Jnana Prasoonambika

Jnana Prasoonambika Stotram
[Prayer to the mother who is blossom of wisdom]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Jnana prasoonambika is the goddess who presides along with her consort Kalahastheeswara in Kalahasthi, a pilgrim town very near Thirupathi. This beautiful prayer is addressed to her. A spider, snake and elephant are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, fought with each other due to their devotion to Lord Shiva and died here. This temple is one of those Pancha Bhootha sthala, dedicated to Vayu and is also considered as Kailasa of South India. This temple is also one of the 108 Shakthi sthalas dedicated to mother Parvathi.]

Manikyanchitha bhooshanaam maniravaam, mahendraneelojwalaam,
Mandaradhruma bhooshitha kacham mathebha kumbha sthaneem,
Mounisthomanutham, maralagamanam madhweerasanandhineem,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 1

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who wears ornaments made of rubies, who makes the pretty sound of gems,
Who shines like the blue sapphire, who wears Mandara flowers in her hair,
Who has breasts which are similar to the forehead of an elephant,
Who is praised by the sages who are silent, who walks like a swan,
And who is happy because of the Madhu* that she has taken.
*could be honey

Shyamam rajanibhananaam rathihithaam rajeevapathrekshanam,
Rajath kanchana rathna bhooshanayutham, rajyapradhaneshwareem,
Raksho garva nivaranaam trijagatham rakshaika chinthamanim,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 2

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who is black in colour, who has a moon like face, who likes Rathi Devi*,
Who has eyes similar to the lotus leaves, who wears golden and gem studded ornaments,
Who can give kingdoms, who put an end to pride of asuras,
And who is the gem in one’s thought that takes care of all the three worlds.
*Wife of god of love

Kalyamnim, kari kumbha bhasura rucham, kaameshwarim, kaamineem,
Kalyanachalavasineem, kalaravam, kandharpa vidhya kalaam,
Kanjaksheem, kala bindhu kalpa lathikam, kaamari chitha priyam,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 3

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who is good personified, who has bosoms like the forehead of an elephant,
Who is the goddess of desire, who is the stealer of hearts,
Who lives on the Kalyana mountain, who has a sweet voice,
Who is an expert in art of love, who has lotus like eyes,
Who has thilaka* in between eye brows and who is the sweetheart of Lord Shiva.
*Ornamental dot placed on the forehead by ladies

Bhavaatheetha mana prabhava bharitham brahmanda bhandodhareem,
Baalaam bala kuranga nethra yugalam bhanu prabha bhasithaam,
Bhaswath kshethra ruchabhi rama nilayam bhavyam bhavaneem shivaam,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 4

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who is beyond the thoughts of the common mind, who keeps the universe in her womb,
Who is a young lass, who has twin eyes similar to a young deer,
Who shines like the Sun, Who stays in the universe of Sun,
Who does all that is good, who is Bhavani and Who is Shivaa*.
* Could be consort of Shiva or the Lady of peace

Veenagana vinodhineem vijayineem vethanda kumbha sthaneem,
Vidhwa dwandhitha padma yugalam, vidhya prabhaam shankareem,
Vidweshinya aari bhanjaneem, sthuthi bhavaam, vedantha vedhyam shivaam,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 5

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who takes pleasure singing with Veena, who is victorious,
Who has busts like forehead of elephant. whose lotus like feet,
Is worshipped by learned persons, who is consort of Shankara,
Who destroys enemies whom she hates, who is pleased with prayers,
And who is described by Vedanta and who is Shivaa.

Naanaa bhoshitha bhooshanaadhi vimalaam, lavanya padhonidheem,
Kanchi chanchala ghaika kalaravam, kunchatha pathrekshanaam,
Karpooraa garu kunkumankitha kucham, kailasa nadha priyam,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 6

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who wears various different ornaments, who is clarity personified,
Who is the seat of beauty, who walks with the sweet sound of bells tied on her belt,
Who has eyes similar to the leaves of lotus, whose breasts which are anointed with,
Sandal, saffron and camphor and who is the sweet heart of the lord of Kailasa*.
* The mountain on which Shiva lives

Manjeeranchitha pada padma yugalam, manikhya bhooshanvithaam,
Mandara dhruma manjaree madhujjari madhurya khelal giraam
Mathangi madhuralasam, karasukam neelala kalankrutham,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 7

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who wears anklets on her pair of feet, who decorates herself with rubies,
Who showers sweet words similar to the flow of honey from the kalpaka flowers,
Who is the daughter of the sage Mathanga, who is sweet natured,
Who holds a parrot in her hand and who shines with thick black hair.

Karnalambitha hema kundalayugam, kadamba veneem umaam,
Ambhojasana vasavadhi vinutham ardhendhu bhoshojjwalam,
Kasthuri thilakabhirama nitilaam gaana priyaam shyamalaam,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 8

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who wears golden studs in her ears, who is Uma with cloud coloured hair,
Who is being worshipped Brahma, Indra and others, who wears the crescent,
Whose forehead shines due to thilaka of musk, And who is black and likes music.

Kaumaarim nava pallavamriyugalam, karpoora basojjwalam,
Ganga vartha samana nabhi kuharam, Gangeya bhooshanwitham,
Chandrarkanala koti koti sadhrusam, chandrarka bimbhananaam,
Dhyaye chethasi Kalahasthi, nilayam jnanaprasoonambikam. 9

I meditate in my mind, that holy mother in Kalahasthi, who is the blossom of wisdom,
Who is the young lady with feet similar to newly opened leaf buds,
Who is shining like camphor, who has belly button similar to,
The whirl pool in river Ganga, who is shining with her golden jewels,
Who is similar to billions of moon, sun and fire and who has,
Face which looks similar to the Sun and Moon.

Baladhithya nibhananaam, trinayanam, balenduna bhooshithaam,
Neelakara sukeshinim, vilasitham nithyanna dhana pradham,
Sankham chakra varabhayam cha dadatheem saraswathartha pradham,
Thamboolim, tripuram, shivena sahitham, dhyayami mookambikaam. 10

I salute that silent mother, who has looks similar to the rising sun,
Who has three eyes, who wears the crescent as ornament,
Who has hair of the bluish colour, who is playful,
Who gives alms of food daily, who holds conch, wheel in two hands,
Grants boons by the third hand and provides protection by fourth hand,
Who grants knowledge, who chews Thamboola*,
Who is Tripura, and who is always with Lord Shiva.
* Betel leaf, betel nut and lime.