Chapter One - Vande Vandyaṃ (प्रथमाध्यायः - वन्दे वन्द्यं)
I bow to the worshipful, ever-blissful, stainless Vāsudeva, lord of Indirā, the Lord who grants boons to the foremost and others, the bestower of boons. (1)
I bow to Śrīpati’s lotus foot, which possesses a pedestal rubbed by the crowns of all rulers and resembles the sun in dispelling the heart’s darkness. (2)
One should contemplate the Lord’s hip, which supports his golden garment, is encircled by a golden girdle, and is occupied by the Mother of the World. (3)
The Lord’s abdomen is to be contemplated: though slender, it bears everything, is marked by three folds, and is always embraced by Śrī alone. (4)
One should contemplate the chest of Viṣṇu, the Lord—the abode of Indirā—boundless though seemingly bounded, occupying the space between his two arms. (5)
Hari’s arms—bearing the conch, discus, mace, and lotus, thick and rounded, and solely engaged in protecting the world—should be contemplated constantly. (6)
One should constantly contemplate Vaikuṇṭha’s neck, shining with the radiant Kaustubha, from which all the Vedas are continually uttered. (7)
One should remember Śrīpati’s praiseworthy lotus face, radiant with the immeasurable splendor of a thousand moons and removing the anguish of worldly existence. (8)
One should always contemplate the gentle smile of the Lord Govinda, radiant with the joy of perfect bliss and bestowing the state of eternal bliss. (9)
I remember the loving glance of Rama, who is perfect bliss—an ocean of nectar that brings an end to the anguish of worldly existence. (10)
One should constantly meditate on the Lord’s movement of the brow, awaited by Padmaja and others, which bestows offices such as that of Parameṣṭhin and grants liberation. (11)
One should constantly contemplate the Infinite One, especially at the time of death; even Brahmā and the others, while praising him, have never reached the end of his qualities. (12)
Thus ends the first chapter of the Dvādaśastotra, composed by the venerable Ānandatīrtha Bhagavatpādācārya.
