"Sharanu Siddhi Vinaayaka", a song praising Lord Ganesha

Sri Purandara Dasa wrote many kritis (songs) in praise of Lord Ganesha (Vinaayaka), who is considered to be the remover of obstacles. This is one of the more popular kritis in Lord Ganesha's praise.

                Sharanu Siddhi Vinaayaks Sharanu Vidhya Pradhaayaka
        Sharanu = (my) obeisance (to you), Siddhi = one who helps to reach your goal
        (moksha), Vinaayaka = Lord Ganesha, Sharanu = (my) obeisance (to you),
        Vidhya = education (spritual knowledge), Prashaayaka = one who gives
        Pronounciation Note: Sharanu uses the hard Na sound
      
        Meaning: My obeisance to Lord Ganesha, who gives education and spiritual
        knowledge and helps attain the goal of Moksha.


               Sharanu Paarvathi Thanaya Mooruthi Sharanu Mooshika Vaahana
        Sharanu = obeisance to, Paarvathi Thanaya = the son of (Goddess) Parvathi,
        Mooruthi = the person, Sharanu = obeisance to, Mooshika = mouse, Vaahana =
        (one who has as) vehicle

         Meaning: My obeisance to the son of Parvathi and the rider of a mouse. 
         It is said that Lord Ganesha has a mouse for a vehicle- that must be
         one humongous heavenly mouse, to be able to bear His weight!

               Nitila Nethrana Devi Suthane, Naghabhushana Priyane
               Katikataangadha Komalaangane, Karna Kundala Dhaarane


          Nitila = forehead, nethrana = one who has an eye, Devi = wife, Suthane = son of 
          Nagabhushana = one with a serpent for an ornament (i.e. Lord Shiva), 
          Priyane = (one who is) dear to, Katikataangadha Komalaangane = one with a
          stomach like a large pot, Karna = ear, Kundala = ornament, dharane = one
          who wears (addressing)

          Meaning:  Here Lord Ganesha is addressed as the son of the wife of One 

          who has an eye in the forehead (Lord Shiva), one who is dear to One who 

          has a  serpent for an ornament (again, Lord Shiva), and one who has a belly 

          like a large pot, and one who wears an ornament in his ears. 

          This is an example where the Dasas sometimes take the liberty to even make fun 

          of the deity in their songs.

                      Batta Mutthina Padhaka Haarane, Baahu Hastha Chathushthane

                Itta Thodugeya Hema Kankana Paasha Ankusha Dhaarane

Batta = round, Mutthina = (made of) pearls, Padhaka = ornament 

worn on a necklace, Haarane = (one) wearing a necklace, Baahu = limbs, 

Hastha = hands, Chathushtane = (one) with four, Itta = wearing, 

Thodugeya = ornaments (clothes), Hema = golden, Kankana = bangles, 

Paasha = rope, ankusha = instrument used to keep an elephant in check ,
Dhaarane = one wearing

            Meaning:  Lord Ganesha is addressed as one wearing a beautiful 

            pearl necklace with a Padhaka ornament, one with four hands,

           one wearing golden ornaments. He also carries a rope and instruments

           to keep an elephant in check.

                   

                  Kukshi Mahaa Lambodharane, Ikshu Chaapana Gelidhane

                  Pakshi Vaahana Shree Purandara Vittalana Nija Dhaasane

Kukshi = stomach, mahaa = great, lambodharane = (one) with a large stomach, 

Ikshu Chaapana = Rakshasa Ikshu Chaapa, Gelidhane = (one who is) victorious 

over, Pakshi = bird, Vaahana = (one who has a vehicle, i.e. Lord Naraayana), 

Shree Purandara Vittalana = of Sree Punandara Vittala, Nija = true, 

Dasane = the servant of

Meaning:  Lord Ganesha is addressed as one with a large stomach, and 

one who won over the demon Ikshu Chaapa. Finally, he is a true servant of the 

supreme Lord Narayana, the rider of the mighty bird (Garuda).