Shaastha Pancharathnam

(The five gems on Shaastha)

Translated by P.R.Ramachander

(Shaastha is the son born to Lord Vishnu when he took the form of a woman called Mohini and Lord Shiva. He is believed to have two wives Poorna and Pushkala and a son called Sathyaka. Ayyappa is his incarnation and was brought up by a king belonging to the Pandya dynasty and ruling over a small principality of Kerala called Pandalam.)

Loka veeram, maha poojyam sarva rakshakaram vibhum,

Parvathi hrudayanandam Saasthaaram pranamamyaham. 1

I salute that Shaastha,

Who is a the best warrior,

Who is greatly adored,

Who protects everybody,

And who gives happiness to Parvathy’s heart.

Viprapoojyam viswa vandhyam , Vishnu shambho priyam sutham,

Kshipra prasada niratham Saasthaaram pranamamyaham. 2

I salute that Shaastha,

Who is worshipped by Vedic scholars,

Who is saluted by the entire world,

Who is the darling son of Vishnu and Shiva,

And who is pleased easily.

Matha mathanga gamanam, karunyamrutha pooritham,

Sarva vigna haram devam, Saasthaaram pranamamyaham. 3

I salute that Shaastha,

Who walks like an elephant in fury,

Who is full of the nectar of mercy,

And who removes all obstacles on the way.

Asmath kuleshwaram devam, asmath shathru vinasanam,

Asmath ishta pradhatharam, Saasthaaram pranamamyaham. 4

I salute that Shaastha,

Who is the god of my clan,

Who destroys my enemies,

And who satisfies all my wishes.

Pandyesha vamsa thilakam , kerale keli vigraham,

Aartha thranaparam devam , Saasthaaram pranamamyaham. 5

I salute that Shaastha,

Who is the greatest in the pandya dynasty,

Who took a playful form in Kerala,

And who protects the distressed.

Pancharathnaakhya methadhyo nithyam shuddha padennara,

Thasya prasanno bhagwan Saastha vasathi manase. 6

To the one who with purity,

Chants daily these five gems,

The God Shaastha would be pleased with him,

And live in his mind.

Bhoothanadha sadananda sarva bhootha dayapara,

Raksha raksha maha baho, sashthre thubhyam namo Nama. 7

My salutations to you Shaastha,

Who is the lord of all beings,

Who is forever happy,

And who takes mercy on all beings .

With a prayer,

“Oh , great one, please protect me.”

Yasya dhanwantharir matha, pitha rudhraabhishikthama,

Tham sashtharamaham vande mahavaidyam dayanidhim. 8

I salute that Shaastha,

Who is the greatest doctor,

Who is the treasure of mercy,

And whose mother is the great doctor Dhanwanthari,

And father the supreme physician, Rudra.