Five Stanzas on Salutation to Mother
Ādi Śaṅkarācārya’s Mātṛ-pañcakam
(Rendered in English by Radha Raghunathan)
1
This lady must remain that long at the time of delivery excruciating sharp pain,
Eating insipid food, emaciated in body, for a year on a bed soiled with my excretions,
Not even one of the miserable woes of whose pregnancy can be compensated
Even by a great son; Salutations to that mother!
2
After sending me to residential school, but seeing in a dream,
Myself clad in the robes of an ascetic, you wept loudly;
Then, [alongwith you] all at the whole school wept aloud;
Mother, at once may my salutations be done at your feet.
3
Not even a sip of water was given by me while you were dying,
Neither can the ordained oblations be given by me on your death anniversary;
Nor has the redeeming mantra, O Mother, uttered by me when you were dying,
Mother, please be abundantly compassionate to me who has arrived late.
4
“You are a precious pearl,” “You are my eyes,”
“You are my king,” “May you live long, O my son,”
O Mother, by whom these words were spoken,
To you I offer these dry rice-grains.
5
“O Mother, O Father, O Śiva!” At the time
Of delivery to her who cried aloud these names,
“O Kṛṣṇa,” “O Govinda,” “Hare Mukunda,” and so on;
Alas, to that Mother this obeisance is addressed.
May 12, 2024; Chennai ― Radha Raghunathan