Kalika Ashtakam

कालिकाष्टकम् : गलद्रक्तमुण्डावलीकण्ठमाला
Sri Kalika Ashtakam : Galad Rakta Munda Vali Kantha Maalaa






Devi Kalika 

ध्यानDhyaana






गलद्रक्तमुण्डावलीकण्ठमाला
महोघोररावा सुदंष्ट्रा कराला ।
विवस्त्रा श्मशानालया मुक्तकेशी
महाकालकामाकुला कालिकेयम् ॥१॥
Galad-Rakta-Munnddaavalii-Kannttha-Maalaa
Maho-Ghora-Raavaa Su-Damssttraa Karaalaa |
Vivastraa Shmashaana-[A]alayaa Mukta-Keshii
Mahaakaala-Kaama-[A]akulaa Kaalikeyam ||1||

Meaning:
1.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) From Her Neck is hanging a Garland of (severed) Heads from which Blood is dripping down,
1.2: She is making a very Terrific Sound revealing Her large Teeth, and Her appearance is extremely Dreadful to look at,
1.3: She is without any Clothes and Residing in the Cremation ground; Her Hair is let loose and Free (as is Her entire appearance),
1.4: Her entire being is manifesting the great Yearning to merge with Mahakala (to take the devotees beyond Samsara); She is Kalika, the Great Dark Goddess.






भुजेवामयुग्मे शिरोऽसिं दधाना
वरं दक्षयुग्मेऽभयं वै तथैव ।
सुमध्याऽपि तुङ्गस्तना भारनम्रा
लसद्रक्तसृक्कद्वया सुस्मितास्या ॥२॥
Bhuje-Vaama-Yugme Shiro[a-A]sim Dadhaanaa
Varam Dakssa-Yugme-Abhayam Vai Tathai-[aa-E]va |
Su-Madhya-Api Tungga-Stanaa Bhaara-Namraa
Lasad-Rakta-Srkka-Dvayaa Su-Smitaasyaa ||2||

Meaning:
2.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) With Her Left pair of Hands, She is Holding a Head and a Sword (symbols of Death), ...
2.2: ... and in like manner with Her Right pair of Hands, She is depicting the Vara (Boon-Giving) and Abhaya (Fearlessness) mudras (gestures) (assurance of taking the devotees to the world beyond death),
2.3: Her well-built middle Torso is slightly Bent with the weight of Her lofty Breasts,
2.4: Her pair of Lips are Shining with Redness (the colour of blood), at the corner of which is playing a beautiful smile (of death).






शवद्वन्द्वकर्णावतंसा सुकेशी
लसत्प्रेतपाणिं प्रयुक्तैककाञ्ची ।
शवाकारमञ्चाधिरूढा शिवाभिश्_
चतुर्दिक्षुशब्दायमानाऽभिरेजे ॥३॥
Shavadvandva-Karnna-Avatamsaa Su-Keshii
Lasat-Preta-Paannim Prayuktai(a-E)ka-Kaan.cii |
Shava-[A]akaara-Man.ca-Adhi-Ruuddhaa Shivaabhish_
Catur-Dikssu-Shabdaayamaana-Abhireje ||3||

Meaning:
3.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) Her Ear Rings are displaying the symbols of Corpse (death) and She is having a beautiful long Hair,
3.2: Her Shining Girdle in the waist is made up of the (severed) joined Hands of the Dead,
3.3: She is Mounted on the Platform of Corpses; .. and Jackals ...
3.4: ... from all four Directions are making howling Sounds (of terror); ... and in the midst of all these is Reigning Kalika, the Great Dark Goddess.

स्तुतिःStutih






विरञ्च्यादिदेवास्त्रयस्ते गुणास्त्रीन्
समाराध्य कालीं प्रधाना बभूबुः ।
अनादिं सुरादिं मखादिं भवादिं
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥१॥
Viran.cya[i-A]adi-Devaas-Trayas-Te Gunns-Triin
Sama-[A]araadhya Kaaliim Pradhaanaa Babhuubuh |
Anaadim Suraadim Makhaadim Bhavaadim
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||1||

Meaning:
1.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) Viranchi (Sri Brahma) and the other Devas of the Trinity, by taking recourse to Your Three Gunas, ...
1.2: ... and equally considering Kali as their Aradhya (worshippable), have become the Chief among the Devas,
1.3: You are without any Beginning, You are the Beginning of all Devas (i.e. the Primordial Power giving birth to the Devas), You are the Beginning of all Sacrifices (i.e. the Primordial Power to which all sacrificial oblations go), You are the Beginning of all the Worlds (i.e. the Primordial Power giving birth to the Worlds),
1.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






जगन्मोहनीयं तु वाग्वादिनीयं
सुहृत्पोषिणीशत्रुसंहारणीयम् ।
वचस्तम्भनीयं किमुच्चाटनीयं
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥२॥
Jagan-Mohaniiyam Tu Vaag-Vaadiniiyam
Suhrt-Possinnii-Shatru-Samhaaranniiyam |
Vaca-Stambhaniiyam Kim-Uccaattaniiyam
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||2||

Meaning:
2.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You are the Power Enchanting the Worldsand (what more), You are the Power Proclaiming Speech itself,
2.2: You are the Power which Nourish the Good-Hearted, and You are the Power which Destroy the Enemies (i.e. Evil Hearted),
2.3: You are the Power which can Supress the Speech, and what more, You are the Power which can Eradicate Speech itself (i.e. destroy the vain pride of enemies),
2.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






इयं स्वर्गदात्री पुनः कल्पवल्ली
मनोजास्तु कामान् यथार्थं प्रकुर्यात् ।
तथा ते कृतार्था भवन्तीति नित्यं
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥३॥
Iyam Svarga-Daatrii Punah Kalpa-Vallii
Mano-Jaastu Kaamaan Yathaartham Prakuryaat |
Tathaa Te Krtaarthaa Bhavanti-Iti Nityam
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||3||

Meaning:
3.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You can give Heaven itself (i.e. great prosperity), and again like a Wish-Fulfilling Creeper ...
3.2: ... fulfill the Mind-Born wishes uttered with true devotion,
3.3: Thus, to You the World is always Grateful,
3.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






सुरापानमत्ता सुभक्तानुरक्ता
लसत्पूतचित्ते सदाविर्भवत्ते ।
जपध्यानपूजासुधाधौतपङ्का
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥४॥
Suraa-Paana-Mattaa Su-Bhakta-Anuraktaa
Lasat-Puuta-Citte Sada[a-A]avirbhavat-Te |
Japa-Dhyaana-Puujaa-Sudhaa-Dhauta-Pangkaa
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||4||

Meaning:
4.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You take great Delight Drinking the Sura (liquor signifying transcendental bliss) and You are Pleased with sincere Devotees,
4.2: Within the Heart Shining with Purity, You Always Manifest Yourself, ...
4.3: ... the Heart which is Cleansed of Impurities by the Nectar of Japa (repetition of God's name), Dhyana (Meditation) and Puja (worshipping God),
4.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






चिदानन्दकन्दं हसन् मन्दमन्दं
शरच्चन्द्रकोटिप्रभापुञ्जबिम्बम् ।
मुनीनां कवीनां हृदि द्योतयन्तं
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥५॥
Cid-Aananda-Kandam Hasan Manda-Mandam
Sharac-Candra-Kotti-Prabhaa-Pun.ja-Bimbam |
Muniinaam Kaviinaam Hrdi Dyotayantam
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||5||

Meaning:
5.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You are a Form within the Sky of Consciousness of Spiritual Bliss and You make Your presence felt by Smiling Gently (deep within),
5.2: Your Form is like the Moon in the Autumn Sky (of Spiritual Consciousness) which Reflects the Million Rays contained within it,
5.3: The Sages and the Enlightened feel Your presence within the caves of their Hearts,
5.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






महामेघकाली सुरक्तापि शुभ्रा
कदाचिद् विचित्राकृतिर्योगमाया ।
 बाला  वृद्धा  कामातुरापि
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥६॥
Mahaa-Megha-Kaalii Su-Rakta-Api Shubhraa
Kadaacid Vicitraa-Krtir-Yogamaayaa |
Na Baalaa Na Vrddhaa Na Kaamaatura-Api
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||6||

Meaning:
6.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) You are Black like the great Cloud and also Deep Red, and again White,
6.2: Sometimes You assume various Forms through Your Yogamaya,
6.3: You are neither a Small Girlnor an Old Woman, and also not of any age filled with Love Desires (i.e. Youth),
6.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






क्षमस्वापराधं महागुप्तभावं
मया लोकमध्ये प्रकाशिकृतं यत् ।
तव ध्यानपूतेन चापल्यभावात्
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥७॥
Kssama-Sva-Aparaadham Mahaa-Gupta-Bhaavam
Mayaa Loka-Madhye Prakaashi-Krtam Yat |
Tava Dhyaana-Puutena Caapalya-Bhaavaat
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||7||

Meaning:
7.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) Please Forgive my Mistake (if any), (because) Your Great Hidden Nature ...
7.2: ... has been Revealed by me in the midst of the World,
7.3: It has been revealed by the Childlike Nature (within me) which has been made Pure by Meditation on You,
7.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.






यदि ध्यानयुक्तं पठेद् यो मनुष्यस्_
तदा सर्वलोके विशालो भवेच्च ।
गृहे चाष्टसिद्धिर्मृते चापि मुक्तिः
स्वरूपं त्वदीयं  विन्दन्ति देवाः ॥८॥
Yadi Dhyaana-Yuktam Patthed Yo Manussyas_
Tadaa Sarva-Loke Vishaalo Bhavec-Ca |
Grhe Ca-Asstta-Siddhir-Mrte Ca-Api Muktih
Svaruupam Tvadiiyam Na Vindanti Devaah ||8||

Meaning:
8.1: (Salutations to Devi Kalika) If any person Reads this with Meditative Devotion, ...
8.2: ... then he will become Great in All the Worlds,
8.3: In the House (i.e. while living in this world) he will get the Eight Siddhis, and after Death he will attain Liberation,
8.4: Even the Devas do not know Your Transcendental Nature.

॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं श्रीकालिकाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥Thus ends Sri Kalikashtakam composed by Srimat Shankaracharya.

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