Dwaadasa STotram 6

Dwadasa Stotra Commentary : Stora 6

This is a very important sloka for two points : One, it summarizes the Ten major avataras of Vishnu in one line each ; Two, it praises Buddha in a positive light contrary to the stories perpetuated in some circles denigrating Buddha. 

The one line summary of major Dasa Avatara gives a window into the mind of Madhwacharya- why did he choose to summarize each avatara in that particular way. There has to be a special message that ShrimadAcharya conveys in doing so. The ‘twelve’ stotras together need to present a cogent story and coherent message - else there was no need to string them together. My commentary is an attempt to bring that threading message out. 

There is a view that this sloka is  mix of two slokas - one that starts with Devaki Nandana  and ends with Ananda Poorna ; the second sloka is all about Ten major avataras of Vishnu and the phala stotra. This strengthens the opinion of Dr.Bannanje Govindachrya  that this collection of slokas are not exactly Dwadasa, ie 12.  

As always the sloka , its meaning are given followed by my interpretation in backslash (//) braces.

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देवकिनन्दन नन्दकुमार वृन्दावनान्चान गोकुल चन्द्र 

कन्दफलाशन सुन्दररूप नन्दित गोकुल वन्दितपाद || 1

इन्द्रसुतावकनन्दन हस्त चन्दनचर्चित सुन्दरिनाथ 

इन्दीवरोदर दल नयन मन्दरधारिन् गोविन्द वन्दे ||2

चन्द्रशतानन कुन्दसुहास नन्दितदैवतानन्द सुपूर्ण 

I prostrate to the beautiful son of Devaki, the adopted by Nandas,, who played  in Vrindavana eating the fruits and roots,  was like the moon creating happiness for residents of Gokula.  

I prostrate before Govinda, who is full of bliss, adorned with Chandana , holds the sword Nandaka, eyes like the blue lotus, a smiling face more attractive than hundreds of moons ,full of bliss. He gives happiness and bliss even to other gods.

मत्स्यक रूप लयोद विहारिन् वेदविनेतृ चतुर्मुख वन्ध्य

कूर्म स्वरूपक मन्दर धारिन् लोक विधारक देव वरेण्य 

सूकर रूपक दानव शत्रो भूमि विधारक यज्ञ वराङ्ग || 4

Prostrations to Mathsya form of the Lord who sports in the Pralaya,teaches the Vedas and is extolled by Chathurmukha Brahma; and to the Kurma form of the Lord, the greatest of gods, who lifted and supported the Mandara mountain, and supports the entire Universe.

 Prostrations to the Varaha form of the Lord, who destroyed Danavas, lifted up earth, and is worshipped in sacrifice

// Like a fish is absorbed in expansive water, Shri Hari is expands in the four state of consciousness; Like a tortoise supports a hard shell, Shri Hari protects all by guiding them to control senses. Shri Hari guides all to fight internal demons through sacrificing the sensuous desires// 


देव नृसिंह हिरण्यक शत्रो सर्व भयान्तक दैवत बन्धो 

वामन वामन माणव  वेष दैत्य वरान्तक कारण रूप 

I prostrate also to the Nrusimha , dear to gods, enemy of Hirnayakashipu and destroyer of fear. I prostrate before Vaamana form of the Lord who appeared as a student, who destroyed the boon given to the Daithya, Bali.

// He destroys the fear of rebirth-cause for all fears-by guiding the devoted to control loss of semen , defying all senses ( in essence control of senses) just as nrusimha roopa defies all conditions //

राम भृगूद्वह सूर्जित दीप्ते क्षत्र कुलान्तक शम्भुवरेण्य

राघव राघव राक्षस शत्रो मारुति वल्लभ जानकी कान्त 

I prostrate also before Parashurama,  who glorified the clan of the Bhrugus , who destroyed all kshathriyas on the earth  and who was worshipped by Shambhu.

Prostration to Raghava,very dear to Maruthi, very dear husband of Janaki and enemy of  rakshasas.

// Through Parshuraama Shri Hari teaches us to get beyond paasha bondage, destroy all ego driven aspirations. He is the best among those who can cause bliss and happiness (Shambu vareNya) . Through Raama he teaches us single focused devotion ( bhakta like Maruti)   and commitment ( Pativrtata like Sita Mata) to conquer all the demons ten headed monsters we carry in ourselves// 

देवकी नन्दन सुन्दर रूप रुक्मिणि वल्लभा पाण्डव बन्धो 

दैत्य विमोहक नित्य सखादे देव सुबोधक बुद्ध स्वरूप 

I offer my prostrations to Krishna, the most beautiful form, the son of Devaki, lord of Rukmini and the dearest friend of the Pandavas. I offer prostrations to the giver of Mukthi, who took the form of Buddha to delude the wicked Daithyas, but to give true knowledge to the gods. 

// As representation of divinity ( Devaki nandana),  Shri Hari is the personification of inner beauty. Why is he presented as Rukmini Vallabha and not as Sathyabhama vallabha ? From Bhagavata we learn that Rukmini represents willful , voluntary quest for Krishna against much opposition; even though Sathyabama helped Krishna win battle with Narakasura, she was a gift from her father for Krishna who got his syamantaka maNi back. Likewise, the pandava mentioned represents five senses. Krishna guards the five senses of those devotee who are willing fight the desires and voluntarily seek him. This is the true meaning of this line.

As Buddha , Shri Hari confused the demonic people  while teaching great tatva to  divine people for attaining mukti that gives eternal bliss.  Contrary to orthodoxy claims, ShrimadAcharya praises Buddha and Buddha’s tatva. Buddha has taught several concepts that are very  helpful for uplifting people. The only major theory under contention is Shoonya Vaada - as Tatva Vaada proponent Acharyaru has disagreement with a particular interpretation. Like Advaita’s mithya vaada,   Buddist Shoonya vaada can confuse most and this is why ShrimadAcharya has been very critical of these views.//


दुष्ट कुलान्तक कल्कि स्वरूप धर्म विवर्धन मूलयुगादे 

नारायण अमल कारण मूर्ते पूर्ण गुणार्णव नित्य सुबोध 

I offer my prostrations to the Kalki form of the Lord which destroys the evil groups completely to usher in Kritha yuga and  reestablish the rule of Dharma.

I offer my prostrations to the form of Naaraayana , who is the pure, defect-less and changeless, first cause of all creation, who is full of attributes and has eternality knowledge .

// There is a Yuga antha for each of our lives; we have an opportunity to have deep devotion to Shri Hari for him to take Kalki avatara inside us and destroy the evil in us for us to follow Dharma and create a new Yuga for us as jiva//

सुख तीर्थ मुनीन्द्र कृपा हरि गाथा पाप हरा शुभ नित्य सुखार्थ 

This sthothra of Sri Hari composed by the Munindra (the great ascetic) Sukha tirtha will destroy sins provide eternal bliss.