Sloka

Śhloka is a term derived from Sanskrit. Śhloka is a verse, phrase, proverb or hymn of praise dedicated to the God. Śhlokas are usually composed in a specific meter. Śhloka is a verse of two lines, each of sixteen syllables. Usually the Śhloka selected is from our ancient Purāṇas or epics - Ithihāsa - and is set to a particular rāga and thāḷa.

The dancer would give expression to the bhāva that is underlying in the Śhloka, bringing out the deeper meaning laden in it. They may even construct swaras for the Śhloka and dance to them or they would perform a Thīrmānam for them. If there is no scope for Sanchāri Bhāva in the Śhloka, then the artiste would perform to the swaras in the rāga and execute thīrmānas or nruttha, accordingly, bringing out the qualities of the manifestation of God in whose praise the Śhloka is set.

The Śhloka is always centered on this mood of serenity, and is associated with devotion. It is the state in which a man transcends from his state of mind and is transported closest to the Divine, to the Supreme and the Ultimate. Though the Śhloka selected is mostly written in Sanskrit, the artistes usually select verses from the language of the particular region, or of their choice.

Maulau Gaṅgā

Composer: Appayya Dīkṣhitha
Language: Sanskrit

Meanings - Word by word: Team Ambalam

Meanings - Overall: zomobo.net

Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Maulau Gaṅgā Śhaśhāṅkau
Kara Charaṇa Thale Śhīthalāṅga Bhujaṅgaha
Vāme Bhāge Dhayārdhrā Himagiri Thanayā
Chandanam Sarvagāthre

Idam Śhītham Prabhūtham
Thava Kanakasabha Natha Sodum Kva Shakthihi
Chitte Nirvedha Thapthe Yadhi Bhavathi Na The
Nithya Vāso Madhīye

Meaning:

Maulau Gaṅgā Śhaśhāṅkau
Kara Charaṇa Thale Śhīthalāṅga Bhujaṅgaha
Vāme Bhāge Dhayārdhrā Himagiri Thanayā
Chandanam Sarvagāthre

Maulau – on the locks;

Gaṅgā – the river Gaṅgā;

Śhaśhāṅkau – the moon;
Kara – the hands;

Charaṇa – the feet;

Thale – on the surface;

Śhīthalāṅga – cold body;

Bhujaṅgaha – serpent;
Vāme – the left;

Bhāge – side;

Dhayārdhrā – (wet with) Compassion;

Himagiri Thanayā – the daughter of the Himalayas;
Chandanam – sandal paste;

Sarvagāthre – all over the frame;

On your locks are the river Gaṅgā and the moon. On your feet and arms are the cold serpents. On your left is the compassionate daughter of the snow mountains and you have applied cool sandal all over your body.

Idam Śhītham Prabhūtham
Thava Kanakasabha Natha Sodum Kva Shakthihi
Chitthe Nirvedha Thapthe Yadhi Bhavathi Na The
Nithya Vāso Madhīye

Idam – this;

Śhītham – cold;

 Prabhūtham – extreme;
Thava – for you;

 Kanakasabha Natha – o lord of the golden assembly;

Sodum – to bear;

Kva Shakthihi – what is the strength?
Chitthe – in the mind (of the devotee)

 Nirvedha – due to sin;

 Thapthe – as it is burning;

Yadhi Bhavathi – if possible;

 Na The – you;
Nithya – eternally;

Vāso – reside;

Madhīye – inside (my mind);

How, o lord of the golden cosmic hall, are you able to bear such cold atmosphere? You are welcome to stay eternally in my heart which is hot due to the sins I commit.