Dwadasa Nama Keerthanam

Dwadasa Nama Keerthanam
By Poonthanam
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Poonthanam was possibly one of the greatest fore runners of Bhakthi cult in Kerala and his greatest work was Jnana Pana, Loosely it can be translated as "Pot of Knowledge". But "pana" here is not pot but a style of folk poem. This is written in a common man's language and in a common man's verse. It preaches the greatness of repetition (singing) of the Holy God's names. In between Poonthanam wrote about the world he saw and the world he wanted to see. Some people term it as the Bhagavad Geetha of Malayalam. Many of you may be surprised to know that he has written several prayers in Sanskrit too. In this prayer he has prayed the dwadasa namas of Vishnu, viz Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudana, Purushothama, Vamana, Sreedhara, Hrishikesa, Padmanabha and Damodhara.]

1. Sri Jaya Kesava, Kesi Nishoodhana, Vasudeva Krishna,
Natha jana vathsala, naraka vinasana, Vasudeva, Krishna

Hail Kesava, killer of Kesi, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Darling of devotees, destroyer of hell, Vasudeva, Krishna

2. Narayana jaya nalina vilochana Vasudeva Krishna,
Natha jana vathsala, naraka vinasana, Vasudeva, Krishna

Hail Narayana, lotus eyed one, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Darling of devotees, destroyer of hell, Vasudeva, Krishna

3. Jaya, jaya Madhava, Madhusudana jaya, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Madana manohara, manjula vigraha, Vasudeva.

Hail, hail, Madhava, One who gives joy to Gopis, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Prettier than God of love, One who is handsome, Vasudeva.

4. Jaya, jaya Govinda Gopikananda, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Godhuli dhoomrathaka siroruha, Vasudeva.

Hail, hail Govinda, one who gives happiness of Gopis, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva whose head is covered by dust raised by cows.

5. Vishno, jaya, jaya, Viswapathe Jaya, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Vividha vilasa vibhooshana bhooshitha Vasudeva.

Hail, hail Vishnu, lord of the universe, hail, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva who is ornamented with different types of pretty ornaments.

6. Madhusudana, Jaya Madhava, jaya jaya Vasudeva, Krishna,
Marakatha varna, manohara Vigraha, Vasudevaa

Hail Madhusudana, hail, hail Madhava, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh emerald coloured Vasudeva, who has a mind stealing form.

7. Jaya Purushothama, deva Trivikrama Vasudeva, Krishna,
Varinatha chandra prasanna mukhambuja, Vasudeva.

Hail the greatest Purusha, God Trivikrama, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh gifted Vasudeva who has a lotus like face like the full moon.

8. Jaya, jaya Vamana, varada vibho, Jaya Vasudeva, Krishna,
Jaya, jaya Jaladhi sudhamrutha bhajana Vasudeva.

Hail, hail Vamana who is the lord who blesses, Hail Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva who participated in getting nectar from the ocean.

9. Sridhara, jaya, jaya Sinchitha noopura Vasudeva, Krishna,
Sidhilikrutha Janahrudaya saroruha Vasudeva.

Hail, hail, Sridhara, Vasudeva with tinkling anklets, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva of the lake of broken people's heart.

10. Jaya, jaya deva Hrishikesa, jaya, jaya Vasudeva, Krishna,
Jani mruthi nasana jagathi nayaka Vasudeva.

Hail, hail God Hrishikesa, hail, hail, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva who destroys birth death cycle and is the Lord of earth.

11. Sri Padmanabha, Mukunda, Hrishikesa, Janardhana, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Papa vinasana Parama krupalaya Vasudeva.

God Padmanabha, Mukunda, Hrishikesa, Janardhana, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva Destroyer of sins and greatly charitable.

12. Damodara, jaya Devaki Nandana, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Danuja kulandhaka, deva Parayana, Vasudeva.

Hail Damodara, Son of Devaki, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva, Killer of asuras, one perused by devas.

12. Bhagawan jaya, jaya, bhagawatha Priya, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Varada Janardhana Vamapureswara Vasudeva.

Hail, hail God, Who likes holy people, Vasudeva, Krishna,
Oh Vasudeva who blesses, Oh Janardhana, Oh Lord of Vamapura.