Panduranga Ashtakam

महायोगपीठे तटे भीमरथ्या
वरं पुण्डरीकाय दातुं मुनीन्द्रैः।
समागत्य तिष्ठन्तमानन्दकन्दं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

The hymn begins at a sacred riverbank. This spot is the great seat of yoga. The holy Bhima river flows right here. Lord Panduranga stands at this exact place. He arrived alongside many great sages. He came specifically to bless his devotee Pundarika. The Lord is the very root of pure joy. I worship this beautiful deity. He is the physical symbol of the highest truth. The formless reality takes a definite shape here. The infinite assumes limits out of sheer love. God values human devotion above all else. A devotee's pure heart brings the divine down. It gives the unmanifest a physical body. True surrender always captures the supreme Lord.

तटिद्वाससं नीलमेघावभासं
रमामन्दिरं सुन्दरं चित्प्रकाशम्।
वरन्त्विष्टिकायां समन्यस्तपादं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

Notice how the verse presents the Lord's striking appearance. His clothes shine like bright yellow lightning. His skin looks like a dark rain cloud. He is incredibly beautiful to behold. He is the sacred home of Goddess Lakshmi. He radiates the pure light of consciousness. He stands firmly on a simple small brick. He keeps his feet close together. I worship this unique Panduranga. He is the ultimate truth in human form. The brick represents a pure human mind. The mind must become completely unmoving. God rests only on such a steady foundation. Outer physical beauty reflects inner spiritual light. Pure focus on this form awakens inner joy.

प्रमाणं भवाब्धेरिदं मामकानां
नितम्बः कराभ्यां धृतो येन तस्मात्।
विधातुर्वसत्यै धृतो नाभिकोशः
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

This verse explains a very famous posture. The Lord rests his hands firmly on his hips. He sends a silent message to all his devotees. He shows the exact depth of the worldly ocean. This ocean of troubles reaches only up to his waist. His posture offers great comfort to seekers. Believers need not fear drowning in this life. He also holds a beautiful lotus at his navel. The creator Brahma lives inside this lotus flower. I worship this powerful Panduranga. He embodies the absolute supreme truth. God expertly manages both creation and ultimate salvation. He makes the impossible spiritual journey very easy. Divine grace turns a deep ocean into a shallow pond.

स्फुरत्कौस्तुभालङ्कृतं कण्ठदेशे
श्रिया जुष्टकेयूरकं श्रीनिवासम्।
शिवं शान्तमीड्यं वरं लोकपालं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

A deeper truth is revealed through his divine ornaments. The bright Kaustubha gem shines clearly on his neck. Beautiful armlets decorate his strong upper arms. He is the ultimate home of absolute prosperity. Yet he remains completely peaceful inside. He is totally auspicious by nature. He deserves the highest possible praise. He effectively protects all the existing worlds. I bow down to this Panduranga. He is the ultimate reality in a visible form. True wealth is never restless or loud. Supreme power carries absolute stillness within it. His ornaments represent pure divine qualities. Worldly protectors are usually very anxious. The supreme protector remains eternally calm. Stillness and immense power exist together perfectly here.

शरच्चन्द्रबिम्बाननं चारुहासं
लसत्कुण्डलाक्रान्तगण्डस्थलान्तम्।
जपारागबिम्बाधरं कञ्जनेत्रं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

Why does the text describe his face so closely? The face reflects the pure mind within. His face glows exactly like the clear autumn moon. A gentle smile plays continuously on his lips. Bright earrings dangle gracefully from his ears. They gently touch his glowing cheeks. His lower lip is deep red in color. It looks like the bright red hibiscus flower. His eyes resemble fresh lotus petals. I worship this supreme Lord Panduranga. The autumn moon represents perfect mental clarity. A natural smile shows complete inner fulfillment. The deep red color indicates pure vitality. The lotus eyes show completely detached observation. True beauty is a direct expression of supreme peace.

किरीटोज्ज्वलत्सर्वदिक्प्रान्तभागं
सुरैरर्चितं दिव्यरत्नैरनर्घैः।
त्रिभङ्गाकृतिं बर्हमाल्यावतंसं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

Building on the previous details, the teaching now moves upward. A brilliant crown sits firmly on his head. Its strong light brightens every single direction. The heavenly gods worship him constantly. They offer him completely priceless gems. He stands in a very relaxed posture. His body bends gracefully at three distinct places. He wears a beautiful peacock feather. Fresh flower garlands adorn his body. I worship this supreme Lord Panduranga. Light is the basic nature of pure consciousness. His crown is the light of absolute awareness. The bent posture shows total ease. The supreme reality is never rigid or stiff. Divine authority is always gentle and highly approachable.

विभुं वेणुनादं चरन्तं दुरन्तं
स्वयं लीलया गोपवेषं दधानम्।
गवां वृन्दकानन्दनं चारुहासं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

At this stage, the focus shifts to his earthly play. The Lord is totally all-pervading in nature. Yet he wanders around freely like an ordinary boy. He plays sweet music on his bamboo flute. His true limits can never be found. He wears the simple clothes of a local cowherd. This is his own divine play. He brings immense joy to the entire herd of cows. He wears a highly captivating smile. I worship this supreme Lord Panduranga. The infinite takes on very ordinary roles. He plays the beautiful flute of creation. The cows represent all ordinary living beings. The Lord brings immense joy to every pure heart. True greatness easily embraces absolute simplicity.

अजं रुक्मिणीप्राणसञ्जीवनं तं
परं धाम कैवल्यमेकं तुरीयम्।
प्रसन्नं प्रपन्नार्तिहं देवदेवं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।

The teaching here points directly to his absolute reality. The Lord is completely unborn. He is the vital life force of Goddess Rukmini. He is the absolute highest destination. He is pure liberation itself. He is the unique fourth state of consciousness. He is always profoundly happy. He destroys the deep sorrow of fully surrendered souls. He is the supreme God of all gods. I worship this supreme Lord Panduranga. The fourth state is far beyond waking, dreaming, and sleep. It is pure unbroken inner awareness. He perfectly represents this final reality. He easily kills the pain of worldly existence. Complete surrender always brings ultimate spiritual freedom.

स्तवं पाण्डुरङ्गस्य वै पुण्यदं ये
पठन्त्येकचित्तेन भक्त्या च नित्यम्।
भवाम्भोनिधिं ते वितीर्त्वान्तकाले
हरेरालयं शाश्वतं प्राप्नुवन्ति।

This final verse explains the clear result of this prayer. This holy hymn of Panduranga grants great spiritual merit. One must read it daily. One must read with a fully focused mind. Deep devotion is absolutely necessary here. Such a dedicated person easily crosses the worldly ocean. Death loses its usual terrifying grip. The devotee reaches the eternal home of Lord Hari. This final state is completely permanent. Sincere spiritual practice yields guaranteed results. Total focus and pure love are the only real requirements. Sacred words shape the human mind over time. Chanting gradually elevates the human soul completely. Final liberation is the true destination of pure devotion.

महायोगपीठे तटे भीमरथ्या
वरं पुण्डरीकाय दातुं मुनीन्द्रैः।
समागत्य तिष्ठन्तमानन्दकन्दं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
तटिद्वाससं नीलमेघावभासं
रमामन्दिरं सुन्दरं चित्प्रकाशम्।
वरन्त्विष्टिकायां समन्यस्तपादं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
प्रमाणं भवाब्धेरिदं मामकानां
नितम्बः कराभ्यां धृतो येन तस्मात्।
विधातुर्वसत्यै धृतो नाभिकोशः
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
स्फुरत्कौस्तुभालङ्कृतं कण्ठदेशे
श्रिया जुष्टकेयूरकं श्रीनिवासम्।
शिवं शान्तमीड्यं वरं लोकपालं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
शरच्चन्द्रबिम्बाननं चारुहासं
लसत्कुण्डलाक्रान्तगण्डस्थलान्तम्।
जपारागबिम्बाधरं कञ्जनेत्रं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
किरीटोज्ज्वलत्सर्वदिक्प्रान्तभागं
सुरैरर्चितं दिव्यरत्नैरनर्घैः।
त्रिभङ्गाकृतिं बर्हमाल्यावतंसं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
विभुं वेणुनादं चरन्तं दुरन्तं
स्वयं लीलया गोपवेषं दधानम्।
गवां वृन्दकानन्दनं चारुहासं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
अजं रुक्मिणीप्राणसञ्जीवनं तं
परं धाम कैवल्यमेकं तुरीयम्।
प्रसन्नं प्रपन्नार्तिहं देवदेवं
परब्रह्मलिङ्गं भजे पाण्डुरङ्गम्।
स्तवं पाण्डुरङ्गस्य वै पुण्यदं ये
पठन्त्येकचित्तेन भक्त्या च नित्यम्।
भवाम्भोनिधिं ते वितीर्त्वान्तकाले
हरेरालयं शाश्वतं प्राप्नुवन्ति।

mahaayogapeet'he tat'e bheemarathyaa
varam pund'areekaaya daatum muneendraih'.
samaagatya tisht'hantamaanandakandam
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
tat'idvaasasam neelameghaavabhaasam
ramaamandiram sundaram chitprakaasham.
varantvisht'ikaayaam samanyastapaadam
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
pramaanam bhavaabdheridam maamakaanaam
nitambah' karaabhyaam dhri'to yena tasmaat.
vidhaaturvasatyai dhri'to naabhikoshah'
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
sphuratkaustubhaalankri'tam kant'hadeshe
shriyaa jusht'akeyoorakam shreenivaasam.
shivam shaantameed'yam varam lokapaalam
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
sharachchandrabimbaananam chaaruhaasam
lasatkund'alaakraantagand'asthalaantam.
japaaraagabimbaadharam kanjanetram
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
kireet'ojjvalatsarvadikpraantabhaagam
surairarchitam divyaratnairanarghaih'.
tribhangaakri'tim barhamaalyaavatamsam
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
vibhum venunaadam charantam durantam
svayam leelayaa gopavesham dadhaanam.
gavaam vri'ndakaanandanam chaaruhaasam
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
ajam rukmineepraanasanjeevanam tam
param dhaama kaivalyamekam tureeyam.
prasannam prapannaartiham devadevam
parabrahmalingam bhaje paand'urangam.
stavam paand'urangasya vai punyadam ye
pat'hantyekachittena bhaktyaa cha nityam.
bhavaambhonidhim te viteertvaantakaale
hareraalayam shaashvatam praapnuvanti.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi

Other stotras