Naren's most popular album offers a variety of sacred chants, kirtans and bhajans, with accompaniment in violin, sarangi, santoor and cello.
“Chanting gives expression to the soul’s innate yearning for the Divine. Since ancient times, kirtan has been the cornerstone of the devotional schools of Indian religion, combining the artistry and disciplines of traditional music with the transcendent power of mantra meditation. Kirtan focuses the mind and purifies the heart. Kirtan is calling out to God. Kirtan is calling in to God.”
– Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati
Release Date: May 26, 2016 by New Earth Records
Re-release Date: November 14, 2020 by Sangita Yoga Music
1. Saraswati Vandana
Read our short article about Saraswati and this chant.
Learn how to chant Saraswait Vandana from our online course.
Chorus:
Jaya jaya he bhagavati sura bhārati
tava caraṇau praṇamāmaha
Victory! Victory to the Goddess of learning, music and the arts! We bow at Your feet.
nāda bramha mayi jaya vāgīṣvari ṣaraṇam te gatcāmaḥ
Goddess of speech, permeated with Nada Brahma (Aum, the Sound of God) We take refuge in Your presence.
tvamasi ṣaraṇya tribhuvana dhanya sura muni vandita caraṇa
navarasa madhura kavita mukhara smita ruci rucira bharaṇa
You protect the three worlds, all seek shelter in You. You are worshiped by gods and sages alike. You are sweetened by the honey of the nine rasa (nine emotions of drama and music). Your face and form manifest beauty and delight.
āṣīnābhava mānasa hangse kunda tuhina ṣaṣi dhavale
hara jaḍatām kuru bodhi vikāṣam ṣtita pankaja tanu vimale
You ride the beautiful Swan from the holy Lake Manasarovar. You are fair as the moon, pure white as the jasmine blossom. Overcome all of our obstacles! Expand our wisdom like an opening lotus bud.
lalita kalāmai ġñāna vibhāmai veeṇa pustaka dhāriṇi
matira ṣtām no tava pada kamale ai kunṭha viśa hāriṇi
Mother of all art forms, Beholder of all knowledge, holding in Your hands all books of wisdom and the divine veena (ancient stringed instrument), we bow at Your lotus feet. Remove from us all that is impure.
2. Raghupate Ramachandra
This chant is inspired by the folk songs heard in the villages of India, where simple devotion and fervent kirtan have remained strong for centuries. This chant calls out in praise to Sri Rama, the Savior and King of ancient India, the “Giver of Compassion”.
Raghupate Ramachandra Raghava Daya Nidhe
3. Gurunam
Madhura madhuranam Gurunam Gurunam
Om Guru Jai Jai Sat-Guru Jai Jai
Sri Guru Sharanam Jai Guru Jai
Paramahansa Yogananda Jai Guru Jai
Sweet and honey-like is the Name, the Guru’s name
Om Guru, Victory to the Guru!
I take refuge in the divine guru!
4. Shiva Pranam
Learn to chant this on our online course.
Sanskrit verses from the Yajur Veda
कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारम्
संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम् |
सदा वसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे
भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ||
Karpūragauraṁ karuṇāvatāram |
Saṁsārasāraṁ bhujagendra hāram ||
Sadā vasantaṁ hṛdayāravinde |
Bhavaṁ bhavāni sahitaṁ namāmi ||
Pure as camphor, avatar of compassion
Essence of this world, wearing the Lord of Serpents as a garland
Eternally residing in the heart’ s lotus
O Shiva, one with Shakti, God and Goddess, I bow to You.
5. Nirvana Shatakam
Nirvana Shatakam is attributed to the great Adi Shankaracharya. In this short treatise he defines all that we are not (neti, neti—not this, not that), and positively affirms that we are Spirit. This declaration, "I am He" or "I am Spirit" is a common interpretation of "Shivohum" which has several literal meanings in Sanskrit. Often set to music, these verses are a powerful affirmation of our true nature in the face of the many limitations our souls are identified with.
Paramahansa Yogananda wrote that the seeds of truth expounded in scripture are covered by "the hard shell of language and ambiguity." But through the guidance of a true guru one can use the "nutcracker of intuitive perception" to open the shells and find within the seed of truth.
With these words in mind, I offer a simple adaptation of this sacred text in the way that I have learned it, and I encourage serious seekers to look for further understanding and knowledge from authentic and qualified sages and their writings.
Original Text By: Adi Shankara (7th Century)
Language: Sanskrit
Translation compiled and adapted by Naren K. Schreiner.
mano-buddhyahaṅkāra-cittā ni nāhaṁ na ca śrotrajihve na ca ghrāṇanetre |
na ca vyoma-bhūmiḥ na tejo na vāyuḥ cidānandarūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham ||
I am not mind, nor intellect, nor ego, nor feeling-consciousness (citta). I am not touch, hearing, taste, smell nor sight (the five senses). I am not ether, earth, radiance (fire), nor air (the five elements). I am conscious bliss in form, I am Spirit, I am Spirit.
na ca prāṇasañjño na vai pañcavāyuḥna vā saptadhātur na vā pañcakośaḥ |
na vāk pāṇipādau na copasthapāyū cidānandarūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham ||
I am not life-force (prāṇa), nor the five breaths (vāyus), nor the seven bodily metals, nor the five sheaths of consciousness (kośa). Not the bodily functions of elimination, procreation, motion, holding, or speaking. I am conscious bliss in form, I am Spirit, I am Spirit.
na me dveṣa-rāgau na me lobha-mohau mado naiva me naiva mātsarya-bhāvaḥ |
na dharmo nacārtho na kāmo na mokṣaḥ cidānandarūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham ||
I have no aversion nor attraction to anything, no greed, nor delusion, nor ego-pride, nor envy. Not duty (dharma), nor wealth, nor desire, nor liberation (mokṣa). I am conscious bliss in form, I am Spirit, I am Spirit.
na puṇyaṁ na pāpaṁ na saukhyaṁ na duḥkhaṁ na mantro na tīrthaṁ na vedā na yajñāḥ |
ahaṁ bhojanaṁ naiva bhojyaṁ na bhoktā cidānandarūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham ||
Not virtue, nor vice, not happiness nor sadness. No mantras, holy places, scriptures (Vedas), nor rituals (yajña). I am not the one who eats food, nor the act of eating, nor the food itself. I am conscious bliss in form, I am Spirit, I am Spirit.
na me mṛtyuśaṅkā na me jātibhedaḥ pitā naiva me naiva mātā na janma |
na bandhur na mitraṁ gurur-naiva śiṣyaḥ cidānandarūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham ||
For me there is no death nor identification with caste. I have no father, nor mother, nor birth. Not relatives, nor friends, nor guru, nor students. I am conscious bliss in form, I am Spirit, I am Spirit.
ahaṁ nirvikalpo nirākāra-rūpo vibhur-vyāpya sarvatra sarvendriyāṇām |
sadā me samatvaṁ na muktir na bandhaḥ cidānandarūpaḥ śivo'haṁ śivo'ham ||
I am without any attributes and without any form. I am all-pervading, omnipresent, eternal. I am beyond both liberation (mukti) and material bondage. I am conscious bliss in form, I am Spirit, I am Spirit.
6. Gopala Krishna
A meditation on the glories and the wonder of Sri Krishna who is both Gopala (cowherd boy) and Bhagavan (Lord).
Gopala Krishna Bhagavan Krishna
He Nath Narayana Vasudeva Hari
Hare Krishna Hare Rama Sri Radhe Govinda
Mukunda Madhava Keshava Madhusudana
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Gopala: Cowherd boy / Krishna: The dark one (dark complexion) / Bhagavan: Glorious One
Nath Narayana: Lord of Mankind / Vasudeva: Son of Vasudeva / Hari: Lord, Thief of Hearts
Mukunda: Giver of Liberation / Madhava: Consort of Lakshmi
Keshava: Destroyer of Evil / Madhusudana: Slayer of the Demon Madhu
7. Guru Gita
Selected verses from the Guru Gita, found in the Skanda Purana, wherein Lord Shiva defines and praises the true Guru (Sat-guru) and guru-principle (guru-tattva). Translation compiled and adapted by Naren K. Schreiner.
Gururbrahmā gururvisnur gururdevo maheśvarah
Gurureva parabrahma tasmai śrīgurave namah.
Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Lord Shiva. Guru is indeed Parabrahman. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Ajnānatimiraandhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā,
Caksur unmīlitam yena tasmai śrīgurave namah.
The Guru uses the eye-salve of knowledge to clear the vision of one who is blinded by the darkness of ignorance. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Tvam pitā tvam ca me mātā tvam bandhustvam ca devatā
samsārapratibodhārtam tasmai śrīgurave namah.
You are father and you are mother, you are sibling and you are a god. You show us the true nature of this world. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Yena cetayate hīdam cittam cetayate na yam,
Jāgrat-svapna-susuptyādi tasmai śrīgurave namah.
The Guru illumines the universe, brings illumination to our consciousness in the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Yasyāmatam tasya matam matam yasya na veda sah,
Ananya-bhāva-bhāvāya tasmai śrīgurave namah.
One who knows not, knows; one who knows, knows not. The Guru is above such limitations. I bow to the Divine Guru
Yadaṅghrikamaladvandvaṁ dvandvatāpanivārakam|
Tārakaṁ sarvadāpadbhyaḥ śrīguruṁ praṇamāmyaham
Your lotus-like feet remove the pain of duality and protect us from all calamities. I bow to the Divine Guru
Akhanda-mandalākāram vyāptam yena charācaram,
Tatpadam darśitam yena tasmai śrīgurave namah.
The Guru reveals the consciousness which pervades the entire universe with its animate and inanimate objects. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Sarvaśrutiśiroratnavirājitapadāmbujaḥ|
Vedāntāmbujasūryo yastasmai śrīgurave namaḥ
The crest jewels of all the revealed scriptures adorn your lotus feet. You are the sun shining on the lotus of Vedanta. I bow to the Divine Guru
Yasya smarana-mātrena jñānam utpadyate svayam,
Ya eva sarva-samprāptis tasmai śrīgurave namah.
By deeply recollecting the Guru, knowledge arises spontaneously. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Chaitanyam śāśvatam śāntam vyomātītam nirañjanam,
Nśāda-bindu-kalśātītam tasmai śrīgurave namah.
The Guru is eternal, peaceful, pure, and transcendent; beyond nada (sound vibration), bindu (thought-point), and kala (time). I bow to the Divine Guru.
Aneka-janma-samprāpta- sarva-karma-vidāhine,
Svātmajnāna-prabhāvena tasmai śrīgurave namah.
The Guru awakens the power of Self-knowledge which burns up all the karmas acquired through countless lifetimes. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Mannāthah śrījagannātho madgurus trijagadguruh,
Mamātmā sarva-bhūtātmā tasmai śrīgurave namah.
My Lord is the Lord of the universe. My Guru is the Guru of the three worlds. My Self is the Self of all beings. I bow to the Divine Guru.
Dhyāna-mūlam guror mūrtih pūjā-mūlam guroh padam
Mantra-mūlam guror vākyam moksa-mūlam guroh krpā.
The root of the meditation is the Guru’s form. The root of the worship is the Guru’s feet. The root of mantra is the Guru’s voice. The root of liberation is the Guru’s grace.
Brahmānandam paramasukhadam kevalam jñānamūrtim,
Dvandvātītam gaganasadrśam tattvamasyādilakshyam;
Ekam nityam vimalam acalam sarvadhī-sāksi-bhootam,
Bhāvā-tītam triguna-rahitam sadgurum tam namāmi.
Full of the bliss of Brahman bestowing the highest joy, absolute, wisdom personified. Beyond duality, like the heavenly sky, and the object of [the mantra] “Thou art That”. One, eternal, taintless and steady. Seer and witness of all. Beyond all states of mind, and free from the three gunas. Guru-lord, I bow to You.
Nityaṁ śuddhaṁ nirābhāsaṁ nirākāraṁ nirañjanam
Nityabodhaṁ cidānandaṁ guruṁ brahma namāmyaham
Eternal, pure, beyond perception, formless, without taint, eternal knowledge, consciousness and bliss — to you, Guru, Brahman, we bow.
Śrīmat-parabrahma gurum smarāmi
Śrīmat -parabrahma gurum vadāmi
Śrīmat-parabrahma gurum namāmi
Śrīmat-parabrahma gurum bhajāmi.
I remember Guru, who is Parabrahman. I speak of Guru, who is Parabrahman. I bow to Guru, who is Parabrahman. I worship to Guru, who is Parabrahman.
8. Hanuman Chalisa
For complete lyrics with pronunciation guide, we highly recommend and warmly invite you to enroll for Sangita Yoga’s free online course to learn Sri Hanuman Chalisa. A new Spanish edition of the course is also available. Visit our online courses here.
9. Jai Jai Hanuman (bonus track)
This spontaneous kirtan was recorded by Naren and tabla player Saumya Jain after they completed recording the Temple of Silence album. "I composed this chant when I was in México with the local devotees who revere him. This is dedicated to Sri Hanuman and to his devotees that have spread all over the world, including the sacred land of México."
Mangala murati māruti nandana
Sakala āmangala mula nikandana
Ram Lakshman Janaki Jai Bolo Hanuman Ki
Sita Ram Jai Sita Ram!
10. Om Kali
Invocation: From the Chandi, Devi Mahatmyam, an ancient Sanskrit scripture in worship of the Goddess.
Learn How to Chant: https://courses.sangitayoga.com/courses/devi-pranam
sarvamaṅgalamāṅgalye śive sarvārthasādhike
śaraṇye tryambake gauri nārāyaṇi namo’stute
sṛṣṭisthitivināśānāṁ śaktibhūte sanātani
guṇāśraye guṇamaye nārāyaṇi namo’stute
śaraṇāgatadīnārtaparitrāṇaparāyaṇe
sarvasyārtihare devi nārāyaṇi namo’stute
jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stute
The sacred essence of all that is sacred.
Our eternal shelter, shining Goddess with eyes three
O Narayani, victory and salutations to Thee!
Eternal Mother, the power of creation, preservation, and destruction
Foundation and embodiment of all qualities
O Narayani, victory and salutations to Thee!
Ever intent on liberating those who surrender to Thee
O Devi, remover of all suffering
O Narayani, victory and salutations to Thee!
Kirtan:
Jai Ma Jai Ma Jai Jai Ma
Om Kali Om Kali Om Kali Om
Bhavatarini Kali Om Kali Om
Pranam:
Jayanti maṇgalā kāli bhadra kāli kapālini
Durgākshmā shivadātri swāhā swādhā namostute
Kāli Kāli Māhākāli Kālike pāpa hārini
Dharma kāma prade devi nārāyaṇi namo’stute
Kāli Kāli Māhākāli Kālike Parameshwari
Sārvānanda kare devi nārāyaṇi namo’stute
Jaya nārāyaṇi namo’stute