Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam

Children in south Indian homes grow up hearing the Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam being recited by MS Subbulakshmi the first thing in the morning.

This is a prayer in Sanskrit, in 28 stanzas, to awaken Lord Venkateswara, i.e. Vishnu, the deity of the famed Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, in south India.

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kausalyasuprajarama!
purva sandhya pravartate,
uttistha! narasardula!
kartavyam daivam ahnikam.

O Rama, son of Kowsalya and beloved of the people, the dawn before sunrise is on its way. Rise, O Tiger amonst humans, your divine duties beckon you.

uttisthottistha! govinda!
uttistha garudadhvaja!
uttistha kamalakanta!
trailokyam mangalam kuru.

Govinda! Who has Garuda on his flag-pillar, Lord of lotus eyed Lakshmi! Please wake to bless the three worlds with happiness and prosperity.

matas samsastajagatam madhukaitabhareh
vaksoviharini! manohara-divyamurte!
srisvanmini! sritajanapriya-danasile!
sri-venkatesa-dayite! tava suprabhatam

Oh! Mother of the entire universe, residing always in the heart of Sri Vishnu, the bane of Madhu and Kaitabha; O pleasant one! dear consort of Vishnu, fulfiller of the wishes of people coming to you: may it be an auspicious dawn to Thee!

tava suprabhatam aravindalochane!
bhavatu prasannamukha-chandramandale!
vidhisankarendra-vanitabhir archite!
vrsasailanatha-dayite!dayanidhe

Oh lotus eyed goddess, yours is a pleasent moonlike face. You are worshipped by wives of Brahma, Shankara and Indra. You are full of love and affection. You are the beloved wife of Vishnu who is the lord of Vrishabhachala. Oh Mother! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee!

atryadi-saptarsayas samupasya sandhyam
aksasindhu-kamalani manoharani,
adaya padayugam archayitum prapanna
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam.

Atri and the seven rishis, having performed their morning rituals, pray to you, laying beautiful lotus flowers from the divine Ganges at your feet. May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee, Oh Lord of Sheshachala!

[The seven great Rishis (sages) are supposed to reside in the heavens as the seven stars of Ursa Major, and Akasa Sindhu refers to the Milky Way, which was viewed as a divine river flowing through the heavens. So this stanza evokes the image of the greatest sages of all time, ever present in the heavens as the stars of Ursa Major, plucking "flowers" from the Milky Way as a morning offering to the Lord.]

panchananabjabhava sanmukha vasavadyah
traivikramadi charitam vibudhah stuvanti,
bhasapatith pathati vasarasuddhim arat
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

The Gods, like the five-headed Brahma, the lotus-born Subrahmanya, and the six-headed Indra are praising the deeds of your incarnations as the Trivikramavatara. Nearby is Brhaspati who is reading out the planetary position (called Panchangam) of the day. Lord of Seshachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee!

isatpraphulla-sarasiruha-narikela-
pugadrumadi-sumanohara-palikanam
avati mandam anilah saha divyagandhaih
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

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

unmilya netrayugam uttama-panjarastah
patravasista-kadaliphalapayasani,
bhuktva salilam atha kelisukhah pathanti
sesadri-sekara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

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!

tantriprakarsa-madhurasvanaya vipanchya
gayaty anantacharitam tava narado’pi
bhasasamagram asakrt-karachararamyam
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

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!

bhrngavali cha makaranda-rasanuviddha-
jhankaragita-ninadaih saha sevanaya,
niryaty upanta-sarasi-kamalodarebhyah
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

The humming swarm of bees are 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.

yosa-ganena vara-dadhni vimathyamane
ghosalayesu dadhimanthana-tivraghosah,
rosat kalim vidadhate kakubhas cha kumbhah
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

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

padmesa-mitra-satapatra-gatalivargah
hartum sriyam kuvalayasya nijanga-laksmya,
bherininadam iva bibhrati tivra-nadam
sesadri-sekhara-vibho! tava suprabhatam

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

srimann abhista-varadakhila-lokabandho!
srisrinivasa!jagadeka-dayaikasindho!
sridevata-grha-bhujantara-divyamurte!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

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.

srisvami-puskarinika-plava-nirmalangah
sreyorthino hara-virinchi-sanandanadyah,
dvare vasanti varavetra- hatottamangah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

Brahma, Shiva, 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.

sri-sesasaila-garudachala-venkatadri-
narayanadri-vrsabhadri-vrsadri-mukhyam,
akhyam tvaduta-vasater anisam vadanit
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

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

sevaparah siva-suresa-krsanu-dharma-
raksombunatha-pavamana-dhanadhinathah,
baddhanjali-pravilasan nijasirsa-desah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

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.

dhatisu te vihangaraja-mrgadhiraja-
nagadhiraja-gajaraja-hayadhirajah,
svasvadhikara-mahimadikam arthayante
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

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 server Thee better, on your pleasure trips. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

suryendu-bhauma-budha-vakpati-kavya-sauri
svarbhanu-kettu-divisat parisat pradhanah,
tvaddasa-dasa-charamavadhi-dasadasah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam.

The main deities of the Assembly of Gods – the nine planets - the Sun, the Moon, Mars (Angaraka), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Brhaspati), Venus (Sukra), Saturn (Sani), 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.

tvat-padadhuli-bharita-sphuritottamangah
svargapavarga-nirapeksa-nijanarangah,
kalpagamakalanayakulatam labhante
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

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.

tvad-gopuragra-sikharani niriksamanah
svargapavarga-padavim paramamsrayantah,
martya manusya-bhuvane matim-asrayante
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

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.

sri-bhumi-nayaka! dayadi-gunamrtabdhe!
devadhideva!jagadeka-saranyamurte,
srimann-ananta-garudadibhir architanghre!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

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 (wealth)! One whose feet are worshipped by Ananta and Garuda! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

sripadmanabha! purusottama! vasudeva!
vaikuntha! madhava! janardana! chakrapane!
srivasta-chihna! sarangata-parijata!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

Padmanabha! Purushottama! Vasudeva! Vaikunta! Madhava! Janardana! Chakrapani! Bearer of the mole Srivatsa! Celestial tree (parijata) under whom refuge is sought! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

kandarpa-darpa-hara-sundara-divyamurte!
kanta-kucamburuha-kutmala-loladrste!
kalyana-nirmala-gunakara! divyakirte!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

Bearer of the charming and divine form surpassing the pride of Cupid (Manmatha)! 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.

minakrte!kamatha!kola!nrsimha!varnin!
svamin!parasvatha-tapodhana!ramachandra!
sesamsarama! yadunandana! kalkirupa!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

Lord in ten incarnations of Matsya (Fish), Kamatha (Tortoise), Kola (Boar), Narasimha (Man-lion) Trivikrama (Dwarf), Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna and Kalki! Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

ela-lavanga-ghanasara-sugandhi-tirtham
divyam viyat-sariti hema-ghatesu purnam,
dhrtvadya vaidika-sikhamanayah prahrstah
tisthanti venkatapate tava suprabhatam

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 (Akasa Ganga), which has been rendered fragrant by mixing cardamom, cloves and camphor in it. Lord of Venkatachala! May it be an auspicious dawn to Thee.

bhasvan udeti vikachani saroruhani
sampurayanti ninadaih kakubho vihangah,
srivaisnavas satatam arthita-mangalas te
dhamasrayanti tava venkata! suprabhatam

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.

brahmadayas suravaras samaharsayas te
santas sanadana-mukhastv atha yogivaryah,
dhamantike tava hi mangala-vastu-hastah
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

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.

laksminivasa! niravadya-gunaika-sindho!
samsara-sagara-samuttaranaika-seto!
vedantu-vedya-nijavaibhava! bhaktabhogya!
sri-venkatachalapate! tava suprabhatam

Abode of Lakshmi! Ocean of faultless and auspicious virtues! Bridge to cross the ocean of transmigration (samsara)! 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.