Ms. Uma Mohan, G.Ghayatri Devi Totakashtakam Lyrics

TOÛAKÁÚÛAKAM (A Hymn of Eight Stanzas)
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Totakacarya
One of the chief disciples of Sankara composed an octad of verses in praise of the Master. The metre he has used in this composition is the difficult but beautiful totaka. Hence he was himself given the name Toûakácárya. Every word of this exquisite hymn bespeaks the utter devotion of its author to Sañkara. Sañkara, the Guru, is all to him. There is nothing equal to the Guru; nothing superior to him. The Guru is the dispeller of the darkness of ignorance. There can be no greater good than the removal of ignorance. The spirit of devotion of the disciple is best expressed in the soul-moving burden of this song : Be Thou my refuge, O Master, Ùañkara (bhava Sañkara deùika me ùaraïam)!

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viditákhilaùástrasudhájaladhe
mahitopanisatkathitárthanidhe
hødaye kalaye vimalam caraïam
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaranam.(1)

O Thou, the knower of all the milk-Ocean of Scriptures! The expounder of the topics of the great Upanisadic treasure-trove! On Thy faultless feet I meditate in my heart, Be Thou my refuge O Master, Sankara!

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karuïávarunalaya pálaya mám
bhavaságaraduçkhavidünahødam
racayákhiladarùanattattuavidam
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(2)

O the Ocean of compassion! Save me whose heart is tormented by the misery of the sea of birth! Make me understand the truths of all the schools of philosophy! Be Thou my refuge, O Master, Sañkara.

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bhavatá janatá suhitá bhavitá
nijabodhavicárana cárumate
kalayeùvarajivavivekavidam
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaranam.(3)

By thee the masses have been made happy, O Thou who hast a noble intellect, skilled in the inquiry into self-knowledge! Enable me to understand the wisdom relating to God and the soul. Be Thou my refuge, O master, Sañkara.

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bhava eva bhavániti me nitarám
samajáyata cetasi kautukitá
mama váraya mohamahájaladhim
bhava ùaïkara desika me ùaraïam.(4)

Knowing that Thou art verily the Supreme Lord, there arises overwhelming bliss in my heart. Protect me from the vast ocean of delusion. Be Thou my refuge, O Master, Sankara.

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sukøte' dhikøte bahudhá bhavato
bhavitá samadarsanalalasata
atidinamimam paripálaya mám
bhava ùaïkara deùika me ùaraïam.(5)

Desire for the insight into unity through Thee will spring only when virtuous deeds are performed in abundance and in various directions. Protect this extremely helpless person. Be Thou my refuge, O Master, Sañkara.

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jagatimavitum kalitákøtayo
vicaranti mahamahasaùchalatah
abhimámsurivatra vibhási guro
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(6)

O Teacher! For saving the world the great a__ume various forms and wander in disguise. Of them, Thou shinest like the Sun. Be Thou my refuge, O Master, Sañkara.

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gurupuñgava puñgava ketana te
samatámayatám nahi ko pi sudhiç
ùaraïágatavatsala tattvanidhe
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(7)

O the best of Teachers! The Supreme Lord having the built as banner! None of the wise is equal to Thee! Thou who art compassionate to those who have taken refuge! The Treasure-trove of truth! Be Thou my refuge, O Master Sankara.

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viditá na mayá viùadaikakalá
na ca kimcana káòcanamasti guro
drutameva vidhehi køpám sahajám
bhava ùañkara deùika me ùaraïam.(8)

Not even a single branch of knowledge has been understood by me correctly. Not even the least wealth do I possess, O Teacher. Bestow on me quickly Thy natural grace. Be thou my refuge, O Master Sañkara.