Ranganathashtakam
(Octet on
Ranganatha)
By
Adhi Shankara
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(with assistance in editing the translation
by Dr.Saroja Ramanujam)
(Sri Rangam for a Vaishnavite is the holy of the holies to all
Vaishnavites (worshippers of Lord Vishnu) and is similar to
All the Vaishnavite saints called Azhwars, Saint
Ramanuja and his followers especially Sri Vedantha desikan, have sung about
this temple and the Lord who rules in it. It is believed that Adhi Sankara who
visited this temple composed this very pretty octet. It is the will and grace
of the Lord that, we both should translate this great stotra together.)
* quoted
from http://www.divyadesamonline.com/srirangam.asp
Saptha prakara madhye
sarasijamuklothbhasamane vimane,
Kaveri Madhya dese phanipathi sayane, sesha paryanga bhage,
Nidhramudhrabhiramam katinikatasira parswavinyastha hastham,
Padmadhathree karabhyam parichithacharanam rangarajam Bhajeham. 1
This Mangala sloka is written by Parashara Bhatta, a great Vaishnavite saint
I salute that Lord of
Ranga,
Who sleeps in the
yogic pose,
On the bed of
Adhisesha,
Below the tall dome**,
Which resembles a
lotus bud ,
And is surrounded by
seven ramparts,
And which is in
between two Kaveri rivers,
With his right hand
near his crown,
And his lotus like
merciful left hand,
Pointing towards his
feet which takes care of us all.
** Vimana
Aanandarupe nijabodha rupe,
Brahma swaroope sruthi moorthi rupe,
Sasanka rupe ramaneeya rupe,
Sri ranga rupe ramatham mano mey. 2
Let my mind revel in
the form of Ranga
Whose form is the
epitome of happiness,
Whose form is the
true knowledge,
Whose form is as told
in the Vedas,
And who is of the
form of the comforting moon and beautiful
Kaveri theree karuna vilole,
Mandhara moole drutha charu khele,
Daithyanha kale akhila
loka leele,
Sri Ranga leele ramatham mano mey. 3
Let my mind
revel in the form of Ranga
Who is on the banks
of river Kaveri,
And playfully dispenses mercy,
Who is below the
Mandhara tree,
Where he speedily and
prettily plays,
And who destroys all
asuras,
By his play spread over the whole world.
Lakshmi nivase jagatham nivase,
Hrud padma vase ravi bimbha vase,
Krupa nivase Guna brunda vase,
Sri Ranga vase ramatham mano mey. 4
Let my mind
revel in Ranga,
As the one who lives
in Sri Ranga,
In whom goddess
Lakshmi lives,
Who is the abode of
the universe
Who lives in the
lotus of our heart,
Who lives in the face
of the Sun.
Who is the abode of
mercy,
And who lives where
good conduct lives.
Brahmadi vandye Jagadeka vandhye,
Mukunda vandhye, sura natha vandhye,
Vyasadhi vandhye, Sanakadhi vandhye,
Sri ranga vandhye ramatham mano mey. 5
In Him let my mind
revel
As the one who is
saluted in Sri Ranga,
Who is venerated by
gods like Brahma,
Who is venerated by the
entire universe,
Who is venerated as
Mukunda,
Who is venerated by
lord of devas,
Who is worshipped by
sages like Vyasa,
And who is
venerated by sages like Sanaka.
Brahmadhi raje, garudadhi raje,
Vaikunta raje sura raja raje,
Trilokya raje , akhila loka raje,
Sri Ranga raje ramatham mano mey. 6
Let my mind revel in
Him
Who is the king of
Sri Ranga,
Who is the king of
gods like Brahma,
Who is the king of
the holy bird , Garuda,
Who is the king of
Vaikunta,
Who is the king of
the king of devas,
Who is the king of
the three worlds,
And who is the king
of the entire universe.
Amogha mudhre Paripoorna nidhre,
Sri Yoga nidhre , sasamudhra nidhre,
Srithaika bhadre, jagathaika nidhre,
Sri ranga bhadre
ramatham mano mey. 7
Let my mind
revel in Him
As one who protects
the city of
Who has , whose sign is never
failing
Who is in perfect
sleep,
Who is in the Yogic
sleep,
Who sleeps on the
ocean,
Who takes care of
goddess Lakshmi,
And in whom the whole world sleeps
Sa chithra sayi, bhujagendra sayi,
Nandanga sayi ,
kamalanka sayi,
Ksheerabdhi sayi , vata pathra sayi,
Sri Ranga sayi , ramatham mano mey. 8
Let my mind revel in
Him
As the one who sleeps
in the city of
Who sleeps pretty as
a picture,
Who sleeps on the
king of serpents,
Who sleeps on the lap
of Nanda,
Who sleeps on the lap
of Lakshmi,
Who sleeps on the
ocean of milk,
And who sleeps on the
banyan leaf.
Idham hi rangam thyajathamihangam,
Punarnachangam yadhi changamethi,
Panou rathangam charanembhu gangam,
Yane vihangam sayane bhujangam. 9
He who sheds his body in
this ranga (ground)
Never gets embodiment again
As Ranga has chakra in His hand,
The Garuda is
His vehicle,
The serpent is His bed
And his feet is wetted by river
Ranganathashtakam punyam prathruthaya ya padeth,
Sarvaan kamanavapnothirangi sayujyamapnuyath. 10
Any one reading this
octet on the lord of Ranga,
As soon as he gets up
in the morning,
Will get his wishes
fulfilled,
And in the end attain
salvation.