# 29 Shankar Teri Jata se

शंकर तेरी जटा  में भाती है गंगधारा

राग: गजल ताल

शंकर तेरी जटा में भाती है गंगधारा
काली घटा के अंदर जिमि दामिनी उजारा ।। टेक।।
गल मुण्डमाल राजे शशि भाल में विराजे
डमरू निनाद बाजे कर में त्रिशूल भारा।।१।।
दृग तीन तेज़ राशि कटि बंध नागफांसी
गिरिजा है संग दासी सब विश्व के अधारा ।।२।।
मृगचर्म वसन धारी वृषराज पे सवारी
निज भक्त दुःख हारी कैलाश में बिहारा।।३।।
शिवनाम जो उचारे सब पाप दोष टारे
बृह्मानंद ना बिसारे भवसिंधु पार तारा।।४।।

 

Bhajan lyrics by Swami

Brahmanand Maharaj

Title: Shankar teri jata
raag:gazal taal

shankar teri jata me
bhati hai gangdhara
kali ghata ke andar
jimi damini
ujara ||repeat||

gal mundmal raaje
shashi bhal me biraje
damru ninad baje
kar me trishul bhara ||1||

drig teen tez rashi
katibandh naagfansi
girija hai sang daasi
sab vishva ke adhara ||2||

mrigcharm basandhari
vrishraaj pe savari
nij bhakti dukh hari
kailas me bihara ||3||

shiv naam jo uchare
bramhanand na bisare
bhav sindhu par taara ||4||

 

Semantics:

In Shankar's matted locks gleams the Ganges' flow,

Dark clouds within, lightning's glow does bestow.

Around His neck, a garland of skulls so grand,

The moon adorns His brow, damaru in hand.

His gaze fierce, a trio of fiery eyes,

Snakes coil His waist, symbols of life's ties.

Girija, His consort, the universe's support,

Cloaked in deer skin, atop Nandi He does sport.

Chanting Shiva's name absolves sins and pain,

Brahmanand never forgets, crossing life's ocean's bane.

 

Connotations:

The poetic verses dedicated to Lord Shiva by Swami Brahmanand evoke a profound sense of reverence and spiritual contemplation, encapsulating the essence of the deity's multifaceted symbolism and divine attributes.

The hymn begins with an invocation to "Shankar," a reverential address to Lord Shiva, whose matted locks are adorned with the divine river Ganges. This imagery immediately sets the tone for the spiritual journey that the verses undertake, symbolizing purity, flow of knowledge, and spiritual cleansing. The comparison of Shiva's matted locks to the Ganges underscores His role as a purifier, not just of external impurities but also of internal distractions and scattered thoughts. This dual symbolism of external adornment and internal purification invites devotees to contemplate the deeper meanings of spiritual discipline and focused consciousness.

The reference to "dark clouds within" and "lightning's glow" within Shiva's persona further expands upon His paradoxical nature—simultaneously fierce and serene, destructive and benevolent. These elements symbolize the inherent dichotomy of life itself and Shiva's role as both creator and destroyer within the cosmic cycle.

The garland of skulls around Shiva's neck and the moon on His brow add layers of symbolism. The skulls represent the triumph of spiritual realization over the fear of mortality, while the moon signifies cool tranquility amidst the tumultuous energies Shiva embodies. The damaru (drum) in His hand and the trident (trishul) symbolize divine rhythm and the power to destroy ignorance and ego, respectively.

Girija, Shiva's consort, represents the divine feminine energy and complements His masculine prowess, symbolizing the harmony and balance in creation. She is depicted as the support of the universe, reinforcing the idea of Shakti (energy) as the driving force behind Shiva's cosmic dance.

The portrayal of Shiva adorned in deer skin, riding atop Nandi the bull, underscores His connection to nature and righteousness. The mention of His abode in Mount Kailash, where He resides in tranquil meditation, highlights His detachment from worldly desires and His role as a refuge for His devotees seeking solace and spiritual enlightenment.

The concluding stanza emphasizes the transformative power of chanting Shiva's name, believed to absolve sins and guide devotees across the ocean of worldly existence (bhavasagar). Swami Brahmanand's assertion that he never forgets the significance of Shiva's name underscores the eternal and liberating essence of devotion to the divine.

Overall, Swami Brahmanand's hymn serves not only as a devotional ode to Lord Shiva but also as a philosophical reflection on the complexities of existence, the pursuit of spiritual purity, and the transcendental journey towards ultimate liberation. Through vivid imagery and profound symbolism, the verses invite readers to delve deep into the mystical realm of Shiva's divine attributes and eternal presence in the cosmos.