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Ramaashtaka Krithis--Sixth Vibakthi Krithi

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • October 31, 1996 


Sri Dikshitar composed the sixth krithi in his 
Ramaashtakam series in the  59th Mela Ragam,
Dharmavathi . The Chatussruthi Daivatham and Kaakali 
Nishada svara sthaana Devathais are used in the feminine
raga of Dharmavathi to worship the manohara purushan,
who is the embodiment of Dharama( Dhrmo Vigrahavaan ).
It is an interesting coincidence that the Mela Ragam next to
Dharmavathi is Nitimathi  with Shatsruthi Daivatham and Kaakali 
Nishada praadhanya svarupam. Dharmam goes befor e  Nithi , 
it looks ! The great emperor , whose rulership was celebrated as 
Rama Rajyam seems to enjoy Sri Dikshitar's adoration in 
Raga Dharmavathi .  

The sahitya Vaakyams for this SAMASHTI  krithi are as follows :

PALLAVI :

RAAMACHANDRASYA DAASOHAM SRI SITAA NAYAKASYA
GURUGUHA HITASYA 

CHARANAM :

SAAMA DHAANA BEDHAADI CHATURASYA 
SAJJANA PAALASYA DHUSHTA HARASYA
SAMACHARA SAMPRATHAAYAKASYA
SABARI MOKSHA PRATHASYA VARASYA 
(RAMACHANDRASYA DAASOHAM )

In pallavi , Sri Dikshitar emphasises Daasyam 
( one of the nine modes of Bhakthi , the other 8 being 
SravaNam, Keerthanam, Paada Sevanam, Archanam,
vandanam , Sakhyam and Aatma Nivedanam )  in this 
krithi. In the previous krithi , he stated his ananya Bhakthi to 
Sri Rama. Now , he experiences the Bhavam of Daasyam .
Saint Thyagaraja has composed many krithis to express
his servitude to Rama in the manner in which Hanuman and 
LakshmaNaa demonstrated earlier . Some of the Krithis of the bard 
expressing Daasya mode of Bhakthi are :

1.Tava Daasoham --Ragam PunnAgavarALi
2. Upachaaramu cesevAru--Bhairavi
3. Banturiti Kolu--Hamsanaadam
4.Centane Sadaa-- KuntalavarALi 

The spirit of what Saint Thyagaraja states in the last 
Krithi is similar to the mood of Dikshitar , when he 
describes himself as "Ramachandrasya Daasoham ".
The bard of Thiruvaiyaaru expressed his mental state in 
the KuntalavaraaLi piece as follows :

" O Rama ! Just keep me by your side , as you do 
Hanuman and Bharata. You need not tell me much or 
often. I shall understand whatever work you think of and 
I will cheerfully carry it out. "

In Charana Vakyams , Dikshithar reminds one of the Kaapi
NaarayaNi piece of Saint Thyagaraja " Sarasa Saama Dhaana 
Bheda Danda Chathura " . Dukshitar's choice of words is 
" Saama Dhana Bhedaadhi chaturasya " , He leaves out
Dandam. Both thus celebrate the adeptness of Sri Rama 
in statesmanship by wielding the four expedients,
Conciliation(Saama) , Winning over through gifts(Dhaana) ,
Dividing the enemies and conquering ( Bheda) and Punishing by 
display of valor (Dandam ). While thinking about the Chathushtayam
(Four means) , the fourth expedient is very much on Dikshitar's mind 
and hence he goes on to eulogize Rama as " Sajjana Paalasya, 
Dushta Harasya) . The establishment of Dharma thru different 
incarnations (Dharma Samsthapanaarthaaya Sambhavaami
YugE yugE) and the protection of the Sajjanaas (Bhaktha Paalanam )
and the destruction of the wicked (Dushta Nigraham ) are alluded to
by Dikshitar in the second line of CharaNam.

In the third line , Dikshitar slautes Rama as " Samayaachara
Sampradhaayakasya " . Ramasya Daasoham . Samayaachaaram
is the ancient code of conduct defined by Saastraas. Rama never 
swerves from that Aachaaram . 

In the final line , Dikshitar refers to another servant of Sri Rama.
The lady on the banks of Pampaa river by the name of Sabari
served the Lord thru her unique hospitality and received the blessing of 
Moksham from the Lord Hmself. This Dikshithar refers to as
"Sabari Moksha Pratasya ". The Bhagyam of Sabari has been
celebrated by Saint Thyagaraja in Mukhari piece ( Entaninne  
 varninthunu? Sabari Bhagya ). Describing her indescribable
bhagyam, the Sadguru says : " She was privileged to see the Lord 
directly to her heart's content , offer Him delicious fruits, prostrate
before His holy feet in thrill and attain freedom from rebirth
( Punaraavritthi Rahita Padam ) in the presence of the Lord 
Himself. 

Sri Dikshitar concludes with the final salutation , "Varasya 
Ramachandrasya Dasoham ". Vara refers to either Sitaavara ,
the Nada Lola as described by Saint Thyagaraja in his 
Devagaandhaari krithi or Raghukula Sreshtan. Sri Dikshitar 
sums up by  stating that he is the servant (Daasa ) of such 
a Sreshtan with all of the above KalyaaNa GuNaas. 

RAAMAABHIRAAMAM NAYANAABHIRAAMAM 
VAACHAABHIRAAMAM VADANAABHIRAAMAM I
SARVAABHIRAAMAM CHA SADHAABHIRAAMAM
VANDEH SADHAA DASARATHIM CHA RAAMAM II

Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan