Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipa Jagadguru Shankaracharya Parivrajakendra Navaratnamalika Stuti
“The Nine-Gem Garland Hymn to the Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya, Head of the Śrī Kāñcī Kāmakoṭi Pīṭha, the Foremost among Ascetics”
- First, having bowed to him – Vighneshwara, whose very form is the sacred syllable Oṃ, who is worshipped by Devas and Asuras, and by whom, in ancient times, the undertaking connected with Bhaṇḍāsura was accomplished without obstacle; he is renowned in the world as the destroyer of the Vighnayantra – obstacle-producing mechanism.
I bow to and adore that foremost among ascetics, Śaṅkarācārya, the Guru of the entire world.
- Śaṅkara appeared as an incarnation upon this blessed earth in the age of Kali. In order to bestow his grace upon all, He caused the Vedas to spread in the world through his commentaries and teachings.
- Those who are learned in the Vedas and Vedānta acknowledge Him with reverence as the first and foremost teacher of Vedānta. Through Him, the Sanatana Dharma has attained growth and widespread propagation in this world.
- People come to Him and constantly engage in His service because of His status as the Guru of the world. Through Him, the knowledge and enquiry concerning the Supreme Brahman have become widely known and have been attained by His disciples.
- Through him, various branches of knowledge continue to flourish in the world and have not become extinct even in the Kali age. In him, the celebrated knowledge of the Ātman, which bestows the highest liberation, shines forth in abundance.
- He is this preceptor, renowned for mastery of Shaiva Shastra, and established upon and worshipped in the Kāñcī Pīṭha. He is internally peaceful, self-controlled, and master with independent thought in all branches of learning, a continuous bestower of wisdom to worthy seekers and the ultimate guide to the meaning of all the Śāstras and debates thereon.
- He possesses a firm resolve dedicated to the protection of all the worlds; his heart is filled with firm resolve, and he is a refuge and support for learned men. Among accomplished poets he is graceful and eloquent; he protects and supports religious mendicants and teaches Dharma. Possessing a noble and virtuous intellect and granting liberation, he shines like a wish-fulfilling celestial tree (Kalpavṛkṣa).
- In the study of Śaiva traditions, Śākta traditions, and the enquiry into Brahma-vidyā, this Ācārya is a refuge for scholars. Because he bestows true understanding upon those who seek liberation, he is worthy of honour by noble persons, and is foremost among ascetics, endowed with the merit of great deeds accumulated in former births.
- This great ornament—a garland of nine verses, like a garland of precious gems—has now been composed by the guru Pañcāpageśa, belonging to the illustrious Kāśyapa lineage and serving as a teacher in the Agama-study school in Panchanada.
It has been offered at the feet of the revered head of Śrī Śaṅkara Kāmakoṭi Nilaya, and shines as a great adornment.
- R. Pañcāpageśa Śivācārya, Teacher, Śrī Rāja Veda-Āgama Pāṭhaśālā, Panchanadam (Tiruvaiyaru).
Translated: P. R. Kannan