Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Sri Sabari Girisha Ashtakam.

Of the many hymns composed in praise of Sri Dharma Sastha, the Sabari Girisha Ashtakam is one of the most popular & widely recited. Ashtakam means a hymn having 8 verses with an additional one explaining the importance of the hymn. This Ashtakam has been composed by Sri Sengalipuram Anantharama Dikshithar, the great exponent of Narayaneeyam, Srimad Bhagavatam, Ramayanam & other religious texts. He is well known for introducing & popularising the Narayaneeyam to the people of Tamil Nadu & spreading the glory of Guruvayur.

I have presented here the full text of the Sri Sabari Girisha Ashtakam, with a translation of the last verse below:

This pure (Amalam) poem (Padhyam Imam), composed by the great poet Anantha Rama Dikshithar (Anantha Padaanvita Rama Sudikshita Satkavi), in praise of the auspicious one seated in the temple on Sabari hill (Siva Sabarigiri Mandira Su-sthitha), brings utmost happiness (Tosha-da), fulfilment of one's wishes (Ishta-da), relief from all kinds of difficulties (Arti-haram), good fortune (Bhagya) & prosperity (Samruddhi) to those who recite (Pathati) or listen to (Shrunoti) this hymn with utmost devotion (Bhakti-yuta). Victory unto you (Jaya jaya he), O beautiful one residing in the temple on Sabari hill (Sabarigiri Mandira Sundara), may you be pleased to nurture & protect me always (Palaya maam Anisham).

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa