ಶಮೀ ಶಮಯತೇ ಪಾಪಂ ಶಮೀ ಶತೃ ವಿನಾಶಿನೀಂ ।
ಅರ್ಜುನಸ್ಯ ಧನುರ್ಧಾರಿ ರಾಮಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಿಯದರ್ಶಿನಿ ।।
Shamee ShamayathE paapam, shamee shatru vinaashineem |
Arjunasya dhanurdhaari raamasya priyadarshini ||
I met the priest at the temple earlier this morning. We had a casual talk exchanging Vijayadashami / dasara greetings and he asked if I knew the Shamee vriksha (tree) stuthi and the significance of praying shamee tree on Vijayadashami day. Further, explained the significance as in following stories.
It is said that the Pandavas in Dwaparayuga had placed their weapons on this tree before going on exile (agnyaatha vaasa). Upon arriving back after a year in exile, and while going on digvijay war that was fought against Kauravas, the Pandavas prayed the tree, recollected their weapons and went ahead to fight the war , and eventually won the war.
Sri Rama in Tretaayuga, prayed the shami tree before going on war with Ravana, and won the war, and got his wife Sita-matha back from lankadheesh.
Essentially, the Victory of the Good over Evil, Knowledge over Ignorance, Dharma over Adharma. Such dharmic Victory can be attained by praying the Shamee tree on the Dasara day. So before starting off any project, following this prayer, remember about Sriram and SriKrishna, and head out with executing the project would yield good results.
It is also said that effects of all the sins for the entire year can be reduced by praying this stuti on Vijayadashami day.
Even today, the Mysore dasara procession starts off to the Banni (shami) tree , perform pooja and then head out on the city procession. Mysore Dasara procession has been a traditional for ages, held in the city of Mysore.
So repeat again,
ಶಮೀ ಶಮಯತೇ ಪಾಪಂ ಶಮೀ ಶತೃ ವಿನಾಶಿನೀಂ ।
ಅರ್ಜುನಸ್ಯ ಧನುರ್ಧಾರಿ ರಾಮಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಿಯದರ್ಶಿನಿ ।।
Shamee ShamayathE paapam, shamee shatru vinaashineem |
Arjunasya dhanurdhaari raamasya priyadarshini ||
vEdamantra 