SUPRABHATAM- CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

My home is 300 metres away from a temple. We get up in the morning to the amazing positive vibrations of this age old stotra. When I open the front door, I can see and hear hundreds of birds , my pet cats will be playfully chasing squirrels and butterflies. You witness the laws of the universe, the rising sun, the blooming flowers, the bees gather nectar-- divine energy melts all negativity away.

Note how effortlessly MS Subbhalakshmi renders the lyrics.

The genre of Suprabhātakāvya traces its origin to a single verse (1.23.2) in the Balakanda of  Valmiki's Ramayana, where in 4300 BC, Maharishi Vishwamitra calls out to Rama to wake up.

kausalyasuprajarama!
purva sandhya pravartate,
uttistha! narasardula!
kartavyam daivam ahnikam.

O! Rama! Kausalya’s auspicious child! Twilight is approaching in the East. O! best of men (Purushottama)! Wake up, the divine daily rituals have to be performed.

uttisthottistha! govinda!
uttistha garudadhvaja!
uttistha kamalakanta!
trailokyam mangalam kuru.

O! Govinda, wake up! O! Garudadhvaja (one who has Garuda on his flag)! wake up. O! Kamalakanta (the husband of Kamala)! by rising, render the three worlds auspicious.

matas samsastajagatam madhukaitabhareh
vaksoviharini! manohara-divyamurte!
srisvanmini! sritajanapriya-danasile!
sri-venkatesa-dayite! Tava suprabhatam

May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee, O! Lakshmi, the Mother of the Worlds, who dwells on the chest of Vishnu, the enemy of the demons, Madhu and Kaitabha), of attractive and divine form, with the nature of granting what is desired by those seeking refuge!

tava suprabhatam aravindalochane!
bhavatu prasannamukha-chandramandale!
vidhisankarendra-vanitabhir archite! vrsasailanatha-dayite!dayanidhe

May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee, O! Lakshmi, the beloved of the Lord of Vrsacala, with eyes like lotus petals, with a bright face like the Moon, who is worshipped by Vani, Girija and Pulomaja (the wives of Brahma, Sankara and Indra) and who is very compassionate

atryadi-saptarsayas samupasya sandhyam
aksasindhu-kamalani manoharani,
adaya padayugam archayitum prapanna sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

Having worshipped the morning twilight and said their morning prayers, called sandhyavandana, the seven sages like Atri, bringing the beautiful lotuses from the divine Ganges, have arrived to worship Thy feet. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee

panchananabjabhava sanmukha vasavadyah traivikramadi charitam vibudhah stuvanti,
bhasapatith pathati vasarasuddhim arat
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

The Gods, like the five-headed Brahma, the lotus-born Subrahmanya, and the six-headed Indra are praising the deeds of your incarnations as the Trivikramavatara. Nearby is Brhaspati who is reading out the planetary position (called Panchangam) of the day. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

isatpraphulla-sarasiruha-narikela- pugadrumadi-sumanohara-palikanam avati mandam anilah saha divyagandhaih sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

The breeze, carrying the wonderful fragrance of the partly-opened lotuses, and the beautiful trees like the Areca and Coconut, is blowing gently. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

unmilya netrayugam uttama-panjarastah
patravasista-kadaliphalapayasani,
bhuktva salilam atha kelisukhah pathanti
sesadri-sekara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

The parrots in their cages are opening their eyes, and graciously singing, after eating the remains of the plantain fruits and the payasam in the vessels. Lord Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

tantriprakarsa-madhurasvanaya vipanchya gayaty anantacharitam tava narado’pi bhasasamagram asakrt-karachararamyam
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

The sage, Narada, is playing sweet music with his veena, and, in fine language, is singing praises of Thy endless deeds, gracefully waving his other hand. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee

bhrngavali cha makaranda-rasanuviddha- jhankaragita-ninadaih saha sevanaya, niryaty upanta-sarasi-kamalodarebhyah
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

The humming swarm of bees are sucking honey and emerging from the interiors of the lotuses of the adjoining pools, in order to serve Thee. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

yosa-ganena vara-dadhni vimathyamane ghosalayesu dadhimanthana-tivraghosah,
rosat kalim vidadhate kakubhas cha kumbhah
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

While the womenfolk of the hamlet of cowherds churn the curds, the loud sounds and echoes emanating from the pots seems like as if the pots and the eight directions are quarrelling. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

padmesa-mitra-satapatra-gatalivargah
hartum sriyam kuvalayasya nijanga-laksmya,
bherininadam iva bibhrati tivra-nadam
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

The swarm of bees in the lotuses are friends of the sun, and are making lound sounds with a view to surpassing the splendour of the lustrous blue lotuses. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

srimann abhista-varadakhila-lokabandho! srisrinivasa!jagadeka-dayaikasindho! sridevata-grha-bhujantara-divyamurte!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

One with Lakshmi! One who grants boons! Friend of all the worlds! Abode of Sri Lakshmi! The matchless ocean of compassion! One having a charming form on account of the chest which is the abode of Sri Lakshmi! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

srisvami-puskarinika-plava-nirmalangah sreyorthino hara-virinchi-sanandanadyah,
dvare vasanti varavetra- hatottamangah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Brahma, Shiva, Sanandana and several others have bathed in purified water. They are at your doorstep eager to see you, for their own well-being, though they have been hit with canes by your gods. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

sri-sesasaila-garudachala-venkatadri- narayanadri-vrsabhadri-vrsadri-mukhyam,
akhyam tvaduta-vasater anisam vadanit
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Lord of Venkatachala! Thy abode is always called by several names, such as Sri Sesasaila, Garudachala, Venkatadri, Narayanadri, Vrsabhadri, Vrsadri. May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

sevaparah siva-suresa-krsanu-dharma- raksombunatha-pavamana-dhanadhinathah, baddhanjali-pravilasan nijasirsa-desah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Siva, Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairuti, Varuna, Vayu and Kubera, with folded hands placed on their heads, are desirous of offering service to thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

dhatisu te vihangaraja-mrgadhiraja-
nagadhiraja-gajaraja-hayadhirajah, svasvadhikara-mahimadikam arthayante
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

The modes of Thy conveyance – Garuda, the Lord of Birds, the Lion, Lord of Animals, Adisesa, the Lord of Serpents, Airavata, the Lord of Elephants and Uccaissravas, the Lord of Horses - are begging Thee to grant them their respective authority and power to server Thee better, on your pleasure trips. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

suryendu-bhauma-budha-vakpati-kavya-sauri
svarbhanu-kettu-divisat parisat pradhanah,
tvaddasa-dasa-charamavadhi-dasadasah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

The main deities of the Assembly of Gods – the nine planets - the Sun, the Moon, Mars (Angaraka), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brhaspati), Venus (Sukra), Saturn (Sani), Rahu and Ketu are happy to serve even your servants and remain most obedient to Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

tvat-padadhuli-bharita-sphuritottamangah svargapavarga-nirapeksa-nijanarangah, kalpagamakalanayakulatam labhante
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Lord of Venkatachala! Thy devotees, whose heads are sanctified by the dust of Thy feet, being in Thy presence, do not desire Heaven or Liberation, but are worried that another kalpa will start, when there will be no such glory to Venkatachala!

Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

tvad-gopuragra-sikharani niriksamanah svargapavarga-padavim paramamsrayantah,
martya manusya-bhuvane matim-asrayante
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

On seeing the crests of Thy temple tower, the mortals, who are attempting to attain the exalted paths of Heaven and Liberation, feel like living on in the mortal world, as it gives them the opportunity of worshipping Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

sri-bhumi-nayaka! dayadi-gunamrtabdhe! devadhideva!jagadeka-saranyamurte,
srimann-ananta-garudadibhir architanghre!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Lord of Sridevi and Bhudevi! The ocean of nectar of compassion and other virtues! The chief of the Gods! The sole refuge of the Universe! The possessor of Sri (wealth)! One whose feet are worshipped by Ananta and Garuda! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

sripadmanabha! purusottama! vasudeva!
vaikuntha! madhava! janardana! chakrapane!
srivasta-chihna! sarangata-parijata!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Padmanabha! Purushottama! Vasudeva! Vaikunta! Madhava! Janardana! Chakrapani! Bearer of the mole Srivatsa! Celestial tree (parijata) under whom refuge is sought! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

kandarpa-darpa-hara-sundara-divyamurte!
kanta-kucamburuha-kutmala-loladrste! kalyana-nirmala-gunakara! divyakirte! sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

Bearer of the charming and divine form surpassing the pride of Cupid (Manmatha)! One whose sight is fondly centred on the lotus bud like breasts of His beloved! The abode of auspicious and pure virtues! The possessor of Divine fame! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

minakrte!kamatha!kola!nrsimha!varnin! svamin!parasvatha-tapodhana!ramachandra!
sesamsarama! yadunandana! kalkirupa!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

Lord in ten incarnations of Matsya (Fish), Kamatha (Tortoise), Kola (Boar), Narasimha (Man-lion) Trivikrama (Dwarf), Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

ela-lavanga-ghanasara-sugandhi-tirtham divyam viyat-sariti hema-ghatesu purnam, dhrtvadya vaidika-sikhamanayah prahrstah tisthanti venkatapate tava suprabhatam.

The Brahmins, well-versed in the Vedas, are now joyfully waiting to worship you. They are carrying golden pots on their heads that are filled with the water of the Divine Ganges (Akasa Ganga), which has been rendered fragrant by mixing cardamom, cloves and camphor in it. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

bhasvan udeti vikachani saroruhani sampurayanti ninadaih kakubho vihangah,
srivaisnavas satatam arthita-mangalas te dhamasrayanti tava venkata! suprabhatam.

The Sun is rising; the lotuses have blossomed; the birds are twittering; the Sri Vaishnavas, always imploring auspiciousness, are waiting at Thy abode. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

brahmadayas suravaras samaharsayas te santas sanadana-mukhastv atha yogivaryah,
dhamantike tava hi mangala-vastu-hastah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Brahma,the great sages and the good Yogins as Sanandana are waiting at Thy abode, with auspicious offerings in their hands. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

laksminivasa! niravadya-gunaika-sindho! samsara-sagara-samuttaranaika-seto!
vedantu-vedya-nijavaibhava! bhaktabhogya!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Abode of Lakshmi! Ocean of faultless and auspicious virtues! Bridge to cross the ocean of transmigration (samsara)! One whose glory is known through the Upanishads! One who is enjoyed by devotees! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

	itthaṃ vṛṣācalapateriha suprabhātaṃ ye mānavāḥ pratidinaṃ paṭhituṃ pravṛttāḥ । teṣāṃ prabhātasamaye smṛtiraṅgabhājāṃ prajñāṃ parārthasulabhāṃ paramāṃ prasūte ॥
“		Thus here is the Suprabhatam of the Lord of Vrishachala! The humans who are engaged in reciting it everyday, the remembrance gives birth to superior intellect, which is worthy of the six Vedangas and which makes the supreme goal easy to achieve. ॥ 28 ॥

As per legend the gentle strains of this Stotra rouses up Lord Vishnu from His slumber every morning. 

An early morning recitation of the Venkatesha Suprabhatam creates keenness in purpose for the rest of the day.  

It infuses the devotee with all the commanding optimism that resides in the meaningful verses of this prayer.  Besides, even the environment acquires a soothing quality and is filled with a calmness that encourages goodness and sanguinity.  

The positive vibrations of the Shri Venkatesha Stotra succeed in imbibing the individual with competence, enthusiasm to tackle any situation, and eagerness to work.

This is the reason why Shri Venkatesha Stotra is an excellent way to start the day and organize the mind and body.  Chanting this Stotra or listening closely to it imparts all these benefits.  

     

    
CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

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