Dwaadasa Stotram 2

Dwadasa Stotra Commentary : Stora 2

In Stotra 2, ShrimadAcharya relentlessly explains the supremacy of Vishnu and at the same time stresses the theme that Vishnu is beyond our characterization. 


स्वजनोदधिसंवृद्धिपूर्ण्णचन्द्रो गुणार्ण्णवः

अमन्दानन्दसान्द्रो नः सदाऽव्यादिन्दिरापतिः ॥ 01 ॥

The Lord of blue lotus  is like a full moon tide with unending waves of attributes; he creates unending waves of bliss in the minds of the devotees

// Two key aspects of Bhakti is beautifully explained here- one, Shri Hari pulling his devotees towards him the way Full moon’s gravity pulls the waters; two, he creates unending waves of bliss in the hearts of devotees. So, he is the doer even in Bhakti//

रमाचकोरीविधवे दुष्टसर्प्पोदवह्नये ।

सत् पान्थजनगेहाय नमो नारायणाय ते ॥ 02 ॥

Like the Cakora birds whose eyes turn red at sight of poisons, Narayana burns down the evil tendencies that slither in the minds of devotees, living in their body like a traveller.   

// There is a great reassurance in this verse that Shri Hari resided always in the body of a Bhakta, burning down the evil tendencies that rear their head from time to time. Until we have had aparoksha anubhuti, evil raises in our minds and we need help. Acharyaru assures that the help is available//

चिदचिद् भेदमखिलं विधायाऽधाय भुञ्जते ।

अव्याकृतगृहस्थाय रमाप्रणयिने नमः ॥ 03 ॥

This world that is composed of intelligent and inert entities are created, enjoyed and dissolved by the Lord; he is the doer, enjoyer dispelling the pride of the householders.

// This is a strategic weapon we are provided with in dismantling our vasana tendencies that bind us more and more; the idea that we are the doer and enjoyer feeds our ego that  is the root cause. Once we firmly believe that Shri Hari is the Karta and Bhokta enjoyer too, we unbind ourselves from the karmik consequences//

अमन्दगुणसारोऽपि मन्दहासेन वीक्षितः ।

नित्यमिन्दिरायाऽऽनन्दसान्द्रो यो नौमि तं हरिम् ॥ 04 ॥

Hari, though is of eternal valor , unending bliss , and infinite characteristics, bestows a smile on those who concentrate on first vowel of AUM.

// Though himself an infinite, he stoops to a level that will be comfortable to any individual as long as the individual makes a beginning. The ‘a”kaara in AUM represents waking state and Hari is available in this state to help as explained by Acharyaru in Mandukya Bhashaya//

वशी वशो न कस्यापि योऽजितो विजिताखिलः ।

सर्वकर्त्ता न क्रियते तं नमामि रमापतिम् ॥ 05 ॥

Worship the lord who is the refuge for all but never a refugee; who conquered the universe and never conquered; cause of all but himself uncaused.

अगुणाय गुणोद्रेकस्वरूपायाऽदिकारिणे ।

विदारितारिसङ्घाय वासुदेवाय ते नमः ॥ 06 ॥

Salutations to Vasudeva who  has no attributes, but adorns immense attributes by his choice, and destroys despicable associations of the mind  

// Once again Acharyaru stresses that Shri Hari is beyond all Guna attributes but is willing to adorn the gunas of our liking for our sake, for us to comprehend  him as much as possible//

आदिदेवाय देवानां पतये सादितारये ।

अनाद्यज्ञानपाराय नमः पारावराश्रय ॥ 07 ॥

The first of the Gods, God of Gods and original protector, destroyer of un-originated ignorance, and refuge of destitute, he we worship 

अजाय जनयित्रेऽस्य विजिताखिलदानव ।
अजादिपूज्यपादाय नमस्ते गरुडध्वज ॥ 08 ॥

Unborn and yet father of all creations, conqueror of all evils in the universe, worshiped by first born, marked by brilliant light, we worship

रमारमण एवैको रणजिच्छरणं सताम् ।

कारणं कारणस्यापि तरुणादित्यसप्रभः ॥ 09 ॥

इन्दिरामन्दसान्द्राग्र्यकटाक्षप्रेक्षितात्मने ।

अस्मदिष्टैककार्याय पूर्ण्णाय हरये नमः ॥ 10 ॥

You delight in the company of Ramaa and though are the cause, let Sun shine as if it were by his own prowess. Indiraa throws a glance with smile and you fulfill every deed with perfection .  

 एवंविधः परो विष्णुरव्याच्छ्रीपुरुषोत्तमः ।

तमहं सर्वदा वन्दे श्रीनिकेतं परं हरिम् ॥ 11 ॥

You are the only one omnipresent, beyond characterization like crystal, uncaused, prime among beings, abode of all auspiciousness, supreme, Oh Hari and I worship you always

//This is the reason why we worship Shri Hari, the only one who has all these qualities even though he is above all definitions.//