Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Navarathri Shakti Series

Shakti series part 9: Shyamala Dandakam.

The Shyamala Dandakam is a prayer in praise of Devi Saraswati composed by Mahakavi Kalidasa, one of the greatest poets ever.

There lived a simple,dull-witted woodcutter who was so foolish that once he began sawing off the very branch of the tree on which he was sitting! Now the princess of that kingdom who considered herself to be very wise was disliked by Vararuchi, a poet in her court. She wanted to marry a highly learned person who could excel in debate with her. Vararuchi was determined to find a really stupid man & somehow fool the princess into marrying him. He was pleased when he came across this woodcutter. He dressed up the handsome woodcutter in gorgeous clothes & asked him to pretend to be on a silent vow & only use gestures to communicate. During the debate the courtiers gave their own 'interpretation' of his gestures, portraying him to be a really wise man. Impressed, the princess married him. It was only when he spoke after the marriage that the princess realised she had been tricked & sent him out of the house. Dejected, he was about to drown himself in the river when he observed stones on the river bank which were worn out due to constant beating of clothes being washed. This made him think - can I also not become wise if I have the blessings of God & a constant inflow of knowledge into my head?

He thus prayed to Mahakali to bless him with Her wisdom. By Kali's grace He was freed from his stammering problem & was blessed with extraordinary intelligence. Thus came into being the great Kalidasa - servant of Kali. The Shyamala Dandakam is said to be the first prayer composed by Kalidasa after he was thus blessed.

'Shyamala' means 'the one with a dark emerald green complexion'. The dark emerald green colour is associated with intelligence & wisdom. Devi was born as the daughter of Sage Matanga, who was born into a low caste & underwent penance to gain the title of Maharishi. But since Devi said that was not possible, he asked that She should be born as his daughter, which was granted.

माणिक्यवीणामुपलालयन्तीं

मदालसां मञ्जुळवाग्विलासाम् ।

माहेन्द्रनीलद्युतिकोमलाङ्गीं

मातङ्गकन्यां मनसा स्मरामि ॥ १ ॥

She who plays a melodious symphony on the veena studded with precious rubies(Manikya Veena), She who has a beautiful lotus like face, melodious voice & a sweet radiant smile, She who shines like a brilliant saphire(Mahendra Nila) & has a delicate body (Komalangi), to that daughter of Matanga (Matanga Kanya) I pray wholeheartedly.

May Devi Shyamala bless us all abundantly. Jai Mata Di