In this post, I have recited a famous poem by the much-acclaimed African-American poetess, Maya Angelou. Her life, her grit and never-say-die attitude in the face of adversity has always inspired me. Despite her lack of college education, she was called ‘Dr.Angelou’ because of her profound innate wisdom and knowledge. Her autobiography – I know why the caged bird sings – is world famous and is taught as a text book in the US universities. She passed away in 2014 but through her legacy of words, continues to inspire millions till date.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

 I love reading and writing poetry. For me, poetry is an expression of The Higher Creative Force of the universe, a song of the soul. It is an immediate release of the pent up energy within us. Poetry elevates and lightens up the heart.  

Resources:

1. Maya Angelou – https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maya-Angelou
2. Still I rise – https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise

The post Still I Rise by Maya Angelou – Recited by Mukta Punj appeared first on Wise Ganesha.

Q: What is Ganesha Pancharatnam?

A: It is an extremely powerful and at the same time melodious devotional hymn composed by Shri Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD. It is meant to be sung daily with devotion, early in the morning. By doing so, the worshiper will be blessed with a good life (as explained in the last para of the prayer).This stotra is highly popular in the south Indian states and enjoys a revered status in the field of Art; namely amongst classical singers, Bharatnatyam dancers as well as Ganesha devotees. This stotra is considered magical and highly potent in granting the wish of the devotee. In this blog post, I have translated the stotra from sanskrit to english along with transliteration of the lengthy sanskrit words into short english ones for better understanding.

Did you know?

Q: When was Ganesha Pancharatnam written?

A: Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed it in the 8th century AD.

Q: In which ancient Hindu scripture is this prayer recorded?

A: Ganesha Pancharatnam is recorded as a Stotra in Mudgala Purana, an ancient Hindu scripture. The sanskrit words are tough for the layman to pronounce but with practise and continuous repetition, soon it becomes evident, how melodious the arrangement of the words is! One cannot help but notice the beauty of the words and their amazing placement. The words are pleasingly smooth and musical to the ear. The first five paras are in praise of Lord Ganesha and the last para expounds the virtue of singing this stotra everyday, thereby pleasing the Lord. The word ‘Pancharatnam’ means five jewels and rightly so. By the very nature of their poetic, mellifluous elements, the words of this hymn are nothing short of gems.

Sri Ganesha

मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं


कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम् ।


अनायकैकनायकं विनाशितेभदैत्यकं


नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥१॥

Mudaa-Karaatta-Modakam | Sadaa | Vimukti-Saadhakam

Kalaa-Dhara-Avatamsakam | Vilaasi-Loka-Rakshakam

Anaayakai[a-E]ka-Naayakam | Vinaashitebha-Daityakam

Nata-Ashubha-Ashu-Naashakam | Namaami | Tam |Vinaayakam ||1||

Meaning:

1.1: (Ganesha) Who holds the divine joy in His hand as modaka (a sweetmeat) and who always strives to accomplish the liberation of His devotees towards that ultimate joy,

1.2: Who holds the digit of the moon as His ornament and with a joyful spirit protects the world,

1.3: Who is without any master but is Himself the only master for His devotees, and protects them by destroying the (inner) demons,

1.4: To those who surrender to Him, He destroys the inauspicious tendencies quickly; I salute Sri Vinayaka and surrender to Him.

नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं


नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम् ।


सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं


महेश्वरं तमाश्रये परात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥२॥

Nate[a-I]tara-Ati-Bhiikaram | Navo[a-U]dita-Arka-Bhaasvaram

Namat-Sura-Ari-Nir-Jaram | Nata-Adhika-Apad-Uddharam |

Sure[a-Ii]shvaram | Nidhi-[I]ishvaram | Gaje[a-Ii]shvaram | Ganne[a-Ii]shvaram

Mahe[a-Ii]shvaram | Tama-Ashraye | Paraatparam | Nir-Antaram ||2||

Meaning:

2.1: To those who do not bow down to God out of arrogance, He takes a frightening form; His benign form is like a newly-risen sun,

2.2: (Ganesha) Who is always fresh without any decay, and is saluted reverentially by the devas and the devoted persons; Who releases those who surrender to Him from distressing crises,

2.3: Who is the God of the devas (Sureshvara), Who is the God of prosperity (Nidhishvara), Who is the God with an elephant face (Gajeshvara) and Who is the God of the ganas (celestial attendants) (Ganeshvara),

2.4: Who is the Great God (Maheshvara); To His refuge, Who is superior than the best, I continually place myself in devotional surrender.

समस्तलोकशंकरं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं


दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम् ।


कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं


मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥३॥

Samasta-Loka-Shamkaram | Nirasta-Daitya-Kun.jaram

Dare[a-I]taro[a-U]daram | Varam | Varebha-Vaktram-Aksharam |

Krpaa-Karam | Kshamaa-Karam | Mudaa-Karam | Yashas-Karam

Manas-Karam | Namas-Krtaam | Namas-Karomi | Bhaasvaram ||3||

Meaning:

3.1: (Ganesha) Who is the auspicious power behind all the worlds and who removes the mighty (inner) demons,

3.2: Whose huge body signifies prosperity and boon-giving and whose most excellent face reflects His imperishable nature.

3.3: Who showers grace (Kripakara), who showers forgiveness (Kshamakara), who showers joy (Mudakara) and who showers glory (Yashaskara) to His Devotees,

3.4: Who bestows intelligence and wisdom (Manaskara) to those who salute Him with reverence; I salute His shining form.

अकिंचनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं


पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् ।


प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनंजयादिभूषणम्


कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥४॥

Akinchana-[A]arti-Maarjanam | Chirantano[a-U]kti-Bhaajanam

Pura-Ari-Puurva-Nandanam | Sura-Ari-Garva-Charvannam |

Prapan.cha-Naasha-Bhiishannam | Dhananjaya-[A]adi-Bhuushannam

Kapola-Daana-Vaarannam | Bhaje | Puraanna-Vaarannam ||4||

Meaning:

4.1:(Ganesha) Who wipes out the sufferings of the needy who take His refuge; Who is the receptacle of the words of praises of the ancients,

4.2: Who is the former son (the first son; second being Kartikeya) of the enemy of Tripurasuras (i.e. Lord Shiva who killed the demon king, Tripurasur), and Who chews down the pride and arrogance of the enemies of the devas (who signify exceptional inner qualities),

4.3: Who wields terrible power to destroy the delusion of the five elements constituting the world (from the mind of His devotees); Who Himself is adorned with the powers (behind the five elements) like Fire etc,

4.4: From Whose cheeks flow down the juice of grace; Salutations to Him Whose praise similarly flows down like juice from the Puranas.

नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं


अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् ।


हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां


तमेकदन्तमेव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥५॥

Nitaanta-Kaanta-Danta-Kaantim-Antaka-Antaka-[A]atmajam

Achintya-Ruupam-Anta-Hiinam-Antaraaya-Krntanam |

Hrd-Antare | Nirantaram | Vasantam-Eva | Yoginaam

Tam-Eka-Dantam-Eva | Tam | Vichintayaami | Santatam ||5||

Meaning:

5.1: (Ganesha) Whose beautiful form of Ekadanta (one tooth) is very much dear to His devotees, and Who is the son of the One (referring to Lord Shiva) Who put an end to (i.e. restrained) Antaka (i.e. Yama, god of death).

5.2: Whose essential form is inconceivable and without any limit, and which cuts through the obstacles of His devotees,

5.3: Who continually abides in the cave of the heart of the yogis.

5.4: I continually reflect upon Him, the Ekadanta (another name of Sri Vinayaka).

महागणेशपञ्चरत्नमादरेण योऽन्वहं


प्रजल्पति प्रभातके हृदि स्मरन् गणेश्वरम् ।


अरोगतामदोषतां सुसाहितीं सुपुत्रतां


समाहितायुरष्टभूतिमभ्युपैति सोऽचिरात् ॥६॥

Mahaa-Gannesha-Pan.cha-Ratnam-Aadarenna | Yo[ah-A]nvaham

Prajalpati | Prabhaatake | Hrdi | Smaran | Ganne[a-Ii]shvaram |

Arogataam-Adoshataam | Su-Saahitiim | Su-Putrataam

Samaahita-Ayur-Ashtta-Bhuutim-Abhy-Upai[a-E]ti | So[ah-A]chiraat ||6||

Meaning:

6.1:Those who Read the Great Ganesha Pancharatnam (five Jewels in praise of Sri Ganesha) with devotion

6.2: And utter this in the early morning contemplating on Sri Ganeshvara in their hearts

6.3: Will get free from diseases and vices, will get good spouses and good sons

6.4: And with it he/she will get long life and the eight powers soon.

____________________________________________________________

References:

1. Sri Adi Shankaracharya bibliography. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara_bibliography

2. Ganesha Panchratnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha_pancharatnam

The post Ganesha Pancharatnam – Benefits, Lyrics & Meanings in English appeared first on Wise Ganesha.