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Stotras of Vedanta Desika
by Sri D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar
Page 3
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5. Raghuveera Gadyam
Though the author has named this work as Mahaa-veera-vaibhavam
and begins it with the address "Mahaavira!", it is popularly known
only as Raghuveera Gadyam. A gadyam is a prose
composition which though not metrical, is yet framed with special
regard for rhythm and harmony -- a sort of poetic
prose.
Leaving out the single sloka at the beginning and the two
slokas at the end, this work consists of 94
addresses to Lord Sri Ramabhadra and one prostration to Him
-- prostration again and again (96). The entire epic of
Valmiki has been epitomised in these 94 sentences (they are
called choornikas). The outstanding traits of Sri Rama are all
touched upon. In fact, every address makes mention of at least
one characteristic trait of that Repository of all auspicious
qualities. Even as the story of the Ramayana is being unfolded
the glory of Rama-gunas is pointedly referred to. Very fine
sentiments such as Rama's absolute independence (svAtantryam)
being made subservient to the saranagati (surrender) of Sugreeva
(44) -- an apparent paradox -- must be specially
enjoyed. Choornikas 30 to 35 all deal with the destruction of
the Rakshasas. But what refreshingly different metaphors! Viradha
was slain like "deer by a tiger". The Rakshasas that worried the
Rishis were hunted down like birds and beasts. The heads of
Trisiras were annihilated as darkness by the sun. The huge
reservoir of water that was Dhooshana was made dry to the great
delectation of the hosts of Rishis. Khara, the chief of the horde
became like a tree uprooted by a terrific hurricane. Thc huge
forest of weeds in the shape of 14,000 Rakshasas was destroyed by
that majestic Elephant (Rama) trampling on it. And later,
Kumbhakarna's destruction is referred to as the rending in twain
of a huge mountain by a thunderbolt in the shape of Rama's astra
(arrow) (61). Choornika 299 is made up of ten words all
beginning with the letter "V".
Upto 21 Bala Kanda; 22 to 26 Ayodhya Kanda; 27 and
28 refer to the Vayasa (crow) episode that occurred while in
Chitrakuta but is narrated by Valmiki in the Sundara Kanda. 29 to
42 Aranya Kanda; 43 to 47 Kishkindha Kanda; 48 alone
Sundara Kanda. 49 to 80 Yuddha Kanda. The rest is Uttara Kanda.
Like Garuda Panchasat this stotra also must be read or
recited aloud to obtain the full benefit of its rich cadence and
rhythm.
Devanagari Text
6. Gopala Vimsati
This is a stotra containing twenty fine and unforgettable
pen-pictures of that Darling of Humanity Gopala -- not the
mature Krishna, but the Child of Gokulam with countless pranks to
his credit, and the pre-adolescent boy dallying with damsels. The
navaneeta-natyam (dance with butter in hand) portrayed in sloka
4, the navaneeta-chaurya (theft), the mother's ire and the
child's fear (5), his lovely face turned aside out of fear yet
with a ravishing smile lurking on his lovely lips (7), the
playing on the flute accompanied by lovely glances shining like
lotuses floating on a river of mercy (11) the Venugopala vision
of a split green emerald with flute on the lips and
peacock-feather on the head (12) -- these and several
other sweet and alluring portraits are sure to gladden our hearts
and souls for ever. Side by side, his transcendence as a Parama
Purusha (3) which still eludes the quest of the Vedas (8),
his being an unfailing upaya or means near at hand for attaining
moksha (9) his being the protector of all the worlds (16) and
the life of his devotees (19) -- these are also finely sung
about. Different vrittams (metres) are employed to suit the
respective topic. The 20th sloka lets out the secret of
this avatara (incarnation) as enshrined in the
Charama Sloka of the Bhagavad Geeta, viz., that the Lord
expects man to surrender (saranam vraja) to Him before ever He
wipes out his sins and takes him unto Himself. Gopala begs of the
Gopis for an anjali (folding of palms together in worship). That
anjali is the mudra (mark) indicative of surrender.
English Translation with Notes -
Devanagari Text
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