We had a dream trip to Chidambaram on this Shivaratri. What an impressive temple, and what vibes of the dancing mystic we get in every part of the large temple complex! We could worship Lord Kanakasabhapati at close quarters, have a view of the Ponnambalam, pray to Goddess Shivakamasundari, and meditate on the Aroopa Akasha Tattva. we also witnessed some splendid dance performances!
Simultaneously, I followed the Vyoma Labs' session on the Patanjali-virachita Charana-Shringa-Rahita-Nataraja Stavam,
Interesting Facts:
- The Chidambaram temple was established by Sage Patanjali!
- The local "magician" Tantrics were transformed into devout Dikshitar bhaktas who continue the worship to this day.
- Bhagavan Shiva appeared as Nataraja here.
- He is worshipped in three forms - as the dancing Nataraja, as the Sphatika Linga, and as the Aroopa Akasha Tattva. His consort is Devi Shivakamasundari.
I wish to attempt my translation of the last stanza shown above as my worship of Shiva.
इति स्तवममुं भुजगपुङ्गवकृतं प्रतिदिनं पठति यः कृतमुखः
सदःप्रभुपदद्वितयदर्शनपदं सुललितं चरणशृङ्गरहितम् ।
सरःप्रभवसम्भवहरित्पतिहरिप्रमुखदिव्यनुतशङ्करपदम्
स गच्छति परं न तु जनुर्जलनिधिं परमदुःखजनकं दुरितदम् ॥
यः कृतमुखः The intelligent seeker who
पठति प्रतिदिनं studies and chants daily
अमुं सुललितं भुजगपुङ्गव-कृतं स्तवं this melodious and elegant prayer composed by Patanjali (the supreme serpent god Adishesha)
चरणशृङ्गरहितं इति called the prayer without horns or feet (long vowels)
Note: done by Patanjali to show his displeasure towards Nandi who first blocked him from the darshan of the Lord. Since a bull is known for his strong legs and horns, the poet avoided them allegorically symbolised as long vowels in this composition. This entire ten stanza composition has not a single long vowel आ ई ऊ ॠ ए ऐ ओ औ
सः गच्छति परम् -such a seeker attains the supreme
सदःप्रभुपदद्वितयदर्शनपदम् - vision of the feet of the great Bhagavan Nataraja, without a second, lording over the assembly of all beings in Chidambaram
सरःप्रभवसम्भव-हरित्पति-हरि-प्रमुखदिव्यनुतशङ्करपदम् - the same feet of Bhagavan Shankara worshipped by the gods lead by the lotus-born Brahma, Sun-god Surya, and Bhagavan Maha Vishnu
न तु -to avert the danger of
जनुर्जलनिधिं परमदुःखजनकं दुरितदम् - the ocean of Samsara, of birth and death, causing great sorrow and misfortune (i.e. bondage).
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
