In this series, we will go on a pradakshina of Bharata desha as we present, each month, a kirtan composed by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on a particular kshetra, starting from south India and then going north and back. This is the last temple/song we will be covering in the Bharatha Pradakshina series of Madhura Geetham. Next issue will mark the beginning of a new MadhuraGeetham series.
Tiruviheendrapuram
Last month, we visited the temple of Devanatha Swamy in Tiruviheendrapuram, a Divyadesam in Cuddalore district. Cuddalore is also the birth town of Sri Swamiji. Therefore, it seems fitting to conclude the Bharatha Pradakshina series in the birth town of Sri Swamiji.
The Devanatha Swamy temple has a separate shrine for Lord Hayagriva. Lord Hayagriva is an avatar of Vishnu with a horse face and human torso and is considered the embodiment of all knowledge and learning. It is believed the great devotee Vedanta Desika performed a penance praying to Lord Hayagriva and with His blessing, composed several outstanding works in Sanskrit and Tamil.
Sri Swamiji has composed a beautiful song on Lord Hayagriva. The song and its lyrics are presented here for you to read and enjoy.
Hayagrivam
Raga: Desh
hayagrIvam Ashrayeham
lakshmyAlingita vAmabAgam
lokarakshakam yoga devam (hayagrIvam)
parvata vAsinam prasanna swarUpam
bavabayaharam jnAna swarUpam (hayagrIvam)
sakalavidyAnAm AdhArasthAnam
shAnta muraLIdhara vidyAshIkshaNam (hayagrIvam)
Meaning
I take refuge in (Lord) Hayagriva
The Lord who is embracing Lakshmi on his left side!
The Yogic Lord protecting the world!
The Lord with a pleasing form who lives on a hill!
The embodiment of knowledge who destroys the fear of worldly existence!
The foundation of all learning!
The One who bestowed knowledge to the serene Muralidhara
Sowmya Balasubramanian, Fremont CA
