#suprabhat

Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham was written by Prativada Bhayankara Sri Anantacharya aka Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Aṇṇan was a Sri Vaishnava acharya, Tamil and Sanskrit scholar, and the composer of the popular Venkateswara Suprabhatam. Its is composed in Sanskrit.

Prativada Bhayankara Sri Anantacharya, who is also known as Anangaracharyar and P.B.Annan, in the year 1430 A.D.. He was an ardent disciple of Sri Manavala Mamuni, who had, earlier in his life, written another great work of poetic art, Sri Ranganatha Suprabhatham.

The deities of Sridevi Bhudevi sameta Sri Padamnabha Swamy, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy and twelve other Divya Salagrama Silas, that were worshiped daily by Sri Ananthacharya in his everyday pooja, are now being worshiped everyday in the Divya Salagrama Kshetra of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

In all, Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham consists of four parts totaling a number of 70 Slokas..

1). Suprabhatham means, “Auspicious Morning” and consists of 29 Slokas.. The divine process of waking up the holy Lord everyday begins with the recitation of these 29 Slokas.

2). Sthotram means an “Entreaty” and consists of 11 stanzas. These stanzas are recited to praise the glory of Lord Venkateswara requesting Him to offer us protection from all the evil forces of this inhuman world.

3). Prapatthi consists of 16 verses and are recited by the devotees offering their complete surrender to His holy Lotus feet.

4). Mangalaa Saasanam consists of fourteen Slokas that are recited in praise of His noble qualities of glory and auspiciousness.

The first Sloka or stanza in Sri Venkateswaar Suprabhatham is dedicated to Lord Sriram, the noble son of Kausalya. The second stanza is dedicated to Govinda, here in this case Lord Krishna, the cowherd who protected many Cows from the hail storm caused by Lord Indra.

A part of the second stanza of Suprabhatham is dedicated to Kamalapathi, a poetic reference to Lord Vishnu, the divine husband of Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi.

By referring to both Rama and Krishna in his, “Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham” the poet, Prativada Bhayankara Sri Anantacharya, also known as the Acharya Of Kanchipuram, is concluding that “Lord Venkateswara is the divine form of Lord Vishnu”.

The third and the fourth stanzas of “Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham” are dedicated to Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi, invoked as the Consort of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Vrisha Saila or Vrishabhadri, one of the seven sacred hills of Tirumala hill shrine.

Next 24 Slokas in Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham are dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara, addressing Him as Seshadri Sekhara Vibho, Venkataa Chalapathi, Venkata Pathi, and Vrisha Saila Pathi, greeting Him on that auspicious morning in His avatar as Venkateswara in Bhu Loka.

The last and the 29th Sloka solemnly states that, “the reciters developed intellect will conduce towards “Paramartha,”, the highest desired state of “Moksha”, the beatitude.

In the “Sthotram”, the devotee is submitting to Lord Sri Venkateswara, that he earnestly adores only Him and not inclined to worship any other God.

The poet further supplicates in the tenth Sloka that he, having come from a long distance to worship His feet, might be favored for his occasional visits with the same fruit as accrues from his daily worship.

In the first Sloka in “Prapatthi”, the poet offers salutations to Goddess Sri Lakshmi, the eternal resident on the chest of Sri Maha Vishnu (Lord Venkateswara), who is identical to Venkataa Chalapati; augmenter of His quality; holder of Lotuses in Her two hands resembling tender leaves; sitter in the posture of Padmasana;

Shiner with affection for sons and other amiable and magnanimous qualities; and worshipful Goddess (Bhagavathi) and then pays his obeisance to Her.. In the next fifteen stanzas, the poet surrenders himself to the holy lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara.

In the tenth stanza in “Prapatthi”, the poet announces that, “as the Rig Veda declares that Lord Vishnu’s feet are the most exalted state of attainment and are a fountain of Honey and enjoyable, they are here again pointed to by Sri Venkateswara’s palm as a similar spring of Honey, so he is surrendering himself at His feet.

In the eleventh stanza, the poet further states that,”at the Lotus feet which He, as Partha Sarathi, showed Arjuna for his unreserved submission, is once again pointing at them for his surrender.

The Eighth stanza of Mangalaa Sasanam proclaims that “always till the end of time, people having Sri Venkateswara Darsanam in the Tirumala Temple, will feel in-satiate gazing at His nectarine form for once or for a short time or for any number of times.

(It is for this reason alone, the devotees visiting Tirumala Temple just stand in front of His Moola Virat, trying to look at His Divya Mangala Roopa for as much time as people..

Even while leaving the Garbha Griha area, all these devotees just keep turning back and walk slowly looking at Him.. That is the divine power of the principal deity of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumal Temple)

In the ninth stanza of “Mangalaa Sasanam”, the poet Sri Ananthacharya pronounces Mangalam to Sri Venkateswara, who is indicating with His hand that His feet alone are the sole refuge to human beings in this Kali Yuga.

Conclusion

All these sacred Slokas of Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham are more or less stating that, “Lord Sri Venkateswara, the Supreme Savior of this sin filled Kali Yuga, shall certainly save all the devotees who unconditionally surrender themselves and all their problems to His holy Lotus feet”.

Benefits:

The prayer protects the individual from sliding into unsocial, sinful activity during the rest of the day. It reminds him of the need to be unselfish, and of his social responsibility thus awakening his conscience. He becomes a model and an example to others, too.

We are not, in fact waking him, but we waking the God in us.  If we try to do it constantly we can realize him and attaint HIM.  HE is the supreme Light, Our final Goal.  Govinda is in our heart in the form of Soul a glowing lamp, so we say Utishto, Utishta Govinda.

Lord Sri Venkateshwara, the Supreme Savior of this sin filled Kali Yuga, shall certainly save all the devotees who unconditionally surrender themselves and all their problems to His holy Lotus feet.

How to recite: We, on raise from sleep, rub our hands, see both the Palms and recite the sloka:

Karagree Varthathey Lakshmi,Karamadhye Sarswathi, Karamoole stithe Gowri, Prabathe Kara Darshanam.

( Meaning Lakshmi resides in the Tip of the Hand, Saraswathi resides in the Middle, Gowri resides in Root. See the hand on Raise from sleep)

Daily Parayanam of Shri Venkateshvara Suprabhatam in the mornings in the brahmi muhurta was a ritual followed by many families even a couple of generations ago. If not so early, atleast even after the sunrise is good. If not daily, at least weekly parayana on every Saturday is known to be a highly beneficial activity for individuals and family as a whole. 

Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam Meaning:  

 O! Rama! Kausalya’s auspicious child! Twilight is approaching in the East. O! best of men! Wake up, the divine daily rituals have to be performed. ॥ 1 ॥ 

 O! Govinda, wake up! O! Garudadhvaja! wake up. O! Kamalakanta! by rising, render the three worlds auspicious. ॥ 2 ॥

May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee, O! Goddess Lakshmi, the Mother of the Worlds, who dwells on the chest of Lord Vishnu, the enemy of the demons, Kaitabha and Madhu, of attractive and divine form, with the nature of granting what is desired by those seeking refuge! ॥ 3 ॥ 

May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee, O! Goddess Lakshmi, the beloved of the Lord of Vrsacala, with eyes like lotus petals, with a bright face like the Moon, who is worshiped by Girija, Vani, and Pulomaja and who is very compassionate. ॥ 4 ॥ 

Having worshiped the morning twilight and said their morning prayers, called sandhyavandana, the seven sages like Atri, bringing the beautiful lotuses from the divine Ganges, have arrived to worship Thy feet. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 5 ॥ 

The Gods, like the five-headed Lord Brahma, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Shiva, and Indra are praising the deeds of your incarnation as the Trivikramavatara. Nearby is Brhaspati who is reading out the planetary position of the day. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 6 ॥ 

The breeze, carrying the wonderful fragrance of the partly opened lotuses, and the beautiful trees like the Coconut and Areca, is blowing gently. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 7 ॥ 

The parrots in their cages are opening their eyes, and graciously singing, after eating the remains of the plantain fruits and the payasam in the vessels. Lord Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 8 ॥ 

The sage, Narada, is playing sweet music with his veena, and, in fine language, is singing praises of Thy endless deeds, gracefully waving his other hand. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 9 ॥ 

The humming swarm of bees is sucking honey and emerging from the interiors of the lotuses of the adjoining pools, in order to serve Thee. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 10 ॥ 

 While the womenfolk of the hamlet of cowherds churn the curds, the loud sounds and echoes emanating from the pots seem like as if the pots and the eight directions are quarreling. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 11 ॥ 

 The swarm of bees in the lotuses are friends of the sun and are making loud sounds with a view to surpassing the splendor of the lustrous blue lotuses. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 12 ॥ 

 One with Lakshmi! One who grants boons! Friend of all the worlds! Abode of Sri Lakshmi! The matchless ocean of compassion! One having a charming form on account of the chest which is the abode of Sri Lakshmi! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 13 ॥ 

 Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, Lord Sanandana and several others have bathed in purified water. They are at your doorstep eager to see you, for their own well-being, though they have been hit with canes by your gods. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 14 ॥ 

 Lord of Venkatachala! Thy abode is always called by several names, such as Sri Sesasaila, Narayanadri, Garudachala, Venkatadri, Vrsabhadri, Vrsadri. May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 15 ॥ 

 Lord Siva, Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairuti, Varuna, Vayu and Kubera, with folded hands placed on their heads, are desirous of offering service to thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 16 ॥ 

 The modes of Thy conveyance – Garuda, the Lord of Birds, the Lion, Lord of Animals, Adisesa, the Lord of Serpents, Airavata, the Lord of Elephants and Uccaissravas, the Lord of Horses – are begging Thee to grant them their respective authority and power to serve the Thee better, on your pleasure trips. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 17 ॥ 

 The main deities of the Assembly of Gods – the nine planets – the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are happy to serve even your servants and remain most obedient to Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 18 ॥ 

 Lord of Venkatachala! Thy devotees, whose heads are sanctified by the dust of Thy feet, being in Thy presence, do not desire Heaven or Liberation, but are worried that another Kalpa will start when there will be no such glory to Venkatachala! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 19 ॥ 

 On seeing the crests of Thy temple tower, the mortals, who are attempting to attain the exalted paths of Heaven and Liberation, feel like living on in the mortal world, as it gives them the opportunity of worshipping Thee. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 20 ॥ 

 Lord of Sridevi and Bhudevi! The ocean of nectar of compassion and other virtues! The chief of the Gods! The sole refuge of the Universe! The possessor of Sri! One whose feet are worshipped by Ananta and Garuda! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 21 ॥ 

 Padmanabha! Purushottama! Vasudeva! Vaikunta! Madhava! Janardana! Chakrapani! Bearer of the mole Srivatsa! The celestial tree under whom refuge is sought! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 22 ॥ 

 Bearer of the charming and divine form surpassing the pride of Cupid! One whose sight is fondly centred on the lotus bud like breasts of His beloved! The abode of auspicious and pure virtues! The possessor of Divine fame! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 23 ॥ 

 Lord in ten incarnations of Matsya, Kamatha, Kola, Narasimha, Trivikrama, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 24 ॥ 

 The Brahmins, well-versed in the Vedas, are now joyfully waiting to worship you. They are carrying golden pots on their heads that are filled with the water of the Divine Ganges, which has been rendered fragrant by mixing cardamom, cloves and camphor in it. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 25 ॥ 

 The Sun is rising; the lotuses have blossomed; the birds are twittering; the Sri Vaishnavas, always imploring auspiciousness, are waiting at Thy abode. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 26 ॥ 

 Lord Brahma, the great sages and the good Yogins as Sanandana are waiting at Thy abode, with auspicious offerings in their hands. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 27 ॥ 

 Abode of Lakshmi! Ocean of faultless and auspicious virtues! Bridge to cross the ocean of transmigration! One whose glory is known through the Upanishads! One who is enjoyed by devotees! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee. ॥ 28 ॥