शान्तिप्रदः सत्यसन्धः | Paulos Mar Gregorios - Stotram | Sam Thomas

This hymn praises Paulos Mar Gregorios, a prominent 20th-century Indian Christian theologian from Kerala, who was also a Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The hymn extols his virtues such as peace, truth, wisdom, and humility, his role as a bridge between Eastern and Western thought, and his lifelong dedication to knowledge and the welfare of all beings.

शान्तिप्रदः सत्यसन्धः,
प्रज्ञाधरो दयानिधिः।
विश्वबन्धुर्महात्मा सन्,
पौलोस् नः पथि प्रकाशताम्॥

Translation:
May Paulos, who is the bestower of peace, bound to truth,
The repository of wisdom, and the abode of compassion,
Who, being a great soul and a friend of the entire world,
Illuminate our path.

केरळाम्बुजभूमिजातः,
सागरादिव निर्मलः।
विद्यावारिधिमग्नोऽपि,
विनयेन महान् बभौ॥

Translation:
Born in the lotus-land of Kerala,
He was as pure as the ocean.
Though immersed in the ocean of knowledge,
He shone with greatness through his humility.

पूर्वापरविचारधारा,
यस्य बुद्धौ समागताः।
एकं सत्यं द्विधा भिन्नं,
स एकत्वे मनो दधौ॥

Translation:
In whose intellect, the streams of Eastern and Western thought converged.
"The Truth is one, though perceived in diverse ways"—
He fixed his mind on that unity.

धर्माणां मध्यसेतुर्हि,
निजजीवनकर्मभिः।
"सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः" इति,
अहर्निशं स जजाप॥

Translation:
For he was indeed a bridge between religions,
Through his own life and actions.
"May all become happy"—
This was his constant prayer, day and night.

लेखनी शक्तिशूलं यस्य,
अज्ञानान्धतमोदलत्।
स विद्यादीपहस्तोऽद्य,
अन्धकारं व्यपोहतु॥

Translation:
Whose pen was a powerful spear that tore apart the darkness of ignorance.
May he, holding the lamp of knowledge even today,
Dispel the darkness (from our hearts).

॥ इति श्रीपौलोस्मार्ग्रेगोरियस्-स्तोत्रम् सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Translation:
Thus concludes the hymn to the revered Paulos Mar Gregorios.