PADMA PURANA

Lord Rama�s Prayer to Maha Deva

Krutrasya yosya jagatah sacharaacharasya,
Kartaa krutasya cha tatha sukha duhkha hetu/
Samhaara heturapi yah punarantha kaaley,
thah Shankarah Sharanamidam sharanam vrajaami/

(I seek shelter from Shankara, who is the Creator of all Beings that are mobile and immobile; who maintains the Beings with sorrows and joys and at the end terminates the Universe)

Yah Yogino vigata moha tamoRajaska,
Bhaktaika taana manaso vinivrittha kaamaah/
Dhyaayanti nischaladhiyomita divya bhaavah,
tam Shankaram Sharanadam Sharanam vrajaami/

(I seek protection from Shankara the Supreme Yogi Purusha, whose heart and mind are devoid of desires emerging from Rajo Guna and Tamo Guna; whose complete attention is concentrated with meditation; whose mind is in a perfect position of poise and Equilibrium; and whose thinking process is none else but to bestow goodness to the totality of the Universe).

Yaschendu khand amamalam vilasan mukham sat
udhwa sadaa priyatamaam shirasaa vibharti,
Yachhardhadehamadadaad Giriraaja putrai
tam Shankaram sharanadam sharanam vrajaami/

(I take refuge from Shankara who has tied up the resplendent and cool Chandra in His ‘Jatajuut’which also wore the the Sacred Ganga on his head and who gave away half of his Body to ‘Giriraja putri’ Devi Parvati.)

Yosyam Sakrud vimala chaaru vilolatoyaam,
Gangaam Mahormi vishamaam Gaganaat Patanteem/
Murdhaadadey srajamiva pratilola pushpaam,
tam Shankaram Sharanadam Sharanam vrajaami/

(I take asylum from Shankara whose holy head withstands the mighty falls of clean, beautiful and unsteady gushes of Ganga from heavens and send shivers to all concerned onlookers as also provided views of dangling flower laces around his head)

Kailasashaila shikhiram pratikamyamaanam,
Kailasashringa sadrushena Dashaananena/
Yah paadapadma parivaadanamaadhanas
tam Shankaram sharanadam sharanam vrajaami

(I seek safety from Shankara as his lotus feet steadied the Top Mounts of Kailasa Mountain which were shaken by the Ten Headed Ravanasura out of frustration since the latter could not secure the vision of Maha Deva)

Yenaskrutopi vishayeshpapi saktabhaava,
jnaanaanvaya shruta gunairapi naiva yuktah,
yam samshritah sukhabhujah Purushaa bhavanti,
tam Shankaram Sharanadam sharanam vrajaami
(I seek indulgence from Shankara who approach him for pardon even by persons that are sinners, undue seekers of shameful delight, devoid of knowledge and of noble traits and good conduct.)

Agniprasuti Ravi koti samaana tejaah,
Santraasanam vibhuda daanavasattha maanaam/
Yah Kaalakutamapibat samudreernavegam,
tam Shankaram Sharanadam Sharanam vrajaami/

(I solicit safety from Shankara who is resplendent like crores of Suryas and Chandras and the saviour of the mightiest of Devas and Danavas from the ‘Kalakut’ ‘vishajwalas’ or the worst kind of deadly poisonous flames and saved the entire Universe.)

Kreedaarthameva Bhagavan Bhuvanaani Sapta
naanaa nadi vihagapaadapa manditaani
SaBrahmakaani vyasrujat sukrutaahitaani
tam Shankaram Sharanadam Sharanam vrajaami/

(Bhagavan Shankara! You create innumerable Rivers, Birds, Trees and Seven Lokas headed by Brahma for your sport and also preserve the entire Srishti by your Grace; to You I salute and pay worshipful homage).

Yasakhilam Jagadidam vashavarti nityam,
yoshthabhireva tanubhirbhuvanaani Jhaduttey,
Yah kaaranam sumahataamapi kaaranaanaam,
tam Shankaram Sharanam vrajaami

( My salutation to Shankara who commands the entire Universe including the Eight Entities including Pancha Bhutas as also Surya, Chandra and Yama, besides being the Karana-Tatvaas of Maha Karana or the Causes of the Great Cause!)

Ye twam Surottama Gurum Purushaa vimudhaa,
Jaananti nasya Jagatah Sacharaa –charasya,
Ishwaryamaana nigamaanushyena/
Paschaathey yatanaam twanubhavantya vishuddhichitthaah/

(Maha Deva! Those impure hearted persons who take pride in their wealth, egotism and so-called knowledge and not realise who Jagadguru/ the Greatest Master really is shall regret after Mrityu and on reaching Naraka, but then too late!)