Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha:: Sri Narmada Ashtakam by Sri Adishankaracharya

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Sri Narmada Ashtakam by Sri Adishankaracharya – Lyrics & meanings

|| Jai Sriman Narayana ||

|| Shankara ||

I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, who merrily flows with strong water current which creates beautiful ripples, she is radiant with sacred water drops that has divine power and the capabilities to remove sins and destroys the fear of death, ultimately provides safest heaven to whoever surrendered at her lotus feet. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, who gives compassionate touch to the fishes in her sacred waters, capable to remove the burden of evil effects in the Kali era and remains foremost amongst the sacred rivers. She gives immense pleasure to all those water animals like fishes, tortoises, crocodiles, swans and Chakravaha birds etc.. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha who is unfathomable and brimming with waters which is capable to remove the entire sins on the Earth, the water current causes reverberating noise which could thrash the mountains of grief and sorrows, she is the safe heaven and provides fearlessness, as she was given shelter to son of Rishi Mrikandu. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, Oh! Devi, my attachment to worldly matters has disappeared after witnessing your majestic flow, you are venerated by the son of Rishi Mrikandu, Shaunakadis and deities, and you are capable to destroy the sorrows and grief of worldly bondage causes from repeated births. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, who is worshipped by lakhs and lakhs of Kinnara, Asuras, deities and demons, your sacred waters and river bank is serene and packed with mellifluous voice of birds, and it is a safe heaven for illustrious Sage Vashishta, Shishta, Pippaladha, and Kardhamaprajapathi etc… I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, the prominent Rishis and Sages like Sanathkumara, Nachiketha, Kashyapa, Narada etc…. who are like bees in search of constant communion with nectar like devotion, have high admiration towards you. Oh! Devi, you extend everlasting happiness to Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Lord Indra and deities, and make their function successful. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, whose sacred waters decked with lakhs and lakhs of swans, capable to remove innumerable sins, your sacred waters are competent to provide prosperity as well as liberation from the cycles of birth and death to all the living beings in the Universe, the eternal presence of Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shankara multiplies the auspicousness of your water. I shall prostrate before the lotus feet of Devi Narmadha, who is the nectar of immortality, gracefully emerged from the matted hair locks of Lord Maheshwara, it is proficient to equvally purify Kiratha/tribals, Sootha/charioteers, Vadu/Bhramin, Panditha/scholars, and Shada/deceitful as well. Your sacred waters are capable to remove all the Papa/ sins, Thapa/miseries and grief of all the living beings.

Whoever recites or listens to the glorious verses praising the sacred river Narmadha, thrice a day or constantly will be freed from all the troubles, and will be easy to attain the abode of Lord Maheshwara, which is difficult to obtain for the mortals, ultimately the liberation from the repeated births and hellish torture in Rauravam/hell.

Sa Bindu Sindhu Suskhalath Tharanga Bhanga Ranjitham |

Dvishathsu Papa Jatha Jathakari Vari Samyutham |

Krithantha Dhootha Kala Bhootha Bheethi Haari Varmadhe |