout who is riding this elephant is your mercy (compassion, kindness). May this elephant uproot the tree of all my ill-luck and miseries.
ಚ್ಛಾಯಾಭರೇಣ ಜಗತಾಂ ಪರಿತಾಪಹಾರೀ
ತಾಟ್ಙ್ಕರತ್ನಮಣಿತಲ್ಲಜಪಲ್ಲವಶ್ರೀಃ|
ಕಾರುಣ್ಯನಾಮ ವಿಕಿರನ್ಮಕರನ್ದಜಾಲಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ರಾಜತಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಸುರದ್ರುಮಸ್ತೇ || ೮||
O Kamakshi your glance is the wish-yielding tree, kalpataru. By its shade it drives away the sorrows of the world. Its tender leaves are the radiance from the diamonds in your ear ornaments. Its flower honey is mercy, compassion. Thus shines the kalpataru of your glances.
ಸೂರ್ಯಾಶ್ರಯಪ್ರಣಯಿನೀ ಮಣಿಕುಣ್ಡಲಾಂಶು-
ಲೌಹಿತ್ಯಕೋಕನದಕಾನನಮಾನನೀಯಾ|
ಯಾನ್ತೀ ತವ ಸ್ಮರಹರಾನನಕಾನ್ತಿಸಿನ್ಧುಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ರಾಜತಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಕಲಿನ್ದಕನ್ಯಾ || ೯||
O Kamakshi! your sidelong glance is like the Yamuna river. (both are dark in complexion). Both are fond of those who depend on the Sun.(Yamuna is the daughter of the Sun god. Your glances are wide as the lotus which depends on the sun for blossoming) The radiance from your ear-globes resembles a forest of red lotuses. Lotus flowers of red hue grow in Yamuna also. Your glances flow towards the sea of effulgence of the face of enemy of Cupid, Shiva. ( Yamuna also flows into Ganga which Lord Shiva carries in his matted locks).
[The poet is comparing Kamakshi’s glances with the river Yamuna]
ಪ್ರಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಯಂ ಸುಕೃತಿನಂ ತವ ಪಕ್ಷಪಾತಾ-
ತ್ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣವಿಲಾಸಕಲಾಪುರನ್ಧ್ರೀ
ಸದ್ಯಸ್ತಮೇವ ಕಿಲ ಮುಕ್ತಿವಧೂರ್ವೃಣೀತೇ
ತಸ್ಮಾನ್ನಿತಾನ್ತಮನಯೋರಿದಮೈಕಮತ್ಯಮ್ || ೧೦||
As soon as the artist damsel of your side-glance embraces a sukriti (person who has earned enough merit by his good deeds), the mukti damsel also embraces him simultaneously. These two damsels, your side-glance and mukti are always of the same mind.
ಯಾನ್ತೀ ಸದೈವ ಮರುತಾಮನುಕೂಲಭಾವಂ
ಭ್ರೂವಲ್ಲಿಶಕ್ರಧನುರುಲ್ಲಸಿತಾ ರಸಾರ್ದ್ರಾ |
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕೌತುಕತರಙ್ಗಿತನೀಲಕಣ್ಠಾ
ಕಾದಮ್ಬಿನೀವ ತವ ಭಾತಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷಮಾಲಾ || ೧೧||
O Kamakshi ! the string of your sidelong glances is like a cloud formation which always follows the marut ( wind, sons of Diti friendly to Indra). The rainbow of your eyebrows is colourful and displays different feelings and emotions. Seeing these (cloud and rainbow) there is a wave of interest in Nilakantha, that is Shiva (also peacock which dances with joy when it sees the clouds)
ಗಂಗಾಮ್ಭಸಿ ಸ್ಮಿತಮಯೇ ತಪನಾತ್ಮಜೇವ
ಗಂಗಾಧರೋರಸಿ ನವೋತ್ಪಲಮಾಲಿಕೇವ|
ವಕ್ತ್ರಪ್ರಭಾಸರಸಿ ಶೈವಲಮಣ್ಡಲೀವ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ರಾಜತಿ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷರುಚಿಚ್ಛ್ಟಾ ತೇ || ೧೨||
O Kamkshi! The radiance of your sidelong glance is like the Yamuna mingling with the waters of Ganga (because your glance is dark as the Yamuna and your smile is bright as the waters of Ganga). Your glances form, as it were, a garland of dark blue lilies on the chest of Lord Shiva ( as they linger on it intermittently). They are also like moss on the surface of the lake which is the effulgence of your face.
ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರತಃ ಕಿಮಪಿ ಕನ್ದಲಿತಾನ್ ರಸಜ್ಞ-
ಕೇದಾರಸೀಮ್ನಿ ಸುಧಿಯಾಮುಪಭೋಗಭಾಗ್ಯಾನ್|
ಕಲ್ಯಾ಼ಣಸೂಕ್ತಿಲಹರೀಕಲಮಾಂಕುರಾನ್ನಃ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕನ್ದಲಯತು ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಮೇಘಃ || ೧೩||
O Kamakshi! May the cloud of your sidelong glances help nourish the young plants of auspicious, picturesque and poetic output fit for the enjoyment of the wise which grows in properly cultivated fields of those who love and enjoy poetry and have been trained in its nuances.
ಚಾಞ್ಚಲ್ಯಮೇವ ನಿಯತಂ ಕಲಯನ್ಪ್ರಕೃತ್ಯಾ
ಮಾಲಿನ್ಯಭೂಃ ಶ್ರುತಿಪಥಾಕ್ರಮಜಾಗರೂಕಃ|
ಕೈವಲ್ಯಮೇವ ಕಿಮು ಕಲ್ಪಯತೇ ನತಾನಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಚಿತ್ರಮಪಿ ತೇ ಕರುಣಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ || ೧೪||
O Kamakshi! Your glances are, by nature, ambulatory and wavering. It is stained by anjana. It is bent on encroaching the path of the ears (srutipatha also means the path of the Vedas). It is therefore surprising that your glances charged with mercy grant kaivalya or liberation to those who bow at your feet. [Being stained and trespassing the path of the Vedas are not quite in consonance kaivalya, therefore the surprise)
ಸಂಜೀವನೇ ಜನನಿ ಚೂತಶಿಲೀಮುಖಸ್ಯ
ಸಂಮೋಹನೇ ಶಶಿಕಿಶೋರಕಶೇಖರಸ್ಯ|
ಸಂಸ್ತಮ್ಭನೇ ಚ ಮಮತಾಗ್ರಹಚೇಷ್ಟಿತಸ್ಯ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಕಲಾ ಪರಮೌಷಧಂ ತೇ || ೧೫||
O Kamakshi! the art of your sidelong glances is the best medicine in bringing back to life Kamadeva burnt down by Shiva, in captivating the heart of Shiva who sports the crescent moon and in blocking the activities of the planet which is mamata (attachment, possessiveness)
ನೀಲೋಽಪಿ ರಾಗಮಧಿಕಂ ಜನಯನ್ಮುರಾರೇ-
ರ್ಲೋಲೋಽಪಿ ಭಕ್ತಿಮಧಿಕಾಂ ದ್ರಢಯನ್ನರಾಣಾಮ್|
ವಕ್ರೋಽಪಿ ದೇವಿ ನಮತಾಂ ಸಮತಾಂ ವಿತನ್ವ-
ನ್ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ನೃತ್ಯತು ಮಯಿ ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಪಾತಃ|| ೧೬||
O Kamakshi ! the glances from the corners of your eyes, though dark, generate raga (red, love and affection ) in Murari (Vishnu), though flimsy, they make the devotion of men strong and, though crooked, they make those who bow to them straight. Let those glances of yours fall on me and dance ( with joy).
ಕಾಮದ್ರುಹೋ ಹೃದಯಯನ್ತ್ರಣಜಾಗರೂಕಾ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಚಞ್ಚಲದೃಗಞ್ಚಲಮೇಖಲಾ ತೇ|
ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯಮಮ್ಬ ಭಜತಾಂ ಝಟಿತಿ ಸ್ವಕೀಯ
ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಏವ ವಿಧುನೋತಿ ಸಮಸ್ತಬನ್ಧಾನ್ || ೧೭||
O Kamakshi! your ambulatory glances are always alert on keeping control over the heart of Shiva, the enemy of Kama. But Mother! wonder of wonders the contact with those very glances releases one from all bondages.
ಕುಣ್ಠೀಕರೋತು ವಿಪದಂ ಮಮ ಕುಞ್ಚಿತಭ್ರೂ-
ಚಾಪಾನ್ವಿತಃ ಶ್ರಿತವಿದೇಹಭವಾನುರಾಗಃ|
ರಕ್ಷೋಪಕಾರಮನಿಶಂ ಜನಯಞ್ಜಗತ್ಯಾಂ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ರಾಮ ಇವ ತೇ ಕರುಣಾಕಟಾಕ್ಷಃ || ೧೮||
May the glances of Kamakshi charged with mercy remove all my difficulties and problems. Those glances have the bow of the arched eye-brows and they manifest love for Shiva. They always help protect the three worlds. In this respect your glances are like Rama who also carries a bow, who loved Sita (videhabhavaa) and who helped Vibhishana (a rakshasa) gain the kingdom of Lanka)
ಶ್ರೀಕಾಮಕೊಟಿ ಶಿವಲೋಚನಶೋಷಿತಸ್ಯ
ಶೃಙ್ಗಾರಬೀಜವಿಭವಸ್ಯ ಪುನಃ ಪ್ರರೋಹೇ|
ಪ್ರೇಮಾಮ್ಭಸಾರ್ದ್ರಮಚಿರಾತ್ಪ್ರಚುರೇಣ ಶಙ್ಕೇ
ಕೇದಾರಮಮ್ಬ ತವ ಕೇವಲದೃಷ್ಟಿಪಾತಮ್ || ೧೯||
O Srikamakoti! The field, watered by love, in which grew the seed of sringara again after Kama was burnt down by fire from the third eye of Shiva was only the touch of your glances.
ಮಾಹಾತ್ಮ್ಯಶೇವಧಿರಸೌ ತವ ದುರ್ವಿಲಙ್ಘ್ಯ-
ಸಂಸಾರವಿನ್ಧ್ಯಗಿರಿಕುಣ್ಠನಕೇಲಿಚುಞ್ಚುಃ|
ಧೈರ್ಯಾಮ್ಬುಧಿಂ ಪಶುಪತೇಶ್ಚುಲಕೀಕರೋತಿ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ವೀಕ್ಷಣವಿಜೃಮ್ಭಣಕುಮ್ಭಜನ್ಮಾ || ೨೦||
O Kamakshi! Your glance is like the sage Agastya. It is a treasure house of greatness which playfully blocks the Vindhya mountain of Samsara just as sage Agastya put Vindhya down. It also reduces the ocean of courage (determination) of Shiva to a palmful of water just as sage Agastya drank the ocean by the power of his penance.
ಪೀಯೂಷವರ್ಷಶಿಶಿರಾ ಸ್ಫುಟದುತ್ಪಲಶ್ರೀ-
ರ್ಮೈತ್ರೀ ನಿಸರ್ಗಮಧುರಾ ಕೃತತಾರಕಾಪ್ತಿಃ|
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಸಂಶ್ರಿತವತೀ ವಪುರಷ್ಟಮೂರ್ತೇ-
ರ್ಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸ್ನಾಯತೇ ಭಗವತಿ ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಮಾಲಾ|| ೨೧||
O Bhagavati Kamakshi !the garland of your sidelong glances from your dark eyes, when it falls on your consort Ashtamurti (Shiva) becomes like moonlight. It is cool like the moonlight by the raining of nectar (from the moon which adorns Shiva’s head). It has natural sweet friendship with utpala (lily) like the moon because those glances are dark blue like the blue lily. It also has the company of taraka (which means Shiva in the case of the glances of Kamakshi and stars in the case of the moon).
ಅಮ್ಬ ಸ್ಮರಪ್ರತಿಭಟಸ್ಯ ವಪುರ್ಮನೋಜ್ಞ-
ಮಮ್ಭೋಜಕಾನನಮಿವಾಞ್ಚಿತಕಣ್ಟಕಾಭಮ್|
ಭೃಙ್ಗೀವ ಚುಮ್ಬತಿ ಸದೈವ ಸಪಕ್ಷಪಾತಾ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕೋಮಲರುಚಿಸ್ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗಮಾಲಾ || ೨೨||
O Mother Kamakshi! The body of Lord Shiva covered with hairs standing on end, handsome as a forest of lotus flowers with thorns, is always kissed by the waves your pretty glances forming a garland, as honey-bees flit over lotus blossoms.
ಕೇಶಪ್ರಭಾಪಟಲನೀಲವಿತಾನಜಾಲೇ
ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಕುಣ್ಡಲಮಣಿಚ್ಛವಿದೀಪಶೋಭೇ|
ಕಮ್ರೇ ಕಟಾಕ್ಷರುಚಿರಂಗತಲೇ ಕೃಪಾಖ್ಯಾ
ಶೈಲೂಷಕೀ ನಟತಿ ಶಂಕರವಲ್ಲಭೇ ತೇ || ೨೩||
O Consort of Shiva ! the dancer called Mercy dances on the stage of radiance of your glances. The stage has a canopy of dark blue created by your tresses and it is lighted up by the brilliance of the diamonds in your ear-globes.
ಅತ್ಯನ್ತಶೀತಲಮತನ್ದ್ರಯತು ಕ್ಷಣಾರ್ಧ-
ಮಸ್ತೋಕವಿಭ್ರಮಮನಙ್ಗವಿಲಾಸಕನ್ದಮ್|
ಅಲ್ಪಸ್ಮಿತಾದೃತಮಪಾರಕೃಪಾಪ್ರವಾಹ-
ಮಕ್ಷಿಪ್ರರೋಹಮಚಿರಾನ್ಮಯಿ ಕಾಮಕೊಟಿ || ೨೪||
O Kamakoti! May the flood of glances sprouting from your eyes which are very cool, the playfield for Cupid and lighted up by a smile, invigorate me for a moment without delay.
ಮನ್ದಾಕ್ಷರಾಗತರಲೀಕೃತಿತಾರತಮ್ಯಾ-
ತ್ಕಾಮಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮನ್ಥರತರಾಂ ತ್ವದಪಾಙ್ಗದೋಲಾಮ್|
ಆರುಹ್ಯ ಮನ್ದಮತಿಕೌತುಕಶಾಲಿ ಚಕ್ಷು-
ರಾನನ್ದಮೇತಿ ಮುಹುರರ್ಧಶಶಾಙ್ಕಮೌಲೇಃ || ೨೫||
O Kamakshi! Your sidelong glances, wavering with the sentiments of shyness and love is like a slowly moving swing on to which Lord Shiva’s eyes often climb with excitement and become delighted in the process.
