Welcome to the website blog. This blog is run by volunteers of Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. The blog aims to bring out excerpts from the works of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya (Guruji). A common verse recited about Guruji is

रामभद्रो हि जानाति रामभद्रसरस्वतीम् । रामभद्रो हि जानाति रामभद्रसरस्वतीम् ॥

“Verily, Rāmabhadra (Rāmabhadrācārya) understands the Sarasvatī (eloquence of speech) of Rāmabhadrācārya. Verily, Rāmabhadra (the auspicious Rāma, or Lord Rāmacandra) understands the  Sarasvatī of Rāmabhadrācārya. Hope this blog will be liked by both – the disciples and admirers of Guruji and the worshippers of Sarasvatī.

श्रीगङ्गामहिम्नस्तोत्रम् (१९९७) माँ गंगा की स्तुति में गुरुदेव द्वारा प्रणीत एक संस्कृत स्तोत्र है। इसकी रचना के साथ एक रोचक घटना जुड़ी है। १९९७ ई की ग्रीष्म ऋतु में प्रति वर्ष की भाँति गुरुदेव का प्रवास हरिद्वार के वसिष्ठायनम् आश्रम में हुआ। एक दिन प्रातःकालीन श्रीराघवसेवा के समय डॉ सुरेन्द्र शर्मा सुशील के मुख से अचानक गुरुदेव के लिए सम्बोधन में “महाराज जी” शब्द निकल गया। तुरन्त ही पूज्य आचार्यचरण ने स्नेहपूर्वक प्रतिवाद करते हुए कहा कि मैं महाराज नहीं हूँ । महाराज तो वह होता है जो भोजन बनाता है। मैं तुम्हें अभी अपनी सात्त्विक प्रतिभा के बल पर सिद्ध करता हूँ कि मैं महाराज नहीं हूँ। इस कथन के तुरन्त पश्चात् पूज्य जगद्गुरुजी ने शिखरिणी, हरिणी, मालिनी, अनुष्टुप् और वसन्ततिलका छन्दों में श्रीगङ्गाजी के स्तुतिपरक दिव्य, भव्य, सरस, सुमधुर एवं सारगर्भित ३७ श्लोकों का सद्यःप्रणयन करके अपने लोकोत्तर वैदुष्य एवं भगवत्प्रेमाभक्ति का साक्षात्कार कराया। Śrīgaṅgāmahimnastotram (1997) is a Saṃskṛta Stotram in praise of mother Gaṅgā by Gurudeva. There is an interesting anecdote about its composition. In the summer of 1997, Gurudeva was at his Haridvāra Āśrama Vasiṣṭhāyanam, where he spends the peak summer months every year and attends the festival of Ganga Dussehra. During the morning Rāghavasevā, Dr. Surendra Śarmā Suśīla, a close disciple of the Guru, addressed him as Mahārāja Jī. Gurudeva jokingly replied saying that he is not a Mahārāja, as a Mahārāja is one who cooks food for others (Mahārāj and Mahārājin are also terms used to refer to male and female cooks respectively in Hindi). Gurudeva then said that he will prove using his Sāttvika Pratibhā that he is not a Mahārāja (cook), and then spontaneously composed the Śrīgaṅgāmahimnastotram in 37 verses, which Dr. Surendra Śarmā Suśīla wrote down. The composition is in Śikhariṇī, Hariṇī, Mālinī, Anuṣṭup and Vasantatilakā metres. श्रीगङ्गामहिम्नस्तोत्रम् के श्लोकों का क्रमानुसार हिन्दी और आङ्ग्लभाषा सहित अनुवाद इस चिट्ठे पर प्रकाशित करते हुए हमें अत्यन्त आनन्द और धन्यता की अनुभूति हो रही है। इसका पहला श्लोक शिखरिणी छन्द में है। We feel supremely blissful and blessed to publish the serialized verses of the Śrīgaṅgāmahimnastotram with Hindi and English translation on this blog. Here is the first verse in Śikhariṇī metre.

महिम्नस्तेऽपारं सकलसुखसारं त्रिपथगे प्रतर्त्तुं कूपारं जगति मतिमान् पारयति कः । तथापि त्वत्पादाम्बुजतरणिरज्ञोऽपि भवितुं समीहे तद्विप्रुट्क्षपितभवपङ्कः सुरधुनि ॥

mahimnaste’pāraṃ sakalasukhasāraṃ tripathage pratarttuṃ kūpāraṃ jagati matimān pārayati kaḥ । tathāpi tvatpādāmbujataraṇirajño’pi bhavituṃ samīhe tadvipruṭkṣapitabhavapaṅkaḥ suradhuni ॥

अन्वय – त्रिपथगे। जगति महिम्नः ते अपारं सकलसुखसारं कूपारं कः मतिमान् प्रतर्त्तुं पारयति। सुरधुनि। तथापि अज्ञः अपि त्वत्पादाम्बुजतरणिः तद्विप्रुट्क्षपितभवपङ्कः भवितुं समीहे। भावार्थ – हे त्रिपथगे! अर्थात् स्वर्ग, पाताल और मर्त्यलोक इन तीनों लोकों में विराजमान माँ गङ्गे! सम्पूर्ण सुखों के सार स्वरूप आपकी महिमा के अपार महासागर को पार करने के लिए भला इस संसार में कौन बुद्धिमान सक्षम हो सकता है तथापि हे देवसरिते! मैं अज्ञ होकर भी आपके श्रीचरणकमलरूप नौका का अवलम्ब लेकर आपकी ही महामहिमा के उस महासागर के कतिपय बिन्दुओं से अपने भवपङ्क अर्थात् सांसारिक मोह के कीचड़ को नष्ट करने की चेष्टा मात्र करता हूँ क्योंकि आपके गुणगान से जीव का संसारमल समाप्त हो जाता है। “O one who flows on the three paths in the Pātāla, on the earth and in Svarga (mother Gaṅgā)! Which intelligent being in this world is capable of crossing the endless ocean of your glory, which is the essence of all happiness? O the river of the Gods! Even then, though ignorant, I strive to cleanse myself of the mortal dirt (sins) with a drop of that ocean, taking recourse to the boat in the form of your lotus-feet.”

Editor’s note: Babaji Girish Sharma, is an officiating priest and Kathāvācaka based in Mauritius. He performs Kathās on both Śrīrāmacaritamānasa and Śrīmadbhāgavatam. Readers can read more about him under here. Earlier this year, he came in contact with Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas and met Gurudeva to take his blessings. He sent us the following article on his first Darśana of Gurudeva. Last April during Caitra Navarātra I was scheduled to hold a nine-day Rāmakathā on the occasion of Rāmanavamī in Mauritius. While preparing for the Kathā, I was surfing the Internet and came across the official website of Jagadguru Rambhadracarya Ji Maharaj.  Without hesitation, I click on the link as I was eager to know more about him. The pictures of Guruji, especially his face, depicting purity were so enrapturing that I kept looking at them for long. I read about Guruji and was astonished to know that despite losing his physical eyesight in childhood, he has not only memorized the entire Rāmacaritamānasa but has also composed so many poetic works and has established such a huge legacy. I felt the life of His Holiness is very inspiring and is a perfect example of the saying “where there is a will there is a way.” As after Rāmanavamī (April 1, 2012) I was about to visit India, I thought why not to make this visit an opportunity to have the holy Darśana of such a great Sādhu. Immediately I started establishing contacts with the Chitrakoot Āśrama. By the mercy of Lord Rāma, very soon I received an email from the Āśrama, giving me full details of Guruji’s programs as well as some contact numbers. I was very glad as well as nervous knowing that shortly I would be having Darśana of such a rare divine soul. I started thinking how am I going to introduce myself, what am I going to say, what might be the reaction of Guruji and so on … a kind of mixed feeling was in my mind – fear as well as happiness. Nevertheless, I was determined for the Darśana. Once I landed in New Delhi, I started planning how to meet Guruji. I had to go to Varanasi and once reached there; inquiring about Guruji, I was informed that Guruji was holding a Mānasa Sammelana in a village three hours by road from Varanasi. The very first occasion I had, I arranged for a taxi and set forth to meet him. After some difficulties to find the exact location, finally I reached the village where Guruji was about to arrive. I waited for around one hour and was then informed that Guruji had just reached the rest house which was some 8 kms from where I was waiting. I took the taxi and finally reached the place. There were a few people, a small crowd, greeting His Holiness and from outside it was very difficult for me to get in or get noticed. However, I managed to call Jay – the close associate of Guruji, a boy around 10–12 years. As he knew already I was supposed to come, he easily recognized me and guided me inside. When I got inside the room, Guruji was seated on a Khaat and people were meeting him one by one.  I came in front and paid my obeisance to His lotus feet, by that time he already knew my name and that I came from Mauritius through Jay,  he held my hand and started talking to me normally. All the fear and nervousness I had were gone. I did not have to introduce me or to plan any formal talk – nothing. Guruji was speaking in such a friendly manner to me that I felt like knowing him for a long time. I did not feel at all that it was our first meeting.  I could not believe my eyes that I had the great privilege of meeting Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Ji for the first time.  He made me so much at ease that I already felt being part of his associates. I shall never forget the way Guruji gave me a few pieces of apple that was offered to him. We had a talk for about half an hour and I was invited to attend Guruji’s program in the evening.  It was a moment that has marked my life. I found in Guruji a rare combination. While steadfast in the ancient principles of his profound faith, he had the gift of generous adaptability. With his quick wit and great spirit, he was well fitted to promote reconciliation and truth among the religious seekers of the world. He brought peace and joy to multitudes. I believe that Jagadguru Rambhadraacharya Ji is one of the finest figures of wisdom and humanity that this generation has seen. He is a special person in every way. He is a magnificent world teacher for whose teachings this century is ripe. He seems to me to be a liaison officer between the efficiency of this country and the spirituality of the world. Each needs the other and each must have the mingling of the two. Such a leader as Jagadguru Rambhadracarya Ji is sorely needed. His philosophy appeals to the thinker, to those unsatisfied by materialism, who are weary of the evanescent, the unreal, which flee like shadows before the light of truth. Guruji is a God-filled seer and saint, philosopher and poet who experienced a multitude of the innumerable aspects of Ultimate Reality…. A rare genius who has penetrated further than most men into the secrets of spiritual existence.

Babaji Girish Sharma Reservoir Road, Camp-fouquereaux, Mauritius