Bana Sankari Smarana Stotram

Bana Sankari Pratha Smarana Stotram
[Morning Prayer of Sankari of the Forest]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[To kill Durgamasura, the goddess Durga took the incarnation of Sakambari. This incarnation is worshipped as Bana Shankari or Vana Sankari or Vana Durga.]

Dhyanam

1. Ya Mayaa Madhu kaidaba pramadhini, ya mahoishonmulini,
Ya dhoormekshana chanda munda madhani ya Raktha bheejasini,

2. Sakthi Shumbha nishumbha darpa dalini ya Sidha Lakshmi paraa,
Sa Chandi nava koti murthy Sahithaa mam pathu Visweswari

Meditation

Let me be protected by the Goddess of the universe, who is the great illusion,
Who killed by churning Madhu and Kaidabha, who uprooted Mahishasura,
Who killed Dhoomra Lochana, Chanda and Munda as well as Raktha Bheeja,
Who is the great power, who destroyed the pride of Shumbha and Nishumbha,
Who is the Lakshmi of yogic form, who is divine and
Who is Chandi accompanied by nine crores of Shakthis.

1. Pratha smarami thava Sankari vakthra padmam,
Kanathakam, Madhura mandahaasam prasannam,
Kasmira darpa mruga naabhi lasad lalatam,
Lokathraya abhaya dha charu vilochanadyam.

I meditate on your lotus like face, Oh Goddess Sankari,
On your curly locks, your very pleasing face with a sweet smile,
On your shining forehead decorated with Kashmir Musk,
And your pretty eyes which give protection to the three worlds.

2. Pratharbhajami thava Sankari hastha vrundam, Manikhya hema valayaadhi Vibhooshanadyam,
Ghanta trishula kara vala supushta kheta pathro uthamangam damrullasitham manognam.

In the morning I sing about your hands decorated with golden bangles studded with ruby gem,
And your bewitching form which holds bell, trident, sword Book, Shield, a skull.

3. Prathar namami thava Sankari pada padmam, padmodhbhavadhi sumanogana sevyamanam,
Manju kwanath kanaka noopura rajamaanam, Vandharu vrundha sukhi rudham arya Hrudayam.

In the morning I Salute your lotus like, Oh Sankari, who was born out of a lotus and is served by attendants with a good mind,
Who shines in the golden jingling anklets and who makes the heart of respectable devotees joyous.

4. Pratha sthuthave cha thava Sankari, divya moorthi kaadamba kaanana gatham, karunarasardraam,
Kalyana dhama, manava neeradha neela bhaasaam, pancaasyayana lasitham, Paramarthihanthrim.

In the morning I pray to you, Oh Sankari who has a divine form, who goes to Kadamba forest, who is wet with mercy,
Who is abode of auspiciousness, who splits the forest of minds, who is blue in colour, who shines in between five fires and who destroys the distress.

5. Prathar vadami Sankari thave divya nama, Sakambhareethi, Lalithethi, Sathekshanethi,
Durgethi Durgama mahasura nasineethi, Sri Mangalethi, Kamalethi, Maheswareethi.

In the morning I chant your blessed names Oh Sankari like Shakambari, Lalitha, Shatshakthi,
Durga, the killer of difficult to kill asuras, Mangala, Kamala and Maheswari.

6. Ya sloka panchakamidham padathi prabhaathe, Sakambari priyakaram Durithogha nasam,
Thasmai dadhathi shivadhaa vanasankari Savidhyam prajaam sriyam udharamathi sukeerthim.

He who read these five stanzas in the morning, would please Sakambari who would destroy all his sufferings,
And to him Goddess Banasankari would bestow peace, knowledge, children, wealth, merciful mind and good fame.