Before You Use This Book ....

This book is meant for those people who prefer to read English to other Indian Languages

English usually has a Latin based, complex pronunciation system. For the reader’s convenience, we are dispensing with such complex systems. We have tried to simplify the pronunciation from Sanskrit to English as much as possible. We have attempted to make the pronunciations user-friendly.

To obtain maximum benefit to transliteration, please follow the key instructions given. Suggestions to simplify this even further are welcome.

Preface

Mahakavi Kalidasa says: (Stotram Kasya na tushtayae) - ‘who is not satisfied by stotras! The laws of kings accept the method (saama) as one of the procedures, prescribed among others like the (Danda),(bhaeda) and’ (daana). Indeed (saama) or "praise" is regarded as the best among the four. Literally the root (saama) means ‘to appease’, ‘conciliate’ or ‘soothe’.

If Vedas, Ithihasas, Puranas and Kavyas are taken into consideration, they contain ocean like knowledge imbibed in them. Great scholars and men of literature have extracted the essence of these superb texts, culled out pure gems from them and put them into short verses or hymns. These compositions of hymns are formed in praise of Ganesha, Shiva, Sakti, Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, the Sun god, other devatas, Navagrahas and also in praise of nature. These scholars have sung verses for the welfare of human beings, animal world, and even vegetation kingdom. Some drops from the ocean of their compositions are selected and published in this small volume titled as (Nitya Paaraayana Manjaree).

While writing the preface, it has to be accepted painfully that there is a denigration of virtues among our younger generation. The reason is that most youngsters are distracted towards cinemas, television, yellow journalism to name a few. While technology has grown indeed for the better, there is darker side of it also. The youngsters get distracted towards unhealthy internet - chatting and towards obscenities. The young boys and girls forget our rich culture their traditional values. They safely forget how virtuously our ancestors lived. There is a great tendency to disrespect the elders; and the respect towards their" earlier generations is dwindling. The youngsters do not under stand the value of respecting them. A verse comes to our mind.

abhivaadana sheelasya nit yam vruddhopa saevinaha !

chatvaari tasya vardhantae aayurvidyaa yashobalam !!

"The following four things are achieved - ‘longevity of life’, ‘knowledge’ ‘fame’ and ‘increase of strength’ - by the person who habitually pays obeisance to elders and always serves them. May the elders also read this passage and lead their youngsters under their control in the righteous path.

May the elders enforce and inculcate the habit of reading such (saama) slokas as may contain in this type of books, into their wards! Our country that has kept up rich traditions and merits and virtues, should continue to do so through their mighty virtuous men and women!

The small effort made by us, in bringing out this book, is expected to reap rich harvest of virtuous qualities in the young generation and in the society at large.

As many as two hundred hymns or slokas in praise of various deities such as Ganesha, Shiva, and His various forms, Sakthi and many others are compiled and provided in this ‘1itya Paaraayana Manjaree. Sanskrit text with English transliteration and English translation are given for understanding the poems ‘1 a better manner.