Monday, October 5, 2026

Bhakti Ek Khoj - Katha Upanishad - Upanishadic progression - Simple meaning

 

🌿 

1. Senses → Mind

Your eyes see, ears hear, skin feels, but the mind is what receives and processes these experiences.

So the mind is considered subtler and more powerful than the senses.

2. Mind → Intellect (Buddhi)

“बुद्धि मन से महान है।”
“Higher than the mind is the intellect.”

The mind produces thoughts, emotions and desires:

“I want this.” “I don't like that.” “I'm afraid.”

But Buddhi, the intellect, can step back and judge those thoughts:

“Is this desire good for me?”
“Should I act on this anger?”

So you have thoughts, but there is something within you capable of observing and guiding those thoughts.


3. Intellect → Atman

“बुद्धि से महान है आत्मा।”
“Greater than the intellect is the Self, the Atman.”

This goes one level deeper.

Your intellect also changes. Your opinions, knowledge and understanding today are different from what they were ten years ago.

But the Upanishadic idea asks:

Who is aware that your thoughts and understanding are changing?

That deeper principle of consciousness is called Atman, the Self.

It is not simply your personality, name, occupation, body, thoughts or memories.

Think of it like this:

Body: “I am experiencing something.”
Mind: “I feel something.”
Intellect: “I understand what I am feeling.”
Atman: “I am the awareness in which all of this is known.”


4. Atman → Avyakta

“आत्मा से परे है अव्यक्त।”
“Beyond the Self is the Unmanifest.”

Avyakta literally means “unmanifest”, something that has not taken a visible or individual form.

Imagine a tree.

You can see the branches, leaves and fruit. But before the tree appeared, its entire possibility existed invisibly within a tiny seed.

In a philosophical sense, Avyakta points toward the unmanifest ground from which the manifested world arises.


5. Avyakta → Purusha

Then comes the most powerful statement:

“अव्यक्त से भी महान है पुरुष।”
“Beyond the Unmanifest is Purusha.”

And:

“वो पुरुष जो सर्वव्यापी है।”
“That Purusha who is all-pervading.”

Here, Purusha doesn't simply mean a human ‘man’.

It refers to the Supreme Conscious Principle, the ultimate reality beyond all limited forms.

So the progression can be pictured as:

Senses
↓
Mind (Manas)
↓
Intellect (Buddhi)
↓
Self (Atman)
↓
Unmanifest (Avyakta)
↓
✨ Purusha, the all-pervading Supreme Reality


❤️ The beautiful message behind it

We normally search outward:

“What should I own?”
“What should I achieve?”
“What will make me happy?”

This philosophy reverses the direction.

It says:

Don't stop at what your senses perceive.
Go beyond the senses to the mind.
Beyond the mind to the intellect.
Beyond the intellect to the Self.
And continue inward until you discover that the deepest reality is not merely your individual identity, but something universal and all-pervading.

So, in very simple words:

You are being asked to travel from “what I experience” → to “who is experiencing?” → and ultimately toward “what is the source of both the experiencer and existence itself?”

That's why this passage feels so profound. It isn't primarily giving information about God. It is giving a direction in which to look.

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam lyrics with meaning in english

 Sanskrit Lyrics (Devanagari)

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

Audio
English Transliteration (Lyrics)
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam |
Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamyam
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham ||

Word-by-Word Meaning
  • Shanta-akaram: Who has a calm, tranquil, and serene appearance.
  • Bhujaga-shayanam: Who rests or sleeps on a serpent bed (Adishesha).
  • Padma-nabham: From whose navel springs a lotus.
  • Suresham: Who is the lord and master of the gods.
  • Vishva-adharam: Who is the support or foundation of the entire universe.
  • Gagana-sadrisham: Who is all-pervading and boundless like the sky.
  • Megha-varnam: Who has the dark blue color of rain clouds.
  • Shubhangam: Who possesses a beautiful and auspicious body/limbs.
  • Lakshmi-kantam: Who is the beloved husband of Goddess Lakshmi.
  • Kamala-nayanam: Who has eyes shaped like beautiful lotus petals.
  • Yogibhir-dhyana-gamyam: Who is attained and perceived by yogis through deep meditation.
  • Vande: I bow down / I praise.
  • Vishnum: To Lord Vishnu.
  • Bhava-bhaya-haram: Who removes the fear of worldly life (birth and death).
  • Sarva-loka-eka-natham: Who is the one true lord of all the worlds/realms.

Overall English Translation
"I bow down to Lord Vishnu, who has a serene appearance, who reposes on the great serpent bed, from whose navel springs the cosmic lotus, and who is the lord of the gods. He is the support of the entire universe, boundless like the sky, dark-hued like a rain cloud, and possesses an auspicious form. He is the beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, and attainable by yogis through meditation. I offer my salutations to that Lord Vishnu, who removes the fears of material existence and is the single master of all worlds."

Sunday, September 13, 2026

krishnaa nee bEganE baarO

 Pallavi:

krishna nee bEganE baarO

 

Anupallavi

bEganE baarO mukhavannu tOrO

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

caraNam 1

kaalaalandhugE gejje nIlada baavuli

nIlavarNane naaTya vaaduta baarO

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

caraNam 2

Udiyalli udigejje beraLalli ungura

koraLalli haakida vaijayantiya maalE

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

caraNam 3

kaashi peethambara kaiyalli koLalu

pUsida shreegandha mayyOLagamma!

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

caraNam 4

taayige baayalli jagavannu torida

jagadhOddhaaraka namma uDupi shree krishna

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

Meaning: (Contributed by Jayaram Suryanarayana)

pallavi: krishna nee bEganE baarO - Krishna ! Come hither soon !

 

anupallavi: bEganE baarO mukavannu tOrO - Come hither soon! Show (me) your face!

 

caraNam 1: kaalaalandhigE gejje niladhabaavuli - Beautiful anklets adorn your feet! Sapphire bracelets (on your arms)!

nilavarNane naaTya maaduta baarO - "(Oh!)Blue coloured one.. (Please) come hither dancing !

 

caraNam 2: Odiyalli odigejje beraLalli ongura - Waistbands with bells adorn your waist! Ring(s) on your finger(s) !

koraLalli haakita vajayantimaalE - "The (divine)Vaijayanthi necklace garlands your neck !

 

caraNam 3: kaasi peeTambara kaiyalli koLalu - (Sacred)Saffron cloth from Kashi (covers you) ! (a) flute in your hand(s)!

pushita shreegandha mayallOLagamma! - Oh dear! Your body is anointed with sandal paste !

 

caraNam 4: taayige baayalli jagavannu torita - The one who showed his mother the universe in his mouth

jagadhOdhaaraka namma uDupi shree krishna - (that)Benefactor of the world (Is) our Udupi Shri Krishna !

 

 

 

Pallavi:  {note – this is sung in madhyamam struti}

krishna nee bEganE baarO

 

Sahityam: krishna nee bEganE baarO

Meaning: krishna nee bEganE baarO - Krishna ! Come hither soon !

 

; ; S   |  G , m        | R ;        || snrs nd |   ; N     |  , R ,     ||

    Kri   shna-          nee         bE- -  -    -  ga       nE

 

                                            (optional)

; ;   g m |  R ;        | S ;         ||  dnrds , |    ; ;      |    ; ;       ||

 - -  baa-   rO -        - -             - - -          - -            - -

 

 

; ; S   |  G , m        | R ;        || nr-ssnd |    nN , |  R ;       ||

    Kri   shna-          nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

nsrgmp |  R ;         | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

baa- - -    rO -        - -              - - -          - -            - -

 

; ; S   |  G , m        | R ;        || grnd ;  |    N ;     |  R ;       ||

    Kri   shna-          nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

G  ;   ,m |  R ;       | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

baa- - -     rO -        - -             - - -          - -            - -

 

Anupallavi

bEganE baarO mukhavannu tOrO (krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

Sahityam: bEganE baarO mukavannu tOrO

Meaning: Come hither soon! Show (me) your face!

 

; ; G  |   G R |  G M             ||  P ; ;     | gm P     |  P ;        ||  

    bE     ga -    nE-                  baa-     rO - -      -   -

 

; ; mp |    D  ;  |  D P            ||  P ;  , n | dpP ;  |  mdpm   ||

   Mukha van    nu -                tO    -    rO   -    -  - - -

 

G  ;  -md  | pmG  |  G M     ||  P ; ;     | gm P     |  P ;        || 

         bE    ga -       nE-           baa-     rO - -      -   -

 

; ; mp |    D  ;  |  D P            ||  mpnd nn | dpP ;  |  mdpm              ||

   Mukha van    nu -                tO    -      rO   -    -  - - -

 

G  ;  -gm   | G ;    |   G ;      ||   G ; ;   | G   R    |  gmdp   || 

         bE    ga -       - nE           baa-     rO - -      -   -

 

P ; gm |    G R  |  R S          ||  nsrg mdpp | R ;   |  S ;     ||

   Mukha van    nu -                tO    -         rO   -   - -

 

; ;   - S | G , m       | R ;        || sn D ;  |    N ;     |  R ;       ||

        Kri  shna-       nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

nsrgmp |  R ;         | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

baa- - -    rO -        - -              - - -          - -            - -

 

;  ; - S |   g- rgm    | R ;        || sn D ;  |    N ;     |  R ;       ||

        Kri  shna-       nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

; ; gm  |  R ;          | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

- -  baa   rO -        - -               - - -          - -            - -

 

caraNam 2

Udiyalli udigejje beraLalli ungura

koraLalli haakida vaijayantiya maalE

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

Sahityam: Odiyalli odigejje beraLalli ongura

Meaning: Waistbands with bells adorn your waist! Ring(s) on your finger(s) !

 

; ; md | pm R   | G M           || P P ;    |  gmP     | P ;         ||

   Udi   yal   -     li  -              u di        ge          jje

 

; ; mp |  D ;   |  D P              || P ; , n    | dpP ;   |   mdpm   ||

   Bera   Lal      li -                un    -      gu  -        ra -   -

 

Sahityam: koraLalli haakita vajayantimaalE

Meaning: "The (divine)Vaijayanthi necklace garlands your neck !

 

G  ;  -gm   | G ;    |   G ;      ||   G  ;  ;   |  G R  | gmdp    || 

         Kora  Lal         li            haa-  -     ki-    - da    - -

 

P ; gm |    G R  |    R S        ||  nsrg mp     | R ;   |  S ;     ||

-    vai-     ja yan-  ti  -            maa  -   -     la

 

 (krishna nee bEganE baarO)

; ;   - S | G , m       | R ;        || nrssnd  |    N ;    |  R ;       ||

        Kri  shna-       nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

;  ; gm  |  R ;         | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

-  - baa-   rO -         - -             - - -          - -            - -

 

caraNam 3

kaashi peethambara kaiyalli koLalu

pUsida shreegandha mayyOLagamma!

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

Sahityam: kaasi peeTambara kaiyalli koLalu

Meaning: (Sacred)Saffron cloth from Kashi (covers you) ! (a) flute in your hand(s)!

 

; ; md | pm R   | ;  gm          || P ; ;      |  P  ;       | P ;         ||

   Kaa-  shi - -   -  pee-          tham-      ba-        ra –

 

; ; mp |  D ;   |  D P              || P ; , n    | dpP ;   |   mdpm   ||

    Kai-  yal-     li -                 ko   -       La-         lu

 

Sahityam: pushita shreegandha mayallOLagamma! –

Meaning: Oh dear! Your body is anointed with sandal paste !

 

G  ;  -gm   | G ;    |   G ;      ||   G r G r  |  ; rg  | m P ,     || 

-  -    pU-     si         da          shree-gan   - dha   --  -

 

P ; gm |    G R  |  R S          ||  nsrg mdpp | R ;   |  S ;     ||

-   may    yO-      La -             gam- -  - -    ma!    - -

 

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

; ;   - S | G , m       | R ;        || sn D ;  |    N ;     |  R ;       ||

        Kri  shna-       nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

nsrgmp |  R ;         | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

baa- - -    rO -        - -              - - -          - -            - -

 

caraNam 4

taayige baayalli jagavannu torida

jagadhOddhaaraka namma uDupi shree krishna

(krishna nee bEganE baarO)

 

Sahityam: taayige baayalli jagavannu torita

Meaning: The one who showed his mother the universe in his mouth

 

; ; md | pm gr  | G M           || P ; ;      |  P  ;       | P ;         ||

   Taa-  yi-  - -   ge -              baa         yal         li

 

; ; mp |  D ;   |  D P              || P ; , n    | dpP ;   |   mdpm   ||

    Jaga   van    nu-                 to   -       ri -  -       da  -  -

 

G ; md | pm gr  | G M         || P ; ;      |  gmP     | P ;         ||

   Taa-  yi-  - -   ge -              baa         yal         li

 

; ; mp |  D ;   |  D P              || P ; , n    | dpP ;   |   mdpm   ||

    Jaga   van    nu-                 to   -       ri -  -       da  -  -

 

 

Sahityam: jagadhOdhaaraka namma uDupi shree krishna

Meaning: (that)Benefactor of the world (Is) our Udupi Shri Krishna !

 

G  ;  -gm   | G ;    |   G ;      ||   G r G r  |  ; rg  |  gmdp   || 

- -     jaga   dhO       ddhaa      ra -  ka -     nam  ma-

 

P ; gm |    G R  |  R S          ||  nsrg mdpp | R ;   |  S ;     ||

     uDu    pi  -     shree           kri-  - -  -     shna    - -

 

;   ;  -gm   | G ;    |   G ;       ||   G G ;  | R- rg  |  gmdp    || 

- -     jaga   dhO      ddhaa      ra  ka -   -   nam  ma-

 

P ; gm |    G R  |  R S          ||  nsrg mdpp | R ;   |  S ;     ||

     uDu    pi  -     shree           kri-  - -  -     shna    - -

 

 

; ;   - S | G , m       | R ;        || sn D ;  |    N ;     |  R ;       ||

        Kri  shna-       nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

nsrgmp |  R ;         | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

baa- - -    rO -        - -              - - -          - -            - -

 

;  ; - S |   g- rgm    | R ;        || sn D ;  |    N ;     |  R ;       ||

        Kri  shna-       nee         bE- -  -      ga       nE

 

; ; gm  |  R ;          | S ;         ||  ; ; ;      |    ; ;       |    ; ;       ||

- -  baa   rO -        - -               - - -          - -            - -

 

 

 

Other information: "Bhava darpana" by S. Jayaram Uparna.

 

Saint Vyasaraya reaches his devotional pinnacle in this song. There is hardly anyone who is not moved when he hears this song being rendered correctly. Here the Saint calls out to Krishna and implores him to come to him . He launches into a devotional trance where he sees Krishna at a distance. Krishna's immaculate dressing and exquisite beauty makes the Saint detail them in this evergreen song. The amalgamation of genuine Bhakti with touchingly simple composition, sets one thinking whether is Krishna who is decorated with the ornaments, or the other way around.

 

There is a more profound philosophical meaning to this song. The anklets are worn in India with a belief that the bells attached to them would create a sound which beckon good fortune and drive away demons. When the Saint describes Krishna, he allocates a first place to this ornament, thus requesting Krishna to ward off all the demons of ignorance in our heart and bestow all his divine mercy on us.

 

The next in line is the armlet. The armlet (popularly called as Baajuband in the northern parts of India), is an ornament in the upper portion of the arm. The Armlet is an ornament that restricts the free movement of the hand, it has a tight grasp and is a constant reminder of its presence. Ideologically, this ornament is considered to be a symbol of restraint and control, of what is called as 'SaMyama'. Hence, the Saint calls out to the Lord to grant the benign qualities of restraint and control, to his devotees. Not only does the Saint ask Krishna to come, but He also implores the Lord to come dancing ..... a symbol of pure, unadulterated joy.

 

WaistBands are worn mostly by the affluent, aristocratic families in India, and the mention of these here has profound significance. The Waistbands worn on children, apart from their other mundane practical purposes, is supposed to disenchant and protect the young one. Since Krishna's beauty is above all, it is as if the Saint is imploring the Lord to not forget to wear the waistband, so that the evil eye cast by his devotees on him (when they see His lotus like face), does not affect him...!

 

Rings have always been associated with the show of dedication all over the world ( be it the royal insignia, the Seal or even the wedding ring). The Saint implores Krishna to bless him with dedicated unflinching devotion, so that he may never stray from the path of Love towards the Supreme.

 

The Vyjayanthi Mala, a divine necklace born during the churning of the KsheeraSagara (Milk Ocean), is a sacred and potent ornament. It is said to bestow unrestricted victory to anyone who wears it (hence the name Vaijayanti -- Vijayee Kurvanti iti Vaijayanti ). The Saint describes the Lord wearing this ornament, so that the Love for the Lord (Bhakti) in the devotees heart always emerges victorious over the other emotions that ravage the human heart.

 

Kaashi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, and for the Hindus, it is the sacred city of death. Every devout Hindu aspires to breath his last in this city for it is believed that one who does so attains salvation without doubt. Kashi, also called as Benares, is very famous for the rich golden silk cloth that is made there. The Saint remembers the City through its famous silk, imploring the Lord to bestow him with the ultimate goal of any living entity .. the remembrance of Krishna while passing away.

 

The Flute is a unique musical instrument. Utterly mellifluous and demystifyingly simplistic and practical, the flute is Krishna's favorite instrument. The flute not only soothes the humans listening to it, but even the beasts have been known to slow down, calm and be subdued at the sound of the Flute. Metaphorically speaking, Krishna's flute is remembered here to defeat the beasts in us and to congregate the saintly ( the cow has always been associated with a saintly nature, and Krishna's flute always calls the cows together).

 

After all the ornaments and instruments, the Saint directs his attention to the most revered of all beautifying agents - Sandal Paste. The Sandal tree is a unique tree. It gives itself up, and though it undergoes pain and torture when it is rubbed together vigorously, it endures it all and perfumes even the hand that caused it the suffering. The Sandal has always been a symbol of sacrifice and total submission. Devotees of the highest grade have been compared to the Sandalwood. Hence, by mentioning the aromatic Sandal paste here, the Saint cautions one towards the ideal of complete submission to and absolute dependency on, Krishna.

 

Lest the devotee take Krishna's love in jest, the Saint reminds him of the famous episode from Krishna's childhood when he shows the entire universe in his lotus like mouth to his startled mother. By this Krishna shows to the devotee that he is the be all and end all of everything. He is the originator, benefactor and ultimate destroyer of everything. The Devotee is cautioned that he should never take Bhakti lightly, for that may sound the death knell of his existence...and the pure devotee is spirited away into remembrance of the splendid world of Krishna Leela. A befitting end to a glorious song. Shri KrishNArpaNam astu.