Karunya Stavam Brahma Puranam

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K. Muralidharan (kmurali_sg@yahoo.com)

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The following is a rare and exquisite hymn on Lord Vishnu titled Karunya Stavam by
Indradyumna from Brahma Puranam, Chapter 49. In essence, the hymn seeks the mercy of
Lord Vishnu through the description of evolution of Manushya Janma (human life). A brief
excerpt (not complete translation) of the prayer by Indradyumna is given below followed by
the benefits one accrues by chanting this prayer.
O Lord Vasudev! My obeisances to you! Please protect me through my Sharanagati!
Please raise me from the ocean of Bhava (Samsara) as you had raised earth from the ocean
by taking Mahavaraha Avatar! I have prayed in various forms and names as differentiated
by learned people! But actually there is no difference in Paramartha Drishiti (vision)! You
are Advaita and how can humans describe you as dvaita (i.e. in various forms)? You are
devoid of Bhava, Abhava, Guna, etc. and you are supreme and immutable which even
Devas dont comprehend (and how will I ever comprehend as a human?)
O Lord! Please be pleased with me who is drowned in the ocean of materialism! I have
fallen (and continuing) in the deep ocean of Samsara through hundreds of births, deaths,
old-age, diseases, all sorts of suffering, attachment/love, aversion/hatred, ego arising out of
my senses, ambition and resulting sorrows, detachment from the holy things, etc.
O Lord! I have taken births millions of times and experienced pleasures and sorrows! I
have had multitudes of spouses, enemies, friends, relatives, fathers and mothers. I have
lived multitudes of times in the wombs of women and slipped through the urinary passage
and experienced all sorrows. I have experienced all difficulties associated with childhood,
youth and old age! I have experienced all sorrows associated with the passing of human
body to Yamalaya (Yamas denizen)! I have experienced sorrows in Naraka (hell)! I have also
taken births as worms, trees, elephants, horses, animals, birds, oxen, Brahmana, Kshatriya,
Vaishya, Shudra, Tapasvi, Poor, King, servant, etc. again and again!
O Lord! I have killed/wounded many and many have killed/wounded me! Unabashed I
had exposed my weakness/poverty for protecting myself and my relatives. I have been in
Svarga many times and Naraka many times. I have been perambulating in this ocean of
Samsara in the same way as a pot tied to a pulley with rope goes up and down while
drawing water from the well and I see no end this tribulation!
O Lord! I dont even know in which direction I need to go! I have come unto you! If
you consider me as your devotee, kindly have mercy on me and protect me. Excepting you, I
have no relative who is concerned about me! Having seen you as my Swami, I have no fear
of life, death, Yoga kshema, etc.
O Lord! How can one cross the ocean of Samsara if he does not pray to you? Of what
avail are Kula shila (supreme qualities/demeanor of clan), learning, life, etc. if he does not
have bhakti on you? He becomes an Asura and repeatedly takes birth and falls into hell. One
who casts aspersions on you is never lifted up from the ocean of hell.
Karunya Stavam Brahma Puranam



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O Lord! Whenever I take Janma due to my own Karma, let there be immutable Bhakti
on to you! When even Brahma is not adept (knowledgeable) in performing Puja unto you,
how will I (a human) ever be able to perform Puja unto you? Even so, I have prayed unto
you through my Ajnana (ignorance)! If you have mercy on me, please bear with this
Aparadha (crime) and forgive me. Sadhus have lot of mercy on Aparadhis and therefore
may you please make my prayer complete (Purna)! O Lord Vasudev! My obeisances unto
you!
Lord Brahma concludes that Lord Vasudeva was immensely pleased with this prayer
and bestowed fulfillment of all Indraduymnas wishes.
One who performs Puja to Lord Jagannatha and chants this stotra attains Mukti
without any doubt. One who chants this hymn thrice a day during Sandhya time (or hears
this hymn) will attain Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. One who chants/listens this
hymn leisurely surely becomes sinless and attains Vishnu Loka. One who has Bhakti to
Lord Krishna is indeed wealthy, pure, learned, Yajnakarta, Tapasvi, Gunavan, etc.
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