Chanting › Namakāra-siddhi Gāthā — verses of successful homage
Namakāra-siddhi Gāthā — verses of successful homage
Paritta (protective chants)

Namakāra-siddhi Gāthā — verses of successful homage

Namakārasiddhigāthā

Verses of homage to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Saṅgha in turn, each one saying why that refuge is worth bowing to.

When it is chanted

Used to open chanting at ceremonies, especially ones meant to bless the hosts, since every stanza ends "may victory and success be yours."

Chanted alone it also works as an opening before meditation: it reviews why the Triple Gem can be relied on, which helps the mind find its footing before practice.

Background

These verses are a later composition, not a canonical text. In Thailand they are attributed to Prince Patriarch Vajirañāṇavarorasa, and they stand near the front of the royal chanting book.

The structure is very clear. Each section first describes the quality of that refuge — the Buddha who removed the stain of delusion by himself, the Dhamma which is like the Teacher's banner pointing out the path of purity, the Saṅgha which is the army of the true Dhamma following in the Well-Gone One's steps — and then makes the bow and the blessing.

"Jayasiddhi" at the end of each stanza means literally the success of victory. Here it means victory over the defilements and obstacles in one's own mind, not victory over other people.

Pali

  1. Yo cakkhumā mohamalāpakaṭṭho He who has vision, who cast off the stain of delusion,
  2. Sāmaṃ va buddho sugato vimutto awakened by himself, well gone, freed,
  3. Mārassa pāsā vinimocayanto releasing people from the snare of Māra,
  4. Pāpesi khemaṃ janataṃ vineyyaṃ led those who could be trained to safety.
  5. Buddhaṃ varantaṃ sirasā namāmi With my head I bow to that excellent Buddha,
  6. Lokassa nāthañca vināyakañca the refuge and guide of the world.
  7. Tantejasā te jayasiddhi hotu By the power of that, may victory and success be yours,
  8. Sabbantarāyā ca vināsamentu and may all obstacles come to nothing.
  9. Dhammo dhajo yo viya tassa satthu The Dhamma, which is like that Teacher's own banner,
  10. Dassesi lokassa visuddhimaggaṃ showed the world the path of purity;
  11. Niyyāniko dhammadharassa dhārī it leads out of suffering and guards the one who holds it,
  12. Sātāvaho santikaro suciṇṇo bringing gladness and making peace when well practised.
  13. Dhammaṃ varantaṃ sirasā namāmi With my head I bow to that excellent Dhamma,
  14. Mohappadālaṃ upasantadāhaṃ which splits delusion apart and cools the burning.
  15. Tantejasā te jayasiddhi hotu By the power of that, may victory and success be yours,
  16. Sabbantarāyā ca vināsamentu and may all obstacles come to nothing.
  17. Saddhammasenā sugatānugo yo The Saṅgha, the army of the true Dhamma, following the Well-Gone One,
  18. Lokassa pāpūpakilesajetā conquers the evil and the defilements that beset the world;
  19. Santo sayaṃ santiniyojako ca peaceful itself, it sets others on the way to peace
  20. Svākkhātadhammaṃ viditaṃ karoti and makes the well-proclaimed Dhamma known.
  21. Saṅghaṃ varantaṃ sirasā namāmi With my head I bow to that excellent Saṅgha,
  22. Buddhānubuddhaṃ samasīladiṭṭhiṃ awakened after the Buddha, of one virtue and one view.
  23. Tantejasā te jayasiddhi hotu By the power of that, may victory and success be yours,
  24. Sabbantarāyā ca vināsamentu and may all obstacles come to nothing.
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Where it comes from in the Tipiṭaka

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