Search:

From the Bhakti List Archives

Vijay Srinivasan • September 12, 1996 


Dear Prapatti Group Members:

Sadagopan made a very interesting comparison of Raghuveera Gadhyam and Valmeeki 
Ramayanam.  Eventhough I recite Raghuveera Gadhyam, I failed to notice that 
there are no references to Aranya KAndam.  Sadagopan - will you please check 
whether Virada-vadham, Kara Dhooshna vadam etc., whether or not they are part 
of Aranya kAndam.  For eg.: How about the gadhyam  "Dandaka thapovana jangama 
parijaata".

Once Navalpakkam Devanathacharya swamigal mentioned that in our sampradaayam 
the following sloka (after reciting the usual dhyana sloka) is recited before 
the parayanam:

Pithamahasyapi Pithamahya
Prachedasa Desa Phala Pradaya
Shri Bhashyakarottama Desikaya
Sri Shilapoornaya Namo Namasthat

Shri Shailapoorna from whom Ramanujacharya obtained Ramayana was the Acharya of 
Anatha Azhwar. This sloka refers to the fact that Shri Ramanujacharya obtained 
the secrets of Ramayana from Shri Shailapoorna  and thus it establishes the 
lineage for Vaishnavas with regard to Ramayana.

I would also like to thank Mani for the interesting interpretation of the last 
sloka of vairagya panchakam.

Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan