Abhyankar started learning Hindustani Classical Music at the tender age of eight, groomed by his mother, Dr. Shobha Abhyankar, and her guru Pandit Pimpalkhare, and later from Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj. Though his aim had been to pursue a career in music since childhood, he acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce.
Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar has received many awards, which include the President's award from All India Radio in 1990, the F. I. E. Foundation National Award 1996, the coveted National Award 1998 as the best male playback singer for the Hindi film Godmother 'Sur Ratna'. He also received the Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2002 and Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar.
Shantimantra
Sanjeev Abhyankar Lyrics
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ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम्
पूर्णापूर्णमुदऽचते
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवा वशिश्यते
ॐ यू ब्रम्हाणं विधधाति पूर्वं
योवईवेदांस्च् प्रहिरोतस्मयै
तमः देवाः आत्मा बुद्धिम् प्रकाशं
ॐ भद्रःकरणेभिः श्रुणुयामदेवाः
भद्रंपश्शेवासभिर्णचत्राः
स्तीरईरंगस्तुटुवासस्तनुभिः
यशेवर्धेवहीतईयदायुहु
ॐ तन्वाभवतुः
तत्वार्भवतु
भवतुवाम
भवतुवक्तारम्
The song Shantimantra sung by Sanjeev Abhyankar starts with the chanting of the sacred sound of Om, which is considered to represent the entire universe. The lyrics then go on to describe the perfect, all-encompassing nature of the Divine, as everything that exists is a manifestation of that perfection. The lines also mention how the entirety of the perfect Divine alone can satisfy and fulfill our needs, leaving no room for incompleteness or dissatisfaction.
The second verse of the song is an invocation to the Divine, who is described as the creator of the Brahman (cosmic consciousness), and the one who revealed the Vedas to humanity. The verse goes on to praise the Divine as the one who banishes darkness, ignites the flame of knowledge within us, and becomes our refuge.
The final verse is a prayer for the well-being and harmony of the world. The lines urge the gods to hear our plea for peace and surround us with their divine presence. The prayer also seeks for us to be protected and guided by the Divine, who is considered both the source and the sustainer of all existence.
Overall, this beautiful song is a reminder of the infinite nature and benevolence of the Divine and a plea for peace, harmony, and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
ॐ, ॐ, ॐ
This mantra begins with the repetition of the sacred syllable ‘Om’ three times, which represents the divine energy and union of the individual self with the universal self.
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम्
That infinite consciousness is full, as it has no gaps, it is whole and perfect, and everything is complete.
पूर्णापूर्णमुदऽचते
Even though infinite consciousness is complete, from that completeness comes the completeness of everything else that manifests.
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवा वशिश्यते
Infinity minus infinity gives infinity, and taking infinity from infinity, only infinity remains, which is nothing but pure consciousness.
ॐ यू ब्रम्हाणं विधधाति पूर्वं
The creator of the universe projected sound as the first aspect of creation, which gave rise to the vibration from which all things manifest.
योवईवेदांस्च् प्रहिरोतस्मयै
He who revealed the Vedas and other scriptures, that same creator abides in us as our own true self.
तमः देवाः आत्मा बुद्धिम् प्रकाशं
May that Divine light illuminate our intellect and consciousness, so that all ignorance and darkness may be dispelled.
मुमुऽछुर्वयी शरणमः प्रपद्यै
Taking refuge in that divine presence, may we surrender ourselves completely with an open heart and mind.
ॐ भद्रःकरणेभिः श्रुणुयामदेवाः
May we listen with our ears to that which is auspicious and divine.
भद्रंपश्शेवासभिर्णचत्राः
May we see with our eyes that which is auspicious and divine.
स्तीरईरंगस्तुटुवासस्तनुभिः
May we speak and chant with our bodies, mind and senses, so that our entire being is aligned with the divine.
यशेवर्धेवहीतईयदायुहु
May we work together towards prosperity, and may our knowledge and wisdom increase.
ॐ तन्वाभवतुः
May our bodies be radiant with health and vitality.
तत्वार्भवतु
May we be blessed with spiritual wealth and knowledge.
भवतुवाम
May we be together in our growth and development.
भवतुवक्तारम्
May our words and actions be guided by the Divine.
Writer(s): Kedar Pandit
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.