SRI KANTHIMATHI

श्री कान्तिमतीँ - रागँ दॆशी सिँहारवम् - ताळँ आदि
पल्लवि
श्री कान्तिमतीँ शङ्कर युवतीँ
श्री गुरु गुह जननीँ वन्दॆअहम्
समष्टि चरणम्
ह्रीँ-कार बीजाकर वदनाँ 
हिरण्य मणि-मय शॊभा सदनाँ 
पाक शासनादि दॆव विनुताँ
परशु राम नत हिम शैल सुताँ
(मध्यम काल साहित्यम्)
शुक शौनकादि सदाराधिताँ
शुद्ध ताम्रपर्णी तट स्थिताँ
शङ्खाद्यष्टॊत्तर सहस्र -
कलशाभिषॆक मॊदाँ सुर हिताम्


SRI KANTHIMATHIM –

Raga: Desi Simharavam, Talam: Adi

pallavi
SrI kAntimatIM Sankara yuvatIM
SrI guru guha jananIM vandE(a)ham

samashTi caraNam
hrIM-kAra bIjAkAra vadanAM
hiraNya maNi-maya SObhA sadanAM
pAka SAsanAdi dEva vinutAM
paraSu rAma nata hima Saila sutAm
(madhyama kAla sAhityam)
Suka SaunakAdi sadArAdhitAM
Suddha tAmraparNI taTa sthitAM
SankhAdyashTOttara sahasra -
kalaSAbhishEka mOdAM sura hitAm

variations -
hiraNya maNi-maya - hiraNmaya
kalaSAbhishEka mOdAM - kalaSAbhishEkAmOdAM

kshEtra - tirunelvEli

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This Sanskrit song was composed by Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar, one of the trinity of Carnatic music. It celebrates the glories of the Goddess Kanthimathi, the consort of Sri Siva.Now it is sung in hemavathi ragam.

The moola murthis (consecrated statues in the sanctum sanctorum) of Siva & Parvati in the temple at Thirunelveli Town of Tamil Nadu are known respectively by the names Nellaiappar or Veimuthanathar and Kanthimathi. Siva is said to have been worshipped by Sage Agasthya in a bamboo grove. Vei in Tamil means bamboo. Hence the title of Veimuthanathar for Siva in this temple. There are also other legends relating to this temple. The deities here have been celebrated in his songs by saint Tirugnana Sambandar.

Meaning: I bow to Sri Kanthimathi. She is the consort of Sri Siva and mother of Sri Guruguha (Sri Subrahmanya). She has  the beejakshara “Hreem” as her face. (Mantras having less than 11 syllables are known as beeja mantras. Beejakshara mantras are one-syllable seed sounds which when pronounced aloud properly, activate and concentrate the energy and power of the mantra.) ”Hreem” is considered to be very significant among the various beejaksharas, as it grants the devotees’ wishes in full.  Similarly Sri Kanthimathi is capable of granting fully all the wishes of the devotees.

Her place of residence glows with gold and precious stones. She is worshipped by Indra and other gods. Parasurama worships Her who is  Himavan's (the mountain Himalaya's) daughter. Sages such as Sukha and Saunakha always do obeisance to Her. She resides on the banks of the  river, Tamraparni which has clear water.

சங்கு முதலானவை கொண்டு செய்யப்படும் ஆயிரத்தெட்டு கலச அபிஷேகத்தினால் ஆனந்தம் அடைபவள். தேவர்களுக்கு நன்மை செய்பவள்.

She becomes happy and pleased when she is bathed with waters from 1008 sanctified vessels made of conches  etc. She grants welfare to the gods.