Malayalam Poem - Poombatta (Butterfly)

A very dear Malayalam poem I learnt in class 1 or 2. It is about a butterfly's life. No idea who wrote it, though. Do drop in a comment if you recognize the author...


Pala pala naalukal njanoru puzhuvaay
Pavizha kootilurangi,
Irulum vettavum ariyaathangane
Irunnu naalukal neekki
Arali chediyude ila thannadiyil
Aruma kingini pole,
Veeshum kaattathilakithulli
Veezhathangine ninnu !!
Oru naal sooryan udichuyarumpol
Vidarum chirakukal veeshi,
Purathu vannu azhaku thudikkum
Poombatta thaliraayi
Vidarnu vilasum pani neer poovil
Parannu pattyirunnu,
Poovil thullum poovathu pole
Poonthenundu kazhinju…


പല പല നാളുകൾ ഞാനൊരു പുഴുവായ് 

പവിഴ കൂട്ടിലുറങ്ങി 

ഇരുളും വെട്ടവും അറിയാതങ്ങനെ 

ഇരുന്നു നാളുകൾ നീക്കി 

അരളി ചെടിയുടെ ഇല തൻ അടിയിൽ 

അരുമ കിങ്ങിണി പോലെ 

വീശും കാറ്റത്തിളകി തുള്ളി 

വീഴാതങ്ങനെ നിന്നു !!

ഒരു നാൾ സൂര്യൻ ഉദിച്ചുയരുമ്പോൾ 

വിടരും ചിറകുകൾ വീശി 

പുറത്തു വന്നു അഴകു തുടിക്കും 

പൂമ്പാറ്റ തളിരായി. 

വിടർന്നു വിലസും പനിനീർപ്പൂവിൽ 

പറന്നു പറ്റിയിരുന്നു 

പൂവിൽ തുള്ളും പൂവതുപോലെ 

പൂന്തേൻനുണ്ടു കഴിഞ്ഞു !!

Toddler Speeches

My little girl is often required to make little speeches for her English classes. I'm posting them here. Mostly they are five sentences each per topic. Hope it'll be useful for some harried moms out there...

Home – my sweet home

I live at .........................................................
My home houses a wonderful family which includes my grandparents, my parents,................. and myself.
My home is very tidy and beautiful and I help my elders to keep it clean.
I think that my home is the best place in the world.
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, 
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home; 

My Mother

My mother's name is ........................ but I call her Amma.

She is a ........................ (job). 

My mother takes good care of me. 

She makes me very happy. 

I love my mother very much.

My Best Friend

My best friend’s name is..........................................

She is very friendly and shares everything with me.

We play many games together. 

We often go to each other’s houses for playing too.

I love my friend very much.

My School

I study at .......................................... 

My school, which is situated in the heart of.........................., is a temple of learning.

Here we learn basic things like manners, discipline and punctuality along with our studies.

Our teachers also pay much attention to sports and other co-curricular activities.

Recently my school was awarded the distinction of being ......................................

I think that my school is the best school in the whole world.

(School song - first two lines......)

About my pet

I have a wonderful cat named Rocket at home.
He is black and white in color and looks like a zebra.
He loves to drink lots of milk.
When I reach home after school, he comes running to play with me.
I love him very much and he loves me too.

Healthy Food

We must always eat healthy food.
Healthy eating means eating a wide variety of nutritious foods.
We should try to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, grains and beans.
We should also eat dairy products or nuts for protein.
Healthy eating habits are essential for living a long and happy life.

Health is Wealth

Health is the most precious possession of man.
Healthy people can work and play for long hours without getting tired.
Good health needs cleanliness, regular exercise, good food, sound sleep and good thoughts.
Carlyle has said that "He who has health has hope and he who has hope has everything".
Thus the well-known proverb "Health is Wealth" perfectly captures the significance of health.

How I Save Water

Water is one of nature’s most important gifts to mankind.

Safe drinking water is essential for all living beings. 

To save water, I always close the tap while brushing my teeth.

For my bath, I use water from a bucket instead of the shower. 

We also reuse the kitchen water for plants.

Water is Life. Save Water! Save Life!

Churidar

Churidar is my favorite dress.  

They are tight trousers worn by the people of South Asia.
Churidars are usually worn with a kameez.
Mughal rulers and Kathak dancers wear churidars.
These pretty dresses can be silk or cotton or polyester.

Short story - Sand and Stone

Two friends, Ram and Shyam, were walking through the desert. 

They had a fight and Ram hit Shyam. Shyam wrote in the sand: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND HURT ME.”

They reached a mire and Shyam fell into it. 

Ram saved him. 

Shyam wrote on a stone: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”

Ram asked Shyam, “When I hit you, you wrote in the sand. When I saved you, you write on stone. Why?”

Shyam replied: “When someone hurts us, we should write it in sand so that winds of forgiveness can erase it. But, when someone helps us, we must write it in stone so that we will remember forever.”

Moral of the story is: 

Write your hurts in the sand, and carve your benefits in stone. 

Thought for the day

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

                                         Aristotle

Excellence comes about as a result of our habits. Successful people are simply those with successful habits. 

We become just by doing just actions, temperate by doing temperate actions, brave by doing brave actions. Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. 

I repeat the thought for the day - 

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. Aristotle

Malayalam Nursery Song - Kunje Kunje Unaroo Nee

Recently heard this song.... isn't it sweet????

കുഞ്ഞേ കുഞ്ഞേ ഉണരൂ നീ 

കുഞ്ഞി കണ്ണ് തുറക്കൂ നീ 

നേരം പുലരും നേരത്ത് 

നീ ഈ മട്ടു കിടന്നാലോ ?

ഓമന പല്ലുകൾ തെക്കെണ്ടേ ?

ഓമന മുഖവും കഴുകണ്ടേ ?

നീരാട്ടാടാൻ പോകേണ്ടേ ?

നീല പൂമുടി കെട്ടേണ്ടെ ?

അച്ഛൻ തന്നൊരുടുപിട്ട് 

അമ്മ തൊടീക്കും പൊട്ടിട്ട് 

Nursery സ്കൂളിൽ പോകേണ്ടേ ?

Nursery പാട്ടുകൾ പാടെണ്ടേ ?

In English, for those unfamiliar with the Malayalam script...

Kunje kunje unaru nee

Kunji kannu thurakku nee
Neram pularum nerathu
Ne ee mattu kidannalo?
Omana pallukal thekande?
Omana mugavum kazukande?
Neera ttadaan pokende?
Neela poo mudi kettende?
Achan thannorudipittu
Amma thodikkum pottittu
Nursery schoolil pokende?
Nursery pattukal paadende?

Sandhyanaamam - Hindu Evening Prayers

New!!!

This work was always meant to be a work in  progress, too. As my little girl has grown, so have the sandhya naamams that she is capable of reciting. This is the updated version of the sandhyanamam that she chants these days. If your child is yet a little toddler, please ignore the additions made and stick to the simpler shlokas. Feel free to add the newer ones as they get older...

Sandhyanaamam is an integral part of the daily ritual of the Hindu households of Kerala. In earlier days, every family had one or two grandparents, who were well versed in these matters and they encouraged, even insisted, that the youngsters follow these daily routines without fail. However nowadays, with most of the families going nuclear and parents too exhausted by evening, these routines are gradually being ignored and hence forgotten.

The shastras say that Eeshwara-naama-japam whether done knowingly or unknowingly, with knowledge or without it, correctly or incorrectly, will achieve the desired results when performed with true devotion and complete faith. Regular naama japam brings about peace and contentment to all devotees. 

It is believed that at dusk, one should bathe and purify oneself and light the nilavilakku. Clear all disturbing thoughts from one's mind before beginning Eeshwara-naama-japam. It is considered that no other task undertaken during this hour will be fulfilled; hence no food must be partaken during this time, and sleeping is similarly forbidden as is every other activity. 

There is a method to chanting the evening prayers correctly. This article is all about the manner, contents and correct rendering of sandhyanaamam. 

Lighting the lamp:

Children must wash their hands and feet to purify themselves before lighting the nilavilakku. It is customary to entwine two wicks (thiri / തിരി ) together such that it forms a single flame (deepam / ദീപം ). Ghee or sesame oil ( നല്ലെണ്ണ ) may be used in the nilavilakku.

In the morning, the nilavilakku should have a single deepam towards the east. In the evening, the nilavilakku should ideally have two lighted flames, one pointing to the east and one to the west. The directions of the wick are presumed to offer the following benefits:

• Eastern wick - eliminates all unhappiness 
• Western wick - eliminates debt and grahakopam
• Northern wick - brings good fortune and knowledge

The shastras prohibit lighting wicks towards the south.

In case there are more than two wicks, the lighting should begin from the northern side and continue clockwise. We should return in the same direction without completing the circle. Then the wick used to light the nilavilakku should be extinguished. 

The following shloka may be recited while lighting the lamp...
ദീപം ജ്യോതി: പരബ്രഹ്മ ദീപോജ്യോതിർ ജനാർദ്ദന 

ദീപോ ഹരതുമേ പാപം സന്ധ്യാദീപം നമോസ്തുതേ 

दीपं ज्योति: परब्रह्मा दीपोज्योतिर जनार्धना 

दीपो हरतुमे पापं संध्यदीपं नमोस्तुते |

Deepam Jyoti Parabrahma Deepojyotir Janardhana
Deepo Harathume Paapam Sandhyadeepam Namostuthe
Meaning:
I fold my hands before the light that brings prosperity, auspiciousness, good health, abundance of wealth and destruction of the enemy's intellect.
New! 
I have now added the following shloka to this:
ശുഭം കരോതി കല്യാണം ആരോഗ്യം ധനസമ്പദാ 

ശത്രു ബുദ്ധി വിനാശായ ദീപ ജ്യോതിർ നമോസ്തുതേ 

शुभं करोति कल्याणं आरोग्यं धनसंपदा

शत्रु बुधि विनाशाय दीपज्योतिर नंमोस्तुते |

Shubham Karothi Kalyaanam Aarogyam Dhana Sampatha
Shatrubudhi Vinaashaaya Deepajyotir Namostuthe

Sandhya Naamam:

Sandhyanaamam always begins by obeisance with a prayer to the guru...
ഗുരൂർബ്രഹ്മ ഗുരൂർവിഷ്ണു  ഗുരൂർദേവൊ മഹേശ്വര:

ഗുരു സാക്ഷാൽ പരബ്രഹ്മ തസ്മൈ ശ്രീ ഗുരവേ നമ:

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णु गुरूर्देवो महेश्वरः 

गुरुसाक्षाल परःब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः ||

Gururbrahma Gururvishnu Gururdevo Maheshvarah

Gurusaakshaal Parahbrahma Tasmai Shree Gurave Namah

Meaning:

The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru Deva is Maheswara (Shiva). The Guru is Verily the Para-Brahman (Supreme Brahman); Salutations to that Guru.

This is to be followed by a declaration that the Supreme being means everything to oneself...
ത്വമേവ മാതാ ച പിതാ ത്വമേവ, ത്വമേവ ബന്ദൂശ്ച്ച സഖാ ത്വമേവ 
ത്വമേവ വിദ്യാ ദ്രവിണം ത്വമേവ, ത്വമേവ സർവ്വം മമ ദേവ ദേവ 
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव, त्वमेव बन्ढूश्चा सखा त्वमेव 

त्वमेव विध्या द्रविणं त्वमेव, त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव ||

Tvameva Maataa Cha Pitaa Tvameva, Tvameva Bandhushcha Sakhaa Tvameva 

Tvameva Vidyaa Dravinam Tvameva, Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva

Meaning:

You truly are my Mother and you truly are my Father. You truly are my relative and you truly are my Friend. You truly are my Knowledge and you truly are my Wealth. You truly are my All, my God of Gods.

This is to be followed by a prayer to Ganapathi, the remover of obstacles...

ഓം ഗം ഗണപതയേ നമ: (21)
എകദന്തം മഹാകായം തപ്തകാഞ്ചന സന്നിഭം 

ലമ്പോദരം വിശാലാക്ഷം വന്ദേഹം ഗണനായകം 

ॐ गम गणपतये नमः || (21)

एकदन्तं महाकायं तप्त काञ्चन सन्निभम 

लम्बोदरं विशालक्षं वन्देहं गणनायकं ||

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah! (21)

Ekadantam Mahaakaayam Taptakaanchana Sannibham

Lambodaram Vishaalaksham Vandeham Gananaayakam

Meaning:

O single tusked Lord, One with a mighty body as if made of molten gold, One with a very large tummy and One with large eyes, I bow down to you, O leader of the Ganaas.
New! 
I had erroneously typed in "Sarvakoti Samaprabha...". The correct word is "Sooryakoti Samaprabha...".
വക്രതുണ്ട മഹാകായ സൂര്യകോട്ടി സമപ്രഭ 

നിർവിഘ്നം കുരുമേ ദേവ സർവ കാര്യേഷു സർവദ 

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ 

निर्विघ्नं कुरुमे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा ||

Vakratunda Mahakaya, Sooryakoti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kurumey Deva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada

Meaning: 

O Lord with curved trunk and massive appearance whose splendor is equal to that of a billion suns. Please bless me such that I do not face any obstacles in any of my endeavors, anytime.

New! 

I had previously added this shloka as a Vishnu shloka. I was wrong. Even though the word Vishnu appears in these lines, they refer to Ganesha as a protector. Oops!!

ശുക്ലാം ഭരധരം വിഷ്ണും ശശിവർണം ചതുർഭുജം 

പ്രസന്ന വദനം ധ്യായേത് സർവ വിഘ്നോപ ശാന്തയേ 

शुक्लां भरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजं 

प्रसन्न वदनं ध्यायेत् सर्व विघ्नोप शान्तये ||

Shuklaam Bharadharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayeth Sarva Vighnopa Shaantaye

Meaning:

I meditate on the glorious protector (Here Ganesha is referred to as Vishnu - the one who protects), clad in sparkling white robes, omnipresent, endowed with four arms and a benign smiling face to ward off all impediments.

The goddess of knowledge, Goddess Saraswati is then remembered...
സരസ്വതി നമസ്തുഭ്യം വരദേ കാമരൂപിണി 

വിദ്യാരംഭം കരിഷ്യാമി സിദ്ധിർ ഭവതുമേ സദാ 

सरस्वती नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणी 

विध्यारंभं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतुमे सदा ||

Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaamroopini

Vidyaarambham Karishyaami Siddhirbhavathume Sadaa

Meaning:

O Saraswati, salutations for you, O Giver of boons, O Giver of form to desire, 

I am going to start studying; May success be mine, always.

New! 
I have now added the remainder of the shlokas too.
പത്മപത്ര  വിശാലാക്ഷി പത്മകേസര വർണിനി 
നിത്യം പത്മാലയാ ദേവി സാമാം പാദു സരസ്വതി 
അപർണാം നാമരൂപേണ ത്രിവർണാം പ്രണവാത്മികാം 

ലിപ്യാത്മനൈക പഞ്ചാശധ്യർണാം   വന്ദേ സരസ്വതി

മുദ്രാപുസ്തക ഹസ്താഭ്യാം ഭദ്രാസന ഹൃദിസ്ഥിതേ

പുരസ്സതേ  സദാ ദേവി സരസ്വതി നമോസ്തുതേ 

വന്ദേ സരസ്വതീം ദേവീം ഭുവനത്രയമാതരം 

യൽ പ്രസാദാധ്രിതേ നിത്യം ജിഹ്വാന പരിവർത്തതേ 

पत्मपत्र विशालाक्षि पत्मकेसर वर्णिनी 

नित्यं पत्मालया देवी सा मां पादु सरस्वती |

अपर्णां नामरूपेण त्रिवर्णां प्राणवात्मिकां 

लिप्यात्मनैक पञ्चाशद्यर्णां वन्दे सरस्वती ||

मुद्रापुस्तक हस्ताभ्यां भद्रासन ह्रिदिस्थिते 

पुरस्सते सदा देवी सरस्वती नमोस्तुते |

वन्दे सरस्वतीम् देवीम् भुवनत्रय मातरं 

यल् प्रसादाद्रिदे नित्यं जिह्वान परिवर्तते ||

Padmapatra Vishaalaskhi Padmakesara Varnini
Nithyam Padmalaya Devi Samaam Paadu Saraswati
Aparnaam Naamaroopena Trivarnaam Pranavaatmikaam
Lipyatmanaika Panchaashadyarnam Vande Saraswati
Mudraapustaka Hastaabhyam Bhadraasana Hridisthithe
Purassathe Sadaa Devi Saraswati Namostute
Vande Saraswatim Devim Bhuvanatraya Maataram
Yal Prasaadadride Nithyam Jihwana Parivartate

Next we pray to Subramanya Swami…
ഷടാനനം ചന്ദന ലേപിതാംഗം  മഹോരസം ദിവ്യ മയൂരവാഹനം 

രുദ്രസ്യ സൂനം സുരലോക നാഥം ബ്രഹ്മണ്യ ദേവം ശരണം പ്രപദ്യേ 

षडाननं चन्दन लेपिताङ्गं महोरसं दिव्य मयूरवाहनं 

रुद्रस्य सूनं सुरलोक नाधं ब्रह्मण्य ब्रह्मण्य देवं शरणं प्रपध्ये ||

Shadananam Chandana lepithangam, Mahorasam Divya mayoora vahanam,

Rudrasya soonum Suraloka nadham, Brahmanya devam sharanam prapadye
Meaning:

O God, who has six faces, whose body is coated with sandalwood, Who is the behind everything, who rides on the holy peacock, Who is the son of Lord Shiva, And who is the leader of all Suras, Who is God of the Devas. I seek refuge in you.

This is followed by a prayer to the Kaliyugavaradan and Bhakthavalsalan, Lord Dharmashaastaavu…

ഭൂതനാഥ സദാനന്ദ സർവഭൂത ദയാപര 

രക്ഷ രക്ഷ മഹാബാഹോ ശാസ്ത്രേ തുഭ്യം നമോ നമ 

भूतनाध सदानन्द सर्वभूत दयापरः 

रक्ष रक्ष महाबाहो शास्त्रे तुभ्यं नमो नमः ||

Bhootanaadha Sadaananda Sarvabhoota Dayaapara

Raksha Raksha Mahaabaaho Shaastre Tubhyam Namoh Namah

Meaning:

Salutations and salutations to thee Sastha, who is the lord of all beings, who is perennially ever happy, who shows mercy towards all beings, and I pray, protect me great hero.

We salute Lord Shiva....
ഓം നമ ശിവായ:

ശിവം ശിവകരം ശാന്തം ശിവാത്മാനം ശിവോത്തമം 

ശിവമാർഗ പ്രണേതാരം പ്രണതോസ്മി സദാശിവം 

ॐ नमः शिवायः ||

शिवं शिवकरं शान्तं शिवात्मानं शिवोत्तमं 

शिवमार्ग प्रणेतारं प्रणतोस्मि सदाशिवं ||

Om Namah Shivayah!

Shivam Shivakaram Shaantam Shivaatmaanam Shivottamam

Shiva Maarga Pranetaaram Pranatosmi Sadaashivam

Meaning:

Salutations to the God who is peaceful, Who lives in peace, Who creates peace, Who is peace itself,

Who is the soul of peace, Who is greatest peace, And who shows the path of Peace.

The omnipotent Mrityunjaya Mantra is then recited…

ഓം ത്രയംബകം യജാമഹേ സുഗന്ധിം പുഷ്ടിവർധനം 

ഉരുവാരുകമിവ ബന്ധനാൻ മൃതോർ മുക്ഷീയമാമൃതാത് 

ॐ त्रयंबकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् 

उर्वारुकमिव भन्दनान म्र्त्योमुक्षीयमाम्रतात ||

Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe Sungandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrtyormuksheeya Maamrtaat 

Meaning:

I worship the Three-eyed One (Shiva), who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings; please liberate me from (the fear of) death and lead me towards immortality, even as a ripe cucumber is severed from the bondage of the creeper.
New! 
ശങ്കരായ ശങ്കരായ ശങ്കരായ മംഗളം 

ശങ്കരീമനോഹരായ ശാശ്വതായ മംഗളം 

സുന്ദരേശ മംഗളം സനാതനായ മംഗളം 

ചിന്മയായ സന്മയായ തന്മയായ മംഗളം 

അനന്തരൂപ മംഗളം ചിരന്തനായ മംഗളം 

നിരഞ്ജനായ മംഗളം പുരന്ജനായ മംഗളം 

അചഞ്ചലായ മംഗളം അകിഞ്ചനായ മംഗളം 

ജഗത്ശിവായ മംഗളം നമ:ശിവായ മംഗളം 

शंकराय शंकराय शंकराय मंगलं

शंकरी मनोहराय शाश्वताय मंगलं

सुन्दरेश मंगलं सनातनाय मंगलं

चिन्मयाय सन्मयाय तन्मयाय मंगलं

अनंतरूपा मंगलं चिरन्तनाय मंगलं

निरंजनाय मंगलं पुरंजनाया मंगलं

अचंचालाय मंगलं अकिंचनाय मंगलं

जगत शिवाय मंगलं नमः शिवाय मंगलं

Shankaraaya Shankaraaya Shankaraaya Mangalam
Shankaree Manoharaaya Shashwataaya Mangalam
Sundaresha Mangalam Sanaathanaaya Mangalam
Chinmayaaya Sanmayaaya Thanmayaaya Mangalam
Anantharoopa Mangalam Chiranthanaaya Mangalam
Niranjanaaya Mangalam Puranjanaaya Mangalam
Achanchalaaya Mangalam Akinchanaaya Mangalam
Jagatshivaaya Mangalam Namah Shivaaya Mangalam

A prayer to Lord Shiva is followed up with a prayer to Devi Parvathi....
സർവ മംഗള മംഗല്യേ ശിവേ സർവാർഥ സാധികേ 

ശരണ്യേ ത്രയംബകേ ഗൌരി നാരായണീ നമോസ്തുതേ 

सर्वमङ्गल मङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके

शरण्ये त्रयंबके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते ||

Sarvamangala Mangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike

Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Naarayanee Namostute

Meaning:

The one who is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, the consort of Siva, who is the means of accomplishing all desires, who is the refuge of all, the three eyed one,the fair complexioned one, Salutations to you, O Narayani.

New! 
I am not including the Devanagiri script because I think this is a Malayalam mantra...
അമ്മേ നാരായണ ദേവി നാരായണ ലക്ഷ്മി നാരായണ ഭദ്രേ നാരായണ (3)
Amme Narayana Devi Narayana Lakshmi Narayana Bhadre Narayana (3)

Next we salute the parents of the Prithvi - Shiva and Shakthi, together...
കർപൂരഗൗരം കരുണാവതാരം സംസാരസാരം ഭുജഗേന്ദ്രഹാരം 

സദാ വസന്തം ഹൃദയാരവിന്ദെ ഭവം ഭവാനി സഹിതം നവാമി 

कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारं 

सदा वसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे भवं भवानि सहितं नवामि ||

Karpoora Gauram Karunaavathaaram, Samsaarasaaram Bhujagendrahaaram

Sadaa Vasantam Hridayaravinde, Bhavam Bhavaani Shahitam Navaami

Meaning:

Pure white like camphor, an incarnation of compassion, the essence of worldly existence, whose garland is the King of Serpents, always dwelling inside the lotus of the Heart. I bow to Shiva and Shakti together.

A prayer to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver follows....
ഓം നമോ നാരായണായ 

ॐ नमोः नारायणायः ||
Om Namoh Naraayanaayah!

ശാന്താകാരം ഭുജഗശയനം പത്മനാഭം സുരേശം 

വിശ്വാധാരം ഗഗനസദ്രിശം  മേഘവർണം ശുഭാംഗം 

ലക്ഷ്മീകാന്തം കമലനയനം യോഗി ഹ്രിദ്യാനഗമ്യം 

വന്ദേ വിഷ്ണും ഭവഭയഹരം സർവ ലോകൈക നാഥം 

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पत्मनाभं सुरेशं 

विश्वाधारम् गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ||

लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगि हृद्द्यानगम्यं 

वन्दे विष्णुं भव भयहरं सर्वलोकैक नाधं ||

Shaantaakaaram Bhujagashayanam Patmanaabham Suresham

Vishwaadhaaram Gaganasadhrisham Megha varnam Shubangam

Lakshmeekaantam Kamala Nayanam Yogi Hriddyaana Gamyam

Vande Vishnum Bhava Bhayaharam Sarva Lokaika Naadham

Meaning: 

I bow before the God Vishnu, Who is personification of peace, Who sleeps on his folded arms, Who has a lotus on his belly, Who is the God of gods, Who is the basis of earth, Who is similar to the sky, Who is of the color of the cloud, Who has beautiful limbs, Who is the consort of Lakshmi, Who has lotus like eyes, Who is seen by saints through thought, Who kills all worries and fears, And who is the lord of all the worlds.

This is to be followed by a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, the companion of Lord Vishnu, to bestow good fortunes upon her devotee...
നമസ്തേസ്തു മഹാമായേ ശ്രീ പീഡെ സുരപൂജിതേ 

ശങ്ഖച്ചക്ര ഗദാഹസ്തേ മഹാലക്ഷ്മീ നമോസ്തുതേ 

नमस्तेस्तु महामाये श्रीपीढे सुरपूजिते 

शङ्खचक्र गदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तुते ||

Namastestu Mahaamaaye Shreepeedhe Surapoojite

Shankhachakra Gadaahaste Mahaalakshmee Namostute

Meaning:

I salute the Mahamaya, the abode of fortune who is worshiped by the Devas, the wielder of conch, disc and mace. I salute thee, Goddess Mahalakshmi.

To perform one’s duties in this world with courage and conviction, we pray to Lord Krishna…
ഓം നമോ ഭഗവതേ വാസുദേവായ 

കൃഷ്ണായ വാസുദേവായ ദേവകീ നന്ദനായ ച 

നന്ദഗോപ കുമാരായ ഗോവിന്ദായ നമോ നമ 

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवायः ||

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकी नन्दनायच 

नन्दगोप कुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः ||

Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya!

Krishnaaya Vaasudevaaya Devaki Nandanaayacha

Nandagopa Kumaaraaya Govindaaya Namo Namah

Meaning:

For Krishna, for the son of Vasudeva, for the [source of] joy of Devaki, for the boy of the cowherd [chief] Nanda, for the benefactor of cattle (cows), Salutations!
New! 
നന്ദനം വസുദേവസ്യ നന്ദഗോപസ്യ നന്ദനം 

യശോദാനന്ദനം വന്ദേ! ദേവകീനന്ദനം സദാ 

नन्दनं वसुदेवस्य नन्दगोपस्य नन्दनं

यशोदानन्दनं वन्दे! देवकीनन्दनं सदा |

Nandanam Vaasudevasya Nandagopasya Nandanam
Yashodaanandanam Vande! Devakeenandanam Sadaa

This is to be followed by a prayer to Lord Rama, the Purushottaman....
രാമായ രാമ ഭദ്രായ രാമചന്ദ്രായ വേധസേ 

രഘുനാധായ നാഥായ സീതായ പതയേ നമ 

रामाय रामभद्राय रामचन्द्राय वेधसे 

रघुनाधाय नाधाय सीतायपतये नमः ||

Raamaaya Raama Bhadraaya Raamachandraaya Vedhase

Raghunaadhaaya Naadhaaya Seetaaya Pataye Namah

Meaning:

To Rama, Ramabhadra, Ramachandra, Raghunatha, the Lord, the consort of Sita, our salutations! 
രാമ രാമ രാമ രാമ രാമ രാമ പാഹിമാം 

രാമ കൃഷ്ണ വാസുദേവ രാമ രാമ പാഹിമാം 

ജാനകി മനോഹരാ മുകുന്ദ രാമ പാഹിമാം 

രാമ രാമ രാമ രാമ രാമ രാമ പാഹിമാം 

राम राम राम राम राम राम पाहिमाम 

राम कृष्ण वासुदेव राम राम पाहिमाम |

जानकी मनोहरा मुकुन्द राम पाहिमाम 

राम राम राम राम राम राम पाहिमाम ||

Raama Raama Raama Raama Raama Raama Paahimaam
Raama Krishna Vaasudeva Raama Raama Paahimaam
Jaanakee Manohara Mukunda Raama Paahimaam
Raama Raama Raama Raama Raama Raama Paahimaam
ശ്രീ രാമ രാമ രാമേതി രമേ രാമേ മനോരമേ 

സഹസ്രനാമ തത് തുല്യം രാമ നാമ വരാനനെ 

श्री राम राम रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे 

सहस्र नाम तत्तुल्यं राम नाम वरानने ||

Sree Rama Rama Rameti Rame Raame Manorame

Sahasra Naama Tat Tulyam Rama Naama Varanane

Meaning:

Lord Shiva tells Devi Parvathi: To meditate upon Sri Ram as Sri Rama Rama Rama, the thrice recital of Rama's name is equal to recitation of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. 

Whenever Lord Rama is remembered, Lord Hanuman is also to be propitiated...
മനോജവം മാരുതതുല്യവേഗം ജിതെന്ദ്രീയം ബുദ്ധിമതാം വരിഷ്ടം 

വാതത്മജം വാനരയൂധമുഖ്യം ശ്രീരാമദൂതം ശരണം പ്രപദ്യേ 

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रीयं बुधिमतां वरिष्टं 

वातत्मजं वानरयूतमुख्यं श्री रामदूतं शरणं प्रपध्ये ||

Manojavam Maarutatulyavegam Jitendriyam Budhi-mataam Varishtam

Vaatatmajam Vaanara-yoota-mukhyam Sri Ramadootam Sharanam Prapadye

Meaning:

I surrender to Hanuman, the messenger of Lord Rama, whose speed is as swift as the mind and as swift as the wind, who has controlled his sense organs and is the most intelligent among the intelligent ones; who is the son of Vayu and the chief of the army of monkeys.

We pray to the Nagas...
അനന്തം വാസുകിം ശേഷം പത്മനാഭം ച കംബലം 

സശംഖപാലം ധർതരാഷ്ട്രം  തക്ഷകം കാളിയം തഥാ 

ഏതാനി നവ നാമാനി നാഗാനാം ച  മഹാത്മനം 
സായംകാലേ പതേ നിത്യം പ്രാത:കാലേ വിശേഷത 

തസ്മൈ വിഷഭയം നാസ്തി സർവത്ര വിജയീ ഭവേത് 

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलं 

सशनखपालम धर्ताराष्ट्रम तक्षकं कालियं तथा 

एतानि नव नामानि नागानं च महत्मनम 
सायंकाले पथेनित्यम प्रातः काले विशेषत:

तस्मै विषभयं नास्ति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत ||

Anantham Vasukim Shesham Padmanaabham Cha Kambalam
Sashankhapaalam Dhartarashtram Takshakam Kaaliyam Thadha
Ethaani Nava Naamaani Nagaanam Cha Mahaatmanam
Saayamkaale Pathenityam Praatahkale Viseshataha
Tasmai Vishabhayam Naasthi Sarvatra Vijayee Bhaveth

We pray for universal peace with the Shanti Mantras from Vedas and Upanishads...
ഓം അസതോമ സദ്‌ഗമയാ തമസോമാ ജ്യോതിർഗമയാ 

മ്ര്ത്യോമാ അമൃതം ഗമയാ ഓം ശാന്തി ശാന്തി ശാന്തി:

ॐ असतोमा सद्गमया तमसोमा ज्योतिर्गमया 

मृत्योमा अमृतं गमया ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ||

Om Asatomaa Sadgamayaa, Taamasomaa Jyotirgamayaa

Mrityomaa Amrutam Gamayaa, Om Shanti Shanti Shantih

Meaning:

Om! Lead us from unreality (of transitory existence) to the reality (of self). Lead us from the darkness (of ignorance) to the light (of spiritual knowledge). Lead us from the fear of death to the knowledge of immortality. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
ഓം പൂർണമദ: പൂർണമിദം പൂർണാത്പ്പൂർണം ഉദച്യതേ 

പൂർണശ്യ പൂർണമാദായ പൂർണമേവ വശിഷ്യതെ 

ഓം ശാന്തി ശാന്തി ശാന്തി:

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णं उदच्यते 

पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेव वशिष्यते  ||

ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ||

Om Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornaatpoornam Udachyate

Poornashya Poornamaadaaya Poornameva Vashishyate

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih
Meaning:

Om! That is full, this also is full; from fullness comes that fullness. Taking fullness from fullness, fullness indeed remains. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
ഓം സഹനാവവതു സഹനൗ ഭുനക്തു സഹ വീര്യം കരവാവഹൈ 

തേജസ്വിനാവധീ നമസ്തു മാ വിധവിശാവഹൈ 

ഓം ശാന്തി ശാന്തി ശാന്തി:

ॐ सहनाववतु सहनौभुनक्तु सहवीर्यं करवावहै

तेजस्विनावधी तमस्तु माविध्विशावहै 

ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ||

Om Saha Navavatu Saha Nau Bhunaktu  Saha Veeryam Karavavahai

Tejasvi Navadhee Tamastu Maa Vidhvishaavahai

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih 

Meaning:

Om! May God protect us both (the Teacher and the Student). May God nourish us both. May we work together with energy and vigor  May our study be enlightening, not giving rise to hostility. Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
ഓം സർവേ ഭവന്തു സുഖിന: സർവേ സന്തു നിരാമയ:

സർവേ ഭദ്രാണി പശ്യന്തു മാ കശ്ചിദ് ദുഃഖഭാഗ്ഭവേത് 

ഓം ശാന്തി ശാന്തി ശാന്തി:

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः 

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद् दुःखभाग्भवेत ||

ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ||

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Sarve Santu Niraamayaah

Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu

Maa Kashchid Duhkhabhaag Bhavet

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih

Meaning:

Om! May all become happy. May all be free from illness. May all see what is auspicious. May no one suffer. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
ഓം സർവേശാം സ്വസ്തിർഭവതു 

സർവേശാം ശാന്തിർഭവതു 

സർവേശാം പൂർണംഭവതു 

സർവേശാം മംഗളം ഭവതു 

ഓം ശാന്തി ശാന്തി ശാന്തി:

ॐ सर्वेशां स्वस्तिर्भवतु सर्वेशां शान्तिर्भवतु 

सर्वेशां पूर्णंभवतु सर्वेशां मन्गलंभवतु ||

ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ||

Om Sarveshaam Svastirbhavatu

Sarveshaam Shaantirbhavatu 

Sarveshaam Poornambhavatu

Sarveshaam Mangalambhavatu 

Om Shanti Shanti Saantih

Meaning:

May there be well-being in all. May there be peace in all. May there be fulfillment in all. May there be auspiciousness in all. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

We then recite the Samarpana manthra...
കായേന വാചാ മനസെന്ദ്രിയൈർവ 

ബുദ്ധ്യാത്മനാ വാ പ്രകൃതെ സ്വഭാവാത് 

കരോമി യദ്യത് സകലം പരസ്മൈ 

നാരായണയേതി സമർപയാമി 

कायेनवाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुध्यात्मना वा प्रकृते स्वभावात् 

करोमि यद्यत सकलं परस्मै नारायण येति समर्पयामि |

Kaayenavaacha Manasendriyairva
Budhyathmana Vaa Prakruthe Swabhavat
Karomi Yadyat Sakalam Parasmai
Narayana Yethi Samarpayaami
Meaning:
I dedicate to Narayana all actions that I do (in my reach) and everything beyond me (out of my reach or actions by us that happen out of our control).

We conclude with the following shloka to beg forgiveness for all lapses…
ഹരേ രാമ ഹരേ രാമ രാമ രാമ ഹരേ ഹരേ 

ഹരേ കൃഷ്ണ ഹരേ കൃഷ്ണ കൃഷ്ണ കൃഷ്ണ ഹരേ ഹരേ 

हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे 

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे ||

Hare Raama Hare Raama Raama Raama Hare Hare!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!

Meaning:

This is a prayer to God for taking away all the sorrows, pains and shortcomings.

Extinguishing the nilavilakku

Never blow on the nilavilakku to extinguish the flame. Pull the wick back into the oil or pour a little oil over the wick or cover with a tulasi leaf to extinguish it. According to tradition, the flame should not smoke and self-extinguish in the nilavilakku. 



Follow this link to get the Malayalam text for Sandhyanaamam.

See http://randomwritez.blogspot.in/2013/05/sree-krishna-stuthi-sandhyanaamam-contd.html for Sree Krishna Stutis, which I usually follow up with.

This article is a summary review inspired by the book titled Sandhyanaamam Japikkendathengane by Sri. Radhakrishnan Pottakkal. The shloka selections have been slightly modified in some cases.

I am highly indebted to the following sites for the meanings of the mantras and shlokas without which this article would have been quite incomplete: Green Message, Vedanta Spiritual Library

A Woman of Substance - A Review

I recently re-read the bestseller "A Woman of Substance" by Barbara Taylor Bradford for the umpteenth time. It is a powerful story - there is really no other word to describe the character of  Emma Harte. So many things to learn from her...

1. Her incredible willpower

If I were to select one single trait that leads to success - Emma's or anybody else's, it would be willpower. It surely was the focused power of her determination to thwart the Fairleys that steered her onward the path of success and glory.

2. Her immense talent 

Emma's perfection in all she undertakes is wrought more owing to her farsightedness and preparedness. Looking out for opportunities in life and preparing for them (she notes down recipes from Olivia and similar tidbits in a notebook for reference...she learns the basics of bookkeeping from her first husband...) is what eventually lead her to the pinnacle of power.

3. Her genuine fairness 

A sense of impartiality and honest compassion is a feature that distinguishes the truly admirable and exemplary aristocrats of the world from the numerous unloved and abhorred magnates around us. Even though consumed by hatred for the Fairley clan, she maintains her integrity and dignity throughout all the circumstances of her life.

4. Her unrelenting endurance

In the scene where the indomitable Emma relaxes with the staunch Blackie at the end of the book, she tells Blackie that she has learned the secret of life - It is to endure. Life in a nutshell, truly. To succeed, one must above all have the spirit of endurance. This is the last line of the book - the takeaway, the spirit of the story. To endure...



There are some tomes which do not leave you unchanged - every time one revisits such classics, one learns something new -  a new insight, a new idea, a new goal. This time too, I bid farewell to the grande dame Emma Harte with new reflections, new perceptions, new resolutions...