Garbha Rakshambika Stotram
Garbha Rakshambika Stotram
By Brahmasri Sengalipuram Anantha Rama Deekshithar
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
[This prayer extols the Goddess Garbharakshambika of Thirukarukkavur which is 20
km from the town of Tanjore. The Goddess is believed to help save pregnancies of
ladies. Recitation of this stotra along with the Garbha Raksha Stotra as
prescribed would help all lady devotes to have an easy and successful delivery.
They are also requested to visit the mother in her temple and bring back the
blessed oil from there, which they can apply on their stomach. This has been
composed by one of the greatest scholars of the last generation who was an
expert in Upanayasas about stories of all Gods. Sengalipuram Anantarama
Dikshitar (2 August 1903 - 30 October 1969) was a Śrauti scholar and also was a
great exponent of the art of upanyasas (discourses) on various subjects in
Hinduism. Born in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu as the first son to Sri
Subramanya Dikshithar, boy Anantharaman was initiated into the learning of the
Vedass under his father Subramanya Dikshithar who was also known as chinna
Muthannaval brother of Sengalipuram Vaidhyanatha Dikshithar or Periya
Muthannaval. After a very fruitful life, Sri Deekshithat took Apad Sanyasa and
died. His Samadhi is in Chinna Thiruppathi, Salem, Tamil Nadu.]
Sri Madhavi kananasye-Garbha,
Rakshambike pahi bhaktham sthuvantham. (refrain-to be repeated after every sloka)
In the forest of sacred jasmine, devotees pray,
Protect us Oh protector of pregnancy
Vapi thate vama bhage, vama
Devasya devi sthidha thwam,
Manyaa varenyaa vadaanya, pahi,
Garbhasya janthun thadha bhktha lokaan. 1
In the shore of the pond, you are,
Situated on the left side of the God,
Oh respected goddess, Oh giver of boons,
Oh Goddess who speaks with grace,
Protect all animals and devotees during pregnancy.
Sri Garbha raksha pure yaa, divya,
Soundarya yuktha, sumangalya gathri,
Dhathree, janithri janaanaam, divya,
Roopaam Dhayardraam manognaam bhaje thaam. 2
Oh Goddess of the town of protection of pregnancy,
Who is blessed with divine beauty, who carries a good mangalya*,
Who gives every one, who is the mother of all,
Who is pretty, who melts with mercy, I sing about you.
*The mangal Suthra-It could also mean a god with blessed form
Aashada mase supunye, shukra,
Vaare sugandhena gandhena liptha,
Divyambaraa kalpa veshaa, vaja,
Peyadhi yagasya bhakthasya sudrushtaa. 3
In the month of Ashada*, on Fridays,
You are covered with scented sandal paste,
And dressed in divine cloths and offered,
By lucky devotees, the Vajapeya sacrifice.
* July-August of the Souramana Hindu calendar
Kalyana dhathrim namasye, Vedi,
Kangcha Sthriyaa Garbha raksha kareem thwaam,
Baalai sada sevithaangri,Garbha
Rakshartha, maaraa dhupe thaiu pethaam. 4
I salute her who gives all that is good, who,
Protects Vedic pundits and pregnancy of women,
For she always protects children in pregnancies,
When the delivery time comes very near for them.
Brahmothsava vipra veedhyaam, Vaadhya,
Gosheena thushtaam radhena sannivishtaam,
Sarvartha dhatrim bhajeham, deva,
Vrundaira peedaayaam Jagan matharam thwam. 5
During the Brahmothsava,* along with sound of music,
Sitting on a chariot you go round the streets of Brahmins,
And I pray you,who is the giver of all that is good,
Who removes the problems of groups of gods,
And is the mother of the entire universe.
*Annual festival
Yethad krutham stotra rathnam, Deekshitha,
Anantha ramena devyaa thustachyai,
Nithyam padethyasthu bhakthya, puthra,
Pothradhi bhagyam BHavethasya nithyam. 6
This jewel of prayer, composed by Anantha Rama Deekshithar,
For the sake of pleasing the goddess, If read daily with devotion,
Would lead to sons, grand sons and daily luck.
Ithi Brahma sri Anantharama Deekshitha virachitham
Garbha rakshambikaa stotram SAmpoornam.
Thus ends the prayer addressed to Garbha Rakshambika,
Composed by Sri Anantha Rama Deekshithar.