Vamana Stotram

Vamana Stotram
(Prayer to Vamana)
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Though a Rakshasa, Mahabali was a benevolent emperor. But he usurped the Deva kingdom. Vishnu took the form of a young, dwarf, Brahmin boy called Vamana and requested for three steps of land as measured by his feet. In spite of his Guru’s opposition, Mahabali agreed. Vamana took the gigantic form of Trivikrama and measured all the three worlds, in two steps. Mahabali offered his head as a third step. Vamana then requested Mahabali to live for ever in Patala-the underworld. The people of Kerala believe that he visits them on their festival of Thiruonam and people of Karnataka believe that he visits them every year on the Bali Padyami.
This is a very rare stotra, addressed to Lord Vamana.)

Yagnesa yagna purushachyutha theerthapada,
Theerthasrava sravana mangala namadheya,
Aapanna loka vrjinopasamodhayadhya,
Sam na krudheesa bhagawannasi dheena nadha. 1

Oh God who is the lord of the oppressed,
Who is the chief of Yagna, who is Achyutha,
Of the form of Yagna, whose feet is the sacred waters,
Who is the entire holy waters, who is good to hear,
Who is interested in destroying sins of those who approach him,
And who is primeval, Please shower good things on us.
Fire sacrifice

Viswaya viswabhavana sthithi samyamaya,
Swairam graheetha puru shakthi gunaya bhoomne,
Swasthaya saswad upa braamhitha punya bhodham,
Vyapadhithathma thamase haraye namasthe. 2

Salutations to the Hari, who is the universe,
Who does creation, upkeep and destruction of the universe,
Who is responsible for the illusion and in spite is in a stable form,
Who by the permanent luster of the total knowledge,
Does not give way, to darkness in his soul.

Aayu param vapurabheeshtamathulya lakshmeer,
Dhyobhoorasa sakala yoga gunasthrivarga,
Jnanam cha kevalamanantha, bhavathi thushta,
Thwatho nrunaam kimu swapatna jayadhirasi. 3

If you are pleased oh God, we will be allotted,
The full life span of Brahma, any type of body,
That we want, countless wealth ,
Control over the three worlds and all sorts of wealth,
And would you not bless us with a simple victory over enemy?