Great
Scholars from ages past have given us eulogies aimed at the various forms of Paramâtmâ
to help us cross this Ocean of Worldly existence (Samsâra). They
were all mostly composed in a particular meter (Chandas) - some being as easy
and common as Anushţubh and some being
complex like Śikhariņî, Vŗtti, and others. To read a Śloka in almost every
other Chandas, one should read the works of Âdi Śankarâbhagavatpâdâcârya. There’s
a charming work of his called Devî Catuśshashţyupacâra Stotram where he uses
many different Chandas that are really melodious to just read through – you wouldn’t
have to really know the meaning to enjoy it; mere reading would bring an
unexplainable joy in you, of course, the pronunciation being difficult at
certain ślokas due to many Samdhis (Conjuncts).
Talking about
pronunciations, the main intent for writing this post is to let people know of
the importance of pronouncing words properly/correctly in ślokas. I have seen
in temples and among groups who chant Lalitâ Sahasranâma Stotra (especially)
getting used to the rhythm of Anushtubh Chandas and splitting every other name
in Lalitâ Sahasranâma Stotra in a pattern of 8 – 8. This works out well in
Vishņu Sahasranâma Stotra but not in Lalitâ Sahasranâma Stotra because certain
names are three syllabled like Śrîmâtâ, five-syllabled like Śrîmahârâgñî, eight-syllabled
like Śrîmatsimhâsaneśvarî, and some sixteen-syllabled like
Haranetrâgnisamdagdhakâmasańjîvanaushadhiĥ. One should remember that
these names aren’t given to Gods/Goddesses like we are given names. We are
named something to identify ourselves, but the Supreme Identity doesn't require
such identifications. So, the names in Ashţottaraśata-, Triśatî-, or Sahasra-nâma are Gauņas, that is
they glorify the qualities of deities through these names. When you split a
sixteen-syllabled name in Lalitâ Sahasranâma Stotra (for example) they give a
different meaning to Goddess.
I wish I didn’t
have to even say this, but to let people know of the seriousness of pronouncing
a name wrong, I am forced to give this example. Let’s take the example of the sixteen-syllabled
name Haranetrâgnisamdagdhakâmasańjîvanaushadhiĥ. I have heard people saying Haranetrâgnisamdagdhâ–Kâmasańjîvanaushadhiĥ – thus
splitting a single name into two which gives out the meaning of the first word
as one who’s burned in the fire that emanated from Hara’s eye, instead of the
actual meaning, which is the one who became the medicine that revived Kâma who's
burned by the fire that emanated from Hara's eye. There are many more sixteen
syllabled and seven syllabled names that are being split, which imply
unspeakable meanings. I remember once saying this to a group of women with whom
I was asked to chant the Stotra and the eldest Sâdhakî among the group looked
at me as if saying, “Who are you to teach me what is right or wrong? I have been chanting this Stotra for years.”
I don't intend to hurt anyone but erring is human and as a Sâdhaka we all should have the attitude to correct wherever we go wrong in our deeds which would lead us to the Supreme Abode. After all, humility is the primary requirement of a Sâdhaka and not Ego.
This is
the reason why learned people insist that one learn Lalitâ Sahasranâma
Stotra from a Guru and not just read off a book. In fact Purâņas and Śâstras
speak of many qualities of Guru. People like me cannot become Guru just because
they think they can chant few Stotras. A Guru is one who removes the darkness
of ignorance. He or she first meditates upon the mantra or stotra countless
number of times, understands it and then bestows it to his or her disciple,
making sure that he or she doesn’t pronounce it wrongly.
I have stated
Lalitâ Sahasranâma Stotra as an example as we are familiar with it but there
are other Stotras which people read off a book, splitting the names/words as they
please. If in doubt, we should ask a learned person about the right way to
recite it and then practice it ourselves, because the learned know if a conjunct
word can be split or not so as not to imply a wrong meaning to the Stotra.
Sarvam Śrî
Vâņî-Hiraņyagarbhârpaņamastu
