68. Neelakantha Stotram

(Prayer to stop our self-destruction)

Nīlakaṇṭha Stōtram – Meaning

Preamble

            As ordained by the divine, Neelakantha Mahadeva Stotra is offered at the sacred feet of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Neelakantha Mahadeva in the mountain range of Himalaya, close to Hrushikesh (Uttarakhand). The Sankalpa to recite this stotra (to be composed by this author) was invoked in a devotee, Ravi Venkataraman on Jyeshtha Amaavaasya 2021 CE. May Lord bless all the readers.

Context

          Neelakantha is the name of Shiva, whose throat is blackened due to the debilitated effect of Haalaahala venom, which he consumed to protect the world. It is said that he retained the poison in the throat, to spare the world from the vagaries of toxins. Its symbolism teaches us three important aspects of life.

1. Every Substance is required to be utilized in an appropriate manner for sustainability. In the name of advancement, we explore new materials, experiment with them, utilize, exploit. But we are short of wisdom about the aspect of disposal. Thereafter, our careless and shortsighted attitude causes pollution, resulting in the destruction. That is the reason this short span of so-called development (less than 200 years) is brining the world, which we inherited for billions of years, to the brink of annihilation.
2. Matter cannot be destructed. Only the form would change. Whatever is necessary for our survival is given by the nature. Harmful substances are safely hidden in subterranean layers. Once, they are extracted, it is hard to deal with the after-effects.

Therefore all the pungent, poisonous, dangerous substances should remain in passive and concealed state, which applies to human feelings and speech such as anger, rude, annoying, threatening speech, not to speak of the brutal behavior. Once you let them out, there is no way you could contain them.

3. However, in the face of a calamity; we don’t have any recourse other than Mahadeva (Great God) to save us. He helps in the form of Kaala (Time – the healer). Nature can re-pair in due course of time. If we get some wisdom in time, the healing will happen in time.

Meaning Stanza 1

1. We pollute and contaminate our natural resources such as earth, water and air. This happens due to a variety of reasons including fate, ignorance, arrogance, lunacy, idiosyncrasy, jealousy and more importantly, the greed.

We not only harm the nature with our thoughts, speech and physical bodies; but also exhort or inspire others to do the same repeatedly, resulting in the extraction of toxins and camouflage of a toxic environment.

Therefore, we pray to Neela Kantha Mahadeva to protect us from the fear of the toxins and intoxication.

2. Neela Kantha – Protector of the Universe by concealing the harmful objects.
3. Mahaa- Deva – the compassionate great God.

Meaning - Stanza 2

Violating other creatures is another bad trait of ours. Internally and externally, we are addicted to this, which don’t realize. (Pancha Soona Dosha – Prayashchitta reminds of these inevitable but daily sins.) We exploit every creature around us for our benefit. In this process, we also infringe our body and minds too.

We don’t understand that all the creatures are the magnificent creation of the God, with a free will. We intend and wrongly conclude that every creature is born for our own benefit, thereby inflicting cruelty on them with little wisdom or fore-sight.

Oh God – please pardon us from these repeating sins.

Meaning Stanza 3

It is indicated by the Puranas (Scriptures) that this phenomenon of churning is nothing new, but a repeating practice. Once upon a time, the deities and demons joined hands to extract precious substances/ items from the nature (ocean) to attain immortality and wealth. Unexpectedly, they had to counter the emergency of incalculably toxic venom called Haalaa-hala. Prayed by the perpetrators, Shiva obliged to gulp in order to protect the world.

Another similar instance is brewing in this contemporary world. We are exploiting the nature for our false-enrichment.

Oh God! Kindly instill some wisdom in us, to stop this menace of self-destruction and protect us.

Phala Shruti – Listening to the Aspired Result

A person, suffering from the fear of disease, death and delusion can benefit from the recitation of this Stotra along with a sense of servitude to Neela Kantha.

Nitya Stotra (Daily reminder) would stop us from the deviant behavior and Servitude would teach us humility, averting the exploitation.

Om Namasshivaaya.

Sri Gurubhyo Namah

Stotra

नीलकण्ठ स्तोत्रम्

दिष्ट्या मोहान्मदोन्मादात् मत्सरा.दसकृत् सकृत्।।

यदस्माभिर् मनोवाक्य-शरीरैर् लोभबुद्धितः।

पृथिव्यां सलिले वायौ कृतं मलिनदूषणम्।

आन्तरे बाहिरे नित्यं परान् स्वानपि हिंसतः।

त्वया सृष्टान् समान् जीवान् स्वार्थायैवोपयुञ्जतः।

नृशंसान् मन्दहृदयान् मनुष्यान् क्रूरकर्मणः।

पूर्वं देवासुरा.नब्धि-मन्थने तु यथा भवान्।

हालहालभया.दावीत् – तथैवाद्य कृपानिधे।।

नित्यदूषणदोषोत्थ- प्रत्यवाया.दिमां भुवम्।

रोग-मृत्यु-भय-भ्रान्त- पीडाग्रसितमानवः।

स्तोत्रेणानेन मुच्येत नीलकण्ठं शिवं भजन्।।

आषाढी सित प्रतिपत् प्रभातम् 11-7-21 मैसूरु - वंशीकृष्ण घनपाठी

Nīlakaṇṭha Stōtram

Diṣṭyā Mōhānmadōnmādāt Matsarā.Dasakr̥T Sakr̥T..

Yadasmābhir Manōvākya-Śarīrair Lōbhabud'dhitaḥ.

Pr̥Thivyāṁ Salilē Vāyau Kr̥Taṁ Malinadūṣaṇam.

Āntarē Bāhirē Nityaṁ Parān Svānapi Hinsataḥ.

Tvayā Sr̥ṣṭān Samān Jīvān Svārthāyaivōpayuñjataḥ.

Nr̥Śansān Mandahr̥Dayān Manuṣyān Krūrakarmaṇaḥ.

Pūrvaṁ Dēvāsurā.Nabdhi-Manthanē Tu Yathā Bhavān.

Hālahālabhayā.Dāvīt – TathaivāDya Kr̥Pānidhē..

Nityadūṣaṇadōṣōt'tha- Pratyavāyā.Dimāṁ Bhuvam.

Rōga-Mr̥Tyu-Bhaya-Bhrānta- Pīḍāgrasitamānavaḥ.

StōtrēṇāNēna Mucyēta Nīlakaṇṭhaṁ Śivaṁ Bhajan..

Āṣāḍhī Sita Pratipat Prabhātam 11-7-21 Maisūru – Dr Vamshi Krishna Ghanapaathi

Sarve JanaasSukhino Bhavantu