Ghana Sangham (Malayalam)
Ghana Sangam or Ambika Sthavam
(The cloud collection or prayer to mother Goddess)
By
Poonthanam
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(Poonthanam was possibly one of the greatest forerunners of Bhakthi cult in Kerala and his greatest work was Jnana Pana, Loosely it can be translated as “Pot of Knowledge”. But “pana” here is not pot but a style of folk poem. This is written in a common man’s language and in a common man’s verse. It preaches the greatness of repetition (singing) of the Holy God’s names. In between Poonthanam wrote about the world he saw and the world he wanted to see. Some people term it as the “Bhagavad Geetha of Malayalam. Poonthanam also has written several prayers addressed to the Goddess and this is one of them.)
1.Ghana sangam idayunna thanukanthi thozhunnen,
Ani thingal kala choodum puri jata thozhunnen.
I salute the luster of your body which competes with the dark heavy clouds,
I salute your curly hair, where you wear the crescent of the moon.
2.Dushtaraam asurare dahikkum , thee jwalikkum,
Padu kan mizhi moonum nidilavum thozhunnen.
I salute your forehead and the three eyes ,
Which burn like fire and burns the wicked asuras.
3-4 .Vilasamakunna chilli yugalam kai thozhunnen,
Mugdhamai kanivode maranju vannu anisam,
Bhaktharil pathikkunna kadakannu thozhunnen,
Thilasuma ruchi venna thiru nasaa thozhunnen.
I salute your very two eye brows which are pretty,
I salute your corner of the eye which secretly ,
And with kindness falls always on your devotees.
I salute your nose which has won over the flower of Gingelly.
5.Chenthondi pazham vennor adharam kai thozhunnen,
Kundha kudmalangal vennaradanangal kai thozhunnen.
I salute your lips which have won over the red bimba fruit.
I salute your teeth which have won over jasmine buds.
6.Chandrika ruche vennoru hasitham kai thozhunnen,
Chandamodu navum itha jnan kai thozhunnen.
I salute your smile which wins over the moon light,
I also salute your pretty toungue .
7.Idi nadhamudan vannu angu adiyina paniyum,
Kadinamodu yezhunna humkruthi nadham thozhunnen.
I salute the sound “Hum” which comes with a sound of thunder,
And starts in a harsh manner and salute your feet.
8.MInnalodu idayunnorekira kai thozhunnen,
Pannaga rachitham kundalam random thozhunnen.
I salute your fangs which fight with lightning ,
I salute your two ear globes fashioned like a snake.
9.Kannadi vadivotha kavil ina thozhunnen,
Poorna chandrane venna thirumukham thozhunnen.
I salute your two cheeks which are similar to the mirror,
I salute your face which wins over the full moon.
10.Kambu thannani bangi kavarnnu kondezhunna,
Kamramakinas kandam kuralaram kai thozhunnen.
I salute your pretty neck decorated by a flower garland,
Which rises and steals the great beauty of the conch.
11.Asuranmaar siro malaa rachithamuthareeyam,
Rudiramodaninja nin thiruudal kai thozhnnen.
I salute your divine body over which you have worn,
As upper cloth the garland of blood dripping heads of asuras.
12.Phani, vaal , vattaka, soolam , parichayum thalayum,
Mani gadwangam yendhum karam ettum thozhunnen.
I salute your eight hands holding snake , sword , lamp,
Trident shield, head , bell and scimitar .
13.Paritam akhilavum jwalichangu lasikkunna ,
Maritam athil ramyam mani mala thozhunnen.
I salute the jeweled garland worn over your chest,
Which makes all the world shine.
14.Chandanam valar pambum aninju kondu ezhunna,
Chandanamale venna thiru mula thozhunnen.
I salute your divine breasts wearing sandal paste and snake ,
Which rises up beating the sandal wood mountain.
15.Avadhi moonu ulaginnum vibajichu thilangum,
Trivali shobhithamayoru udaram kai thozhunnen.
I salute your stomach which shines with three lines,
And shines dividing time between the three worlds.
16.Chuvanna pattutayada nithambam kai thozhunnen,
Sulkaramai uyarnna pambudanjaan kai thozhunnen.
I salute your hip over dressed up in red silk,
I salute your snake belt which rises with a hissing sound.
17.Karabhavum manithoonum kadaliyum thozhunnen,
OOru bangi kalarnna ni thiruthuda thozhunnen.
I salute your thighs similar to elephant trunk , gem pillar and banana plant,
I salute your divine thighs which has pretty shanks.
18.Sevipparkku abheeshtartham koduppanai nirachu,
Mevunna mani cheppo muzhankal thozhunnen.
I salute your knee which appears like a gem studded box,
Filled with things to fulfill the desires of your devotees.
19.Angaja nishangam kaithakam iva thozhunna,
Bangiyil urunda nin kanam kaal thozhunnan.
I salute your very pretty rounded calves ,
Which is saluted by the quiver of love god and flowers.
20.Sura vrundha kireedaali mani nirajitha mayor,
Aravindha ruche venna adiyina thozhunnen.
I salute your feet which has beaten the lotus flower,
Which reflects the lights from the crowns of several devas.
21.Kadakam , thol vala . Kanchi , chilambu yevam thudangi ,
Udalil angau aninja aabharangal thozhunnan.
I salute all the ornaments that you have worn on your body like,
Bangles, armlets , girdle and anklets.
22.Ikkanda bhuvanam kathezhhum Nadhe , thozhunnen,
Chol konda Thirumandam kunnil amme , Tozhunnan.
Oh Goddess who rules and protects of the worlds that I see , I salute you ,
I salute the mother goddess of Thirumandhankunnu.