#310 Annapurna stotram (by Adi Shankaracharya) – its meaning and blessing
Annapurna, the name means ‘She of abundant food’. Devi Annapoorna is a manifestation of Parvati. Anna (अन्न) means “food” or “grains” and pūrṇa (पूर्ण) means “full, complete and perfect.” Annapurna means the giver of food and nourishment. She is called the mother of the three worlds and gives to everyone what only a mother gives, naturally and freely – food. Annapurna is a gracious and luminous Goddess. She bears no weapons in her hands, but rather carries a cooking pot and a spoon. The nourishment she provides is anna, literally food but more broadly, the essence of life, the support of life. As giver of food she is giver of life.
A yatra to Kashi for the darshana of Vishvanatha is incomplete without the darshana of Annapurna, who is the reigning goddess of Kashi or Varanasi. In the Kashi Khanda, she is also known as Bhavani, the female shakti of Bhava, Being, one of the names of Shiva. It is said in Kashi that Shiva and Annapurna made an agreement – she would provide food and abundance in life and he would make pave the way for moksha at the time of death.
There is a story as to how Devi Annapoorna appeared in Kashi. Once upon a time, Shiva and Parvati were playing dice in Kailasa. During the conversation, Shiva said that everything materialistic, made of matter was just an appearance, including the food that the humans ate. He further added that there is nothing substantial other than Parabrahmam. Parvati who governs materialistic aspects did not agree and argued that food is essential for the survival of all living beings. This led to a quarrel. (It is to be noted that all these quarrels have a purpose, which is to teach us a lesson that we will understand at the end of the story).
Parvati became angry and disappeared from Kailasa saying that she wanted to see how the world would survive without her. Subsequently, along with her, all substances including food disappeared from earth and there occurred a famine. Everyone felt hungry, including Devas, as they depend on humans for Ahuti (Anna / ghee etc.) which is offered through Yagnas.
Shiva’s followers begged him for food; even the Gods were forced to beg for food, but could not find any food. Finally, Shiva and his followers realised that there was only one kitchen on earth, in the city of Varanasi (Kashi), where food was still available.
Shiva went to Kashi to beg for food. To his surprise, the kitchen was owned by his wife Parvati, but in the form of Annapurna. She wore celestial garments, which were lightly adorned with ornaments. She was seated on a throne, serving and distributed food to the starving gods and hungry inhabitants of the earth. Annapurna offered her food as alms to Shiva and made him realize that as Bhagavan, Shiva might have outgrown hunger; but his followers had not. Thus the quarrel ended, and Parvati returned to Kailasa. However, Annapoorna stayed in Kashi permanently to bless the devotees.
Annapurna Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of Margashirsha month generally in December.
Food is considered sacred in Hinduism, and prayers are offered before consuming it. Annadana is considered an exemplary form of giving, blessing the giver manifold with punya and is prescribed across the Puranas. People in the three stages of life, brahmacharya which are students, vanaprastha, retired adults and sannyasis depend on the grahasthas for food. Sannyasis who are solely committed to the moksha pursuit across ashrams, even today sing a shloka of this Stotram to pray for food and grace.
It is said that Adi Shankaracharya despite being renowned in Kashi did not get bhiksha, alms. Hence inspired by Devi Annapurna, he composed Annapurna Stotram of 12 verses.
The refrain in the verses is भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी. Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One Or Please grant us the Alms of Your grace and support, Mother Annapoorneswari,.
नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौन्दर्यरत्नाकरी
निर्धूताखिलघोरपावनकरी प्रत्यक्षमाहेश्वरी ।
प्रालेयाचलवंशपावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥१॥
1.1: (Salutations to Mother Annapoorna) Who always give Joy to Her Devotees, along with Boons and Fearlessness; Who is a repository of great Beauty and makes their minds beautiful by the touch of the Gem of Her (inner) Beauty,
1.2: Who Purifies all the Poisons and Sufferings of their minds, and Who is the Great Goddess manifested visibly in Kashi,
1.3: Who Sanctified the Lineage of the King of the Mountain of Himalayas (by taking birth as Devi Parvati); Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kasi,
1.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
The word ‘kari’, is the one who does. She blesses and changes our lives with what she does.
nityānandakarī varābhayakarī Devi always blesses us with boons and fearlessness.
saundaryaratnākarī She is the embodiment of great beauty treasure of gems of beauty.
Nirdhūtākhilaghorapāpanikarī pratyakṣamāheśvarī – She completely purifies us of the entire heap of terrible sins, which one has accumulated from crores of previous births. She is Sakshat Maaheswari, the consort of Shiva, appearing to me in person, in front of my eyes.
prāleyācalavaṃśapāvanakarī kāśīpurādhīśvarī – Himachala and Praaleyaachala are one and the same. She chose to be born as Himavan’s daughter and purified the entire lineage.
Devi Bhagavatam shares this – Devas were worried about Soorapadma and Tarakasura. They wanted Shiva to marry Parvati, so that Subrahmanya would manifest to kill these demons. So, all of them (including Himavan) prayed to Adi Parashakti who appeared and announced that she will be born as the daughter of Himavan, and started to sing and dance in happiness. Then, he prayed to Adi Parashakti, to give upadesha of gnana, and this is how Devi Gita originated. Devi Bhagavatam has a few chapters where Devi Gita is given to Himavan and Devas by Adi Prarashakti herself. This is the greatness of Himavan. Parvati chose to be born as the daughter of Parvataraja, Himavan and thus purified it.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One.
नानारत्नविचित्रभूषणकरी हेमाम्बराडम्बरी
मुक्ताहारविलम्बमानविलसद्वक्षोजकुम्भान्तरी ।
काश्मीरागरुवासिताङ्गरुचिरा काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥२॥
2.1: Mother Annapoorna, who is adorned with many Gems shining with various Colours, and with Garments striking with the shine of Gold,
2.2: Who is decorated with a Garland of Pearls which is Hanging down and Shining within the middle of Her Breasts,
2.3: Whose Beautiful Body is Fragrant with Saffron and Agaru (Agarwood); Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
2.4: O Mother Annapoorneswari, Please grant us the Alms of Your Grace;
This verse described the luminous, beautiful appearance of Devi.
nānāratnavicitrabhūṣaṇakarī hemāmbarāḍambarī Devi Annapoorna is glorious in her golden dress, wearing rare ornaments studded with various gems.
muktāhāravilambamānavilasad vakṣojakumbhāntarī – The space between Annapoorna’s pot like breasts is shining because of the long, beautiful pearl necklaces hanging there. Devi’s breasts are the source of gnana for all of us. Hence it is said that milk of knowledge was given to greats like Thirugnanasambandar and Lord Subrahmanya.
kāśmīrāgaruvāsitāṅgarucirā kāśīpurādhīśvarī – Devi Annapoorna’s limbs are attractive and fragrant with saffron and the Agaru. She is the Goddess of Kashi.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
योगानन्दकरी रिपुक्षयकरी धर्मार्थनिष्ठाकरी
चन्द्रार्कानलभासमानलहरी त्रैलोक्यरक्षाकरी ।
सर्वैश्वर्यसमस्तवाञ्छितकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥३॥
3.1: (Salutations to Mother Annapoorna) Who gives Ananda of connection with Bhagavan through Yoga, and Who destroys the attachment to the Senses; Who makes us devoted to Dharma and make righteous effort to earn wealth,
3.2: Who has three eyes viz, Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra) and Fire (Agni) and gives us light / energy like waves. She shines and protects the fourteen lokas and provides various nourishments.
3.3: Who gives all Prosperity and fulfills all Wishes of the Devotees; Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
3.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
yogānandakarī ripukṣayakarī Dharmaikaniṣṭhākarī – Devi grants Ananda to those who attempt to unite with her. Devi destroys the enemies that are existing in our mind. You bless us to establish our minds in Dharma thereby make righteous effort to earn wealth.
The six enemies (shad ripus) that are constantly within us reside as Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya. Shastras describe what we experience these every day. Annapoorna bestows her grace and destroy these enemies provided we make efforts from our side. As the mind gets established in Dharma one sees Dharma as a manifestation of Devi Shakti and hence one is in harmony with Devi always.
candrārkānalabhāsamānalaharī trailokyarakṣākarī – She has three eyes viz, Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra) and Fire (Agni) and gives us light / energy like waves. She shines and protects the fourteen lokas and provides various nourishment. In our lives, we witness the presence and absence of the Moon, Sun and Fire that are Devi’s ways of sending it like waves to protect and provide nourishment to our lives.
sarvaiśvaryakarī tapaḥphalakarī kāśīpurādhīśvarī – Devi, the Goddess of Kashi, blesses us with all kinds of wealth and accomplishments and blesses us with boons.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
कैलासाचलकन्दरालयकरी गौरी उमा शङ्करी
कौमारी निगमार्थगोचरकरी ओङ्कारबीजाक्षरी ।
मोक्षद्वारकपाटपाटनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥४॥
4.1: Mother Annapoorna, Who has made the Caves of Mount Kailasa Her Abode, and is known by various names like Gauri, Uma, Shankari, …
4.2: … and Kaumari; Who makes the deepest meaning of Nigamas (Vedas ) known in Her Divine Form which vibrate with the Seed Syllable Omkara,
4.3: Who opens the Gate of Moksha (Liberation) within our Heart by Her Grace; Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
4.4 Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
kailāsācalakandarālayakarī gaurī hyumā śāṅkarī – Who has made the Caves of Mount Kailasa Her Abode, and is known by various names like Gauri, Uma and Shankari.
Gauri means white or shining.
Uma is another name of Parvati. Sri Shankara draws our attention to Omkara Bheejakshari. The word ‘Uma’ has connection with ‘Omkara’ and the composition is the same for both. Omkara is formed by the letters’ ‘A’ ‘u’ ‘ma’. Uma is also formed by the same three letters ‘u’, ‘ma’ and ‘A’ but the sequence of letters is only interchanged.
kaumārī nigamārthagocarakarī oṅkārabījākṣarī – She is Kaumari,the one who grants Shakti to Kumara(Subrahmanya). Kaumaram (worship of Kumara) is one of the Shan- Matas (six disciplines of worship) established by Adi Shankara. She is the one who grants Shakti to Kumara.
She makes the deepest meaning of Nigamas (Vedas) easily understandable form. She is the very form of seed mantra ‘Omkara’.
She is the one who gives Smriti, Buddhi and Medha. Without it, it is impossible to perform mundane activities let alone comprehend the Vedas. So, she is referred as“Nigamarthagocharakari”.
It is understood from the life history of Vidyaranya Swamigal that he was a great devotee of Devi who performed penance for a long time towards Gayatri Devi who appeared in person and blessed him.
She is the very form of Omkara beejakshara. Om is a beejakshara and there are many other seed letters like Aim, Shreem for Devi and for other Devatas also which is the shakti in potential form.
mokṣadvārakavāṭapāṭanakarī kāśīpurādhīśvarī – Devi the Goddess of Kashi breaks open the door to the entrance of Moksha.
Moksha is one ‘s nature which is not known to us because of the covering of avidya. If moksha was considered a room or a palace then Devi breaks open the door of ignorance thus liberates us from errors in thinking.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī
Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
दृश्यादृश्यविभूतिवाहनकरी ब्रह्माण्डभाण्डोदरी
लीलानाटकसूत्रभेदनकरी विज्ञानदीपाङ्कुरी ।
श्रीविश्वेशमनःप्रसादनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥५॥
5.1: Mother Annapoorna Who bears within Her many Visible and Invisible Divine Attributes, and carries the whole Universe within Her,
5.2: Who breaks the attachment to this Divine Play of Creation, thereby kindling the Flame of the Lamp of Divine knowledge within us,
5.3: Who is the delight of the mind of the Lord of the Universe; Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi,
5.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
dṛśyādṛśyavibhūtivāhanakarī brahmāṇḍabhāṇḍodarī – She creates the means (vehicle) of manifestation of glories and splendors which are seen and unseen. The egg shaped universe is contained in her belly as if contained in a vessel.
After giving an illustrious list of various glories of Bhagavan such as I am the taste in water (raso’psu – 7.8), the light in the moon and sun (prabhā śaśisuryayoḥ), sweet fragrance in the earth (puṇyo gandḥa 7.9) and sound in the space (khe śabdaḥ) and a further sample of things and beings that are exalted Bhagavan Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita,
यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा।
तत्तदेवावगच्छ त्वं मम तेजोंऽशसंभवम्।।10.41।।
Krishna says that there is no end to his splendor and divine manifestations (Vibhoothi). What is seen is only a glimpse, a small part of his splendor. He goes on to say that whenever, wherever there is splendor seen, then one can be assured that it is only a spark of his splendor.
līlānāṭakasūtrakhelanakarī vijñānadīpāṅkurī – Devi’s actions are effortless like divine play. The Panchakrityas that Shiva performs – creation (srushti), preservation (sthithi), resolution (samharam), concealment (Tirodhanam), blessing/ providing salvation (anugraham) are divine play for her. In this play, she kindles the lamp of knowledge for us, so that we can see and revel in her Leela as well. She breaks our attachment by helping us see her Leela.
śrīviśveśamanaḥprasādanakarī kāśīpurādhīśvarī – Sri Vishveshwara is ever happy, in peace, and in Ananda because of Annapoorna. As she is the one who makes him happy, she is able to plead with Vishveshwara on behalf of ordinary jeevas. Unlike SriVishveshwara, Annapoorna, the universal mother is easily approachable. Despite our faults and blemishes, she listens and puts across our pleas to SriVishveshwara.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
उर्वीसर्वजनेश्वरी भगवती माता कृपा सागरी
वेणीनीलसमानकुन्तलहरी नित्यान्नदानेश्वरी ।
सर्वानन्दकरी सदा शुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥६॥
6.1: Mother Annapoorna) Who is Mother Earth Herself and the Goddess of everyone, Who is an ocean of compassion,
6.2: Whose Dark Braids of Hair flow down like the Waves of Her Grace; Who is always devoted to bestowing Food to Her Children,
6.3: Who brings all Joys to the Devotees and Her presence always bring Good Fortunes in their lives; Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
6.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
urvī sarvajaneśvarī jayakarī mātā kṛpāsāgarī – She is in the form of fertile earth and provides for all beings. She brings victory to all. She is an ocean of mercy and compassion.
venīnīlasamānakuntalaharī nityānnadāneśvarī – Whose Dark Braids of Hair flow resembling the Indogo flower flow down like the Waves of Her Grace, Who blesses everyone with food everyday
sākṣānmokṣakarī sadā śubhakarī kāśīpurādhīśvari – Devi the Goddess of Kashi bestows
liberation on all living beings in Kashi. She always blesses one with auspiciousness.
When Saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa visited Kashi, with his divine vision, he saw all living beings, who were dying in Kashi attaining moksha. Devi places the dying person’s head on her lap and Shiva chants Taraka nama in his right ear, and Bhairava puts him through compressed karma phala – good and bad experiences which are due to him in future births. Then he is liberated.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
आदिक्षान्तसमस्तवर्णनकरी शम्भोस्त्रिभावाकरी
काश्मीरा त्रिपुरेश्वरी त्रिनयनी नित्याङ्कुरा शर्वरी ।
कामाकाङ्क्षकरी जनोदयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥७॥
7.1: Mother Goddess Annapoorna who is described through all the letters of the alphabet, starting with “A” and ending in “Ksha”, Who is the repository of the Three States (Creation, Preservation and Resolution of the Universe) of Shambhu’s powers,
7.2: Who is Reddish in colour (signifying Shakti), who is the Goddess of the three cities (waking, dream and deep sleep), who is three eyed and all knowing, who is the Goddess of the night (Ratri Devi).
7.3: Who fulfills various desires of the devotees, Who raises the lives of People (by providing Food and other essentials); Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
7.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
ādikṣāntasamastavarṇanikarī śambhupriyā śāṅkarī Devi is the creator and the very form of all the 51 letters from ‘a’ (अ) to ‘Ksha’ (क्ष); beloved of Shambhu and the consort of Shiva who is also the Shakti of the three states of manifestation.
Devi Bhagavatham mentions 108 Shakti peethas and also mentions about 51 which are the important ones amongst them. Samskrit has 51 letters of alphabet starting with ‘a’ (अ) and ending with ‘Ksha’ (क्ष). Each of these 51 letters is associated with the 51 Shakti Peethas.
kāśmīrātripureśvarī trinayanī नित्याङ्कुरा śarvarī – Who is saffron/red in color, who is the Goddess of the three cities (waking, dream and deep sleep), who is three eyed and all knowing, who is always sprouting creation within her, who is the Goddess of the night (Ratri Devi).
Devi is known as Tripura Sundari (Thripureshwari) as she is the creator of the three states (also known as cities) and takes us through these three states-waking state, dream state, and state of deep sleep every day. Without her blessing we cannot enjoy deep sleep, cannot have any good dreams nor can do all that we do and experience in the waking state. Since she is all knowing, she helps us know what is in and through the three states.
She has three eyes, – Sun, Moon and Fire (Surya, Chandra, Agni respectively) through which she blesses us all the time.
She is Sharvari. Ratri suktam in Vedas is chanted during Durga saptasathi recitation (parayanam), explains the importance of rathri. Ratri suktam indicates that she is the form of Brahmavidya (Brahmavidya Swaroopini) granting us jnana. Night of ajnana is followed by dawn of jnana and the dawn of jnana is (Brahmavidya).
कामाकाङ्क्षकरी जनोदयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
Who fulfills various desires of the devotees, Who raises the lives of People (by providing Food and other essentials as the very dawn in their lives. Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
देवी सर्वविचित्ररत्नरचिता दाक्षायणी सुन्दरी
वामे स्वादुपयोधराप्रियकरी सौभाग्यमाहेश्वरी ।
भक्ताभीष्टकरी सदा शुभकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥८॥
8.1: Mother Goddess Annapoorna Who is adorned with Gems of all Colours, and Who was the Beautiful Daughter of King Daksha,
8.2: Who holds a bowl of Sweet Milk (signifying delicious Food) on Her Left which She endearingly distributes to Her Children; Who is the Great Goddess Who brings Good Fortune to Her Devotees,
8.3: Who fulfills the Desires of the Devotees and always brings auspiciousness to them; Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi,
8.4: Oh, Mother Annapoorna, please give us alms of compassion and support.
devī sarvavicitraratnarucirā dākṣāyaṇī sundarī – Mother who is always shining with different kinds of rare gems, the daughter of Daksha Prajapati and who is most beautiful.
vāme svādupayodharā priyakarī saubhāgyamāheśvarī – Devi who is the consort of Maheswara, holds a bowl of sweet milk in her left hand, which she lovingly distributes to her children.
As she is the personification of saubhagya, she always grants soubhagya to the one who prays to her and gets them out of daurbhāgya (bad luck).
bhaktābhīṣṭakarī sadā śubhakarī kāśīpurādhīśvarī – She, who is the Goddess of Kashi always fulfills the desires of her devotees and grants auspiciousness.
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
चन्द्रार्कानलकोटिकोटिसदृशा चन्द्रांशुबिम्बाधरी
चन्द्रार्काग्निसमानकुण्डलधरी चन्द्रार्कवर्णेश्वरी ।
मालापुस्तकपाशसाङ्कुशधरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥९॥
9.1: Mother Goddess Annapoorna Who is effulgent like millions of moons, suns and fire; Whose Face shines like the Moon, radiating the Cool Rays of Compassion, which is also reflected on Her Red Lips resembling the Bimba Fruit,
9.2: (Similarly) Whose Ear-Rings and Bracelets (i.e. Ornaments) Shine with the Splendour of the Moon, Sun and the Fire; and Who, the great Goddess, also has the Complexion radiating the Splendour of the Moon and the Sun,
9.3: Who holds a Mala (signifying Repetition of God’s name), Book (signifying Divine Knowledge), Noose (signifying Divine Attraction) and Hook (signifying Divine Goading) in Her four Hands; Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
9.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneswari, the Compassionate and Protective One
candrārkānalakoṭikoṭisadṛśī candrāṃśubimbādharī; She is effulgent like millions of suns, moons, and fire; her lips are red like the bimba fruit and she radiates cool rays like the moon.
Surya goes with brilliance and Chandra goes with coolness. Though she is brilliant and radiating so much of light like crores and crores of suns, one is able to see her and enjoy because she is so cool like the radiation from crores and crores of moon.
Agni is related to redness of the flame. One can correlate the red color of Devi to the red color seen in the flame of crores and crores of Agni. Devi is predominantly represented with red color, though she has many other representations like Gowri, white in color, Kali, in black. All these forms are shown to help and bless the human beings.
Candrārkāgnisamānakuṇḍaladharī candrārkavarṇeśvarī; – Who is wearing kundela, hanging earrings which have the lustre of the Moon, the radiance of the Sun and the redness of the Agni. She is “Eshwari” who describes Chandra, Arka and Agni. Like the cool rays of the Moon given by Devi, is the reason for the nourishment of food grains on earth, so too the radiance of the Sun given by Devi is the reason for life and food grains. The heat of Agni enables food preparation and many other human activities.
mālāpustakapāśasāṅkuśadharī kāśīpurādhīśvarī;
Annapoorna, the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi is holding in her hands, Mala, Book, Rope and Goad.
She is holding Akshamala in her hand in the form of Saraswati. The mala here is indicative of the letters and focus. Mala makes our wavering (chanchala) mind focus on Devi / Ishta Devata while doing chanting (Japa).
Pustaka (Book) represents the source of knowledge. Pasha represents the Rope of attachment. It attaches us to mundane/worldly things. One has to cut themselves from this rope/Pasha. Similarly, Devi also cuts off the Pasha the mundane/worldly attachments from us and holds it in her hand and reminds us to connect with her.
Ankusha refers to “krodha” (Anger). It has a reference in Sri Lalitha Sahasra Nama Stotram (Verse 2) also- “रागस्वरूप-पाशाढ्याक्रोर्ाकाराङ् कु शोज्ज्वला”.
To remind the devotees of krodha, anger she is holding the ankusha. When a sadhaka loses control over sense organs due to krodha or pasha, they have to be brought under control with ankusha, similar to a trainer who controls the elephant with goad/anukusha,
bhikṣāṃ dehi kṛpāvalambanakarī mātānnapūrṇeśvarī – Oh, Mother Annapoorna, please give me alms of compassion and support.
क्षत्रत्राणकरी महाऽभयकरी माता कृपासागरी
साक्षान्मोक्षकरी सदा शिवकरी विश्वेश्वरी श्रीधरी ।
दक्षाक्रन्दकरी निरामयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥१०॥
10.1: Mother Goddess Annapoorna who protects the Kings, removes fear and grants them Great Fearlessness; Who is the Great Mother and an Ocean of Compassion,
10.2: Who bestows direct liberation and whose presence always brings Auspicious blessings; Who is indeed the repository of Sri (Prosperity, Welfare and Auspiciousness) of Visweswara (Shiva),
10.3: Who made Daksha (symbol of arrogance) cry, who frees from all diseases, Who is the Great Ruling Goddess of the city of Kashi
10.4: Please give us alms Mother Annapoorneshwari, the Compassionate and Protective One
क्षत्रत्राणकरी महाऽभयकरी माता कृपासागरी
kshatat trayate iti-kshatram- is the phrase representing the quality of Kshatriyas– meaning a Kshatriya protects his people from harm and upholds dharma. Kshatriyas who exhibit that quality of Kshatra is protected by Devi. She also protects and gives the quality of
Kshatra, when it is required by other varnas. Sometimes, Brahmana also needs the quality of Kshatriya. That is what Parasurama exhibited in his avatara. Parasurama was a brahmana by birth and had no Kshatriya qualities. But he had to embody it as he had to teach the duty to few of the Kings, who forgot the qualities of Kshatriya and became the source of harm for the people. Devi helps us in developing these Kshatriya qualities.
Devi being “Mahabhayakari” gives us freedom from fear. Fear is a constant companion of human beings, always present from childhood to old age. We have fear of losing things which we like; fear of getting those which we do not like; and the greatest fear – the fear of Death. Devi gives “Abhayam” (Protection/Relief) from all these fears.
She is an abode of compassion.
sāksānmokśakari sadā śivakarī viśveśvarī śrīdharī; Who bestows direct liberation and whose presence always brings Auspicious blessings; Who is indeed the repository of Sri (Prosperity, Welfare and Auspiciousness) of Visveswara (Shiva),
dakṣākrandakarī nirāmayakarī kāśīpurādhīśvarī; Devi the Great Ruling Goddess of Kashi, who made Daksha Prajapati cry, who frees all from diseases including the greatest disease of samsara.
When Daksha Prajapati conducted “Daksha Yagna” without Lord Shiva, Devi advised Daksha to invite Lord Shiva. But Daksha paid no attention to her words and ended up with the destruction of Yagna. He cried at the end of the Yagna’s destruction but did not plead for mercy. Hence, he lost his life. So, it is Devi who made him cry and hence “Dakshakrandakari”.
All living beings get diseases and recover from most of them. But the greatest disease one goes through is “Samsara” – being born again and again and a life of becoming. All our great Saints advise us to focus on the disease of samsara perpetuated by binding desire and endless karma. Devi grants relief from samsara and grants liberation (Mukti).
अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे ।
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति ॥११॥
11.1: O Annapoorna, You Who are always Full (with the gift of Food and Blessings), The Beloved of Shankara, …
11.2: … O Mother Parvati, Please grant us the Alms of Your Grace for obtaining and being established in knowledge and dispassion.
माता च पार्वती देवी पिता देवो महेश्वरः ।
बान्धवाः शिवभक्ताश्च स्वदेशो भुवनत्रयम् ॥१२॥
12.1: Goddess Parvati is my mother, Lord Maheswara is my father.
12.2: My Friends are the devotees of Lord Shiva and my Country is all the Three Worlds .
