Suprabhatam (Sanskrit: सुप्रभातम्, romanized: Suprabhātam, lit. 'auspicious dawn')[1] is a Sanskrit prayer[2][3] of the Suprabhātakāvya genre. It is a collection of hymns or verses recited early morning to awaken the deity in Hinduism. The metre chosen for a Suprabhātam poem is usually Vasantatilaka.
The most well-known Suprabhātam work is the Veṅkaṭeśvarasuprabhātam recited to awaken the deity Venkateswara. A rendition of the poem by renowned Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi is extremely popular[4][5] which is played daily in many homes and temples (especially Tirumala Tirupati) in the wee hours of morning.
History
editThe genre of Suprabhātakāvya traces its origin to a single verse (1.23.2) in the Bālakāṇḍa of Vālmīki's Rāmāyaṇa, where Viśvāmitra calls out to Rāma to wake up.[4][6]
O Rāma, the noble son of Kausalyā! The Sandhyā of the East commences. O! best of men (Purushottama)! Wake up, the daily duties have to be performed.
The Veṅkaṭeśvarasuprabhātam begins with this very verse.
Suprabhatam Works
editThe Veṅkaṭeśa Suprabhātam is by far the most popular and iconic work composed in the Suprabhātam format.
There are many other lesser-known Suprabhātam works apart from the Veṅkaṭeśasuprabhātam. Some of these are -
- Śrī Vighneśvara Suprabhātam. A Suprabhātam composition eulogizing Gaṇeśa.[7]
- Śrī Siddhivināyaka Suprabhātam. A work praising Siddhivināyaka. Composed by M. Ramakrishna Bhat, retired professor of Benares Hindu University.[7]
- Śrī Kāśīviśvanātha sSuprabhātam. A Suprabhātam dedicated to Kāśī Viśvanātha.[8]
- Śrīsītārāma Suprabhātam. A Suprabhāta poem eulogizing Sītā and Rāma. Composed by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
- Vedavyasa Suprabhatam written by Sudhindra Thirtha (Kashi Math) of Kashi Math samsthan.
- Śrī Veṅkaṭeśa Suprabhatham in Malayalam by S Balakrishnan Karippara Dharmooth
- Śrī Lakshmī Suprabhātam by Anuradha Paudwal
- Śrī Durgā Suprabhātam by N.S. Praskah and Gopika Poornima
Śrī Venkaṭeśa Suprabhātam
editThe Veṅkaṭeśvarasuprabhātam was composed sometime between 1420 and 1432 C.E. by Prativādibhayaṅkaram Śrī Annan (also known as Hastigirinathar Anna, and P B Annan).[4][9][10][11] The poet was a disciple of Swami Manavala Mamuni, who was himself a disciple of Ramanuja.[11]
The Venkaṭeśvara Suprabhātam consists of four sections: Suprabhātam, Śrī Venkaṭeśvara Stotram, Prapatti, and Mangalāśāsanam.[12][13]
Suprabhātam and meaning
editVerse | IAST | Devanagari | Translation |
---|---|---|---|
1 | kausalyāsuprajā rāma pūrvā sandhyā pravartate । |
कौसल्यासुप्रजा राम पूर्वा सन्ध्या प्रवर्तते । |
O Rama! Kausalya's auspicious child! Sunlight is approaching in the east. O best of men! Wake up, the divine daily rituals have to be performed. |
2 | uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha govinda uttiṣṭha garuḍadhvaja । |
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ गोविन्द उत्तिष्ठ गरुडध्वज । |
O Govinda, wake up! O he who has Garuda on his flag wake up. O husband of Kamala! Arise, and render the three worlds auspicious. |
3 | mātassamastajagatāṃ madhukaiṭabhāreḥ |
मातस्समस्तजगतां मधुकैटभारेः |
May it be an auspicious dawn to thee, O Lakshmi, the mother of the worlds, who dwells on the chest of Vishnu, the enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha, of attractive and divine form, with the nature of granting what is desired by those seeking refuge!
O beloved of Venkatesha, an auspicious dawn to thee. |
4 | tava suprabhātamaravindalocane bhavatu prasannamukhacandramaṇḍale । |
तव सुप्रभातमरविन्दलोचने |
May it be an auspicious dawn to thee, O Lakshmi, the beloved of the Lord of Vishnu, with eyes like lotus petals, with a bright face like the moon, who is worshipped by Vani, Girija, and Pulomaja (Saraswati, Parvati, and Shachi) and who is very compassionate. |
5 | atryādisaptaṛṣayassamupāsya sandhyām |
अत्र्यादिसप्तऋषयस्समुपास्य सन्ध्याम् |
Having worshipped the morning twilight and said their morning prayers, called sandhyavandana, the seven sages like Atri, bringing the beautiful lotuses from the divine Ganges, have arrived to worship thy feet.
O lord of Sheshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to thee. |
6 | pañcānanābjabhavaṣaṇmukhavāsavādyāḥ |
पञ्चाननाब्जभवषण्मुखवासवाद्याः |
The gods, like the five-headed Shiva, Subrahmanya, Brahma, and Indra are praising the deeds of your incarnation as the Trivikrama (Vamana). Brihaspati reads the planetary positions (Panchangam) of the day beside you. O lord of Sheshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to thee. |
7 | īṣatpraphullasarasīruhanārikela- |
ईषत्प्रफुल्लसरसीरुहनारिकेल- |
The breeze, carrying the wonderful fragrance of the partly opened lotuses, and the beautiful trees like the areca and coconut, is blowing gently. O lord of Sheshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to thee. |
8 | unmīlya netrayugamuttamapañjarasthāḥ |
उन्मील्य नेत्रयुगमुत्तमपञ्जरस्थाः |
The parrots in their cages are opening their eyes, and graciously singing, after eating the remains of the plantain fruits and the payasam in the vessels. O lord of Sheshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to thee. |
9 | tantrīprakarṣamadhurasvanayā vipañcyā |
तन्त्रीप्रकर्षमधुरस्वनया विपञ्च्या |
The sage, Narada, is playing sweet music with his veena, and, in fine language, is singing praises of Thy endless deeds, gracefully waving his other hand. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
10 | bhṛṅgāvalī ca makarandarasānuviddhā- |
भृङ्गावली च मकरन्दरसानुविद्ध- |
The humming swarm of bees are sucking honey and emerging from the interiors of the lotuses of the adjoining pools, in order to serve Thee. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
11 | yoṣāgaṇena varadadhnivimathyamāne |
योषागणेन वरदध्निविमथ्यमाने |
While the womenfolk of the hamlet of cowherds churn the curds, the loud sounds and echoes emanating from the pots seems like as if the pots and (the ten) directions are quarreling. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
12 | padmeśamitraśatapatragatālivargāḥ |
पद्मेशमित्रशतपत्रगतालिवर्गाः |
The swarm of bees in the lotuses are friends of the sun, and are making loud sounds with a view to surpassing the splendour of the lustrous blue lotuses. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
13 | śrīmannabhīṣṭavaradākhilalokabandho |
श्रीमन्नभीष्टवरदाखिललोकबन्धो |
One with Lakshmi! One who grants boons! Friend of all the worlds! Abode of Sri Lakshmi! The matchless ocean of compassion! One having a charming form on account of the chest which is the abode of Sri Lakshmi! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
14 | śrīsvāmipuṣkariṇikāplavanirmalāṅgāḥ |
श्रीस्वामिपुष्करिणिकाप्लवनिर्मलाङ्गाः |
Brahma, Shiva, Sanandana and several others have bathed in purified water. They are at your doorstep eager to see you, for their own well-being, though they have been hit with canes by your gods. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
15 | śrīśeṣaśailagaruḍācalaveṅkaṭādri- |
श्रीशेषशैलगरुडाचलवेङ्कटाद्रि- |
Lord of Venkatachala! Thy abode is always called by several names, such as Sri Sesasaila, Garudachala, Venkatadri, Narayanadri, Vrsabhadri, Vrsadri. May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
16 | sevāparāḥ śivasureśakṛśānudharma- |
सेवापराः शिवसुरेशकृशानुधर्म- |
Siva, Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairuti, Varuna, Vayu and Kubera, with folded hands placed on their heads, are desirous of offering service to thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
17 | dhāṭīṣu te vihagarājamṛgādhirāja- |
धाटीषु ते विहगराजमृगाधिराज- |
The modes of Thy conveyance - Garuda, the Lord of Birds, the Lion, Lord of Animals, Adisesa, the Lord of Serpents, Airavata, the Lord of Elephants and Uccaissravas, the Lord of Horses - are begging Thee to grant them their respective authority and power to server Thee better, on your pleasure trips. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
18 | sūryendubhaumabudhavākpatikāvyasauri- |
सूर्येन्दुभौमबुधवाक्पतिकाव्यसौरि- |
The main deities of the Assembly of Gods - the nine planets - the Sun, the Moon, Mars (Angaraka), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brhaspati), Venus (Sukra), Saturn (Sani), Rahu and Ketu are happy to serve even your servants and remain most obedient to Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
19 | tvatpādadhūlibharitasphuritottamāṅgāḥ |
त्वत्पादधूलिभरितस्फुरितोत्तमाङ्गाः |
Lord of Venkatachala! Thy devotees, whose heads are sanctified by the dust of Thy feet, being in Thy presence, do not desire Heaven or Liberation, but are worried that another kalpa will start, when there will be no such glory to Venkatachala! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
20 | tvadgopurāgraśikharāṇi nirīkṣamāṇāḥ |
त्वद्गोपुराग्रशिखराणि निरीक्षमाणाः |
On seeing the crests of Thy temple tower, the mortals, who are attempting to attain the exalted paths of Heaven and Liberation, feel like living on in the mortal world, as it gives them the opportunity of worshipping Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
21 | śrībhūmināyaka dayādiguṇāmṛtābdhe |
श्रीभूमिनायक दयादिगुणामृताब्धे |
Lord of Sridevi and Bhudevi! The ocean of nectar of compassion and other virtues! The chief of the Gods! The sole refuge of the Universe! The possessor of Sri (wealth)! One whose feet are worshipped by Ananta and Garuda! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
22 | śrīpadmanābha puruṣottama vāsudeva |
श्रीपद्मनाभ पुरुषोत्तम वासुदेव |
Padmanabha! Purushottama! Vasudeva! Vaikunta! Madhava! Janardana! Chakrapani! Bearer of the mole Srivatsa! Celestial tree (parijata) under whom refuge is sought! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
23 | kandarpadarpahara sundara divyamūrte |
कन्दर्पदर्पहर सुन्दर दिव्यमूर्ते |
Bearer of the charming and divine form surpassing the pride of Cupid (Manmatha)! One whose sight is fondly centred on the lotus bud like breasts of His beloved! The abode of auspicious and pure virtues! The possessor of Divine fame! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
24 | mīnākṛte kamaṭhakolanṛsiṃhavarṇin |
मीनाकृते कमठकोलनृसिंहवर्णिन् |
Lord in ten incarnations of Matsya (Fish), Kamatha (Tortoise), Kola (Boar), Narasimha (Man-lion) Trivikrama (Dwarf), Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
25 | elālavaṅgaghanasārasugandhitīrthaṃ |
एलालवङ्गघनसारसुगन्धितीर्थं |
The Brahmins, well-versed in the Vedas, are now joyfully waiting to worship you. They are carrying golden pots on their heads that are filled with the water of the Divine Ganges (Akasa Ganga), which has been rendered fragrant by mixing cardamom, cloves and camphor in it. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
26 | bhāsvānudeti vikacāni saroruhāṇi |
भास्वानुदेति विकचानि सरोरुहाणि |
The Sun is rising; the lotuses have blossomed; the birds are twittering; the Sri Vaishnavas, always imploring auspiciousness, are waiting at Thy abode. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
27 | brahmādayassuravarāssamaharṣayaste |
ब्रह्मादयस्सुरवरास्समहर्षयस्ते |
Brahma,the great sages and the good Yogins as Sanandana are waiting at Thy abode, with auspicious offerings in their hands. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
28 | lakṣmīnivāsa niravadya guṇaikasindho |
लक्ष्मीनिवास निरवद्य गुणैकसिन्धो |
Abode of Lakshmi! Ocean of faultless and auspicious virtues! Bridge to cross the ocean of transmigration (samsara)! One whose glory is known through the Upanishads! One who is enjoyed by devotees! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. |
29 | itthaṃ vṛṣācalapateriha suprabhātaṃ |
इत्थं वृषाचलपतेरिह सुप्रभातं |
Thus here is the Suprabhatam of the Lord of Vrishachala! Within the humans who are engaged in reciting it every day, the remembrance (स्मृति:) gives birth to superior intellect, which makes the supreme goal (of attaining moksha) easy to achieve. |
Venkaṭeśvara Stotram
editVerse | IAST | Devanagari |
---|---|---|
1 | kamalākuca cūcuka kuṅkumato |
कमलाकुच चूचुक कुङ्कुमतो |
2 | sacaturmukha ṣaṇmukha pañchamukha |
सचतुर्मुख षण्मुख पञ्चमुख |
3 | ativelatayā tava durviṣahair |
अतिवेलतया तव दुर्विषहै |
4 | adhi veṅkaṭa śaila mudāramater |
अधि वेङ्कट शैल मुदारमते |
5 | kala veṇura vāvaśa gopavadhū |
कल वेणुर वावश गोपवधू |
6 | abhirāma guṇākara dāśarathe |
अभिराम गुणाकर दाशरथे |
7 | avanī tanayā kamanīya karaṃ |
अवनी तनया कमनीय करं |
8 | sumukhaṃ suhṛdaṃ sulabhaṃ sukhadaṃ |
सुमुखं सुहृदं सुलभं सुखदं |
9 | vinā veṅkaṭeśaṃ na nātho na nāthaḥ |
विना वेङ्कटेशं न नाथो न नाथः |
10 | ahaṃ dūradaste padāṃ bhojayugma |
अहं दूरदस्ते पदां भोजयुग्म |
11 | ajñāninā mayā doṣā na śeṣānvihitān hare । |
अज्ञानिना मया दोषा न शेषान्विहितान् हरे । |
References
edit- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-10-06). "Suprabhata, Suprabhātā, Su-prabhata: 14 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
- ^ Hawley, John Stratton; Narayanan, Vasudha (2006-12-04). The Life of Hinduism. University of California Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-520-24914-1.
- ^ Narayanan, Vasudha; Nammaaolvaar (1994). The Vernacular Veda: Revelation, Recitation, and Ritual. Univ of South Carolina Press. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-87249-965-2.
- ^ a b c Rambhadracharya 2009, pp. ka-kha
- ^ Shri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam, retrieved May 7, 2011,
The Youtube video has had approximately 3.5 million views.
- ^ Murthy, K. M. K.; Rao, Desiraju Hanumanta (September 2009), Valmiki Ramayana - Book I:Bala Kanda - Book Of Youth - Chapter 23, retrieved May 7, 2011
- ^ a b Sanskrit Documents in audio format, retrieved May 7, 2011
- ^ Kashi Vishwanath Suprabhatam by M S Subbulakshmi, retrieved May 7, 2011
- ^ Balaji, Anand (February 27, 2004), "Venkatesha Suprabhatam" Translations, retrieved May 7, 2011
- ^ B.V.L., Narayanarow (March 31, 1999), Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam, Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams, retrieved October 2, 2022
- ^ a b Parthasarathy, Venkatesh (November 2, 2020), Venkatesa Suprabhatam: The Story of India's Most Popular Prayer, Westland Publications Private Limited, ISBN 9789389648638, retrieved October 2, 2022
- ^ "Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam Lyrics in English with Meaning | Lord Balaji Slokas and Mantras". Temples In India Info - Slokas, Mantras, Temples, Tourist Places. 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
- ^ Komaragiri, Narrenaditya (2016-04-23). "Nine Interesting Facts About Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam". Tirumalesa. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
Printed sources
edit- Rambhadracharya, Svami (January 14, 2009), Śrīsītārāmasuprabhātam (in Sanskrit), Chitrakuta, Uttar Pradesh, India: Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Vikalang Vishvavidyalaya