मूकपञ्चशती (मूककवि प्रणीता)
कटाक्षशतकम्
(slokas 1 to 25)
Mooka
Panchashati is a devotional composition by Muka Kavi dedicated to Kamakshi. The
real name of the poet is not known. Legend has it that he was born dumb but
regained not only his voice by the grace of Goddess Kamakshi but also became
a poet of considerable merit. Mooka Panchashati
consists of five satakams, each Satakam containing 100 verses. The
Satakams are Arya Satakam,
Padaravinda Satakam, Stuti Satakam, Kataksha Satakam and Mandasmita Satakam.
Panchashati is a devotional composition by Muka Kavi dedicated to Kamakshi. The
real name of the poet is not known. Legend has it that he was born dumb but
regained not only his voice by the grace of Goddess Kamakshi but also became
a poet of considerable merit. Mooka Panchashati
consists of five satakams, each Satakam containing 100 verses. The
Satakams are Arya Satakam,
Padaravinda Satakam, Stuti Satakam, Kataksha Satakam and Mandasmita Satakam.
Goddess
Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kancheepuram. Her consort is Ekamreshwara, an aspect of
Lord Shiva. Kanchi is the Central
Peetham established by Aadi Shankaracharya who installed and consecrated
the idol of Kamakshi and established the
system of worship there. The other
Peethams are at Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in theWest, Puri in the East and Sringeri (Sringa giri)
in the South.
Kamakshi is the presiding deity of Kancheepuram. Her consort is Ekamreshwara, an aspect of
Lord Shiva. Kanchi is the Central
Peetham established by Aadi Shankaracharya who installed and consecrated
the idol of Kamakshi and established the
system of worship there. The other
Peethams are at Badrinath in the North, Dwarka in theWest, Puri in the East and Sringeri (Sringa giri)
in the South.
The translation
into English of a hymn of this nature is a delicate task and readers may kindly
pardon the shortcomings, though every attempt has been made to make the
translation as close as possible to the intended or perceived meaning.
into English of a hymn of this nature is a delicate task and readers may kindly
pardon the shortcomings, though every attempt has been made to make the
translation as close as possible to the intended or perceived meaning.
मोहान्धकारनिवहं विनिहन्तुमीडे
मूकात्मनामपि महाकवितावदान्यात् ।
श्रीकाञ्चिदेशशिशिरीकृतिजागरूका-
नेकाम्रनाथतरुणीकरुणावलोकान् ॥१॥
I pray to the
compassionate glances of the consort of Ekamranatha that they dispel the darkness of my delusion and
attachment. Those glances are generous
enough to make even those who are dumb great poets and are alive to the need
for keeping Kanchi a cool place (i.e.
happy and contented),
compassionate glances of the consort of Ekamranatha that they dispel the darkness of my delusion and
attachment. Those glances are generous
enough to make even those who are dumb great poets and are alive to the need
for keeping Kanchi a cool place (i.e.
happy and contented),
मातर्जयन्ति ममताग्रहमोक्षणानि
माहेन्द्रनीलरुचिशिक्षणदीक्षणानि।
कामाक्षि कल्पितजगत्त्रयरक्षणानि
त्वद्वीक्षणानि वरदानविचक्षणानि ॥२॥
O Mother! victory to those
glances of yours which release from the clutches of attachment and possessiveness, which are dark blue as
the blue gemstone, which have taken on the job of protecting the three worlds
and which are generous in giving boons.
glances of yours which release from the clutches of attachment and possessiveness, which are dark blue as
the blue gemstone, which have taken on the job of protecting the three worlds
and which are generous in giving boons.
आनङ्गतन्त्रविधिदर्शितकौशलाना-
मानन्दमन्दपरिघूर्णितमन्थराणाम्।
तारल्यमंब तव ताडितकर्णसीम्नां
कामाक्षि खेलति कटाक्षनिरीक्षणानाम्॥३॥
O Kamakshi! your glances
exhibit skill in the art of love
expounded in Kamashastra. They
are the source of ananda ( joy,happiness), they are long reaching up to
the ears and they are extremely flitting and playful.
exhibit skill in the art of love
expounded in Kamashastra. They
are the source of ananda ( joy,happiness), they are long reaching up to
the ears and they are extremely flitting and playful.
कल्लोलितेन करुणारसवेल्लितेन
कल्माषितेन कमनीयमृदुस्मितेन।
मामञ्चितेन तव किंचन कुञ्चितेन
कामाक्षि तेन शिशिरीकुरु वीक्षितेन॥४॥
O Kamakshi! Cool me (give me peace and happiness) by your
glances which are wave-like, full of compassion, dark, accompanied by a beautiful
soft smile, pretty and slightly crooked.
glances which are wave-like, full of compassion, dark, accompanied by a beautiful
soft smile, pretty and slightly crooked.
साहाय्यकं गतवती मुहुरर्जुनस्य
मन्दस्मितस्य परितोषितभीमचेताः।
कामाक्षि पाण्डवचमूरिव तावकीना
कर्णान्तिकं चलति हन्त कटाक्षलक्ष्मीः॥५॥
O Kamakshi! The Lakshmi of your glances
reach out to help the bright smile and gladden the heart of Shiva. (Your
glances reach out to help Arjuna and gladden the heart of Bhima). Like the army of Pandavas it moves towards
Karna ( it reaches up to the ears)
reach out to help the bright smile and gladden the heart of Shiva. (Your
glances reach out to help Arjuna and gladden the heart of Bhima). Like the army of Pandavas it moves towards
Karna ( it reaches up to the ears)
[Arjuna, besides being the name of one of the sons of
Pandu, also means ‘white’ which
qualifies the ‘smile’.
Pandu, also means ‘white’ which
qualifies the ‘smile’.
Similarly Bhima
refers to one of the Pandavas and also means Lord Shiva. Karna refers to Karna of Mahabharata and also means
‘ear’. shleshalamkara]
refers to one of the Pandavas and also means Lord Shiva. Karna refers to Karna of Mahabharata and also means
‘ear’. shleshalamkara]
अस्तं क्षणान्नयतु मे परितापसूर्य-
मानन्दचन्द्रमसमानयतां प्रकाशम् ।
कालान्धकारसुषमां कलयन्दिगन्ते
कामाक्षि कोमलकटाक्षनिशागमस्ते ॥६॥
O Kamakshi! Let the
beautiful side- glances which are like the arrival of night spreading dense
darkness in all quarters cause the scorching sun of my misery to set and let
the moon of joy rise spreading its light.
beautiful side- glances which are like the arrival of night spreading dense
darkness in all quarters cause the scorching sun of my misery to set and let
the moon of joy rise spreading its light.
ताटङ्क मौक्तिकरुचांकुरदन्तकान्ति:
कारुण्यहस्तिपशिखामणिनाधिरूढा।
उन्मूलयत्वशुभपादपमस्मदीयं
कामाक्षि तावक कटाक्षमतङ्गजेन्द्र: ॥७॥
O kamakshi! your
side-glance is like an intoxicated elephant.
The radiance of pearls in your ear-ornaments appears as the tusk of this
elephant. The expert mahout who is
riding this elephant is your mercy (compassion, kindness). May this elephant uproot the tree of all my
ill-luck and miseries.
side-glance is like an intoxicated elephant.
The radiance of pearls in your ear-ornaments appears as the tusk of this
elephant. The expert mahout who is
riding this elephant is your mercy (compassion, kindness). May this elephant uproot the tree of all my
ill-luck and miseries.
च्छायाभरेण जगतां
परितापहारी
परितापहारी
ताट्ङ्करत्नमणितल्लजपल्लवश्रीः।
कारुण्यनाम विकिरन्मकरन्दजालं
कामाक्षि राजति कटाक्षसुरद्रुमस्ते
॥८॥
॥८॥
O Kamakshi your glance is
the wish-yielding tree, kalpataru.
By its shade it drives away the sorrows of the world. Its tender leaves are the radiance from the
diamonds in your ear ornaments. Its flower
honey is mercy, compassion. Thus shines
the kalpataru of your glances.
the wish-yielding tree, kalpataru.
By its shade it drives away the sorrows of the world. Its tender leaves are the radiance from the
diamonds in your ear ornaments. Its flower
honey is mercy, compassion. Thus shines
the kalpataru of your glances.
सूर्याश्रयप्रणयिनी मणिकुण्डलांशु-
लौहित्यकोकनदकाननमाननीया।
यान्ती तव स्मरहराननकान्तिसिन्धुं
कामाक्षि राजति कटाक्षकलिन्दकन्या ॥९॥
O Kamakshi! your sidelong glance is like the Yamuna
river. (both are dark in complexion).
Both are fond of those who depend on the Sun.(Yamuna is the daughter of
the Sun god. Your glances are wide as the lotus which depends on the sun for
blossoming) The radiance from your ear-globes resembles a forest of red
lotuses. Lotus flowers of red hue grow
in Yamuna also. Your
glances flow towards the sea of effulgence of the face of enemy of
Cupid, Shiva. ( Yamuna also flows into Ganga which Lord Shiva carries in his
matted locks).
river. (both are dark in complexion).
Both are fond of those who depend on the Sun.(Yamuna is the daughter of
the Sun god. Your glances are wide as the lotus which depends on the sun for
blossoming) The radiance from your ear-globes resembles a forest of red
lotuses. Lotus flowers of red hue grow
in Yamuna also. Your
glances flow towards the sea of effulgence of the face of enemy of
Cupid, Shiva. ( Yamuna also flows into Ganga which Lord Shiva carries in his
matted locks).
[The poet is comparing Kamakshi’s glances with
the river Yamuna]
the river Yamuna]
प्राप्नोति यं सुकृतिनं तव पक्षपाता-
त्कामाक्षि वीक्षणविलासकलापुरन्ध्री
सद्यस्तमेव किल मुक्तिवधूर्वृणीते
तस्मान्नितान्तमनयोरिदमैकमत्यम् ॥१०॥
As soon as the artist damsel of your
side-glance embraces a sukriti (person who has earned enough
merit by his good deeds), the mukti damsel also embraces him
simultaneously. These two damsels, your
side-glance and mukti are always
of the same mind.
side-glance embraces a sukriti (person who has earned enough
merit by his good deeds), the mukti damsel also embraces him
simultaneously. These two damsels, your
side-glance and mukti are always
of the same mind.
यान्ती सदैव मरुतामनुकूलभावं
भ्रूवल्लिशक्रधनुरुल्लसिता रसार्द्रा ।
कामाक्षि कौतुकतरङ्गितनीलकण्ठा
कादम्बिनीव तव भाति कटाक्षमाला ॥११॥
O Kamakshi ! the string of your sidelong glances is like a cloud
formation which always follows the marut ( wind, sons of Diti friendly
to Indra). The rainbow of your eyebrows
is colourful and displays different feelings and emotions. Seeing these (cloud
and rainbow) there is a wave of interest in Nilakantha, that is Shiva (also peacock which dances with joy when it
sees the clouds)
formation which always follows the marut ( wind, sons of Diti friendly
to Indra). The rainbow of your eyebrows
is colourful and displays different feelings and emotions. Seeing these (cloud
and rainbow) there is a wave of interest in Nilakantha, that is Shiva (also peacock which dances with joy when it
sees the clouds)
गंगाम्भसि स्मितमये तपनात्मजेव
गंगाधरोरसि नवोत्पलमालिकेव।
वक्त्रप्रभासरसि शैवलमण्डलीव
कामाक्षि राजति कटाक्षरुचिच्छ्टा ते ॥१२॥
O Kamkshi! The radiance of
your sidelong glance is like the Yamuna mingling with the waters of Ganga
(because your glance is dark as the Yamuna and your smile is bright as the
waters of Ganga). Your glances form, as
it were, a garland of dark blue lilies
on the chest of Lord Shiva ( as they linger on it intermittently). They are
also like moss on the surface of the lake which is the effulgence of your
face.
your sidelong glance is like the Yamuna mingling with the waters of Ganga
(because your glance is dark as the Yamuna and your smile is bright as the
waters of Ganga). Your glances form, as
it were, a garland of dark blue lilies
on the chest of Lord Shiva ( as they linger on it intermittently). They are
also like moss on the surface of the lake which is the effulgence of your
face.
संस्कारतः किमपि कन्दलितान् रसज्ञ-
केदारसीम्नि सुधियामुपभोगभाग्यान्।
कल्य़ाणसूक्तिलहरीकलमांकुरान्नः
कामाक्षि कन्दलयतु त्वदपाङ्गमेघः ॥१३॥
O Kamakshi! May the cloud
of your sidelong glances help nourish the young plants of auspicious, picturesque and poetic output fit
for the enjoyment of the wise which grows in properly cultivated fields of those
who love and enjoy poetry and have been trained in its nuances.
of your sidelong glances help nourish the young plants of auspicious, picturesque and poetic output fit
for the enjoyment of the wise which grows in properly cultivated fields of those
who love and enjoy poetry and have been trained in its nuances.
चाञ्चल्यमेव नियतं कलयन्प्रकृत्या
मालिन्यभूः श्रुतिपथाक्रमजागरूकः।
कैवल्यमेव किमु कल्पयते नतानां
कामाक्षि चित्रमपि ते करुणाकटाक्षः ॥१४॥
O Kamakshi! Your glances
are, by nature, ambulatory and
wavering. It is stained by anjana.
It is bent on encroaching the path of the ears (srutipatha also means the path of the Vedas). It is therefore surprising that your glances charged with mercy grant kaivalya
or liberation to those who bow at your feet. [Being stained and trespassing the
path of the Vedas are not quite in consonance kaivalya, therefore the surprise)
are, by nature, ambulatory and
wavering. It is stained by anjana.
It is bent on encroaching the path of the ears (srutipatha also means the path of the Vedas). It is therefore surprising that your glances charged with mercy grant kaivalya
or liberation to those who bow at your feet. [Being stained and trespassing the
path of the Vedas are not quite in consonance kaivalya, therefore the surprise)
संजीवने जननि चूतशिलीमुखस्य
संमोहने शशिकिशोरकशेखरस्य।
संस्तम्भने च ममताग्रहचेष्टितस्य
कामाक्षि वीक्षणकला परमौषधं ते ॥१५॥
O Kamakshi! the art of your sidelong glances is
the best medicine in bringing back to life Kamadeva burnt down by Shiva, in
captivating the heart of Shiva who sports the crescent moon and in blocking the
activities of the planet which is mamata (attachment, possessiveness)
the best medicine in bringing back to life Kamadeva burnt down by Shiva, in
captivating the heart of Shiva who sports the crescent moon and in blocking the
activities of the planet which is mamata (attachment, possessiveness)
नीलोऽपि रागमधिकं जनयन्मुरारे-
र्लोलोऽपि भक्तिमधिकां द्रढयन्नराणाम्।
वक्रोऽपि देवि नमतां समतां वितन्व-
न्कामाक्षि नृत्यतु मयि त्वदपाङ्गपातः॥१६॥
O Kamakshi ! the glances from the corners of your
eyes, though dark, generate raga (red, love and affection ) in Murari
(Vishnu), though flimsy, they make the devotion of men strong and, though crooked, they make those who bow to them straight. Let those glances of yours fall on me and dance ( with joy).
eyes, though dark, generate raga (red, love and affection ) in Murari
(Vishnu), though flimsy, they make the devotion of men strong and, though crooked, they make those who bow to them straight. Let those glances of yours fall on me and dance ( with joy).
कामद्रुहो हृदययन्त्रणजागरूका
कामाक्षि चञ्चलदृगञ्चलमेखला
ते।
ते।
आश्चर्यमम्ब भजतां
झटिति स्वकीय
झटिति स्वकीय
संपर्क एव विधुनोति
समस्तबन्धान् ॥१७॥
समस्तबन्धान् ॥१७॥
O Kamakshi! your
ambulatory glances are always alert on
keeping control over the heart of Shiva, the enemy of Kama. But Mother! wonder of wonders the contact
with those very glances releases one
from all bondages.
ambulatory glances are always alert on
keeping control over the heart of Shiva, the enemy of Kama. But Mother! wonder of wonders the contact
with those very glances releases one
from all bondages.
कुण्ठीकरोतु विपदं
मम कुञ्चितभ्रू-
मम कुञ्चितभ्रू-
चापान्वितः श्रितविदेहभवानुरागः।
रक्षोपकारमनिशं जनयञ्जगत्यां
कामाक्षि राम इव
ते करुणाकटाक्षः ॥१८॥
ते करुणाकटाक्षः ॥१८॥
May the glances of
Kamakshi charged with mercy remove all my difficulties and problems. Those glances have the bow of the arched
eye-brows and they manifest love for Shiva.
They always help protect the three worlds. In this respect your glances are like
Rama who also carries a bow, who loved
Sita (videhabhavaa) and who helped Vibhishana (a rakshasa) gain the kingdom of Lanka)
Kamakshi charged with mercy remove all my difficulties and problems. Those glances have the bow of the arched
eye-brows and they manifest love for Shiva.
They always help protect the three worlds. In this respect your glances are like
Rama who also carries a bow, who loved
Sita (videhabhavaa) and who helped Vibhishana (a rakshasa) gain the kingdom of Lanka)
श्रीकामकॊटि शिवलोचनशोषितस्य
शृङ्गारबीजविभवस्य पुनः प्ररोहे।
प्रेमाम्भसार्द्रमचिरात्प्रचुरेण शङ्के
केदारमम्ब तव केवलदृष्टिपातम् ॥१९॥
O Srikamakoti!
The field, watered by love, in
which grew the seed of sringara again after Kama was burnt down by fire
from the third eye of Shiva was only the
touch of your glances.
The field, watered by love, in
which grew the seed of sringara again after Kama was burnt down by fire
from the third eye of Shiva was only the
touch of your glances.
माहात्म्यशेवधिरसौ तव दुर्विलङ्घ्य-
संसारविन्ध्यगिरिकुण्ठनकेलिचुञ्चुः।
धैर्याम्बुधिं पशुपतेश्चुलकीकरोति
कामाक्षि वीक्षणविजृम्भणकुम्भजन्मा ॥२०॥
O Kamakshi!
Your glance is like the sage Agastya. It is a treasure house of
greatness which playfully blocks the Vindhya mountain of Samsara just as
sage Agastya put Vindhya down. It also
reduces the ocean of courage (determination) of Shiva to a palmful of water
just as sage Agastya drank the ocean by the power of his penance.
Your glance is like the sage Agastya. It is a treasure house of
greatness which playfully blocks the Vindhya mountain of Samsara just as
sage Agastya put Vindhya down. It also
reduces the ocean of courage (determination) of Shiva to a palmful of water
just as sage Agastya drank the ocean by the power of his penance.
पीयूषवर्षशिशिरा स्फुटदुत्पलश्री-
र्मैत्री निसर्गमधुरा कृततारकाप्तिः।
कामाक्षि संश्रितवती वपुरष्टमूर्ते-
र्ज्योत्स्नायते भगवति त्वदपाङ्गमाला॥ २१॥
O Bhagavati Kamakshi !the
garland of your sidelong glances from your dark eyes, when it falls on your
consort Ashtamurti (Shiva) becomes like moonlight. It is cool like the
moonlight by the raining of nectar (from the moon which adorns Shiva’s head).
It has natural sweet friendship with utpala (lily) like the moon because
those glances are dark blue like the blue lily.
It also has the company of taraka
(which means Shiva in the case of the glances of Kamakshi and stars in the case
of the moon).
garland of your sidelong glances from your dark eyes, when it falls on your
consort Ashtamurti (Shiva) becomes like moonlight. It is cool like the
moonlight by the raining of nectar (from the moon which adorns Shiva’s head).
It has natural sweet friendship with utpala (lily) like the moon because
those glances are dark blue like the blue lily.
It also has the company of taraka
(which means Shiva in the case of the glances of Kamakshi and stars in the case
of the moon).
अम्ब स्मरप्रतिभटस्य वपुर्मनोज्ञ-
मम्भोजकाननमिवाञ्चितकण्टकाभम्।
भृङ्गीव चुम्बति सदैव सपक्षपाता
कामाक्षि कोमलरुचिस्त्वदपाङ्गमाला ॥२२॥
O Mother Kamakshi! The body of Lord Shiva
covered with hairs standing on end, handsome as a forest of lotus flowers with
thorns, is always kissed by the waves your pretty glances forming a
garland, as honey-bees flit over lotus
blossoms.
covered with hairs standing on end, handsome as a forest of lotus flowers with
thorns, is always kissed by the waves your pretty glances forming a
garland, as honey-bees flit over lotus
blossoms.
केशप्रभापटलनीलवितानजाले
कामाक्षि कुण्डलमणिच्छविदीपशोभे।
कम्रे कटाक्षरुचिरंगतले कृपाख्या
शैलूषकी नटति शंकरवल्लभे ते ॥२३॥
O Consort of Shiva ! the dancer called Mercy
dances on the stage of radiance of your glances. The stage has a canopy of dark
blue created by your tresses and it is lighted up by the brilliance of the
diamonds in your ear-globes.
dances on the stage of radiance of your glances. The stage has a canopy of dark
blue created by your tresses and it is lighted up by the brilliance of the
diamonds in your ear-globes.
अत्यन्तशीतलमतन्द्रयतु क्षणार्ध-
मस्तोकविभ्रममनङ्गविलासकन्दम्।
अल्पस्मितादृतमपारकृपाप्रवाह-
अल्पस्मितादृतमपारकृपाप्रवाह-
मक्षिप्ररोहमचिरान्मयि कामकॊटि ॥२४॥
O Kamakoti! May the flood of glances sprouting from your eyes which
are very cool, the playfield for Cupid and lighted up by a smile, invigorate me for a moment without delay.
are very cool, the playfield for Cupid and lighted up by a smile, invigorate me for a moment without delay.
मन्दाक्षरागतरलीकृतितारतम्या-
त्कामाक्षि मन्थरतरां त्वदपाङ्गदोलाम्।
आरुह्य मन्दमतिकौतुकशालि चक्षु-
रानन्दमेति मुहुरर्धशशाङ्कमौलेः ॥२५॥
O Kamakshi! Your sidelong glances, wavering with the sentiments
of shyness and love is like a slowly moving swing on to which Lord Shiva’s eyes
often climb with excitement and become delighted in the process.
of shyness and love is like a slowly moving swing on to which Lord Shiva’s eyes
often climb with excitement and become delighted in the process.
