SAHASRARA

When the actions of Yogis are, through the service of the Lotus feet of their Guru, in all respects good, then they will see above the Aajna Chakra the form of the Mahaanaada, and will ever hold in their hand the Siddhi of Speech. The Mahaanaada -- which is the place of dissolution of Vaayu -- is the half of Shiva, and like a plough in shape [i.e., Shiva is Hakaara; if the upper portion of the letter Ha is removed, the remaining portion resembles an Indian plough in shape]; it is tranquil and grants boons and dispels fear, and makes manifest pure Intelligence [buddhi].

Above all these, in the vacant space wherein Shankhini Naadi is, and below Visarga is the Lotus of a Thousand Petals [i.e., the Sahasraara]. This Lotus, lustrous and whiter than the full Moon, has its head turned downward. It charms. Its clustered filaments are tinged with the color of the young Sun. Its body is luminous with the letters beginning with A, and it is absolute bliss [kevalaananda-ruupam].

Within the Saharaara is the full Moon, without the mark of the hare [i.e. the "Man in the Moon"], respendant as in a clear sky. It sheds its rays in profusion, and is moist and cool like nectar. Inside it, the Candra Mandala, constantly shing like lightning, is the Triangle and inside this, again, shines the Great Void [Shuunya; i.e. the Parabindu], which is served in secret by all the Suras [i.e. Deities].

Well concealed, and attainable only by great effort, is that subtle Bindu [Shuunya], which is the chief root of Liberation and which manifests the pure Nirvaana-Kalaa with Amaa-Kalaa. Here is the Deva who is known to all as Parama-Shiva. He is the Brahman and the Aatmaa of all beings. In Him are united both Rasa and Virasa, and He is the Sun which destroys the darkness of ignorance [ajnaana] and delusion [moha]. [A Shakta commentary adds, "His beloved is the lustrous One [i.e., Shakti] who may be gained with difficulty by the Brahman Road (brahma-vartma). The Para-Brahman is but the effulgence of Her lotus feet." Other commentaries place both Shakti and Shiva as one and the same as the aspirant's Guru.]

By shedding a constant and profuse stream of nectar-like essence, the Bhagavaan instructs Yatis [i.e. those whose minds are unified with the object of their worship] of pure mind in the knowledge by which they realize the oneness of the Jiivaatmaa and the Paramaatmaa. He pervades all things as their Lord, who is the ever-flowing and spreading current of all manner of blass, known by the name of Hamsah Parama, or Parama-hamsah.

The Shaivas call it the Abode of Shiva; the Vaishnavas call it Parama Purusa; still others call it the place of Hari-Hara [Vishnu and Shiva combined into a single form]. Those who are filled with a passion for the Lotus feet of the Devi call it the excellent Abode of Devi; and other great sages [Munis] call it the pure place of Prakriti-Purusa [i.e., Shakti-Shiva].

Those most excellent persons who have controlled their minds [citta] and known this place are never again born in the Wandering [Samsaara; the world of birth and rebirth], as there is nothing in the three worlds which binds them. Their minds being controlled and their aim achieved, they possess complete power to do all that they wish, and to prevent that which is contrary to their will. They ever move toward the Brahman. Their speech, whether in prose or verse, is ever pure and sweet.

Here is the excellent sixteenth Kalaa of the Moon [i.e. Amaa-Kalaa; see Verse 42 above - DB]. She is pure, and resembles the young Sun in color. She is as thin as the hundredth part of a fiber in the stalk of a lotus. She is lustrous and soft like ten million lightning flashes, and is down turned. She is the receptacle of the stream of excellent nectar which comes from the blissful union of Para and Paraa [i.e. Shiva and Shakti].

Inside Amaa-Kalaa is Nirvaana-Kalaa [again referring back to Verse 42 above - DB], more excellent than the excellent. She is as subtle as the thousandth part of the end of a hair, and of the shape of the crescent moon. She is the ever-existent Bhagavatii [Goddess], who is the Deity who pervades all beings. She grants divine knowledge, and is lustrous as the light of all the suns shining at one and the same time.
In the middle of the Nirvaana-Kalaa shines the Supreme and Primordial Nirvaana-Shakti; She is lustrous like ten million suns, and is the Mother of the three worlds. She is extremely subtle, like the ten-millionth part of the end of a hair. She contains within Her the constantly flowing stream of happiness [prema], and is the life of all beings. She graciously carries the knowledge of the Truth [Tattva] to the minds of the sages.

Within Her is the everlasting place called the Abode of Shiva [according to Vishvanaatha, "the Unmanii state of Shakti, where there is neither kaala (time) nor kalaa (space)" - DB], which is free from Maya, attainable only by Yogiis, and known by the name of Nityaananda. It is replete with every form of bliss, and is pure knowledge itself. Some call it the Brahman; others call it the Hamsa. The wise describe it as the Abode of Vishnu, and the righteous speak of it as the ineffable place of knowledge of the Aatmaa, or the Place of Liberation. [As the Padma-Puraana puts it, "Shaivas, Sauras, Ganeshas, Vaishnavas and Shaktas, all verily come to me like rain water to the ocean." - DB].

http://www.dlshq.org/download/kundalini.htm
http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com

Bala Mukundashtakam

Kararavindena padaravindham,
Mukharavinde vinivesayantham,
Vatasya pathrasya pute sayanam,
Balam mukundam mansa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who with his lotus like hand catches his lotus like feet, And brings it near his lotus like face and steals our heart, And sleeps peacefully on a banyan leaf.


Samhruthya lokaan vatapathramadhye,
Sayanamadhyantha viheena roopam,
Sarveshwaram sarva hithavatharam,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who after dissolution of the earth, Sleeps on the middle of leaf of a banyan tree, Whose form has neither end nor beginning, Who is the god of all, And who is the incarnation of good for all.

Indeevara shyamala komalangam,
Indrathi devarchitha pada padmam,
Santhana kalpa druma masrithanaam,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who has a pretty dark mien , With the color of a blue lotus, Whose lotus like feet is worshipped, By all devas and Indra their king, And who is the wish giving tree, Blessing progeny to those who pray for it.

Lambhalakam lambhitha harayashtim,
Srungara leelangitha dantha panktheem,
Bimbadaram charu vilasa nethram,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who has locks of his hair falling all over his face, Who wears long pretty hanging chains, Who has rows of nectar like teeth that shine with love, Who has reddish lips like the Bimba fruit, And who has very pretty captivating eyes.

Sikhye nithayadhya payothatheeni,
Bahirgadayam vraja naykayam,
Bukthwa yadeshtam kapatena suptham,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who acts as if he is sleeping, after eating, Butter Sufficient to meet his desire, When Yasoda had gone out, After keeping milk, and curd in a pot.

Kalindajantha sthitha Kaliyasya,
Phanagrange natana priyantham,
Thath pucha hastham saradindu vakthram,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who has got a face like the autumn moon, And who while he was on the stone in river Kalindhi, Desires to dance on the hood of the snake Kaalinga, Holding his tail by one of his hands.

Ulookhale badha mudhara souryam,
Uthunga padmarjuna bhanga leelam,
Uthphulla padmayatha charu nethram,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who is tied to a mortar, who is charitable and heroic, who broke the twin Arjuna trees playfully, and whose eyes are like fully open red lotus.

Alokhya maadur mukha madarena,
Sthanyam pibhantham saraseeruaksham,
Sachinmayam, devamanantharoopam,
Balam mukundam manasa smarami.

With my mind I think of that child Mukunda, Who lovingly looks at his mother’s face, When he drinks milk from her,Who is having eyes like the lotus flower, Who is the unalloyed form of truth, And who is the God with limitless form.

[This devotional hymn on Lord Krishna is "he supposed to sleep on a leaf of a banyan tree and float on the surging waters of final deluge. He is supposed to hold his feet by his hand and put his toe in to his mouth". This hymn in its first stanza brings this image of Lord Krishna and then goes on to describe the adventures of this God Child as a baby. The first stanza of this great prayer also occurs in Sri Krishna Karnamrutha, a great book by a poet called Leela Shuka. It is not known whether he is the author of this prayer also.]

Ganashatakam

ekada.ntaM mahAkAyaM tapta kAnchana sannibham
laMbOdaraM visAlAkShaM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

maunjIkRiShNA jinadharaM nAga yajno pavItinam
bAlendu vilasan mouLiM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

aMbikA hRudayAnandam mAtR^ibhiH paripAlitam
bhaktapriyaM madonmattaM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

chitra ratna vichitrAngaM chitramAlA vibhUShitam
chitra rUpadharaM devaM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

gajavaktraM surashreShThaM karNachAmara bhUShitam
pAshAnkushadharaM devaM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

mUShikOttama mAruhya devAsura mahAhave
yoddhukAmaM mahAvIryaM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

yakSha kinnara ga.ndharva siddhavidyAdharaissadA
stUyamAnaM mahAbAhuM va.ndehaM gaNanAyakam

sarva vighna haraM devaM sarva vighna vivarjitam
sarvasiddhipradAtAraM vandehaM gaNanAyakam

Phalashruthi
gaNAShTakaM idaM puNyaM BhaktikO yaH paThen naraHa
Vimukthas sarva pApEbhyah sarvABhishtAm sa vindati.

The Linga Ashtakam

(Eight verses glorifying the Shiva Linga. One chants these mantras when performing abhishekam. This ashtakam pleases Lord Shiva tremendously)

Brahma-murari surachita lingam
Nirmal bhakchit shobhita lingam
Janma ja dukha vinashaka lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and revered by others, praised in mantras and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.

Deva muni prawa-rarchita lingam
Kamadahang karunakara lingam
Ravan darp vinashana lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, which is the focus of the worship of Saints, infinitely compassionate and the subduer of the pride and passion.

Sarva-sugandhi sulaypita lingam
Budhi vivardhan kaarana lingam
Sidha-surasur vandita lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, smeared with Vibhuti, scented with perfumes and which elevates the power of the mind and kindles the light of discrimination, to which the Suras and Asuras prostrate.

Kanak maha-mani bhukchita lingam
Phani-pati veksh-tita shobhit lingam
Daksha suyagya vinashana lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, destroyer of King Daksh’s ego, and which is decorated with various ornaments glowing within the embrace of the coiled serpent.

Kumkum chandana laypita lingam
Pankaj haar sushobhita lingam
Sanchit paap vinashana lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, adorned with Saffron, Sandal- paste & garlands of lotus flowers, which exonerates all sinful actions.

Deva ganarchit sayvita lingam
Bhavai bhakti bherewa-chaa lingam
Dinakar koti prabha kara lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow that before Sada-Shivalinga, worshipped by the Sages & Saints with full faith and devotion and which is the source of unlimited brilliance.

Ashta dalopari veksh-tita lingam
Sarva samudbhava kaarana lingam
Ashta daridra vinashana lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow that before Sada-Shivalinga, destroyer of manifold wretchedness, which is the cause of creation and dissolution.

Soorguru soorwar poojita lingam
Soorwan pushpa sadachita lingam
Paraatparam paramatmaka lingam
Tat pranamami sadaa shiva-lingam

I bow before that Sada-Shivalinga, the Transcendent Being, worshipped by the learned and all devotees, offering Bael leaves, flowers, fruits and water.

Phalashruti
Lingaashtak medang punyang yuh, pathay-chiva sannidhow
Shiva-loka mawapanoti, shivena saha moditay
Whomsoever repeat these eight Slokas glorifying the Shivalinga in the divine presence of Lord Shiva attains final and everlasting relationship in the abode of Shiva Loka (if that's what you want and where you want to reside).

Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam

Aum Namaste-astu mahaa-maaye sree peethe surapoojite,
Shankha chakra gadaa-haste, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

O Great Mother, abode of fortune, who are worshipped by the Devas, I salute Thee; O Mahaa Lakshmi, wielder of conch, disc and mace, obeisance to Thee.

Aum Namaste garu-daaroode, kolaa-sura bhayankari;
Sarva paapa hare devi, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

My salutations to Thee, Who rides the Garuda and art a terror to the demon Kola; O Mahaa Lakshmi remover of all miseries, my obeisance to Thee.

Aum Sarvanje sarva varade, sarva dustha bhayankari;
Sarva duhkha hare devi, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

Salutations to Thee, Who knows all, The Giver of all boons, a terror to all the wicked, remover of all sorrow, my obscene to Thee.

Aum siddhi buddhi prade devi. bhukti-muktipradaayini;
Mantra moorte sadaa devi, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

O Goddess of Wealth, giver of intelligence and success and of worldly enjoyment and liberation, Thou hast always the mystic symbols as Thy forms, O Mahaa Lakshmi, obeisance to Thee.

Aum Aadhyanta rahite devi, aadhya-shakte maheshvari;
Yogaje yoga-sambhoote, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

O Mother Maheshvari, without a beginning or an end; O Primeval Energy, born of Yoga; O Mahaa Lakshmi, obeisance to Thee.

Aum Stoola suksham mahaa rovdre, mahaa shaktemahodaye;
Mahaa paapa hare devi, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

O Mahaa Lakshmi, who art both gross and subtle, most terrible, great power, great prosperity and great remover of all sins, obeisance to Thee.

Aum Padmaa sana s-thite devi, pare brahma svaroopini;
Para meshi jagan-maatar, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

O Devi, seated on the lotus, who art the Supreme Brahman, the Great Lord and Mother of the Universe, O Mahaa Lakshmi, obeisance to Thee.

Aum Svetaambar dhare devi, naanaa lankaar bhooshite;
Jagat stithte jagan maatar, Mahaa Lakshmi namo-stute.

O Devi, robed in white garments, and decked in various kinds of ornaments, Thou art The Mother of the Universe and its support; O Mahaa Lakshmi, obeisance to Thee.

Phala shruti

Aum Mahaa Laksham-yashtak stotram, yahahpathed-bhakti maan narah;
Sarva siddhim vaapnoti, Mahaa Lakshmee prasaad taha.

Whoever with devotion recites this hymn to Sri Mahaa Lakshmi, composed in eight stanzas, attains all success through the Grace of Mahaa Lakshmi Devi.

Nava Graha Dhyanam

Sun

japa kusuma-sankasam kasyapeyam maha-dyutim
tamo-rim sarva-papa-ghnam pranato smi divakaram

Translation:
I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great brilliance, the descendent of Kaashyapa, the one who shines like the japaa flower..

Moon

dadhi-sankha-tusarabham kshirodarnava-sambhavam
namami sasinam somam sambhor makuta-bhusanam

Translation:
I pray to the Moon who shines coolly like curds or a white shell, who arose from the ocean of milk, who has a hare on him, Soma, who is the ornament of Shiva's hair.

Mars

dharani-garbha-sambhutam vidyut-kanti-samaprabhamh
kumaram sakti-hastam cha mangalam pranamamy aham

Translation:
I pray to Mars, born of Earth, who shines with the same brilliance as lightning, the young man who carries a spear.

Mercury

priyangu kalika shyamam rupena pratimam budham
saumyam saumya-gunopetam tam budham pranamamy aham

Translation:
I pray to Mercury, dark like the bud of millet, of unequalled beauty, gentle and agreeable.

Jupiter

devanam cha rsinam cha gurum kancana-sannibham
buddhi-bhutam tri-lokesam tam namami brhaspatim

Translation:
I pray to Jupiter, the teacher of gods and rishis, intellect incarnate, lord of the three worlds.

Venus

hima-kunda-mrinalabham daityanam paramam gurum
sarva-sastra-pravaktaram bhargavam pranamamy aham

Translation:
I pray to Venus, the ultimate preceptor of demons, promulgator of all learning, he who shines like the fiber of snow-white jasmine.

Saturn

nilanjana-samabhasam ravi-putram yamagrajam
chaya-martanda-sambhutam tam namami sanaishvaram

Translation:
I pray to Saturn, the slow moving, born of Shade and Sun, the elder brother of Yama, the offspring of Sun, he who has the appearance of black collyrium.

Rahu

ardha-kayam mahm-viryam chandraditya-vimardanam
simhika-garbha-sambhutam tam rahum pranamamy aham

Translation:
I pray to Rahu, having half a body, of great bravery, the eclipser of the Moon and the Sun, born of Simhikaa.

Ketu

palasa-puspa-sankasam taraka-graha-mastakam
raudram raudratmakam ghoram tam ketum pranamamy aham

Translation:
I pray to Ketu, who has the appearance of Palaasha flower, the head of stars and planets, fierce and terrifying.

Phala Shruti

iti vyaasamukhodgiitaM yaH paThetsusamaahitaH
divaa vaa yadi vaa raatrau vighna shaantirbhavishhyati

naranaariinRipaaNaaM cha bhavedduHsvapnanaashanamh
aishvaryamatulaM teshhaamaarogyaM pushhTivardhanam

gRihanakshatrajaaH piiDaastaskaraagnisamud hbhavaaH .
taaH sarvaaH prashamaM yaanti vyaaso bruute na sanshayaH

iti shriivyaasavirachitaM navagrahastotraM saMpuurNamh
iti navagraha stotrani

Those who read the song sung by VyAsa, will be joyous, sovereign and powerful, and will succeed in appeasing obstacles, occurring by day or by night.

Bad dreams of men, women and kings alike will be destroyed and they will be endowed with unparalleled riches, good health and enhancing nourishment.

All the pain, devastation caused by fire, planets and stars will be of the past, so spoke VyAsa, emphatically.

Thus ends the song of praise of the nine planets composed by VyAsa.

Shiva Panchakshari Stotra

Nagendraharaya Trilochanaya
Bhasmangaragaya Maheshvaraya
Nityaya Shuddhaya Digambaraya
Tasmai Nakaraya Namah Shivaya .. 1

Mandakini salila chandana charchitaya
Nandishvara pramathanatha Maheshvaraya
Mandarapushpa bahupushhpa supujitaya
Tasmai Makaraya Namah Shivaya .. 2

Shivaya Gauri vadanabjavrunda
Suryaya Dakshadhvara Nashakaya
Shrinilakanthaya Vrushhadhvajaya
Tasmai Shikaraya Namah Shivaya .. 3

Vasishhtha kumbhodbhava gautamarya
Munindra devarchita shekharaya .
Chandrarkavaishvanara lochanaya
Tasmai Vakaraya Namah Shivaya .. 4

Yakshasvarupaya Jatadharaya
Pinakahastaya Sanatanaya
Divyaya Devaya Digambaraya
Tasmai Yakaraya Namah Shivaya .. 5

Phalashruti
Panchaksharamidam Punyam Yah Pathechchhivasannidhau.
Shivalokamavapnoti Shivena Saha Modate.

Anyone who recites this sacred five-syllable mantra, (Namah Shivaya) near the Shiva (linga), attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices there with Shiva.

(Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, is based on the moolamantra of Lord Shiva "Namashivaya")