Godavari Stotram, by Sri Swami Maharaj (Sri Tembe Swamigal)

Jaya GuruDeva Datta! Namo Gurave Vasudevaya!
This week’s video dedication from the Sabha is Godavari Stotra, composed by Sri Swami Maharaj (Sri Tembe Swamigal).
Sri Swami Maharaj starts this stotra thus: “By the mere bathing in Whose waters bestows boons greater than Swarga-bhoga, Punya greater than Go-Daanam, and all things auspicious; may that Godavari protect us!”.
“The Godavari River was brought to earth by the sage Gautama. Thus She is also known as Gautami. Godavari originates near Triyambakeshwar Kshetra (Nashik, Maharashtra), an abode of Parameshwara. Her glory is such that bathing in Her waters is considered holy by even Brahma and other Devas. Praised as “Aadya”, Godavari is Parashakti Herself.
Those who bathe in the waters of Ganga are blessed with higher worlds. Those who bathe in the waters of Reva (Narmada) are blessed with the fruits of penance and charity. Kurukshetra bestows spiritual gains. Godavari bestows all three.
During the period of Pushkaram, when the planet Bruhaspati transits the Simha Rasi, other Rivers too visit Godavari to purify themselves.
Merely staying on Her banks bestows fruits that are achievable only by Sages who have subdued their senses. This is because She immediately bestows inner purity.
Drinking the nectar-like water of Godavari gives one the freedom from ever having to drink mother’s milk (freedom from being born again). And so, it’s laughable to see those seeking to drink Amrutam (Divine nectar).
She is the mother of Bharata Desha. She has an auspicious form. She bestows all things auspicious. She causes the birth of Gnaana.”
Thus Sri Swami Maharaj extols the glory of Godavari River, and at the end of each shloka He prays: “May this Godavari protect me”.
Concluding the stotra, Sri Swami Maharaj conveys that He bathed in Godavari on a Kumbha-Krishna-Saptami (month, paksha, date), at a place where the river flows into the Bay of Bengal.
May Sri Godavari, thus praised by Sri Swami Maharaj, protect us too!
Namo Gurave Vasudevaya! Jaya GuruDeva Datta!
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Audio: Smt. Mathangi

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