As we settle into a space of quiet devotion, we offer a song that bridges ancient reverence and heartfelt supplication. Drawing from the timeless well of Pali chant known as Narasiha Gatha, these verses chant the sacred praises of the Buddha — the Nara-sīho, the Lion of Men — describing his sublime form with metaphors of the sun, the moon, and gold. Each traditional stanza, carried by a solemn, acapella melody, is an act of contemplation on his enlightened qualities.

Yet, woven into this ancient tapestry is a earnest, modern refrain: a simple, repeated prayer from the heart of the seeker. It is a call across centuries, asking that this same Lion of Men, this leader of the wise, guides us today toward inner freedom and peace.

May this blend of poetic homage and personal yearning serve as a vessel for your own reflective devotion.

It is beneficial to recollect and visualise the Buddha as a radiant being and not simply as an ordinary human. The logic is simple. Buddhists aspire to be enlightened, just like Buddha. Therefore, if we visualise Buddha as a simple human, we risk humanizing and limiting the ideals of enlightenment.

Bodhi-Bowl

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Siniddha nīla mudu kuñcita keso,
sūriya nimmala talābhina lāṭo,
yutta tuṅga mudu kāyata nāso,
raṁsi jāla vitato nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Cakka varaṅkita ratta supādo,
 lakkhaṇa maṇḍita āyata paṇhi,
cāmari hattha vibhūsita paṇho,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Sakya kumāro varado sukhu mālo,
lakkhaṇa vicitta pasanna sarīro,
loka hitāya āgato nara vīro,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Āyata yutta susaṇṭhita soto,
gopa khumo abhinīla netto,
inda dhanu abhinīla bhamuko,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Puṇṇa canda nibho mukha vaṇṇo,
Deva narānaṁ piyo nara nāgo,
matta gajinda vilāsita gāmī,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Siniddha sugambhīra mañjusa ghoso,
hiṅgula vaṇṇa ratta sujivho,
vīsati vīsati seta sudanto,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Khattiya sambhava agga kulindo,
Deva manussa namassita pādo,
sīla samādhi patiṭṭhita citto,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Vaṭṭa suvaṭṭa susaṇṭhita gīvo,
sīha hanu miga rāja sarīro,
kañcana succhavi uttama vaṇṇo,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Añjana sama vaṇṇa sunīla keso,
kañcana paṭṭa visuddha nalāṭo,
osadhi paṇḍara suddha su uṇṇo,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

Gacchanto nila pathe viya cando,
tārā gaṇa parivaḍḍhita rūpo,
sāvaka majjha gato samaṇindo,
esa hi tuyhaṁ pitā nara-sīho.
Lion of men, leader of the wise,
Guide us to freedom, help us rise.

To access the song, click on My Buddhist Songs.

May all be well and happy.