Bhaje Ramana Namam
Sangeetha Swaminathan
Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................... 2
Preface ............................................ 4
1. Nīlāravinda (Invocation Sloka) ..................... 5
2. Gangādhara Hara .................................... 5
3. Jyoti Svarūpa ...................................... 5
4. Om Ramaṇa .......................................... 6
5. Thiruchuzhi Nādane ................................. 7
6. Sadānandāya ........................................ 8
7. Bhaje Ramaṇa Nāmaṁ ................................. 8
8. Skandāya Namo Namo ................................. 9
9. Sri Ramaṇa ......................................... 9
10. Ānanda Svarūpa ..................................... 10
11. Aruṇācaleśa ........................................ 11
12. Śaraṇāgatī ......................................... 13
Pronunciation Guide ................................ 15
om namo bhagavate śrī ramaṇāya
Bhajana Sampradaya (traditional bhajans) has a hoary spiritual tradition in South India, based on the Nama Siddhanta or the Philosophy of the Divine Name.
The Aradhana 2000 edition of 'The Mountain Path' carried a short biography of Tiruvisanallur Sridhara Ayyaval, a great 18th Century devotee saint of Tamil Nadu who played a significant role in the evolution of the Bhajana Sampradaya in its present form. Suffused with carnatic classical music and often lasting two or three days, the Bhajana Sampradaya tradition comprises several different kinds of compositions and performances, many of which are musically rich and elaborate. However, the most popular part of the performance, in which the entire audience actively participates is known as the Nāmāvali. Nāmāvali is musically and lyrically less complex and consists of calling out the various names of the lord. This CD is an attempt to create a set of Nāmāvalis on Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and Arunachala.
These Nāmāvalis were either inspired by or based on compositions by Swami Viswanathan, Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer and Satyamangalam Venkatarama Iyer. Swami Vishwanathan’s “Ramana Ashtothara” (108 names of Bhagavan) is the source of the majority of names used in these Nāmāvalis. Two songs, “Om Ramana” and “Sri Ramana,” were entirely composed by Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer and are perhaps his only known Sanskrit compositions on Bhagavan. The names in “Arunachalesa”come from the “Kalai Paatu” song found in Sri Ramana Stuti Panchakam, composed by Satyamangalam Venkatarama Iyer. Some traditional names for Siva and Arunachala have also been used, ably selected from ancient Sanskrit texts by Smt. Kamala Viswanathan. The last song, “Saranagati,” is not a Nāmāvali, but the popular composition of Manavasi Ramaswami Iyer. It is so liked among devotees that Ramaswami Iyer’s name became prefixed by it – Saranagati Ramaswami Iyer.
With Bhagavan’s grace, many friends gladly offered their musical talents, technical assistance, aptitude and dedication to produce this CD. Musically, Usha Sangam, Praveena Varadarajan, Vasudha Viswanathan, Amoolya Singh, Prabhu Sivaraman and Swaminathan Venkataraman provided the well-coordinated chorus support to Sangeetha Swaminathan, the lead singer. Narayanan Natarajan and Ravi Gutala contributed their rare singular talents on the harmonium and tabla, respectively. We are extremely grateful to this talented team of artists who found time in the midst of their busy schedules to make this CD a reality. Eric Steele, owner of the Songwriters Studio where this CD was produced, offered insightful suggestions on various aspects of recording and mixing. His facilities were excellent and we benefited from his previous experience of recording Indian Classical music.
Nong Louie, who has produced many wonderful cover designs for Arunachala Ashrama, once again came through with the attractive layout and artwork. Kamala Viswanathan and Hemant Kumar pored over the Sanskrit text and made helpful suggestions. We would also like to thank Omkarananda Ashrama for making freely available the excellent transliteration software used to make this booklet, itrans-99[2]. Dennis Hartel, who has been an inspiration to us in our aspiration to follow Bhagavan’s teachings, helped edit and produce this booklet.
This CD has a lead singer and a chorus that follows her every line. We have endeavored to ensure that musical complexities are limited to the lead singer so that devotees without any formal musical training would be able to join the singing along with the chorus.
We would like to conclude with an extract from Talks with Ramana Maharshi. It is a literal translation into English of saint Namdev’s “Philosophy of the Divine Name,” published in the September 1937 edition of the Vision Magazine of Ananda Ashrama at Kanhangad, Kerala. Bhagavan had it read out in the Old Hall and referred to it on different occasions.
Fremont, California
September 1, 2005
Philosophy of the Divine Name
- The Name permeates the entire universe densely.
Who can tell to what depths in the nether regions and to what heights in the heavens It extends? The ignorant fools undergo the eighty-four lahks of species of births, not knowing the essence of things. The Name is immortal. Forms are innumerable but Name is all that.
- The Name itself is form and form itself is Name.
There is no distinction between Name and form. God became manifest and assumed Name and form. Hence the Name the Vedas have established. Beware there is no Mantram beyond the Name. Those who say otherwise are ignorant fools. a href="/docs/the-name" title="citations">Name is Keshava Himself. This is known only to the loving devotee of the Lord.
- The all-pervading nature of the Name can only be understood when one recognizes one's own 'I'.
When one's own name is not recognized, it is impossible to get the all-pervading Name. When one knows himself then he finds the Name everywhere.
- None can realize the Name by the practice of knowledge, meditation or austerity.
Surrender yourself at first at the feet of the Guru and learn to know who the 'I' in you is. After finding the source of that 'I' merge your individuality in that Oneness – which is Self-existent and devoid of all duality. It is that Name that permeates the three Worlds. The a href="/docs/the-name" title="citations">Name is Para-Brahman itself where there is no action arising out of Dwaita (duality),
Preface
In 2002, Swaminathan Venkataraman moved to the San Francisco Bay area with his wife Sangeetha. His devotion to Sri Ramana Maharshi was already well known to devotees and friends of Arunachala Ashrama, as he was employed in New York City in the year 2000. It was then no surprise when he told us that he desired to host Ramana Satsangs at his new residence in California.
Sangeetha, his dedicated wife, also rose to the occasion with great enthusiasm. An accomplished singer, she began arranging Ramana bhajans, with the help of her husband. These bhajans have become a source of inspiration for many devotees in the USA, so naturally the idea of having them recorded onto a CD along with a booklet was the inevitable next step.
We are all indebted to them, and to those who have assisted them, for producing this ripe fruit of devotion, offered to sincere aspirants seeking peace and refuge in Arunachala Ramana.
“In the recesses of the lotus-shaped hearts of all, beginning with Vishnu, there shines as pure intellect (Absolute Consciousness) the Paramatman who is the same as Arunachala or Ramana. When the mind melts with love of Him, and reaches the inmost recess of the Heart wherein He dwells as the Beloved, the subtle eye of pure intellect opens and He reveals Himself as Pure Consciousness.”
Dennis Hartel Arunachala Ashram Nova Scotia, Canada 01 September 2005
Invocation Verse
1. Nīlāravinda
नीलारविन्द सुहृदा सद्रशं प्रसादे तुल्यं तथा महसि तोयज बान्धवेन बराह्मयाम् स्थितौ तु पितरं वटमूलवासं संस्मारयन्तमचलं तमनुस्मरामः
nīlāravinda suhṛdā sadṛśaṁ prasāde tulyaṁ tathā mahasi toyaja bāndhavena brāhmayām sthitau tu pitaraṁ vaṭamūlavāsaṁ saṁsmārayantamacalaṁ tamanusmarāmaḥ
Spreading Grace like the friend of the blue lily (the moon)
Bright like the lord of the lotus (the sun)
Firmly established in brahman like his father seated under the
banyan tree (Dakshinamurthy)
The destroyer of kama deva (desire), I contemplate on his still form
2. Gangādhara Hara
गंगाधर हर गौरी मनोहर शम्भो शंकर साम्बशिव शम्भो शंकर रमण शिव प्रणवाकार परमपवित्र अरुणविहार रमणेश्वर जय जगदीश्वर जय परमेश्वर हृदयनिवास रमणेश्वर
gaṅgādhara hara gaurī manohara śambho śaṅkara sāmbaśiva śambho śaṅkara ramaṇa śiva praṇavākāra paramapavitra aruṇavihāra ramaṇeśvara jaya jagadīśvara jaya parameśvara hṛdaya nivāsa ramaṇeśvara
The Lord who bears the Ganga on his head; who captivates Gauri
The auspicious one who is with Amba
The personification of pranava (Aum); the supremely holy one,
Ramana who sports in Arunachala
The supreme Siva, Lord of the universe;
Lord Ramana, who resides in our Heart
3. Jyoti Svarūpa
ज्योतिस्वरूप पूर्णावतार पावकोज्ज्वर रमणेश्वर आत्माराम महाभाग पुरुषोत्तम रमणेश्वर तपोमय तिमिरहर महोत्साह रमणेश्वर त्रिगुणातीत सुकुमार कृपापूर्ण रमणेश्वर
jyoti svarūpa pūrṇāvatāra pāvakojjvala ramaṇeśvara ātmārāma mahābhāga puruṣottama ramaṇeśvara tapomaya timirahara mahotsāha ramaṇeśvara triguṇātīta sukumāra kṛpā pūrṇa ramaṇeśvara
The luminous one, perfect manifestation of God. The brilliant flame of jnana, Lord Ramana, the supreme person who, endowed with the noblest qualites, rejoices in the Self. The comely son, Muruga, whose entire being is tapas, who dispels darkness, is ever fresh, full of Grace; who has zealously transcended the three gunas
4. Om Ramaṇa
ॐ रमण ॐ रमण उपनिषद् वन्द्य ॐ रमण उदार लीला ॐ रमण उत्तम पुरुष ॐ रमण श्री रामार्चित ॐ रमण वर रमण वर रमण वरदाभयकर वर रमण वान्छित फलद वर रमण वाचामगोचर वर रमण श्री रामार्चित वर रमण निधि रमण निधि रमण निश्चल तत्त्व निधि रमण नित्य महोत्सव निधि रमण निरुपम शुभगुण निधि रमण श्री रामार्चित निधि रमण जय रमण जय रमण जय वरप्रद जय रमण जगदोद्धार जय रमण जीवन्मुक्त जय रमण श्री रामार्चित वर रमण
om ramaṇa om ramaṇa upaniṣad vandya om ramaṇa udāra līlā om ramaṇa uttama puruṣa om ramaṇa śrī rāmārcita om ramaṇa vara ramaṇa vara ramaṇa varadābhayakara vara ramaṇa vannchita phalada vara ramaṇa vācāmagocara vara ramaṇa śrī rāmārcita vara ramaṇa nidhi ramaṇa nidhi ramaṇa niścala tattva nidhi ramaṇa nitya mahotsava nidhi ramaṇa nirupama śubhaguṇa nidhi ramaṇa śrī rāmārcita nidhi ramaṇa jaya ramaṇa jaya ramaṇa jaya varaprada jaya ramaṇa jagadoddhāra jaya ramaṇa jīvanmukta jaya ramaṇa śrī rāmārcita jaya ramaṇa
The one fit for worship by the Upanishads, who has performed several Lilas; The supreme Lord, worshipped by Sri Rama.[3] Ramana who is special; who bestows boons and removes fear. Who grants all desired fruits; and is beyond description. Ramana who is wealth itself; The embodiment of Still Truth itself, free from unrest amd mutation. One who inspires festivities always; Victorious Ramana of incomparable auspicious qualties. Victory to Ramana, who bestows boons, uplifts the world and is liberated while alive.
5. Tiruchuzhi Nādane
திருச்சுழி நாதனே ரமண சத்குரு விருபாக்ஷ, வாசனே ரமண சத்குரு ரமண சத்குரு ரமண சத்குரு கருணா ஸமுத்ரனே ரமண சத்குரு ஒம்கார ஸ்வரூபனே ரமண சத்குரு ரமண சத்குரு ரமண சத்குரு சிதானந்த ரூபனே ரமண சத்குரு தக்ஷிணாமூர்த்திரூப ரமண சத்குரு மெளன தத்வ போதகனே ரமண சத்குரு ரமண சத்குரு ரமண சத்குரு
tiruchuzhi nādane ramaṇa sadguru virupākṣa, vāsaṉe ramaṇa sadguru ramaṇa sadguru ramaṇa sadguru kaupīṉa vasanā ramaṇa sadguru karuṇā samudhrane ramaṇa sadguru omkāra svarūpane ramaṇa sadguru ramaṇa sadguru ramaṇa sadguru chidānanda rūpane ramaṇa sadguru dakṣiṇāmūrti rūpa ramaṇa sadguru mauna tatva bhodhakane ramaṇa sadguru ramaṇa sadguru ramaṇa sadguru
Ramana, the Lord of Tirucuzhi, preceptor par excellence, who resides in the Virupaksha cave; The Ocean of compassion who, wearing a kaupina, personifies Omkara, is an ocean of compassion and the personification of Supreme Bliss. Ramana sadguru who is the form of Dakshinamurthi revealing the Self through silence.
6. Sadānandāya
सदानन्दाय नमो रमण गम्भीराय नमो रमण परिपूर्णाय नमो रमण अभयप्रदाय नमो रमण दयार्णवाय नमो रमण सुप्रसन्नाय नमो रमण शोणाचलाय नमो रमण अभयप्रदाय नमो रमण करुणाकराय नमो रमण गो लक्ष्मी प्रियाय नमो रमण देवतमाय नमो रमण अभयप्रदाय नमो रमण
sadānandāya namo ramaṇa gambhīrāya namo ramaṇa paripūrṇāya namo ramaṇa abhayapradāya namo ramaṇa dayārṇavāya namo ramaṇa suprasannāya namo ramaṇa śoṇācalāya namo ramaṇa abhayapradāya namo ramaṇa karuṇākarāya namo ramaṇa go lakshmī priyāya namo ramaṇa devatamāya namo ramaṇa abhayapradāya namo ramaṇa
Salutations to Ramana, who is always bliss; Majestic, Deep and High; the perfect Ocean of compassion who gives freedom from fear; whose presence is pure grace; The reservoir of Mercy, identical with Sonachala
7. Bhaje Ramaṇa Nāmaṁ
भजे रमण नामं भजे रमण नामं रमण नामं भजे मनसा अरुणपुरीशम् अखिलाण्डेशम् परमपवित्रम् परमात्मरूपम् भजे रमण नामं... महायोगीन्द्रं महोत्साहम् चिन्सुद्रपरदं रंकरस्वरूपम् भजे रमण नामं... शोणाचलेशं शोकविनाशकम् विरूपाक्षवासं वरदेशिकम् भजे रमण नामं...
bhaje ramaṇa nāmaṁ bhaje ramaṇa nāmaṁ ramaṇa nāmaṁ bhaje manasā aruṇapurīśam akhilāṇḍeśam paramapavitram paramātmarūpam bhaje ramaṇa nāmaṁ... mahāyogīndraṁ mahotsāham cinmudrāpradam śaṅkarasvarūpam bhaje ramaṇa nāmaṁ... śoṇācaleśam śokavināśakam virūpākṣavāsam varadeśikam bhaje ramaṇa nāmaṁ...
Sing the name of Ramana; Sing! Oh mind, to the Lord of Arunapuri, the Supremely Holy form of the Self of the entire universe ; The great yogi, whose whole being is in the Self, who is the supremely zealous (mahotsāham) bestower of pure consciousness (i.e., Dakshinamurti) The exemplary person, Lord of Sonachala, Siva personified, who destroys grief dwelling in the Virupaksha Cave
8. Skandāya Namo Namo
अरुणाचलाय नमो नमो स्कन्दाय ॐ नमो नमो स्वर्ण हस्तकाय नमो नमो महौजसे ॐ नमो नमो समद्रु्शे ॐ नमो नमो स्कन्दाय ॐ नमो नमो उद्दीप्त नयनाय नमो नमो महर्षये ॐ नमो नमो सौम्याय ॐ नमो नमो स्कन्दाय ॐ नमो नमो जगदोद्धाराय नमो नमो उत्तम पुरुषाय नमो नमो जीवनमुक्ताय नमो नमो स्कन्दाय ॐ नमो नमो
aruṇācalāya namo namo skandāya om namo namo svarṇa hastakāya namo namo mahaujase om namo namo samadruśe om namo namo skandāya om namo namo uddīpta nayanāya namo namo maharṣaye om namo namo saumyāya om namo namo skandāya om namo namo jagadoddhārāya namo namo uttama puruṣāya namo namo jīvanamuktāya namo namo skandāya om namo namo
Repeated salutations to Arunachala, the Red Hill, to Kumara (Lord Subrahmanya); the Golden-handed one - the Great Light. That Great Seer who recognizes only sameness, oneness, wholeness, who sees with calm impartial eyes; He of lustrous glance, who has realized the truth supreme and reveals it to others. The embodiment of auspiciousness, of benevolence, who uplifts the world. That supreme person who is liberated while living
9. Sri Ramaṇa
श्री रमण श्री रमण श्रितजन भूषण श्री रमण प्रभु रमण प्रभु रमण प्रसिध्ध कीर्ते प्रभु रमण प्रसन्न मूर्ते प्रभु रमण प्रबोध स्पूर्ते प्रमु रमण शिव गुरु नाथ श्री रमण गुरु रमण गुरु रमण गुह स्वरूप गुरु रमण नमो रमण नमो रमण नतजन गतिप्रद नमो रमण नव नव योवन नमो रमण नयन विशाल नमो रमण शिव गुरु नाथ श्री रमण
śrī ramaṇa śrī ramaṇa śritajana bhūṣaṇa śrī ramaṇa prabhu ramaṇa prabhu ramaṇa prasidhdha kīrte prabhu ramaṇa prasanna mūrte prabhu ramaṇa prabodha sphūrte pramu ramaṇa śiva gura nātha śrī ramaṇa guru ramaṇa guru ramaṇa guha svarūpa guru ramaṇa namo ramaṇa namo ramaṇa natajana gatiprada namo ramaṇa nava nava yauvana namo ramaṇa nayana viśāla namo ramaṇa śiva guru nātha śrī ramaṇa
One who is a jewel for those who take refuge in him Ramana, the master, whose fame is spread far and wide. The ever blissful Lord, The spring of revelation (truth) Lord Siva, the teacher Ramana, the Guru, who is Guha (Lord Subrahmanya) personified. Prostrations to Ramana, who liberates those who worship him, who is always youthful and of beautiful countenance
10. Ānanda Svarūpa
गुरु रमण गुरु रमण आश्रित पालक अरुणाचल अरुणाचल शिव अरुणाचल शिव अरुणाचल शिव अरुणाचल विधि माधव वन्दित चरण प्रत्यक्ष परम अरुणाचल जगद् हित कारण विराजदचल रूप विमल श्री अरुणाचल अरुणाचल अरुणाचल सम्सारार्णव तारक मूर्ते स्मरणे साक्षात् मोक्षकर अपीतकुचाम्बा समेत मूर्ते तेजोमय श्री अरुणाचल अरुणाचल अरुणाचल
ānanda svarūpa āpatbāndhava āśrita pālaka aruṇācala aruṇācala śiva aruṇācala śiva aruṇācala śiva aruṇācala vidhi mādhava vandita caraṇa pratyakṣa parama aruṇācala jagad hita kāraṇa virājadacala rūpa vimala śrī aruṇācala aruṇācala aruṇācala samsārārṇava tāraka mūrte smaraṇe sākṣāt mokṣakara apītakucāmbā sameta mūrte tejomaya śrī aruṇācala aruṇācala aruṇācala
The One with the blissful form who offers succour in times of trouble. He who protects those who take refuge in him, whose feet were worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu. The supreme lord who is directly evident, whose advent is for the well-being of the world, whose form is radiant stillness. That flawless one who takes us across the sea of samsara, who bestows moksha upon the mere thought of him; and who, Full of effulgence, gives darshan along with Apeetakuchamba
11. Aruṇācaleśa
अरुणाचलेश हरे रमण सद्गुरु राय हरे रमण ईश सुरेश हरे रमण बोध स्वरूप हरे रमण वेदान्त रूप हरे रमण आनन्द् मौन गुरु हरे रमण तत्तुव राय हरे रमण ताण्डव मूर्ती हरे रमण कारणोद्भव हरे रमण नागा भरण हरे रमण सर्व सद्गुणिन् हरे रमण शान्त स्वरूप हरे रमण
aruṇācaleśa hare ramaṇa sadguru rāya hare ramaṇa īśā sureśa hare ramaṇa bodha svarūpa hare ramaṇa vedānta rūpa hare ramaṇa ānanda mauna guru hare ramaṇa tattuva rāya hare ramaṇa tāṇḍava mūrtī hare ramaṇa kāraṇodbhava hare ramaṇa nāgā bharaṇa hare ramaṇa sarva sadguṇin hare ramaṇa śānta svarūpa hare ramaṇa
O Lord of Arunachala the sublime preceptor, lord of the devas, the embodiment of Wisdom, the Vedas personified. The Guru who bestows bliss through silence, is Lord of the Truth, the cosmic dancer adorned with snakes whose birth was for a purpose.
12. Śaraṇāgatī
சரணாகதி உன் பர நான் இனிப்புகத் துணை தான் ஏது நீ புகலாய் - சரணாகதி ஸ்மரணாத் கதி பல அருணாசல நிறை ரமணா கருணா வருணா ஶ்ரீ ரமணா கருணா வருணா - சரணாகதி தருணம் இது அன்றோ உன் கருணை நோக்கவே கால ஹரண மாக்கிடில் ஹா ஹா ஹா என் செய்வேன் துன்பை நீக்கி இன்பை அளிக்க என் அன்பா உலக துன்பை நீக்கி இன்பை அளிக்க என் அன்பா இன்னும் பராமுகம் என்னால் தாளாதையா ஸ்ரீ வேதியா இன்னும் பராமுகம் என்னால் தாளாதையா ஸ்ரீ ரமணா
śaraṇāgati uṉ para nāṉ iṉipuhattuṇai dān yedu nī puhalāi - śaraṇāgati smaraṇād gati pala aruṇācala nirai ramaṇā karuṇā varuṇā śrī ramaṇā karuṇā varuṇā - śaraṇāgati taruṇam idu andro un karuṇai nokkave kāla haraṇam ākkiḍil hā hā hā yen seiven tuṉbai nīkki iṉbai aḷikka yeṉ aṉbā ulaga tunbai nīkki inbai aḷikka yen anbā innum parāmukham ennāl tāḷādaiyā śrī vediya innum parāmukham ennāl tāḷādaiyā śrī ramaṇa
I surrender unto thee; Who else is my refuge now ?
Please protect me, O Ramana, Lord of Arunachala, who grants mukti even if
merely thought of.
Is this not the approriate time, O Ramana, the embodiment and raincloud of compassion, to grant me your glance of grace ?
Oh! What am I to do, My dear Lord ? Please remove my sorrow and grant me bliss. No more indifference, by me can be borne, oh embodiment of
Brahman. No more indiference, by me can be borne, Oh Ramana!
Pronunciation Guide
Vowels
a – as o in son ā – as in ah i – as in if ī – as i in feel u – as u in full ū – as oo in fool
ṛ – as r in rhythm e – as a in evade ai – as y in my o – as in oh! au – as ow in now m as in mmm!
In addition, m is sounded as ṅa when
preceding a guttaral consonant;
as ña before a palatal; as ṇa before a cerebral;
as n before a dental and as m before a labial.
Consonants
(gutturals)k as in kite kh as ckh in blockhead g as in go gh as gh in log-hut ì as n in sing
(palatals) c as tch in catch ch as chh in catch-him j as j in Jim jh as dgeh in hedge-hog ṅ as n in cringe
(cerebrals)ṭ as t in stuck, bedtime ṭh as t-h in ant-hill ḍ as d in bed-time ḍh as dh in godhood ṇ as n in stunted
(dentals)t as t in French chateau th the above t stressed with h d as th in then, the dh as the in breathe-here n as in in
(labials)p as p in ponder ph as ph in loop-hole b as in bee bh as bh in abhor m as in mmm!
(semi-vowels) y as y in you r as r in run, rrrr! l as l in loud v as v in vowel h as h in heart
s as s in sit ç as sh in shaped ñ as sh in show
ḥ takes on the vowel sound preceding it. For example, aḥ, āḥ, iḥ, uḥ are pronounced as aha, āha, ihi, uhu respectively.
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[2] itrans-99 is compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. itrans-2003 (ms-windows only).
[3] Worshipped as Lord Siva by Sri Rama in Rameswaram.