Dwadasa. STotra 10

Dwadasa Stotra Commentary : Stora 10

This stotra is seems to be the crux of Shrimad Ananda Theertha’s teachings in this collection of Stotras . There is a tinge of urgency and definitiveness in this 10th sloka. The key takeaways are :
a) Having declared that Hari is beyond human ability to understand , Acharyaru answers the next logical question-how do we know him and reach his feet. Shri Hari alone help us understand who he is. 
b)Shri Hari alone can destroy our ignorance that engulfs us , preventing us from knowing and doing right things. 
c) Acharyaru gives us a method to get Shri Hari’s blessings . He tasks us to do dhyana meditation , visualizing Vishnu in our heart. The Amala Bhakti that many scholars positions as alternative to Dhyana is just another name for Dhyana.  In Maha Bharata tatparya nirnaya , Acharya defines Bhakti as a supreme friendship to atma jnAnana that excludes everything else in the world . 

महात्म्यज्ञानपूवर्स्तुसुध्रुद्दःसर्वतो अधिक  |

स्नेहोभिक्तिरित प्रोक्तस्तया मुिक्तन्नर्चान्यता||MBTN 1:84
d) It is imperative that we do not sing this sloka but use the definitions of Vishnu roopa as means of picturing him in our heart and meditate on that form

e) Shri Hari creates the universe and gives Life to jIvas so that they can break the cycle of births and attain moksha. Creation is not mere Leela of Ishwara but a purpose for jiVas.

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1) अवनः श्रीपति अप्रति अधिक ईशादि भवा दे 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम्  ज्ञापय मे ते  

Lord of Lakshmi is the preserver, no equals, supreme and makes others Gods happen. 

As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

2) सुरवन्ध्य अदिप सद्वर भरित अशेष गुण अलम् 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Worshipped by gods, the Lord of universe, filled with great boons and limitless qualities . As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

3) सकल ध्वान्त विनाशन परम आनन्द सुधाहो 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

You destroy deep darkness if ajnAnana engulfing us and give supreme bliss.As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

4) त्रि जगत् पोत सदा अर्चित शरण आशापति धातो 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

You are the boat that ferries us through three worlds, ever praised , the lord guardian grant us refuge.As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

// What are the three worlds here ? In this stotra context, three worlds are jagrat (waking) , Swapna (dream) and Sushupti (dreamless) . Vishnu ferries us across there three states and takes us to fourth state Turiya in dhyana where he gives his darsana //

5) त्रि गुण अतीत वि धारक परितो देहि सु भक्तिम् 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

You are above the three guNas, envelope and support the universe .As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

// This refers to the Sankhya Model where Shri Hari is the Purusha Tatva in manifest form, with Loka Maya Lakshmi as the Prkruti Tatva // 

6) शरणं कारण भावन भव मे तात सदा अलम् 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

You are the cause and creation of the universe, protect me always.As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

7) मरण प्राणद पालक जगत् ईशाव सुभक्तिम् 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

You give life and death to jiva, Lord of Universe, grant me pure devotion.As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

//The secret of purpose of creation is give here. It is not Vishnu’s mere playa or Lila. Only when jivas get born are they able to break the cycle of births and get Moksha. An unborn , un-liberated jiva is in a Limbo State// 

8) तरुण आदित्य स्वर्णक चरण अब्ज अमल कीर्ते 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

Your feet  glow gold  like the rising Sun, known as blemish less Lotus. As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

9) सलिल प्रोत्थ सरागक मणि वर्ण उच्छ नखा दे 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Your reddish toe nails shine like a bead, beautiful like a water blooming louts.  As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are.

10) कज तूर्णी निभ पावन वर जङ्घा अमित शक्ते 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Your feet are immeasurably firm, with a mind placid like water. As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

11) इभ हस्त प्रभा शोभन परम उरुस्थ रमा अले 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

Your thighs are splendid  like an elephant trunk, drawing Lakshmi to be at the feet.As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

12) असन उत्पुल्ल  सुपुष्पक सम वर्ण अवरणान्ते 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

Your waist is wrapped around  by a cloth like a golden flower. As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

13) शतमोद उद्भव सुन्दरि वर पध्मोत्थित नाभे 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Your navel is like a thousand petalled beautiful lotus.As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

14) जगद अगूहक पल्लव सम कुक्षे शरण आदे 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Your stomach expands to cover the entire universe as it takes refuge. As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

15) जगदम्ब अमल सुन्दर गृह वक्षो वरयोगिन् 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञाऑय मे ते

Your chest is the pure, beautiful house in which yogies and universal mother resides.

As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

//It is interesting role reversal. Bhavata literature  says Yogi’s heart is the secret cave where Vishnu Resides (yogi hrud dhyana guhyam) and Acharya reversed to acclaim Vishnu is so compassionate that he houses Yogi in his broad chest//

16) दितिज अन्तप्रद चक्रधर गदा युग्वर बाहो 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते  

Your boon giving arms sport the mace, discuss and destroys demonic elements. 

As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

17) परम ज्ञान महानिधि वदन श्री रमण इन्दो 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Your moon like face pleases Lakshmi and is the repository of supreme wisdom.

As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

18) निखिल अघौघ विनाशन पर सौक्य प्रद दृष्टे 

करुणापूर्ण वरप्रदा चरितम् ज्ञापय मे ते 

Your look of grace can destroy the entire mass of sins and grant ultimate bliss.

As one with infinite compassion, grant me the boon of teaching me who you are

19) परम आनन्द सुतीर्थ मुनि राजो हरि गाथाम् 

कृतवान् नित्य सुपूर्ण परम आनन्दपदैषिन् 

The King of Muni, with supreme bliss and ocean of good qualities, has written this Hari Song that will grant eternal, infinite and supreme bliss