Kamakshi Ashtakam

Kamakshi Dukha Nivarini Ashtakam
[Octet addressed to Kamakshi to remove sorrow]
By Annai Durgai Siddhar
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Once playfully Goddess Parvathi shut the eyes of Lord Shiva. As a result the entire world was drowned in darkness. Shiva cursed her to be born in earth. She was born as Kamakshi in a place called Maangaadu (Forest of mango) and did Thapas (penance) to marry shiva. This very musical octet written in Tamil is addressed to this Goddess Kamakshi, who is housed in a great temple in Mangadu.]

1. Mangala Roopini, mathi ani soolini, Manmatha paniyale,
Sangadam neekida saduthiyil vandhidum, sankarri soundhariye,
Kankana paniyan kani mukham kanda nal karpaga kaminiye,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to the wife of Shiva, the white goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
Who is in her auspicious form, who wears moon,
Who holds the trident, who holds the weapons of love god,
Who is the pretty Sankari who comes speedily to remove sorrow,
And who is the desire fulfilling passionate one and sees the god who wears bracelets.

2. Kan uru malar yena kadir oli katti, kathida vanthiduval,
Thaan uru thava oli thaar oil mathi oli thangiye veesiduval,
Maan uru vizhiyal madhavar mozhiyal, malaigal choodiduval,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
Like the sun showing its rays to the scented flower she will come to save you,
With abundant light of penance she would spread the moon light which she carries,
With her eyes prettier than deer and with divine language she will garland him.

3. Sankari Soundhari Chathrmukhan pothida sabhayil vandavale,
Pongu arimavinil ponnadi vaithu porundhida vandhavale,
Em kulam thazhaithida ezhil vadivudane ezhunda nal durgayala,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
Who is the pretty consort of Shiva who came due to the praise of Brahma in the assembly,
Who kept her golden feet on the rising lion and came to fight,
And is the good Durga Devi who came with a pretty form to protect my clan.

4. Dhana dhana dhandhana thavil oli muzhangida thanmani nee varuvay,
Kana kana Kankana kadir oli vesida kanmani nee varuvay,
Pana pana panpana parai oli koovida panmamani nee varuvay,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
With the dhan Dhan sound of the drum you who is cool, will come,
With the Kan Kan sound of the bangles you our darling, will come,
With Pan pan sound of the mega drum you who is poetic would come.

5. Panchami, Bhairavi Parvatha puthiri, Pancha nal paniyale,
Konjidum kumaranai, gunan migu vezhanai, kodutha nal kumariyale,
Sangadam theerthida samara athu cheytha nal Shakthi enum maye,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
Who is as pretty as the fifth crescent, who is fearful,
Who is the daughter of mountain and who has the five good approaches,
Who is the lady who gave us the lisping Subrahmanya and the very good Ganapathi,
And who is Maya Devi who is the power who fought the war to remove the sorrows.

6. Yenniya padi nee arulida varuvay, em kula deviyale,
Panniya cheyalin palan athu nalamay palgida aruliduvay,
Kannoli athanal karunaye katti kavalaigal theerpavale,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
Oh God of our clan please come to bless us as per our thought,
Oh goddess bless us so that we get proper results for work done,
Oh Goddess who removes our worries just by showing the light of your eye.

7. Idar tharu thollai ini mel illai, endru nee cholliduvay,
Sudar tharu amudhe, sruthigal kori sukhamathu thanthiduvay,
Padar tharu irulil parithiyay vandhu pasha vinai ottiduvay,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
When you are telling that things that create problems will not be there from now,
Oh nectar who gives light, give us pleasures by saying the Vedas,
And you would drive away my bondage of fate by coming as a Garuda

8. Jayajaya Bala Chamundeswari Jayajaya Sri Devi,
Jayajaya Durga Sri Parmeshwari Jayajaya Sridevi,
Jayajaya Jayanthi Mangala Kali Jayajaya Sridevi,
Jaya jaya Sankari gouri krupakari, dukha nivarini Kamakshi.

Victory, victory to wife of Shiva, the white Goddess,
The merciful one, she who removes sorrows and the Goddess Kamakshi,
Victory, victory to Bala Chamunda, victory, victory to Lakshmi,
Victory, victory to consort of Lord Shiva, victory, victory to Lakshmi,
Victory, victory to the victorious Kali who does good, Victory, Victory to Lakshmi.