Rudrashtakam ( रूद्राष्टक स्तोत्र ) By Tulsidas

Rudrashtakam रूद्राष्टक स्तोत्र
By Tulsidas

ॐ नमः शिवायः ।

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाण रूपं, विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्म वेदः स्वरूपम्‌ ।

अजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं, चिदाकाश माकाशवासं भजेऽहम्‌ ॥ १॥

O Ishan! I pray You, the one Who is the lord of all, Who is in eternal Nirvana-bliss, Who is resplendent, Who is omni-present, and Who is Brahman and Ved in totality. I adore You, Who is for self, Who is formless, Who is without change, Who is passionless, Who is like the sky (immeasurable), and Who lives in the sky.||1||

निराकार मोंकार मूलं तुरीयं, गिराज्ञान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशम्‌ ।

करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालुं, गुणागार संसार पारं नतोऽहम्‌ ॥ २॥

I bow prostrate to You, Who is without a form, Who is the root of sounds, Who is the fourth impersonal state of the Atman, Who is beyond the scope of tongue, knowledge and sense-organs, Who is the Lord, Who is the Lord of Himalaya, Who is fierce, Who is the destroyer of fierce Kala, Who is benevolent, Who is the abode of qualities, and is beyond the universe.||2||

तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गभीरं, मनोभूत कोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरम्‌ ।

स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारू गंगा, लसद्भाल बालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजंगा॥ ३॥

I bow to You, Who is white on all like the snow, Who is profound, Who is mind, Who is in the form of living beings, Who has immense splendor and wealth. He has shining forehead with playful and enticing Ganga, He has shiny forehead with a crescent moon, and He has snake garlands in the neck.||3||

चलत्कुण्डलं शुभ्र नेत्रं विशालं, प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालुम्‌ ।
मृगाधीश चर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं, प्रिय शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि ॥ ४॥

I adore Shankara, Who has swaying earrings, Who has beautiful eye on the forehead, Who is spreadout and large, Who is happy at face, Who has a blue-throat, Who is benevolent, Who has a lion-skin around His waist, Who has skull-cap garland, and Who is the dear-Lord of everyone.||4||

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं, अखण्डं अजं भानु कोटि प्रकाशम्‌ ।

त्रिधाशूल निर्मूलनं शूल पाणिं, भजेऽहं भवानीपतिं भाव गम्यम्‌ ॥ ५॥

I adore the Lord of Bhavani, Who is fierce, Who is immense, Who is mature and brave, Who is beyond everyone, Who is indivisible, Who is unborn, Who is resplendent like millions of sun, Who uproots the three qualities (and makes us dispassionate), Who holds a trident, and Who can be achieved with emotions.||5||

कलातीत कल्याण कल्पान्तकारी, सदा सज्जनान्द दाता पुरारी।

चिदानन्द सन्दोह मोहापकारी, प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी ॥ ६ ॥

O Destroyer of Kamadev, Who is beyond artwork, Who is auspicious, Who causes the end of the universe, Who always provides bliss to good people, Who destroyed Pura, Who is eternal bliss, Who absolves abundant passion! O Prabhu! Please be happy, be happy.||6||

न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविन्दं, भजन्तीह लोके परे वा नराणाम्‌ ।

न तावद् सुखं शांति सन्ताप नाशं, प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वं भूताधि वासं ॥ ७॥

Those who don’t adore the lotus-feet of the Lord of Uma (Shiv), that men don’t get happiness, comfort, and peace — in this world or the other worlds after death. O the abode of all the living beings! O Prabhu! Please be happy.||7||

न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजा, न तोऽहम्‌ सदा सर्वदा शम्भू तुभ्यम्‌ ।

जरा जन्म दुःखौघ तातप्यमानं, प्रभोपाहि आपन्नामामीश शम्भो ॥ ८ ॥

I don’t know yoga, japa (chanting of names), or prayers. Still, I am bowing continuously and always to You. O Shambhu! O Prabhu! Save me from the unhappiness due to old age, birth, grief, sins, and troubles. I bow to You, Who is the Lord.||8||

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्त्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये ।
ये पठंति नरा भक्यात् तेषां शंभु:प्रसीदति ॥९॥

॥ इति श्रीगोस्वामितुलसीदासकृत श्रीरुद्राष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Translation from Stutimandal

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Sankata Devi Strotam – सङ्कटास्तोत्रम्

सङ्कटास्तोत्रम्

ध्यायेSहं परमेश्वरीम् दशभुजां नेत्रत्रयोद् भासिताम्
सद्य: सङ्कटतारिणीम् गुणमयीमारक्तवर्णाम् शुभाम् ।
अक्षस्स्रग्जलपूर्णकुम्कमलं शङ्खं गदां विभ्रतीम्
त्रैशल डमरुञ्य खड्गविधृतां चक्राभयाद्यां पराम् ॥१॥
सङ्कटा प्रथम नाम द्वितीयं विजया तथा ।
तृतीय कामदा प्रोक्तं चतुर्थम् दु:खहारिणी ॥२॥
सर्वाणी पञ्चमं नाम षष्ठं कात्यायनी तथा ।
सप्तम भीमनयना सर्वरोगहताष्टमम् ॥३॥
नामाष्टकमिद पुण्यं त्रिसन्ध्य श्रद्धयान्वित: ।
य: पठेत् पाठयेद्वापि नरो मुच्येत सङ्कटात् ॥४॥
॥इति श्री सङ्कटास्तोत्र: सम्पूर्ण ॥

Sankata prathamam namam, dwitheeyam vijayasthadha,
Thritheeyam Kamada proktham, chahurtham Dukha harini,
Sarvani panchamam nama shashtam karthyayani thadha,
Sapthamam Bheema nayana Sarva rogaharshtamam,
Nama ashtakamidham punyam trisandhyam sradhayanvitha,
Ya padethpadeyedwapi naro muchyathe sankatath. 1-4

Translation:
Hear those eight names of her , who fulfills all desires,
Remover of dangers is her first name,
Victorious Goddess is her second name,
Fulfiller of all desires is her third name,
Destroyer of sorrows is her fourth name,

She who is everything is her fifth name,

Daughter of Kathyayana is her sixth name,
Goddess with very large eyes is her seventh name,
She who cures all diseases is her eighth name.

He who reads these holy names with faith,
At the times of dawn. Noon and dusk ,
Or he who gets them read would never suffer dangers.

People do pooja at Sankata temple, Kathmandu, Nepal to remove problems from their life. The problem for wealth, problem in one’s business, problem in romance or relating to other aspect of life are said to be solved by doing puja at famous Sankata Temple.

Manakamana – मन:कामनास्तुति:

मन:कामनास्तुति:

ॐ नमो मन:कामनायै ।
मन: कामना सन्नतानां ददाना मन:कामनेति प्रसिद्धा ततस्त्वम् ।
मन:कामनां पूरयन्ती जनानां मन:कामनामम्बिकां त्वां नमामि ॥१॥
जगत्पावती जह्नुकन्या त्वमेव जगन्मोहिनी विष्णुमायासि देवी ।
जगज्जीविनी वृत्तरूपा त्वमेव जगत्पोषिणी त्वं जनित्री जनानाम् ॥२॥
जगद्धारिणी या स्थिरा सा त्वमेव जगतप्राणिनी मेघपुष्पस्वरूपा ।
जगन्मङ्गला मङ्गलानां निदानं जगत्कारणं कारणषु प्रधानम् ॥३॥
महीपालगेहैकलक्ष्मीस्त्वमेव महीपालराज्योदये हेतुभूता ।
महीपालराज्यच्युतौ हेतुभूता महीपालसेव्या त्वमेवासि मात: ॥४॥
विपद्ग्रामदावावानलोच्छेदहेतु: पदाम्भोजयुग्मस्मृतिस्तावकीना ।
अतो ये स्मरन्ति प्रायाणे क्षितीशा न तेषा विपक्षोद्भवा भीतिरुग्रा ॥५॥
नृपाभीष्टदानान्मन:कामनेति मदियाभिधानं कृतार्थ किलेति ।
न वाच्यं भवानि द्विजानां समीहा त्वया पूरणीयानुकम्पां विधाय ॥६॥
कपर्द्दी विरक्तोSनुरक्तेन रक्तो रमेशो रमायाम्प्रसक्त: शयालु: ।
दयालु रमा न श्रुता न त्वदन्यं शरण्यं न जाने न जाने न जाने ॥७॥
तव चरणसरोजं सेवते कल्पवृक्षं जननि यदि मनुष्यो दुर्लभ नैव किञ्चित् ।
विविधविषयभोगान् संविधायाङ्गनाभि रिह वसति तदन्ते याति तद्धामनाम ॥८॥
सर्वलोकवशकारणशक्तिरस्ति याद्भूततमा वनितानाम् ।
सा त्वमेव नगराजसुते यत्सेश्वरा अपि सुरा वशभाज ॥९॥
॥इति श्री मन:कामनास्तुति: सम्पूर्ण ॥

Manakamana Temple

Goddess Manakamana is highly noted as a wishful filling goddess through out the country. The holy temple of goddess Manakamana lies on a beautiful ridge west of Kathmandu valley. It is said that she is the younger sister of goddess Kali. She is regarded to be a very sacred goddess. The temple is important from the historical and archeological point of view. It is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. Manakamana is four hours walk up hill from the highway. On the occasion of Visit Nepal Year 1998, the cable cars have been plied from Kurintar Village, Chitwan to the hill of Manakamana, which takes only 8 minutes to reach there.

Harati Mata – हारतीमातास्तोत्रम्

हारतीमातास्तोत्रम् (Harati Mata)

रत्नपीठे स्थितां देवी गौरवर्णसमुज्ज्वलाम् ।

ईषद्धसितवक्त्रां तां नमामि विश्वमोहिनीम् ॥१॥

पञ्चाना शतपुत्राणां परिवारमहोत्सवाम् ।

बुद्धासनस्थितां देवी हारती प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥२॥

Harati Mata is a protector goddess of children, the temple is widely worshipped and many people bring their children along on visits in Nepal.

Harati Mata Temple, devoted to Goddess Harati Mata, the Goddess of Small Pox is situated in the premises of Swoyambhunath.

SHIVASHTAK – शिवाष्टक

श्री शिवाष्टक

आदि अनादि अनंत अखण्ड अभेद सुवेद बतावै ।
अलखअगोचररूपमहेस कौ जोगि जती-मुनि ध्यान न पावै ॥
आगम निगम पुराण सबै इतिहास ‍सदा जिनके गुण गावै ।
बडभागी नर नारि सोई जो साँब-सदाशिव कौ नित ध्यावै ॥
सृजन, सुपालन लय लीलाहित जो विधि हरिहररूप बनावै ।
एकहि आप विचित्र अनेक सुबेस बनाईकै लीला रचावैं ॥
सुन्दर सृष्टि सुपालन करिजग पुनिबन काल जु खाय पचावै ।
बड भागी नर-नारि सोई जो सांब सदाशिव कौ नित ध्यावै ॥
अगुन अनीह अनामय अज अविकार सहज निज रूप धरावै ।
परम सुरस्य बसन आभूषण सजि मुनि मोहन रूप करावै ॥
ललित ललाट बाल विधु विलसै रतन हार उर पै लहरावैं ।
बड्भागी नर-नारि सोई जो साँब सदाशिवको नित ध्यावैं ॥
अंग विभूति रमाय मसानकी विषमय भुजंगनि कौं लपटावैं ।
नर कपाल कर मुण्डमाल गल भालु चरम सब अंग उढावैं ॥
वीर दिगम्बर, लोचन तीन भयानक देखि कैं सब थर्रावैं ।
बड्भागी नर-नारि सोई जो सांब सदाशिव कौं नित ध्यावैं ॥
सुनतहि दीन की दीन पुकार दयानिधि आप उबारन आवैं ।
पहुँच तहां अविलम्ब सुदारून मृत्यु को मर्म बिदारि भगावैं ॥
मुनि मृकंडु सुत की गाथा सुचि अजहुं विज्ञान गाइ सुनावैं ।
बड्भागी नरनारि सोई जो साँब सदाशिव को नित ध्यावैं ॥
चाउर चारि जो फल धतूर के बेल के पात औ पानी चढावैं ।
गाल बजाय के बोल जो ‘हरहरमहादेव’ धनि जोर लगावैं ॥
तिनहि महाफल देयं सदाशिव सहजहि भक्तिमुक्ति सो पावैं ।
बड्भागी नरनारि सोई जो साँब सदाशिव कौं नित ध्यावैं ॥
बिनसिन दोषदु:ख दुरति दैन्य दारिद्रयं नित्यसुखशान्तिमिलावैं ।
आसुतोष हर पाप ताप सब निरमल बुद्धि चित बकसावैं ॥
असरन सरन काटि भवबंधन भव निज भवन भव्य बुलावैं ।
बड्भागी नरनारि सोई जो साँब सदाशिव कौं नित ध्यावैं ॥
औढ्सदानी, उदार अपार जु नैकु सी सेवा तें ढुरि जावैं ।
दमन अशान्ति, समन संकट बिरद विचार जनहिं अपनावैं ॥
ऐसे कृपालु कृपामय देव के क्यों न सरन अबही चलि जावैं ।
बड्भागी नरनारि सोई जो साँब सदाशिव कौं नित ध्यावैं ॥

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बगलामुखी कवचम् – Bagalamukhi Kavacham

अथ बगलामुखी कवचम्

श्रुत्वा च बगलापूजां स्तोत्रं चापि महेश्वर ।

इदानी श्रोतुमिच्छामि कवचं वद मे प्रभो ॥ १ ॥
वैरिनाशकरं दिव्यं सर्वाSशुभविनाशनम् ।
शुभदं स्मरणात्पुण्यं त्राहि मां दु:खनाशनम् ॥२॥
श्रीभैरव उवाच :
कवचं शृणु वक्ष्यामि भैरवीप्राणवल्लभम् ।
पठित्वा धारयित्वा तु त्रैलोक्ये विजयी भवेत् ॥३॥
ॐ अस्य श्री बगलामुखीकवचस्य नारद ऋषि: ।
अनुष्टप्छन्द: । बगलामुखी देवता । लं बीजम् ।
ऐं कीलकम् पुरुषार्थचष्टयसिद्धये जपे विनियोग: ।
ॐ शिरो मे बगला पातु हृदयैकाक्षरी परा ।
ॐ ह्ली ॐ मे ललाटे च बगला वैरिनाशिनी ॥१॥

Shiro may Bagla patu hriday may kakch ri para.
Om hreem om may lalate ch Bagla vairi nashinee [1]

गदाहस्ता सदा पातु मुखं मे मोक्षदायिनी ।
वैरिजिह्वाधरा पातु कण्ठं मे वगलामुखी ॥२॥

Gada hastaa sadaa paatu mukham may moksha daayinee.
Vairi jihwaadharam paatu kantham may Baglamukhi [2]
उदरं नाभिदेशं च पातु नित्य परात्परा ।
परात्परतरा पातु मम गुह्यं सुरेश्वरी ॥३॥

Udaram nabhidesham ch paatunityam paraatparaa.
paraat partaraa paatu mamguhayam sureshwaree [3]
हस्तौ चैव तथा पादौ पार्वती परिपातु मे ।
विवादे विषमे घोरे संग्रामे रिपुसङ्कटे ॥४॥

Hastau chaiv tatha paadau Paarvatee paripaatumay.
Vivaaday vishmay ghoray sangramay ripu sankatay [4]

पीताम्बरधरा पातु सर्वाङ्गी शिवनर्तकी ।
श्रीविद्या समय पातु मातङ्गी पूरिता शिवा ॥५॥

Peetambardharaa paatu sarvangay Shivnartakee.
Shrividya samayaa paatu maatangee puritashivaa [5]
पातु पुत्रं सुतांश्चैव कलत्रं कालिका मम ।
पातु नित्य भ्रातरं में पितरं शूलिनी सदा ॥६॥

Paatu putram sutam chaiv kalatram Kaalikaa mam.
Paatu nityam bhraatram may pitram shoolinee sadaa [6]
रंध्र हि बगलादेव्या: कवचं मन्मुखोदितम् ।
न वै देयममुख्याय सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम् ॥ ७॥

Randhrey hi baglaa devyaah kavacham manmukhoditam.
Naiv deyam mukhyaaya sarvasiddhi paradaayakam [7]

पाठनाद्धारणादस्य पूजनाद्वाञ्छतं लभेत् ।
इदं कवचमज्ञात्वा यो जपेद् बगलामुखीम् ॥८॥

Pathnaadhaarnaa dasya poojana dwanchitah labhet.
Idam kavacham gyatvaa yo japed Baglamukhem [8]
पिवन्ति शोणितं तस्य योगिन्य: प्राप्य सादरा: ।
वश्ये चाकर्षणो चैव मारणे मोहने तथा ॥९॥

Pibati shonitam tasya yoginayah praapya saadaraah.
Vashye chaakarshanay chaiv maarnay mohanay tathaa [9]
महाभये विपत्तौ च पठेद्वा पाठयेत्तु य: ।
तस्य सर्वार्थसिद्धि: स्याद् भक्तियुक्तस्य पार्वति ॥१०॥

Mahaabhaye vipattau ch pathedwa paathyettu yah.
tasya sarvaarth siddhih syaad bhakti yuktasya Paarvati [10]

इति श्रीरुद्रयामले बगलामुखी कवचं सम्पूर्णम्

Iti Shri Rudrayaamalay baglamukhee kavacham Sampoornam.

The Hindu Prayer – Eulogy on Various aspects of Hinduism

Hinduism

-Hinduism is like an all-encompassing ocean. Here, in the West only rational thought is considered essential for science and faith for religion. Hinduism stresses the whole consciousness, which also includes rational thought and faith, and is more universal. It is a living philosophy of life.

-Hinduism is the oldest living religion of the world. Great thinkers all over the world agree with this. Any one individual or a prophet does not formally enunciate Hinduism. It is the collection of revelations to several saints during their period of rigorous and disciplined meditation (Tapasyaa). This collection of revelations is known as the Vedaas.

-Hinduism is a natural way of life. It is not a constructed main road but a self-formed footpath trodden by the continuous walking of masses by their own will and choice. Hinduism is never imposed on any body at any time and is only religion in the world that does not believe in conversion. It wants everyone to realise the Almighty through their own will.

-Hinduism is a symbol of unity. It is not a single religion, but a composite one where people of various religions were put together under a single shade. The diversity of rituals, belief, castes, food, dress, social behaviour, languages and politics have not been able to destroy the deeper spirituality of Hinduism.

-Hinduism is the religion of experience. It is not based on dogmas and creeds to be accepted with blind faith, but is based on self-realisation. -Hinduism allows absolute freedom in the faith and mode of worship, not insisting that God could be reached through only a particular name, place or path.

-Hinduism has sacred scriptures written by women saints, no other religion matching this feature.

-Hinduism states that God is everything and everywhere.

-Hinduism is a religion of love and gratitude, and of tolerance and patience giving due respect to all religions.

OM ॐ

Om is the Akshara, or the imperishable – i.e. God. Om is the Universe, and this is the exposition of Om. The past, the present and the future, all that was, all is, all that will be, is Om. Likewise all else that may exist beyond the bounds of time, that too is Om.

Another word for Om is Pranava (‘Nu’ meaning praise and `Pra’ meaning superior) Thus Om means the best prayer or praise.

The letters AUM also stand for the mantra `Tat Twam Asi’ which means That which you are., Man’s realisation of divinity within himself. This relieves man from the fragmentation of body, mind, psyche and spirit.

Om is composed of three sounds ‘AH’, `00′, `MM’. It is the first word uttered and from it come all the alphabets and all the phonetics.

The letter `AH’ begins the sound of OM and this sound is the first letter of the alphabet in all languages.

The letter `00′ sustains the sound of OM. And finally `MM’ ends the sound of OM.

Hence Om stands for the Trinity – Brahmaa (The Creator), Vishnu (The Sustainer) & Mahesh (The Destroyer).

The Sanskrit `Om’ and the Latin ‘Omne’ come from the same root.’Omkar’

for the Sikhs and `Amen’ for the Christians may also come from the same

root.

The Mantra Om precedes all Hindu prayers. It is the original sound of Brahmaa. It may be practiced silently or vocally. The vibration of it should permeate the whole of our beings. It helps purify the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our being.

“On the bow of the mystic syllable Om, place the arrow of the Self, point at the target of Brahman, with an undistracted mind stretch the bow and penetrate the mark,”

– Mundak Upanishad.

Havan Yagya

The Sacrificial Fire

Hindus believe that the purification of the mind and spirit is even more important than the purification of the body. It is through meditation, acts of worship and goodwill to all humanity that this is achieved.

Yagya is one of the most significant forms of Hindu act of worship. The sacred fire has a very special place in all Hindu religious ceremonies. During Yagya, Ghee, food and ‘Havan Samagree’ (consisting of vegetable matter, roots, food stuffs and sandal wood) are offered to the sacred fire. The act of praying while offering these items to the fire is called ‘Aahootee’. The timing of the individual offerings made during the Yagya, should coincide with the utterance of the word ‘Swaahaa’. The offerings should be dropped into the fire with the palm facing up: the offerings should not be thrown in!

During Havan we are not praying to the actual fire in front of us. The fire, ‘Agni’ (in Sanskrit) denotes warmth and light and thus signifies God, Who is radiant and bright, and leads us from darkness to light, untruth to truth, and death to immortality.

During the Yagya, besides the physical acts of worship, we are concentrating on the highest qualities of God that we, mere mortals, are capable of imagining; at the same time we are exalting ourselves to rise above the mental, emotional and spiritual level we are at the time. This is where mere repeating and chanting of the Mantras in a rote manner is not as useful, as when we recited the same with some understanding of the beautiful and rich meaning that they carry.

0 Lord, I pray for the strength and splendour of my powers of speech, respiratory system, sight, hearing, centres of love, feeling and heart, my throat and brain, my hands and arms; my whole body for my personal ends and for the service of all.

THE PANCHA MAHAYAGYAS

There are five great daily sacrifices that are to be performed by every householder.

They are:

1. Brahma Yajna, called also Veda Yajna, sacrifice to Brahman or the Vedas or the sages;

2. Deva Yajna, sacrifice to the celestials;

3. Pitri Yajna, sacrifice to the manes;

4. Bhuta Yajna, sacrifice to all the creatures; and

5. Manushya Yajna, sacrifice to men.

The performance of these five Yajnas is conducive to the spiritual evolution or growth of a man. He gradually learns that he is not a separate entity or isolated creature or isolated unit, but is a part of a great whole. He obtains knowledge by studying the sacred scriptures written by great Rishis. He gets help from his friends, relatives and fellow-beings. His parents gave his physical body. The milk of cows, grains, vegetables and fruits nourishes his body. The five elements help him. He cannot live without oxygen and water. The Devas and the Pitris bless him. Therefore, he owes a fivefold debt to Nature. He must pay back his debt by performing these five sacrifices daily. Further, numerous insects are killed by him unconsciously during walking, sweeping, grinding, cooking, etc. This sin is removed by the performance of these sacrifices.

THE FIVE YAJNAS (or yagyas)

The Rishis, the Devas, the Pitris, the Bhutas and the guests expect help from the householders. Hence, they should perform these five sacrifices daily. Teaching and studying of scriptures is Brahma Yajna; Tarpana or offering of water to the ancestors, and Sraaddha, form Pitri Yajna; Homa or oblations into the fire is Deva Yajna; Bali or offering of food to all creatures is Bhuta Yajna; and hospitality to guests is Manushya Yajna or Atithi Yajna.

Brahma Yajna or Rishi Yajna

Every man should study daily the sacred scriptures. He should share the knowledge with others. This is Brahma Yajna or Rishi Yajna. By so doing, he

pays the debt to Rishis.

Deva Yajna

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita: “Having, in ancient times, emanated mankind together with sacrifice, the Lord of Creation said, ‘By this shall ye propagate; be this to you the fulfiller of desires. With this, nourish ye the shining ones, and may the shining ones nourish ye. Thus nourishing one another, ye shall reap the highest good. For, nourished by sacrifice, the shining ones shall bestow on you the enjoyments you desire. A thief verily is he who enjoyeth what they give without returning them anything. The righteous, who eat the remains of the sacrifice, are freed from all sins; but the unpious who cook for their own sake, they verily eat sin” (Ch. III-10, 11, 12, 13). Manu says: ” Let a man ever engage in the study of the Vedas and in the rites of the Devas; engaging in the rites of the Vedas, he supports the movable and the immovable kingdoms.” These sacrifices turn the wheel of life in accordance with the divine will and thus help the evolution of man and the worlds.

Pitri Yajna

Offering libations, etc., to the forefathers, regularly, is Pitri Yajna.

Bhuta Yajna

Distribution of food to cows, dogs, birds, fish, etc., is Bhuta Yajna.

Manushya Yajna

Feeding the poor is Manushya Yajna. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the homeless, comforting the distressed, etc., are all forms of Manushya Yajna. Any kind of service to the suffering humanity is Manushya Yajna. Feeding a guest is Manushya Yajna.

BENEFITS OF THE PANCHA MAHAYAJNAS

By daily doing such acts of kindness and sympathy, man develops mercy. Hatred vanishes. His hard egoistic heart is gradually softened. He cultivates cosmic love. His heart expands. He has a wider outlook on life. He tries to feel his oneness with all beings. His old feeling of separateness on account of selfishness and egoism is gradually thinned and eventually eradicated. He learns that he can be happy only by making others happy, by serving others, by helping others, by removing the sufferings of others and by sharing what he has with others. The five great daily sacrifices teach man his relations with his superiors, his equals and his inferiors.

Man has no separate individual existence. He is connected with the world. He is like a bead in the rosary. His whole life must be a life of sacrifice and duties. Then only he will have rapid evolution. Then only he will realize the supreme bliss of the Eternal. Then only he will free himself from the round of births and deaths and attain immortality.

NOTE: This information, I found on the net. The contains are not mine. Please feel free to contact me if you are the author of this article. Whoever has written its beautiful. I am just being the medium and wanted to share these information to all the Hindu in the world.

Who is Shiva? शिव जय श्री पशुपतिनाथ

शिवो गुरूः शिवो देवः शिवो बन्धुः शरीरिणम ।

शिवो आत्मा शिवो जीवः शिवादनयन्न किंचन ॥

SHIVO GURUHU SHIVO DEVAHA SHIVO BANDUHU SHARIRINAM |
SHIV ATMA SHIVO JEEVAHA SHIVADANYANN KINCHAN ||

Meaning: Lord Shiva himself is the teacher (Guru), Shiva is the God, Shiva is the friend of all creatures. Shiva himself is Atma (Soul) and Shiva is the Jeeva (living creature) himself. There is nothing devoid of Shiva. The virtue and benefits achieved as the result of charity, name, recitation and religious sacrifices offered to Shiva, are infinite. This has unequivocally been said in all the scriptures, that only tongue (mouth) is pure that has the name of Shiva on its lips. That mind, only is chaste that is absorbed in contemplation of the different Lilas and stories associated with Shiva. That ear only is pure that is eager to listen to the story of Shiva. Those hands only are pure that worship Lord Shiva regularly. Those eyes only are pure who see the worship of Lord Shiva, That head only is pure that prostrates before Lord Shiva. Those feet only are pure that walk and move with devotion in the holy places associated to Lord Shiva.

यस्येन्द्रियाणि सर्वाणि वर्तन्ते शिव कर्मसु ।
स निस्तरिति संसार भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विन्दति ॥

YASYENDRIYANI SARVANI VARTANTE SHIVA KARMASU
SA NISTARTI SANSARAM BHUKTIM MUKTIM CHA VINDATI ||

Meaning: He only shall cross this world whose senses are in the service of Lord Shiva. He is the one who enjoys all the fruits and attains salvation. He is respected amongst all the creatures, which has even a little devotion towards Shiva in the heart.

॥जय श्री पशुपतिनाथ॥

Shiva is the experiencer and the highest object of experience. Shiva is the goal of Sadhana. There is nothing apart from Shiva. There is nothing other than Shiva. Whatever there is, is Shiva. There is nothing, which is not Shiva. There is no place, which is not Shiva. There is no time, which is not Shiva. To be aware of this is to be aware of Shiva.

Shiva (शिव) is lord of the lords and it is really not easy to write/explain everything about Shiva. However many have tried to explain him and praised him as per their knowledge but the explanation is endless and it is un-imaginable from a human being even devas, asuras and other rishi munis have very little words to explain about the lord almighty.

Shiva means the supreme one, the auspicious one, the pure one and for me the beloved one. Shiva is named as Pashupati which means the Lord of all living beings either it is humans, devas, asuras or any creatures. Another name Mahadeva depicts the great God, supreme in all devas (Gods).

The God staying in a state blissful, enjoying in Its Own Self eternally, without any flaws is the Supreme Lord Shiva. The Perfection is the completeness – there is nothing external that is required to make the Self blissful.

Lord Shiva is reckoned among the Tridevas (trimity). Brahma is the creator, Lord Vishnu is the preserver and Lord Shiva is the destroyer. Shiva is the lord of Shakti also.

Lord Shiva is absolute which does not have any parents which never takes birth which is all alone without association with any of the creatures or creations enjoying in the Self. God is the only one who is dependable for anybody / anything to surrender to as it is the only perennial Being. Hence God is the Lord of all creatures (lives/souls). For this reason the Lord is hailed as Pashupati (Lord of living beings). Whether it is devas or asuras or humans or other creatures all are pashus. That being the case how could the Lord be partial to one section of pashus and withdrawing the Grace for the other? So anybody who worships the Lord sincerely could get blessed with Its Grace irrespective of the caste, creed, race, power, status and qualities.

It is in fact to be noted that Lord Shiva is worshipped by the devas like viShNu, braHma, indra, by asuras like bANa, rAvaNa, tripura, sUrapadma, by humans like sha~Nkara bhagavatpAda, samban^dhar, appar, by other creatures like jaTAyu, sampAdi (eagles), vAli (monkey) and the list goes on and on. One finds in the purANas the variety of people of different backgrounds and qualities worship the Lord Shiva. There are many histories of temples which talk of the cranes, bees, elephants, spiders, snakes worshipping the Lord and getting blessed. So the Lord as the Supreme blesses anyone who worships in sincere devotion. There is no discrimination on who the seeker is. The Lord is so merciful that He showers the boons one look for when there is a determination to seek Him. It is evident from the history of asura bANa who attained a great fame of his valor and got the place in the abode of Lord Shiva all due to his determined worship of the Lord.
Lord Shiva is the God of all. Like the mother He showers the grace for all the children, but the misusing children get punished. This Supreme Lord better than a mother does not withhold the grace, He is our beloved Pashupati.

The God would not be biased. It would not differentiate between one group versus the other, whether it be divines or daemons or humans or plats or creatures or on sex or on race etc. All that matters is dharma and the pure devotion towards it. No doubt this lovely Lord Shiva is worshipped alike by divines, daemons, scholars, not much learnt simple, and the other creatures.

Source: aboutshiva
Urday

क्षमा प्रार्थना दुर्गा (Shri Kshama Prathana Stotram Durga)

माँ दुर्गा देवि क्षमा प्रार्थना 

This eulogy or stuti is a part of Durga Saptashati. Usually, when the prayers are ordinarily done, we make mistakes in the prayer methods (incorrect pronunciation, for instance). This eulogy is sung in the end to ask for forgiveness and for any mistakes or incomplete offerings.

अपराधसहस्त्राणि क्रियन्तेsहर्निशं मया ।

दासोsयमिति मां मत्वा क्षमस्व परमेश्र्वरि ॥ १

आवाहनं न जानामि न जानामि विसर्जनम् ।

पूजां चैव न जानामि क्षम्यतां परमेश्र्वरि ॥ २

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं सुरेश्र्वरि ।

यत्पूजितं मया देवि परिपूर्ण तदस्तु मे ॥ ३

अपराधशतं कृत्वा जगदम्बेति चोच्चरेत् ।

यां गतिं सम्वान्पोते न तां ब्रह्मादयः सुरा: ॥ ४

सापाराधोsस्मि शरणं प्राप्पस्त्वां जगदम्बिके ।

इदानीमनुकम्प्योsहं यथेच्छसि तथा कुरू ॥ ५

अज्ञानाद्विस्मृतेर्भ्रान्त्या यन्न्यूनमधिकं कृतम् ।

तत्सर्व क्षम्यतां देवि प्रसीद परमेश्र्वरि ॥ ६

कामेश्र्वरि जगन्मातः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहे ।

गृहाणार्चामिमां प्रीत्या प्रसीद परमेश्र्वरि ॥ ७

गुह्यातिगुह्यगोप्त्री त्वं गृहाणास्मत्कृतं जपम् ।

सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देवि त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरेश्र्वरि ॥ ८

The meaning

Oh great goddess, I commit thousands of offences routinely,
So please think me as your slave and please pardon me. 1

I do not how to invoke you, nor do I know how do send you away,
And I also do not know how to worship you, and please pardon me. 2

I do not know chants or holy action or devotion, Oh God of the devas,
And so whatever worship I do, please make it complete. 3

If one calls you, “Mother of the universe” and commits hundred mistakes,
Still you look after his salvation, and this cannot be done by Brahma and other devas. 4

Oh mother of the universe , having committed several mistakes I seek your refuge,
And please decide on the fate of this shivering one according to your wishes. 5

Oh great goddess I have done all this due to ignorance and wayward thoughts,
And so excuse them all and be pleased with me. 6

Oh Goddess of love, Oh mother of the world, Oh source of eternal happiness,
Please accept my worship and with love become pleased with me. 7

Oh goddess who is secret of secrets, Please accept the chanting done by me,
And make me powerful, through your grace, Oh Goddess of the devas. 8

In Roman Alphabets

Aparadha sahasrani kriyanthe aaharnisam maya,
Daso aayamithi maam mathwa kshamaswa parameshwari. 1

Aavajanam na janami, na janami visarjanam,
Poojam chaiva na janami, kshamyatham Parameshwari. 2

Manthraheenam, kriyaheenam, Bhakthiheenam , Sureswari,
Yath poojitham maya devi paripoornam thadasthuthe. 3

Aaparadha satham kruthwa jagadambethi cho ucharath,
Yaam gathim samvapnothe na thaam brahmadaya suraa. 4

Saparadhosmi saranam prathasthvam jagadambike,
Idhanee manu kampyoham Yadecchasi thada kuru. 5

Agnana smrutherbranthya yanyoonam adhikam krutham.
Thath sarva kshamyadham devi praseedha parameshwari. 6

Kameshwari jaganmatha sachidananda vigrahe,
Grahanarchameemam preethya praseeda parameshwari. 7

Guhyadhi guhya gopthri grahana asmad krutham japam,
Sidhir bhavathu mey devi thwat prasadath sureshwari. 8

Should there be any corrections please send it to me. Thank You!

जय माँ दुर्गा