Suśānta’s Stotra to Kalki
The Suśānta Stotra is a hymn sung by Suśānta, queen of Bhallāṭanagara, to Bhagavān Kalki. Bhagavān Kalki lay in her house as if unconscious, after her husband Śaśidhvaja had struck him in battle and carried him to their palace. The stotra praises the beauty of his divine form, speaks of his place in the whole creation and pours out her own deep feeling. It is found in the Kalki Purāṇa, Tṛtīyāṃśa (third aṃśa), chapter 10.
Bhagavān Kalki was only pretending to be unconscious, as his māyā, so that he could see Suśānta’s bhakti (devotion). When the stotra ended, he rose from where he lay.
The setting
In the battle at Bhallāṭanagara, Śaśidhvaja and Bhagavān Kalki fought hand to hand. Śaśidhvaja struck Bhagavān Kalki unconscious with blows of his fist. Śaśidhvaja then carried the fallen Bhagavān Kalki, together with Dharma and Kṛtayuga, to his own palace.
There he found Suśānta in the Hari-gṛha (the house of Bhagavān Hari). She was singing the qualities of Bhagavān Hari among women devotees.
Śaśidhvaja told her: “Bhagavān Kalki has come here in the form of one unconscious, as his māyā, to see your bhakti. Worship him.”
Suśānta then sang this stotra to Bhagavān Kalki, who lay before her in his full divine form.
The stotra
The Kalki Purāṇa gives these themes and lines of the stotra.
Opening call and joy
Suśānta begins: “O Hari! Victory! Give up your moha (pretence). You are served by Indra and the sādhus (holy people). Show me your lotus feet, marked with auspicious signs.”
The beauty of his form
“Your body was made by surūpa (divine beauty) as its own wealth. It moves in the hearts of sādhus, and it brings moha even to the pure and those with no attachment. May your form fulfil our wish.”
The power of his glory
“Singing your glory (yaśo-gāna) and hearing it (śravaṇa) destroy the grief of all the worlds. Your stories, sweet as amṛta (nectar), bring joy to all. The smile on your moon-like face rains the nectar of amṛta.”
Defence of her husband
“My husband is unconquered. No one has beaten him until now. He did what displeases you. Toward him, please give up your śatru-bhāva (feeling of an enemy). Show compassion. Otherwise, why would they call you a kṛpā-sāgara (ocean of compassion)?”
Creation
“The mahat-tattva, the ahaṃkāra-tattva and the five tanmātrās, with your consort Prakṛti: from these the body was made, and creation came about. By the playful grace of your glances, the creation, keeping and dissolving of Brahmā’s creation take place. O Parameśvara! You are sheltered within the body and its senses. Upon your devotees, together with the five bhūtas (earth, water, fire, air and space) and your own triguṇa-māyā (māyā of the three guṇas), cast your kind glances.”
The remover of the stain of Kali
“O Parameśvara! The auspicious ocean of your qualities (guṇa-samudāya) purifies those who remember it, even those burned by the saṃsāra-tāpa (the fires of worldly life). Bhaktas who remember it are free from fear. Your avatāra raises the honour of the sādhus. It destroys the line of Kali. It makes sure the devas receive the proper fruits of yajña. It establishes the Kṛtayuga and protects dharma. May such an avatāra of yours bring us good fortune.”
The lament
“Even a house full of elephants, horses, chariots, royal banners, gems and wealth: without the pūjā of your lotus feet, how can my house shine? Your moon-like face, your deep (mandra) voice, its pleasing feeling (bhāva): if these do not bring me joy, then mṛtyu (death) alone is my śaraṇya (refuge).”
The warrior on his horse
“O Deva! You ride a horse. You remove the fear and terror of saṃsāra, you protect, and you shoot your sharp arrows at your enemies. Your face, bright as a hundred moons, makes all things auspicious. Without doubt you are able to cut the bonds of saṃsāra.”
What followed
When Suśānta ended her stotra, Bhagavān Kalki rose from where he lay, as a warrior rises from his bed of battle (raṇaśayya). He saw Suśānta before him, Dharma on his right, Kṛtayuga on his left and Śaśidhvaja behind him. A little ashamed and with his head bowed, he asked who she was and how he had come to be there.
The Kalki Purāṇa records the talk that followed. Suśānta answered each of his questions. Dharma and Kṛtayuga each declared themselves kṛtārtha (fulfilled) by this meeting.
Sources
- Kalki Purāṇa, Tṛtīyāṃśa (third aṃśa), chapter 10