Shri Mahaganapathi

Ragam: Gowla

Talam: Misra Chapu

Mutthuswami Dikshitar

Version: Sita Rajan (Semmangudi?)

Lyrics courtesy: Todd McComb’s Medieval.org website:

http://www.medieval.org/music/world/carnatic/dikshitar.html

 

 

Pallavi:

Shri Mahaa Ganapatiravatu Maam Siddhi Vinaayako Maatanga Mukha

 

Anupallavi:

Kaama Janaka Vidheendra Sannuta Kamalaalaya Tathanivaaso

Komalatara Pallavapada Kara Guruguhaagrajah Shivaatmajah

 

Charanam:

Suvarnaakarshana Vighnaraajo Paadaambujo

Gaura Varna Vasana Dharo Phaalachandro Naraadivinuta Lambodaro Kuvalaya Svavishaanaa Paashaankushamodaka Prakaashakaro Bhavajaladhinaavo

Moolaprakruti Svabhaavas Sukhataro Ravisahasra Sannibhadeho

Kavijananuta Mooshikavaaho Avanata Devataasamuho Avinaasha Kaivalya Deho

 

Meaning: From TK Govinda Rao’s Book:

P: May He protect (“ravatu”) me (“maam”), the Lord Mahaa Ganapathi. He is Siddhi Vinaayaka, the elephant-faced (“maatanga mukha”) one.

A: Venerated (“sannutha”) by Vishnu (“kaamajanaka” -- father of kama:vishnu), Brahma (“vidhi”) and Indra (“indra”); He resides (“nivaaso”) on the banks (“thata”) of the temple-tank KAMALAALAYA; His feet (“pada”) and hands (“kara”) are beautiful (‘pallava”) like the tender (“komala”) leaves (“tara”). He is the elder brother (“aagrajah”) of Guruguha and the son (“aatmaja”) of Shiva.

C: He is attractive (“aakarshana”) like pure gold (“suvarna”) and is the remover (“raajo”) of impediments (“vigna”). His feet (“pada”) are like the lotus (“ambuja”) and He is attired (“Vasana Dharo”) in white (“gaura”) color (“varna”). His forehead (“phaala”) is like a cresent moon (“chandro”) and He is worshipped (“vinuta”) by mankind (“naraadi”). Lambodhara, He holds in His hand (“kuvalaya”), a tusk (“vishaana”) of his own (“sva”), a lily, a rope, a goad and a Modaka (“Paashaankushamodaka”). He is the boat (“naavo”) that takes us across the ocean (“jaladhi”)of Samsaara (“bhava”). He is of the nature of beatitude which is moolaprakruti -- primordial nature. His body (“deho”) shines (“sannibha”) like thousand (“sahasra”) suns(“ravi”). He has a mouse (“mooshika”) as his mount (“vaaho”). Hosts of celestials (“kavijana”) worship(“nuta”)  him and He abides in eternal bliss (“Kaivalya Deho”)

 

Notes by Mrs. Janaki Krishnamoothy, Albany, NY:

This krithi is sung as the invocation krithi to Maha Ganapathi before singing the Kamalamba Navavarna krithis. The Ganesa kriti Sri Maha Ganapati in Gowlai makes reference to the Ganapati known as Mattu Uraitta Pillayar. His temple is located on the bank of Kamalalayam, the temple tank in Tiruvarur. The word karsha means ‘to attract’. It also means ‘to scratch’ and  a unit of weight of gold or silver.

Legend has it that  Paravai Nachiyar, wife of Sundara Moorthy Nayanar, a great devotee of Lord Siva, wanted new gold jewelry. The nayanar sought the help of Lord Tyagaraja who was visiting Lord Akshaya Linga at Keevalur at that time. He was pleased with His devotee’s praise and promised him that he could take as many gold bricks as he wanted from the nearby brick kiln. The nayanar found the 5 bricks to be too heavy to carry. Lord Tyagaraja instructed him to drop the bricks, one by one at the northeast corner of the temple tank at Keevalur and that when he returned home to Tiruvarur, he would find them at the northeast corner of the tank Kamalalayam. Sundara Moorthy Nayanar returned to Tiruvarur, told his wife about his meeting with Lord Tyagaraja in Keevalur and went to Kamalalayam and found the bricks in the water in the northeast corner. He took two of them to a goldsmith and requested him to make jewelry. The bricks were so dull and dirty and the standard techniques for testing the purity of the gold (mattu uraikiratu) revealed them to be of very poor quality. The nayanar was disappointed and went to Lord Tyagaraja and complained. The Lord instructed him to go to the temple goldsmith with the bricks. As Sundara Moorthy nayanar went looking for the temple goldsmith, Lord Tyagaraja instructed His son Ganesa to help his devotee.

Sundara Moorthy Nayanar encountered a man who called himself Muthanna Achari and said his father is Siva Achari and his brother is Murugesan Achari and that the temple goldsmith is his cousin. He accompanied the nayanar to the temple goldsmith. The bricks were tested again for purity and proved worthless. Then Muthanna Achari touched the two bricks, washed them with salt water, tamarind water etc and tested it again. ( They make a scratch on the surface, I think), Now, to the surprise of all the goldsmiths who had assembled there, the bricks were found to be of the highest quality of gold that they had ever seen. Now Muthanna Achari disappeared. It is believed that lord Ganesa assisted Lord Tyagaraja in helping His devotee Sundara Moorthy Nayanar. He is known as Mattu Uraitta Pillayar.

 

Pallavi:

Shri Mahaa Ganapatiravatu Maam Siddhi Vinaayako Maatanga Mukha

 

May He protect (“avatu”) me (“maam”), the Lord Mahaa Ganapathi.

 

S , r M    | P ;                 R P                 || M   G R  |  S sr    rs S                 ||

Shri-Ma    haa-                Gana          pa  ti- ra    va tu-   Maam-

 

; ; ;          | ; ;                 ; ;                 || ; ; ;                 |  ; ;                 ; ;                 ||

 

S , r M    | P ;                 rmpn                 ||  sn pm  rg |  M- R     rs S                 ||

Shri-Ma    haa-                Ga-na-       pa- ti-  ra    va tu-   Maam-

 

He is Siddhi Vinaayaka, the elephant-faced (“maatanga mukha”) one.

 

S  ; S       | S sn                 P rs                 || R ; ;                 | R    - m g    m  -r    s n ||

Si- ddhi   Vi-naa-  - ya-           ko- -      Maa- tan  -  ga Mu kha-

 

rs pm np | snpm                 rmpn                 ||  sn pm  rg |  M- R     rs S                 ||

Shri-Ma    haa-                Ga-na-       pa- ti-  ra    va tu-   Maam-

 

snsr S     | S sn                 P rs                 || R ;   sn     | pm r g    m  -r    s n ||

Si- -ddhi  Vi-naa-  - ya-           ko-  Maa   - -  tan-  ga Mu kha-

 

S , r M    | P ;                 R P                 || M   G R  |  S sr    rs S                 ||

Shri-Ma    haa-                Gana          pa  ti- ra    va tu-   Maam-

 

; ; ;          | ; ;                 ; ;                 || ; ; ;                 |  ; ;                 ; ;                 ||

 

 

Anupallavi:

Kaama Janaka Vidheendra Sannuta Kamalaalaya Tathanivaaso

Komalatara Pallavapada Kara Guruguhaagrajah Shivaatmajah

 

Venerated (“sannutha”) by Vishnu (“kaamajanaka” -- father of kama:vishnu), Brahma (“vidhi”) and Indra (“indra”);

 

P ;    M   | R G                  M - R                  || S   ;   S     | sn P       R R                ||

Kaa-ma    Jana                ka - Vi     dheen-dra  San-- nu ta

 

He resides (“nivaaso”) on the banks (“thata”) of the temple-tank KAMALAALAYA;

 

; , r M     | P ;                 N P                 || S S   R  | rs S        S ;                 ||              

   Kama    laa                laya           Ta tha ni  vaa- -                 so-

 

pnsn  pm | R G                  M - R                  || S   ;   S     | sn P       R R                ||

Kaa- ma    Jana                ka - Vi     dheen-dra  San-- nu ta

 

; , r M     | P ;                 N P                 || S S   R  | rs S        S ;                 ||              

    Kama   laa                laya           Ta tha ni  vaa- -                 so-

 

His feet (“pada”)and hands (“kara”) are beautiful (‘pallava”) like the tender (“komala”) leaves (“tara”). He is the elder brother (“aagrajah”) of Guruguha and the son (“aatmaja”) of Shiva.

 

R  p  m  n p | s n  s r     s r    s  s   || ; ; ;  |  ; ;          ; ;                 ||

Komala tara Pal lava   pada Kara   - - -   - -   - -

 

R  p  m  n p | s n  s r     s  r    s  s   || p   s   n P    p   | mg - r  G    r  s n ||

Komala tara Pal lava   pada Kara   Gurugu haa gra jah Shivaat majah-

 

Chitta Swaram:

P M G     | M  - R                 G M                 || R S R                 | S  -    N   S  R         ||

P M Dhi   mi - R                 G M          Tanaku Jham N   S  R         ||

 

S    N  P  | P  N   S    R             ||   R   S  - N |   S R    M   ;                 ||

ki  ta  tha  P   N  S  Ja                nu tha  N     S  R   M  ;   ||

 

R P M      | ; -  M                 G M                 || S R S                 |  P P                 M - M                 ||

ta ka nam  -    M G M          ta na ta  P P          M - dhi                 ||

 

N   P - M |  P N                 P -  P                 || M  R M   |  P N       S R                 ||

mi ta - M |  P N                 ta - dhi       mi tha ri   P N                 S R                 ||

 

S   S    N   | P   - M    P N          || S - S R  | rs S        R G                 ||

ku kunda    ku - M    P N   ta - ki ta  jham  R G                 ||

 

M  R   S |  -N   S        R- N        || S R  S                 |  S   S        N   P        ||

M  ta  dhi  mi tha   ri - N        S R  S       ku kun  da ku

 

P N P      | S     N     R   S        || R - R G | M R       S - R                 ||

P N P       tha  dhi   mi  ta    ri - R G  M R        S - Jham ||

 

;  S N      | P -  S                 ; N                 || P M - R |   G M      R    S                 ||

-  ta ri       ta   S                -  N             P M - ta  dhi gi na thom

 

 

Charanam:

Suvarnaakarshana Vighnaraajo Paadaambujo

Gaura Varna Vasana Dharo Phaalachandro Naraadivinuta Lambodaro Kuvalaya Svavishaanaa Paashaankushamodaka Prakaashakaro Bhavajaladhinaavo

Moolaprakruti Svabhaavas Sukhataro Ravisahasra Sannibhadeho

Kavijananuta Mooshikavaaho Avanata Devataasamuho Avinaasha Kaivalya Deho

 

He is attractive (“aakarshana”)like pure gold (“suvarna”) and is the remover (“raajo”) of impediments (“vigna”). His feet (“pada”) are like the lotus (“ambuja”)

 

R, g M    | R ;                 pmgm                 || R   S  sn   | P  P                 nsrs                ||  R ; P |  ;  pmM   ;  M                 ||              

Su var-     naa                  kar---         sha naVi-  gh na  raa- -          jo   Paa- daam              -  bu

 

He is attired (“Vasana Dharo”) in white (“gaura”) color (“varna”). His forehead (“phaala”) is like a cresent moon (“chandro")...

 

M ;  R     |  M P                 sn P                 ||  M - P M  | R - G   M ;  || R ; R  |  S  R                rsS                  ||

jo -  Gau     - ra                 Va--           rna Va sa   na   Dha ro -  Phaala  chan-      dro

 

He is worshipped (“vinuta”) by mankind (“naraadi”). Lambodhara, He holds in His hand (“kuvalaya”), ...

 

P R ;        | S - S                R M                 ||  R M  P   | ; N         P ;                 ||  N P N  |  P ;         M P                 ||

Naraa      di   vi                nu ta          Lam- bo   - da                ro-              Kuvala    ya                  Svavi

 

.. a tusk (“vishaana”) of his own (“sva”), a lily, a rope, a goad and a Modaka (“Paashaankushamodaka”).

 

pmM ; M | S R                 pm gm                 || R S -   S  |  ; R        rs S                 || S sn P                 | S  S                 R ;                 ||

shaa-  naa  Paa-                 shaan- -    kusha mo  - da                ka-             Prakaa-     shaka                ro-

 

He is the boat (“naavo”) that takes us across the ocean (“jaladhi”)of Samsaara (“bhava”).

 

S    S N   |  P- M        P S          || S  ;  ;                 |   ; ;                 ; ;                 ||  N P N  |  P ;         M P                 ||

Bhavaja    la dhi-    naa--          vo- -                 -   - -                - -               Kuvala    ya                  Svavi

 

pmM ; M | S R                 pm gm                 || R S -   S  |  ; R        rs S                 || S sn P                 | S  S                 R ;                 ||

shaa-  naa  Paa-                 shaan- -    kusha mo  - da                ka-             Prakaa-     shaka                ro-

 

He is of the nature of beatitude which is moolaprakruti -- primordial nature.

 

S    S N   |  P- M        P S          || S  ;  ;                 |   R M       P N     ||  P  P M                 |  ; S                 R ;  ||

Bhavaja    la dhi-    naa--          vo- -                 -  Moo-    la  -            pra kru ti                -  Sva   bhaa

 

pmgm - R | S - sr                 rs S                 ||

va- - -  Su    kha ta-  ro - -

 

His body (“deho”) shines (“sannibha”) like thousand (“sahasra”) suns(“ravi”). He has a mouse (“mooshika”) as his mount (“vaaho”).

 

r   s - s    S    s |  S   n   p     rs R   ||  ; ; rs  |  S ;   ; ;  || 

Ravi sa  has ra  Sannibha   de-ho   - -  - -    - -                 - -   

 

r   s - s    S    s |  S   n   p     rs R   ||  r s   p m  n p |  p  m   p   n    N   P || 

Ravi sa  has ra  Sannibha   de-ho   Kavi jana nuta  Moo-shika  vaa-ho  

 

Hosts of celestials (“kavijana”) worship(“nuta”)  him and He abides in eternal ("avinaasha") bliss (“Kaivalya Deho”)

 

p  n  s  r   -S |   n P -  p          rs R                 || r  s  s   n p-    p | m r g m    r r S         ||

Ava nata   De  vataa sa     mu-ho                    Avinaa- sha Kai-  val- ya   De-ho

 

r   s - g    R    s |  S   n   p     rs R   ||  r s   p m  n p |  p  m   p   n    N   P || 

Ravi sa  has ra  Sannibha   de-ho   Kavi jana nuta  Moo-shika  vaa-ho  

 

p  n  s  s   -S |   n P -  p          rs R                 || s  s  s   n p-    p | m r g m    r r S         ||

Ava nata   De  vataa sa     mu-ho                    Avinaa- sha Kai-  val- ya   De-ho

 

Chitta Swaram:

p  m   g  m  r  g  | m -   r   s  r     s -     n s r      ||   s   n    p - p n s  |   r    r    s -     n    s r M                 ||

p m dhi mi  r g  | m - Tanaku  Jham - n s r   ||  ki ta tha  - p n s |  Ja nu tha  - n    s r M                 ||

 

r   p     M - m g                 |  m - s   r  s -  p p  m - n      || n    p - m p   n -  p |   p    m    r   m   p n s r   ||

ta ka nam  m g        m    ta na ta  p p   m  dhi  mi tha m  p   n    tha dhi mi  tha ri  p n s r   ||

 

s     s     n   p - mp   | n - s  s  r    S   -  r g              || m - r   s     n     s      r  | n s r s          s   s      n    p                 ||

ku kunda  ku  m p  n   ta ki ta  jham r g                    m  ta dhi  mi tha  ri   n s r s         ku kun  da ku

 

p n p -  s    n    r      | s   r - r g     m  r s -    r         ||  , s  n   p -  S       | n  p m - r   g   m     r    s                 ||

p n p   tha dhi mi   ta  ri  r g     m  r s   Jham  - ta ri  ta    S                n  p m   ta  dhi gi na thom