Mookambika is the goddess who presides over the town of Kollur temple, 135 km from Mangalore, Karnataka. Here, the goddess is in the form of a linga. Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma reside in the smaller half of the lings and in the greater half (separated by a golden line) reside the mother goddesses of Durga Mata, Saraswathi Devi and Sri Lakshmi.
In ancient times, it was thought that there was a saint named Kola Maharshi who was doing penance in the current Kollur. He was worried about a Rakshasa named Mookasura. Adhi Prashakti killed Mookasura and helped Kola Maharshi to do penance in peace. That’s why she is called Mookambika.
Mukambika is a very popular goddess from Karnataka and Kerala. The people of Kerala regard her as Saraswathi devi and make it a point to visit Kollur as often as possible. For many of them, the dream of learning the first alphabet is to their babies in the temple of Mookambika on the day of Vijaya Dasami.
Shri Mookambika Ashtakam Lyrics in English:
Namasthe Jagad Dhatri Sadbrahma Roope
Namasthe Haropendradathradhi Vandhye ।
Namasthe Prapanneshta Danaika Dakshe
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 1 ॥
Vidhi Kruthivasa Harir Viswamedath
Srujath Yaththipaatheethiyathad Prasidham ।
Krupaloka Nadhe Aavadhe Shakthiroope
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 2 ॥
Thwaya Mayayaa Vyaptha Medath Samastham
Drutham Leelayadevi Kukshouhi Viswam ।
Sthithambudhi Roopena Sarvathra Janthou
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 3 ॥
Yayaa Bhaktha Varga Hi Lakshyantha Yethe
Thwaya Athra Prakamamkrupa Poorna Drushtya ।
Adhogeeyasedevi Lakshhmeer Idhi Thwam
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 4 ॥
Punar Vak Paduthwathi Heenahi Mooka
Naraiisthair Nikamam Kalu Prardhyase Yath ।
Nijasyapthaye Thwacha Mookabika Thwam
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 5 ॥
Yad Advaitha Roopad Para Brahmana Sthwam
Samuddha Punair Viswa Valeelodhyamastha ।
Thadahurjanasthwamcha Gowri Kumari
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 6 ॥
Haresadhi Dehotdha Thyejo Mayapra
Sphurad Chakra Rajakya Linga Swaroope ।
Maha Yogi Kolarhi Hruth Padma Gehe
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 7 ॥
Nama Shanka Chakra Bhaya Abeeshta Hasthe
Namasthe Ambike Gowri Padmasanasthe ।
Nama Suvarna Varne Prasanne Saranya
Namasthe Mahalakshmi Kola Puresi ॥ 8 ॥
Idham Stotra Rathnm Krutham Sarva Devair
Hrudhithwam Samadhayalakshmyashtakam Ya ।
Paden Nithya Meva Vraja Yaga Lakshmim
Sa Vidhyamcha Sathyam Bhavathya Prasadath ॥ 9 ॥
Sri Mookambika Ashtakam Meaning:
Salutations to Mahalakshmi, who is Goddess of Kolapura,
Salutations to the mother of the universe, the essence of existence,
Salutations to her who is worshipped by Siva, Indra and Brahma,
Salutations to her who fulfills the wishes of surrendering devotees. || 1 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi, who is Goddess of Kolapura,
For it is well known that Lord Brahma creates and Lord Vishnu cares,
And Lord Shiva destroys at the end but it is you, with a look of mercy,
Who is the personification of power, whom they worship. || 2 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi , who is Goddess of Kolapura,
For you pervade the entire universe through your illusion,
You playfully bear in your womb, the entire universe,
And you exist in all the beings in the form of intelligence. || 3 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi , who is Goddess of Kolapura,
If you are being approached by your devotees,
For getting blessed by your greatly merciful look,
Downwards to them and they call you Hey Mahalakshmi. || 4 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi , who is Goddess of Kolapura,
For those men without great expression and
Downgraded dumb people, pray earnestly for your grace,
And thou make them talented and wise, Oh Mookambika. || 5 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi , who is Goddess of Kolapura
For you are the supreme spirit which stands alone,
You created the entire world as if it is a play,
And in spite of that people call you Gowri and Kumari. || 6 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi , who is Goddess of Kolapura
Your form Sri Chakra, which is the king of all known holy symbols,
Emanated from the very great splendor of Shiva and Vishnu,
And you reside in the lotus heart of the great Yogi called Kola Rishi. || 7 ||
Salutations to Mahalakshmi , who is Goddess of Kolapura
Who holds in her arm the holy conch and the holy wheel,
Who by her hand removes fear and fulfills desires,
Who is the holy mother who sits on the lotus pose,
Who is the colour of gold and is merciful to her devotees. || 8 ||
After learning this gem of the prayer by the Devas,
And fixing the mind on this octet on Lakshmi,
And reciting them in the holy temple of Lakshmi,
Would bless one with education, without any doubt. || 9 ||
Om Mooghambighaye Namaha.
Also Read:
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