Narayaneeyam: Dasakam: 28

Dashakam XXVIII

Shloka 1

Garalam kaalakoota^h------------the poison called kala kuta

(ta^ is pronounced as ‘t’ in cut)

Taralaanalam udvija gaala-------------------which was blazing like a fire emerged or gushing

Jaladeh purastaat------------------------------from/out of the ocean in front of Devas and others

Girishah amara-stutivaada-modanighnah---------------Lord Shiva who was immensely pleased by the hymns os praise sung by the Devas

Nipapau tat bhavatpriyaartham-----------------------drank it in order to please “You”

When the ocean was churned, a blazing deadly poison, Kaalakoota was the first to emerge from the ocean. It came flowing before devas and others. On seeing the deadly poisonous effervescence and virulent (toxic) liquid pouring out of the ocean, devas, along with Lord Vishnu extolled Lord Shiva with hymns. Lord Shiva, Pleased with the prayers, swallowed the poison out of compassion for devas who were dear to Lord Vishnu.

It is said Lord Shiva consumed the poison Halahala that originated from the sea when Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean in order to obtain Amrita. This poison that emanated during the Samudramanthan (churning of ocean) made his throat blue in color. Thus, Lord Shiva is also known as Nilkanth, literally meaning “The Blue Throated One”.

Shloka 2

He Tridhaaman --------------------O Lord who pervades effulgently (shining brightly) in the three regions

Suraasureshu vimathatsu----------------As the Devas and the Asuras continued to churn

Jaataa surabhih-----------------------------came out Kamadhenu (the wish-yielding divine cow)

Nyadhaah taam r*isheeshu---------------You gave her to the sages,rishis

(r* is pronounced as r in harsh)

Atha abhoot hayaratnam------------------then emerged a jewel of horse, ‘Ucchaishravas’

Atha ibharatnam----------------------------then the great elephant, “Airavata”

Dyutaruh--------------------------------------the divine tree or heavenly wish-yielding tree, “Kalpaka/kalpa-taru/parijatam”

Aapsarasasah cha --------------------------and “Apsaras”, the celestial nymphs, (young and beautiful women) too emerged

Taani sureshu (nyadhaaah) -----------------You gave them to the gods

Surabhi---------given to rishis, for obtaining sacred materials like milk, ghee etc,

Ucchaishravas-------given to Maha Bali, the King of Asuras

Airavata---------------given to Indra, King of Devas

Kaustubha jewel --------You took this jewel as an adornment (beautify) for “Your” chest

Kalpaka Tree, Apsaras--------given to Devas by You.

The reason for calling our Lord as Tridhaaman is given below:

Lord pervades

all the three worlds in the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha,

In the three qualities of gunas- Sattvam,Rajas and Tamas,

In the three letters of A,U,M of the Pranava mantra

In the three vedas of Rik, Yajus and Sama

In the three fires of Dakshinagni, Garhapatya and Aahvaniya

{The Garhapatya is circular in shape and is situated in the west of the offering ground. Fire is taken from the Garhapatya and kindled in the remaining two fires. The Dakshinagni is semi-circular, situated in the south and used for certain rituals, mainly for offerings to the forefathers. The Ahavaniya is square, situated in the east, and is used as the main offering fire of most Srauta rituals (Devanagari  traditions are conservative ritualistic traditions of the historical Vedic religion inHinduism, based on the body of Śruti literature. They are still practiced in India today although constituting a small minority within Hinduism.)}

In the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and Patala

In the three Savanas of Dawn, Noon and Dusk

In the three powers of Icchaa Shakti, (wish) Jnyaana Shakti (knowledge) and Kriyaa Shakti (action)

In the three Yugas Krita, Treta and Dwapara

At the time of churning the ocean Lord was present in three places- as Koorma, the giant tortoise

Supporting the Mandara Mountain from bottom

With a gigantic form stabilizing the mountain from the top

And as an invisible engineer of the Devas, Asuras and Serpent Vasuki.

Shloka 3

He Jagadeesha! -----------------O Lord of the Universe

Tadaaneem babhoova devee kamalaa----------Then emerged the Goddess Kamala, Lakshmi

Kamaneeyaa bhavatparaa ------------------------enchanting (charming, ravishing) and ever devoted to “You”

Avalokya yaam amalaam---------------------seeing whose pure, spotless form

Sakalah api vilolah lokah--------------------the whole world of fickle-minded people (liable to sudden unpredictable changes in attitude or behavior)

Sprhayaambabhoova---------------------were filled with a desire to possess her/ were longing to possess her

All, including Gods, Demon and men were longing for Goddess Lakshmi when she emerged from the ocean thinking of “Your” pre-eminence and ever attached to “You” with devotion. She illumined the quarters with “Her” splendour, like a streak of lightning.  All those present in the assembly coveted (yearn/ craving/ longing to possess) Goddess Lakshmi only because they knew that she is the presiding deity over fortune. Her grace would make them masters of fortune. Otherwise they are all great devotees, as it is evident from the fact that they all offered presents to “Her” as a token of reverence and homage (respect, honour)

FROM BHAGAVATAM

After that had happened the Goddess of Splendor [Rama or Lakshmi] manifested in person. With her lightening luster she as [bright as] Saudamanee [mountain] illumined along with the Lord all the directions. Each Sura, Asura and human being desired her, for the magnificent beauty of her features, youth, complexion and glories had caught their minds

Shloka 4

Tadaa eva  tridashendrah----------------------Then itself, the Lord of the Devas, Indra

Vyataareet manipeethi*kaam devyai-------------presented a bejeweled (adorned with jewels) throne to the Goddess

(thi* is pronounced as t in ant-hill)

Dattahrde tvayi ------------------------------------whose heart had been surrendered to “You”

R*shayah abhyashinchan taam-------------------the sages consecrated (make holy or sacred) her

(R* is pronounced as r in harsh)

Shrtigeerbhih --------------------------------with chanting of vedic hymns and

Sakala-upahrta-

abhishechaneeyaih------------ingredients for consecration brought by them all

Indra, after knew that Goddess Lakshmi’s heart was set on “You”

He brought a wonderful throne studded with gems.

The principal rivers like Ganga and others in the form of deity, brought sacred water in golden jars to consecrate the Goddess as the mother of the world.

Mother Earth gave all herbs required for the consecration.

Cows gave their five sacred products like milk, curd, ghee, urine and dung. Mixing a small quantities of the above products constitute Pancha-gavyas

Spring brought “Her” the produce of the two vernal (fresh and young) months in the shape of flowers and fruits according to the season

Seers laid down the procedure for ablutions (washing). And while the twice-born ones, the brahmins, were singing hymns the elephants next poured jugs full of sacred water over the chaste goddess so beautiful with the lotus in her hand.

The Great sages seated the Goddess on the bejeweled throne and consecrated according to spiritual ordinance (order, command)

Gandharvas sang auspicious songs and their wives danced

Clouds sounded with melodious vibrations as it from drums, conches, flutes and lutes.

Shloka 5

Amaraadayah anvabhooshan taam-------------------The Devas and other embellished (make attractive by the action of decorative details) her

Manikunda’la-peetachela-haara-pramukhaih--------------with diamond-studded ear-rings, necklaces, robes of yellow silk, garlands and the like

Avabhooshitaangavalleem ----------------whose creeper-like form or body was already adorned

Abhisheka-jala-anupaati-

Mugdha-tvadapaangaih---------------------by “Your” charming sidelong glances which fell on “Her” following the consecration with the holy waters.

Following the holy consecrations by the seers, O Lord! “Your” attractive side-glances fell on every limb of Goddess Sri and settled on “Her” as a decoration with great love and affection. “Her” form which was like a creeper was also adorned or beautified. It reached its peak, beyond description.  The Devas and others further adorned her with the followings:

Diety presiding over oceans offered her robes of Yellow silk

Varuna offered “Her” a garland called Vaijayanti

Vishwakarma gave “Her” a wonderful ornaments  

Sarasvati, the Goddess of Learning gave a Necklace of Pearls

Brahma, a Lotus and Nagas a pair of ear-rings.

FROM BHAGAVATAM

The ocean presented yellow silks for her to dress from top to toe and Varuna offered a large garland swarming with bumblebees intoxicated by its sweetness. 

From Prajapati Vishvakarma there was a choice of ornaments, Sarasvatee [the goddess of learning] supplied a necklace, Lord Brahma provided a lotus flower and the Nagas [the excellent ones] gave earrings. 

Shloka 6

Saa aasasaada tvaam---------------Goddess Lakshmi approached “You”

Dadhatee varanasrajam-------------carrying a wedding garland

Aatta-bhrnga-naadam----------------which attracted humming-bees

Kucha-Kunbha-mandayaanaa----------with a gait rendered slow on account of “Her” pot-like breasts/ walking slowly because of the weight of her bosom or breasts

Pada-shinjita-manju-noopuraa-------------“Her” beautiful anklets generating a tingling sound at every step

Kalita-vreela-vilaasam----------------------and “Her” beauty enhanced/ increased by the touch of coyness or shy on “Her” face

FROM BHAGAVATAM

Thereafter, mother Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, having been properly celebrated with an auspicious ritualistic ceremony, began moving about, holding in her hand a garland of lotus flowers, which were surrounded by humming bumblebees. Smiling with shyness, her cheeks decorated by her earrings, she looked extremely beautiful.

With her two symmetrical breasts, her thin waist in harmony and smeared with sandalwood pulp and kunkuma, she, moving here and there with the sweet tingling sound of her ankle bells, appeared exactly like a golden creeper. 

Shloka 7

Avamrshya gunabhaajah api-----------after finding out that though possessed of good virtues,

Girisha-druhinaadi-sarvadevaan -----------all the other gods such as Shiva and Brahma

Avimukta-dosha-leshaan-----------------were not completely free from defects/faults/blemishless

Divyamaalaa nihitaa-----------------------the divine garland was put or bestowed

Anayaa api tvayi---------------------------by “Her” also on “You”

Sadaa sarvaramye eva-------------------are always perfect in every way/ are ever embellished by all noble qualities without any defects or faults

The Goddess Lakshmi had realized that all Gods including Shiva and Brahma were not without some defects or faults, in spite of their greatness.

Though Lord Shiva is the abode of all auspicious qualities, he lives in the cremation ground, wears snakes around his neck in addition to the garland of skulls and does not wear any clothes.

Lord Brahma is the creator of all universe and deserves all respect, but his control over sexual desire is not complete and his mastery over the vedas are not that perfect.

Other Devas also have some faults or the other, though they were rich in virtues.

Therefore, Goddess Lakshmi decided that “You”, Lord of Guruvayoor deserved to be “Her” consort and she placed the wedding garland “You” who are ever adorned by all good qualities and untouched by even traces of blemishes.

Shloka 8

Urasaa-------------------------------------By offering “Her” “Your” chest as “Her” abode

Tvam mamaanitha tarasaa-------------“You” immediately honoured

Enaam jananeem bhuvanaanaam------------ “Her” the Goddess Lakshmi, the mother of the worlds

Ananyabhaavaam ---------------------who was devoted to not to anyone else but “You” 

Tvadurovilasat-tadeekshana-shree-

Parivrsht^yaa-----------------------------by the shower of glances of that Goddess Lakshmi who was shining on “Your” bosom or chest/ who was settled comfortably safe on “Your” chest

Vishvam aasa paripushta^m-------------the universe attained prosperity

FROM BHAGAVATAM

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the father of the three worlds, and His bosom is the residence of mother Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, the proprietor of all opulence (wealth). The goddess of fortune, by her favorable and merciful glance, can increase the opulence of the three worlds, along with their inhabitants and their directors, the demigods.

The servants of the gods and their women [Gandharvas and their wives, the dancers and singers of heaven], all became engaged in singing and dancing accompanied by the loud sound of musical instruments like conch shells, bugles and drums. 

Brahma, Shiva and all the directors of the world headed by Angira honored the Supreme Personality by showering flowers and chanting mantras that described His true nature. 

With the merciful glance of the Goddess resting upon the godly ones, the fathers of mankind and their generations, they were all blessed with good conduct and good qualities and thus achieved the ultimate satisfaction.

Shloka 9

Tadaaneem niraagaat vaarunee-------------------then emerged vaaruni, the deity presiding over wine or liquor

Atimohanavibhramaa-----------------------------highly deluding (deceiving) and exciting

Madayantee khalu --------------------------------- and indeed intoxicating too

Tvam adaah enaam--------------------------------“You” gave her

Padaveem tamasah---------------------the source of/ abode of Tamo-guna

Or the source of ignorance and sin

Mahaasurebhyah-------------------------to the mighty or the great Asuras

Atisammaan-anayaa--------------------with a great show of respect

Asuras had not been rewarded for their effort in churning the ocean so far with anything except the white horse to Bali. As soon as Varuni emerged from the ocean, “You” gave her to the mighty Asuras. “You” did not want “Your” devotees to come under the influence of her.

Varuni was an appropriate gift to the Asuras, as they were tamasic by nature and hence ignorant, lustful (very strong sexual desire), covetous (greedy) and proud.

“You”gave her the source of all sins and vices (wicked behavior, defects).

FROM BHAGAVATAM

Thereupon Varuni the goddess of the drunkards appeared, a young lotus-eyed girl who, with the permission of the Lord, was accepted by the Asuras.

Shloka 10

Tadaa tvam utthitah amburaashe--------------then “You” arouse from the Ocean

Dhanvantarih--------------------------------------as Dhanvantari-moorthy

Tarunaambuda-sundarah-----------------------with a form like the fresh rain-bearing cloud

Vahan karaabhyaam--------------------------and carrying by “Your” hands

Amrtam nanu kalashe-----------------------ambrosia, the nectar itself in a pot

He maarutaalayesha------------------------O Lord of Guruvayoor

Hara akhilaartim-----------------------------may “You” destroy all my ailments/afflictions

FROM BHAGAVATAM

With the sons of Kashyapa thereupon, again zealously (keen, eagerly) churning the Ocean of Milk for the nectar, a most wonderful male person appeared finally. 

He was tall and well built; youthful, his arms were long, stout and strong; his neck, which was marked with three lines, resembled a conchshell; his eyes were reddish; and his complexion was blackish. He was very young, he was garlanded with flowers, and his entire body was fully decorated with various ornaments.

He was dressed in yellow garments and wore brightly polished earrings made of pearls. The tips of his hair were anointed (apply or smear or rub) with oil, and his chest was very broad. His body had all good features, he was stout and strong like a lion, and he was decorated with bangles. In his hand he carried a jug filled to the top with nectar.

He was a partial appearance of a part of Lord Vishnu Himself known by the name of Dhanvantari who, seeing to medical science, was one of the demigods entitled to a share in the offerings.

You are Dhanvantari, Lord of Ayurveda, capable of curing all ailments.

FROM BHAGAVATAM

For Shloka 1

There was first of all a very strong poison called Halahala [or Kaalakootha.  The terribly strong, unbearable poison, that unstoppably spread itself in all directions upwards and downwards, scared all the people so that they, missing the protection of their Lord and Master oh my best, sought the shelter of Lord Shiva. 

When they saw him who for the welfare of the three worlds together with his wife sits on his mountain [Kailaasa], he, the best of the demigods served by saints who in austerity walk the path of liberation, they offered him their obeisances.
The lords of the created beings [the Prajâpatis] said: 'Oh Lord of Lords, oh Mahâdeva, oh soul of each, oh love of all, deliver us, who took shelter at your lotus feet, from this poison burning the three worlds. 

You are the one lord and master over bondage and liberation in the entire universe. You whom we worship are the spiritual master able to carry the burden of the surrendered followers.

Oh mighty one, oh greatness, by your material potency, do you operating with the three modes of nature, in acceptance of the creation, maintenance and destruction of this material world, manifest yourself as Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva. 

You are the Supreme Brahman, the secret of the cause and effect of all the life forms of creation. You are with all the potencies that you manifest the Controller and Supersoul of the universe. 

You are the source of the [spiritual, Vedic] sound, the origin of the universe, the soul, the life breath, the senses and the elements. You are the modes of nature and the natural disposition, the eternal time, the sacrifice and the dharma of truth [satya] and truthfulness [rita]. It is unto you that one utters the original syllable consisting of the three letters [A-U-M]. 

Oh soul of all the godly ones, fire constitutes your mouth; oh Lord of all the worlds the surface of the globe is known as your lotus feet; oh self of the gods, time constitutes your movement, the directions are your ears and the controller of the waters [Varuna] is your taste

With the ether for your navel, the air for your breath, the sun globe for your eyes, the water for your semen, the moon for your mind and the higher worlds oh Lord, for your head, yourself constitutes the shelter of all living beings high and low 

The oceans are your belly, the mountains are your bones, all the plants, creepers and herbs are your hairs, the  [seven types of] mantras  are your seven layers [koshas] and all the religions oh you three Vedas [Rig, Yajur and Sâma] in person, constitute the core of your heart.

The five secret texts of [the Vedic] philosophy [called Tatpurusha, Aghora, Sadyojata, Vamadeva and Ishana] constitute your faces with the collection of the thirty-eight important mantras, that describe the reality of the Supersoul, of you oh Lord, who in your position of enlightenment are celebrated as Shiva

The waves of irreligion [lust, anger, greed and illusion] are nothing but your shadow, the shadow on the basis of which there are so many secondary creations. Your three eyes stand for the goodness, the passion and the darkness and simply glancing over [the creation with them] brought about the analytic scriptures of the Supersoul oh Lord full of verses, oh god of the Vedic literatures and their supplements. 

None of the directors of the world oh Ruler on the Mountain, neither Brahma, nor Vishnu, nor the king of the Suras [Indra], can fathom (understand) your transcendental effulgence (radiance), the impersonal spirit [of Brahman] equal to everyone wherein the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness are not found. 

In this world that has originated from you and at the time of her destruction is burned to ashes by you with the sparks of the fire emanating from your eyes, you have out of your mercy for the living beings annihilated (destructed) Tripura as also put an end to the sacrifices out of desire, the poison of [false] time [in this story] and many other forms of misery. But these matters are not part of your praises, since you ban this world from your mind. 

People not knowing your help and kindness shamelessly criticize you for being a savage person whom one always finds at the burial place [smeared with ashes] and for moving with your consort Uma despite of your highly advanced austerity and the fact that your lotus feet are remembered by the [mystical] gurus of contentment with the soul. 

Because you are transcendentally situated above the moving and the not moving living beings, you are difficult to understand. And when it is not possible for even Brahma and the ones belonging to him to properly understand your real nature oh great one, how much more would that not be true for us, we who, living their lives in line with what was created after the creation [that is of Brahma], still do our best to offer you our prayers?

We see the supreme of the form that you manifested to bless the world, but not the supreme of your transcendence(a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material exerience) oh great Lord whose ways are inscrutable(impossible to understand, mysterious).'

'Seeing their pernicious (harmful or tending to cause death or serious injury) predicament (unpleasant situation) he, Mahadeva, the friend of all living beings out of his compassion for the great distress spoke to his beloved Sati 

Lord Shiva said: 'Dear Bhavaanee, just see how pitiable this situation is of all the living beings that are threatened by the poison resulting from churning the ocean. 

Feeling responsible for all their lives, I must do something for their safety; is it my duty as the master to protect against distress. 

Devotees at the cost of their own lives protect other living beings who, time bound and bewildered (confused and perplexed) by the external energy, are of enmity with one another. 

The Soul of All, the Lord, is pleased when one takes pity on others oh gentle one. When the Supreme Personality of the Lord is pleased also I and all other moving and not moving entities are happy. May there be the well-being of all creatures, with me drinking this poison.' 'After Lord Shiva, the well-wisher of the universe thus had addressed Bhavaanee she gave her permission, very well knowing his capabilities, whereupon he proceeded to drink the poison. 

Mahâdeva out of compassion for the welfare of all living beings consequently took the widespread Haalahala poison in his hand and drank it. 

That poison from the water exhibited its potency to him by turning his neck dark-blue, a feature considered an ornament by the virtuous ones, the saints and the sages. 

Good and honest people practically always take to heart the sufferings of their fellow men. This is considered the highest form of worshiping the Original Person, He who stands for the completeness of the soul 

Hearing about that act of Shiiva, the god of gods, the graceful one, he was highly praised by the daughter of Daksha by Brahma, by the Lord of Vaikunthha and by all the people. 

Scorpions, cobras and other poisonous animals and plants are the beings who took care of the little bit that was scattered here and there as he drank from his palm.'

For Shloka 2

'When the poison had been drunk by him who rides the bull [Lord Shiva], the immortals and Danavas gladly resumed the churning of the ocean quickly whereupon the cow of plenty appeared [the surabhi, the source of the ghee]. 

The sages conversant with the injunctions for the yajnyas took care of her oh King, for she was useful for the divine sacrifices because of her clarified butter.
Next a horse as white as the moon manifested named Uccaihshrava that Maharaja Bali liked to have, while Indra desisted (Stopped) from claiming it on the advice of the Lord

Thereafter the king of resistance, the elephant Airavata appeared who with his four tusks defied (challenge or dare, oppose, resist) the glories of the white mountain [Kailasa, the abode] of the First Devotee [Lord Shiva] and again  Airavana was the first of eight elephants manifesting for each direction of the sky and also a group of eight she-elephants was generated that was headed by one named Abhramu, oh King.
Then a valuable lotus-hued (shade, tinge) gem known as the Kaustubha jewel was generated from the wide expanse of milk. Lord Hari who desired to possess it decorates His chest with it. Thereupon the pârijâta tree was generated that adorns the heavenly places and, just as you who likes to fulfill each his wishes, fulfills every wish on this planet by providing whatever that is wanted 

Next the Apsaras were generated, the extremely beautiful and attractive inhabitants of heaven who, exquisitely dressed and decorated with gold, smoothly moving around divert each his heart.

For Shloka 4

The great Indra brought a glorious, wonderful seat for her and the most sacred rivers and reservoirs assumed a personal form by filling golden water pots with pure water. 

The land offered all the herbs needed for installing the deity. The cows contributed with their five pure products [milk, yogurt, ghee, dung and urine] and springtime delivered fresh flowers and fruits. 

The sages performed the bathing ceremony as prescribed, the Gandharvas sang the all-auspicious mantras and their wives danced and sang along. 

The clouds vibrated two-sided drums, kettledrums, murajas and ânakas [two other types of drums] and that created, combined with the sounds of bugles, conch shells, flutes and vînâs, a great tumult. 

And while the twice-born ones, the brahmins, were singing hymns the elephants next poured jugs full of sacred water over the chaste goddess so beautiful with the lotus in her hand.

For Shloka 7

The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmīdevī, having been generated from the Ocean of Milk, was the daughter of the ocean. Thus she was allowed to select her own husband in a svayaṁvara ceremony. She examined every one of the candidates, but she could not find anyone suitably qualified to be her shelter. In other words, Nārāyaṇa, the natural husband of Lakṣmī, cannot be superseded by anyone in this material world.

The goddess of fortune, examining the assembly, thought in this way: Someone who has undergone great austerity has not yet conquered anger. Someone possesses knowledge, but he has not conquered material desires. Someone is a very great personality, but he cannot conquer lusty desires. Even a great personality depends on something else. How, then, can he be the supreme controller?

Someone may possess full knowledge of religion but still not be kind to all living entities. In someone, whether human or demigod, there may be renunciation, (abandon) but that is not the cause of liberation. Someone may possess great power and yet be unable to check the power of eternal time. Someone else may have renounced attachment to the material world, yet he cannot compare to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, no one is completely freed from the influence of the material modes of nature.

Someone may have longevity but not have auspiciousness or good behavior. Someone may have both auspiciousness and good behavior, but the duration of his life is not fixed. Although such demigods as Lord Shiva have eternal life, they have inauspicious habits like living in crematoriums. And even if others are well qualified in all respects, they are not devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

In this way, after full deliberation, the goddess of fortune accepted Mukunda as her husband because although He is independent and not in want of her, He possesses all transcendental qualities and mystic powers and is therefore the most desirable.

Approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the goddess of fortune placed upon His shoulders the garland of newly grown lotus flowers, which was surrounded by humming bumblebees searching for honey. Then, expecting to get a place on the bosom of the Lord, she remained standing by His side, her face smiling in shyness.