Experiencing Swami Desika - 10

From the Bhakti List Archives

• June 15, 1999


SrI:
Shrimate Shri Lakshmi Nrusimha Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Seetha Ramachandra Parabrahmane Namaha:
Shrimate Shri Ramanujaya Namaha:
Shrimate Nigamantha Maha Desikaya Namaha:
Shrimate Shrivan Satagopa Shri Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikaya Namaha:

When I was a child, I had so many wishes.
Starting from buying a beautiful dress
to learning to ride a bicycle. I was a little
reluctant to approach my father, but with my
mother I felt absolutely comfortable. Amma
is the most ideal mother we can ever imagine!

Amma was so patient and used to sanction what ever
I asked for. Some times I used to ask her for things
which I was afraid to ask Appa. In fact knowing my
mind Amma used to come separately and listen patiently
to all my wants. My mother is absolutely understanding!

Amma and Appa do all possible things to take care
of me. They don't expect anything for all what they
do! Appa and Amma always stand next to each other
in order to protect me. I'm the Luckiest!

I continuously keep committing mistakes. If Appa
and Amma ask me to do something, I would invariably
end up doing it the wrong way. One day, Amma was
talking about me to Appa. I had troubled Amma
a lot, and I thought she was going to complain
about me to Appa. But when I listened to it, tears
rolled down my eyes. To my surprise, even the wrong
things/ a few of my acts that could provoke appa
were so nicely presented to him by Amma.

After realising this, I try my level best to do
what Appa and Amma want me to do. I realised that
it is my greatest blessing to have them as my parents!

It is true that it is Adiyal's story, but the
parents mentioned are OUR PARENTS.

Our Mata is worshipped in three forms as Kaamya-arcaa,
Bogya-arcaa and Laya-arcaa.

In the form of Kaamya-arcaa She is in a separate sannidhi
in the temple where people worship her and get all their
desires fulfilled.

This is my mother sanctioning me all material requirements,
I had asked for!

In the Bhoga-arcaa form she is by the side of Bhagavan in the
main shrine for protecting the world.

This is Amma and Appa jointly protecting me.

In the form of Laya-arcaa, Lakshmi adorns the right side
of the broad chest of Perumal's Thirumeni itself as compassion
- incarnate and prevails upon Him to have tolerance and
forgiveness towards the erring Jivas.

This is my mother presenting even my wrong actions in the
right perspective.

Amma, please ensure that your daughter does not pray
for any materialistic desires to be fulfilled. I don't want to
see you standing alone for my sake. You've done enough
and more for me. It is my folly not to have realised
it so far. Please mould me in such a way to serve you
both now and ever.

Swami Desika, pours out his emotions thus:

Matha devi tvamasi Bhagavaan Vasudeva: pitha me
jata: soham janani yuvayorekhalakshyam dayaaya:
dhatto yushmad parijanataya desikairrapyatastvam
kimte bhuya: priyamidi kila smeravaktra vibhasi

-- SrI sthuti

Swami Desika says, Oh! divine Mother, ignoring
all my sins, with the only notion to protect me,
thou have blessed me. Lord wants to correct me
from my wrong doings by punishing me. He,
therefore becomes my father. It is by your divine
grace that I have reached great acharyas. They
offered me to you to perform Nithya Kaimkaryam.
Even now, the subtle smile on your face, seem to
reflect the question, 'what else can I do for you?'.

...To be continued!

dEsikan tiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Praveena nAmni Ramanuja dasi
15th Jun 1999