Karpura Gauram - 2

The Shloka

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सानन्दमानन्दवने वसन्तमानन्दकन्दं हतपापवृन्दम्।

वाराणसीनाथमनाथनाथं श्रीविश्वनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥

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Sānandamānandavane vasantamānandakandaṁ hatapāpavṛndam.

Vārāṇasīnāthamanāthanāthaṁ śrīviśvanāthaṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadye.

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka highlights the supreme benevolent nature of Lord Shiva as Vishwanath. It emphasizes His role as a giver of bliss, a remover of obstacles and sins, and a protector for those who have no one else. Chanting this shloka is believed to grant peace, remove sins, and foster devotion towards Lord Shiva. Varanasi, or Kashi, is considered a sacred city where death leads to liberation, and Lord Vishwanath’s presence ensures this spiritual benefit to all devotees.

I take refuge in Shri Vishwanath, who blissfully resides in the Anandavana (forest of bliss), who is the root of all bliss, who destroys heaps of sins, who is the lord of Varanasi, and who is the protector of the helpless.

This shloka is a heartfelt surrender to Lord Vishwanath, the presiding deity of Varanasi. It praises Him as the embodiment of bliss, the destroyer of sins, the protector of the downtrodden, and the supreme ruler of Kashi (Varanasi), which is itself known as Anandavana (forest of bliss). The devotee expresses their seeking refuge in Him.

This sacred verse offers profound homage and surrender to Shri Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe, who is the central deity of the ancient city of Varanasi (Kashi). The devotee first praises Him as one who ‘resides blissfully in the Anandavana,’ referring to Varanasi as a ‘forest of bliss’ where Lord Shiva’s eternal presence creates an atmosphere of ultimate joy and spiritual liberation. He is then described as ‘Anandakandam,’ the very root or source from which all forms of bliss emanate, implying that He is the origin of all happiness and spiritual ecstasy. Furthermore, He is recognized as ‘Hatpapavrundam,’ the annihilator of countless sins, suggesting His power to cleanse devotees of their accumulated negative karmas. The shloka continues by revering Him as ‘Varanasinatham,’ the supreme lord and protector of Varanasi, signifying His divine governance over this holy city. Finally, He is acknowledged as ‘Anathanatham,’ the protector of the helpless and destitute, embodying compassion for those without support. The devotee concludes by saying ‘Shri Vishwanatham sharanam prapadye,’ expressing a complete surrender and seeking refuge in this magnificent form of Lord Shiva.

Sentence - 1

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सानन्दमानन्दवने वसन्तम्

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Meaning

Residing blissfully in the forest of bliss.

Meaning of Words

सानन्दम्	Sānandam
Blissfully, joyfully. With great joy and happiness; in a state of supreme bliss.
आनन्दवने	Ānandavane
In the forest of bliss (Varanasi). Anandavana refers to Kashi (Varanasi), which is metaphorically described as a ‘forest of bliss’ because Lord Shiva resides there eternally and bestows ultimate happiness and liberation.
वसन्तम्	vasantam
Residing, dwelling. One who resides or dwells. Here, it refers to Lord Shiva, indicating His eternal presence in Anandavana.

Sentence - 2

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आनन्दकन्दं हतपापवृन्दम्

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Meaning

The root of all bliss, who destroys heaps of sins.

Meaning of Words

आनन्दकन्दम्	Ānandakandam
The root/source of bliss. Kanda (कन्द) literally means root or bulb. Anandakanda implies the fundamental source, origin, or essence of all bliss and happiness.
हतपापवृन्दम्	hatapāpavṛndam
Who destroys heaps of sins. ‘Hata’ means destroyed or annihilated, ‘Pāpa’ means sin, and ‘Vṛndam’ means a multitude, heap, or collection. So, it means one who annihilates a multitude or accumulation of sins.

Sentence - 3

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वाराणसीनाथमनाथनाथम्

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Meaning

The lord of Varanasi, the protector of the helpless.

Meaning of Words

वाराणसीनाथम्	Vārāṇasīnātham
The lord of Varanasi. Varanasi is the ancient sacred city, also known as Kashi. Nātha means lord, master, or protector. So, the master or protector of Varanasi.
अनाथनाथम्	anāthanātham
The protector of the helpless/orphans. ‘Anātha’ means without a protector, helpless, or an orphan. ‘Nātha’ means lord, master, or protector. Thus, it describes one who serves as the protector and refuge for those who have no one else.

Sentence - 4

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श्रीविश्वनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये

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Meaning

I take refuge in Shri Vishwanath.

Meaning of Words

श्रीविश्वनाथम्	Śrīviśvanātham
Shri Vishwanath. ‘Shri’ is an honorific prefix used for reverence. ‘Vishwanath’ means ‘Lord of the Universe’ (Vishwa = universe, Nātha = lord). This is the specific name of Lord Shiva worshipped in Kashi.
शरणम्	śaraṇam
Refuge, shelter. A place of shelter, protection, or a state of complete surrender.
प्रपद्ये	prapadye
I take refuge, I surrender. This is a verb in the first person singular, meaning ‘I seek refuge,’ ‘I surrender,’ or ‘I approach for shelter and protection.’

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